Full Show Podcast: 01 March 2025

Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from News Talks dB. The only place for the big names,
the big issues, the big controversies and the big conversations.

Speaker 2 (00:22):
It's all on Weekend.

Speaker 1 (00:24):
Sport with Jason Vine on your home of Sport News
Talks ed B.

Speaker 3 (00:30):
Got a good afternoon.

Speaker 4 (00:30):
Welcome in.

Speaker 3 (00:31):
This is the Saturday edition of Weekend Sport on News
Talks HEDB marks the first autumn officially here. Happy birthday,
Sir Mark Todd, Happy birthday, Sir Russell Coots. What are
the chances to Sporting Knights born on the same date.
I'm Jason Pine show producer Andy McDonald. We are here
talking sport until three. Some big rugby news off the

(00:54):
field this week the departure of chiefs coach Clayton McMillan
at the end of this current Super Rugby season. He
is off to Munster. Is there anything that can be
done to retain more of our top coaches or is
this just effect of life in the professional game. New
Zealand Rugby's head of Professional Rugby, Chris Lendrum standing by

(01:17):
to chat to us. Your thoughts on this are very
welcome too. I kind of feel like Clayton McMillan, go
for it, mate. You know it's a great opportunity. He's
done really really well at the Chiefs without actually winning
the Super Rugby title. There's an All Blacks coach in
place with his team until at least the next World Cup.
Why wouldn't CLAYT McMillan go offshore and expand his rugby

(01:40):
coaching horizons with perhaps the thought that down the track
a bit that might put him in a pretty good
position to be the All Blacks coach. Anyway, your thoughts
are welcome on this as well a bit later on
the South other matters around today, the NRL season nearly
upon us, worry as Raiders gets us underway tomorrow one
o'clock New Zealand time, and Las Vegas Rugby League writer

(02:02):
Phil buzz Rothfield with us live from Vegas after one.
Your preseason thoughts are encouraged as well, Warrior as fans,
Today and tomorrow are the last days where you can
make your predictions unencumbered by any form, by any stretch
of results, by injury, suspension, any of that stuff. So

(02:23):
with the season stretching out ahead of us, full of
promise and hope and expectation. Your preseason thoughts are encouraged. Today.
The New Zealand Golf Open isn't a round three regular
reports from our man at Milbrook Andrew Ordison, but also
New Zealand Golf Open Ambassadors Ricky Ponting and Richie mccaugh

(02:43):
both on the show this afternoon to talk about golf
more than their respective sports of cricket and rugby. The
inaugural four and a half million dollar New Zealand bloodstot
Kiwi is on at alice Ley Race Course next Saturday.
It's the Southern Hemisphere's richest race for three year old's.
Top jockey and trainer Samantha Winn will ride Pivotal ten.

(03:04):
She's with us on the show after two Super Rugby
with the Highlanders and Water Pacific are playing at a
close one at Albany last night. The Ego Highlanders fans,
I've got you into the show nice and early. You
normally complain when I don't mention you another win for
the Highlanders eventually. Thirty one twenty nine will cover that off.
Adam Peacock out of Australia in his regular slot as

(03:25):
well Live Sport this afternoon. The New Zealand Golf Open.
As mentioned also the final of our domestic women's fifty
over cricket competition, the Halliburton Johnston Shield It's Otago against
Auckland at the University of Otago Overland, Dunedin. Auckland on
the toss earlier today decided to bat first. They are

(03:46):
seventy nine for two after nineteen overs. We'll keep eyes
on that for you And as you heard from Wayno
in our sports news, Super Rugby Opicky is underway today
Chiefs Matawah against Matatu and Hamilton from five pasts. Who
will keep eyes on that for you as well. Please
feel free to react to anything you hear on the show.

Speaker 5 (04:06):
Show.

Speaker 3 (04:06):
You can get in touch in a couple of ways
on the phone eight hundred eighty ten eighty nine two
ninety two if you would like to send us a
text or an email into me Jason at Newstalk SEDB
dot co dot Nz. Coming up eleven past midday.

Speaker 1 (04:21):
Breaking down the Hail Mary's and the epic fail weekends
for it with Jason Pine News Talk zenb SO.

Speaker 3 (04:30):
The Chiefs this week confirmed that head coach Clayton McMillan
will join Irish club Munster. He's being released from his
contract a year early and will depart after this current
season to take over at the Irish club. It'll bring
to an end five seasons in charge at the Chiefs,
during which Clayton McMillan has led them to the last

(04:50):
two Super Rugby Finals. He's also coached the New Zealand
Under twenties, the Maori All Blacks, New Zealand Barbarians and
the All Blacks fifteen. He has signed with Munster until
the end of twenty twenty eight and will link up
with his new club in July. To discuss this. Let's
bring in New Zealand Rugby's general manager of Professional Rugby

(05:11):
Chris Lendrum. Chris, thanks for chatting to us. First of all,
how did this conversation with Clayton play out as he
sought a release from the final year of his contract
with You.

Speaker 6 (05:23):
Sure a pony, Nice to be with you again. Yeah,
it was big news earlier in the way it wasn't it.
Clayton in New Zealand Rugby together with the Chiefs have
always had a really strong relationship. We wrote Clayton incredibly highly,
not just as a coach but as a person. True

(05:46):
to form. Clayton has been really open and honest with
us for some time now about the fact that he
saw his next coach and position being offshore for a
variety of reasons, and he let us know immediately when

(06:07):
this approach came from Munster to him. We've been discussing
that for a few weeks and those discussions led to
the announcement yesterday.

Speaker 3 (06:19):
How do you balance the two things, losing our top
coaches but also the desire to allow them to gain
international experience and develop themselves as coaches.

Speaker 6 (06:31):
Great question, and this is a really good example of it.
It's very individualized. There's no one pathway in coaching. It's
a really hard career. Coaches tend to move around a
lot that can be hard on family insano. In this case,

(06:56):
we of course would have loved to have had Clayton,
and the chiefs are on recorders saying this as well.
We would have loved to have had him collectively in
New Zealand in twenty twenty six, but we knew that
would be as last. In this case, I would rate
Munster as one of the plot path does and also
club coaching opportunities in the world. It's a province with

(07:22):
a proud rugby history, great links to New Zealand, they
feature prominently traditionally in European competitions, play a lot of
knockout rugby, that sort of thing.

Speaker 7 (07:37):
And.

Speaker 6 (07:39):
In this case we felt collectively that the Chiefs have
good succession options available to them who could be ready
to coach earlier than seven. So all of those things
go in the mix. And I think you can see
there in my comments around the club Munster Province Monster

(08:03):
and the comments about the club the Chiefs, that there's
quite a lot that's individual to this case of Clayton's.

Speaker 3 (08:11):
Indeed, I want to talk a bit more about the
succession planning side of this in a moment. But do
you think ambitious coaches in New Zealand feel that they
have to work overseas to enhance their prospects for a
role with the All Blacks.

Speaker 6 (08:27):
I hope not. As I said, there's no one pathway
and if you look at the last two appointments as
All Blacks head coach and Ian Foster and Scott Robertson,
neither of them had direct international coaching experience, I guess,

(08:49):
or coaching experience where they had been based off shore
they all had a range of experiences, and Ian of
course had coached many who have been involved in coaching
many many international test matches. Before he offended to the
All Black's head coach position. Scott played a lot overseas

(09:10):
coach Barbarians Rugby. Is a student of the game and
so I hope not. But yet there are also plenty
of examples where people have gone overseas and returned to

(09:30):
coach in New Zealand and up to the All Black level.
The obvious example that people will go to, which is
a very successful period in All Black history, was the
period of Graham Henry and Steve Hanson and Wayne Smith,
who all had international coaching experience before they came back.

(09:51):
I think the key thing for people to understand is,
in the right circumstances, coaching overseas is never going to
be a negative. You will get experience as a playing
and coaching against different oppositions that play different style of game,

(10:16):
different conditions, different levels of physicality, and that can only
enhance you as a coach. So it's one pathway, but
it's definitely not the only pathway. In Clayton's case, sitting
here looking at the end of twenty twenty five. He

(10:41):
will absolutely aspire to one day coach the All Blacks.
That pathway is closed at the moment. There's only one
All Blacks team and one All Blacks head coach role.
So you know, I think people sitting back and understanding
all of that landscape will really understand the decision that
he's arrived at, and we certainly understood it as well.

Speaker 3 (11:06):
How do you show aspiring coaches in New Zealand the
pathway to the All Blacks because, as you say, there's
only one job that pathways closed at the moment until
at least the back end of twenty twenty seven, and
who knows beyond that. How do you show our top
coaches an aspirational pathway to the job. Let's be honest, Chris,
that they all want.

Speaker 6 (11:28):
Well, there are other Team in Black opportunities for our coaches,
and you look at Clayton and as a good example. Again,
he has coached mariol Blacks, he's coached at under twenties level,
he's coached the New Zealand Barbarians and most recently he's
been involved in coaching and has been head coach of

(11:50):
the All Blacks fifteen. So there's a whole lot of
pathway programs there in special purpose teams like mariol Blacks
that do enable coaches to get more experience and to
feel perhaps even closer to New Zealand Rugby to understand

(12:10):
where they may sit. The reality is is that the
full time head coaching roles that exist outside of the
All Blacks exist at Super rugby level, and what we
tend to see is that coaches love coaching at Super
rugby level for a number of years, but you know

(12:32):
it's unlikely to be a role that a coach will
sit in for ten or fifteen or twenty years, and
so that's where the international side does come in. But
we do a lot. We work really closely with these
coaches pioneers, all the Super Rugby head coaches are actually

(12:53):
employees of New Zealand Rugby. We're involved in all of
their development conversations. We see them regularly and talk to
them about what they're seeing not just in the game
and around what we're doing and how we're playing, but
also how they see their own future. So again, you know,

(13:17):
the pathway as a concept, it can be very individualized.
There's lots of specific factors that go into anyone individual
coaches pathway or perception of it, and we're just part
of that conversation, supporting them and their growth and their development.

Speaker 3 (13:38):
Do you worry that if we use Clayton as an example,
he's traveling his pathway and as you say, he I'm
sure at one stage would like that pathway to include
coaching the All Blacks. Do you worry that he'll find
a fork in the road that will send them off
in a different direction and he'll end up coaching the
Wallabies or Scotland or someone like that.

Speaker 6 (14:01):
I don't worry about it. I think it's just a
reality for us. You and your listeners will know how
many New Zealanders have coached other international sides, and I
see that as a great strength for New Zealand rugby.

(14:25):
Look at Jamie Joseph. You know, Jamie had a fork
in his road. He did his time at the Highlanders,
he was highly successful in the final analysis there. He's
then been coaching Japan for eight seasons and look where
he is now. And look at how the Highlanders played

(14:48):
last week. I was down in Dunedin and you know,
all credit to the players obviously, but to me, that
team had Jamie Joseph's stamp all over it, and that's
fantastic because he's going to come back and he will
and his coaching group down there in the club will
grow All Blacks for us, and all of his experience

(15:14):
that he's picked up offshore will help him lead that program.
So part of is just the reality. We do only
have one all Blacks head coach role, and we have
one set of all Blacks assistant coaching roles, and we
fortunately enough produce surplus talent that means that not everybody

(15:38):
can be satisfied immediately by moving into those roles, and
they're highly highly competitive. I think that's the standard we
want for the All Blacks. And yep, while some coaches
applying their trade and growing in New Zealand, others will
be plying their trade and growing offshore. And in the end,

(15:59):
I'm comfortable that the vast majority of those people are
motivated to on to coach the All Blacks as a
priority and when the time is right for them, they
will put their hat in the ring.

Speaker 3 (16:15):
Just on succession planning, Chris, I know that there's no
there's no error apparent to Scott Robertson, it doesn't work
that way. But what about at super level where you've
got five franchises and you know, and we've had this
week Clayton McMillan, move on. Have you got a spreadsheet
or a whiteboard or something that's you know, perhaps just
in your mind of the next potential candidates for each

(16:37):
of the super rugby sides.

