On Sports Fix with Elliott Smith for 18th March 2026, it's team naming day for this weekend's round of Super Rugby and Chiefs captain Luke Jacobson returns to the side after sitting out their Moana Pasifika game two weeks ago. The Chiefs are faced with the daunting task of playing the Brumbies over in Canberra in another mammoth clash a third of the way through the season. Luke joined Elliot to discuss this weekend's game.
Elliott shares his thoughts on the fact the cricket powerbrokers are still yet to make a decision around the future of the domestic game in New Zealand
And Elliott and NZ Herald sports journalist Nathan Limm discuss the Warriors team named for their match against the Knights this weekend, Rachin Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell speaking out and wanting a quick resolution to the cricket saga that continues to drag on and Jess Thirlby stepping down as the coach of the English netball team.
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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 podcast now on iHeartRadio.
This is Sportsfix Howard by News Talks EDB.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Welcome to Sports Fix for the eighteenth of March twenty
twenty six. I'm Elliot Smith. Coming up on today's episode
with GJ. Gardner Holmes, New Zealand's most trusted home builder.
We talk rugby with Luke Jacobson, the returning Chief Skipper,
ahead of the big game against the Brumbies on Friday nights.
A lot of history in that game as well, James
Slipper had become the most capped Super Ruggy player of
(00:42):
all time. Not far away from hearing Luke Jacobson on
Sports Fix, Nathan lemb jumps into the chainbat as well.
And this nzed twenty saga keeps dragging on. I'll give
you my take in a couple of moments here on
Sports Fix with GJ. Gardner Holmes. In other news, as
we says, what's happened in the last twenty four hours?
Black app Darrel Mitchillude in New Zealand Cricket to invest
(01:04):
in n ZEDT twenty privatized legal get left behind on
the international stage. He is metally explaining his stuff.
Speaker 3 (01:11):
It's going to create one hundred and fifty opportunities for
domestic cricketers around our country as opposed to maybe thirty
eight won the big best competition. So I think a
sixteen competition in our own country creates three connections and rivalries,
is opposed to one team.
Speaker 2 (01:24):
Let's chick in on the Champions League. Arsenal defeated via
levicues and two nil on the night and three to
one overall in the round of sixteen to advance Manchester
City out after losing to Real Madrid two to one
and five to one on aggregate. Captain Barnardo Silver copped
a red card in the twentieth minute on his own.
Speaker 4 (01:40):
Manchester City's mission improbable has just become mission to the Moon.
Twenty minutes gone penalty to Real Madrid and the captain
sent off.
Speaker 2 (01:48):
Chelsea went down to PSG three to nil and lost
eight to two on aggregate. Sporting liz Byrne have gone
through against Border Glimp after winning the return league five
nil after going in five to three. Remarkable a turnaround
for them. Our leading squashblab Paul goals soaking up the
beaches in the Gold Course. That sounds terrible. What a
way to relax, and I'm the world up to enjoying
(02:10):
a short break after backing up is New Zealand Open
Crume with a second Australian Open triumph. He's been in
Europe course and more than a decade, but he's going
home and winning the titles down out. It does take
on extra significance.
Speaker 5 (02:20):
Actually was gut when I didn't get the double last year,
as much as it probably pains someday. We I love
playing loggy as well as in Zealand. I think we
were away. We see vels and having two tournaments down
Under and take a lot of prime in China win
both of them and Superstoke.
Speaker 1 (02:34):
Leading a Vex. We've got just the ticket. It's Sports
Vex power by News Talks IVY.
Speaker 2 (02:40):
Let's take you to Canberra now and the Chiefs eyeing
up the Brumbies on Friday Night, Round six of Super Rugby.
The Chiefs coming off of buy good news, though they
do have Luke Jacobson, their captain, back after a hip
injury wrought him out of their game against More one
up PACIFICA before the bye and he joins us now
from Canberra. Luke, thanks so much of.
Speaker 4 (02:59):
Your time, no problem.
Speaker 2 (03:01):
Well back from a hip intrigger and raring to go
with what should be a pretty big game against that
the Brumbies this week. Was it a a major niggle
that set you out of that last game against Marwana?
And how good to be back on the park.
Speaker 4 (03:13):
Not a major at all? Was actually more precaution. I
probably could have played that minor game if really needed,
but it turned out to be a good opportunity to
have a bit of rotation, get the growing right and
have a little bit of a breather. But keen to
get back in there this weekend after a couple of
weeks off and making's good bumby side as well. So
(03:34):
excited to get back into it.
Speaker 2 (03:35):
Yeah, off the back of the buy obviously as well
that performance against Miwanda, did it feel, you know, watching
from the stands a good response to the Crusaders the
week prior?
