On Sports Fix with Elliott Smith for 22nd October 2025, despite the sold out crowds of Hagley Oval, the interest levels in the Black Caps international series against England appears low with the ticket sales struggling for the final T20 at Eden Park tomorrow night. Elliott caught up with co-founder of the Beige Brigade Black Caps supporter group, Paul Ford, to discuss.
Elliott shares his thoughts on the 2025 Bunnings NPC season and the Super Rugby sides being able to contract 12 wider group players.
And Elliott and Newstalk ZB Sports news director Clay Wilson discuss the Government getting involved in the Dame Noeline Taurua saga and the changes to the Super Rugby contractual situation.
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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.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
This is Sportsfix howard By News Talks EDB.
Speaker 3 (00:21):
Welcome to Sports Fix for the twenty second of October.
I'm Elliott Smith. Coming up on today's episode with JJ
gar the Holmes, New Zealand's most trusted home builder.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
We talked to Paul.
Speaker 3 (00:30):
Ford, the co founder of the beij Brigade. Are we
falling out of love with cricket? Yes, the crowds are
solding out, but as anyone actually invested in this series
against England, I'm struggling to get in. Bob or four
joins us on the podcast. Clay Wilson, News Talks ABB
Sports News director joins us as well. Inside of the
(00:51):
Chamber and we wrap up the last twenty four hours.
Speaker 2 (00:54):
Of sports in other news.
Speaker 3 (00:57):
Sports Today time on Sports Fix and New Zealand Rugby's
making tweets to its contracting landscape for the five super franchises.
Each team will now be able to sign twelve a
training squad members. That's up from five. Full deals remain
at thirty eight, so fifty players they'll have on their
box ends as head of High Performance, Mike Anthony outlines
(01:18):
how the extra dozen will be determined cool.
Speaker 4 (01:21):
Tractor for six local regional based off the pus are
fing Bearing, PC and Michan and then the next part
of the process series that will be a draft in.
Speaker 3 (01:31):
The Highlanders have already anounced one of their local snicks.
They've snapped up Otiger Lusiford, Lucas Casey. The man nine
is the striking Viking, at least in these circles, has
delivered again in football's Champions League courtesy of Design, I.
Speaker 2 (01:42):
Sticking ball in a revised for Harland time.
Speaker 5 (01:45):
I'm running Harland score from Manchester City his fifty goal
in Champions League football.
Speaker 3 (01:53):
And Harland's now scored in twelve consecutive games across all
competitions as part of Manchester City winning over Hosvela Raal
to nil. Better communication and mid court's movement is what
Sulverpoon center Maddie Gordon wants in the second Constellation Cup
netball test against the Aussie Diamonds in Sydney.
Speaker 5 (02:12):
But also, you know, the goal attack guys feel like
the goal attacks can get more involved as well.
Speaker 6 (02:16):
I think we just need a bit more, you know,
movement and working with each other. You know, I think
we were very individualized sometimes and trying to get for
our on our own. But we can definitely do some more.
Speaker 3 (02:25):
Screens and hit and center pass. And that game is
a half past and nine on Wednesday night tonight if
you're listening to it right now on the day it's uploaded.
This podcast is gonna be thirty five degrees in Sydney
today in about thirty percent to pass. So hot one
for these Sewer fans as they try to get back
to one all in the series.
Speaker 2 (02:45):
Needing a vix We've got just the ticket. It's SPORTSFX
powered by News Talks IVY.
Speaker 3 (02:51):
We're talking cricket on Sportsvix. We are in the middle
sort of of the international home summer of cricket, five
games down, not completed all of them, but we've got
England at Eden Park tomorrow night and it feels like
it's going under the radar. Are we still as passionate
about international cricket we once were? Joining us now to
discuss is one of the co founders of the Beans Brigade,
(03:13):
Paul Ford. He joins us on sports Sex. Paul, thanks
for your time.
Speaker 6 (03:16):
Yeah, they think things are good. Things are good. My
house has a bland away in Mellington, so you know,
small mercy.
Speaker 3 (03:21):
That is a positive. As a cricket fan, one of
the highest profile in the country. How are you dealing
with the fact we're five matches down and we're still
not finished October yet in this spring of cricket, Yeah.
Speaker 6 (03:32):
Well it would be great if we've had some cricket
to watch, but yeah, I mean, and some of it's
been tough going and there's some of that's been non existent. Yeah,
looks it's been a frustrating start to the spring of cricket.