Speaker 6 (16:39):
For example, between us and in our five clubs, we
do sometimes the succession is more obvious than others. Sometimes
we need to go to recruitment processes, but absolutely you're
always thinking about that and the past way into those

(17:05):
roles of there's also or can be quite individualized. You know,
there is a growing distinction in coaching between what it
takes to be a head coach and what it takes
to be a great assistant coach. And it is not

(17:27):
always the case that assistant coaches who do a lot
of the delivery on and off the training field in
our teams either will make good head coaches or even
want to be head coaches. So sometimes from the outside

(17:50):
the obvious succession people might think, well, okay, we'll just
promote the assistant coach up to the head coach role.
Sometimes that's not the case, and so we're always thinking
coaching is a critical part of you know, what we
hope will be our competitive advantage in New Zealand Rugby.

(18:13):
It's always been a big part of who we are.
You know, we do populate other countries' programs with our
coaches and yeah, absolutely, Basically it's the one word answer
as all of that, I suppose.

Speaker 3 (18:33):
And as far as the recruitment of a replacement for
Clayton the process around that. As you say, these coaches
are employees of New Zealand Rugby, but clearly there's a
vested interest around the Chiefs franchise in this case. So
do you work together with the Chiefs? Is that how
it works to come up with Clayton's replacement?

Speaker 6 (18:51):
Yes, that's absolutely how it works. We will be very
aligned with the club. If I say, technically the head
coach of the Chiefs the New Zealand Rugby employee, but
you have to have to make sure that the coach
is set up for success luckily, and that the club

(19:13):
is aligned and supportive of that candidate and can build
a team around that candidate, which which is their responsibility.
So I've got no doubt that we're very aligned with
the Chiefs. They're a really strong club. They're well led,
they work hard in the high performance space, both in

(19:37):
player and coach development, and when we get to that
point later in the year, it'll be a really good
conversation with them.

Speaker 3 (19:45):
Just to finish, what does your gut tell you? Do
you expect Clayton will coach in New Zealand again?

Speaker 6 (19:51):
I do expect your coach in New Zealand. Again. I
don't know at what level or in what role. That's
part of the fun of all of us and part
of his challenge. I expect him to do a really
good job at Munster. I think the fit there for
what I understand that province needs at the moment. In
Clayton's skill sets is excellent. And he's still young. He's

(20:17):
still got a big coaching career ahead of him if
he wants it, and he knows we would love to
see him back in New Zealand in what role is
in the lap of the gods, as they say, Piney.

Speaker 3 (20:35):
Indeed it is. Thanks for wrapping so much context around
this for us. Chris, really appreciate your time this afternoon.

Speaker 6 (20:40):
Always it as you mate.

Speaker 3 (20:41):
Thanks, no, thank you, Chris, Chris Lendrum there ahead of
the professional game or New Zealand Rugby's general manager of
professional rugby lots to unpack their lots to get stuck into.
You've had the chance to think about this news since
it broke on Thursday morning. You've heard from Chris Lendrum
caen to get your thoughts on a couple of things
here or anything that stood out for you during that

(21:01):
chat or in your ruminations about another one of our
top coaches going off. Sure eight hundred eighty ten eighty
is our free phone number. This is a good move
for Clayton McMillan. I can't see any downside for him
personally at all. He'll get to bring his coaching skills

(21:22):
to a different environment, experience a different type of rugby.
He'll meet and mix and mingle with a different range
of players and other rugby coaches. This can only improve him.
So I can't see a downside for Clayton McMillan here
at all. And while Chris Lendrum said they would like
or would like for him to have stayed for one

(21:44):
more year, which was the duration of his contract, I
think this is a sensible call by New Zealand Rugby
letting Clayton McMillan pursue this opportunity. Yes, they run the
risk of losing him to another country by letting him go,
because he is a very good coach whose stocks will
continue to rise. And if, as we all expect that

(22:05):
he will, he is sick successful as coach of Munster,
he will become attractive to other suitors. Other countries will
have a look at him and say we quite like
the cut of his chip. We might perhaps open a
discussion about Clayton McMillan coaching our country. But who's to
say that staying here in New Zealand would have taken

(22:29):
him any closer to being head coach of the All Blacks.
There's a bit of a mixed message here. In many ways,
we hear a lot that international coaching experience on your
CV can be very persuasive when it comes to coaching
the All Blacks. We hear that a lot, But the
last two head coaches, as Chris Lindrum pointed out, haven't

(22:51):
had it. Scott Robertson has never coached overseas well, not
at any high level anyway, same with Ian Foster. The
previous two though so Steve Hansen, Sir Graham Henry did
have that international coaching experience. And let's be clear, this
isn't Clayton McMillan going off to coach another country. It's

(23:11):
a club job. But how important do you perceive coaching
outside of New Zealand to be when it comes to
coaching the or Blacks, because I'm not too sure which
it is. You know, you often hear you know that
was one of the big issues around appointing Scott Robertson

(23:33):
was that he hadn't experienced anything other than the Crusaders.
He hadn't been an international coach or even coached overseas
at any reasonable level for any length of time. So
how important is it? Oh, eight hundred and eighty ten
eighty And the fact is there is only one All
Blacks head coaching role and a lot of people want it.

(23:56):
A lot of people would do a very good job
of it. But that is not a situation vacant right now.
Professional coaches have to work and if they're aspirational, they
have to develop themselves and I think that's exactly what
Clayton McMillan is doing in this case. And he won't
be the last one twenty nine away from one eight

(24:17):
hundred and eighty ten eighty. Let's open the lines. Sell hello, hello, hello.

Speaker 7 (24:23):
Yeah.

Speaker 8 (24:24):
I enjoyed that previous talk there with Chris and as
a New Zealander living in Australia, I'm back here on holiday.
I'm just wondering and there hasn't been much said. Is
there a job back here for.

Speaker 3 (24:44):
Joe for Joe Smith? Yes, Look, I think if you
ask New Zealand Rugby cell, they would open, They would
with open arms want Joe Schmidt back. It's whether the
man himself wants to do any rugby coaching anymore. I mean,
you know as well as we all do that he's
finishing up with the Wallabies at the back end of

(25:05):
the Rugby Championship, wants to come back to New Zealand
spend more time closer to his family. I'm absolutely certain
so that New Zealand Rugby would love it if Joe
Schmitt re entered the coaching system in New Zealand.

Speaker 8 (25:20):
Yes, yeah, well I gather that that is the case,
and I keep reading over there of course that you
know Australia would would love him to stay on. And
they're talking about as a consultants roll. Whether there's any

(25:41):
truth in that or not. But from from over there
looking this and Clayton's move has just announced and fried that,
I thought, well, maybe there's a spot for him with
the Crusaders. But obviously with Clayton leaving and Joe living

(26:01):
in the territory lives, it could could be a spot
for him if he wanted to say.

Speaker 3 (26:07):
Yeah, well there's a vake, there's a vacancy coming, so
isn't there. So look, it's just so so interesting how
the wheels turn in these situations. As you say, you know,
a week ago there wasn't a vacancy of the Chiefs.
Apparently now there is. Look, I think I don't think
you're the only one who's mentioned Joe Schmidt with regard
to the Crusaders. I'm not sure Rob Penny would want

(26:29):
to have another season this season like last season. So yeah,
there's lots lots of different layers to it. How long
are you in New Zealand for celig pardon? How long
are you in New Zealand for.

Speaker 8 (26:43):
For another four weeks?

Speaker 3 (26:45):
Good on you mate, Well thanks for calling into z
B while you're here. Good to hear your voice and
enjoy the rest of your stay. Give us a call
back if you get the opportunity over the next month
or so. I eight hundred and eighty ten eighty's number
twenty seven to one calls under back up, but there
is well, there was a spear line. Give it a crack.
I eight hundred and eighty ten eighty talking coaches, our
top coaches heading off shore ETCTERA back with more of

(27:05):
your calls up to this.

Speaker 1 (27:07):
It's more than just a game weekend sport with Jason
Vine and GJ. Garnnerhomes New Zealand's most trusted home builder
news Dogs.

Speaker 3 (27:16):
B twenty four to one talking coaches leaving for overseas gigs,
developing themselves, getting themselves into pole position for the All
Blacks job at some stage in the future. Back to
the phones we go, a good day, Jason.

Speaker 9 (27:28):
Yeah, funny taken point to your discussion on this an
on rapped for the gentleman going gaining a monster rolling
that that will be as you say, you know, he'll
get a chance to experience something uniquely different. But you
know your second party discussion and be howther is it
essential for head coach of the All Blacks to have

(27:48):
had that overseas experience. I've sort of completely changed. I
don't think it's irrelevant. I don't think it's relevant anymore
at all. I think by the time all blacks get
to be sorry, by the time players get to all
blacks who've already been coached to be to come through
club rugby at a high level, they've already they're more
likely to be part of the five super franchises here

(28:10):
and in New Zealand. So by the time they get
to that level, the selection all backs I don't need coaching.
They just need a man who can motivate and get
excellence out of out of you know, that environment. And
so now I think we've seen the end of that argument.
I think Scott Robinson will prove it. He's by no
you know, he's no proven article at the moment, but

(28:32):
this season will be telling in that respect. I don't
think you will need I don't think that argument will
come up from this point forward. Pinting.

Speaker 3 (28:38):
It's an interesting point you make, Jason, and you've you've
landed on one thing that is crucially important to coaching
at the very high level, and that's man management. But
the other part of it, I guess, and the reason
why international coaching is often used as a you know,
as a as a pillar to a good CV is
the experience of coaching against international teams rather than, as
Scott Robertson has almost exclusively done, just coached against super

(29:02):
rugby teams. Also that the wee can week out coaching
as opposed to international coaching, where you don't get your
guys until the middle of the year and you only
have them for a certain amount of time. There's not
a game every week, all that sort of thing. So
I think that's the reason why international coaching has been
held up, not necessarily at Munster, but certainly coaching the
likes of whales, et cetera, as a really important plank

(29:22):
on a coach's CV.

Speaker 9 (29:25):
Well, it used to be that way when we were
the top of the pots and there was a massive,
massive gap between us and the rest. Now that everything
one house is caught up. Yeah, you know, having that
experience and beating the you know, the Northern Hemisphere sides,
et cetera. I guess you're right, you know, as a
massive puller to have on your CV. So it wasn't
I don't think so crucial before because we could We're

(29:46):
in our bubble down here and we just turned up
anywhere else and we're distration. But now that GAP's closed
and in some respects have overtaken us. Maybe you're right,
maybe that's more more critical now.

Speaker 3 (29:59):
Yeah, it's an ever changing landscape. Jace, good to chat
to you, mate. Did Rastie Erasmus have a coach outside
South Africa before transforming? The box asks this text? Ironically enough,
he did at Munster in twenty sixteen seventeen. He was
he went as a director of rugby and then unfortunately
the head coach passed away while he was there, so
he took over and had a couple of quite successful

(30:19):
seasons at Munster before returning to South Africa. So the answer,
as far as Rassi is concerned is yes, Hello, Bruce.

Speaker 10 (30:27):
Yeah, mate, Yeah, Hey. I think this is just an
example of like New Zealand as a whole, you know,
like opportunities and all walks of life you know, are
limited in New Zealand because we have such a small population,
and like you know, people go overseas all the time
for all sorts of different you know, work and stuff

(30:50):
like that, just because the economies and the and the
opportunities are there. And this is another example of that.
But it's it's sort of like a strength of rugby
where they have a lot of international opportunities for people,
and like, you know, you've just got to say, well,
you know, he wants to experience that, and you just

(31:12):
can't hold you can't stop them from doing that.

Speaker 3 (31:15):
Yeah, Bruce, I totally agree. And the good thing, you know,
we're exporting our rugby coaches. And I guess the difference
from something like in business is that the top job,
you know, in the eyes of most people, particularly New Zealanders,
is the All Blacks job, So you know that I
think they all hope that they'll do a big full
circle and end up back as the All Blacks head coach.

(31:37):
And Clayton McMillan, i'm sure is heading off shore with
that as a as ambition down the track somewhere.

Speaker 11 (31:44):
Yeah.

Speaker 10 (31:45):
Absolutely, I mean one of my I do hope. My
hope is that the stature of super rugby will grow
to the point where people will want to coach in
that environment, you know, and attract the top level coaches,
which we actually already have. I mean, they're the caliber

(32:06):
of coach that we've got at the moment at super levels,
actually really high it is, and I'd like to see
that competition grow and stature, so we're always attracting and
not necessarily new Zealanders, but just currect coaches in general,
you know, like to the competition to really improve that
area of the game as well.