Speaker 4 (03:46):
Yeah, look, I think it was a pretty good response.
So obviously it wasn't perfect, but you really get it perfect.
There was a lot of good intent out there. Minor
stressed us at times that there's probably could have been
a few moments that we would like to executed a
little bit better on. But I think overall as a
whole is pretty good. Yeah, pretty good reaction to our
(04:06):
first loss of the seasonfull the only lost. But we're
still still working away at a few things for this
weekend and we'll continue too as well, so hopefully we
can keep ticking away those.
Speaker 2 (04:18):
As you touched on the bye, A pretty good point
to reflect on the season today. Three wins, one lost
by early in the season. One of those things that
you think you need to work on as you head
into this next block of games.
Speaker 4 (04:32):
Well, I think the old analogy plan our footy for
eighty minutes, we can play some awesome footy. I think
predominantly attacks probably more of our strengths, and we can
easily be the best team in the competition at times.
It's just been able to repeat that not get bored
of doing the basics. Probably a little touch up around
(04:53):
some of our day as well. I think when we
get into the rhythm of things, we look really, really good,
but there's just been a couple of small lapses that
have led to points. So it's about tidy those up,
getting really clear and connected and what he look in
the same direction to nullify those we've seen.
Speaker 2 (05:12):
Obviously, you know, it's some high scoring games this season,
and even when you scored fifty seven, you probably let
in raybe a trial to more than you would have
liked to. And obviously forty the week prior against the
Crusaders as well. Is that the nature of super rugby
that you even if you, yeah, you are winning, you
can sort of let a few tries and just given
the nature of the way that the games have been played.
Speaker 4 (05:33):
Yeah, look, I think these times that teams are just
you know, the attackers. You've just got to give them
credit for the attack they're able to produce. But when
you're given away more than I think two or three
tries in a game, that's when you start to look
and be questioning a few things and asking where can
we be better so that it doesn't happen.
Speaker 2 (05:53):
You mentioned as well, hopefully your last loss of the season.
Is that the kind of mindset you need as a
super rugby team to go out and you know, try
and win this title. That's you know, aluded you that
maybe you know got one down, you know, and now
it's time to run the table for the rest of
the year.
Speaker 4 (06:09):
I think our mindset is are going out each weekend
and moving forward in our performance, and you know they
don't want to get to I mean, we want to win,
there's no doubt about that. But when you start looking
at just wins or losses, you start to probably look
at the wrong things. I think a team building, good
(06:29):
momentum and setting yourselves up well to be as good
as you can. You review off performance and your plan
that you've set out to execute on the weekend, how
well you execute that. So I think when we're ideally
you're performing well, you're going to get wins. But yeah,
it's about moving that that line forward of our performance
(06:50):
each week and focusing on the areas that we think
are going to be most important come back.
Speaker 2 (06:56):
End of the season in a two wings a two
week swing now in Australia on this trip of the
Brumbies this week and then the Force next week. With
the way that Super Raby is these days, how vital
are these sort of literally it away from home to
build and set your team culture for the rest of
the season.
Speaker 4 (07:13):
Yeah, it's a little bit sair. We don't get to
do anymore, well, many tools anymore. You see, obviously the
South Africa one and Argentina. So look, I think there's
a there's a gol da. It's awesome getting away with
the team. It's just a little bit unfortunate that not
everybody can be over here. But boys are working hard
back home and they get to have a little bit
of a connection piece of their own. But yeah, look
(07:36):
it's probably just more informal connections been in time around
each other, being out coffees or whatever. It is a
little bit boys boys that appearance. They don't have to
shoot home and be a dad, So I think it is. Yeah,
it was awesome for the connection, so we'll be looking
to make the most of it.
Speaker 1 (07:55):
This is Sportsfigs, your daily dose of sports news now
and by News Talks.
Speaker 2 (08:01):
I'm not one hundred percent sure they're right about n
Z twenty being the right option, but Daryl Mitchell and
Ruts and Ravenger are right about the time it's taking
to get a decision about the future of the domestic
T twenty game here. They've heat a bit of pressure
on the power brokers to get a regular on via
the New Zealand Herald and push the case for the
n ZED twenty. While it's important to get it right
(08:22):
and not make any rash decisions. The whole process is
dragging on. It began last year and to this point
in March, we still have no idea of how the
T twenty product will look here next summer. This while
a meaningless series continues between New Zealand and South Africa
featuring some players who are likely to be involved due
diligence certainly matters. But the fact we had to get
(08:43):
a deep report from Deloitte to the board, which has
essentially taken months on end, well, isn't this what the
board is there for? The factions have split cricket in
this country down the middle. There's those that want the
Big Bash, there's those that want n ZED twenty, the
Players Association on the latter side. Surely there's enough facts,
enough data and enough learn knowledge for all these cricket
(09:04):
people out here that are running the sport in this
country to make a decision without needing a report to
tell them what to do. Contracts of players need to
be signed here and overseas, whether it's n Z twenty,
whether it's the Big Bash, or whether they're sticking with
the Super Smash for another summer. You're talking sponsorship you're
talking ownership of teams, etc. Whether it's n Z twenty
or the Big Bash, it's classic New Zealand. Think back
(09:26):
last year to the Silver Ferns and the a m
Z Premiership. Think to other things around the sporting sphere,
but also think to infrastructure and transport in this country.