Speaker 3 (03:44):
I would say, is this just the way it goes
now that we're going to have to play in October
and deal with the patchy weather that is going on
around the country because this is our lot when it
comes to what's being served up in the calendar.
Speaker 6 (03:58):
Look, I think there is definitely an element of New
Zealand just the economic position that our cricket is in,
just our I guess, our power on the on the
world stage is that where a cork on an ocean,
a raging ocean of cricket scheduling and so you know
we're going to bobble around it. We're going to take
(04:19):
what we can get. And I guess it's the alternative
is we're not going to be playing Australia in October
and we're not going to be playing England and October
when are we going to be playing them? And if
the answer is, well, then we're not available to play
you guys, I think we've just got to take it.
As frustrating as.
Speaker 3 (04:34):
That is, That's the thing, isn't it. Because if we don't,
if we say actually no, we don't, we don't want
these in October, it's not good for our weather, it's
not good for fans getting through the gate. Then we're
left with maybe a West Indies tour in November December
and then five to twenty Eies against South Africa in
the back end of the sum when everyone's back at work.
So is it a case of you know, you got
to you gotta basically lump it?
Speaker 6 (04:55):
Yeah, Look, I think look and it is it's pretty
bare and right the last couple of summers have been
really I think that this is there's a big problem
around reclaiming the New Zealand some for cricket and late cricket.
What can be done? You know, if we can't have
big international teams come and play in that window because
they are running their own tours. The ashes is on
(05:18):
all that kind of stuff. Then, you know, can we
take control of our summer here in New Zealand through
through a fantastic competition of our own. Can we beat
up the super Smash? I don't know, but there's got
to be something that we can do, which means that
we're not just sort of saying, you know what, we'll
just we'll end up having like these book nd toos
a little bit in the middle and then kind of
(05:40):
nothing in the in the in high summer. So yeah, look,
I think it is our lot, but i'd love to
see a bit more proactivity around us, in particular reclaiming
that summer.
Speaker 3 (05:52):
Do you reckon? That's why they're looking at potentially putting
in a looking at a big bash license from across
the tows.
Speaker 6 (05:57):
And then yeah, it does seem like there's some thinking
going on, which is which is good. But I know
we've been talking about that big best thing I think
for about a decade, So what are that? What are
the economics on that? Look, I don't know. I like
the idea that we're trying to do something different. That
idea in particular, I'm not so sure about because it
basically will mean that our domestic cricket, which is happening
(06:18):
in January and February and is that kind of the
only game in town, means it drops down. It would
drop down another run, there'd be a bunch of players
that were off playing in that tournament, which would mean
that our domestic game is even more hollowed out. And
so I'm not sure that that's the answer. As much
as and just being honest, I would still on the
couch and watch that. Absolutely, I would fly over and
(06:39):
watch those games I love to, but I'm not sure
that that's the golden ticket for for what I mean.
I think this is about we want cricket to connect
with the next generation of fans and get kind of
addicted to it like we did, and that means you've
got to be on the embankments. You've got to be
soaking it up on you, you know, your summer Saturdays
(07:01):
and Fridays and getting out to games and watching them
with your mates and getting the buzz out of the game.
And I do worry that if we're not doing that
when people are on holiday and want to you know,
putting their feed up in January. It makes me nervous
for the future of the game, to sure.
Speaker 3 (07:14):
Yeah, it does worry me when I see those empty
seats tomorrow night. And I was looking around the map
at Eton Park and it's you know, basically two thirds
to get still available. And this is you know, potentially
one of the marquee matchups of the summer or bigot
in October New Zealand England. That's one you circle in
the diary at the start of the summer. But it's
a Thursday night, it's in October, the weather may not
be flash the recipes there for Calamity for New Zealand Cricket.
Speaker 6 (07:39):
You know, and people did like Hagley. Yeah, it was
sold out, you know, and that was it had all
the makings of a fantastic series on paper. England have
seen out a pretty damn good team and I think
there's a bit of nervousness that they might have seen out,
you know, a weaker team and not taken it quite
as seriously as they have, and I think that's that's great.
So they're a real draw card the way they play.
(08:02):
I do think that people have gotten nervous about the weather.
So yeah, I think that that is definitely a fat
for people. But yeah, it's Eden Park, you know, Auckland.
