June 3, 2025 • 42 mins
D'Arcy Waldegrave returned to wrap another day of sports news! Highlights for tonight include:
Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo coach Todd Blackadder on winning Japan Rugby League One two years in a row - and how Richie Mo'unga is going.
Talkback - Is Japanese rugby actually developing our players well? Or is it still a retirement option?
Mitch Hay on getting his first-ever NZ Cricket central contract.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Darcy Waldergrave
from News Talk ZEDB.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
Good nang, hell, seven after seven is down Tuesday, June three.
There's your date. We need to tell you what year
it is. You need some help, but I will anyway.
Twenty twenty five. Good evening. It's a sports talk on
News Talk ZB. My name is Darcy Waldgrove. Thanks for
your time, your attention, your love. Possibly looking forward to
(00:57):
this hour. What's to talk about? Lot's that listened to
it as well. Toward the end of the hour, Mitch
Hay is going to join us. He's the can tab keeper,
the gloveman who's been off at a central contract from
New Zealand Cricket. Felt sorry for Himuse to keep telling
everybody that he is the future of gloveman ship at
(01:19):
a black Caps level test, one day's national t twenty
you name it, he's got it. I'm putting the markers
on him something awful. I'm sorry to the family of
Mitch Hay for this, I really am. But Mitchell joined
us later on in the peace happy lad now that
he's got that central contract so he doesn't have to
what don't know, eat gruel for five months of the
year when he's not being paid anyway. That's later on
(01:41):
the piece we're gonna kick things off were Todd Blackheader
All Black Crusader. Crusader's coach who've ended up in Japan
of all places coaching. It's been six years now. He's
got some whip sharp players under his command, one of
them being Richie moong Over. The weekend team won again,
(02:06):
second time on the bounce doesn't happen much. Fact, that's
the only time it's happened in this version of Japanese
League One MVP as well was Richie Muwanga. Got Shannon
Frazell on that side, set to money Vallee. Remember Rob Thompson, Yeah,
him as well. This is quite the team. So how's
Richie been going, how's he been looking? Is he in
(02:29):
good shape to just stroll on back straight into the
All Blacks come World Cup? Well, let's find out. Sounds
to me like life in Japan and Japanese rugby. It's
pretty good. But before we do any of that, and
we'll take your calls of the importance of Japanese rugby
to the All Blacks. I'm I'm almost feeling like I'm
turning around on them, So I don't mind convincing myself
(02:51):
I'm wrong because it's going to happen with humans, right.
But before you get anywhere near that, let's get nice
and close to this sport today and in Sports Day
orking a leggy Addie R Shark who has been off
at a New Zealand Cricket Central contract. He's one of
four fellas who've done the Michy together over the years
and they are now tasting the fruits of their labor.
Speaker 3 (03:12):
We've played a lot of cricket with and against each
other growing up during the under seventy and under national tournaments,
and we've just talked about how cool it is, like
what a cool way to kind of share the joy
with people that you can see that put in so
much hard work.
Speaker 2 (03:25):
Super cool. The other lads Muhammad, Others, Zach Folks and
Mitch Hales he joins the show later on the piece.
Football Firms coach Michael Maine knows what he wants and
he knows the buck starts with him. Selection for the
second fixture against Venezuela and Spain tomorrow morning are firmly
on his mind, considering they got beat first up three
(03:46):
to one, by the team that they are ranked nineteen
positions ahead of Oh, we're.
Speaker 4 (03:52):
A senior international team that needs to perform. Despite sort
of being early in the cycle and working on a
few things. There's definitely going to be some questions for
myself to answer around some individual performances and how they
help the team.
Speaker 2 (04:06):
Can Chance, Schmack and chance. The Hurricanes may have another
Super Rugby crack if they fall to the Brumbies on
saturdaystant coach Cory James says, that's not how they roll.
Speaker 5 (04:17):
I mean, we've got into the playoffs winning, so we're
going over the camber to try to win. So it's
important that we travel, and we're traveling all the way
there and you're there, so you might as well go
and get.
Speaker 2 (04:29):
The job done. And on Rubby League, Lucky Galvin, the
NRL five eighth who deserted some cats some dogs, much
to the disappointment of men. He has decided that praising
his new skipper is the right way to start his
tenure because he's upset quite a lot of people. You rock,
mister Crichton.
Speaker 6 (04:48):
I can feed him some early born and just follow
him back on the inside. I might score a couple
more Tris in careers. That'll be pretty cool just watching
him obviously playing Origin and playing for somemorrow. He's a
freaking you're being playing alongside him.
Speaker 2 (05:00):
Very cool and that's sport today. It took some Japanese
rugby huge week in for Todd Blacker Adder Blacker Adder,
Todd Blackadder and his band of merry mens to pick
themselves up a second title now in Japan top league
football rugby two on the bounce maybe three. Well, some
(05:22):
of the players that he's got wouldn't be surprised, so
that was to happen. He joins us now get a Todd.
Speaker 7 (05:28):
Yeah great, Darcy and Komba.
Speaker 2 (05:31):
And thank you very much for that. I won't reply
because I can't, but what I can say is congratulations.
Your team, the Toshiba Brave Loopus Tokyo have done it
twice in a row. Now, this is great success for you.
Must be stoked.
Speaker 8 (05:47):
Yeah, so pleased. It's last year was just fantastic last season.
Sorry to to win it for the very first time
and they actually back up again. Just the mental consistency
is often the real challenge, but to do that sort
of proved that last season wasn't a Fluke and we
backed it up, finished first in the round robin and
then to go on and when it was even more special.
(06:08):
So yep, the boys have done it. They've gone back
to back for the very first time in League one,
which is really exciting for the club over here.
Speaker 2 (06:15):
Do you guys get reckless in a whiskey bar after that?
Or is that not cool?
Speaker 9 (06:18):
Uh?
Speaker 8 (06:20):
It was one of the best nights of my life.
On Sunday night. We actually came back to Thoe Tune.
There's like big beer halls out here, so there's a
lot of singing and dancing going on.
Speaker 7 (06:29):
But dar no, it was yet. They certainly know how
to celebrate.
Speaker 2 (06:32):
One of the men who helped you with this. There
are several players when you look through the teamless and
don't think myself Rob Thompson. Haven't heard him for a while.
We'll talk about him later on, but out of the players,
that guy is playing the second straight MVP R for
Richie Muanga. It's a freak show that likes it must
be a joy to coach.
Speaker 8 (06:50):
He is an abscellent joy to coach and he's more
than just a player. He's one of those sort of
I think once in a lifetime leaders where you know,
like him and Yo share attack coach, so they put
out of preparation and during the week to make sure
that they've got the plan right. He's just always working
with the coaching team and how he can make the
how you know, we can all make this team better together,
and then obviously out on the field, he's just such
(07:11):
a leader. Like when he speaks the boys listen, it
makes sense, halftime chats, he's absolutely bang on with his messaging.
Speaker 7 (07:18):
And what needs to happen.
Speaker 8 (07:19):
And he's just at that stage of his career I
think where he just seems freeze, enjoying himself.
Speaker 7 (07:25):
And you know, last week he had a broken hand.
Speaker 8 (07:27):
Which is well documented, and we didn't think at the
start of the week he would play.
Speaker 7 (07:31):
He didn't train all week, we waited till game day
and he went.
Speaker 8 (07:34):
Out there and had an absolute another man of the
match performance. So I can't speak highly enough of what
he's done for this team and growing us to be
better a week in and week out.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
The quality of the league of the Japanese League one,
where does it s Because you're seeing for all blacks
now and his cylinder as they come back, and it
doesn't look like they've missed too many beats on the
way over there, so they can seamlessly almost muld back
into super rugby. Maybe the next level up is that
what your feeling is.
Speaker 8 (08:04):
I think if you know then watched the league, you'll
see that you know, it was all really attacked focus.
But I think this year it's been more and more
that you send the defense come in. And I watched
the game last week when Cabota played Panasonic, and that
is just as good as any super raugny in regards
to intensity and just the physicality that's required. It is
(08:25):
definitely it'd be interesting to play each other because I
think it's at a pretty close level and when you
see the players that are over your plane, you're talking
about the spring box everywhere. There's a lot of all
blacks playing in this competition as well as a lot
of international stars.
Speaker 7 (08:41):
And also to the Japanese players are just.
Speaker 8 (08:43):
Getting better and better. But you know, the ball and play,
you feed all those things. Physicality are right up there.
And probably just one area that probably the Japanese teams
to probably struggle with would be probably scrum. If there
is one set piece area that probably needs a bit
of improving.
Speaker 2 (08:59):
What's that based on technique? What does it come down to,
do you think I think it's.
Speaker 8 (09:04):
Just a little bit of size, but it's sometimes there's
a little bit of world.
Speaker 7 (09:09):
Were cheating going on. You know, you can, you can.
It's quite a challenge every week.
Speaker 8 (09:14):
But I think at the level of the refine improving,
and I think with the scrummaging improving, then they will improve.
There's still there's still a lot of angles out here
and things that just you wouldn't get away with, I
think in you know, in other competitions, but there's there's
still growth, there's still some areas that can improve on
if they want to be competitive with.
Speaker 7 (09:33):
The rest of the world.
Speaker 2 (09:35):
So as far as Richie is consumed, you know, Boden
Barrack's been and grateful, looking very calmfter ward the Blues,
He's definitely on the way Richie can come back and
seamlessly slot into a black jumper. Do you think would
you give rays of that advice?
