On Sports Fix with D'Arcy Waldegrave for 6 May 2026, when the team lists for round 12 of Super Rugby Pacific were released today, there was a notable omission from the Hurricanes. Cam Roigard is set to miss three to four weeks due to a calf injury. With only four rounds remaining in the regular season, does this jeopardise the Canes' push for a Super Rugby title? Former All Black and Hurricanes halfback Piri Weepu joined D'Arcy to discuss.
D'Arcy shares his thoughts on the ticket prices for the Auckland FC elimination final.
And D'Arcy and Newstalk ZB rugby commentator Elliott Smith discuss Cam Roigard's injury and what it means for the Hurricanes and the All Whites fixture against Haiti that was announced today.
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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.
This is Sportsfix Howard By News Talks EDB.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Why Hello, then, welcome on into the Sports Fix podcast.
My name is Darcy Waterlegrave. You got met for the duration.
It is a Wednesday. It's the sixth of May twenty
twenty six. Lined up for you today, Well bad news
for cam Royguard he's out of this weekend's up Mowana
pacifica fixture. Indeed next three to four week to the
(00:42):
dodgy calf. Petty Warepoo, one of Wellington's great halfbacks, joins
us on the program to talk about the loss of regard.
Joining us in the chamber, we have got Elliott Smith,
that mister Rugby here at Newstalker ZEDB. Then I've got
some thoughts around the A League their ability to actually
drop their ticket prices after last week's half full face
(01:05):
at go Media Stadium. That's our plan, so let's head go.
In other news, some spoken slips of sport today. The
saga of Moana Pussifica's future took another turn this morning
when the boss of Caniala Consortium Rugby, Tracy Artzinger told
Mike asking the current chief executive of Moana Passificat, DeBie Sorenson,
(01:29):
is ignoring them.
Speaker 3 (01:30):
With the money that's owes to the government through textpayer
funding for this outfit, that is something that should be
taken care of. It shouldn't be pushed to the side.
And if you've got a consortium like us that's been
around for twenty two years, you should be at least
agreeing to me.
Speaker 2 (01:43):
Chief executive of Live Golf, Scott O'Neill, is remaining positive
about the future of the Rebel League, even in the
face of the Saudi public Investment funds abandonment of the concept.
Speaker 4 (01:55):
Look, it's still early. We haven't gone to market yet,
we haven't finalized our business plan. We still are like
picking and priding, but we have a good sense at
this point. You know, ten days in, we know where
we're going and now we're just going to take the screws.
Speaker 2 (02:08):
And black ferns and the blues. Opicky Captain ru Hey
Demand believes her recent overseas experience will bring a new
dimension to her game.
Speaker 5 (02:18):
I've got an opportunity to attack against different styles of defense,
different defensive pictures. We also got to defend different attacking
shapes and attacking styles.
Speaker 2 (02:30):
Opicky gets its kit on in mid June. And that's
your sport today.
Speaker 6 (02:36):
You scavinion. It's Sportsfix with Dancy Vandegreve.
Speaker 2 (02:41):
We'll join now on the Sports Flex podcast by former
All Black and Hurricanes halfback mister Petty Weapo. We're going
to look at the loss of it Cam roy Guard,
get a pity? How are you?
Speaker 7 (02:53):
You're not too bad in yourself?
Speaker 2 (02:54):
Yeah? No, no, good, good good and enjoying my job
every day. Why wouldn't youse at least I'm not a
coach and have to deal with no Camroyguard. Let's cut
straight to the chase. How important the Hurricanes are looking
great right now? But how important to the campaign is
Cam Roy Guard. They will survive, but this will really
interrupt what they do right Yeah, I.
Speaker 8 (03:15):
Guess in terms of, you know, preparation leading into playoff
stages of the competition, rather than him being up for
three weeks, whether he's being rested or not. Put in
terms of that, you know, having his input leading up
to playoff stages of the competition will be It's going
(03:37):
to be something that they need to keep a close
eye on just to make sure that he's still sharp.
No doubt he will be, but it's just what they
do to keep him involved as he's a pretty integral
part of them.
Speaker 2 (03:50):
What do you do? What do you do in situations
there back in the day when you were playing, when
you had a key role on that How did you
stay involved when you were out with injury or suspended,
whatever it might have been. How did you engage and
involve yourself put yourself in that process.
Speaker 8 (04:06):
Oh, you're still involved in a lot of the team
conversations preparation, and you know, you might see something different
that a few of the other leaders don't see in
tendencies that the opposition have.