Speaker 3 (32:26):
Good Man, Bruce, I think that's happening, you know. I
think you look at the assistant coaching lineups at each
of these Super Rugby franchises and there's the ones who
are bubbling under. You don't have to look back to
last year. We're Scott Robertson basically pillaged every every Super
Rugby franchise apart from the Chiefs and took a coach
out of each of them into the squad. So clearly
that that standard is very high. Good to Jetty Bruce.

(32:47):
Thanks mate.

Speaker 12 (32:48):
Hi Carlos, Yeah, afternoon, Piney.

Speaker 13 (32:51):
Much gombling in your cord on this one. I find
it's a really positive thing my point of view, and
I saw like in a lot of ways, Sorry didn't
agree with that, because when you're saying the all black
you know, or whoever it is to make an all black,
you're physically there, yeah, sure, but not necessarily mentally. And

(33:14):
whereby he's over there, he's experiencing two types of things
mentally wise, and also how they prep and how they
play the game.

Speaker 14 (33:25):
So I think that you learn a hair of a
lot over there, and I'm sure one day he will
come back and be or will put a best foot
forward and can be right of their contention. And that's
where the only thing I have against Raiser that he
hasn't done that. So that's a personal opinion, but I

(33:46):
think it's a bloody good thing.

Speaker 3 (33:48):
I don't think there's a it's a no lose situation
for Clayton McMillan. I don't see how he loses out
of it. He'll only improve as a coach and he's
already bloody good, so it's a no lose situation for him.
And as far as our coaching stocks are concerned, don't
we want a competitive process for the All Blacks cod
That's exactly what we want, isn't it a raft of

(34:10):
high quality candidates. And if guys like Clayton McMillan and
others are going overseas to increase their stocks make themselves
a more palatable proposition when the role does come up again,
then happy days for the game of rugby. Here, good o, George,
Good afternoon. How are you very good mate?

Speaker 15 (34:31):
Hey, At the risk of just agreeing with all the
previous callers and Erney Growth Chris Lendrin before as well,
I think it's yeah, it's good on Clayton McMillan. I
think that question about whether or not international experiences is
valued or not will probably be one answered over the
next four years, won't it. And if you put yourself
in Clayton McMillan's shoes, if the World Cup goes well

(34:54):
for Raiser, you would have to imagine he would want
to stay on for another term. That puts a further
four years into Clayton's thinking. And if it doesn't go
well for Raiser, then that overseas experience would come back
into the conversation. That would certainly favor the likes of
Jamie Joseph and the Ncodder and one no, potentially even Joshmut,

(35:15):
Robbie Deans who's still active.

Speaker 3 (35:16):
In Japan, Tony Brown as well with South Africa too.
So yeah, I mean even being able to reel off
these names, George, I think we're you know, we're like,
I know, it's different. It's different from when we talk
about players and we say okay, well, Richie WRNG is gone,
but we've got Boden barred and Damien McKenzie. You know
we can do We can do that till we're blow
in the face around all the positions in rugby team.
But the fact is there is only one head coach

(35:37):
of the All Blacks. Yes, there are super rugby head coaches,
but you know what I mean, there's just there's this
one job right at the top of the pyramid that
all of these guys want.

Speaker 7 (35:45):
Yeah, and I'd.

Speaker 16 (35:46):
Actually imagine you'd have to think New Zealand Rugby would
would ultimately want some of this to happen. You know,
Clayton is probably a coach for them who was on
their radar and he's coaching well at super level, but
he's never coached against African teams on All Hemisphere teams,
so you would have to think they they would like
the fact that some of their coaches of interest are

(36:08):
coaching up in parts of the world that is getting
exposure to Africa. And obviously because they played that club
competition with Munster in the Northern Hemisphere as well, which
we know has been a comment of discussion. Now that
we play a pretty trend tess and Super commp.

Speaker 3 (36:24):
Indeed, hey, good to chat to you, George. Better, We've
got to get to the golf, which I know you'll enjoy,
but always good chatting to you mate. Thanks. Indeed we
are going to take a break and then get you
down to Millbrook. But yeah, really interesting discussion. I think,
just to put a little bit of a cap on it,
what New Zealand and Rugby will have when the role
is next available is a high quality field of candidates

(36:47):
and Clayton McMillan will be in that field of candidates
as well. A number of the coaches that George George
just mentioned. Look if they hate to make the appointment today,
if they won't, but if Scott Robertson somehow, you know,
couldn't do the job anymore, there's already an elite list
of candidates today. So four years down the track, eight

(37:09):
years down the track, as more and more coaches develop themselves,
it's going to be an even stronger Paul, isn't it?
Fourteen to one. We're at the golf after this.

Speaker 1 (37:17):
The Tough Questions after Turf Weekend Sport with Jason Pine
and GJ. Gunnerholmes, New Zealand's most trusted home builders coming
up ten to one.

Speaker 3 (37:27):
Let's get you to the one hundred and fourth New
Zealand Golf Open at Millbrook in Queenstown. Andrew Ortison is
our man in Millbrook. You've always been good at painting
word pictures alders. So what are you seeing as you
look around you there today?

Speaker 17 (37:44):
Well, no pressure there piles, but I'm just nestled under
a weeping willow here in the shade. All I can
see is like shists in native timbers in the distance,
just in iron planning sort of railings and stuff players
and of course course looking beautiful, lush or you know,

(38:04):
true greens that've done it from I mean this job.

Speaker 10 (38:06):
Have the curators and.

Speaker 17 (38:10):
Hundreds and hundreds of people milling about here just enjoying
the third round of as you say, one hundred and
fourth news in it.

Speaker 3 (38:16):
Open, wonderful stuff. All right, Let's talk about some of
the golfers nearer the top of the leaderboard. I know
some of them are only early in their rounds or
maybe not having even teed off yet, but I see
the key we Sam Jones is tearing it up in
the third round.

Speaker 17 (38:28):
Well foreman news for European Tour player Sam Jones has
absolutely dominated so far, just looking at the most recent score,
but he's twelve under now. So this five off the lead,
albeit a good intact cole career, hasn't teed off. He's
due to tea off right on the top of the hour.
But Jones now the leading New Zealander. He's basically been
firing Birdie's left, right and CenTra. He's made the most

(38:51):
of his calm because it's some slightly overcast here. There's
some scattered range forecasts for later in the Arsenoon pinety,
but it's almost did still again and has been for
the first two rounds and that's why we've seen these
low scores. Of course, looking at the course record seat
by Daniel Nisbet seven out of the card in twenty eighteen,
could be under threat as the tournament advances, but of
course Michael Henry and Josh Gary also in the max

(39:13):
as well ten under, but they've just started their rounds
for the day.

Speaker 3 (39:16):
I was just going to ask you about the low scoring,
and these predictions are always fraught with peril. But if
you're seventeen under through two rounds, then I mean thirty
four under not going to get to thirty four under
but you're right that course record is actually all joking
aside in danger, isn't it.

Speaker 17 (39:34):
Oh, it has to be. I would have thought if
it's not good tac Co, it could be someone else.
Just I mean, we've seen the blistering round that Jones
is put together today moving his way up that leaderboard,
and others as well. Judity off. I mean James mkasaney
of the Australian was playing to a few of the yesterday.
He's at fourteen other so he's second at the moment.
Got three strokes back off that lead and due to

(39:55):
start out and there's no real change, there's no real wind.
It's going to build slightly over the course of the afternoon.
I'd expect more low scoring as the day progresses.

Speaker 3 (40:03):
Wonderful stuff. Orders. We'll stay in touch with you and
get another the report from your next hour. That's Andrew
Ordison at the one hundred and fourth New Zealand Golf
Open at Milbrook near Queenstown, where the scoring is very hot,
very very hot. Kuntuco has Orders said, hasn't teed off yet,
but sixty four sixty one. He's seventeen under the card

(40:25):
through two rounds. Sam Jones, though the best of the
kiwis at the moment making a charge and as you
heard all to say, I think Bertie's left, right and center.
He is seven under for his round today through fourteen holes,
twelve other for the tournament five shots back, but yeah,
making every post winner in the third round. Sam Jones
the best of the Kiwi's much more to come from
the New Zealand Golf Open this afternoon. Seven to one
News Talks, heb when.

Speaker 1 (40:46):
It's down to the line, you made a call on
eight hundred eighty ten eighty Weekend Sports with Jason Hines, News.

Speaker 2 (40:53):
TALKSBB forty one.

Speaker 3 (40:54):
Last couple of texts on the Clayton McMillan issue. Rachel says,
I think it's great for coaches to get out of
the echo chamber of New Zealand rugby and developed their
systems and processes. There's lots for them to learn and
to stay free, innovative. Happy for Clayton. He'll be back
and better for it. Thanks Rachel. And this one says Piney.
I wouldn't be surprised if we see Clayton lead Japan
into the next World Cup. His style of coaching could

(41:16):
do wonders with a team like that. Well at the
moment there's no vacancy there either. But with Eddie Jones
in charge, as we know, things can change fairly quickly.
It'll be an interesting little period to watch with our
top coaches coaching here, there and everywhere. After the one
o'clock news, we're in Vegas where the NRL season is underway.

(41:38):
This weekend Top broadcast Phil Rothfield with.

Speaker 1 (41:42):
Us the only place to discuss the biggest sports issues
on and afterfields.

Speaker 4 (41:48):
It's all on Weekend.

Speaker 2 (41:50):
Sport with Jason Pade on your home of Sport.

Speaker 15 (41:56):
One seven.

Speaker 3 (41:56):
Welcome back into the show. This is Weekend Sport on
News Talks. He'd be March the first. I'm Jason Pine
and a McDonald is alongside. Lot's happening around the place today.
Iron Man New Zealand's on in Towport. We'll get some
updates from there if we can. The New Zealand Golf Open.
Andrew Ordison our man at Melbrook. He's with us again

(42:17):
this hour. Halliburton Johnston Shield Final. You hear the update
from Wino during the Sports News. I can tell you
now it's one fifty five for three. Auckland batting first
against Otago in Dunedin, Maddy Green unbeaten on fifty four.
Currently Lauren down is at the crease with her as
Auckland build what they hope will be a competitive total

(42:37):
in this fifty over match. Coming towards the end of
the thirty sixth over one fifty five for three. Adam
Peacock from across the Tasman this hour also have a
look back at last night's Highland as more one A
pacificat Super Rugby match. More Ona Pacifica are oh and three,
but they don't feel like an ohen three side to me,
certainly not when it comes to scoring tries. That's one

(42:58):
hundred and nine points now in three games, so points
scoring not the problem. It's the leakage of points that
is the problem. How they're going to fix that. We'll
get the thoughts of coaching captain after last night's game.
If you were there at Albany as well, be keen
to hear from you, because I think there were a
few raised eyebrows over the choice of venue for Morna

(43:18):
Pacifica in twenty twenty five. Choosing Albany ahead of some
other possible options look good on TV. Look like there
are a few there began to hear from you if
you were in and around North Harvest Stadium last night.
But we're going to start this hour with rugby league
because the twenty twenty five NRL season is nearly upon us.

(43:41):
In fact, twenty four hours away. Were just under For
the second time, we have a double header in Las
Vegas to get us started this NRL season, and this
time it features the Warriors up against the Raiders one
o'clock tomorrow in New Zealand time. Just hundreds of fans
have descended on Las Vegas for this double header. The

(44:02):
second game is four time defending champion Penrith Panthers against
the Cronulla Sharks. Let's get you in to Vegas and
bring a huge league experienced and highly respected rugby league
writer Phil Rothfield, who you can read in the Daily
Telegraph among other publications in Australia. Phil, thanks for joining
us from Vegas. Are you a fan first of all

(44:22):
of opening the season in Las Vegas like this?

Speaker 12 (44:27):
Look? Thanks for having me. I'm a massive, massive fan.

Speaker 18 (44:31):
I think it's more than just about trying to get
a footprint into the United States, the world's biggest sporting market.

Speaker 12 (44:40):
This is just a spectacular season.

Speaker 18 (44:44):
Launch for the NRL when there's no other codes playing
or look, there's a bit of rugby union on at
the moment, but the momentum, the adrenaline we get from
event like this, I think was very much responsible for
the surge we got in NRL interest last year with
record TV ratings off the back of what we saw here. Now,

(45:07):
anyone at the FanFest last night down in Old Fremont Street.