Speaker 7 (09:48):
I think I think Richie's getting better.
Speaker 8 (09:51):
I mean, there's always that little bit on social media
when they talk about Richie, but I actually think he's
just way better than I think. Every every week, in
every season that I see and plays just goes to
another level. Could he come back and if you wanted
to be an all back at absolutely is he on
the top of his game. Absolutely, And if he decides
(10:12):
to do that, or if fell Backs decide to select them,
if that's the direction that they want to go into
the future, then he will be well and truly ready
for that challenge.
Speaker 7 (10:21):
And that man loves a good challenge.
Speaker 2 (10:23):
And you know this for sure. You guys have had
discussions over what the old keg of beer as you
were the other night.
Speaker 8 (10:29):
No, we have all bas that's absolutely, that's absolutely his
choice and that's him what he wants to do. But
I think enjoyment something that he really focuses on. And
he's over here with his family as well, and you
know we've got him for another season along with Shannon Frizzell,
and between those two they've had a huge impact on
(10:51):
to Sheba our team. And also too that the quality
and the standards I've had to perform week in and
week out and League one Frazil.
Speaker 2 (11:00):
This is a great acquisition by you. The way he plays,
and I'm presuming on what you're saying that he hasn't
lost anything either, he's he's flourishing. There's something about Japanese rugby,
and it was that the cultures at the place. It's
the people that brings people up and gives them that separation,
I suppose from from all black rugby. Something new and different,
(11:23):
but it's invigorating almost. Yeah.
Speaker 8 (11:26):
I think for some reason it's sort of everyone sort
of they're just the players seem to really enjoy it.
Speaker 7 (11:31):
It's probably a.
Speaker 8 (11:32):
Little bit different, and kick off times a little bit different.
There's a lot of day rugby and there's probably more
time to spend with your family that there's probably not
a lot outside of rugby, like when it comes to
pr or media or functions of sponsorship and things like that.
Speaker 7 (11:47):
So it just seems that it's a rugby focus.
Speaker 8 (11:50):
And you know, the environments right over here, like the
environments across all teams. There's some great coaching environments. So
Dave Rennie's over here, and Steve Henson and I and
Foster and Robbie Deans, and there's a whole list of
really really great coaches who are running good environments. And
I think the player as they've here just seem to
sort of relax. It's a it's a different environment culture,
(12:10):
and they just keept to focus on the rugby. And
if you'd watched the final on the weekend, you just
when you watched Shen and Frazzelle play head and absolutely
a means game physically just so dominant.
Speaker 7 (12:24):
So you know he's just getting better as well. It's
so good to see.
Speaker 2 (12:28):
Half a new Zealander over there. Some most of South Africa,
quite a lot of France. The list goes on quality.
That's all about some of the other guys in your
team though, because it's very easy to point at Richie Mungo,
to point at Chann and Frazel, both huge reps, huge names.
But when I saw Rob Thompson's name come, I thought,
now there was a blast. I didn't know what he
was doing at TIMSA. He's playing for you? How does
(12:50):
that work?
Speaker 7 (12:51):
Yeah?
Speaker 8 (12:52):
No, it's been incredible, right, Like I've known Rob way
back from the days when I first fleected him as
the young Crusader and then I unfortunately had to let
him go and he went to the Highlanders and flourished
and he was over here. He's coming off contract with
toy Every time we played Toyota, we could see what
a great player he was, and then when an opportunity
(13:13):
came up, we sort of we got him into our
team and he's just gone. He's just a great guy.
He's he's highly.
Speaker 7 (13:21):
Experienced and this year.
Speaker 8 (13:22):
Last year he missed out on the on the finals
because he broke his hand, and this year he was,
you know, injury free, and he's just he played the
house down. He was just tough, great feet and no,
he's he he had a sensational season.
Speaker 2 (13:38):
We look through the list because Michael It's coming back
and what he's done is captain huge, Frazell Thompson and
of course Muwanga, and then you keep looking through this
set of Tamani Valley playing over there as well. What's
the limitation on how many imports these teams can have
and does it have any detrimental effect to the national
(13:59):
side not having all of their players playing at that level?
How does that operate? Todd?
Speaker 8 (14:04):
Yeah, I think so we can only you can have
We've got a category C, which is international players, so
you can only have you can have three on the
field at one time, plus any other category like a
B category, so that's a non cat player and then
you can have two in the sub so a total
of sex. It's quite it's quite tricky. You usually try
(14:26):
and have your categories in similar positions so that it's
not having a massive impact. We've got some there's a
lot of foreigners over here who are also Category A
Darcy like who are non Japanese but have been over
here for longer than four to five years, and Japanese
qualified as well, So there's.
Speaker 7 (14:46):
A Category A, B and C. It's actually quite confusing.
Speaker 8 (14:49):
I won't killy off with that, but yeah, you can
only have so many on the field at one time.
But with the Japanese players, and every team has a
lot of foreign players, but the Japanese players, I think
that just rubbing shoulders and playing with the guys and
learning from them, and obviously that the standard is the
(15:09):
standard of excellence and what's required as far as like
a footy level goes how the boys are playing, then
I can the Japanese players are just as good, and
they're getting better and better all the time, so it's
going to be interesting and I think in two years
time they're changing the category back a little bit to
sort of like encourage more Japanese players. The one thing
(15:32):
I'm really conscious of when I coach over here is
that this is a Japanese competition and my role is
to give as many Japanese players that opportunity to play
for their team. So, and what makes it easier with
us is our foreign boys are great team and so
our integration with our people is really really important to us.
Speaker 2 (15:52):
One last thing, it's always great to catch up, mister discipline,
as I like to call you. After that call a
couple of years ago before the Crusaders game, got the
text next day saying discipline. See, I told you if
the like of maybe Shannon does come back, he might
be trying to pinch your son's jersey. How do you
feel about that?
Speaker 7 (16:10):
Oh, I think it'd be great.
Speaker 8 (16:12):
You know, New Zealand needs as many players as they
can competing to be in the All Blacks.
Speaker 7 (16:17):
But yep, that's certainly won't be my decision.
Speaker 8 (16:20):
And I know that when the boys, the boys are
always really competitive around those things, so that'll be Scott
Robinson's job to select the difference between the two of them.
Speaker 7 (16:30):
But both are going really well.
Speaker 2 (16:32):
Hey warm, congratulations Todd to yourself and your team. Consecutive
years Richie, with consecutive MVPs, do it all again next year,
go for that hat trick. Todd Blackada will be there
cheering for you.
Speaker 8 (16:45):
They will have a cracked arc and yeah, it was
a real proud moment to represent Tashiba this year. And yep,
nice to do it in a row, and we'll be
certainly trying to do three in a row.
Speaker 7 (16:56):
So we have a bloody a good crack mate.
Speaker 10 (16:58):
I promise you that you hear it from the biggest
names in sports and then have your sale eighty sports
tour on your home of sports and news Talk zibbi.
Speaker 2 (17:10):
This is a news talksb on Sports Talk seven and
twenty four. Todd Blackhead are there talking about Japan's Top League,
the effect that the likes of Chennan Zel, Richie Muwanga
have had on his side on the Top League now
two years in a row. How relax does he sound?
(17:31):
Sounds like the managers kicked right back and life too
much fun. I when you look at all the key
that have gone over there, coaching staff and players, maybe
it might be a way to go. Got a text
to the contry, but I expect that it is talk
back and text back. After all run through that shortly.
Have we underestimated the import of Japanese rugby to his
(17:54):
Zeland rugby. I first want to hold my hand up
and say this whole concept of taking it a sabbatical,
which strictly speaking, is a year off your job to
do something completely different, to refresh, to reinvigorate, to learn.
(18:17):
To me, this is not a sabbatical because he's playing rugby. Yeah,
I think it's a different part of the world where
there's different the fans are different, and food's different, but
it's still the same job. Based on Da and other
all blacks that have come back and just hit the
ground running, maybe it's a lot more important to our
top players than we're willing to admit. Oh, eight hundred
(18:42):
eighty ten eighty call in, I'd love to hear from you.
We underestimated the good that Japanese rugby does for New
Zeven rugby, and when we know that ends, it are
super keen on marrying up to Japanese rugby and things
in place to make sure that relationship continues. Just on
(19:05):
the face of it, it would seem outstanding. And tell
me I'm wrong, And I've got a text that says
I am and I'll run to that later. But I
love your calls. Oh, eight hundred eighty ten eighty, have
we underestimated the good that Japanese rugby has or can
do for New Zealand rugby top up their wages? Rest
and mate, if you believe Todd Black at it, why
(19:28):
wouldn't you right? Richie Wong is playing the beast he's
ever played. Go figure. This is News Talk's AIRB seven
twenty six.
Speaker 1 (19:39):
The right call is your call on eight hundred eighty
eighty Sports Talk call on your home of Sports used talksby.
Speaker 11 (19:51):
Waited Under.
Speaker 1 (20:02):
You know this heavy.
Speaker 2 (20:08):
Seventy nine Sports Talk on News Talks. They be hallo. Look,
haven't thrown Jennifers l or Richie Muwanga in the deep end.
But there have been players that have come back from
their time in Japan. They played really well. I'd say
(20:28):
they've not missed a beat, but they have, They've hardly
gone backwards. It was based on obviously, Richard Muwanga there
on the Trashiba Brave Lupus Tokyo side that won the
Japan Rugby League one titles, not rugby the Japan Rugby
(20:51):
League one titles over the weekend eight hundred eighty ten eighty.