You guys, you've got to get out and get along
to the games because you don't get too many, so
you've got to get out there and make the most
of it.
Speaker 2 (08:22):
This is SPORTSFACS, You're daily dose of sports news, power
by News.
Speaker 3 (08:27):
Talksb Long Live the NPC. This has been the best
season in years and it's not done yet. Canterbury and
Otago to square off in this weekend's final, an All
Southern Classic. You couldn't script it any better than that.
A rematch for Canterbury against the one side that they've
lost to this year, Otago, who took the Ramfury Shield
(08:48):
off them. This is heading for a sellout incidentally at
Apollo Project Stadium as well. The tickets are well priced
and there's a bit of nostalgia there because it's the
last time that Canterbury will play at the venue, even
if the Crusaders have a few games left over next year.
It feels like the romanticism has come alive in the
NBC this year. This has been helped cause by the
(09:09):
ran fairly shield shifting about. But the quality of rugby
I think has improved dramatically over the recent seasons as well.
We've seen the likes of Dylan Pledger emerge, Lucas Casey,
Josh Jacob continues his development as well. This is where
the new stars are generated, which makes the pathways announcement
from New Zealand Rugby interesting today that each super rugby
(09:31):
team the five Foundation ones, will have fifty plays thirty
eight regular squad members plus twelve wider group players. Will
this clear up the pathways? I hope so, because rugby
union has lost the likes of Harry inch Over to
the Warriors and he took a swipe at the pathways
on the way out. If this can clean it up
and keep the top talent in rugby Union, then I
(09:51):
think it's a good thing for the game. In New
Zealand Rugby League has plenty of young players coming through
that I'm sure they're going to be able to sell to,
but the pathways needs to be right in both codes.
Speaker 2 (10:01):
The Chamber is now in session on Sportsfax.
Speaker 3 (10:05):
Let's get in the chamber and talk all sports of
all sorts of sporting issues. Clay Wilson used to talk.
Zembe sports news director is in the chamber, Clay greeting,
thanks for joining me.
Speaker 5 (10:16):
Not a problem.
Speaker 3 (10:17):
Well, the government have got involved in fact, not even
just the government, both sides of the political isle have
got involved in this Netball New Zealand story. Mark Mitchell,
the Sports Minister, Willie Jackson, Labor MP, who we heard
from on Sports Fix yesterday. They want answers, they want
the resolution. And when the government starts rattling the cages
and politics and sports start mixing, it means that, you know,
(10:40):
people are getting tired and frustrated of the way this
is playing out. What do you make of this whole thing?
Speaker 5 (10:45):
Yeah, I think the politicians, you know, Sports Minister Marke Mitchell,
like you say, I think he tried to avoid it
for a while, but it's got to a point now
where they perhaps realized that this isn't This might not
be resolved unless they step in and as a taxpayer
funded body, you know, I think they newborn New zell
And receive over two million dollars high performance funding over
three million dollars total from the government. It's not a
(11:07):
small amount of you know in this country that the
government have a bit of sway here to step in
and say you need to get this sorted out now.
Will this be the straw that breaks the camels back
in terms of finally getting a resolution. Who knows, but
you feel I don't know if optimistic is the right word,
but you perhaps feel like you know, we're going to
(11:28):
move closer now than we have been to these two parties,
you know, Noel in Toto and newborn New Zealand deciding
one way or another what they both want to do. Is
she going to come back? Is she going to move on?
And you know, so the Silver Funds can kind of
be rid of this because they're playing their biggest series
of year at the moment against Australia for a full
(11:50):
match series. Yet you know, any talk of actual netball,
you know, positional choices, you know, merits of either team
kind of fade into the oblivion of this cloud that's
hanging over over the Silver Ferns at the moment.
Speaker 3 (12:05):
That's right, and once the government gets in the headlines
start developing Niple and New Zealand the last thing they
wanted to see us today. But it also might be
sort of a kick up the bump for both parties.
Nipple and New Zealand and no Ling Poldo are that
this needs to get sought and it can't keep dragging on.