Speaker 9 (04:20):
So having his eye over things and his i Q
around around things is huge and you've got to take
that into factor so that whoever's.
Speaker 8 (04:32):
Jumping in in that role as a long, they need
to know what they're going up against and what opportunities
that presents itself. If you're not the type of player
that plays similar to camera reguards. So you know, he's
still going to huge role to play in terms of
helping uts the boys that are going to be playing
(04:54):
in the next sort of two three weeks while he's
out injured.
Speaker 2 (04:59):
Eddie and Ardi has got the job. It's quite a
re shuffled Hurricanes team to take on Mowana pussif some
people out with injuries. But generally, I think that laid
Law said it was kind of an almost a bye
taking into account that the lack of power that Mowana have.
(05:19):
I mean, it's probably a bit of a risk, isn't
it playing a slightly lesser team up against these guys.
Speaker 8 (05:26):
Yeah, I guess you lose sort of their continuity that
they've built, you know, in terms of their play. Bringing
in different guys or new guys that's not quite in
their starting role can disrupt it because they're still trying
to find their own feet within the structure of the
game plan. So but I mean, and saying that, you know,
(05:48):
they might have boys that have been involved just sit
on the bench and you know, slowly reintroduce them just
in case that they're back end of this campaign. Those
boys need to be brought in at least it's not.
Speaker 10 (06:01):
Too much of an ask sort of to be put
on the spot that they've had that experience, that that
opportunity to play, to build a bit of confidence within
their souls understand the game plan better and be able to.
Speaker 8 (06:17):
Execute what they need. So I don't particularly think it'll
be a walk in the park. We've seen that with Wana,
you know, with all the distractions going on in the background.
They've put in a pretty solid effort the last couple
of weeks. They just don't have the stamina at the
moments to back that up.
Speaker 2 (06:36):
Yeah, you can understand what's going on in the background,
right Perry. Nothing to do with cam royd Gard, but
it's a pretty stressful time for everybody involved in that camp.
They don't know if they're coming or going, or they're
being saved. So to focus axty on the football, you
feel for them, don't you.
Speaker 8 (06:52):
Oh, you do hundred percent. You know, those boys have
seen an opportunity in a competition that's well quite a
few people have been saying that it's going downhill, But
I mean for them to be involved in this competition
as massive, you know, as no other place where you
can get an opportunity to play in Super rugby, you know,
and some of them might not have got this opportunity.
(07:14):
Some sort of played a bit of NPC and this
is a big step up from NPC. To Super Rugby.
So I know a lot of those boys will be
playing I guess for another opportunity, whether whether they get
I mean a lifeline or not, whether it'll be playing
as hard as they can, just to push their case,
(07:34):
to show that the capable of playing in a competition
like this.
Speaker 6 (07:40):
Dissecting the sporting agenda, It's Sportsfix with Darcy Waldgrave.
Speaker 2 (07:45):
On Saturday night just gone, we were treated to one
of the most spectacular A League games we've seen. Spectacular
because Auckland FC were involved, Spectacular because so much was
on the line with this elimination final, Spectacular because Melbourne
City turned up. More importantly, Spectacular because it went for
(08:07):
so long and it ended with the greatest of highlights,
a seven six penalty shootout. What more could you ask for?
I tell you A crowd to watch it. Eleven thousand
souls turned up to that game. Not because AUCKLANDFC haven't
got a fan base, because we know that they have,
not because the import of the event was lost on
(08:30):
football fans here in Auckland City. No, they knew exactly
how important this game was. AUCKLANDFC were traveling beautifully. Suddenly
a stick in the spokes and they've got to go
through an elimination final to progress in the A League.
So what did they do?
Speaker 8 (08:48):
Well?
Speaker 2 (08:48):
One all at the end of regular time and then
eventually one on penalties seven six, and no one was
there to watch it because they were priced out of
the game. This is a group of fans that have
been feverishly following Auckland FC since inception, only a couple
of seasons ago, but they have proven to be a
(09:09):
huge part of what Auckland FC do the A League.
They turn up with the elimination final, all the finals games,
they control the ticketing, they control the prices and then
they pocket all the money. So what did they do?
They priced everybody out of the game. There was nobody
there because the A League got greedy. But then they
(09:31):
suddenly realized the error of their ways. They went about face,
they dropped the ticket prices and last time I checked,
they were getting closer and closer to filling up the ground.
Well done A League, and well done to all the
people out there that were spending their hard earned in
this financial crisis to go and watch a game of football.
(09:54):
Congratulations to all of you. Now let's sell it out.