We're missing something here. We've already known that. Am I blind? Sabbaticals?
Not so bad after all?
Speaker 9 (21:03):
Graham, how are you mate?
Speaker 2 (21:05):
I'm very well, I'm happy to be working.
Speaker 9 (21:09):
Yeah, good on you. I know you sound on top
form and and the man yet this interview. He is
one of my favorites rugby identities. Toll Black added, Yeah,
he sounded.
Speaker 2 (21:21):
Yeah, how happy I mean playing he just won the title.
But it sounds like life in Japan brilliant.
Speaker 9 (21:27):
Oh he's loving it. Yeah, no, it ain't good on him. Yeah.
And then Richie Muwanga another one I know well when
he's him and Shannon you know, playing such great rugby
and you know he's had a quick roster through the
you know, through the Canavary connection particularly over there, and
the others like Shannon Favell and you know, good on him.
(21:48):
And I've heard Robbie Deans talk about that, that Japanese
league and quite a fusively too. And yeah, I mean
I think players. They're not going to stop players going overseas.
And it's not it's a long way on a map,
but it's it's a relatively short distance in an actuality Japan,
so it's not like France where you know players go
(22:11):
to France and Jack Goodie for instance, you just don't
even hear about them. But the Japanese League, yeah, it
sort of has aye a closeness with the New Zealand.
A lot of New Zealanders go to Japan now I
know quite a few.
Speaker 2 (22:25):
And swim there. Grain it's just a plane ride straight up. Yeah,
does it take it ten hours?
Speaker 9 (22:35):
Yeah you need to shark got a club there, Jews
of the out there. But no, seriously, no, it was
good to hear and as far as what it does
for New Zealand, right, but obviously you know Richie Mine
I was misspited time last year. But it has the
flow on effect that you know if they come back
(22:56):
and it sounds like him and maybe shanfers Ow, well,
I think that's the intent, and they're going to come back.
I think wherever they play, it's up to them. But
in terms of which teams they played for, but yeah,
they'll slot in and you got that benefit of that competition.
Speaker 2 (23:14):
Have we missed them? Just general players like I mean,
Richie Wong is all class stand and Frazil's scariest man
in a black jersey. But when you look at the
quality of Super Rugby and the exchanges we've seen on
a consistent basis from round one, have they really been
missed that much in a Super rugby leabe, we're not
(23:36):
talking All Blacks Ladder on them a piece.
Speaker 9 (23:37):
Beause I think that. I think last year Richie's guying
over fees were situated by in terms of the Crusaders,
because that was the team he left from after the
All Backs or before the before the All Blacks. You know,
Fergus Burt get injured, so he had so many injured
and it was a very big void. It was a
(23:58):
black hole. This year you've seen, you know, the competition
developed and you know, guys like Rivers Rahana for instance,
and others and other teams. Brett Cameron's playing good rugby
or back playing and Reuben Love and all these guys
and they're playing good football. So yeah, the competition has
been great. You know, I've talked to you know, some
(24:19):
people go, oh, I know you and Heather of a
big debate about rugby at four four twenty. When you
talk to her and you know, I'm on with you,
I think people, Yeah, people don't like it, that's there
their lookout. But I think it has been better a year.
I mean, everything can beat some can be.
Speaker 2 (24:36):
You told me at the start of the season you
get your top six and you could we the Chiefs
should win, right should they should win? Be mixed up
game they should want to get. But the Blues clear
in present danger from there and right now the Crusaders
probably should win. But the Hurricanes up against the Brumbies.
(25:00):
This is so even, which is brilliant?
Speaker 9 (25:03):
Oh it is? Yeah, And I don't discount someone I've
talked you today was discounting the Blues charters and I said, no,
I'm not too sure about that. Yeah, I mean the
Chiefs are favorites, but that means nothing once they run
out on the under the bright lights and face off
the other team.
Speaker 2 (25:24):
That's what I'm so exciting this weekend when the Chiefs
take on the Blues because it's in the Chiefs backyard.
The Blues resurgent and I'd love to take to them
in their own backyard. Must watch rugby, and I think
most weekends you've had at least one game so on
that have we missed these guys that much? Maybe I'm
understating the effect they have, Graham. Maybe Hey, thanks very
(25:48):
much for your call mate one hundred and eighty ten eighty.
I'm just I'm going back through some of these New
Zealand players that went over and I think a lot
of people were like, it's probably the end of their careers.
It's a bit soft over there. But as far as
the actual correct ish, if there's such a word meaning
(26:13):
of the word sabbatical, it probably works from everyone you
talk to him. Result wise, when you look at what
they bring back, like, who have we lost over there?
I mean, Roddy Retelleck was over there, Sam Cain, Aaron
(26:41):
Smith's over there. I think Cody Taylor might even be
going over there. There's a chance he might end up
signing up What did he black play for there too?
Beginning to think it's not such a bad idea. Shouldn't
argue with myself the son of madness, oh ten eighty
(27:02):
argue with me underestimating the power of Japanese is rugby
and how good it is for our players. You're happy
enough for them coming back based on a couple of
seasons in Japan to pilot the all blacks around it
be all right with you? Wait eighty ten eighty three
phone number nation wide, Give us a ring. It is
(27:23):
seven thirty six still to come on the show of
a chat with Mitch Hay, one of the four new
men who have picked up Central contracts with New Zealand
CRES News talks. There be a ring is out there,
(27:53):
isn't it? Ian Foster, Steve Hansen, Top Blackadder, half the
players Destination Nihon a few texts on that. One of
them says, I've not watched one game of Super Yawnion,
so they've spent more time kicking it something that you've
(28:15):
actually bothered watching. It's an interesting way to roll, you'd
be you Japan has B grade has been for years
compared to a B grade Rugby, you've lost it if
you can stay straight faced talking to Todd foreign Rugger
retirement village for superannuation plans. I'd see no reason why
(28:42):
Todd Todd Blackadder would put his name on the line
and say, hey, I'd put him in an instant. The
guy's really matured. And evidentally, when people like Bowden Barrett
come back, have they lost a trick. No, they've spent
some time calming their mind, hiding from the bloody media
(29:05):
for a start, and that the constant fish bowl criticism
that receivers all blacks over here, like I much right
they have them playing here, especially when it's something like
Richie mulog any place for the boys. I support. But
if this is all it's cracked up to me, this
could be a regular thing. And it's well, it's not
(29:27):
really like it's about it. It's kind of closeh it's
still playing rugby, but it's sounds like it's a refresher
course for their brain and for their body. And it's
not entirely bad. A documentary, writes Campbell on Japanese rugby
and their rugby culture would be a great watch, it
(29:48):
would Campbell. If you can find a documentary maker that
would like to see me over there for a month,
I'm all over it. A Darcy writes another, I don't
think Japanese rugbies are to our standards. Our players come
back fresh because it's easy and they're only there for
the cash. But have they lost skills, Henry? Have they
maybe a yard of maybe aggression, but if that relaxes
(30:11):
them and freshens them up, but they're still gaining knowledge.
You listen to what Todd was saying there about how
Richie works than the team, expanding his horizons and the
way he goes about playing the game, and the way
he goes about teaching other people what he knows about
(30:35):
the game. This is invaluable. It's space to breathe, isn't it.
I suppose the proof of the pudding will be in
the eating. If he comes back next year and chuck
him straight in the or Blacks, we'll see what happens,
won't we. But also, as pointed out, there there Australians
over there, there are South Africans over there for a
(30:56):
reasonably extract ish around who they allow to play and
how many players. It sounds like a great place to
be oh eight one hundred and eighty ten eighty with
mister trick. Do you think that maybe it is a
good thing? Is it a good place to send the place?
Because it is exious about change my mind? AnyWho? Fantastic
(31:21):
of mister Black added to join us. Are great times
for great times on him and his team. Congratulations. I
think Steve Hanson's already happy or what's going on over there.
But that's all right. Not everyone can be winners. And
we've talked about this on far too many occasions. You
play sport, highly probable that you'll spend most of your
(31:45):
time losing because there's only one winner and there are
plenty of competitors, so you've got to get used to that.
Speaker 10 (31:51):
Otherwise, don't play.
Speaker 2 (31:54):
It's called of the Eight. Mitch Hey's going to join
us next a godman who's picked up eight Central contract,
one of twenty. What does that mean to him? What
next for him? What's he doing? Have a winter? Where's
he going? How much money is he getting? All those
questions and more coming up next tier on he talks.
Speaker 11 (32:16):
Just my Lousteen away from eight.
Speaker 2 (32:42):
Lushmeister's back here beyond the mark. Last night's between eight
and midnight coming up after New Sport and we're on
the top of the hour. Mitch Hay is about to
join us and put himself up a central contract for
the first time. That Central contract list Eddie Ashock, Michael Bracewall,
(33:02):
Tom Blundell, Mark Chapman, Jacob duffys At Folks, Jay Matt, Henry,
cal Jamison, Tom Latham, Darryl Mitchell, Muhammad a Bus, Henry Knickles,
Will Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Ratchen, Ravendra Mitchell, Santna Ben Sears,
Nathan Smith and Will Young, Tim Soudy's out because he
(33:24):
retired East Sody Ajs Battel and Josh Clark's and didn't
get one of those contracts. This doesn't take them away
from representing New Zealand. They're just not in that lovely
twelve month pace goo uncontracted guys who want to go
and spend more time making money for the pirate leagues
came Williston to him Conway for Allenton Seifert, Lay Ferguson,
(33:44):
Adam Milne, Jimmy Nisham. A few of those lads still
don't want to represent at the highest level anyway. That's
the inns, that's the outs, and this is one of
those inns, one of the four. His name is Mitch
Hay and he joins us now, good evening, good evening,
are going good, big day for you. You finally managed
to get your name amongst the top twenty central contracted
(34:05):
cricket player in the country. I'd suggest that's a huge
relief and you'd give yourself a bit of a pat
on the back as well, which.
