July 16, 2025 • 16 mins
On Sports Fix with Elliott Smith for 16 July 2025, former All Black Mils Muliaina joins the podcast to discuss what selections he'd like to see for this weekend's test. Should Razor use this French side as an opportunity to experiment or is consistency key to future All Blacks performances?
Newstalk ZB sports news director Clay Wilson offers his thoughts on whether to shake or stick in The Chamber.
Plus, Elliott considers what's really at stake in the Williams v Gallen fight - beyond ego.
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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 ed.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
BE Welcome to Sports Fix for Wednesday, the sixteenth of July.
I'm Elliott Smith. Coming up on today's episode with DJ
Gardner Holmes, New Zealand's most trusted home builder. We talk
at rugby with Mills, Mulliana or Black Centurion and Skysport commentator.
Speaker 3 (00:34):
Should the All Blacks picking stick once.
Speaker 2 (00:36):
Again or should they shake up some of the combinations
for the third and final test against France. Mills will
give us his thoughts in just a moment or two.
On Sports Fix. Clay Wilsons, HEBBI sports news director, jumps
into the chamber with us and I'll give you my
thoughts as well. On the Sunny Bear Williams versus Paul
Gallon fight coming up a bit later on tonight. Is
(00:57):
it a farce or is there actually some meaning to it?
I'll give you my thoughts in a few moments here
on Sports Fix.
Speaker 3 (01:03):
Let's get into it.
Speaker 1 (01:04):
In other news, it's time to wrap up the sport
of the last twenty four hours and the Warriors will
be without Rocker Berry for up to six weeks of
NRL action.
Speaker 2 (01:13):
He dislocated his shoulder when Jerome Lewie fell on him
and the winner of the Tigers, Kase Capwell, moves into
the centers as he returns from origin duties for the
game against Newcastle on Sunday. It's just encaged slave, Griffin says.
The injury was unfortunate.
Speaker 4 (01:26):
It's a little bit more complicated because he obviously had
that previous injury on it as well, so it's just
rock all over like he's just competing, diving on a
loose ball, find his body in a bad position, just
out of competitiveness.
Speaker 2 (01:38):
Coach Gregor towns Here is hoping Rugby's plans by any
Nations Championship will allow Scotland to end a quarter century
weight and challenge the All Blacks on New Zealand soil.
The Scotts are currently in Auckland preparing Provider's clash against
Salmore at even Park, the first Test in New Zealand
since the twenty.
Speaker 3 (01:54):
Eleven World Cup.
Speaker 2 (01:54):
They haven't played Yere against the All Blacks since two
thousand and when Townshend was a player.
Speaker 3 (01:59):
He's now coaching them and says.
Speaker 2 (02:00):
The nation's championships hum and away format should help break
that drought.
Speaker 5 (02:03):
If invest of them in twenty twenty six up all
that we'd change it around and we'll get to put
him in twenty two here, but there'll be more regular
competition known for the sex nations countries and the sex
countries that are involved from the Southern hemisphere. So I
would hope that means that we get to pull.
Speaker 2 (02:16):
It all bats here and Kirby Box and David Nika
is ready for his mental resilience to be tested tonight
against compatriot Nick Cheryl Lampos in Sydney.
Speaker 3 (02:24):
He returns on the undercart.
Speaker 2 (02:25):
Of the s BW Paul Gallon fight, in his first
bout since a knockout loss to IBUF world champion Jiopetia
back in January. Nika says the defeat has led to
a challenging training camp.
Speaker 6 (02:35):
I've always taken pride in my resilience and I know
that that's the only way forward is to keep punching.
I've had to do a lot of like self discovery
in this time, and a lot of it's been psychological
and mental growth.
Speaker 3 (02:47):
But that's what will make me a better person. That
was David Nike, and that was Sport Today leading of X.
We've got just the ticket.
Speaker 1 (02:55):
It's sports Fix now my news talks, Ivy.
Speaker 3 (02:59):
I'm sorry to you here because I am battling.
Speaker 2 (03:01):
So Hey, if Sonny but Williams and Paul Gallen want
to get in the ring and fight tonight, fine, but
don't suggest to me it's the fight of the century
as it's been hyped up to by the organizers or
any nonsense like that. It's not even the best fight
this year, this month, or even this week. Alexander Usk
and Daniel Dubois on Sunday Morning takes that. In fact,
(03:22):
Ossie tim Zoo takes on Sebastian Fondora in the WBC
super Bowl to weight rematch for a title as well
on Sunday. Then Manny Pakia is in action the old
man by these forty six fights to the WBC well
to weeight titles. So those three there are important fights.