Whatever it might be. We dilly dally on the hard
decisions for the future and this is another one.
Speaker 1 (09:42):
The Chamber is now in session on SPORTSFX.
Speaker 2 (09:45):
We're in the Chamber now on the Sports Fix podcast
and joining us one of the co hosts of the
Big League podcast, which you can find on iHeartRadio and
New Zealand Herald sports journalists Nathan Lyne. Welcome to the Chamber.
Speaker 6 (09:56):
Hey Smithie, how are you very well?
Speaker 2 (09:58):
Indeed, well, let's start with rugby leg That is an
interesting Warriors team they've named for this weekend with the
injuries that they've got to Charles Nicol Crookstar and also
Shanel Harris Tavita and the halves, and they have changed
things up a little bit by intrigue, really intrigued by
how this is going to unfold for them this week
(10:19):
with the new players they put in to a peky
we know how he'll go at full back, but Hanson
at five eighth really interested to see how this is
going to unfold.
Speaker 6 (10:26):
Yeah, so that Warriors are really reaching into I guess
their depth at this point because this is their third
frontline halves player that they've lost after Luke Metcalf to
Miright and Martin. Now Chanelle Harris Tavita goes down. Tanner
Boyd played alongside Luke Hanson in the preseason and they
actually worked really well together. Neither of them were going
to set the world on fire, but they both did
(10:47):
the basics really well. I think that's been the hallmark
of the Warriors first two games so far this season
is that Tanner Boyd has just run the ship. Very
simple game plan but done all the basics really well,
and his kicking has been super just putting it in
the right areas, just playing really simple football and that's
what's worked. Hanson just has to come in and do
the basics really well. It's not Tanner will run the
(11:08):
sho he just needs to fill that gap, put in
some defensive efforts, as Chance did really well when he
filled in at six on the weekend as well. We
know tainto a Peaky is going to be adept at
filling that gap at full back. So you know, despite
these changes, I still have a lot of confidence in
this Warrior's line up, in their depth. The other thing
that's interesting, obviously is Mitch Barnett being added to the
(11:28):
extended bench. Could we see a late sort of reshovel.
Could he move on to the interchange and be swapped
on for James Fisher Harris at some point during the game.
I'm sure they'll assess him. It's sort of at the
back end of the weeks, but potential for him to
come back.
Speaker 2 (11:41):
That's right, because if you don't name one Tuesday, he
definitely can't play. But if you want him many's all
of a sudden fit later in the week. You can't
include him at that point. So may as well chuck
him in into the mix on Tuesday and go, Look,
if he's ready, we'll give him a shot. But great
to see his returning because he just adds to that
Warriors pack and you think about that full pack when
you throw him in the mix. It's been very, very good.
In the opening couple of rauhs, what I have like
(12:03):
and you touched on it, there is just I watched
that game in Wellington at a pub on Friday night,
and what struck me was that just simple things done
well from the Warriors. They didn't overplay their hand with
the attack, which I think they're probably being guilty of
at times in recent years. It was simple things done
well and they've just managed to find all the holes
in the Canberra attack. And I see before the season,
(12:24):
I don't know that this is a top four roster.
I think it's somewhere between seven and ten, but I
think they probably got a top four coach and were
seeing Andrew Webster develop a game plan that I think
works for the players that he's got on his books.
At this point in time, i'll get to say between
four and eight.
Speaker 6 (12:38):
That's quite harsh after to forty point the start of
the season being wrong on that front. Yeah, no, you're
absolutely right. I think also your factor in the conditions
that they had on Friday night as well. It was
so wet, it was slippery. I think there were a
couple of drops in the outside backs, but on the
whole you'd have to say the handling was super because
they weren't shoying away from the offloads either. So again
(13:01):
it's just about continuing to do those basics well. And
the teams that they've knocked over, I mean, the Sydney
Roosters preseason were touted as title contenders, the Raiders were
minor premiers last year, and they've got pretty much the
same squad. So the Warriors have just started. They look
like a team that has played together for a year already,
and that's because they have. This is pretty much exactly
(13:22):
the same lineup that we were playing that they were
playing in the back end of last year. And obviously
they dealt with the injuries to Metcalf, to Barnett to
when Tomight and Martin was sort of in and out.