Speaker 12 (34:12):
Yeah, and it's been a very exciting day to have
it publicly announced and yeah, obviously just stoked to be
a part of the twenty cricketers named on the list,
So yeah, a very special day's out.
Speaker 2 (34:21):
Now when did you find out and how long have
you had to keep your gob shut for?
Speaker 12 (34:25):
Yeah? Found out a couple of weeks ago, I guess,
So it's been you know, a couple of weeks for
your sort of just tell close family. But yeah, that's
nice to have it fully out in the public now.
And you know, I have to worry about what I
say too much.
Speaker 2 (34:36):
So in essence, though, what does this mean for you?
And that's a terrible thing to say here that's all
the time. So how do you feel? What does it mean?
But technically what does that actually mean? Having this contract?
Speaker 12 (34:45):
Yeah, I guess it's just sort of first of all,
bit of a sign of confidence from the selectors. I
guess that there might be, you know, might be in
the future plans to play more for the for the
black Caps, which is hugely exciting. And the other big
thing I guess is just being contracted for the full
twelve month twelve months of the year rather than just
a seven and a half as a domestic contractor player.
So yeah, and that's pretty pretty exciting to be honest,
(35:05):
to be a full time sectional cricketer.
Speaker 2 (35:07):
So when you're any part time, you're doing seven months,
they have to put a lemonade stand up side the
front of your house. How do you get by?
Speaker 12 (35:14):
I guess I've probably been lucky enough to have a
bit of cricket on throughout the winter, so I haven't
had to pick up another job, which has been nice.
But yeah, some guys definitely have part time jobs or
jobs they go to in the winter, and I've previously
worked part time in the winter, but last couple of
years have been lucky enough to be able to just
play the full year round.
Speaker 2 (35:31):
You look at the amount of players that aren't essentially
contracted mantion and this has been happening quite a lot
of recent times. Normally players that are slightly longer in
the tooth or ones that can make a bit more
coin for those domestic T twenty leagues. So there a
way is that Tim takeson never been there for you?
Where does this sit as far as that going into
(35:54):
the future.
Speaker 12 (35:55):
Yeah, I guess for me, it's always been a dream
to play for New Zealand and play for the black Caps,
so I guess that a lure hasn't really been too
much of me. I guess I've just been excited to
be able to deburn a couple of formats for the
black Caps so far, and it's been a real dream
to wear the Ferns. So for me, that's been the
main goal and haven't really put so much thought into
into anything else.
Speaker 2 (36:13):
Really, no guarantees around this. What does it guarantee? Just
paypack it every.
Speaker 12 (36:17):
Month, right, yeah, paypack it every month for twelve months.
So yeah, that's the main thing. And being able to,
I guess be an a professional crecker for twelve months
is pretty exciting.
Speaker 2 (36:26):
Where do they put you in the rank of twenty?
Do they tell you?
Speaker 12 (36:30):
Yeah, you get an individual rank for each format and
an overall rank which is done off a points system.
Speaker 13 (36:36):
But yeah, it's all sort of confidential and oh come on,
yeah yeah, sorry, yeah, I got.
Speaker 2 (36:42):
Well, people know how much you're earning. Everyone's like, oh, yeah,
we'll nudge you up for around next time. But like,
got great, great news for you and the security of
that future i'd expect knowing how you play and talking
to on a few occasions now that you don't have
continuity stress in your game, it's not about what's happening
(37:02):
and can you put food on the table. You're very
much in your present, but there might be some part
of games to slight bit of easing off of pressure
or not.
Speaker 12 (37:11):
Nah, I think it's yeah, like you said, you know,
live day to day and try stay in the president
and I guess like for me, it's cool, you know,
getting the contract and stuff, but it doesn't sort of
guarantee you know, you're going to play for the black
Caps more or anything. So I guess it's just a
case of continuing doing what I'm doing and keep trying
to get better and hopefully can you know, play some
play a lot more for the black Caps and keep
trying to contribute to winning games for them.
Speaker 2 (37:33):
Yeah, and well you've got to do it for Canterbury
as well. Of course. It's not forget where you you
know where it all started. Match.
Speaker 12 (37:40):
Yeah, absolutely, yeah, I know if that's the that's the
first job. To keep keep doing what I can do
for Canterbury and keep enjoying that stuff there.
Speaker 13 (37:48):
It's a lot of fun.
Speaker 12 (37:49):
I've got a great group of guys there who have
had a lot of success, so it's always good, good fun.
Speaker 2 (37:53):
Any idea who the new head coach is going to
be across any of the formats you kind of maybe
leaned on them and said, I'm still here.
Speaker 12 (38:01):
Nah, I've got no idea, absolutely no idea. So yeah,
I'm just finding out the use anyone else does. So yeah,
I'm not too sure.
Speaker 2 (38:09):
So expectations much. When when a contract comes of this,
yere plainly availability? Is there anything else tagged to signing
this contract?
Speaker 12 (38:19):
I guess the main one has just been available during
the soup smash window, So that's the that's the main thing.
And I guess availability for guys who who potentially can
plan legs. But for me, yeah, my my priority is
just in New Zealand and trying to play as much
as they can for the for the black Caps. So yeah,
not too much worries of availability there.
Speaker 2 (38:37):
What about all the frilly stuff around the outside. You
don't need to get a contract. Do you get you know,
a new bat sponsor? Do they send you a nice
shony pair of shoes? Do you get free fast feed on?
Is there anything else just besides the money?
Speaker 12 (38:50):
An I already get pretty well looked after by Graynickeles
and and you know essex. So yeah, no, no real,
no real shiny shoes or maybe you know, maybe a
new bat from Granicles, be nice, but nothing, nothing, nothing
too extreme?
Speaker 2 (39:03):
Really, you got that in twice, great knuckles, well done.
They look there's a third time as well as far
as the future looks. Where do you have to lift
your game? Predominantly? If you look right across everything you
do and do particularly well, is there a part of
your game that you need to accelerate more?
Speaker 12 (39:19):
I guess the thing for me is, I'm quite a
bit of a perfectionist, So I guess I can look
at my whole game and think I can get better
and a whole range of stuff. So I think, just
in general, like fucking keep getting better holistically and every
part of my game, then I think the consistency will
keep improving, which is the thing we all sort of
strive for in a game where consistency so hard.
Speaker 13 (39:37):
So yeah, it's hard to pinpoint one.
Speaker 12 (39:40):
I could probably talk to you for a bit longer
about few things and I want to get better at
but yeah, no, just in general, I think if I
can just keep getting better and keep getting more consistent,
I think that will that will make me a better player.
Speaker 2 (39:50):
And finally, Mitch plans over winter, where are you going?
What are you doing?
Speaker 12 (39:54):
Ah, well, I've just come back from Bangladesh with the
news on day side, so it's been nice to be
back on home soil for a week. And I'll just
get back into training, getting back to training now in
the gym and bit of running.
Speaker 13 (40:05):
So yeah, that's the already for the next three while.
Speaker 2 (40:07):
Get busy and keep going. Mitch Hay, I'll curse you
are saying you're going to be the next black Caps
white ball both formats, red ball keeper. So if that
doesn't happen, feel free to ring me up and castigate Medmo.
Speaker 10 (40:23):
We've got the breakdowns on sports Talk.
Speaker 4 (40:28):
News Talk.
Speaker 2 (40:31):
I feel terrible now, like any cricket fiends out there.
What no, I'm talking man, he's pretty sharp. He's already
represented at the top level. It's any matter of time.
And there's all these other wiki he was out there
going hold my beer. It looks good. I congratulations to
those guys. Look granted, it's not all it used to be. One, two, three, four, five, six,
(40:58):
seven guys have said no, they want to go away
and make some more coin playing in overseas leagues. Understandable.
That's the nature the elasticity that New Zealand crickets show
in order to cope with this brave, newish world of
T twenty leagues. But when you look at pathways for players,
(41:22):
hugely important for New Zealand cricket that these younger guys
can look to this and go if I can get
to this stage, to get to this level and get
my central contract, and they base this on results and
the light through the number of different formats of the
game means I can be a professional cricket twelve months
and to get to those T twenty leagues and make
(41:44):
that big bucks. They don't just pick you out a Hallswall. Right,
all due respect to Hallswall, You've gotta have something behind you.
You've got to have game behind you. When you get
that playing domestic cricket, you want to play domestic cricket
full time with a bit of international's throne there as well.
You get a central contract. Things are looking up. It's
part of the pathway. It's really important. I've had this
(42:06):
discuss them, have plenty of people there and they're like, yeah,
now some Henry Nickels. Someone's texted room with all of
her question marks. I don't know. I didn't pick them.
I like Henry an'sw middle six. Thanks for your time
and thanks everyone else for listening. I'm darcy Le'd Sports Talk.
