September 13, 2025 • 9 mins
Last night was a big one for New Zealand sport, but it didn't quite go the way many Kiwi fans were hoping.
The Warriors' NRL finals hopes were dashed after their 24-8 loss to the Panthers and the All Blacks suffered a historic 43-10 loss to the Springboks in Wellington.
In better news, the Black Ferns are into the semi-finals at the women's Rugby World Cup after beating out South Africa.
Sky Sport commentator Jeff McTainsh says the Black Ferns played an 'excellent' game of rugby.
"They came out in that second half and scored some wonderful tries and just played that brand of rugby that has seen them dominate the women's rugby landscape for so many years."
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Sunday Session podcast with Francesca Rudgin
from News Talks.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Edb a big Saturday night of sport, but it didn't
quite turn out as we would have hoped, did it.
Warriors are out of the NRL after a loss to
the Panthers, the All Blacks a record loss to the
spring Box and thank goodness for the Black Ferns who
came through for us this morning. They are through to
the semi final of the Women's Rugby World Cup. Sky
Sport commentator Jeff mctansh had called the Black Ferns match
(00:35):
last night. He was on the couch double screening like
the rest of us for the earlier two matches, and
he joins me now.
Speaker 3 (00:40):
Jeff, good morning, good morning.
Speaker 2 (00:43):
This is very kind of you must have been a
used to got to bed not too long ago.
Speaker 3 (00:48):
I don't actually know how much left prepared in the
last couple of weeks intact, in the last three weeks
till month. It's been been a few late nights, early mornings.
But as you said, thank goodness for the Black Ferns
and what they did at exit at Sandy Park. It was, yeah,
it was pretty nervy. To be honest, that half ten
all with South Africa. Of course we're playing their first
(01:09):
Rugby World Cup quarterfinal. Wonderful for them to get to
that stage, and they played some excellent rugby in that
first forty minutes. They really tested New Zealand, particularly the
way they carried the ball. They do a very very
good rolling, this leads up close to the line and
scored a couple of good tries and really pressured pressured
the black ferns and something that they hadn't experienced at
(01:31):
this edition of the World Cup that had three relatively
easy games or easier games through pool play to top
group CE. But you know they ran into a highly spirited,
highly motivated team and I guess you know, in some ways,
as their coach swis to brain said the South African coach,
they drew inspiration from their performance in Wellington from the
(01:52):
spring Bocks against the All Blacks. So wonderful first half
from them. But where you know, I was sitting there
with Lezelda commentating the game, the Sky's Borden. You know
we said to each other at halftime, you know we
saw what the halftime jet did for this spring Box
against the All Blacks. Welling and I just said, I
wonder what the halftime Chet's going to do for New
Zealand here and man, they came out in that second
(02:13):
half and scored some wonderful tries and just played that
brand of rugby that has seen them, you know, dominate
the women's rugby landscape for so many years. You know,
they played outside of their twenty two, running the ball
from everywhere and scored some good tries. So it was
fantastic to watch. And you know, I suppose one of
the feel good stories of the tournaments not only been Braxton,
(02:36):
Sorens and McGhee and the way she's played, but you
know all the injuries they've had Kype Wilson Baker, she
was ruled out of the twenty twenty two World Cup
with injury. Looked like this one was going to be
over too when she went down early in the first game,
only fourteen minutes in. But for her to score two
tries and be the player of the match was wonderful.
Speaker 2 (02:54):
Great narrative, Jeff, We've got Canada next Saturday. Canada comfortably
bet Australia. How do you see that one going?
Speaker 3 (03:01):
Well, it's going to be a step up for New
Zealand again. Canada a very very good team. You know,
we've had experience with them this year and just that
tough it as playing against them with a draw. So look,
I think the Black Friends will take plenty out of
that game against South Africa, certainly that first half and
that teams are really going to test them set peace
(03:23):
and the way that they play upfront, so they can
take plenty from it. But I think, as we saw
in twenty twenty two when the Black Friends won that
World Cup, they have to play to their DNA, and
that is moving the ball, moving the ball and getting
it to players like Braxton's who's just an absolute world
class player at the age of eighteen. That's quite incredible.
(03:43):
So I'll be exciting to see what transpires over the
next couple of weeks.
Speaker 2 (03:47):
So Jeff Scott Robertson had one week without a whole
lot of pressure, but that's kind of all over.
Speaker 3 (03:53):
Now.
Speaker 2 (03:54):
Look, last night a record loss. We all saw it.
There were problems with the scrums, the line out got wobbly,
defense just wasn't there. How do you sum up this performance?