Speaker 6 (09:57):
The chamber is now in session on Sportsfex.
Speaker 2 (10:01):
I will welcome out of a chamber too. Elliott Smith,
mister Rugby heer at news talker z B is also
a journalist to commentate, you're a writer. The list goes on,
thanks for giving us five minutes? How did I drag
you away?
Speaker 7 (10:13):
Are you too kind? I just pulled you know you
know how to speak to me, Darcy?
Speaker 2 (10:17):
Oh, I do? Oh that's it? And I just basically
grabbed him by the scruff and dragged him into the chamber.
A big story today, No cam regard we've had petty
were but one talking about it? Regard shapes as the
most critical and important figure within that Hurricane side or
is that not giving justice to a whole lot of
(10:38):
other stars like Yeah, Jordy Barrett's for example, for one.
Speaker 7 (10:42):
I think ultimately he is the most important part of
that Hurricanes team. The ability, the speed that he gives
him out of ruck, his vision across the park. He's
set up a try and squatter try last week that
you know, most other halfbacks wouldn't be able to do,
just as all around skill set. And while this Hurricanes
team has got a number of key players right across
the park, and you mentioned Jordy Barrett there and Warner
(11:05):
Dunes has been exceptional for them in the second row,
pill foring all sorts of ball. So much of that
circles around Cam roy Guard and him getting the team
going forward. And I think it's a big loss for
the Hurricanes. Three to four weeks means they'll be without
him for the rest of the regular season. He's going
to come back, probably underdone for a quarter final against
(11:25):
who knows who in the opening week of the playoffs.
So it's a big blow I think for the Hurricanes.
And again you'd think at this point they're on track
to be number one seed. Not having roy Guard there
for the next three to four weeks, including some derby games,
could well see them maybe slide down the road. I
think he's that big a loss with them that it
could be the difference in winning and losing some of
these games.
Speaker 2 (11:45):
Now, what about Anata. He's coming in in place of
himans he's a good player, plan he's not Camp Royguard.
What what can he do?
Speaker 7 (11:53):
All right? Plan? He's not Cam roy Guard And look,
he is a solid player. But I think the drop
off from Royguard to Anadi, both in terms of their
past they speak to the ruck all those sort of things.
Is just such a big drop.
Speaker 2 (12:08):
Work this through. What does he have to do now
because it's up to his coaching now, and I know
that with the Muana Pussyfikuer he's kind of thinks it's
a kind of a buye, which is dangerous. But he's
got to formulate a plan he does.
Speaker 7 (12:21):
Look, I was impressed by what I've seen out of
Jordi ville youu in their third string half back from
one over two last year in the NPC, and the
times he's played for the Hurricanes. I think he's perhaps
a bit more similar to it to cam Rouygard, but
they've gone with a Nardi this week. I wonder whether
they might have a look at Villau in the last
twenty thirty minutes of the game this week and see
how much it gets. But the drop off is significant
(12:44):
from royguard to the next week's half back in that
Hurricanes camp. You know, Nardi's been around for a number
of years yet now he's a summone international. He's played
for the Crusaders and a number of other teams. He's
been around the country, but he's never been really the
first choice at any of them. He's been a serviceable backup.
Now it's a big moment for him to stand up
and try and get this team to top seed in
(13:06):
the playoffs. So it's a big ask for him.
Speaker 2 (13:08):
I drag you into the chamber. I'm just gonna start
throwing things at you and see if you can respond.
You are a rugby editor after a wall interesting conversation
on Breakdown this week about the import of players in
various positions and plainly Roy Guard is the best halfback
we have, not by the length of the strait, but
it must be pretty close. So that area halfbacks maybe
(13:31):
a little skinny for Dave Rennie across all of the
other groups. Light your back three, your midfield, your locks
in front row, where else is it skinny? Do you think?
Because it's a lot of strength right across these franchises.
Speaker 7 (13:45):
There's a lot of strength. But I also think there's
a lot of questions as to who the best combinations
are in each position.
Speaker 2 (13:52):
That's what they were talking about, hard one.
Speaker 7 (13:54):
You've got a lot of depth. I think I think
halfwick is the one we go. We know who our
first choice is. We don't know who's in there after that.
I mean, hope them is improving, but I thought this
kicking was a little bit off in that Hurricanes game
last week. Ratama is struggling to really make the Chiefs
run on team. At the moment, they're using him more
as a finishing player. Lennox, I've been impressed by it
the Highlanders, but I think ultimately half back is the
(14:15):
one where they need to get some depth quickly before
the World Cup. Dave Rennie is going to have to
decide really quickly who was second choices and then obviously
his third choice. There are other positions, you know, midfield,
but it's more do you go with Barrett and Yuani
or Procter in Tupai. You've got options for.