These are challenges that they faced before and they're coming
into this season facing the same challenges and they're dealing
with it really, really well, and we're seeing that in
the results. So you've got to think that when they
(13:43):
get back to full strength, as long as they continue
that sort of fluidity and doing the basics well, it's
a great selection headache to have.
Speaker 2 (13:50):
It certainly is in Z twenty providing a headache of
different sorts. Now a couple of players come out Russian
Ravendra and Daryl Mitchell to the New Zealand Herald and
basically go we want INNZ twenty to happen and we
need New Zealand Cricket to get a riggle on around this.
We know it was discussed at board level on Monday
as our understanding. Still no decision, But the longer this
drags on, surely you know they've got to get if
(14:12):
this is going to happen next summer, they're going to
have to contracts sorted team, sorted owners sort of. This
is really dragging on and New Zealand Crickets are coming
into the gun now, which is interesting from a couple
of their own players.
Speaker 6 (14:24):
Well, I actually have massive respect for darn Mitchell and
for rach and Revendris for breaking rank and coming out
and actually being honest and seeing how they feel about
the situation, because that's you know, it's quite rare players
you're normally understandably want to stick by their employer and
not put a toe out of line. But I think
this is a very real issue that the players are
faced with in that they've been honest. They're be getting
(14:45):
offered a lot of money to go overseas and be
part of these other leagues, and they want the game
to be strong in New Zealand. They want this NZ
twenty competition to be in action and therefore be a
part of it to keep the game strong in New Zealand.
But they've been upfront and that you know, if there's
no plan, then what other choice do they have. Oh,
you know, there's not a bad option to fall back
(15:06):
on go and take up a huge contract somewhere else.
But ultimately they're doing this because they want what's best
for New Zealand cricket. And yeah, I mean we saw
it sort of last year with Neipple. There wasn't direction
of where the game was going domestically, and so players
have gone overseas and they've talked about people don't know
what's going on. We need some sort of direction. So
we need that leadership. And I suppose leadership has been
(15:28):
a key issue for New Zealand cricket in recent times
with Scott the whole mess around Scott Wining. So basically
they need direction, they need clarity and it's up to
New Zealand Cricket to provide that it is.
Speaker 2 (15:38):
Indeed, and finally I mentioned Nipple there, it's really said
Jess Theilby standing down as the coach of the England team.
One of the nemesis I suppose of the silver Ferns
as we head to the Commonwealth Games this year around
her father who died three years ago, I think, but
just the fact that it's been weighing on her for
it for a number of years now and doesn't feel
like she can lead the team to the Commonwealth Games.
(15:59):
You know, full respect to to Jess Thelby, but it's
a big loss for England, you know, with a really
strong roster still with how it's been all those players
as we count down to this year's Calm Game.
Speaker 6 (16:08):
Yeah, it's a massive blow to England. And yeah, I
fully with you on Thurlb. Obviously, her father passed away
in twenty twenty three and she sort of put that
aside and went straight into the twenty twenty three World
cupets South Africa, where England did really well and made
the final. And she's sort of, as I guess, kept
the way she's sort of described as sort of like
kicking a can down the road and she's decided that
(16:30):
she needs to actually take this time to grieve her dad.
And full respect to her. However, in regards to England,
obviously they now need to select a head coach and
they've got a pinnacle event. They've got the Commonwealth Games
coming up in a few months, so England suddenly. We
heard about New Zealand's coaching crisis over the last year.
This is obviously very different, but England now needing to
get some leadership together for this team, which as you said,
(16:52):
is pretty stacked. They've definitely got the personnel to challenge
for gold at the Commonwealth Games and maybe might even
have a bit more of an advantage given the Games
are in Glasgow, very close to home for them. So
it's a big event and a big opportunity for England
in terms of who can replace them replace Jess. There'll
be obviously they've got their own league over there with
(17:14):
coaches that they have ready. I'm going to throw Kittie
Wills's name out there just as a potential as a
New Zealander who could vie for it. She's under contract
with the Queens and Firebirds and will very much be
focused on that, but you know she has test coaching
aspirations as well, so a potential option for her. I
don't know what the situation is with her contract or
how she'd make that work, but that's a key who
could potentially be in the mix.
Speaker 2 (17:33):
So we go watch the space. Nathan Lim, thank you
very much for joining us in the chamber. As always,
Cheers Zellip.
Speaker 1 (17:38):
Leading a VIX. We've got just the ticket. It's Sports
Fix powered by News Talks VV.