Speaker 3 (04:06):
Well, you know it is the heavy the All Blacks
have ever suffered and it's the facts are pretty bear,
aren't they. And I think they're going to have to
go away. And you know, there's been a lot of
talk of honest conversations and reflection and I guess from
that though, what do you do about it? What action
plan do you put in place to improve as a team?
(04:27):
And I think, you know, South Africa, you've got to
tip your hat to them. Russia. Erasmus made wholesale changes.
I think most people were looking at that Springbok team.
Naming his team on a Monday, just classic Russia Erasthmus
tactics ahead of a test match, naming his team on
a Monday. One of the youngest back lines they've produced
in years. I think they were only a couple of
players over the age of thirty in that back line.
(04:48):
But you look at the injuries they had to deal
with at the start of the game, you know, losing
their number ten, such a fine Boom gom Azulu number
of players, five players in New Zealand. It lost their
starting halfback. Now I owe them as well. So I
think what was extraordinary about that game was the fact
that South Africa had to not only deal with bulk changes,
a deal with injury and adversity early in the match,
(05:10):
and if you're in New Zealand, you know they were
just exposed in so many areas that perhaps, you know,
we're not used to seeing the All Blacks exposed, and
one of those is that second half ability. Over the years,
the All Blacks have had a way or have found
a way to get themselves back into Test matches. And
Mills Maline has said in the commentary or coverage last
(05:31):
night postmatch, and he was dead right, like twenty minutes
to go, there's only fourteen points in that game or thereabouts,
and usually you're sitting there expecting New Zealand to find
their way back into the contest. But I just thought
they were outthought of it last night with their kicking
game certainly physically around the park, and the way that
the South African bench played, as we've come to expect
(05:52):
and see over the last few years with RUSSI, has
just has been exceptional and they certainly powered them to
that win. But I think it did blow out. You know,
if you're chet churning in and seeing that score, it
was a bit of a blow out at the end.
But there's a lot of questions for the all Blacks
come Monday, for sure forty.
Speaker 2 (06:10):
Three ten if you missed the score out there. And look,
let's touch on the Warriors. Their season is over with
the twenty four to eight lost to the Penrith Panthers.
You know, I got to they came out, everyone was
fired up last night and I thought to myself, goodness me,
what is going to happen here? And you know, I
also thought that maybe the game would be over by halftime.
So the decision to switch, you know, channels on skies
(06:32):
kind of must have been gutted that alls was happening
at the same time on one night. But I thought
it was going to be an easy decision. But look,
they hung in there for a little bit, but then
they just couldn't quite get there.
Speaker 3 (06:42):
In the end. Yeah, I mean lock from a sky
perspective beginning, thank goodness of the Black friends, we'll have
to send them something. But no, from a Warrior's point
of view, I mean, like it has been the story
of their season. They've produced some great rugby rugby league throughout,
but just at the back end, you know, injuries didn't
help them this year. They lost Luke Metcalf, they locked them.
(07:02):
The lost Mitch Barnett and other guys and Rocco Berry
on that on on on the night. So look, they've
they've had to bring in, bringing guys from that, from
the reserves and and and you know, losing a guy
like Metcalf and Barnett through the season, it is not ideal.
You took to your leaders and your playmaker. So so
you had to deal with that. Andrew Webster an auspicious start.
(07:23):
You know, you've got to take your opportunities. When you're
playing a team like the Penrith Panthers and in a
finals game and missing touch off of the penalty. When
I saw that, I thought, here we go. It could
be a long night. And look to their credit, you know,
they hung in there. They hung tough. But when they
get the opportunities and a guy like Nathan Cleary with
his kicking game heading on a string bounce of the
(07:44):
ball favored them a couple of times as well. And
our team like that full time, back to back champions,
it's just it's going to be too hard, too much
of an ask. And I thought maybe that the wet
weather was going to help level things out for the Warriors,
but again, you know, like a disappointing into the season
for it, for for one that promised so much I
(08:04):
suppose early on, but as I say, those injuries didn't help.
But what is encouraging is that you know, it is
a phenomenal sports club. It is so well supported. It's
probably one of the most supported sports club, if not
the most supported sports team in New Zealand. So a
lot is happening for that club. A lot is being
done right on and off the field. And in fact,
today their junior team in the New South Wales Kapa
(08:25):
playing in the semi final against Georgia Lawara, and there's
actually a Cleary playing for the Warriors, Jick Cleary. So
a lot of good things happening. But you know they'll
be looking at the season and you know they'll know
they could have gone gone better, probably that paramounta loss
a couple of weeks back, when you know they win
that game, they sell up a top top four spot
and have a life in the finals. So lots to
(08:47):
like about the season, but again it'll be leaving Warriors
fans going next year.