Speaker 10 (42:25):
For more from Sports Talk, listen live to news talks.
Speaker 1 (42:28):
It'd be from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast
on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Darcy Waldergrave
from News Talk ZEDB.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
Good nang, hell, seven after seven is down Tuesday, June three.
There's your date. We need to tell you what year
it is. You need some help, but I will anyway.
Twenty twenty five. Good evening. It's a sports talk on
News Talk ZB. My name is Darcy Waldgrove. Thanks for
your time, your attention, your love. Possibly looking forward to
(00:57):
this hour. What's to talk about? Lot's that listened to
it as well. Toward the end of the hour, Mitch
Hay is going to join us. He's the can tab keeper,
the gloveman who's been off at a central contract from
New Zealand Cricket. Felt sorry for Himuse to keep telling
everybody that he is the future of gloveman ship at
(01:19):
a black Caps level test, one day's national t twenty
you name it, he's got it. I'm putting the markers
on him something awful. I'm sorry to the family of
Mitch Hay for this, I really am. But Mitchell joined
us later on in the peace happy lad now that
he's got that central contract so he doesn't have to
what don't know, eat gruel for five months of the
year when he's not being paid anyway. That's later on
(01:41):
the piece we're gonna kick things off were Todd Blackheader
All Black Crusader. Crusader's coach who've ended up in Japan
of all places coaching. It's been six years now. He's
got some whip sharp players under his command, one of
them being Richie moong Over. The weekend team won again,
(02:06):
second time on the bounce doesn't happen much. Fact, that's
the only time it's happened in this version of Japanese
League One MVP as well was Richie Muwanga. Got Shannon
Frazell on that side, set to money Vallee. Remember Rob Thompson, Yeah,
him as well. This is quite the team. So how's
Richie been going, how's he been looking? Is he in
(02:29):
good shape to just stroll on back straight into the
All Blacks come World Cup? Well, let's find out. Sounds
to me like life in Japan and Japanese rugby. It's
pretty good. But before we do any of that, and
we'll take your calls of the importance of Japanese rugby
to the All Blacks. I'm I'm almost feeling like I'm
turning around on them, So I don't mind convincing myself
(02:51):
I'm wrong because it's going to happen with humans, right.
But before you get anywhere near that, let's get nice
and close to this sport today and in Sports Day
orking a leggy Addie R Shark who has been off
at a New Zealand Cricket Central contract. He's one of
four fellas who've done the Michy together over the years
and they are now tasting the fruits of their labor.
Speaker 3 (03:12):
We've played a lot of cricket with and against each
other growing up during the under seventy and under national tournaments,
and we've just talked about how cool it is, like
what a cool way to kind of share the joy
with people that you can see that put in so
much hard work.
Speaker 2 (03:25):
Super cool. The other lads Muhammad, Others, Zach Folks and
Mitch Hales he joins the show later on the piece.
Football Firms coach Michael Maine knows what he wants and
he knows the buck starts with him. Selection for the
second fixture against Venezuela and Spain tomorrow morning are firmly
on his mind, considering they got beat first up three
(03:46):
to one, by the team that they are ranked nineteen
positions ahead of Oh, we're.
Speaker 4 (03:52):
A senior international team that needs to perform. Despite sort
of being early in the cycle and working on a
few things. There's definitely going to be some questions for
myself to answer around some individual performances and how they
help the team.
Speaker 2 (04:06):
Can Chance, Schmack and chance. The Hurricanes may have another
Super Rugby crack if they fall to the Brumbies on
saturdaystant coach Cory James says, that's not how they roll.
Speaker 5 (04:17):
I mean, we've got into the playoffs winning, so we're
going over the camber to try to win. So it's
important that we travel, and we're traveling all the way
there and you're there, so you might as well go
and get.
Speaker 2 (04:29):
The job done. And on Rubby League, Lucky Galvin, the
NRL five eighth who deserted some cats some dogs, much
to the disappointment of men. He has decided that praising
his new skipper is the right way to start his
tenure because he's upset quite a lot of people. You rock,
mister Crichton.
Speaker 6 (04:48):
I can feed him some early born and just follow
him back on the inside. I might score a couple
more Tris in careers. That'll be pretty cool just watching
him obviously playing Origin and playing for somemorrow. He's a
freaking you're being playing alongside him.
Speaker 2 (05:00):
Very cool and that's sport today. It took some Japanese
rugby huge week in for Todd Blacker Adder Blacker Adder,
Todd Blackadder and his band of merry mens to pick
themselves up a second title now in Japan top league
football rugby two on the bounce maybe three. Well, some
(05:22):
of the players that he's got wouldn't be surprised, so
that was to happen. He joins us now get a Todd.
Speaker 7 (05:28):
Yeah great, Darcy and Komba.
Speaker 2 (05:31):
And thank you very much for that. I won't reply
because I can't, but what I can say is congratulations.
Your team, the Toshiba Brave Loopus Tokyo have done it
twice in a row. Now, this is great success for you.
Must be stoked.
Speaker 8 (05:47):
Yeah, so pleased. It's last year was just fantastic last season.
Sorry to to win it for the very first time
and they actually back up again. Just the mental consistency
is often the real challenge, but to do that sort
of proved that last season wasn't a Fluke and we
backed it up, finished first in the round robin and
then to go on and when it was even more special.
(06:08):
So yep, the boys have done it. They've gone back
to back for the very first time in League one,
which is really exciting for the club over here.
Speaker 2 (06:15):
Do you guys get reckless in a whiskey bar after that?
Or is that not cool?
Speaker 9 (06:18):
Uh?
Speaker 8 (06:20):
It was one of the best nights of my life.
On Sunday night. We actually came back to Thoe Tune.
There's like big beer halls out here, so there's a
lot of singing and dancing going on.
Speaker 7 (06:29):
But dar no, it was yet. They certainly know how
to celebrate.
Speaker 2 (06:32):
One of the men who helped you with this. There
are several players when you look through the teamless and
don't think myself Rob Thompson. Haven't heard him for a while.
We'll talk about him later on, but out of the players,
that guy is playing the second straight MVP R for
Richie Muanga. It's a freak show that likes it must
be a joy to coach.
Speaker 8 (06:50):
He is an abscellent joy to coach and he's more
than just a player. He's one of those sort of
I think once in a lifetime leaders where you know,
like him and Yo share attack coach, so they put
out of preparation and during the week to make sure
that they've got the plan right. He's just always working
with the coaching team and how he can make the
how you know, we can all make this team better together,
and then obviously out on the field, he's just such
(07:11):
a leader. Like when he speaks the boys listen, it
makes sense, halftime chats, he's absolutely bang on with his messaging.
Speaker 7 (07:18):
And what needs to happen.
Speaker 8 (07:19):
And he's just at that stage of his career I
think where he just seems freeze, enjoying himself.
Speaker 7 (07:25):
And you know, last week he had a broken hand.
Speaker 8 (07:27):
Which is well documented, and we didn't think at the
start of the week he would play.
Speaker 7 (07:31):
He didn't train all week, we waited till game day
and he went.
Speaker 8 (07:34):
Out there and had an absolute another man of the
match performance. So I can't speak highly enough of what
he's done for this team and growing us to be
better a week in and week out.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
The quality of the league of the Japanese League one,
where does it s Because you're seeing for all blacks
now and his cylinder as they come back, and it
doesn't look like they've missed too many beats on the
way over there, so they can seamlessly almost muld back
into super rugby. Maybe the next level up is that
what your feeling is.
Speaker 8 (08:04):
I think if you know then watched the league, you'll
see that you know, it was all really attacked focus.
But I think this year it's been more and more
that you send the defense come in. And I watched
the game last week when Cabota played Panasonic, and that
is just as good as any super raugny in regards
to intensity and just the physicality that's required. It is
(08:25):
definitely it'd be interesting to play each other because I
think it's at a pretty close level and when you
see the players that are over your plane, you're talking
about the spring box everywhere. There's a lot of all
blacks playing in this competition as well as a lot
of international stars.
Speaker 7 (08:41):
And also to the Japanese players are just.
Speaker 8 (08:43):
Getting better and better. But you know, the ball and play,
you feed all those things. Physicality are right up there.
And probably just one area that probably the Japanese teams
to probably struggle with would be probably scrum. If there
is one set piece area that probably needs a bit
of improving.
Speaker 2 (08:59):
What's that based on technique? What does it come down to,
do you think I think it's.
Speaker 8 (09:04):
Just a little bit of size, but it's sometimes there's
a little bit of world.
Speaker 7 (09:09):
Were cheating going on. You know, you can, you can.
It's quite a challenge every week.
Speaker 8 (09:14):
But I think at the level of the refine improving,
and I think with the scrummaging improving, then they will improve.
There's still there's still a lot of angles out here
and things that just you wouldn't get away with, I
think in you know, in other competitions, but there's there's
still growth, there's still some areas that can improve on
if they want to be competitive with.
Speaker 7 (09:33):
The rest of the world.
Speaker 2 (09:35):
So as far as Richie is consumed, you know, Boden
Barrack's been and grateful, looking very calmfter ward the Blues,
He's definitely on the way Richie can come back and
seamlessly slot into a black jumper. Do you think would
you give rays of that advice?
Speaker 7 (09:48):
I think I think Richie's getting better.