Speaker 2 (17:44):
Thanks for listening. We'll be back tomorrow with another episode
of Sports Fix, and of course you can catch Sports
Talk weeknight seven to light on News Talk ZB and
weekend Sport midday till three Saturday and Sun.
Speaker 1 (17:55):
For more from News Talk ZEDB. Listen live on air
or online, and keep our shows with you wherever you
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You're listening to a podcast from News Talks EDB. Follow
this and our wide range of podcast now on iHeartRadio.
This is Sportsfix Howard by News Talks EDB.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Welcome to Sports Fix for the eighteenth of March twenty
twenty six. I'm Elliot Smith. Coming up on today's episode
with GJ. Gardner Holmes, New Zealand's most trusted home builder.
We talk rugby with Luke Jacobson, the returning Chief Skipper,
ahead of the big game against the Brumbies on Friday nights.
A lot of history in that game as well, James
Slipper had become the most capped Super Ruggy player of
(00:42):
all time. Not far away from hearing Luke Jacobson on
Sports Fix, Nathan lemb jumps into the chainbat as well.
And this nzed twenty saga keeps dragging on. I'll give
you my take in a couple of moments here on
Sports Fix with GJ. Gardner Holmes. In other news, as
we says, what's happened in the last twenty four hours?
Black app Darrel Mitchillude in New Zealand Cricket to invest
(01:04):
in n ZEDT twenty privatized legal get left behind on
the international stage. He is metally explaining his stuff.
Speaker 3 (01:11):
It's going to create one hundred and fifty opportunities for
domestic cricketers around our country as opposed to maybe thirty
eight won the big best competition. So I think a
sixteen competition in our own country creates three connections and rivalries,
is opposed to one team.
Speaker 2 (01:24):
Let's chick in on the Champions League. Arsenal defeated via
levicues and two nil on the night and three to
one overall in the round of sixteen to advance Manchester
City out after losing to Real Madrid two to one
and five to one on aggregate. Captain Barnardo Silver copped
a red card in the twentieth minute on his own.
Speaker 4 (01:40):
Manchester City's mission improbable has just become mission to the Moon.
Twenty minutes gone penalty to Real Madrid and the captain
sent off.
Speaker 2 (01:48):
Chelsea went down to PSG three to nil and lost
eight to two on aggregate. Sporting liz Byrne have gone
through against Border Glimp after winning the return league five
nil after going in five to three. Remarkable a turnaround
for them. Our leading squashblab Paul goals soaking up the
beaches in the Gold Course. That sounds terrible. What a
way to relax, and I'm the world up to enjoying
(02:10):
a short break after backing up is New Zealand Open
Crume with a second Australian Open triumph. He's been in
Europe course and more than a decade, but he's going
home and winning the titles down out. It does take
on extra significance.
Speaker 5 (02:20):
Actually was gut when I didn't get the double last year,
as much as it probably pains someday. We I love
playing loggy as well as in Zealand. I think we
were away. We see vels and having two tournaments down
Under and take a lot of prime in China win
both of them and Superstoke.
Speaker 1 (02:34):
Leading a Vex. We've got just the ticket. It's Sports
Vex power by News Talks IVY.
Speaker 2 (02:40):
Let's take you to Canberra now and the Chiefs eyeing
up the Brumbies on Friday Night, Round six of Super Rugby.
The Chiefs coming off of buy good news, though they
do have Luke Jacobson, their captain, back after a hip
injury wrought him out of their game against More one
up PACIFICA before the bye and he joins us now
from Canberra. Luke, thanks so much of.
Speaker 4 (02:59):
Your time, no problem.
Speaker 2 (03:01):
Well back from a hip intrigger and raring to go
with what should be a pretty big game against that
the Brumbies this week. Was it a a major niggle
that set you out of that last game against Marwana?
And how good to be back on the park.
Speaker 4 (03:13):
Not a major at all? Was actually more precaution. I
probably could have played that minor game if really needed,
but it turned out to be a good opportunity to
have a bit of rotation, get the growing right and
have a little bit of a breather. But keen to
get back in there this weekend after a couple of
weeks off and making's good bumby side as well. So
(03:34):
excited to get back into it.
Speaker 2 (03:35):
Yeah, off the back of the buy obviously as well
that performance against Miwanda, did it feel, you know, watching
from the stands a good response to the Crusaders the
week prior?
Speaker 4 (03:46):
Yeah, look, I think it was a pretty good response.
So obviously it wasn't perfect, but you really get it perfect.
There was a lot of good intent out there. Minor
stressed us at times that there's probably could have been
a few moments that we would like to executed a
little bit better on. But I think overall as a
whole is pretty good. Yeah, pretty good reaction to our
(04:06):
first loss of the seasonfull the only lost. But we're
still still working away at a few things for this
weekend and we'll continue too as well, so hopefully we
can keep ticking away those.