There's three bigger fights this week alone than Gallon versus SBW.
(03:44):
Two Great League players stepping into the ring to settle
a score. All power to them if it's going to
bring them closure or cash or whatever.
Speaker 3 (03:52):
They're after.
Speaker 2 (03:53):
But this is the equivalent of a pub rule between
two old blokes who can't stop sniping each other from
across the bar. It's nowhere near the status that's being
sold at. In fact, it's not even the best fight
on tonight. David Nieker is probably more interesting for me.
If you're excited and you're looking forward to it, and
you're separating yourself with forty five bucks for it, good
(04:13):
for you, but don't suggest to me it's worth anything
more than that. It's being sold as the fight of
the century. If you're buying that, I have a bridge
to sell you.
Speaker 1 (04:22):
This is Sports Fix, your daily dose of sports news,
power by news talksb.
Speaker 2 (04:29):
Talking Rugby on Sports Fix. And the All Blacks will
name the team tomorrow to face France and the third
and final test on Saturday in Hamilton ten forty five
Thursday morning. It will be named Scott Robinson has previously
given a promise that there will be a chance for
everyone in the squad to play in the series, so
there's four or five names that haven't yet got any
game time. But also whether they stick with some of
(04:50):
those combinations that they are trying out in this series.
Speaker 3 (04:53):
Joining us on Sports Fix.
Speaker 2 (04:54):
To discuss further is All Black centurion and Skysport commentator
Mills Mullyana Mills, thanks for your.
Speaker 7 (05:00):
Time absolutely please.
Speaker 3 (05:02):
Good to be hones well Mills.
Speaker 2 (05:03):
How would you assess the All Blacks so far in
this series against France with one game left?
Speaker 7 (05:08):
Oh? Mate, look, I think you know the response was
evident last week, wasn't it. I mean, the first week
is always a little bit of pressure after a narrow wind,
but I think the good thing was they actually won
and they left a couple of opportunities out in Dunedin.
The response was fantastic. What I loved about Wellington is
that they started to click. You know, they all understood
(05:30):
what they needed to do, get down the other out
the end of the park and some of the kicking also,
and they varied that up through Bredon Barrett and everyone
knew where it was sort of going. And then you
compliment that with some set piece moves and some specials.
I mean, you know, pretty good. So so far, so good.
But as you say, this week, now it's about finishing
it off, finishing off and making sure that they get
(05:53):
another win. And I'd like to say another convincing one
as well before the French move on.
Speaker 2 (05:59):
Yeah, that growth between the first and the second match
very are guess important from an all Blacks perspective because
if at one again, without being convincing, you start to
ask a few questions, don't you Well.
Speaker 7 (06:08):
It just adds a little bit more pressure, right, I mean,
given the amount of experience that the French have, you know,
forty nine percent of your players you know, hadn't had
any sort of test match experience until they sort of
came to New Zealand compared to our caps. I mean,
you know, the whole starting were the whole twenty three
last week. You know, Boda Bard alone had about eighty
(06:28):
odd tests more than everyone in that fringe sighte. So
you would have you would have started to think, well, man,
have they actually started to get things right after last year?
Speaker 3 (06:39):
And you know there would have been.
Speaker 7 (06:41):
A lot of questions. Now they move into a whole
heap of confidence. The key now as they're build into
this week for them is you know that they backed
that performance up and you know, I know, I mean,
I've got confidence that they will be able to do that.
It's just where they changed the team round and when
what they do.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
It's going to be interesting, isn't it. As someone who's
played a bit of center in your time, how have
you seised Billy practice first two tests of the year
in that Jersey.
Speaker 7 (07:08):
Think I'm glad they got him out there again. Were
if you look at where we've come, you know, for
years we've said, you know, well, what are the positions
that we need sort of uh to solidify And you
look at the Lucies, We're starting to get a little
bit of consistency with those guys, you know, a couple
of weeks in a row orbit you know, there's a
lot of injuries in that department. The midfield has always
(07:29):
been a biggie and we haven't sort of had that
sort of you know, consistency for a very long time.
And believe, believe has been good. I've liked the way
when about He made a couple of mistakes in Dunedin,
but again defensively, he's just starting to his rhythm there.
He's starting to understand his combination with with also Jordi Barretts.
This is beginning to us those flourished in some ways,
(07:53):
even though it's only been a couple of test matches.