Speaker 2 (14:31):
The combinations, but there are a lot of players who
could slide into these positions, right, I mean, Billy Procter
hasn't really set the world on fire as a test player,
but he's got so much to offer. He sits here
as well. You got your old school out of Canbury
or the Crusaders and excuse me wanting to make a
ruckets the does Rico come back? Where does he play totally?
Speaker 7 (14:47):
And there's all sorts of questions over that. So I
think you've got options though, just no matter of what
the best one is. But half back, I think is
the position where they're really thin, you know, flanket as
well as the one where you go they've got Sa Titi,
they've got Lakai, they've got Va, They've got a few
other players in the max. But what's the best six,
seven eight for this, you know, this all backs team
to win a Rugby World Cup. I think it hen
(15:08):
there's a question obviously as well. We go through all
the positions, but is it mackenzie?
Speaker 3 (15:12):
Is it?
Speaker 2 (15:12):
Is it?
Speaker 7 (15:13):
Love?
Speaker 2 (15:13):
We've got them there right at a level.
Speaker 7 (15:16):
I think there's that You're right, they're at a level,
but there's no one going on the absolute first choice ten.
You could make arguments for any of those three players
we've talked about, and I think that's almost a problem,
is that you can make arguments, but neither of them going.
They're the laid down Mazi to start at ten for
the All Blacks and the first choice that tested the year.
Speaker 2 (15:32):
And so you're back three year. Okay worth as well
about who's going to.
Speaker 7 (15:36):
Be again, I think there are options that and Jordan,
you know, Damian McKenzie can drop back there obviously, Caleb
Clark two tongueytowl looks like a real prospect. There's some
some handy wingers.
Speaker 2 (15:48):
A great, big open side that can have a bit
of fun.
Speaker 7 (15:51):
Yeah, if he's willing to get back out to the
back line. The problem is that bes winging the comp
at the moment is heading overseas after the season and
for Fin Young and awfour. So that's another thing that
New Zealand Rugby and the Hurricanes have to have to
They've got.
Speaker 2 (16:04):
A war chest that they can just go and buy
and bag again, would they do that or not?
Speaker 7 (16:07):
Against the hour of Red Bull newcast Still I'm not
sure right No.
Speaker 2 (16:12):
And away from rugby union to football. Yet another encounter
set up for the All Whites. It's against Haiti, who
are just around us in the world rankings just before
the English game. You've got to give credit to New
Zealand Football for the way they're organizing this. They're leaving
no Stone.
Speaker 7 (16:29):
Unteams absolutely and I do like the fact that they
are similarly matched in the rankings. This isn't a case
of you know, they're playing England a few days after
that game and England are very you know, they're one
of the World Cup contenders, but you also need to
play teams around your own level just to get a
sense of whether you're on track and whether you've got
the right players in the mix, which sometimes you won't
learn against a team that are expected to win and
(16:49):
win well against you, like England should be against New
Zealand in that game four days later. So I like
they're both in the eighties and the world rankings, they're
really really close together. Not sure how their styles will
plague off against each other, but I think they've done
themselves in terms of having those two warm up games
in the United States, just you know, a few days
out from the tournament. You know, rookie Herbert heard from
him today. He's pretty happy with it as well. Went
(17:10):
to the World Cup last time obviously as the awards coach.
So I think a major tick for what they've been
able to pull together. They're just a matter of seeing
whether Iran turns up for their opening game with the
tournament proper.
Speaker 2 (17:19):
And we're not going to know that till just before
kick off. Yes, yes, goes Hey, Thanks very much for
joining us. Elliott Smith sports news journalists for News Talks,
EB and mister Rugby up here at Ground Control. Can
we call NZDM ground Control.
Speaker 7 (17:34):
We can now we just.
Speaker 6 (17:35):
Did leading a X. We've got just the ticket. It's
Sports Fix powered by News Talks.
Speaker 2 (17:40):
IV and that's all I've got time for. Thanks very
much for joining us here in the Sports Fixed podcast.
It's been a Wednesday, the sixth of May twenty twenty
six on Darcy Watergrave. Thanks for your company. If you've
liked what you've heard, tell your friends, tell your family,
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(18:03):
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(18:25):
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Speaker 1 (18:44):
More from News Talks 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 range of podcasts now on iHeartRadio.