Speaker 12 (45:12):
I've covered two Super Bowls.

Speaker 18 (45:15):
I've never seen so much fan engagement and excitement in
the streets in Vegas or anywhere else I be in
the New Orleans of Arizona, never see anything like it.
It is a wonderful, wonderful promotion of rugby league, and
it's never going to take over America, this great game.

(45:37):
But I think there's a there's a small space there
to you know, garner some more interest.

Speaker 3 (45:44):
Well, it sounds like it's working over there. Plenty of
RL jerseys around Philly you're seeing, I mean, you're had
a fan of ent last night, so presumably there were.

Speaker 12 (45:55):
Oh everyone's wearing a jersey. I'm about the only one
who's noted.

Speaker 18 (45:59):
I wish I had Macranula Sharks jersey but I it's
it's and there's a lot of inn RL merchandise.

Speaker 12 (46:06):
On here as well, you know, the official merchandise and
wherever you go.

Speaker 18 (46:11):
And look, I was going to make a point of
this in McCollum next week in that there's a couple
of clubs who have been very reluctant to commit to
come here, and Shane Richardson at the West Tigers said
as much last week in the Daily Telegram.

Speaker 12 (46:27):
Well, you know what I think about Shane Richardson.

Speaker 18 (46:29):
I think he is robbing his fans of a dream
time trip, once in a lifetime experience.

Speaker 12 (46:37):
And I think every NRL club.

Speaker 18 (46:40):
Owes it to their supporters to come across here in
the next five years.

Speaker 12 (46:46):
You're Warriors fans just should see how happy they are.

Speaker 3 (46:49):
I can imagine.

Speaker 18 (46:51):
Yeah, And the Warrington and Wigan fans they m a
d they're all behaving themselves, but they're singing at the
top of their voices, and the the restaurants, the bars,
the cafes and everyone's just having this massive party here.
And you know what I think, you know, whatever the

(47:13):
television ratings are in America on Saturday, that they're going
to be better than last year. Because it's on Fox's
main channel, Free to Wear, not cable Free to Wear.

Speaker 12 (47:24):
Fox main channel.

Speaker 18 (47:25):
Last year back in Australia New Zealand, we got record
television ratings. They're confident they're going to grow, and then
new rugby league people are watching it. The AFL fans
back in Australia have nothing on, nothing on, So it's
a bit like Origin.

Speaker 12 (47:42):
You get those once a year.

Speaker 18 (47:43):
Fans will come in and look at the game and
rugby league could pick up new customers from.

Speaker 3 (47:49):
Well, let's talk about a rugby league because Penrith, the
four time defending champions, are one of the four teams
up there. They take on the Sharks. As I say,
your Sharks are in the second game. When you've won
it four times in a row, fill, are you automatically
favorites to make it five?

Speaker 4 (48:03):
Oh?

Speaker 18 (48:04):
Look, I'm not sure their favorites to win the camp
because again they've lost some championship players, haven't they. You know,
Jerome Lewi's gone and you know he's just a wonderful,
wonderful player, and you know they've lost Cricht in the
year before, they lost Kick out of the Year before
that and Matt Burton, etc. But They've got this wonderful
nursery of talent. We saw that while their team, their

(48:28):
first team was in Las Vegas, just arrived. They're reserved
great players. New South Wales Cup players put thirty eight
points on the Manly Seagulls and trial game. That will
give you an idea of the depth they had. They've
got Jack Cole playing on the weekend, you know, for
Jerome lewis a handy player. Look, I think Melbourne they

(48:50):
are entitled to be favorites because they haven't lost a player.
They've signed you Toy Yamanu from the West Tigers and yeah,
so I think the.

Speaker 12 (48:59):
Path Melbourne titled. But Penrith are going to be desperately
hard to beat again.

Speaker 3 (49:05):
Yeah, and the Storm and the Panthers are there the
two teams you automatically gravitate to, and I think rightly so.
Do you feel as though it's those two and then
quite a gap back to the chasing pack?

Speaker 12 (49:17):
Yeah. Look, I think the Cranala Sharks.

Speaker 18 (49:20):
I think that Cranala Sharks are next in line, and
only because of the X factor that Adam Vanua Blake
and all your listeners know what he's done in recent years.
Probably the premier front row in the game and nick
Al hines and has struggled a little bit last year,
but with the momentum that Vanua Blake will drive middlefield dominance,

(49:43):
I think Nicko's game will open up. His partnership with
Braden Trendle's a good one. Outside of Storm.

Speaker 12 (49:50):
And Penrith, the Sharks are the most consistent side in
the camp.

Speaker 18 (49:53):
They seem to make the finals or top four every year,
so look their a hope and I think they might
even beat Penrith on Saturday. Here Sunday your time. Only
reason being, I think the Panthers are a bit underdone.
They've got a few boys is able to clear. Are
you recovering from off season surgery. Is Al hasn't played
in the Charles Leam Martin had a little bit of time,

(50:14):
So it's probably a good week to be getting the
Panthers before they sort of settle in and get warmed
up for the season.

Speaker 3 (50:20):
We've seen plenty of Warriors fans. What do you predict
for the Warriors as a Rugby league team this year?

Speaker 12 (50:28):
I think it's it's going to be a difficult year.

Speaker 18 (50:31):
You know, you've lost Sean Johnson and you've lost Chanel
Blake and look, I know you've picked up Fisher Harris and.

Speaker 12 (50:39):
Look I think, look, I'm not expecting them to make
the top eight. But that's just my opinion, you know, And.

Speaker 18 (50:50):
It's very hard to sort of make a prediction like that.
But I've just got other teams ahead of them.

Speaker 11 (50:56):
You know.

Speaker 12 (50:56):
Andrew Webster is a good coach.

Speaker 18 (50:58):
He won Deli m Coach of the Year year before last,
so he knows what he's doing there.

Speaker 12 (51:02):
He's got a very good staff around him.

Speaker 18 (51:05):
Look, they need a bounce to the ball in my view,
a little bit of luck with injuries, you know, if
they're going to make the eight. But there's nothing between
them and Camra. It's really an even money bat here
on Sunday. Two sides that I guess are expected to
finish a bit lower down the ladder, but you never know.

(51:27):
There's always a surprise. Packer isn't there in the NRL
and the team will come from nowhere. And these two
sides are capable.

Speaker 3 (51:33):
That you talked about James Fisher Harris briefly there obviously
Aden Vanilla Blake going out, James Fisher Harris coming in.
Is that some gain for you, Phil or you still
see Adam as the number one prop on the game.

Speaker 12 (51:49):
Look at this stage of his career, I think he
probably is.

Speaker 18 (51:52):
But look, I don't want to discredit James Fisher Harris
in any way, shape or form. And look, let's just
say the two of them are in the top three
or four front rowers in rugby league with guys like
Tino and playing Hals up at the Brisbane Broncos, and
so look, they basically cancel each other out, don't they.

Speaker 3 (52:13):
Indeed? And just a finished show. You mentioned some surprise
packets and you're right, they always pop up and surprise us.
Any I don't know if dark horse is the right
word to use for but anyone you think might surprise
us as a team in twenty five.

Speaker 19 (52:27):
Yeah.

Speaker 18 (52:27):
Look, the team I fancy is going to climb the
ladder sharply is the Gold Coast Titans, and I like
their middle forwards. They've got Fred Tukemanu, you know, the
Queensland state of origin, so he may have had a
waker the the Queensland state of Origin front rower.

Speaker 12 (52:47):
They've got Reagan.

Speaker 18 (52:47):
Campbell Gillard, they've got Tino back, they've got for feeder
on an edge. I think they've got the quickest back
five in the competition. You know, we're Keno at the
back and Jojo for Feda and these sort of players.

Speaker 12 (52:59):
They've got speed to burn.

Speaker 18 (53:00):
And look, Dez has and knows all about the business,
you know, having terms you know in finance, and I
think they'll climb the ladder for sure.

Speaker 3 (53:09):
Fel great to get the chance to chat to you
on the eve of a new season. Enjoy your time
in Vegas. It sounds as though it's everything you hoped
it would be. We'll look forward to catching up at
some stage again throughout the season.

Speaker 12 (53:19):
Yeah, thank you, jeez, no, thank you.

Speaker 3 (53:21):
Phil. Phil Rothfield, there well known rugby league identity and
Australia rights for The Daily Telegraph turns up on television,
has often consulted on his views on a wide range
of rugby league matters in Vegas at the moment and
by the sounds of it, loving it. There are mixed
views about this right. Taking an Australian competition to the

(53:42):
United States of America for opening weekend yeay or nay
for you? Oh eight hundred and eighty ten eighty. Look,
they know they're not going to take over over there.
The NRL. They're not going there to try and usurp
the traditional American sports, but it's just trying something a

(54:04):
little bit different, a little bit innovative. I say this
often on the show, probably till I'm blu in the face,
but nothing should be off the table when it comes
to trying to get cut through in a crowded sporting marketplace.
And I'm not talking about the crowded sporting marketplace that
is the United States. I'd imagine you could walk down

(54:26):
the strip in Vegas and ask ten people if they
knew what NRL was, and you might not get any
unless you found somebody who was there specifically for this.

Speaker 12 (54:36):
But that is not.

Speaker 3 (54:38):
Uncommon and any any city in the world. I number
of times have come to Auckland to watch Wellington Phoenix
games pre this season, of course, and the uber driver
will you ask what you're up for? US Army here
to watch the Wellington Phoenix plane. They've got no idea.
Oh when are they playing? Who are they playing? Who

(54:58):
are the Phoenix? You know that's it's not uncommon. So
you know when the NURL aren't trying to take over
over there, what they are doing is is making a
bit of a splash at the start of the season.
And for those who have gone, I don't know about you,
but I've had a look at a bit of footage,
social media footage and and and others of some of

(55:20):
the spectators crowd fans who have gone in New Zealand
charted an entire flight over there, and those fans are
having an absolute ball of a time from what I
can see. And you know, Phil said about the West
Tigers top Brass basically saying that I went not interested.

(55:41):
I remember Cam George. We had him in studio, didn't
We had had Cameron George and studio last year, and
that was before they had decided who would be the
four teams that went this year for opening weekends. And
I said, remember I remember saying to Cam George, would
you want to go? I said, yeah. I remember Jason Parris,

(56:02):
head of the CEO of One New Zealand, the the
sponsor of the Warriors. I remember him texting into the
show that day and saying, look, Cam, if you can
make it happen, I want a seat on your sponsor's trap.
But I think he is there, Jason Paris Acually, I'm
almost certain that he is. And the Warriors. Today is

(56:25):
the last day you can make your preseason predictions. All right,
tomorrow no good? Well, certainly not after one o'clock tomorrow
because they would have got underway. So today is the
last day you can predict what you think will happen
with this team of yours. Do you think twenty twenty
five will be more like twenty twenty three or twenty

(56:47):
twenty four. We all hope twenty twenty three, don't we?
And we all thought last year was going to be
the building upon what happened in twenty twenty three. But
it wasn't to be very very disappointing season. A lot
of players gone, big players too, addam for Noah Blake,
Sean Johnson, Toahu Hawra, Masselo Montoya, Jazz Devanga, Dellan why

(57:11):
Tennis Eleasniags injured for the first little while. So actually
it's on paper a weaker team. But what do you predict?
I one hundred and eighty ten eighty and yay or nay?
The NRL in Vegas, what do you reckon?

Speaker 4 (57:23):
Chris?

Speaker 20 (57:25):
I'm all for it. So I know a few people
who have gone over this year from the from the
local and none of their teams are well, they just
wanted to do the Las Vegas trip. I don't think
it's so much as promoting rugby league in Australia, but
actually just creating a bit of a frenzy to get

(57:46):
a whole bunch of ausies to go over there, to
go to a new place, go to Sin City, and
it's the memory of a lifetime associated with the NR old.
It's great marketing.

Speaker 3 (57:58):
One hundred percents. I totally agree. Look, if I was
a bigger Warriors fan and I had the means, I
that'd be the kind of thing I'd really look at,
you know, because we all love supporting our team away
from home, but away from home in Las Vegas, how good?
How goods that?

Speaker 21 (58:14):
You know?