So I have I've enjoyed that we know how good
he has been in what in super rug by, it's
just the ability to get more game time in the
all black jersey, in the environment underneath some some pressure,
and then it's about it. He has been under a
bit of pressure, but he's been able to perform and
get to another level based on that sort of therese
(08:14):
pressure situations.
Speaker 2 (08:16):
With the series wrapped up, as you mentioned before, is
it time to maybe make some changes? Will the squad
will be named tomorrow morning? Is it time to perhaps
look at some other combinations or would you persevere with
the billy proper at thirteen? With those combinations we've seen
over the last couple of weeks.
Speaker 7 (08:30):
Personally, Elliott, I think you'd keep the similar side, if
not the side that that's been playing over the last
couple of weeks. You know, will be some some injuries.
Patrick Bok who's stepped there really nicely, isn't he, And
I mean he's just saying, you know what sort of
experience he does bring bore caring ability. I think if
(08:51):
you're going to change, it's probably going to come some
subtleties around do you do six to two and perhaps
bring them the likes of you know, a Reuben loved
into the game. You know that he can cover both
ten and em the half back maybe to give Noah
Hoe them the more opportunity of off the bench and
perhaps even a you know, you know they've got the
(09:15):
guy going to a six two many you know you
have come off the bench still and cover that sort
of locking the position. You know. I'm not sure what,
but I think in terms of the fifteen, I'd like
to see a civil side and I'd like to see
another comprehensive performance. I don't think, you know, having if
we're scraping once again in Hamilton, you'd have to say
(09:37):
that the first will go away after this trip thinking well, wa,
actually we may have lost the series, but we've gotten confidence.
We've been able to you guys out there to be
exposed to some tes smetch footy, and that's where I
think the All Blacks can really take a little bit
of mentally just they came out and sat there with
a consistent team and provide a solid performance and one convintently.
(10:02):
I think they would put them in because getting into
the certainly leading into the championship.
Speaker 2 (10:07):
Is now win session on Sportsfax and the Chamber now
joining me News Talk be Sports News director Clay Wilson,
Welcome into the chambers.
Speaker 3 (10:15):
Always hope you're well.
Speaker 8 (10:17):
Thank you, Elliott, have it to be here?
Speaker 3 (10:18):
Yes, very well, thank you excellent.
Speaker 2 (10:20):
Well, the All Blacks will name the twenty three tomorrow
to face France in the final test match of the series.
Scott Robinson's mentioned that everyone will get a chance in
this series. But in terms of a lineup, would you
like to see chopping and changing and experiments in this team?
Speaker 3 (10:35):
Would you rather stick with the tried and true?
Speaker 8 (10:37):
Well, I think first and foremost, you always want to
win the game, don't you. I mean, they obviously made
such a big step. Well it's a decent step in
that second test. You don't want to undo all that
good work with a potential loss, and you know France
won't be giving up the ghost. I wouldn't have thought
having not won a game in this series. But obviously
it affords you that opportunity, doesn't to bring some players in.
So there's a number of players who have either been
(10:58):
injured and haven't had a chance and are coming back,
or have been have sort of sat out these first
couple of tests. He looks at the likes of Ruben
Love someone you'd love to see come back, and Sevu
Reese obviously can cast himself in the first minute of
that first Test, I think he has to come back,
and doesn't he as well? And then he looks at
the look at the likes of Luke Jacobson, obviously has
(11:19):
set out due to injury, is now fit again. I
would say you bring him perhaps on the bench, given
the depth and the strength I've had there on the
loose forwards. And then Anton lender Brown, of course a
staple in the All Blacks for a number of years now,
who is fit again. We understand to play, so you
want to see probably him come back, and I mean
potentially even could start in that midfield slot, couldn't he.
(11:39):
I think so a number of faces there who we
haven't seen or have only seen little snippets of, and
I think you say, there's enough depth and strength there
that you can bring those, bring some of those guys
in and still back yourself to win the test.
Speaker 2 (11:50):
How would you assess the All Blacks so far and
the series obviously a bigger win in Game two?
Speaker 3 (11:55):
Did you get a pass mark of the pass mark
for this series so far? Yeah, much more of a
pass mark.
Speaker 8 (11:59):
I think the first test for me was about a
four or five, and I would have said, you know,
about a six, six and a half maybe for the
second test. So, you know, trending in the right direction,
and the biggest things where defense was short up they
didn't you know, let in anywhere near while they let
what three tries in, you know, looked much more assured
and defense scrambled much better. And also just converting those opportunities.