Speaker 5 (12:21):
Yes, And you know, you have to feel like the
way this has been handled, I think has been kind
of widely assessed as not great best from the nible
New Zealand perspective, and you almost feel like they've backed
themselves into a little bit of a corner here. Where
do they have to take her back now, even if
(12:41):
maybe they don't want to behind the scenes now we
don't know that, but there's certainly whispers about that. So
because this can't go on forever now it's an employment dispute,
maybe there's financial situations involved as well. The reality is
we have such little information it's hard to really make
a confident call on where it's going to go. But
(13:04):
you know, the involvement of the government, like you say,
is a very it's a pretty good indicator of what
kind of level this has reached. And perhaps it is
just that nudge for Newborn New Zealand to actually make
a decision, because I think that's what's happening here is
Dame no Lean is saying you need to decide one
way or the other. Because I'm not moving my position.
You either like it or you don't, and if you don't, great,
(13:28):
I'll be on my way. But I would like my
job back. Idea.
Speaker 3 (13:31):
That's right exactly and it speaks volumes. I think that
she does want a job back after all of this.
She's not going stuff yet. I'm going to go and
take South Africa or whatever country might come along, or
a franchise team. I want that silver Feron's job back.
So she's committed to the prospect of coaching this team again.
Changed in the win for Super Rugby structures and squads selections.
(13:53):
This has a little been a little bit messy from
time to time. Selected thirty eight players for a few
seasons now, and there's been wider training group players that
haven't been widely publicized. From next year, Clay thirty eight
players plus twelve wider training group members, fifty squads in all.
The under twenties system has been scrapped. On the surface,
it looks like a big seed change, but it feels
(14:15):
like maybe it's just about tidying things up a little bit.
What do you make of these changes?
Speaker 5 (14:19):
Yeah, well, I think the reality is, while rugby's still
our national game, rugby has, you know, continually over the
last ten to fifteen twenty years, been getting more and
more competition from other sports. They're fighting for talent, aren't they,
And perhaps this is a way that they're just trying
to tidy up the pathway a bit. For if you're
(14:40):
you know, a standout first fifteen player, let's say, and
you're looking to your future, how do I get from
X Y to Z, which is obviously you know, make
the All Blacks, make a successful career at the top level.
So perhaps I'm just trying to give those players a
bit more of a view to where they will go.
(15:01):
That might look at you know, especially you look at
league right the NRL. We spoke about the war and
you know all the NRAL teams have a much clearer path,
don't you. They have a junior they have a junior system,
a couple of junior teams actually in the NRL. And
then you know your New South Wales Cup, your Queensland Cup,
(15:21):
you've kind of a teams as such, and then your
top team. It's a lot clearer as to where you're going.
And rugby hasn't always had that. They've jumped back and
forth a bit and it's been a bit murkier, so
you know, while there's a bit of detail here, I
think really it's it's Rugby trying to simplify New Zealand
Rugby trying to simplify things. So those players that might say,
oh how do I get from here to the All Blacks? Yeah,
(15:44):
can can now see that path a bit clear and
go is there going to be spot for me next
year at this theme?
Speaker 3 (15:49):
Will you go? Actually? Yeah, I think there is because
the specialist role will open up next year. Players will
move on rather than being contracted as a wider training
group member and they're not having any future. So I
think it's about getting those pathways. And we talked about
the the New Zealand secondary school side right through that
hasn't had the best of using. It's Australia. The pathways
system need a bit of tiding up and this isn't
(16:09):
going to be a silver bullet, but I think it
might be step in the right direction.
Speaker 5 (16:12):
Yeah, And I will be interested though to see the
reaction to the under twenty comp being scrapped. We know
that first fifteen rugby is such a big part of
this country. We know just in this office how much
interest that those those competitions get age group rugby. So
there's gonna be a lot of players, parents, coaches, people
connected to these players and those teams and competitions that
(16:36):
perhaps might not be so stoked about it, but I
can see what they're trying to do, and it might
just be one of those things that it might take
a year or two for people to warm up to
it and then it kind of becomes something that makes
a bit more sense, and you're you're not just having
an age group kind of feeded team to super rugby.
You're having you know, all adult players as well. And
you know, we talk about late bloomers, people that might
(16:57):
not fit into that under twenty catchment but still have
a chance to kick on and make a good career
of of you know what they're doing. So so let's
see where it pans out. But sort of feels like
I've been looking at it for a while and kind
of finally decided on what they're going to do.
Speaker 3 (17:12):
Yeah, absolutely watch the space say as to how it unfolds. Clay,
thank you very much for your time in the chamber.
Speaker 2 (17:16):
Too easy, needing a fix, We've got just the ticket.
It's Sports Fix powered by News Talk zivvy.