This is Sportsfix Howard By News Talks EDB.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Why Hello, then, welcome on into the Sports Fix podcast.
My name is Darcy Waterlegrave. You got met for the duration.
It is a Wednesday. It's the sixth of May twenty
twenty six. Lined up for you today, Well bad news
for cam Royguard he's out of this weekend's up Mowana
pacifica fixture. Indeed next three to four week to the
(00:42):
dodgy calf. Petty Warepoo, one of Wellington's great halfbacks, joins
us on the program to talk about the loss of regard.
Joining us in the chamber, we have got Elliott Smith,
that mister Rugby here at Newstalker ZEDB. Then I've got
some thoughts around the A League their ability to actually
drop their ticket prices after last week's half full face
(01:05):
at go Media Stadium. That's our plan, so let's head go.
In other news, some spoken slips of sport today. The
saga of Moana Pussifica's future took another turn this morning
when the boss of Caniala Consortium Rugby, Tracy Artzinger told
Mike asking the current chief executive of Moana Passificat, DeBie Sorenson,
(01:29):
is ignoring them.
Speaker 3 (01:30):
With the money that's owes to the government through textpayer
funding for this outfit, that is something that should be
taken care of. It shouldn't be pushed to the side.
And if you've got a consortium like us that's been
around for twenty two years, you should be at least
agreeing to me.
Speaker 2 (01:43):
Chief executive of Live Golf, Scott O'Neill, is remaining positive
about the future of the Rebel League, even in the
face of the Saudi public Investment funds abandonment of the concept.
Speaker 4 (01:55):
Look, it's still early. We haven't gone to market yet,
we haven't finalized our business plan. We still are like
picking and priding, but we have a good sense at
this point. You know, ten days in, we know where
we're going and now we're just going to take the screws.
Speaker 2 (02:08):
And black ferns and the blues. Opicky Captain ru Hey
Demand believes her recent overseas experience will bring a new
dimension to her game.
Speaker 5 (02:18):
I've got an opportunity to attack against different styles of defense,
different defensive pictures. We also got to defend different attacking
shapes and attacking styles.
Speaker 2 (02:30):
Opicky gets its kit on in mid June. And that's
your sport today.
Speaker 6 (02:36):
You scavinion. It's Sportsfix with Dancy Vandegreve.
Speaker 2 (02:41):
We'll join now on the Sports Flex podcast by former
All Black and Hurricanes halfback mister Petty Weapo. We're going
to look at the loss of it Cam roy Guard,
get a pity? How are you?
Speaker 7 (02:53):
You're not too bad in yourself?
Speaker 2 (02:54):
Yeah? No, no, good, good good and enjoying my job
every day. Why wouldn't youse at least I'm not a
coach and have to deal with no Camroyguard. Let's cut
straight to the chase. How important the Hurricanes are looking
great right now? But how important to the campaign is
Cam Roy Guard. They will survive, but this will really
interrupt what they do right Yeah, I.
Speaker 8 (03:15):
Guess in terms of, you know, preparation leading into playoff
stages of the competition, rather than him being up for
three weeks, whether he's being rested or not. Put in
terms of that, you know, having his input leading up
to playoff stages of the competition will be It's going
(03:37):
to be something that they need to keep a close
eye on just to make sure that he's still sharp.
No doubt he will be, but it's just what they
do to keep him involved as he's a pretty integral
part of them.
Speaker 2 (03:50):
What do you do? What do you do in situations
there back in the day when you were playing, when
you had a key role on that How did you
stay involved when you were out with injury or suspended,
whatever it might have been. How did you engage and
involve yourself put yourself in that process.
Speaker 8 (04:06):
Oh, you're still involved in a lot of the team
conversations preparation, and you know, you might see something different
that a few of the other leaders don't see in
tendencies that the opposition have.
Speaker 9 (04:20):
So having his eye over things and his i Q
around around things is huge and you've got to take
that into factor so that whoever's.
Speaker 8 (04:32):
Jumping in in that role as a long, they need
to know what they're going up against and what opportunities
that presents itself. If you're not the type of player
that plays similar to camera reguards. So you know, he's
still going to huge role to play in terms of
helping uts the boys that are going to be playing
(04:54):
in the next sort of two three weeks while he's
out injured.
Speaker 2 (04:59):
Eddie and Ardi has got the job. It's quite a
re shuffled Hurricanes team to take on Mowana pussif some
people out with injuries. But generally, I think that laid
Law said it was kind of an almost a bye
taking into account that the lack of power that Mowana have.