(12:22):
I think, you know, as a New Zealand RPY public,
we want to see the all black scoring points. And
the most frustrating thing I mean for me anyway, has
always been watching all black teams dominate and then being
unable to make that show on the scoreboard, isn't it?
And that's what they did so much better in fact,
left points out there in that second test and and Wellington.
So yeah, definitely trending in the right direction, but you know,
(12:44):
much bigger challenges to come. You want to go another notch,
don't you? In Hamilton?
Speaker 2 (12:48):
Assume interesting, isn't it? Speaking of going another notch? Galon
s b W tonight, have you got the pay per
view booked? What's your interest level?
Speaker 8 (12:57):
I'm a boxing fan, but not of a fan of
all the hoopla that comes around boxing. So in that sense,
it hasn't been of massive interest to me. Particularly, I
won't be puking out the money to buy the pay
per view. Would I watch it, Yes, while I watch
the highlights potentially.
Speaker 3 (13:14):
Yes.
Speaker 8 (13:16):
You know, sunny Bill is always someone who's kept in imagination,
and you know this fight has been what almost ten
years in the making, so you always got some level
of interest in the result. I mean, I look at
all the all the build up that's been since I've
confirmed this fight, and I think you can even see
with sunny Bill a bit it's a bit uncomfortable for him.
(13:36):
It comes a bit more naturally to Paul Gallan, doesn't.
Speaker 2 (13:39):
Well, Sunny Bell's trying to shield his daughters from sort
of hearing and watching it and finding things out about it.
Speaker 3 (13:44):
He's not a natural trash talk of Sonny Bill Williams.
Speaker 8 (13:46):
No, and he said, he said yesterday that he's tried
to stick to facts. But it does just it's a
bit grubvy, isn't it. And I think for me, you
know what, it's not my cup of tea. Some people
love it, they wouldn't do it if they if it
didn't work, good they So it's a tried and true
method in boxing when you're talking about a pay per
view event when they need to attract these kind of things.
(14:07):
But I don't be surprised to see whatever happens tonight,
to see a handshake and all as well. Again in
that relationship, and because it does a lot of it
feel a bit fabricated, but yeah, and intriguing from a
physical point of view. I mean, you look and watch
them standing beside each other. Sunny Bill Williams is a
much much bigger man, but we know that never dissuaded
(14:28):
Paul Gallon and his drag.
Speaker 3 (14:29):
League certainly did not.
Speaker 2 (14:31):
And finally in the chamber, scottis shif the same basically
is not satisfied or fulfilled by winning golf tournaments. Do
you applaud this kind of openness or do you go
makee You're winning millions of dollars for heading a golf
ball around a field. Where do you stand on that?
Speaker 8 (14:46):
Yeah, I applaud it. I think it's it's great to
see to see an athlete of this caliber. I mean,
he's the best player in the world in his sport,
and what is arguably the hardest, if not one of
the hardest sports in the world to be good at.
Speaker 3 (14:59):
Yep.
Speaker 8 (15:00):
And everything's relative, isn't it. You know, we hear someone,
you know, talking about this kind of thing and you say, oh, well,
like you say, millions of dollars in the bank, all
the trophies, but everyone's lives are relative to their own,
to their own journey. And you know, it's great to
hear someone willing to sit in front of a microphone.
I mean, you know, we're in this industry. We talk
(15:22):
to a lot of people in this industry who are,
you know, quite often very guarded in what they say,
sometimes rightly so and sometimes just because they feel like
it's the done thing. So to hear someone who is
of that significance in their sport, you know, he's one
of them, probably one of the most famous athletes in
the world, isn't he, given how well he's done to
(15:42):
be able to come out and speak so openly about
about the mental challenges he's faced, and why he plays
the game, and why that he doesn't know why he
plays the game sometimes, and yeah, just just really refreshing,
is what I thought. And I don't think it will
have any impact on how he performs. He clearly still
very competitive. But you know, we all question ourselves.
Speaker 2 (16:05):
We've all got questions, will question go, you know as
the right thing for me? Am I doing the right
thing in life. Everyone's got those questions. So have it
vibialized on the world stage. I thought similar to you
was actually quite refreshing. Clay Wilkson, thanks your time in
the chamber. As always, you are now free to go.
Speaker 3 (16:19):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (16:19):
This is Sports Fix, You're daily dose of sports news
powered by News Talks EDB.
Speaker 3 (16:26):
Thanks for listening.