Speaker 8 (09:51):
I mean, there's always that little bit on social media
when they talk about Richie, but I actually think he's
just way better than I think. Every every week, in
every season that I see and plays just goes to
another level. Could he come back and if you wanted
to be an all back at absolutely is he on
the top of his game. Absolutely, And if he decides
(10:12):
to do that, or if fell Backs decide to select them,
if that's the direction that they want to go into
the future, then he will be well and truly ready
for that challenge.
Speaker 7 (10:21):
And that man loves a good challenge.
Speaker 2 (10:23):
And you know this for sure. You guys have had
discussions over what the old keg of beer as you
were the other night.
Speaker 8 (10:29):
No, we have all bas that's absolutely, that's absolutely his
choice and that's him what he wants to do. But
I think enjoyment something that he really focuses on. And
he's over here with his family as well, and you
know we've got him for another season along with Shannon Frizzell,
and between those two they've had a huge impact on
(10:51):
to Sheba our team. And also too that the quality
and the standards I've had to perform week in and
week out and League one Frazil.
Speaker 2 (11:00):
This is a great acquisition by you. The way he plays,
and I'm presuming on what you're saying that he hasn't
lost anything either, he's he's flourishing. There's something about Japanese rugby,
and it was that the cultures at the place. It's
the people that brings people up and gives them that separation,
I suppose from from all black rugby. Something new and different,
(11:23):
but it's invigorating almost. Yeah.
Speaker 8 (11:26):
I think for some reason it's sort of everyone sort
of they're just the players seem to really enjoy it.
Speaker 7 (11:31):
It's probably a.
Speaker 8 (11:32):
Little bit different, and kick off times a little bit different.
There's a lot of day rugby and there's probably more
time to spend with your family that there's probably not
a lot outside of rugby, like when it comes to
pr or media or functions of sponsorship and things like that.
Speaker 7 (11:47):
So it just seems that it's a rugby focus.
Speaker 8 (11:50):
And you know, the environments right over here, like the
environments across all teams. There's some great coaching environments. So
Dave Rennie's over here, and Steve Henson and I and
Foster and Robbie Deans, and there's a whole list of
really really great coaches who are running good environments. And
I think the player as they've here just seem to
sort of relax. It's a it's a different environment culture,
(12:10):
and they just keept to focus on the rugby. And
if you'd watched the final on the weekend, you just
when you watched Shen and Frazzelle play head and absolutely
a means game physically just so dominant.
Speaker 7 (12:24):
So you know he's just getting better as well. It's
so good to see.
Speaker 2 (12:28):
Half a new Zealander over there. Some most of South Africa,
quite a lot of France. The list goes on quality.
That's all about some of the other guys in your
team though, because it's very easy to point at Richie Mungo,
to point at Chann and Frazel, both huge reps, huge names.
But when I saw Rob Thompson's name come, I thought,
now there was a blast. I didn't know what he
was doing at TIMSA. He's playing for you? How does
(12:50):
that work?
Speaker 7 (12:51):
Yeah?
Speaker 8 (12:52):
No, it's been incredible, right, Like I've known Rob way
back from the days when I first fleected him as
the young Crusader and then I unfortunately had to let
him go and he went to the Highlanders and flourished
and he was over here. He's coming off contract with
toy Every time we played Toyota, we could see what
a great player he was, and then when an opportunity
(13:13):
came up, we sort of we got him into our
team and he's just gone. He's just a great guy.
He's he's highly.
Speaker 7 (13:21):
Experienced and this year.
Speaker 8 (13:22):
Last year he missed out on the on the finals
because he broke his hand, and this year he was,
you know, injury free, and he's just he played the
house down. He was just tough, great feet and no,
he's he he had a sensational season.
Speaker 2 (13:38):
We look through the list because Michael It's coming back
and what he's done is captain huge, Frazell Thompson and
of course Muwanga, and then you keep looking through this
set of Tamani Valley playing over there as well. What's
the limitation on how many imports these teams can have
and does it have any detrimental effect to the national
(13:59):
side not having all of their players playing at that level?
How does that operate? Todd?
Speaker 8 (14:04):
Yeah, I think so we can only you can have
We've got a category C, which is international players, so
you can only have you can have three on the
field at one time, plus any other category like a
B category, so that's a non cat player and then
you can have two in the sub so a total
of sex. It's quite it's quite tricky. You usually try
(14:26):
and have your categories in similar positions so that it's
not having a massive impact. We've got some there's a
lot of foreigners over here who are also Category A
Darcy like who are non Japanese but have been over
here for longer than four to five years, and Japanese
qualified as well, So there's.
Speaker 7 (14:46):
A Category A, B and C. It's actually quite confusing.
Speaker 8 (14:49):
I won't killy off with that, but yeah, you can
only have so many on the field at one time.
But with the Japanese players, and every team has a
lot of foreign players, but the Japanese players, I think
that just rubbing shoulders and playing with the guys and
learning from them, and obviously that the standard is the
(15:09):
standard of excellence and what's required as far as like
a footy level goes how the boys are playing, then
I can the Japanese players are just as good, and
they're getting better and better all the time, so it's
going to be interesting and I think in two years
time they're changing the category back a little bit to
sort of like encourage more Japanese players. The one thing
(15:32):
I'm really conscious of when I coach over here is
that this is a Japanese competition and my role is
to give as many Japanese players that opportunity to play
for their team. So, and what makes it easier with
us is our foreign boys are great team and so
our integration with our people is really really important to us.
Speaker 2 (15:52):
One last thing, it's always great to catch up, mister discipline,
as I like to call you. After that call a
couple of years ago before the Crusaders game, got the
text next day saying discipline. See, I told you if
the like of maybe Shannon does come back, he might
be trying to pinch your son's jersey. How do you
feel about that?
Speaker 7 (16:10):
Oh, I think it'd be great.
Speaker 8 (16:12):
You know, New Zealand needs as many players as they
can competing to be in the All Blacks.
Speaker 7 (16:17):
But yep, that's certainly won't be my decision.
Speaker 8 (16:20):
And I know that when the boys, the boys are
always really competitive around those things, so that'll be Scott
Robinson's job to select the difference between the two of them.
Speaker 7 (16:30):
But both are going really well.
Speaker 2 (16:32):
Hey warm, congratulations Todd to yourself and your team. Consecutive
years Richie, with consecutive MVPs, do it all again next year,
go for that hat trick. Todd Blackada will be there
cheering for you.
Speaker 8 (16:45):
They will have a cracked arc and yeah, it was
a real proud moment to represent Tashiba this year. And yep,
nice to do it in a row, and we'll be
certainly trying to do three in a row.
Speaker 7 (16:56):
So we have a bloody a good crack mate.
Speaker 10 (16:58):
I promise you that you hear it from the biggest
names in sports and then have your sale eighty sports
tour on your home of sports and news Talk zibbi.
Speaker 2 (17:10):
This is a news talksb on Sports Talk seven and
twenty four. Todd Blackhead are there talking about Japan's Top League,
the effect that the likes of Chennan Zel, Richie Muwanga
have had on his side on the Top League now
two years in a row. How relax does he sound?
(17:31):
Sounds like the managers kicked right back and life too
much fun. I when you look at all the key
that have gone over there, coaching staff and players, maybe
it might be a way to go. Got a text
to the contry, but I expect that it is talk
back and text back. After all run through that shortly.
Have we underestimated the import of Japanese rugby to his
(17:54):
Zeland rugby. I first want to hold my hand up
and say this whole concept of taking it a sabbatical,
which strictly speaking, is a year off your job to
do something completely different, to refresh, to reinvigorate, to learn.
(18:17):
To me, this is not a sabbatical because he's playing rugby. Yeah,
I think it's a different part of the world where
there's different the fans are different, and food's different, but
it's still the same job. Based on Da and other
all blacks that have come back and just hit the
ground running, maybe it's a lot more important to our
top players than we're willing to admit. Oh, eight hundred
(18:42):
eighty ten eighty call in, I'd love to hear from you.
We underestimated the good that Japanese rugby does for New
Zeven rugby, and when we know that ends, it are
super keen on marrying up to Japanese rugby and things
in place to make sure that relationship continues. Just on
(19:05):
the face of it, it would seem outstanding. And tell
me I'm wrong, And I've got a text that says
I am and I'll run to that later. But I
love your calls. Oh, eight hundred eighty ten eighty, have
we underestimated the good that Japanese rugby has or can
do for New Zealand rugby top up their wages? Rest
and mate, if you believe Todd Black at it, why
(19:28):
wouldn't you right? Richie Wong is playing the beast he's
ever played. Go figure. This is News Talk's AIRB seven
twenty six.
Speaker 1 (19:39):
The right call is your call on eight hundred eighty
eighty Sports Talk call on your home of Sports used talksby.
Speaker 11 (19:51):
Waited Under.
Speaker 1 (20:02):
You know this heavy.
Speaker 2 (20:08):
Seventy nine Sports Talk on News Talks. They be hallo. Look,
haven't thrown Jennifers l or Richie Muwanga in the deep end.
But there have been players that have come back from
their time in Japan. They played really well. I'd say
(20:28):
they've not missed a beat, but they have, They've hardly
gone backwards. It was based on obviously, Richard Muwanga there
on the Trashiba Brave Lupus Tokyo side that won the
Japan Rugby League one titles, not rugby the Japan Rugby
(20:51):
League one titles over the weekend eight hundred eighty ten eighty.