Speaker 20 (58:16):
Go slam your child, your child's and the Harrison's into
a poking mission.

Speaker 3 (58:22):
That's entirely a personal choice, an entirely personal choice.

Speaker 20 (58:27):
Yeah, and then go watch a game of NRL. Come
back home. But I actually really like the idea that
the NRL invited the Warriors on the second year of
this because a lot of the players and the fans
of the Warriors club suffered through COVID, so I think
there was a bit of a testament to lift Vilandy's

(58:47):
recognizing the endy clubs to let them be a part
of that.

Speaker 3 (58:52):
So cheers to him, Cheers to him and Dave. Thanks
christ Yeah. Look, I don't think you'd find too many,
too many fans of clubs that that would say, you know, no, no,
not for me, mate, not for me, I'll i'll, I'll
watch my team here where I watch them usually and
look not. Of course, not everybody can afford to just

(59:12):
pay for a trip to Vegas, of course not Not
everybody has the means with which to make.

Speaker 12 (59:19):
A trip like that.

Speaker 3 (59:20):
But for those who do, and for those who decide
that they want to spend their discretionary dollars on something
like that, what a trip. Think about the team that
you support, be it rugby, league, rugby, any sport, and
think about the opportunity to watch that team overseas, which

(59:41):
is always the best way to watch your team. I
have always said the best experience watching the All Blacks
is watching the All Blacks overseas, because you feel like
you feel somehow closer to the team. It's like we're
in this together, and we're out numbered here, but we're here,
and there's something special about watching the All Blacks overseas

(01:00:06):
text here. What about the true fans that can't afford
to go. Look, it's not a one off. You still
get to watch the Warriors every week. You still get
to watch them on television tomorrow if you want to.
It's just like any other away game. We've still got
a whole bunch of games that go media Stadium to
look forward to. It's just something a bit different. Yay

(01:00:27):
for me, says this one. Nay for me says Tony Yay.
Yay Yay says this one. So yay or a on
Vegas trip of a lifetime for lots of fans. Fantastic
says Sally. Pre season predictions are stupid. Viva Las Vegas
says this one. And Phil speaks a lot of sense
about the Warriors and their chances this year, says this one.
The simple factor is they don't have the quality roster

(01:00:51):
to compete all season at the highest level. Injuries will
kill them quickly. Well, I hope you're wrong, obviously, but
I think we If you lined up this season for
roster with last seasons, yeah, it is weaker man for man,
but it's still a pretty good team. Really looking forward

(01:01:11):
to seeing how Luke Metcalf goes in the halves with
Chanell Harris, Tavita initially Roger too. We've asked a check
over on the wing, see how he goes chance nikol
klukstart in the in the one Jersey James Fisher, Harris
and Mitch Barnett co captains a bit of grunt there,
look on. I mean, at the risk of being a

(01:01:35):
bit rose tinted about this, I feel fairly optimistic. But
then it's easy to be optimistic when you look at
the table and everybody's got the same number of points
in about forty hours. That won't be the case, but
at least we can dream for a little while. One
twenty seven News Talks there b We're back with more
after this line's open though. Oh eight hundred eighty ten
eighty nine nine two on text.

Speaker 2 (01:01:55):
This is the biggest season sports are on Weekend Sports
with Jason Pine and GJ.

Speaker 1 (01:02:01):
Gubnomes, New Zealand's most trusted home builder News Talks.

Speaker 3 (01:02:05):
They'd be one dirty on the dark News Talks. He'd
be just to you know tomorrow between twelve and one
so on the lead up to the one o'clock kickoff,
New Zealand time and the Warriors game. We'll basically have
a build up hour for you, going to get you
inside the Warriors camp. We're going to talk to punters
on the ground over there, some sponsors who have made
the trip and others in Vegas set the scene on

(01:02:25):
the ground for you. So between twelve and one tomorrow
and weekend Sport it is all about the Warriors in Vegas.

Speaker 8 (01:02:32):
Hello Mark, hey bony.

Speaker 22 (01:02:35):
Yeah, I'm quite jalous.

Speaker 3 (01:02:39):
Yeah, I've seen some pictures I'd quite like to be
in amongst it.

Speaker 22 (01:02:43):
Yeah, Exchange Pride, Yeah yeah, yeah, sorry, I don't know
what they have.

Speaker 6 (01:02:59):
To do with.

Speaker 3 (01:03:02):
Hey Mark, I'm not sure what's happening with your phone mate.
I'm gonna get Andy to check and maybe move somewhere
where we can where we can hear you, because you're
just cutting in and out. I want to hear your comments.
So I just have a chat to Andy and see
if we can find you a place where there's better reception. Jamie, Hi, Jason,
there you going? Yeah good Jamie, very good mate.

Speaker 19 (01:03:21):
Yeah, that's a my eyes this week. Ind it's some
Las Vegas.

Speaker 4 (01:03:26):
Love it.

Speaker 19 (01:03:29):
Yeah, yeah, Portunately, I can't afford.

Speaker 8 (01:03:32):
To go a bit of it.

Speaker 19 (01:03:34):
It's nice and everyone's having a bit of fun. Listen
a cast where the team might finiss here hopefully around
maybe seventh or eight if they.

Speaker 13 (01:03:45):
If they can you know, minimal injuries, animal suspensions and
in a few and not being on the wrong end
or some re.

Speaker 19 (01:03:54):
Marine course, I guessfully.

Speaker 3 (01:03:58):
Yeah, always the variables that come into it. I think
you're kind of reflecting what most Warriors fans are thinking, Jamie.
You know, there's the very optimistic and there are pessimistic.
But like you and me Hon, a bit like you,
I feel like if if if a bunch of stuff
goes right, they could be in the eight, but it
wouldn't be beyond the realms of possibility that they miss out.

Speaker 4 (01:04:16):
Again.

Speaker 3 (01:04:16):
That that's I know that's very much a fence sitting view,
but it feels like quite a bit has to go
right for them to finish high up the table.

Speaker 19 (01:04:26):
Yeah, and that meant, you know, obviously help they start.
So when tomorrow they'll be, they'll be helpful.

Speaker 13 (01:04:35):
But yeah, it'll be a long year.

Speaker 19 (01:04:38):
But hopefully hopefully you'd be a good one indeed.

Speaker 3 (01:04:42):
Yep, Well, I mean I went tomorrow would be a
great start obviously, that's you know, it goes without saying.
I think they are favorites against the Raiders. I think
the Warriors have you know, I would have the favoritism tomorrow,
I'll certainly be I don't put any money on it,
but I'll certainly be thinking that when the game kicks off.
Jamie good to chat. I think we've got your back mark.

Speaker 17 (01:05:01):
Have we.

Speaker 3 (01:05:04):
Much better? Much better?

Speaker 9 (01:05:07):
Ah?

Speaker 23 (01:05:07):
Yeah, No, I think this could be quite a good year.
I think the backline for the Warriors is a pretty
good side. I mean, it all depends how they go
in the Fords. Obviously getting Fisher Harris, you know for
for Nola Blake's probably maybe even like a swap for swap.
But yeah, I mean Tahu Harris, even though he's sort
of played injury with injuries from the beginning of the
season last year.

Speaker 24 (01:05:28):
I mean, I don't know.

Speaker 23 (01:05:29):
Maybe they've got some maybe they can buy a new
Ford or something.

Speaker 15 (01:05:32):
But yeah, I think the.

Speaker 23 (01:05:33):
Backline is as good as any It's just the Fords.
But you know, rugby league in this country, I can't
see why the NRL aren't putting that team down in
christ Such when they get this stadium there, because I
think you know, you've seen the support for the Warriors.
It's probably the best in the NRL, maybe apart from
Saint Brisbane or somewhere like that. And I don't know

(01:05:54):
why we can't get another team, you know, I mean
it seems ridiculous because I'd say they'd fill that damn
stadium in christ Schouch every week they had the Warriors,
just like Mount Smart. I think it would be great
for league.

Speaker 3 (01:06:07):
Oh you won't get an argument from me, Mark. Look,
you know, I know it's different, but the yeah, what
Auckland f C's done to to football here, you know,
the rivalry it's created in the derby already Unfortunately the
Phoenix having a bit of a challenging time. But look, look,
I think it's Yeah. The NRAL are funny, aren't they.
You know they you know, they've got this team coming

(01:06:27):
in from pop On, New Guinea. They want to you know,
you know, I think they're thinking about Perth. They may
well go back to some of the hot beds of
rugby league. But I agree with you. I think if they,
you know, if they want an expansion team, that's going
to add something to the competition and really be all
but guaranteed some very good crowds and a new venue.

(01:06:47):
Then you would go to christ.

Speaker 23 (01:06:50):
Yeah, what's your tip for the night party? You reckon
the Cans can get up over the Blues.

Speaker 3 (01:06:54):
Absolutely, I do, Mark, I do. You are playing the
team that's O and two. We're playing the team at
the bottom of the table.

Speaker 23 (01:07:01):
The table a bit like the phoenix.

Speaker 3 (01:07:03):
That's a market boy. I'm glad you coverage is cutting
out again. No, it's not good to chet to him again.
Have we got the weather report for Vegas tomorrow?

Speaker 25 (01:07:12):
We have.

Speaker 3 (01:07:12):
It doesn't actually matter because Allegiant Stadium is fully enclosed.
But the weather in Vegas tomorrow cloudy with a high
of oh that's fahrenheit, so seventy four about twenty two
to twenty three degrees wins light and variable, so that
sounds okay. But they'll be inside, so it won't matter.
The weather is always beautiful at the bottom of the

(01:07:34):
South Island or in the lower reaches of the South
Island where we hid now for the one hundred and
fourth New Zealand to Gulf Open. Andrew Ordison is our
man at Millbrook. When we spoke forty five minutes or
so ago. Orders you were telling us about Sam Jones
tearing up the leaderboard, tearing up this course. Has it
continued He's.

Speaker 17 (01:07:53):
Continued to do so, right Piney and well, there isn't
a composite course for the final two rounds, but defekingly a.

Speaker 9 (01:08:00):
Course record if you like.

Speaker 17 (01:08:01):
I think I've used it previously, but different configuration with
how they do those holes ten underpar. He's gone through
to fifteen under overall. He's in clear second at the moment.
Good tach Co the overnight leader, has also in the
shot if you like. He's gone to eighteen under from
seventeen under. He's only through a few holes so far.

(01:08:21):
But Jones just really showcasing his ability. We've known about
some time and he's played on the European Tour for
a season. He's come back here and has really gone
to another level early on round three at Millbrook Resort.

Speaker 3 (01:08:36):
Now the key with is you talked about Mark Brown,
Michael Hendry and some of the others in the chasing pack,
Josh Geary as well. They're sort of keeping in touch,
aren't they. You're really with being such a low scoring course.
I suppose there's two ways of looking at it. You
could make a run on the fourth day, or the
leaders could hold on to a lead if they've built

(01:08:57):
a pretty good buffer at the top. So you kind
of have to be I don't know, but within three
or four shots at the end of today or is
that completely.

Speaker 17 (01:09:04):
You know, I think it's bang on. I think it
would be about right. You know, we're on for you
as a keddy or as an analyst for this.

Speaker 10 (01:09:12):
So that's what I was thinking.

Speaker 17 (01:09:13):
Anyway, you have to be in touch there at the
moment because I mean, good tach car he could go
to another level today and sending that course record on
the remarkables yesterday with ten under. With his sixty one,
that's going to be that. That's really an intimidating round
and might end up being the most important round of
this tournament.

Speaker 26 (01:09:30):
Who knows.

Speaker 17 (01:09:31):
As the scoring continues to go under, but yeah, this
is yelders still in touch. So Henry was eleven under
just through six moments ago. I think Dan Hill he
dropped down to eight under over shopped the shot today
with Steve Williams on the bag there. But they've gone
well so far in the tournament through a similar number
of holes. Mark Brown, big mover, he's gone up to

(01:09:51):
leven under through twelve when I last looked on the scorecard,
so he's making moves as well. So there's plenty of
these yielders there or thereabouts nine in total. Having made
the cut, then he's Zealand open at Millbrook Resorts, so
there'll be twenty for local pindus to look out.

Speaker 3 (01:10:07):
For absolutely good star forwarders.

Speaker 12 (01:10:09):
Thanks.