Speaker 2 (04:18):
As you touched on the bye, A pretty good point
to reflect on the season today. Three wins, one lost
by early in the season. One of those things that
you think you need to work on as you head
into this next block of games.
Speaker 4 (04:32):
Well, I think the old analogy plan our footy for
eighty minutes, we can play some awesome footy. I think
predominantly attacks probably more of our strengths, and we can
easily be the best team in the competition at times.
It's just been able to repeat that not get bored
of doing the basics. Probably a little touch up around
(04:53):
some of our day as well. I think when we
get into the rhythm of things, we look really, really good,
but there's just been a couple of small lapses that
have led to points. So it's about tidy those up,
getting really clear and connected and what he look in
the same direction to nullify those we've seen.
Speaker 2 (05:12):
Obviously, you know, it's some high scoring games this season,
and even when you scored fifty seven, you probably let
in raybe a trial to more than you would have
liked to. And obviously forty the week prior against the
Crusaders as well. Is that the nature of super rugby
that you even if you, yeah, you are winning, you
can sort of let a few tries and just given
the nature of the way that the games have been played.
Speaker 4 (05:33):
Yeah, look, I think these times that teams are just
you know, the attackers. You've just got to give them
credit for the attack they're able to produce. But when
you're given away more than I think two or three
tries in a game, that's when you start to look
and be questioning a few things and asking where can
we be better so that it doesn't happen.
Speaker 2 (05:53):
You mentioned as well, hopefully your last loss of the season.
Is that the kind of mindset you need as a
super rugby team to go out and you know, try
and win this title. That's you know, aluded you that
maybe you know got one down, you know, and now
it's time to run the table for the rest of
the year.
Speaker 4 (06:09):
I think our mindset is are going out each weekend
and moving forward in our performance, and you know they
don't want to get to I mean, we want to win,
there's no doubt about that. But when you start looking
at just wins or losses, you start to probably look
at the wrong things. I think a team building, good
(06:29):
momentum and setting yourselves up well to be as good
as you can. You review off performance and your plan
that you've set out to execute on the weekend, how
well you execute that. So I think when we're ideally
you're performing well, you're going to get wins. But yeah,
it's about moving that that line forward of our performance
(06:50):
each week and focusing on the areas that we think
are going to be most important come back.
Speaker 2 (06:56):
End of the season in a two wings a two
week swing now in Australia on this trip of the
Brumbies this week and then the Force next week. With
the way that Super Raby is these days, how vital
are these sort of literally it away from home to
build and set your team culture for the rest of
the season.
Speaker 4 (07:13):
Yeah, it's a little bit sair. We don't get to
do anymore, well, many tools anymore. You see, obviously the
South Africa one and Argentina. So look, I think there's
a there's a gol da. It's awesome getting away with
the team. It's just a little bit unfortunate that not
everybody can be over here. But boys are working hard
back home and they get to have a little bit
of a connection piece of their own. But yeah, look
(07:36):
it's probably just more informal connections been in time around
each other, being out coffees or whatever. It is a
little bit boys boys that appearance. They don't have to
shoot home and be a dad, So I think it is. Yeah,
it was awesome for the connection, so we'll be looking
to make the most of it.
Speaker 1 (07:55):
This is Sportsfigs, your daily dose of sports news now
and by News Talks.
Speaker 2 (08:01):
I'm not one hundred percent sure they're right about n
Z twenty being the right option, but Daryl Mitchell and
Ruts and Ravenger are right about the time it's taking
to get a decision about the future of the domestic
T twenty game here. They've heat a bit of pressure
on the power brokers to get a regular on via
the New Zealand Herald and push the case for the
n ZED twenty. While it's important to get it right
(08:22):
and not make any rash decisions. The whole process is
dragging on. It began last year and to this point
in March, we still have no idea of how the
T twenty product will look here next summer. This while
a meaningless series continues between New Zealand and South Africa
featuring some players who are likely to be involved due
diligence certainly matters. But the fact we had to get
(08:43):
a deep report from Deloitte to the board, which has
essentially taken months on end, well, isn't this what the
board is there for? The factions have split cricket in
this country down the middle. There's those that want the
Big Bash, there's those that want n ZED twenty, the
Players Association on the latter side. Surely there's enough facts,
enough data and enough learn knowledge for all these cricket
(09:04):
people out here that are running the sport in this
country to make a decision without needing a report to
tell them what to do. Contracts of players need to
be signed here and overseas, whether it's n Z twenty,
whether it's the Big Bash, or whether they're sticking with
the Super Smash for another summer. You're talking sponsorship you're
talking ownership of teams, etc. Whether it's n Z twenty
or the Big Bash, it's classic New Zealand. Think back
(09:26):
last year to the Silver Ferns and the a m
Z Premiership. Think to other things around the sporting sphere,
but also think to infrastructure and transport in this country.