Speaker 2 (16:27):
We'll be back tomorrow with another episode, and I'm sports Fix.
Speaker 1 (16:30):
For more from News Talks EDB. Listen live on air
or online, and keep our shows with you wherever you
go with our podcast 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 ed.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
BE Welcome to Sports Fix for Wednesday, the sixteenth of July.
I'm Elliott Smith. Coming up on today's episode with DJ
Gardner Holmes, New Zealand's most trusted home builder. We talk
at rugby with Mills, Mulliana or Black Centurion and Skysport commentator.
Speaker 3 (00:34):
Should the All Blacks picking stick once.
Speaker 2 (00:36):
Again or should they shake up some of the combinations
for the third and final test against France. Mills will
give us his thoughts in just a moment or two.
On Sports Fix. Clay Wilsons, HEBBI sports news director, jumps
into the chamber with us and I'll give you my
thoughts as well. On the Sunny Bear Williams versus Paul
Gallon fight coming up a bit later on tonight. Is
(00:57):
it a farce or is there actually some meaning to it?
I'll give you my thoughts in a few moments here
on Sports Fix.
Speaker 3 (01:03):
Let's get into it.
Speaker 1 (01:04):
In other news, it's time to wrap up the sport
of the last twenty four hours and the Warriors will
be without Rocker Berry for up to six weeks of
NRL action.
Speaker 2 (01:13):
He dislocated his shoulder when Jerome Lewie fell on him
and the winner of the Tigers, Kase Capwell, moves into
the centers as he returns from origin duties for the
game against Newcastle on Sunday. It's just encaged slave, Griffin says.
The injury was unfortunate.
Speaker 4 (01:26):
It's a little bit more complicated because he obviously had
that previous injury on it as well, so it's just
rock all over like he's just competing, diving on a
loose ball, find his body in a bad position, just
out of competitiveness.
Speaker 2 (01:38):
Coach Gregor towns Here is hoping Rugby's plans by any
Nations Championship will allow Scotland to end a quarter century
weight and challenge the All Blacks on New Zealand soil.
The Scotts are currently in Auckland preparing Provider's clash against
Salmore at even Park, the first Test in New Zealand
since the twenty.
Speaker 3 (01:54):
Eleven World Cup.
Speaker 2 (01:54):
They haven't played Yere against the All Blacks since two
thousand and when Townshend was a player.
Speaker 3 (01:59):
He's now coaching them and says.
Speaker 2 (02:00):
The nation's championships hum and away format should help break
that drought.
Speaker 5 (02:03):
If invest of them in twenty twenty six up all
that we'd change it around and we'll get to put
him in twenty two here, but there'll be more regular
competition known for the sex nations countries and the sex
countries that are involved from the Southern hemisphere. So I
would hope that means that we get to pull.
Speaker 2 (02:16):
It all bats here and Kirby Box and David Nika
is ready for his mental resilience to be tested tonight
against compatriot Nick Cheryl Lampos in Sydney.
Speaker 3 (02:24):
He returns on the undercart.
Speaker 2 (02:25):
Of the s BW Paul Gallon fight, in his first
bout since a knockout loss to IBUF world champion Jiopetia
back in January. Nika says the defeat has led to
a challenging training camp.
Speaker 6 (02:35):
I've always taken pride in my resilience and I know
that that's the only way forward is to keep punching.
I've had to do a lot of like self discovery
in this time, and a lot of it's been psychological
and mental growth.
Speaker 3 (02:47):
But that's what will make me a better person. That
was David Nike, and that was Sport Today leading of X.
We've got just the ticket.
Speaker 1 (02:55):
It's sports Fix now my news talks, Ivy.
Speaker 3 (02:59):
I'm sorry to you here because I am battling.
Speaker 2 (03:01):
So Hey, if Sonny but Williams and Paul Gallen want
to get in the ring and fight tonight, fine, but
don't suggest to me it's the fight of the century
as it's been hyped up to by the organizers or
any nonsense like that. It's not even the best fight
this year, this month, or even this week. Alexander Usk
and Daniel Dubois on Sunday Morning takes that. In fact,
(03:22):
Ossie tim Zoo takes on Sebastian Fondora in the WBC
super Bowl to weight rematch for a title as well
on Sunday. Then Manny Pakia is in action the old
man by these forty six fights to the WBC well
to weeight titles. So those three there are important fights.
There's three bigger fights this week alone than Gallon versus SBW.