Speaker 2 (08:51):
That year well some do Jeff, Look, I hope you
get a nap this afternoon. Thank you so much for
your time this morning, really appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (08:59):
For more from the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin, listen
live to news talks they'd be from nine am Sunday,
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Sunday Session podcast with Francesca Rudgin
from News Talks.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Edb a big Saturday night of sport, but it didn't
quite turn out as we would have hoped, did it.
Warriors are out of the NRL after a loss to
the Panthers, the All Blacks a record loss to the
spring Box and thank goodness for the Black Ferns who
came through for us this morning. They are through to
the semi final of the Women's Rugby World Cup. Sky
Sport commentator Jeff mctansh had called the Black Ferns match
(00:35):
last night. He was on the couch double screening like
the rest of us for the earlier two matches, and
he joins me now.
Speaker 3 (00:40):
Jeff, good morning, good morning.
Speaker 2 (00:43):
This is very kind of you must have been a
used to got to bed not too long ago.
Speaker 3 (00:48):
I don't actually know how much left prepared in the
last couple of weeks intact, in the last three weeks
till month. It's been been a few late nights, early mornings.
But as you said, thank goodness for the Black Ferns
and what they did at exit at Sandy Park. It was, yeah,
it was pretty nervy. To be honest, that half ten
all with South Africa. Of course we're playing their first
(01:09):
Rugby World Cup quarterfinal. Wonderful for them to get to
that stage, and they played some excellent rugby in that
first forty minutes. They really tested New Zealand, particularly the
way they carried the ball. They do a very very
good rolling, this leads up close to the line and
scored a couple of good tries and really pressured pressured
the black ferns and something that they hadn't experienced at
(01:31):
this edition of the World Cup that had three relatively
easy games or easier games through pool play to top
group CE. But you know they ran into a highly spirited,
highly motivated team and I guess you know, in some ways,
as their coach swis to brain said the South African coach,
they drew inspiration from their performance in Wellington from the
(01:52):
spring Bocks against the All Blacks. So wonderful first half
from them. But where you know, I was sitting there
with Lezelda commentating the game, the Sky's Borden. You know
we said to each other at halftime, you know we
saw what the halftime jet did for this spring Box
against the All Blacks. Welling and I just said, I
wonder what the halftime Chet's going to do for New
Zealand here and man, they came out in that second
(02:13):
half and scored some wonderful tries and just played that
brand of rugby that has seen them, you know, dominate
the women's rugby landscape for so many years. You know,
they played outside of their twenty two, running the ball
from everywhere and scored some good tries. So it was
fantastic to watch. And you know, I suppose one of
the feel good stories of the tournaments not only been Braxton,
(02:36):
Sorens and McGhee and the way she's played, but you
know all the injuries they've had Kype Wilson Baker, she
was ruled out of the twenty twenty two World Cup
with injury. Looked like this one was going to be
over too when she went down early in the first game,
only fourteen minutes in. But for her to score two
tries and be the player of the match was wonderful.
Speaker 2 (02:54):
Great narrative, Jeff, We've got Canada next Saturday. Canada comfortably
bet Australia. How do you see that one going?
Speaker 3 (03:01):
Well, it's going to be a step up for New
Zealand again. Canada a very very good team. You know,
we've had experience with them this year and just that
tough it as playing against them with a draw. So look,
I think the Black Friends will take plenty out of
that game against South Africa, certainly that first half and
that teams are really going to test them set peace
(03:23):
and the way that they play upfront, so they can
take plenty from it. But I think, as we saw
in twenty twenty two when the Black Friends won that
World Cup, they have to play to their DNA, and
that is moving the ball, moving the ball and getting
it to players like Braxton's who's just an absolute world
class player at the age of eighteen. That's quite incredible.
(03:43):
So I'll be exciting to see what transpires over the
next couple of weeks.
Speaker 2 (03:47):
So Jeff Scott Robertson had one week without a whole
lot of pressure, but that's kind of all over.
Speaker 3 (03:53):
Now.
Speaker 2 (03:54):
Look, last night a record loss. We all saw it.
There were problems with the scrums, the line out got wobbly,
defense just wasn't there. How do you sum up this performance?
Speaker 3 (04:06):
Well, you know it is the heavy the All Blacks
have ever suffered and it's the facts are pretty bear,
aren't they. And I think they're going to have to
go away. And you know, there's been a lot of
talk of honest conversations and reflection and I guess from
that though, what do you do about it? What action
plan do you put in place to improve as a team?