(05:19):
I mean, it's probably a bit of a risk, isn't
it playing a slightly lesser team up against these guys.
Speaker 8 (05:26):
Yeah, I guess you lose sort of their continuity that
they've built, you know, in terms of their play. Bringing
in different guys or new guys that's not quite in
their starting role can disrupt it because they're still trying
to find their own feet within the structure of the
game plan. So but I mean, and saying that, you know,
(05:48):
they might have boys that have been involved just sit
on the bench and you know, slowly reintroduce them just
in case that they're back end of this campaign. Those
boys need to be brought in at least it's not.
Speaker 10 (06:01):
Too much of an ask sort of to be put
on the spot that they've had that experience, that that
opportunity to play, to build a bit of confidence within
their souls understand the game plan better and be able to.
Speaker 8 (06:17):
Execute what they need. So I don't particularly think it'll
be a walk in the park. We've seen that with Wana,
you know, with all the distractions going on in the background.
They've put in a pretty solid effort the last couple
of weeks. They just don't have the stamina at the
moments to back that up.
Speaker 2 (06:36):
Yeah, you can understand what's going on in the background,
right Perry. Nothing to do with cam royd Gard, but
it's a pretty stressful time for everybody involved in that camp.
They don't know if they're coming or going, or they're
being saved. So to focus axty on the football, you
feel for them, don't you.
Speaker 8 (06:52):
Oh, you do hundred percent. You know, those boys have
seen an opportunity in a competition that's well quite a
few people have been saying that it's going downhill, But
I mean for them to be involved in this competition
as massive, you know, as no other place where you
can get an opportunity to play in Super rugby, you know,
and some of them might not have got this opportunity.
(07:14):
Some sort of played a bit of NPC and this
is a big step up from NPC. To Super Rugby.
So I know a lot of those boys will be
playing I guess for another opportunity, whether whether they get
I mean a lifeline or not, whether it'll be playing
as hard as they can, just to push their case,
(07:34):
to show that the capable of playing in a competition
like this.
Speaker 6 (07:40):
Dissecting the sporting agenda, It's Sportsfix with Darcy Waldgrave.
Speaker 2 (07:45):
On Saturday night just gone, we were treated to one
of the most spectacular A League games we've seen. Spectacular
because Auckland FC were involved, Spectacular because so much was
on the line with this elimination final, Spectacular because Melbourne
City turned up. More importantly, Spectacular because it went for
(08:07):
so long and it ended with the greatest of highlights,
a seven six penalty shootout. What more could you ask for?
I tell you A crowd to watch it. Eleven thousand
souls turned up to that game. Not because AUCKLANDFC haven't
got a fan base, because we know that they have,
not because the import of the event was lost on
(08:30):
football fans here in Auckland City. No, they knew exactly
how important this game was. AUCKLANDFC were traveling beautifully. Suddenly
a stick in the spokes and they've got to go
through an elimination final to progress in the A League.
So what did they do?
Speaker 8 (08:48):
Well?
Speaker 2 (08:48):
One all at the end of regular time and then
eventually one on penalties seven six, and no one was
there to watch it because they were priced out of
the game. This is a group of fans that have
been feverishly following Auckland FC since inception, only a couple
of seasons ago, but they have proven to be a
(09:09):
huge part of what Auckland FC do the A League.
They turn up with the elimination final, all the finals games,
they control the ticketing, they control the prices and then
they pocket all the money. So what did they do?
They priced everybody out of the game. There was nobody
there because the A League got greedy. But then they
(09:31):
suddenly realized the error of their ways. They went about face,
they dropped the ticket prices and last time I checked,
they were getting closer and closer to filling up the ground.
Well done A League, and well done to all the
people out there that were spending their hard earned in
this financial crisis to go and watch a game of football.
(09:54):
Congratulations to all of you. Now let's sell it out.
Speaker 6 (09:57):
The chamber is now in session on Sportsfex.
Speaker 2 (10:01):
I will welcome out of a chamber too. Elliott Smith,
mister Rugby heer at news talker z B is also
a journalist to commentate, you're a writer. The list goes on,
thanks for giving us five minutes? How did I drag
you away?
Speaker 7 (10:13):
Are you too kind? I just pulled you know you
know how to speak to me, Darcy?
Speaker 2 (10:17):
Oh, I do? Oh that's it? And I just basically
grabbed him by the scruff and dragged him into the chamber.