(03:44):
Two Great League players stepping into the ring to settle
a score. All power to them if it's going to
bring them closure or cash or whatever.
Speaker 3 (03:52):
They're after.
Speaker 2 (03:53):
But this is the equivalent of a pub rule between
two old blokes who can't stop sniping each other from
across the bar. It's nowhere near the status that's being
sold at. In fact, it's not even the best fight
on tonight. David Nieker is probably more interesting for me.
If you're excited and you're looking forward to it, and
you're separating yourself with forty five bucks for it, good
(04:13):
for you, but don't suggest to me it's worth anything
more than that. It's being sold as the fight of
the century. If you're buying that, I have a bridge
to sell you.
Speaker 1 (04:22):
This is Sports Fix, your daily dose of sports news,
power by news talksb.
Speaker 2 (04:29):
Talking Rugby on Sports Fix. And the All Blacks will
name the team tomorrow to face France and the third
and final test on Saturday in Hamilton ten forty five
Thursday morning. It will be named Scott Robinson has previously
given a promise that there will be a chance for
everyone in the squad to play in the series, so
there's four or five names that haven't yet got any
game time. But also whether they stick with some of
(04:50):
those combinations that they are trying out in this series.
Speaker 3 (04:53):
Joining us on Sports Fix.
Speaker 2 (04:54):
To discuss further is All Black centurion and Skysport commentator
Mills Mullyana Mills, thanks for your.
Speaker 7 (05:00):
Time absolutely please.
Speaker 3 (05:02):
Good to be hones well Mills.
Speaker 2 (05:03):
How would you assess the All Blacks so far in
this series against France with one game left?
Speaker 7 (05:08):
Oh? Mate, look, I think you know the response was
evident last week, wasn't it. I mean, the first week
is always a little bit of pressure after a narrow wind,
but I think the good thing was they actually won
and they left a couple of opportunities out in Dunedin.
The response was fantastic. What I loved about Wellington is
that they started to click. You know, they all understood
(05:30):
what they needed to do, get down the other out
the end of the park and some of the kicking also,
and they varied that up through Bredon Barrett and everyone
knew where it was sort of going. And then you
compliment that with some set piece moves and some specials.
I mean, you know, pretty good. So so far, so good.
But as you say, this week, now it's about finishing
it off, finishing off and making sure that they get
(05:53):
another win. And I'd like to say another convincing one
as well before the French move on.
Speaker 2 (05:59):
Yeah, that growth between the first and the second match
very are guess important from an all Blacks perspective because
if at one again, without being convincing, you start to
ask a few questions, don't you Well.
Speaker 7 (06:08):
It just adds a little bit more pressure, right, I mean,
given the amount of experience that the French have, you know,
forty nine percent of your players you know, hadn't had
any sort of test match experience until they sort of
came to New Zealand compared to our caps. I mean,
you know, the whole starting were the whole twenty three
last week. You know, Boda Bard alone had about eighty
(06:28):
odd tests more than everyone in that fringe sighte. So
you would have you would have started to think, well, man,
have they actually started to get things right after last year?
Speaker 3 (06:39):
And you know there would have been.
Speaker 7 (06:41):
A lot of questions. Now they move into a whole
heap of confidence. The key now as they're build into
this week for them is you know that they backed
that performance up and you know, I know, I mean,
I've got confidence that they will be able to do that.
It's just where they changed the team round and when
what they do.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
It's going to be interesting, isn't it. As someone who's
played a bit of center in your time, how have
you seised Billy practice first two tests of the year
in that Jersey.
Speaker 7 (07:08):
Think I'm glad they got him out there again. Were
if you look at where we've come, you know, for
years we've said, you know, well, what are the positions
that we need sort of uh to solidify And you
look at the Lucies, We're starting to get a little
bit of consistency with those guys, you know, a couple
of weeks in a row orbit you know, there's a
lot of injuries in that department. The midfield has always
(07:29):
been a biggie and we haven't sort of had that
sort of you know, consistency for a very long time.
And believe, believe has been good. I've liked the way
when about He made a couple of mistakes in Dunedin,
but again defensively, he's just starting to his rhythm there.
He's starting to understand his combination with with also Jordi Barretts.
This is beginning to us those flourished in some ways,
(07:53):
even though it's only been a couple of test matches.
So I have I've enjoyed that we know how good
he has been in what in super rug by, it's
just the ability to get more game time in the
all black jersey, in the environment underneath some some pressure,
and then it's about it. He has been under a
bit of pressure, but he's been able to perform and
get to another level based on that sort of therese
(08:14):
pressure situations.