Speaker 3 (01:10:09):
Indeed, we'll checking again in an hour or so to
get the final final score for the third round for
Sam Jones ten under ten under Goodness me, I think
I think he might have just carted a ten under
par just as we speak. So Sam Jones are ten
under pass sixty one. He is outright second at the moment,
but still plenty of golfers out on the course. But

(01:10:32):
when you go out and shoot us sixty one, you're
gonna shoot up any leaderboard. And Sam Jones the key
we has certainly done that. Outright second at the moment,
but still three shots behind Guntakko, the Korean golfer who
is eighteen under the cart and already one under through
one hole today, so goodness only knows what he'll finish
the third round at twenty one to two when we

(01:10:53):
come back across the Tasman will go. Adam Peacock in
his regular slofe.

Speaker 1 (01:10:57):
Don't get caught off side eight hundred eighty ten eighty
Weekends for Us with Jason Paine and GJ Guvnoes, New
Zealand's most trusted home builder.

Speaker 3 (01:11:06):
Talks eight Anyway from two your final texts here on
Vegas Up Vegas. I was going to go, but the
Missus dangled the carrot. She said we could go to
Ossie twice to watch the Warriors. On top of magic round,
she gets to shop while we're over there, So I
took the extra trips to Australia over Vegas. I do
regret it now by looking at all the social media

(01:11:27):
next time if they go next time. Indeed, I'm not
sure what the situation is around if you if you're
won and done, because they'd want to share it around,
wouldn't they. But yeah, I'm sure there will be a
next time. Let's get you across the Tasman. To Adam Peacock,
our regular correspondent on Australian sporting matters, seems like a
lot of people have got junkets to Las Vegas. Adam,

(01:11:50):
you didn't get one, No, no other side of the Pacific.

Speaker 24 (01:11:56):
Where the focal point is. Yeah, everyone's going off about
Vegas over here, and obviously with the Warriors over there
as well, I'd say it's getting abody cut through in
New Zealand and Yeah, so interesting concept. They basically it's
an excuse for all regular league fans to get over
to Vegas. Basically, I don't know how much cut through
their actually getting in America. Knowing America a little bit

(01:12:19):
like I've I can say a few months ago, I
was actually there when the All Whites were playing a
massive game against Mexico in Pasadena, and I was staying
in Pasadena and there were ninety thousand people going to
the game. But two days before the game, I had
no idea the game was on. So that's how hard
it is to get cut through for events in America

(01:12:41):
because there is so much. But they're having a crack
and it's going to be a great occasion. There's going
to be fifty thousand people there, But where are those
fifty thousand from the majority are going to be from
here or England because they've got a couple of Super
League teams over there as well.

Speaker 3 (01:12:52):
Yeah indeed, Yeah, well I know that a lot of
Warriors fans have traveled. There was a special charter flight
put on and yeah, I think those who are there
will have an absolute blast. What happens in Vegas stays
in Vegas, as they say, so there'll be some some
stories that get told and don't get told. When it
comes to the season though, the twenty twenty five NRL
season about to get underway. I was looking at this

(01:13:15):
this morning. I forget you forget about Penrith and how
good they are. Four straight championships. Could they possibly make
it five in a row?

Speaker 24 (01:13:23):
Well, they're in the mix. I mean other teams around
them seem to have gone a little bit better, namely
Melbourne Brisbane are going to be better. But aside from that,
there's no real like like team jumping out at You're saying,
oh yeah, well, they're definitely better than Penrith this year.
Peterweith are going to be so in this especially if

(01:13:43):
Nathan Cleary stays fit. Look, I think Nathan Cleary, who
is the best player in the comp, stays fit, anything's
a possibility for Penrith. But if he has another season
like he did last year where he essentially missed half
the year. I think they're going to find it tough.
They've just had their depth chipped away, chipped away Jeron
Leui has gone to the West Tigers. But they're still

(01:14:04):
such a good team. I mean there's no James Fisher,
how which they didn't get the opportunity to really replace him,
the big pop who's going to be such an addition
to the word. I'm hearing people on this side of
that has been saying that, oh, yeah, the Warriors aren't
going to be that much shop blah blah blah. Now
the signing of Jones Sishah Harris is huge for them
and it's going to benefit them on and off the park.

(01:14:25):
Look penwith they are going to be around the place,
but probably Melbourne of favorites, and yeah there's a blanket
of them as well.

Speaker 3 (01:14:31):
Yeah, a bunch of teams chasing those two by the
looks of it. So Vegas this weekend for the start
of the NFL season, Can we go to the Champions
Trophy cricket Overnight, Australia played their final pull match against Afghanistan,
where they would have if it didn't rain. Afghanistan all
out two seventy three off the last ball of the
fiftieth over, Australia were cruising going at eight and a
half's one hundred and nine for one in the thirteenth

(01:14:53):
over when rain stopped plays. So just the just the
one point each for the abandoned game. It secures Australia's
passage through to the semi finals. We know how good
they are at knockout time. You feel confident in Australia
can pick up some more silverware.

Speaker 24 (01:15:06):
Yeah, yeah, especially if Travis headfires like you did overnight
with the half century much better than run a ball.
So if he gives us a start where we're a
massive chance in any game. We don't have the bowling
stocks that we usually do. There's no pad Cavans, there's
no midstart, there's no Josh Hazlewood. But there's still a

(01:15:27):
tidy I would call it improving bowling unit around some
pretty established names for the bat. So yeah, we can
go close. It's it's the weird old tournament, as you know, Piney.
I mean India are playing all their games in Dubai.
They'll play the semi there. Wherever you're finishing New Pool
doesn't matter if you play India, you're playing in Dubai,

(01:15:48):
So yeah, we'll wait and see what that one, see
our conditions play out, but they'll be in the frame.

Speaker 3 (01:15:53):
Australia in this last four yeah absolutely well New Zealand
will be there too, so yeah, in New Zealand, India,
Australia and one other. So we'll look forward to seeing
how it all plays out over the next week or so.
And to football where you're young soccer cruse, this is
the means under twenty side have made it all the
way through to the final of the Asian Cup, the

(01:16:13):
Asian Cup Under twenty Championship. This was this expected? Did
you think this group of players headed in them?

Speaker 24 (01:16:22):
Not a total shock, but I was a little taken
back about the result against Japan in the semi final
to nil, and probably played the better football as well,
which I can't say has happened too often when it
comes to playing the better football against Japan over the
years that we've been in the Asian Confederation. But yeah,
there has been a bit of talk about this group
being very, very good and there's still five or six

(01:16:45):
of them not involved because they're europe they're involved with
European clubs and they've stayed there, which is fair enough.
But yeah, this is this is big for the A League,
namely because this show is that if you give young
players a chance in the A League, give them a hope,
they're going to improve and they're going to improve to
the point where they're going to make a mark on
a continental stage, which they have. I hope they get

(01:17:05):
passed out in the final. It'll be great to see
them through. But the main job was to qualify for
the World Cup. They did that by making the semis.
But yeah, it's encouraging signs. I'd say more than anything
for Australian football. I love this.

Speaker 3 (01:17:18):
Yeah, and you're right about the A League because Auckland
f C are playing Adelaide United today. Adelaide United have
four players who started the semi final against Japan the
other day, so four. You know, it's not a great
it's not a great thing for Carl Viet, the coach
of Adelaide United, But in terms of the development of
young players through the A League, it's great to know

(01:17:39):
that that actually is a pathway.

Speaker 24 (01:17:43):
Yeah, but Carl knows that he's got the job and
he's given leeway. He didn't have a great season last year.
Maybe other clubs he gets it, gets the bullets. But
he was playing young players. He's giving these kids, like
the kid up front, Ivanovitch him Ago and he's improving
all the time. So it's good that Adelaide can trust
carl Vit with that, and it's good that Calvit can
trust Adelaide with that that three losses four losses in right,

(01:18:06):
doesn't mean he's going to get the sack. You're going
to play young players and you're going to see some
players today who are going to make you feel very
old tiny. So it's the way. It's the way that
that club operates. It's not for everyone, but it's the
way that Adelaide myself, right, And you look at the
players that they've been able to sell and the money
that they've been able to bring in and hopefully they're

(01:18:26):
reinvesting in the club. It's it's the model indeed.

Speaker 3 (01:18:31):
Indeed, Yeah, I'm a fan. I'm a fan of y.
Now know you're big on your golf. Have you ever
played Millbrook in Queenstown, New Zealand? Have you played down there?

Speaker 24 (01:18:40):
You're friends who have been there and they bang on
about how good it is. I've not been able to
get there, and every time. Every time, some time brings
it up a rush of envy history, Piney, So what
are you about to say?

Speaker 3 (01:18:52):
Well, well, the New Zealand opener is on there this weekend.
That's the that's the reason I bring it up. And
I'm sure you've seen some of the spectacular scenery your own.
Ricky Ponting is one of the ambassador's going to chat
to him on the show this afternoon actually, and he
just raves about the place and technic I saw him
quoted as saying it's his favorite place in the world.

Speaker 24 (01:19:12):
Yeah, well, okay, I'm sure his wife would be happy
about that. About her own house, the ash Party, I know, yes,
and her husband, Gazz he's over there. I think I
think he's caddying for Lui Dobbela. I think I'm not sure,
but yeah, they go over there a bit as well,
and they bang on about it too. So yeah, I

(01:19:32):
gest it looks like a spectacular place and definitely a
fucking list place for a golfer like me. And it's
great to see some big names over there talking about
because it deserves to be talked up.

Speaker 3 (01:19:43):
Yeah s party, Yes, she's another ambassador over here as well.
I don't think she played over the weekend, but yeah,
I know she has enjoyed herself in queens so we'll
get you there one day. Adam. Well, maybe we need
to talk about the increasing your fee for the show
so that you can start putting some money away towards
the trip to Queenstown.

Speaker 24 (01:20:00):
Hey, if you get me on that Saturday morning, just
talk about Millbrog and automatically becomes a tax rider so
they don't want about the Trea. I'll just ride off
on that.

Speaker 3 (01:20:08):
Love it always great chatting Australian sport with you, Adam.
Will do it again next Saturday.

Speaker 8 (01:20:12):
Good thanks, fining, No thanks, Adam.

Speaker 3 (01:20:13):
Adam Peacock are Australian correspondent. They're part of our Saturdays
that around about this time on news Talks head b
quick look at the Halle Burton Johnston Shield Final. This
is the women's fifty over domestic competition where Maddy Green
has brought up one hundred for Auckland batting first against
Otago into need in two hundred and fifty four for
three coming towards the end of the forty seventh over,

(01:20:35):
so Maddy Green one hundred and one not out of
one hundred and thirteen balls. Lauren Down is there with her.
She's eighty eight unbeaten off eighty six. I'll see if
I can do these sums quickly on their partnership. I
don't trust myself normally with these things, but I by
my count at one hundred and seventy five unbeaten for
the fourth wicket between the two White Fans players Maddy

(01:20:55):
Green and Lauren Down, setting a big total for Otago
to chase if they are to win the halle Burton
Johnston Shield. A bit later on this afternoon eight to
two News Talks, heab.

Speaker 1 (01:21:07):
The sue from the track field and the court on
your Home of Lord weekends for it.

Speaker 2 (01:21:12):
Where's Jason Vine?

Speaker 3 (01:21:14):
Just on five to two after two o'clock, we're back
to Milbrook Andrew Ordison with a further update for you,
but also we're going to chat to a couple of
the New Zealand Golf Open Ambassadors. They have collected together
a wide range of elite sports people to be ambassadors,
and when I say elite, I mean elite. Richie mccaur

(01:21:37):
is one of the New Zealand Golf Open Ambassadors. Ricky
Ponting is another one, and both of them have said yet,
We'll take your call. We'll tell you a bit about
how I've been going on the course and how we're
enjoying the experience. So Ricky Ponting and Richie mccaugh both
on the show after two o'clock from Millbrook. We're also
going to talk about this big racing event at Alleley

(01:21:59):
next weekend, the inaugural four and a half million dollar
n z B KEYW It's the Southern Hemisphere's richest race
for three year olds. Top jockey and trainer Sam Winn
is going to ride Pivotal ten. She was confirmed this
week as the first female jockey to be included in
the field. She's going to join us on the show
after two Pivotal ten. This is this is an amazing story.