Whatever it might be. We dilly dally on the hard
decisions for the future and this is another one.
Speaker 1 (09:42):
The Chamber is now in session on SPORTSFX.
Speaker 2 (09:45):
We're in the Chamber now on the Sports Fix podcast
and joining us one of the co hosts of the
Big League podcast, which you can find on iHeartRadio and
New Zealand Herald sports journalists Nathan Lyne. Welcome to the Chamber.
Speaker 6 (09:56):
Hey Smithie, how are you very well?
Speaker 2 (09:58):
Indeed, well, let's start with rugby leg That is an
interesting Warriors team they've named for this weekend with the
injuries that they've got to Charles Nicol Crookstar and also
Shanel Harris Tavita and the halves, and they have changed
things up a little bit by intrigue, really intrigued by
how this is going to unfold for them this week
(10:19):
with the new players they put in to a peky
we know how he'll go at full back, but Hanson
at five eighth really interested to see how this is
going to unfold.
Speaker 6 (10:26):
Yeah, so that Warriors are really reaching into I guess
their depth at this point because this is their third
frontline halves player that they've lost after Luke Metcalf to
Miright and Martin. Now Chanelle Harris Tavita goes down. Tanner
Boyd played alongside Luke Hanson in the preseason and they
actually worked really well together. Neither of them were going
to set the world on fire, but they both did
(10:47):
the basics really well. I think that's been the hallmark
of the Warriors first two games so far this season
is that Tanner Boyd has just run the ship. Very
simple game plan but done all the basics really well,
and his kicking has been super just putting it in
the right areas, just playing really simple football and that's
what's worked. Hanson just has to come in and do
the basics really well. It's not Tanner will run the
(11:08):
sho he just needs to fill that gap, put in
some defensive efforts, as Chance did really well when he
filled in at six on the weekend as well. We
know tainto a Peaky is going to be adept at
filling that gap at full back. So you know, despite
these changes, I still have a lot of confidence in
this Warrior's line up, in their depth. The other thing
that's interesting, obviously is Mitch Barnett being added to the
(11:28):
extended bench. Could we see a late sort of reshovel.
Could he move on to the interchange and be swapped
on for James Fisher Harris at some point during the game.
I'm sure they'll assess him. It's sort of at the
back end of the weeks, but potential for him to
come back.
Speaker 2 (11:41):
That's right, because if you don't name one Tuesday, he
definitely can't play. But if you want him many's all
of a sudden fit later in the week. You can't
include him at that point. So may as well chuck
him in into the mix on Tuesday and go, Look,
if he's ready, we'll give him a shot. But great
to see his returning because he just adds to that
Warriors pack and you think about that full pack when
you throw him in the mix. It's been very, very good.
In the opening couple of rauhs, what I have like
(12:03):
and you touched on it, there is just I watched
that game in Wellington at a pub on Friday night,
and what struck me was that just simple things done
well from the Warriors. They didn't overplay their hand with
the attack, which I think they're probably being guilty of
at times in recent years. It was simple things done
well and they've just managed to find all the holes
in the Canberra attack. And I see before the season,
(12:24):
I don't know that this is a top four roster.
I think it's somewhere between seven and ten, but I
think they probably got a top four coach and were
seeing Andrew Webster develop a game plan that I think
works for the players that he's got on his books.
At this point in time, i'll get to say between
four and eight.
Speaker 6 (12:38):
That's quite harsh after to forty point the start of
the season being wrong on that front. Yeah, no, you're
absolutely right. I think also your factor in the conditions
that they had on Friday night as well. It was
so wet, it was slippery. I think there were a
couple of drops in the outside backs, but on the
whole you'd have to say the handling was super because
they weren't shoying away from the offloads either. So again
(13:01):
it's just about continuing to do those basics well. And
the teams that they've knocked over, I mean, the Sydney
Roosters preseason were touted as title contenders, the Raiders were
minor premiers last year, and they've got pretty much the
same squad. So the Warriors have just started. They look
like a team that has played together for a year already,
and that's because they have. This is pretty much exactly
(13:22):
the same lineup that we were playing that they were
playing in the back end of last year. And obviously
they dealt with the injuries to Metcalf, to Barnett to
when Tomight and Martin was sort of in and out.
These are challenges that they faced before and they're coming
into this season facing the same challenges and they're dealing
with it really, really well, and we're seeing that in
the results. So you've got to think that when they
(13:43):
get back to full strength, as long as they continue
that sort of fluidity and doing the basics well, it's
a great selection headache to have.