A big story today, No cam regard we've had petty
were but one talking about it? Regard shapes as the
most critical and important figure within that Hurricane side or
is that not giving justice to a whole lot of
(10:38):
other stars like Yeah, Jordy Barrett's for example, for one.
Speaker 7 (10:42):
I think ultimately he is the most important part of
that Hurricanes team. The ability, the speed that he gives
him out of ruck, his vision across the park. He's
set up a try and squatter try last week that
you know, most other halfbacks wouldn't be able to do,
just as all around skill set. And while this Hurricanes
team has got a number of key players right across
the park, and you mentioned Jordy Barrett there and Warner
(11:05):
Dunes has been exceptional for them in the second row,
pill foring all sorts of ball. So much of that
circles around Cam roy Guard and him getting the team
going forward. And I think it's a big loss for
the Hurricanes. Three to four weeks means they'll be without
him for the rest of the regular season. He's going
to come back, probably underdone for a quarter final against
(11:25):
who knows who in the opening week of the playoffs.
So it's a big blow I think for the Hurricanes.
And again you'd think at this point they're on track
to be number one seed. Not having roy Guard there
for the next three to four weeks, including some derby games,
could well see them maybe slide down the road. I
think he's that big a loss with them that it
could be the difference in winning and losing some of
these games.
Speaker 2 (11:45):
Now, what about Anata. He's coming in in place of
himans he's a good player, plan he's not Camp Royguard.
What what can he do?
Speaker 7 (11:53):
All right? Plan? He's not Cam roy Guard And look,
he is a solid player. But I think the drop
off from Royguard to Anadi, both in terms of their
past they speak to the ruck all those sort of things.
Is just such a big drop.
Speaker 2 (12:08):
Work this through. What does he have to do now
because it's up to his coaching now, and I know
that with the Muana Pussyfikuer he's kind of thinks it's
a kind of a buye, which is dangerous. But he's
got to formulate a plan he does.
Speaker 7 (12:21):
Look, I was impressed by what I've seen out of
Jordi ville youu in their third string half back from
one over two last year in the NPC, and the
times he's played for the Hurricanes. I think he's perhaps
a bit more similar to it to cam Rouygard, but
they've gone with a Nardi this week. I wonder whether
they might have a look at Villau in the last
twenty thirty minutes of the game this week and see
how much it gets. But the drop off is significant
(12:44):
from royguard to the next week's half back in that
Hurricanes camp. You know, Nardi's been around for a number
of years yet now he's a summone international. He's played
for the Crusaders and a number of other teams. He's
been around the country, but he's never been really the
first choice at any of them. He's been a serviceable backup.
Now it's a big moment for him to stand up
and try and get this team to top seed in
(13:06):
the playoffs. So it's a big ask for him.
Speaker 2 (13:08):
I drag you into the chamber. I'm just gonna start
throwing things at you and see if you can respond.
You are a rugby editor after a wall interesting conversation
on Breakdown this week about the import of players in
various positions and plainly Roy Guard is the best halfback
we have, not by the length of the strait, but
it must be pretty close. So that area halfbacks maybe
(13:31):
a little skinny for Dave Rennie across all of the
other groups. Light your back three, your midfield, your locks
in front row, where else is it skinny? Do you think?
Because it's a lot of strength right across these franchises.
Speaker 7 (13:45):
There's a lot of strength. But I also think there's
a lot of questions as to who the best combinations
are in each position.
Speaker 2 (13:52):
That's what they were talking about, hard one.
Speaker 7 (13:54):
You've got a lot of depth. I think I think
halfwick is the one we go. We know who our
first choice is. We don't know who's in there after that.
I mean, hope them is improving, but I thought this
kicking was a little bit off in that Hurricanes game
last week. Ratama is struggling to really make the Chiefs
run on team. At the moment, they're using him more
as a finishing player. Lennox, I've been impressed by it
the Highlanders, but I think ultimately half back is the
(14:15):
one where they need to get some depth quickly before
the World Cup. Dave Rennie is going to have to
decide really quickly who was second choices and then obviously
his third choice. There are other positions, you know, midfield,
but it's more do you go with Barrett and Yuani
or Procter in Tupai. You've got options for.
Speaker 2 (14:31):
The combinations, but there are a lot of players who
could slide into these positions, right, I mean, Billy Procter
hasn't really set the world on fire as a test player,
but he's got so much to offer. He sits here
as well. You got your old school out of Canbury
or the Crusaders and excuse me wanting to make a
ruckets the does Rico come back? Where does he play totally?