Speaker 3 (17:23):
Thanks for listening. We'll be back tomorrow with another episode
of Sports Fix and Don't Forget. You can catch all
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to Friday from seven to eight and on weekend Sport
Midday till three Saturday and Sunday.
Speaker 1 (17:37):
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
You're listening to a podcast from News Talks EDB. Follow
this and our wide range of podcasts now on iHeartRadio.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
This is Sportsfix howard By News Talks EDB.
Speaker 3 (00:21):
Welcome to Sports Fix for the twenty second of October.
I'm Elliott Smith. Coming up on today's episode with JJ
gar the Holmes, New Zealand's most trusted home builder.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
We talked to Paul.
Speaker 3 (00:30):
Ford, the co founder of the beij Brigade. Are we
falling out of love with cricket? Yes, the crowds are
solding out, but as anyone actually invested in this series
against England, I'm struggling to get in. Bob or four
joins us on the podcast. Clay Wilson, News Talks ABB
Sports News director joins us as well. Inside of the
(00:51):
Chamber and we wrap up the last twenty four hours.
Speaker 2 (00:54):
Of sports in other news.
Speaker 3 (00:57):
Sports Today time on Sports Fix and New Zealand Rugby's
making tweets to its contracting landscape for the five super franchises.
Each team will now be able to sign twelve a
training squad members. That's up from five. Full deals remain
at thirty eight, so fifty players they'll have on their
box ends as head of High Performance, Mike Anthony outlines
(01:18):
how the extra dozen will be determined cool.
Speaker 4 (01:21):
Tractor for six local regional based off the pus are
fing Bearing, PC and Michan and then the next part
of the process series that will be a draft in.
Speaker 3 (01:31):
The Highlanders have already anounced one of their local snicks.
They've snapped up Otiger Lusiford, Lucas Casey. The man nine
is the striking Viking, at least in these circles, has
delivered again in football's Champions League courtesy of Design, I.
Speaker 2 (01:42):
Sticking ball in a revised for Harland time.
Speaker 5 (01:45):
I'm running Harland score from Manchester City his fifty goal
in Champions League football.
Speaker 3 (01:53):
And Harland's now scored in twelve consecutive games across all
competitions as part of Manchester City winning over Hosvela Raal
to nil. Better communication and mid court's movement is what
Sulverpoon center Maddie Gordon wants in the second Constellation Cup
netball test against the Aussie Diamonds in Sydney.
Speaker 5 (02:12):
But also, you know, the goal attack guys feel like
the goal attacks can get more involved as well.
Speaker 6 (02:16):
I think we just need a bit more, you know,
movement and working with each other. You know, I think
we were very individualized sometimes and trying to get for
our on our own. But we can definitely do some more.
Speaker 3 (02:25):
Screens and hit and center pass. And that game is
a half past and nine on Wednesday night tonight if
you're listening to it right now on the day it's uploaded.
This podcast is gonna be thirty five degrees in Sydney
today in about thirty percent to pass. So hot one
for these Sewer fans as they try to get back
to one all in the series.
Speaker 2 (02:45):
Needing a vix We've got just the ticket. It's SPORTSFX
powered by News Talks IVY.
Speaker 3 (02:51):
We're talking cricket on Sportsvix. We are in the middle
sort of of the international home summer of cricket, five
games down, not completed all of them, but we've got
England at Eden Park tomorrow night and it feels like
it's going under the radar. Are we still as passionate
about international cricket we once were? Joining us now to
discuss is one of the co founders of the Beans Brigade,
(03:13):
Paul Ford. He joins us on sports Sex. Paul, thanks
for your time.
Speaker 6 (03:16):
Yeah, they think things are good. Things are good. My
house has a bland away in Mellington, so you know,
small mercy.
Speaker 3 (03:21):
That is a positive. As a cricket fan, one of
the highest profile in the country. How are you dealing
with the fact we're five matches down and we're still
not finished October yet in this spring of cricket, Yeah.
Speaker 6 (03:32):
Well it would be great if we've had some cricket
to watch, but yeah, I mean, and some of it's
been tough going and there's some of that's been non existent. Yeah,
looks it's been a frustrating start to the spring of cricket.
Speaker 3 (03:44):
I would say, is this just the way it goes
now that we're going to have to play in October
and deal with the patchy weather that is going on
around the country because this is our lot when it
comes to what's being served up in the calendar.