(01:22:24):
I'm not going to have time before the two o'clock
news to tell you all about this horse, but it
is a rags to riches story. So Sam Winn is
on the show after two with that, and we'll also
look back at last night's Super Rugby action. But the
Highlanders pipping Mowana Pacifica. They were thirty one ten ahead
at halftime, eventually one at thirty one twenty nine, so

(01:22:45):
made it hard work for themselves, so I've been a
super rugby for you after the two o'clock news as well.

Speaker 1 (01:22:51):
The only place to discuss the biggest sports issues on
and after field.

Speaker 2 (01:22:56):
It's all on Joe's Sport with Jason Vade on your
home of Sport, New York.

Speaker 3 (01:23:04):
Hello there, welcome in seven past two. I'm jas Pine.
Andy McDonald is producing the show. This is Weekend Sport
until three. We're gonna hand over to the Weekend Collective
after three. Tim Beverige's not here. Francesca Rutgin in the chair.
A celebrity edition of the Weekend Collective with no disrespect
to Tim Beveridge intended. Before we can get to that,

(01:23:26):
quite a bit to get through where back and forth
from Melbrook, because we're gonna have a chat to a
couple of New Zealand Golf Open ambassadors, big names and
other sports. Former double World Cup winning All Blacks captain
Richie mccare, one of the greatest cricketers ever to walk

(01:23:46):
the earth, Ricky Ponting. They're both in Queenstown as ambassadors
for the New Zealand Golf Open. They're going to chat
to us. We'll also hear shortly from Sam Jones, who,
as you heard from Weno in our sports news, has
just fired a ten under par rounds to move to
outright second our man in Melbrook or at Melbrook Andrew
Ortison chatter with him. We'll also orders on the show

(01:24:07):
at some stage of this hour too. And amongst all
that I want to talk about as Super Rugby with
Mona Pacifica and the Highlanders duking it out last night
at Albany, but also next weekend's inaugural New Zealand Bloodstock
keiw at Elliceleye four and a half million dollar purse
for this the Southern Hemisphere's richest race for three year olds.

(01:24:30):
Samantha Win is going to write Pivotal ten and she'll
chat to us this hour as well. So quite a
bit to get stuck into between now and three o'clock.
So without any further ado, we should probably bring you
up to date with some of the other stuff that
has been happening and in around the sporting universe in
the last twenty four to thirty six hours or so

(01:24:50):
it's called in case you missed it. It's where we
catch you up on things, starting with the Australian National
Basketball League semi finals. They're underway. The Illawarra Hawks have
moved one step closer to the final series. Sure scramble
the how have the ball through?

Speaker 12 (01:25:07):
Will Hickey.

Speaker 3 (01:25:09):
Now Trey Kurler Boy's trouble. Josh King says, don't foul.

Speaker 27 (01:25:17):
And the Illawa hopes to run up in their playoff
series against Southeast Melbourne.

Speaker 3 (01:25:23):
Here the Hawks grinding out of one oh one ninety
four win in game one against Southeast Melbourne. Speaking of Melbourne,
Melbourne City the football team further added to the Wellington
Phoenixes currently miserable run of form. Capdo leaves the for
Tillio and Marco Tellio against his favorite opponents.

Speaker 27 (01:25:46):
Scores yet again, seven goals in eight.

Speaker 3 (01:25:50):
Games against Wellington Phoenix and five minutes into the second
half the visitors take.

Speaker 2 (01:25:56):
A one nill lead.

Speaker 3 (01:25:56):
He finish one nill. That was a fifth consecutive game
without a win for Wellington Phoenix, who remain in eleventh place.
Western United meantime, moved all the way up to seconds.

Speaker 27 (01:26:08):
This should finish its dan Zaki's squared off.

Speaker 3 (01:26:10):
Of the overplayed its Nacherene.

Speaker 27 (01:26:14):
Dan Zaki added, the art did turn off my klouse
by the other side of the crossbar against his former
cloud and the Mariners.

Speaker 3 (01:26:24):
Are Sun Yeah three one. The score there Western United
over the Marinis. Haukland f C. Of course play Adelaide
United at five o'clock this afternoon. And in Super Rugby Pacific,
the war Retarz and the Fiji and Drewer played out
in another classic, the war Retars holding on for.

Speaker 28 (01:26:41):
A twenty nine to twenty four wind. I've got one
on the road in their last sixteen stuck. What can
they create? Lake down man, it's us.

Speaker 21 (01:26:56):
It's going forward at the clouds.

Speaker 2 (01:26:59):
Drown it out when it's down to the line. You
made a call on Weekend Sport with Jason Hine News.

Speaker 3 (01:27:08):
Talk eleven past two. So back down to Millbrook we
go where kee we. Sam Jones has climbed up to
outright second after his third round at the prestigious New
Zealand Golf Open in Central Otago. He's finished ten under
par for the day. Andrew Ordison is there and shortly
after Sam Jones finished his round he spoke with our

(01:27:28):
man Andrew Ordison.

Speaker 17 (01:27:30):
There come from you felt that was building over the
first couple of rounds.

Speaker 5 (01:27:33):
No not so be honest with you It's been a
rough out there the first couple of days.

Speaker 29 (01:27:37):
Struggled a little bit on the greens and swinging it great,
but yeah, that's golf. Sometimes these things happen and you
just take them for what it is. Don't try and
get too high when the things go good, and then
don't try and get too low when the things go bad.

Speaker 5 (01:27:50):
So just yeah, take it as it comes and just
go from there.

Speaker 17 (01:27:52):
And you've hit some formal on the South African or
in South Africa's part of the Secretary Tour for.

Speaker 5 (01:27:57):
Yeah, yeah, no, golf's been pretty good. Yeah.

Speaker 29 (01:28:00):
Like I say, I go into the tournaments with a
whole lot of expectations. Just go out there and play,
and yes, things seem to be gone alright, so just
keep going and ye see what happens.

Speaker 3 (01:28:09):
And if you found the support beyond the rope, Well,
what's it been like?

Speaker 17 (01:28:13):
I suppose it feels like the numbers have come in
today particular is a bit more you know, more ReVibe
to the place.

Speaker 5 (01:28:18):
Yeah, yeah, I mean this place is amazing.

Speaker 29 (01:28:19):
It's nice to go out early, I think on a
Saturday and not really have to deal with too much
of that. But I imagine tomorrow it's going to be
pretty full on, so I've got to mentally prepare myself
for that.

Speaker 3 (01:28:29):
Well, that's right there. You put yourself in that position,
which is what you want.

Speaker 2 (01:28:31):
But how do you how do you do that? Is?

Speaker 3 (01:28:33):
Do you have sort of some techniques?

Speaker 11 (01:28:35):
No?

Speaker 5 (01:28:35):
Well, hopefully I'm not in the final group.

Speaker 29 (01:28:38):
It'll be a little bit less stress do it by still, yeah, exactly,
Just try and fly but under the radar, which is
what I've been able to do overseas because nobody knows
who I am. But I think it's going to be
a little bit different tomorrow. There's going to be a
few people out there supporting. I'm sure a few other
the Kiwi Boys will jump up there today as well
and hopefully be amongst it at the end of the round.

Speaker 17 (01:28:55):
And tell us, I mean I was an eagle on
the seventeenth I think I saw how did that unfold?

Speaker 3 (01:29:01):
Yeah?

Speaker 5 (01:29:01):
So I just had had a good drive down there.

Speaker 29 (01:29:03):
I had two eighty five cover on that left bunk
here and managed to pot one down there and landed
on the downslope and got down there pretty far. So
I only had seven nine in there, rarely just trying
to get it on the green in two part and yeah,
it came out nicely and they had a nice straight
part up the hill there thirteen feet and has rolled
it in.

Speaker 3 (01:29:20):
That is Sam Jones speaking a short time ago to
our man at the Golf Open, Andrew Alderson. Yes, so
what a round today for Sam Jones, a ten underscore
of sixty one that has him at fifteen under through
three rounds. Now, talk about hot scoring. Good Tuckco, the
Korean player who started the day in the outright lead

(01:29:40):
at seventeen under, has gone three under through his first
three holes today to be twenty under the cart twenty under.
Goodness me, Sam Jones is in the clubhouse at fifteen under.
James Makasani, the Victorian player, is also at fifteen under.
He is one under through three holes today. Look, the
scoring is so hot, so hot, it could be anything.

(01:30:04):
Good Tuckco could finish today, he could be twenty five,
twenty six under if it continues like this. We'll keep
eyes on it for you. But it is a very
very low scoring course out there. If we just scroll
down to the other Kiwis Mark Brown currently is in
a tie for fifth. He is seven under through fourteen
holes today, thirteen under for the tournament. Then we come

(01:30:25):
down to Michael Hendry who is twelve under the card.
He's through five holes today at two under four his round,
and then we've got to scroll all the way down
to Josh Gary who is at ten under the card overall.
He's even passed through six holes today. We'll keep you
right up to date with everything from the Golf Open.
In fact, let's head back there now because as well
as the professionals playing, there are a number of amateurs

(01:30:48):
as well. The pro am is part of this whole
New Zealand Golf Open and included amongst the amateurs are
a number of New Zealand Golf Open Ambassadors, one of
who is former Australian cricket captain and one of the
greats of the game globally, Ricky Ponting, who's come back
many times to play this event. He joins us now

(01:31:08):
on weekend sport haygn Ricky. Have you enjoyed your day?

Speaker 11 (01:31:11):
I had a great day, mate, the weather is spectacular,
had a great group. I'm paired with the young Iusy
boy Louis Dobbler, who had had a good day. Bob
at his last hole for two under. I think our
team scores ended up being some like seven under for
the day, So we've had a great dum and this
is this is the best week of the year.

Speaker 26 (01:31:29):
I say it every year.

Speaker 11 (01:31:30):
As soon as I get the invited, just block out
that week and make sure that I'm right to come
over here, because it's an incredible tournam It's a magnificent place,
and I just feel very lucky to get the invite.

Speaker 26 (01:31:41):
Well, I think for the last eight and nineties anyway.

Speaker 3 (01:31:43):
Yeah, were you sort of premed a Monnick's question. It
doesn't sound ricky as though they need to twist your
arm very much to get your back every year.

Speaker 11 (01:31:51):
No, So as soon as I hold my last part
on the Saturday or the Sunday here, I just hope
hold my breath and hope that the invite comes for
the next year.

Speaker 26 (01:31:59):
It's yeah.

Speaker 11 (01:32:00):
I mean, I'm a golf tragic anyway, So I love
I love playing, but when you get an event like
this that is extra special when you talk to all
the players, and the players talk about just how good
a week this is, and then us as ambassadors and
amateurs to be able to come and hang out with
them and play with them and.

Speaker 26 (01:32:17):
Just you know, sort of see how good they are
and sample some.

Speaker 11 (01:32:20):
Of their great hospitality that Coinstown and the New Zealand
put on for us, it's an incredible week.

Speaker 3 (01:32:26):
Golf, of course, is pretty popular with a variety of
sports people, you know, from rugby to rugby league, but
in particular cricket. Cricketers seem to really love their golf.
And I don't know this to be true, but it
seems like more cricketers play golf then they play anything
else apart from their own sport. What do you think
cricketers love their golf?

Speaker 11 (01:32:47):
Look, I think that I think the skills are quite similar. Obviously,
the hand eye coordination, so that's probably a big part
of it. I mean, you don't normally enjoy doing things
if you're not very good at them, So I think
I think cricketers are generally reasonably good at golf as
they are at tennis. There's a lot of good cricket
players that are very good tennis players as well. So
and I think the thing for you know, with cricket,
as you're touring all the time, you know, you go

(01:33:09):
to places like well here you come to the Company,
New Zealand and you go to the UK, you go
to South Africa, you go to some places where you
actually can play a lot of golf and play some
really good golf. And you know, I know most cricket
tours that I went on, the golf clubs normally found
their way onto the plane with him as well. So
and the more and more, the more and more of
this tweet t twenty stuff that the boys are playing
gives them more of a chance to play more golf.

Speaker 26 (01:33:30):
So yeah, I think that the games go hand in hat.

Speaker 3 (01:33:33):
Now, during your career, Rickie, you faced the fastest bowlers
in the world, and I'd presume that there was a
bit of trepidation around that, a bit of adrenaline pumping
through the veins. What about standing on the first t
at an event like this? Is there is there any
trepidation that comes with that?