Speaker 2 (08:16):
With the series wrapped up, as you mentioned before, is
it time to maybe make some changes? Will the squad
will be named tomorrow morning? Is it time to perhaps
look at some other combinations or would you persevere with
the billy proper at thirteen? With those combinations we've seen
over the last couple of weeks.
Speaker 7 (08:30):
Personally, Elliott, I think you'd keep the similar side, if
not the side that that's been playing over the last
couple of weeks. You know, will be some some injuries.
Patrick Bok who's stepped there really nicely, isn't he, And
I mean he's just saying, you know what sort of
experience he does bring bore caring ability. I think if
(08:51):
you're going to change, it's probably going to come some
subtleties around do you do six to two and perhaps
bring them the likes of you know, a Reuben loved
into the game. You know that he can cover both
ten and em the half back maybe to give Noah
Hoe them the more opportunity of off the bench and
perhaps even a you know, you know they've got the
(09:15):
guy going to a six two many you know you
have come off the bench still and cover that sort
of locking the position. You know. I'm not sure what,
but I think in terms of the fifteen, I'd like
to see a civil side and I'd like to see
another comprehensive performance. I don't think, you know, having if
we're scraping once again in Hamilton, you'd have to say
(09:37):
that the first will go away after this trip thinking well, wa,
actually we may have lost the series, but we've gotten confidence.
We've been able to you guys out there to be
exposed to some tes smetch footy, and that's where I
think the All Blacks can really take a little bit
of mentally just they came out and sat there with
a consistent team and provide a solid performance and one convintently.
(10:02):
I think they would put them in because getting into
the certainly leading into the championship.
Speaker 2 (10:07):
Is now win session on Sportsfax and the Chamber now
joining me News Talk be Sports News director Clay Wilson,
Welcome into the chambers.
Speaker 3 (10:15):
Always hope you're well.
Speaker 8 (10:17):
Thank you, Elliott, have it to be here?
Speaker 3 (10:18):
Yes, very well, thank you excellent.
Speaker 2 (10:20):
Well, the All Blacks will name the twenty three tomorrow
to face France in the final test match of the series.
Scott Robinson's mentioned that everyone will get a chance in
this series. But in terms of a lineup, would you
like to see chopping and changing and experiments in this team?
Speaker 3 (10:35):
Would you rather stick with the tried and true?
Speaker 8 (10:37):
Well, I think first and foremost, you always want to
win the game, don't you. I mean, they obviously made
such a big step. Well it's a decent step in
that second test. You don't want to undo all that
good work with a potential loss, and you know France
won't be giving up the ghost. I wouldn't have thought
having not won a game in this series. But obviously
it affords you that opportunity, doesn't to bring some players in.
So there's a number of players who have either been
(10:58):
injured and haven't had a chance and are coming back,
or have been have sort of sat out these first
couple of tests. He looks at the likes of Ruben
Love someone you'd love to see come back, and Sevu
Reese obviously can cast himself in the first minute of
that first Test, I think he has to come back,
and doesn't he as well? And then he looks at
the look at the likes of Luke Jacobson, obviously has
(11:19):
set out due to injury, is now fit again. I
would say you bring him perhaps on the bench, given
the depth and the strength I've had there on the
loose forwards. And then Anton lender Brown, of course a
staple in the All Blacks for a number of years now,
who is fit again. We understand to play, so you
want to see probably him come back, and I mean
potentially even could start in that midfield slot, couldn't he.
(11:39):
I think so a number of faces there who we
haven't seen or have only seen little snippets of, and
I think you say, there's enough depth and strength there
that you can bring those, bring some of those guys
in and still back yourself to win the test.
Speaker 2 (11:50):
How would you assess the All Blacks so far and
the series obviously a bigger win in Game two?
Speaker 3 (11:55):
Did you get a pass mark of the pass mark
for this series so far? Yeah, much more of a
pass mark.
Speaker 8 (11:59):
I think the first test for me was about a
four or five, and I would have said, you know,
about a six, six and a half maybe for the
second test. So, you know, trending in the right direction,
and the biggest things where defense was short up they
didn't you know, let in anywhere near while they let
what three tries in, you know, looked much more assured
and defense scrambled much better. And also just converting those opportunities.
(12:22):
I think, you know, as a New Zealand RPY public,
we want to see the all black scoring points. And
the most frustrating thing I mean for me anyway, has
always been watching all black teams dominate and then being
unable to make that show on the scoreboard, isn't it?