Speaker 6 (03:58):
Look, I think there is definitely an element of New
Zealand just the economic position that our cricket is in,
just our I guess, our power on the on the
world stage is that where a cork on an ocean,
a raging ocean of cricket scheduling and so you know
we're going to bobble around it. We're going to take
(04:19):
what we can get. And I guess it's the alternative
is we're not going to be playing Australia in October
and we're not going to be playing England and October
when are we going to be playing them? And if
the answer is, well, then we're not available to play
you guys, I think we've just got to take it.
As frustrating as.
Speaker 3 (04:34):
That is, That's the thing, isn't it. Because if we don't,
if we say actually no, we don't, we don't want
these in October, it's not good for our weather, it's
not good for fans getting through the gate. Then we're
left with maybe a West Indies tour in November December
and then five to twenty Eies against South Africa in
the back end of the sum when everyone's back at work.
So is it a case of you know, you got
to you gotta basically lump it?
Speaker 6 (04:55):
Yeah, Look, I think look and it is it's pretty
bare and right the last couple of summers have been
really I think that this is there's a big problem
around reclaiming the New Zealand some for cricket and late cricket.
What can be done? You know, if we can't have
big international teams come and play in that window because
they are running their own tours. The ashes is on
(05:18):
all that kind of stuff. Then, you know, can we
take control of our summer here in New Zealand through
through a fantastic competition of our own. Can we beat
up the super Smash? I don't know, but there's got
to be something that we can do, which means that
we're not just sort of saying, you know what, we'll
just we'll end up having like these book nd toos
a little bit in the middle and then kind of
(05:40):
nothing in the in the in high summer. So yeah, look,
I think it is our lot, but i'd love to
see a bit more proactivity around us, in particular reclaiming
that summer.
Speaker 3 (05:52):
Do you reckon? That's why they're looking at potentially putting
in a looking at a big bash license from across
the tows.
Speaker 6 (05:57):
And then yeah, it does seem like there's some thinking
going on, which is which is good. But I know
we've been talking about that big best thing I think
for about a decade, So what are that? What are
the economics on that? Look, I don't know. I like
the idea that we're trying to do something different. That
idea in particular, I'm not so sure about because it
basically will mean that our domestic cricket, which is happening
(06:18):
in January and February and is that kind of the
only game in town, means it drops down. It would
drop down another run, there'd be a bunch of players
that were off playing in that tournament, which would mean
that our domestic game is even more hollowed out. And
so I'm not sure that that's the answer. As much
as and just being honest, I would still on the
couch and watch that. Absolutely, I would fly over and
(06:39):
watch those games I love to, but I'm not sure
that that's the golden ticket for for what I mean.
I think this is about we want cricket to connect
with the next generation of fans and get kind of
addicted to it like we did, and that means you've
got to be on the embankments. You've got to be
soaking it up on you, you know, your summer Saturdays
(07:01):
and Fridays and getting out to games and watching them
with your mates and getting the buzz out of the game.
And I do worry that if we're not doing that
when people are on holiday and want to you know,
putting their feed up in January. It makes me nervous
for the future of the game, to sure.
Speaker 3 (07:14):
Yeah, it does worry me when I see those empty
seats tomorrow night. And I was looking around the map
at Eton Park and it's you know, basically two thirds
to get still available. And this is you know, potentially
one of the marquee matchups of the summer or bigot
in October New Zealand England. That's one you circle in
the diary at the start of the summer. But it's
a Thursday night, it's in October, the weather may not
be flash the recipes there for Calamity for New Zealand Cricket.
Speaker 6 (07:39):
You know, and people did like Hagley. Yeah, it was
sold out, you know, and that was it had all
the makings of a fantastic series on paper. England have
seen out a pretty damn good team and I think
there's a bit of nervousness that they might have seen out,
you know, a weaker team and not taken it quite
as seriously as they have, and I think that's that's great.
So they're a real draw card the way they play.
(08:02):
I do think that people have gotten nervous about the weather.
So yeah, I think that that is definitely a fat
for people. But yeah, it's Eden Park, you know, Auckland.
You guys, you've got to get out and get along
to the games because you don't get too many, so
you've got to get out there and make the most
of it.
Speaker 2 (08:22):
This is SPORTSFACS, You're daily dose of sports news, power
by News.
Speaker 3 (08:27):
Talksb Long Live the NPC. This has been the best
season in years and it's not done yet. Canterbury and
Otago to square off in this weekend's final, an All
Southern Classic. You couldn't script it any better than that.