We're missing something here. We've already known that. Am I blind? Sabbaticals?
Not so bad after all?
Speaker 9 (21:03):
Graham, how are you mate?
Speaker 2 (21:05):
I'm very well, I'm happy to be working.
Speaker 9 (21:09):
Yeah, good on you. I know you sound on top
form and and the man yet this interview. He is
one of my favorites rugby identities. Toll Black added, Yeah,
he sounded.
Speaker 2 (21:21):
Yeah, how happy I mean playing he just won the title.
But it sounds like life in Japan brilliant.
Speaker 9 (21:27):
Oh he's loving it. Yeah, no, it ain't good on him. Yeah.
And then Richie Muwanga another one I know well when
he's him and Shannon you know, playing such great rugby
and you know he's had a quick roster through the
you know, through the Canavary connection particularly over there, and
the others like Shannon Favell and you know, good on him.
(21:48):
And I've heard Robbie Deans talk about that, that Japanese
league and quite a fusively too. And yeah, I mean
I think players. They're not going to stop players going overseas.
And it's not it's a long way on a map,
but it's it's a relatively short distance in an actuality Japan,
so it's not like France where you know players go
(22:11):
to France and Jack Goodie for instance, you just don't
even hear about them. But the Japanese League, yeah, it
sort of has aye a closeness with the New Zealand.
A lot of New Zealanders go to Japan now I
know quite a few.
Speaker 2 (22:25):
And swim there. Grain it's just a plane ride straight up. Yeah,
does it take it ten hours?
Speaker 9 (22:35):
Yeah you need to shark got a club there, Jews
of the out there. But no, seriously, no, it was
good to hear and as far as what it does
for New Zealand, right, but obviously you know Richie Mine
I was misspited time last year. But it has the
flow on effect that you know if they come back
(22:56):
and it sounds like him and maybe shanfers Ow, well,
I think that's the intent, and they're going to come back.
I think wherever they play, it's up to them. But
in terms of which teams they played for, but yeah,
they'll slot in and you got that benefit of that competition.
Speaker 2 (23:14):
Have we missed them? Just general players like I mean,
Richie Wong is all class stand and Frazil's scariest man
in a black jersey. But when you look at the
quality of Super Rugby and the exchanges we've seen on
a consistent basis from round one, have they really been
missed that much in a Super rugby leabe, we're not
(23:36):
talking All Blacks Ladder on them a piece.
Speaker 9 (23:37):
Beause I think that. I think last year Richie's guying
over fees were situated by in terms of the Crusaders,
because that was the team he left from after the
All Backs or before the before the All Blacks. You know,
Fergus Burt get injured, so he had so many injured
and it was a very big void. It was a
(23:58):
black hole. This year you've seen, you know, the competition
developed and you know, guys like Rivers Rahana for instance,
and others and other teams. Brett Cameron's playing good rugby
or back playing and Reuben Love and all these guys
and they're playing good football. So yeah, the competition has
been great. You know, I've talked to you know, some
(24:19):
people go, oh, I know you and Heather of a
big debate about rugby at four four twenty. When you
talk to her and you know, I'm on with you,
I think people, Yeah, people don't like it, that's there
their lookout. But I think it has been better a year.
I mean, everything can beat some can be.
Speaker 2 (24:36):
You told me at the start of the season you
get your top six and you could we the Chiefs
should win, right should they should win? Be mixed up
game they should want to get. But the Blues clear
in present danger from there and right now the Crusaders
probably should win. But the Hurricanes up against the Brumbies.
(25:00):
This is so even, which is brilliant?
Speaker 9 (25:03):
Oh it is? Yeah, And I don't discount someone I've
talked you today was discounting the Blues charters and I said, no,
I'm not too sure about that. Yeah, I mean the
Chiefs are favorites, but that means nothing once they run
out on the under the bright lights and face off
the other team.
Speaker 2 (25:24):
That's what I'm so exciting this weekend when the Chiefs
take on the Blues because it's in the Chiefs backyard.
The Blues resurgent and I'd love to take to them
in their own backyard. Must watch rugby, and I think
most weekends you've had at least one game so on
that have we missed these guys that much? Maybe I'm
understating the effect they have, Graham. Maybe Hey, thanks very
(25:48):
much for your call mate one hundred and eighty ten eighty.
I'm just I'm going back through some of these New
Zealand players that went over and I think a lot
of people were like, it's probably the end of their careers.
It's a bit soft over there. But as far as
the actual correct ish, if there's such a word meaning
(26:13):
of the word sabbatical, it probably works from everyone you
talk to him. Result wise, when you look at what
they bring back, like, who have we lost over there?
I mean, Roddy Retelleck was over there, Sam Cain, Aaron
(26:41):
Smith's over there. I think Cody Taylor might even be
going over there. There's a chance he might end up
signing up What did he black play for there too?
Beginning to think it's not such a bad idea. Shouldn't
argue with myself the son of madness, oh ten eighty
(27:02):
argue with me underestimating the power of Japanese is rugby
and how good it is for our players. You're happy
enough for them coming back based on a couple of
seasons in Japan to pilot the all blacks around it
be all right with you? Wait eighty ten eighty three
phone number nation wide, Give us a ring. It is
(27:23):
seven thirty six still to come on the show of
a chat with Mitch Hay, one of the four new
men who have picked up Central contracts with New Zealand
CRES News talks. There be a ring is out there,
(27:53):
isn't it? Ian Foster, Steve Hansen, Top Blackadder, half the
players Destination Nihon a few texts on that. One of
them says, I've not watched one game of Super Yawnion,
so they've spent more time kicking it something that you've
(28:15):
actually bothered watching. It's an interesting way to roll, you'd
be you Japan has B grade has been for years
compared to a B grade Rugby, you've lost it if
you can stay straight faced talking to Todd foreign Rugger
retirement village for superannuation plans. I'd see no reason why
(28:42):
Todd Todd Blackadder would put his name on the line
and say, hey, I'd put him in an instant. The
guy's really matured. And evidentally, when people like Bowden Barrett
come back, have they lost a trick. No, they've spent
some time calming their mind, hiding from the bloody media
(29:05):
for a start, and that the constant fish bowl criticism
that receivers all blacks over here, like I much right
they have them playing here, especially when it's something like
Richie mulog any place for the boys. I support. But
if this is all it's cracked up to me, this
could be a regular thing. And it's well, it's not
(29:27):
really like it's about it. It's kind of closeh it's
still playing rugby, but it's sounds like it's a refresher
course for their brain and for their body. And it's
not entirely bad. A documentary, writes Campbell on Japanese rugby
and their rugby culture would be a great watch, it
(29:48):
would Campbell. If you can find a documentary maker that
would like to see me over there for a month,
I'm all over it. A Darcy writes another, I don't
think Japanese rugbies are to our standards. Our players come
back fresh because it's easy and they're only there for
the cash. But have they lost skills, Henry? Have they
maybe a yard of maybe aggression, but if that relaxes
(30:11):
them and freshens them up, but they're still gaining knowledge.
You listen to what Todd was saying there about how
Richie works than the team, expanding his horizons and the
way he goes about playing the game, and the way
he goes about teaching other people what he knows about
(30:35):
the game. This is invaluable. It's space to breathe, isn't it.
I suppose the proof of the pudding will be in
the eating. If he comes back next year and chuck
him straight in the or Blacks, we'll see what happens,
won't we. But also, as pointed out, there there Australians
over there, there are South Africans over there for a
(30:56):
reasonably extract ish around who they allow to play and
how many players. It sounds like a great place to
be oh eight one hundred and eighty ten eighty with
mister trick. Do you think that maybe it is a
good thing? Is it a good place to send the place?
Because it is exious about change my mind? AnyWho? Fantastic
(31:21):
of mister Black added to join us. Are great times
for great times on him and his team. Congratulations. I
think Steve Hanson's already happy or what's going on over there.
But that's all right. Not everyone can be winners. And
we've talked about this on far too many occasions. You
play sport, highly probable that you'll spend most of your
(31:45):
time losing because there's only one winner and there are
plenty of competitors, so you've got to get used to that.
Speaker 10 (31:51):
Otherwise, don't play.
Speaker 2 (31:54):
It's called of the Eight. Mitch Hey's going to join
us next a godman who's picked up eight Central contract,
one of twenty. What does that mean to him? What
next for him? What's he doing? Have a winter? Where's
he going? How much money is he getting? All those
questions and more coming up next tier on he talks.
Speaker 11 (32:16):
Just my Lousteen away from eight.
Speaker 2 (32:42):
Lushmeister's back here beyond the mark. Last night's between eight
and midnight coming up after New Sport and we're on
the top of the hour. Mitch Hay is about to
join us and put himself up a central contract for
the first time. That Central contract list Eddie Ashock, Michael Bracewall,
(33:02):
Tom Blundell, Mark Chapman, Jacob duffys At Folks, Jay Matt, Henry,
cal Jamison, Tom Latham, Darryl Mitchell, Muhammad a Bus, Henry Knickles,
Will Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Ratchen, Ravendra Mitchell, Santna Ben Sears,
Nathan Smith and Will Young, Tim Soudy's out because he
(33:24):
retired East Sody Ajs Battel and Josh Clark's and didn't
get one of those contracts. This doesn't take them away
from representing New Zealand. They're just not in that lovely
twelve month pace goo uncontracted guys who want to go
and spend more time making money for the pirate leagues
came Williston to him Conway for Allenton Seifert, Lay Ferguson,
(33:44):
Adam Milne, Jimmy Nisham. A few of those lads still
don't want to represent at the highest level anyway. That's
the inns, that's the outs, and this is one of
those inns, one of the four. His name is Mitch
Hay and he joins us now, good evening, good evening,
are going good, big day for you. You finally managed
to get your name amongst the top twenty central contracted
(34:05):
cricket player in the country. I'd suggest that's a huge
relief and you'd give yourself a bit of a pat
on the back as well, which.