(04:27):
And I think, you know, South Africa, you've got to
tip your hat to them. Russia. Erasmus made wholesale changes.
I think most people were looking at that Springbok team.
Naming his team on a Monday, just classic Russia Erasthmus
tactics ahead of a test match, naming his team on
a Monday. One of the youngest back lines they've produced
in years. I think they were only a couple of
players over the age of thirty in that back line.
(04:48):
But you look at the injuries they had to deal
with at the start of the game, you know, losing
their number ten, such a fine Boom gom Azulu number
of players, five players in New Zealand. It lost their
starting halfback. Now I owe them as well. So I
think what was extraordinary about that game was the fact
that South Africa had to not only deal with bulk changes,
a deal with injury and adversity early in the match,
(05:10):
and if you're in New Zealand, you know they were
just exposed in so many areas that perhaps, you know,
we're not used to seeing the All Blacks exposed, and
one of those is that second half ability. Over the years,
the All Blacks have had a way or have found
a way to get themselves back into Test matches. And
Mills Maline has said in the commentary or coverage last
(05:31):
night postmatch, and he was dead right, like twenty minutes
to go, there's only fourteen points in that game or thereabouts,
and usually you're sitting there expecting New Zealand to find
their way back into the contest. But I just thought
they were outthought of it last night with their kicking
game certainly physically around the park, and the way that
the South African bench played, as we've come to expect
(05:52):
and see over the last few years with RUSSI, has
just has been exceptional and they certainly powered them to
that win. But I think it did blow out. You know,
if you're chet churning in and seeing that score, it
was a bit of a blow out at the end.
But there's a lot of questions for the all Blacks
come Monday, for sure forty.
Speaker 2 (06:10):
Three ten if you missed the score out there. And look,
let's touch on the Warriors. Their season is over with
the twenty four to eight lost to the Penrith Panthers.
You know, I got to they came out, everyone was
fired up last night and I thought to myself, goodness me,
what is going to happen here? And you know, I
also thought that maybe the game would be over by halftime.
So the decision to switch, you know, channels on skies
(06:32):
kind of must have been gutted that alls was happening
at the same time on one night. But I thought
it was going to be an easy decision. But look,
they hung in there for a little bit, but then
they just couldn't quite get there.
Speaker 3 (06:42):
In the end. Yeah, I mean lock from a sky
perspective beginning, thank goodness of the Black friends, we'll have
to send them something. But no, from a Warrior's point
of view, I mean, like it has been the story
of their season. They've produced some great rugby rugby league throughout,
but just at the back end, you know, injuries didn't
help them this year. They lost Luke Metcalf, they locked them.
(07:02):
The lost Mitch Barnett and other guys and Rocco Berry
on that on on on the night. So look, they've
they've had to bring in, bringing guys from that, from
the reserves and and and you know, losing a guy
like Metcalf and Barnett through the season, it is not ideal.
You took to your leaders and your playmaker. So so
you had to deal with that. Andrew Webster an auspicious start.
(07:23):
You know, you've got to take your opportunities. When you're
playing a team like the Penrith Panthers and in a
finals game and missing touch off of the penalty. When
I saw that, I thought, here we go. It could
be a long night. And look to their credit, you know,
they hung in there. They hung tough. But when they
get the opportunities and a guy like Nathan Cleary with
his kicking game heading on a string bounce of the
(07:44):
ball favored them a couple of times as well. And
our team like that full time, back to back champions,
it's just it's going to be too hard, too much
of an ask. And I thought maybe that the wet
weather was going to help level things out for the Warriors,
but again, you know, like a disappointing into the season
for it, for for one that promised so much I
(08:04):
suppose early on, but as I say, those injuries didn't help.
But what is encouraging is that you know, it is
a phenomenal sports club. It is so well supported. It's
probably one of the most supported sports club, if not
the most supported sports team in New Zealand. So a
lot is happening for that club. A lot is being
done right on and off the field. And in fact,
today their junior team in the New South Wales Kapa
(08:25):
playing in the semi final against Georgia Lawara, and there's
actually a Cleary playing for the Warriors, Jick Cleary. So
a lot of good things happening. But you know they'll
be looking at the season and you know they'll know
they could have gone gone better, probably that paramounta loss
a couple of weeks back, when you know they win
that game, they sell up a top top four spot
and have a life in the finals. So lots to
(08:47):
like about the season, but again it'll be leaving Warriors
fans going next year.
Speaker 2 (08:51):
That year well some do Jeff, Look, I hope you
get a nap this afternoon. Thank you so much for
your time this morning, really appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (08:59):
For more from the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin, listen
live to news talks they'd be from nine am Sunday,
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio
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