Speaker 7 (14:47):
And there's all sorts of questions over that. So I
think you've got options though, just no matter of what
the best one is. But half back, I think is
the position where they're really thin, you know, flanket as
well as the one where you go they've got Sa Titi,
they've got Lakai, they've got Va, They've got a few
other players in the max. But what's the best six,
seven eight for this, you know, this all backs team
to win a Rugby World Cup. I think it hen
(15:08):
there's a question obviously as well. We go through all
the positions, but is it mackenzie?
Speaker 3 (15:12):
Is it?
Speaker 2 (15:12):
Is it?
Speaker 7 (15:13):
Love?
Speaker 2 (15:13):
We've got them there right at a level.
Speaker 7 (15:16):
I think there's that You're right, they're at a level,
but there's no one going on the absolute first choice ten.
You could make arguments for any of those three players
we've talked about, and I think that's almost a problem,
is that you can make arguments, but neither of them going.
They're the laid down Mazi to start at ten for
the All Blacks and the first choice that tested the year.
Speaker 2 (15:32):
And so you're back three year. Okay worth as well
about who's going to.
Speaker 7 (15:36):
Be again, I think there are options that and Jordan,
you know, Damian McKenzie can drop back there obviously, Caleb
Clark two tongueytowl looks like a real prospect. There's some
some handy wingers.
Speaker 2 (15:48):
A great, big open side that can have a bit
of fun.
Speaker 7 (15:51):
Yeah, if he's willing to get back out to the
back line. The problem is that bes winging the comp
at the moment is heading overseas after the season and
for Fin Young and awfour. So that's another thing that
New Zealand Rugby and the Hurricanes have to have to
They've got.
Speaker 2 (16:04):
A war chest that they can just go and buy
and bag again, would they do that or not?
Speaker 7 (16:07):
Against the hour of Red Bull newcast Still I'm not
sure right No.
Speaker 2 (16:12):
And away from rugby union to football. Yet another encounter
set up for the All Whites. It's against Haiti, who
are just around us in the world rankings just before
the English game. You've got to give credit to New
Zealand Football for the way they're organizing this. They're leaving
no Stone.
Speaker 7 (16:29):
Unteams absolutely and I do like the fact that they
are similarly matched in the rankings. This isn't a case
of you know, they're playing England a few days after
that game and England are very you know, they're one
of the World Cup contenders, but you also need to
play teams around your own level just to get a
sense of whether you're on track and whether you've got
the right players in the mix, which sometimes you won't
learn against a team that are expected to win and
(16:49):
win well against you, like England should be against New
Zealand in that game four days later. So I like
they're both in the eighties and the world rankings, they're
really really close together. Not sure how their styles will
plague off against each other, but I think they've done
themselves in terms of having those two warm up games
in the United States, just you know, a few days
out from the tournament. You know, rookie Herbert heard from
him today. He's pretty happy with it as well. Went
(17:10):
to the World Cup last time obviously as the awards coach.
So I think a major tick for what they've been
able to pull together. They're just a matter of seeing
whether Iran turns up for their opening game with the
tournament proper.
Speaker 2 (17:19):
And we're not going to know that till just before
kick off. Yes, yes, goes Hey, Thanks very much for
joining us. Elliott Smith sports news journalists for News Talks,
EB and mister Rugby up here at Ground Control. Can
we call NZDM ground Control.
Speaker 7 (17:34):
We can now we just.
Speaker 6 (17:35):
Did leading a X. We've got just the ticket. It's
Sports Fix powered by News Talks.
Speaker 2 (17:40):
IV and that's all I've got time for. Thanks very
much for joining us here in the Sports Fixed podcast.
It's been a Wednesday, the sixth of May twenty twenty
six on Darcy Watergrave. Thanks for your company. If you've
liked what you've heard, tell your friends, tell your family,
in fact, spread the word. The more ears on the
Sports Fix, the better. And thanks very much for subscribing,
(18:03):
because I presume you have and again encourage your mates
to do exactly the same thing. If it's our old
school live radio you after News Talks areb has got
that twenty seven and eight pm Monday through Friday. It
is called sports Talk. I've got Tuesday through Friday. Jason
pine has got the Monday show, and then Piney has
the weekend at his disposal twelve midday through the three
(18:25):
o'clock Saturday and Sunday with Weekend Sport. We're both very
much love for you to join any of these shows
and get amongst. We've got open line talkback. Oh one
hundred and eighty ten eighty you can message on at
nine two at nine two as well. We've got it all,
but more importantly, we've got the fix for.
Speaker 1 (18:44):
More from News Talks B Listen live on air or online,
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