Speaker 12 (34:12):
Yeah, and it's been a very exciting day to have
it publicly announced and yeah, obviously just stoked to be
a part of the twenty cricketers named on the list,
So yeah, a very special day's out.
Speaker 2 (34:21):
Now when did you find out and how long have
you had to keep your gob shut for?
Speaker 12 (34:25):
Yeah? Found out a couple of weeks ago, I guess,
So it's been you know, a couple of weeks for
your sort of just tell close family. But yeah, that's
nice to have it fully out in the public now.
And you know, I have to worry about what I
say too much.
Speaker 2 (34:36):
So in essence, though, what does this mean for you?
And that's a terrible thing to say here that's all
the time. So how do you feel? What does it mean?
But technically what does that actually mean? Having this contract?
Speaker 12 (34:45):
Yeah, I guess it's just sort of first of all,
bit of a sign of confidence from the selectors. I
guess that there might be, you know, might be in
the future plans to play more for the for the
black Caps, which is hugely exciting. And the other big
thing I guess is just being contracted for the full
twelve month twelve months of the year rather than just
a seven and a half as a domestic contractor player.
So yeah, and that's pretty pretty exciting to be honest,
(35:05):
to be a full time sectional cricketer.
Speaker 2 (35:07):
So when you're any part time, you're doing seven months,
they have to put a lemonade stand up side the
front of your house. How do you get by?
Speaker 12 (35:14):
I guess I've probably been lucky enough to have a
bit of cricket on throughout the winter, so I haven't
had to pick up another job, which has been nice.
But yeah, some guys definitely have part time jobs or
jobs they go to in the winter, and I've previously
worked part time in the winter, but last couple of
years have been lucky enough to be able to just
play the full year round.
Speaker 2 (35:31):
You look at the amount of players that aren't essentially
contracted mantion and this has been happening quite a lot
of recent times. Normally players that are slightly longer in
the tooth or ones that can make a bit more
coin for those domestic T twenty leagues. So there a
way is that Tim takeson never been there for you?
Where does this sit as far as that going into
(35:54):
the future.
Speaker 12 (35:55):
Yeah, I guess for me, it's always been a dream
to play for New Zealand and play for the black Caps,
so I guess that a lure hasn't really been too
much of me. I guess I've just been excited to
be able to deburn a couple of formats for the
black Caps so far, and it's been a real dream
to wear the Ferns. So for me, that's been the
main goal and haven't really put so much thought into
into anything else.
Speaker 2 (36:13):
Really, no guarantees around this. What does it guarantee? Just
paypack it every.
Speaker 12 (36:17):
Month, right, yeah, paypack it every month for twelve months.
So yeah, that's the main thing. And being able to,
I guess be an a professional crecker for twelve months
is pretty exciting.
Speaker 2 (36:26):
Where do they put you in the rank of twenty?
Do they tell you?
Speaker 12 (36:30):
Yeah, you get an individual rank for each format and
an overall rank which is done off a points system.
Speaker 13 (36:36):
But yeah, it's all sort of confidential and oh come on,
yeah yeah, sorry, yeah, I got.
Speaker 2 (36:42):
Well, people know how much you're earning. Everyone's like, oh, yeah,
we'll nudge you up for around next time. But like,
got great, great news for you and the security of
that future i'd expect knowing how you play and talking
to on a few occasions now that you don't have
continuity stress in your game, it's not about what's happening
(37:02):
and can you put food on the table. You're very
much in your present, but there might be some part
of games to slight bit of easing off of pressure
or not.
Speaker 12 (37:11):
Nah, I think it's yeah, like you said, you know,
live day to day and try stay in the president
and I guess like for me, it's cool, you know,
getting the contract and stuff, but it doesn't sort of
guarantee you know, you're going to play for the black
Caps more or anything. So I guess it's just a
case of continuing doing what I'm doing and keep trying
to get better and hopefully can you know, play some
play a lot more for the black Caps and keep
trying to contribute to winning games for them.
Speaker 2 (37:33):
Yeah, and well you've got to do it for Canterbury
as well. Of course. It's not forget where you you
know where it all started. Match.
Speaker 12 (37:40):
Yeah, absolutely, yeah, I know if that's the that's the
first job. To keep keep doing what I can do
for Canterbury and keep enjoying that stuff there.
Speaker 13 (37:48):
It's a lot of fun.
Speaker 12 (37:49):
I've got a great group of guys there who have
had a lot of success, so it's always good, good fun.
Speaker 2 (37:53):
Any idea who the new head coach is going to
be across any of the formats you kind of maybe
leaned on them and said, I'm still here.
Speaker 12 (38:01):
Nah, I've got no idea, absolutely no idea. So yeah,
I'm just finding out the use anyone else does. So yeah,
I'm not too sure.
Speaker 2 (38:09):
So expectations much. When when a contract comes of this,
yere plainly availability? Is there anything else tagged to signing
this contract?
Speaker 12 (38:19):
I guess the main one has just been available during
the soup smash window, So that's the that's the main thing.
And I guess availability for guys who who potentially can
plan legs. But for me, yeah, my my priority is
just in New Zealand and trying to play as much
as they can for the for the black Caps. So yeah,
not too much worries of availability there.
Speaker 2 (38:37):
What about all the frilly stuff around the outside. You
don't need to get a contract. Do you get you know,
a new bat sponsor? Do they send you a nice
shony pair of shoes? Do you get free fast feed on?
Is there anything else just besides the money?
Speaker 12 (38:50):
An I already get pretty well looked after by Graynickeles
and and you know essex. So yeah, no, no real,
no real shiny shoes or maybe you know, maybe a
new bat from Granicles, be nice, but nothing, nothing, nothing
too extreme?
Speaker 2 (39:03):
Really, you got that in twice, great knuckles, well done.
They look there's a third time as well as far
as the future looks. Where do you have to lift
your game? Predominantly? If you look right across everything you
do and do particularly well, is there a part of
your game that you need to accelerate more?
Speaker 12 (39:19):
I guess the thing for me is, I'm quite a
bit of a perfectionist, So I guess I can look
at my whole game and think I can get better
and a whole range of stuff. So I think, just
in general, like fucking keep getting better holistically and every
part of my game, then I think the consistency will
keep improving, which is the thing we all sort of
strive for in a game where consistency so hard.
Speaker 13 (39:37):
So yeah, it's hard to pinpoint one.
Speaker 12 (39:40):
I could probably talk to you for a bit longer
about few things and I want to get better at
but yeah, no, just in general, I think if I
can just keep getting better and keep getting more consistent,
I think that will that will make me a better player.
Speaker 2 (39:50):
And finally, Mitch plans over winter, where are you going?
What are you doing?
Speaker 12 (39:54):
Ah, well, I've just come back from Bangladesh with the
news on day side, so it's been nice to be
back on home soil for a week. And I'll just
get back into training, getting back to training now in
the gym and bit of running.
Speaker 13 (40:05):
So yeah, that's the already for the next three while.
Speaker 2 (40:07):
Get busy and keep going. Mitch Hay, I'll curse you
are saying you're going to be the next black Caps
white ball both formats, red ball keeper. So if that
doesn't happen, feel free to ring me up and castigate Medmo.
Speaker 10 (40:23):
We've got the breakdowns on sports Talk.
Speaker 4 (40:28):
News Talk.
Speaker 2 (40:31):
I feel terrible now, like any cricket fiends out there.
What no, I'm talking man, he's pretty sharp. He's already
represented at the top level. It's any matter of time.
And there's all these other wiki he was out there
going hold my beer. It looks good. I congratulations to
those guys. Look granted, it's not all it used to be. One, two, three, four, five, six,
(40:58):
seven guys have said no, they want to go away
and make some more coin playing in overseas leagues. Understandable.
That's the nature the elasticity that New Zealand crickets show
in order to cope with this brave, newish world of
T twenty leagues. But when you look at pathways for players,
(41:22):
hugely important for New Zealand cricket that these younger guys
can look to this and go if I can get
to this stage, to get to this level and get
my central contract, and they base this on results and
the light through the number of different formats of the
game means I can be a professional cricket twelve months
and to get to those T twenty leagues and make
(41:44):
that big bucks. They don't just pick you out a Hallswall. Right,
all due respect to Hallswall, You've gotta have something behind you.
You've got to have game behind you. When you get
that playing domestic cricket, you want to play domestic cricket
full time with a bit of international's throne there as well.
You get a central contract. Things are looking up. It's
part of the pathway. It's really important. I've had this
(42:06):
discuss them, have plenty of people there and they're like, yeah,
now some Henry Nickels. Someone's texted room with all of
her question marks. I don't know. I didn't pick them.
I like Henry an'sw middle six. Thanks for your time
and thanks everyone else for listening. I'm darcy Le'd Sports Talk.
Speaker 10 (42:25):
For more from Sports Talk, listen live to news talks.
Speaker 1 (42:28):
It'd be from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast
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