And that's what they did so much better in fact,
left points out there in that second test and and Wellington.
So yeah, definitely trending in the right direction, but you know,
(12:44):
much bigger challenges to come. You want to go another notch,
don't you? In Hamilton?
Speaker 2 (12:48):
Assume interesting, isn't it? Speaking of going another notch? Galon
s b W tonight, have you got the pay per
view booked? What's your interest level?
Speaker 8 (12:57):
I'm a boxing fan, but not of a fan of
all the hoopla that comes around boxing. So in that sense,
it hasn't been of massive interest to me. Particularly, I
won't be puking out the money to buy the pay
per view. Would I watch it, Yes, while I watch
the highlights potentially.
Speaker 3 (13:14):
Yes.
Speaker 8 (13:16):
You know, sunny Bill is always someone who's kept in imagination,
and you know this fight has been what almost ten
years in the making, so you always got some level
of interest in the result. I mean, I look at
all the all the build up that's been since I've
confirmed this fight, and I think you can even see
with sunny Bill a bit it's a bit uncomfortable for him.
(13:36):
It comes a bit more naturally to Paul Gallan, doesn't.
Speaker 2 (13:39):
Well, Sunny Bell's trying to shield his daughters from sort
of hearing and watching it and finding things out about it.
Speaker 3 (13:44):
He's not a natural trash talk of Sonny Bill Williams.
Speaker 8 (13:46):
No, and he said, he said yesterday that he's tried
to stick to facts. But it does just it's a
bit grubvy, isn't it. And I think for me, you
know what, it's not my cup of tea. Some people
love it, they wouldn't do it if they if it
didn't work, good they So it's a tried and true
method in boxing when you're talking about a pay per
view event when they need to attract these kind of things.
(14:07):
But I don't be surprised to see whatever happens tonight,
to see a handshake and all as well. Again in
that relationship, and because it does a lot of it
feel a bit fabricated, but yeah, and intriguing from a
physical point of view. I mean, you look and watch
them standing beside each other. Sunny Bill Williams is a
much much bigger man, but we know that never dissuaded
(14:28):
Paul Gallon and his drag.
Speaker 3 (14:29):
League certainly did not.
Speaker 2 (14:31):
And finally in the chamber, scottis shif the same basically
is not satisfied or fulfilled by winning golf tournaments. Do
you applaud this kind of openness or do you go
makee You're winning millions of dollars for heading a golf
ball around a field. Where do you stand on that?
Speaker 8 (14:46):
Yeah, I applaud it. I think it's it's great to
see to see an athlete of this caliber. I mean,
he's the best player in the world in his sport,
and what is arguably the hardest, if not one of
the hardest sports in the world to be good at.
Speaker 3 (14:59):
Yep.
Speaker 8 (15:00):
And everything's relative, isn't it. You know, we hear someone,
you know, talking about this kind of thing and you say, oh, well,
like you say, millions of dollars in the bank, all
the trophies, but everyone's lives are relative to their own,
to their own journey. And you know, it's great to
hear someone willing to sit in front of a microphone.
I mean, you know, we're in this industry. We talk
(15:22):
to a lot of people in this industry who are,
you know, quite often very guarded in what they say,
sometimes rightly so and sometimes just because they feel like
it's the done thing. So to hear someone who is
of that significance in their sport, you know, he's one
of them, probably one of the most famous athletes in
the world, isn't he, given how well he's done to
(15:42):
be able to come out and speak so openly about
about the mental challenges he's faced, and why he plays
the game, and why that he doesn't know why he
plays the game sometimes, and yeah, just just really refreshing,
is what I thought. And I don't think it will
have any impact on how he performs. He clearly still
very competitive. But you know, we all question ourselves.
Speaker 2 (16:05):
We've all got questions, will question go, you know as
the right thing for me? Am I doing the right
thing in life. Everyone's got those questions. So have it
vibialized on the world stage. I thought similar to you
was actually quite refreshing. Clay Wilkson, thanks your time in
the chamber. As always, you are now free to go.
Speaker 3 (16:19):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (16:19):
This is Sports Fix, You're daily dose of sports news
powered by News Talks EDB.
Speaker 3 (16:26):
Thanks for listening.
Speaker 2 (16:27):
We'll be back tomorrow with another episode, and I'm sports Fix.
Speaker 1 (16:30):
For more from News Talks EDB. Listen live on air
or online, and keep our shows with you wherever you
go with our podcast on iHeartRadio.
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