Speaker 2 (13:50):
It certainly is in Z twenty providing a headache of
different sorts. Now a couple of players come out Russian
Ravendra and Daryl Mitchell to the New Zealand Herald and
basically go we want INNZ twenty to happen and we
need New Zealand Cricket to get a riggle on around this.
We know it was discussed at board level on Monday
as our understanding. Still no decision, But the longer this
drags on, surely you know they've got to get if
(14:12):
this is going to happen next summer, they're going to
have to contracts sorted team, sorted owners sort of. This
is really dragging on and New Zealand Crickets are coming
into the gun now, which is interesting from a couple
of their own players.
Speaker 6 (14:24):
Well, I actually have massive respect for darn Mitchell and
for rach and Revendris for breaking rank and coming out
and actually being honest and seeing how they feel about
the situation, because that's you know, it's quite rare players
you're normally understandably want to stick by their employer and
not put a toe out of line. But I think
this is a very real issue that the players are
faced with in that they've been honest. They're be getting
(14:45):
offered a lot of money to go overseas and be
part of these other leagues, and they want the game
to be strong in New Zealand. They want this NZ
twenty competition to be in action and therefore be a
part of it to keep the game strong in New Zealand.
But they've been upfront and that you know, if there's
no plan, then what other choice do they have. Oh,
you know, there's not a bad option to fall back
(15:06):
on go and take up a huge contract somewhere else.
But ultimately they're doing this because they want what's best
for New Zealand cricket. And yeah, I mean we saw
it sort of last year with Neipple. There wasn't direction
of where the game was going domestically, and so players
have gone overseas and they've talked about people don't know
what's going on. We need some sort of direction. So
we need that leadership. And I suppose leadership has been
(15:28):
a key issue for New Zealand cricket in recent times
with Scott the whole mess around Scott Wining. So basically
they need direction, they need clarity and it's up to
New Zealand Cricket to provide that it is.
Speaker 2 (15:38):
Indeed, and finally I mentioned Nipple there, it's really said
Jess Theilby standing down as the coach of the England team.
One of the nemesis I suppose of the silver Ferns
as we head to the Commonwealth Games this year around
her father who died three years ago, I think, but
just the fact that it's been weighing on her for
it for a number of years now and doesn't feel
like she can lead the team to the Commonwealth Games.
(15:59):
You know, full respect to to Jess Thelby, but it's
a big loss for England, you know, with a really
strong roster still with how it's been all those players
as we count down to this year's Calm Game.
Speaker 6 (16:08):
Yeah, it's a massive blow to England. And yeah, I
fully with you on Thurlb. Obviously, her father passed away
in twenty twenty three and she sort of put that
aside and went straight into the twenty twenty three World
cupets South Africa, where England did really well and made
the final. And she's sort of, as I guess, kept
the way she's sort of described as sort of like
kicking a can down the road and she's decided that
(16:30):
she needs to actually take this time to grieve her dad.
And full respect to her. However, in regards to England,
obviously they now need to select a head coach and
they've got a pinnacle event. They've got the Commonwealth Games
coming up in a few months, so England suddenly. We
heard about New Zealand's coaching crisis over the last year.
This is obviously very different, but England now needing to
get some leadership together for this team, which as you said,
(16:52):
is pretty stacked. They've definitely got the personnel to challenge
for gold at the Commonwealth Games and maybe might even
have a bit more of an advantage given the Games
are in Glasgow, very close to home for them. So
it's a big event and a big opportunity for England
in terms of who can replace them replace Jess. There'll
be obviously they've got their own league over there with
(17:14):
coaches that they have ready. I'm going to throw Kittie
Wills's name out there just as a potential as a
New Zealander who could vie for it. She's under contract
with the Queens and Firebirds and will very much be
focused on that, but you know she has test coaching
aspirations as well, so a potential option for her. I
don't know what the situation is with her contract or
how she'd make that work, but that's a key who
could potentially be in the mix.
Speaker 2 (17:33):
So we go watch the space. Nathan Lim, thank you
very much for joining us in the chamber. As always,
Cheers Zellip.
Speaker 1 (17:38):
Leading a VIX. We've got just the ticket. It's Sports
Fix powered by News Talks VV.
Speaker 2 (17:44):
Thanks for listening. We'll be back tomorrow with another episode
of Sports Fix, and of course you can catch Sports
Talk weeknight seven to light on News Talk ZB and
weekend Sport midday till three Saturday and Sun.
Speaker 1 (17:55):
For more from News Talk ZEDB. Listen live on air
or online, and keep our shows with you wherever you
go with our podcast on iHeartRadio
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