A rematch for Canterbury against the one side that they've
lost to this year, Otago, who took the Ramfury Shield
(08:48):
off them. This is heading for a sellout incidentally at
Apollo Project Stadium as well. The tickets are well priced
and there's a bit of nostalgia there because it's the
last time that Canterbury will play at the venue, even
if the Crusaders have a few games left over next year.
It feels like the romanticism has come alive in the
NBC this year. This has been helped cause by the
(09:09):
ran fairly shield shifting about. But the quality of rugby
I think has improved dramatically over the recent seasons as well.
We've seen the likes of Dylan Pledger emerge, Lucas Casey,
Josh Jacob continues his development as well. This is where
the new stars are generated, which makes the pathways announcement
from New Zealand Rugby interesting today that each super rugby
(09:31):
team the five Foundation ones, will have fifty plays thirty
eight regular squad members plus twelve wider group players. Will
this clear up the pathways? I hope so, because rugby
union has lost the likes of Harry inch Over to
the Warriors and he took a swipe at the pathways
on the way out. If this can clean it up
and keep the top talent in rugby Union, then I
(09:51):
think it's a good thing for the game. In New
Zealand Rugby League has plenty of young players coming through
that I'm sure they're going to be able to sell to,
but the pathways needs to be right in both codes.
Speaker 2 (10:01):
The Chamber is now in session on Sportsfax.
Speaker 3 (10:05):
Let's get in the chamber and talk all sports of
all sorts of sporting issues. Clay Wilson used to talk.
Zembe sports news director is in the chamber, Clay greeting,
thanks for joining me.
Speaker 5 (10:16):
Not a problem.
Speaker 3 (10:17):
Well, the government have got involved in fact, not even
just the government, both sides of the political isle have
got involved in this Netball New Zealand story. Mark Mitchell,
the Sports Minister, Willie Jackson, Labor MP, who we heard
from on Sports Fix yesterday. They want answers, they want
the resolution. And when the government starts rattling the cages
and politics and sports start mixing, it means that, you know,
(10:40):
people are getting tired and frustrated of the way this
is playing out. What do you make of this whole thing?
Speaker 5 (10:45):
Yeah, I think the politicians, you know, Sports Minister Marke Mitchell,
like you say, I think he tried to avoid it
for a while, but it's got to a point now
where they perhaps realized that this isn't This might not
be resolved unless they step in and as a taxpayer
funded body, you know, I think they newborn New zell
And receive over two million dollars high performance funding over
three million dollars total from the government. It's not a
(11:07):
small amount of you know in this country that the
government have a bit of sway here to step in
and say you need to get this sorted out now.
Will this be the straw that breaks the camels back
in terms of finally getting a resolution. Who knows, but
you feel I don't know if optimistic is the right word,
but you perhaps feel like you know, we're going to
(11:28):
move closer now than we have been to these two parties,
you know, Noel in Toto and newborn New Zealand deciding
one way or another what they both want to do. Is
she going to come back? Is she going to move on?
And you know, so the Silver Funds can kind of
be rid of this because they're playing their biggest series
of year at the moment against Australia for a full
(11:50):
match series. Yet you know, any talk of actual netball,
you know, positional choices, you know, merits of either team
kind of fade into the oblivion of this cloud that's
hanging over over the Silver Ferns at the moment.
Speaker 3 (12:05):
That's right, and once the government gets in the headlines
start developing Niple and New Zealand the last thing they
wanted to see us today. But it also might be
sort of a kick up the bump for both parties.
Nipple and New Zealand and no Ling Poldo are that
this needs to get sought and it can't keep dragging on.
Speaker 5 (12:21):
Yes, And you know, you have to feel like the
way this has been handled, I think has been kind
of widely assessed as not great best from the nible
New Zealand perspective, and you almost feel like they've backed
themselves into a little bit of a corner here. Where
do they have to take her back now, even if
(12:41):
maybe they don't want to behind the scenes now we
don't know that, but there's certainly whispers about that. So
because this can't go on forever now it's an employment dispute,
maybe there's financial situations involved as well. The reality is
we have such little information it's hard to really make
a confident call on where it's going to go. But
(13:04):
you know, the involvement of the government, like you say,
is a very it's a pretty good indicator of what
kind of level this has reached. And perhaps it is
just that nudge for Newborn New Zealand to actually make
a decision, because I think that's what's happening here is
Dame no Lean is saying you need to decide one
way or the other. Because I'm not moving my position.
You either like it or you don't, and if you don't, great,
(13:28):
I'll be on my way. But I would like my
job back. Idea.
Speaker 3 (13:31):
That's right exactly and it speaks volumes. I think that
she does want a job back after all of this.
She's not going stuff yet. I'm going to go and
take South Africa or whatever country might come along, or
a franchise team. I want that silver Feron's job back.
So she's committed to the prospect of coaching this team again.
Changed in the win for Super Rugby structures and squads selections.
(13:53):
This has a little been a little bit messy from
time to time. Selected thirty eight players for a few
seasons now, and there's been wider training group players that
haven't been widely publicized. From next year, Clay thirty eight
players plus twelve wider training group members, fifty squads in all.
The under twenties system has been scrapped. On the surface,
it looks like a big seed change, but it feels
(14:15):
like maybe it's just about tidying things up a little bit.
What do you make of these changes?
Speaker 5 (14:19):
Yeah, well, I think the reality is, while rugby's still
our national game, rugby has, you know, continually over the
last ten to fifteen twenty years, been getting more and
more competition from other sports. They're fighting for talent, aren't they,
And perhaps this is a way that they're just trying
to tidy up the pathway a bit. For if you're
(14:40):
you know, a standout first fifteen player, let's say, and
you're looking to your future, how do I get from
X Y to Z, which is obviously you know, make
the All Blacks, make a successful career at the top level.
So perhaps I'm just trying to give those players a
bit more of a view to where they will go.
(15:01):
That might look at you know, especially you look at
league right the NRL. We spoke about the war and
you know all the NRAL teams have a much clearer path,
don't you. They have a junior they have a junior system,
a couple of junior teams actually in the NRL. And
then you know your New South Wales Cup, your Queensland Cup,
(15:21):
you've kind of a teams as such, and then your
top team. It's a lot clearer as to where you're going.
And rugby hasn't always had that. They've jumped back and
forth a bit and it's been a bit murkier, so
you know, while there's a bit of detail here, I
think really it's it's Rugby trying to simplify New Zealand
Rugby trying to simplify things. So those players that might say,
oh how do I get from here to the All Blacks? Yeah,
(15:44):
can can now see that path a bit clear and
go is there going to be spot for me next
year at this theme?
Speaker 3 (15:49):
Will you go? Actually? Yeah, I think there is because
the specialist role will open up next year. Players will
move on rather than being contracted as a wider training
group member and they're not having any future. So I
think it's about getting those pathways. And we talked about
the the New Zealand secondary school side right through that
hasn't had the best of using. It's Australia. The pathways
system need a bit of tiding up and this isn't
(16:09):
going to be a silver bullet, but I think it
might be step in the right direction.
Speaker 5 (16:12):
Yeah, And I will be interested though to see the
reaction to the under twenty comp being scrapped. We know
that first fifteen rugby is such a big part of
this country. We know just in this office how much
interest that those those competitions get age group rugby. So
there's gonna be a lot of players, parents, coaches, people
connected to these players and those teams and competitions that
(16:36):
perhaps might not be so stoked about it, but I
can see what they're trying to do, and it might
just be one of those things that it might take
a year or two for people to warm up to
it and then it kind of becomes something that makes
a bit more sense, and you're you're not just having
an age group kind of feeded team to super rugby.
You're having you know, all adult players as well. And
you know, we talk about late bloomers, people that might
(16:57):
not fit into that under twenty catchment but still have
a chance to kick on and make a good career
of of you know what they're doing. So so let's
see where it pans out. But sort of feels like
I've been looking at it for a while and kind
of finally decided on what they're going to do.
Speaker 3 (17:12):
Yeah, absolutely watch the space say as to how it unfolds. Clay,
thank you very much for your time in the chamber.
Speaker 2 (17:16):
Too easy, needing a fix, We've got just the ticket.
It's Sports Fix powered by News Talk zivvy.
Speaker 3 (17:23):
Thanks for listening. We'll be back tomorrow with another episode
of Sports Fix and Don't Forget. You can catch all
of News Talks ZIBB sports coverage on Sports Talk Monday
to Friday from seven to eight and on weekend Sport
Midday till three Saturday and Sunday.
Speaker 1 (17:37):
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