Speaker 26 (01:33:50):
Oh more, mate, more.

Speaker 11 (01:33:51):
I'm not sure what my heart rate got to as
a batsman facing Cheryl Backtar, but I'll guarantee you on
the first tee here, when you've got a few hundred
people standing around you and you're out of your comfort
sat I reckon my heart rate. It's a bit high now.
Then it dipped back when I was playing cricket. But
I mean that's the beauty of it, right, Like I
think as ex professional sportsman, you like to be challenged

(01:34:12):
like that.

Speaker 26 (01:34:12):
You want to get the art rate going again.

Speaker 11 (01:34:15):
You want to be in a sort of a competitive
environment because once you've you know, once you've played as
long as I did, you know, seven and eighteen years
or whatever, and then you finally retire, the competition in
your life just stops. So to be able to replace
it with something like this on a slightly different level.
And we're not playing for any money, but you're playing
for a bit of pride, and as if you are
the cricket's year that I played against, you know, Steve
flam I'm pretty keen.

Speaker 26 (01:34:35):
To make sure I beat Steven Flaming this week. With
that on, With that said, the heart rate definitely stays up.

Speaker 3 (01:34:40):
Yeah, we're just on the other ambassadors there, and you
mentioned Fleam, Jeff Wilson's there of course, as Ralph Dagg,
the former All Black, A Hayden padd and Tim eber Crombie,
Richie McCaw who we hope to catch up with at
some states this afternoon as well. Is there a mini
competition going on among the ambassador ambassadors even a bit
of a friendly competition.

Speaker 11 (01:35:00):
We haven't we I mean, we don't sit around and
say that we'll actually have a bed on it or whatever.
But I think deep down there's a bit of competition
going on. Yeah, you know proor Ol Jeff Wilson, we're
talking about it last night. I I think he's been
here for sort of eleven or twelve years straight and
he hasn't made the cut once yet. So I think
we're as ambassadors, we've all got his fingers crossed and
hope that he can pull his finger out and make
the cut at least once. But no, I mean they're

(01:35:22):
pride of it. Yeah, I mean you want you just
want to. I mean not even so much that you
want to, you just actually want to be involved in
the tournament as long as you can, so you know,
qualify going into sad Day and then if you're good
enough to get.

Speaker 26 (01:35:34):
Into the last ten groups on Sunday, then you know
that's what it's all about.

Speaker 3 (01:35:37):
Yeah, And just to finish, Ricky, you're in one of
the most beautiful parts of New Zealand and you've obviously
told us how much you love it down there, But
do you still look around at the scenery sometimes around Millbrook,
the remarkables around Queenstown, and just marvel at it and think, man,
this looks like it's just been painted by somebody.

Speaker 26 (01:35:56):
It's exactly that.

Speaker 11 (01:35:57):
I mean, as I said, I've been lucky enough to
come here for eight or nine New Zealand opens, but
I actually bring my family here every year, skiing in
the winter time as well.

Speaker 26 (01:36:05):
So checking the resort here on Tuesday.

Speaker 11 (01:36:09):
Afternoon at Millbrook and the lady said, would you like
it map for the resort.

Speaker 26 (01:36:12):
And thence you looked at my check and thing against
you said, oh no, you might be okay.

Speaker 11 (01:36:16):
I can see that this is your seventeenth time staying
at Millbrook, So I didn't. I didn't need the map
to get around. I know this is This is undoubtedly
my favorite place in the world.

Speaker 26 (01:36:24):
I say. I say it to everyone.

Speaker 11 (01:36:25):
I've been lucky to travel all over the world, through
the States, through you, You're, through the Caribbean, wherever it
might be.

Speaker 26 (01:36:33):
Queenstown is my favorite place in the world. And I
tell that to everybody. And that's not just because of
the golf.

Speaker 11 (01:36:37):
It's the scheme that you can do and everything else
you can do here with your family. It's amazing. So look,
if the invite keeps coming one hundredercent, keep coming back,
I'll keep coming back with the skiing stuff during the winter.
In fact, I'm going to catch up with the head
at Millbrook here and make sure I've got my trip
booked in for later this year, probably in September this year.

Speaker 26 (01:36:56):
And yeah, I'll be back again. Do about that?

Speaker 3 (01:36:59):
Yeah, brilliant stuff. Rickie, Hey, thanks so much for taking
the time out of your weekend to chat to us
all the beast for the rest of it. Great to
have you in town, and thanks for chatting to us
the South.

Speaker 26 (01:37:06):
Thanks mate, Good on you, No, good on you, Ricky.

Speaker 3 (01:37:08):
Thanks indeed. Ricky Ponting there from Melbrook where he's part
of the pro am and one of the New Zealand
Golf Opens ambassadors for twenty twenty five. Dozen Sanders are
say so they needed to twist his arm very much
to come back his favorite place in the world. Outstanding stuff.
Great to have Ricky Ponting in town. As always to
twenty one. We gotta take a break when we come back.

(01:37:30):
It's to horse racing. The inaugural four and a half
million dollar in New Zealand bloodstot Keiw at Allesleie Race
Course next Saturday. We'll talk to one of the jockeys,
Samantha Win when we come.

Speaker 1 (01:37:40):
Back the Voice of Sport on your Home of Sport
Weekend Sport with Jason Vyne and GJ Gunnos New Zealand's
most trusted home builder.

Speaker 3 (01:37:49):
News Talks, News Talks. He'll be two twenty four just
updating you on some live sport which is happening around
the country at the moment. In the final of the
halle Burton Johnston Shield, this is the women's fifty over
domestic competition. Auckland have posted two hundred and ninety one
for five batting first against Otago at the University of
Otago Oval in Dunedin. The headline act Maddy Green one

(01:38:13):
hundred and twenty six off one hundred and twenty three balls,
helped by Lauren Downs ninety off eighty nine so two
hundred and ninety one for five. Otago will come out
shortly in their chase for two hundred and ninety two
to win the Halliburton Johnston Shield. And Super Rugby OPICKI
is underway with chiefs Manawa up against Matatu at FMG Stadium,

(01:38:36):
Waikatal in Hamilton. Seventeen minutes gone, no score in that one.
We're back to the New Zealand Golf Open as well
inside the next half an hour. But let's go to
horse racing. The inaugural four and a half million en
z B KIWI is on at Alisy Race Course next Saturday. Now,
Pivotal ten has been selected to run in the race,
almost coming from nowhere to become the surprise star of

(01:38:58):
the South and being described as the People's horse. Pivotal
ten was purchased for just fifteen thousand dollars at the
twenty twenty two New Zealand Bloodstock National Weenling Sale. Three
years on, she'll race for a share of four and
a half million in the Southern Hemisphere's richest race for
three year olds and New Zealand's richest annual sporting event.

(01:39:21):
She is unbeaten in her last five starts for trainer
and jockey Samantha Wynn, who joins us Now, sam thanks
for joining us. How is Pivotal ten risen to prominence
and success so quickly and so spectacularly?

Speaker 7 (01:39:36):
She's just tends to be the ould in a professional
and I must say she's probably trained very well. No, Look,
she she's superstar here. She's just got a lovely, laid
back nature and really loves loves her racing.

Speaker 3 (01:39:51):
In terms of the way you train her, Are there
any specifics to that, anything that you do that is
unique to you or I mean, what has been the
bedrock of the success that you've found with Pivotal ten.

Speaker 7 (01:40:04):
Yeah, Look, I don't think you. I think every trying
to hit their own regime, you know, and what I've
picked up over the years walking from many trainers, and
you kind of just put it into practice, but you
kind of it's trial and error, still loads to learn.

Speaker 17 (01:40:18):
Well, look, it's just all.

Speaker 7 (01:40:19):
About keeping the hearse fit, happy and healthy is the start,
you know, and then the rest is really up to
their ability most of the time. But she's very straightforward
to trying. They said, the good ones trying themselves. But look, yeah,
still learning about our and hopefully they's a bit Marke corn.

Speaker 3 (01:40:35):
Well sounds like they will be. Are the same philosophies
of training horses, you know, are the transferable across every
horse or is every horse just slightly unique?

Speaker 7 (01:40:46):
Yeah? Every horse has their own characteristics. You know, a
lot of them are straightforward. A lot of them can
be very hard work, and the quirky ones and normally
the ones with a lot of ability to you know,
but you treat them individually and try and get the
best out of them, because if you try and treat
them all the same, you probably wouldn't get a good result.

Speaker 3 (01:41:04):
One of Pivotal teams most recent wins came in the
Athlen Guinea's an absolute demolition job, winning by more than
eight lengths. How do you reflect on that?

Speaker 14 (01:41:11):
Rice?

Speaker 7 (01:41:12):
Look, it was something else. So she blew me away,
to be honestly, because of her track work at home.
She doesn't work like a champion at home, you know,
like she doesn't show you any signs of what she's
capable of. When she steps out onto the track. She's
just the switches into race mode, you know, and she
seems happy in herself and just loves at work. But

(01:41:33):
she's got a lot of ability, a lot of natural ability.
So I'm just blessed to have her.

Speaker 3 (01:41:37):
So you didn't really have You must have had an
inkling though that that she was capable of something like that.

Speaker 7 (01:41:43):
Not really, to be honest, like she's she just keeps
stepping up each time we bring her to the races.
You know, she's maturing as we go. I wrote her
actually in a fourth twelve for another trainer and she
you know, she was only a two year old baby then,
but didn't really get much of a fail of her
and just thought she needed to mature. And she's still matured.

(01:42:04):
And don't get me wrong, but she still has a
bit of filling out to do, but she's stepping up
each time and she seems happy. She loves her food,
which is the key to a lot of phillies. You know,
as long as they're eating like I tend to try
and a lot out the feed, then is they're not eating,
you just back off them a little bit. But yeah,
they definitely have to be happy in their mind.

Speaker 3 (01:42:22):
And you're the first female jockey confirmed for the New
Zealand Bloodstock. Keywait, was this one you were targeting personally?

Speaker 7 (01:42:29):
No, no, not all. Actually I see Sam Spratt, who's
an amazing rider. She has a ride in the race
and deservedly so. Now look, we had no no intest,
not that I didn't have interest in the race, but
it didn't really look too much into it because one
you have to be selected to run into it and
the South Island horses don't get a look in normally,
you know, And she's just come on the scene and

(01:42:53):
really put herself on the map, you know, So I
think she deserves a crack. The owner deserves a crack.
The owner's very kind to me and he's really good
to trying for so he deserves it as much as
the team at home. You know.

Speaker 3 (01:43:04):
How do you balance training with rodding?

Speaker 7 (01:43:07):
Oh It's very challenging sometimes, you know. But I've got
great team of staff at home that I know all
bases have covered well. I head away to the races,
you know, I have to look after them well, just
that I know that they look after with the love
and care that I do, you know, and you need that,
and so just having a good balance and trying not
to overdo it. It is hard sometimes because sometimes you
just want to hand the reins over and say it's

(01:43:28):
up to the jockey now. But I'm in the jockey,
so I just don't need to get a bit of
a break. But at the same time, I bloody love it,
you know.

Speaker 3 (01:43:36):
Is it common same as what you do training and riding?
Is that common or not?

Speaker 7 (01:43:42):
I don't think so. To be honest, not many. I
think there's one lady trying to know she has a
few and work, But I go up to about eighteen,
I'm up there and like having a gusty Royds look.
It's I don't even think the steward they're a fan
of what I'm doing, because it's probably spreading myselves out
of the breath of the moment. I seem to be
managing okay mentally and physically physically, Probably more is the

(01:44:03):
challenging part because I've had a good few fall over
the years and his body is not in great shape anymore,
so I have to be mindful of that as well.

Speaker 3 (01:44:13):
You know, But do you think that do you think
the two can be complimentary? Do you think like being
a trying to helps you with riding and vice versa.

Speaker 7 (01:44:21):
Yeah, definitely, it helps me understand what I was in
behind the scenes, and you know how much it cost
to get a horse to the races. So I definitely
try harder, try and have for every trainer, but definitely
not more understanding.

Speaker 4 (01:44:32):
Of it now.

Speaker 7 (01:44:33):
Like I was speaking to someone a traptoid this morning,
then you know, somewhat like, yeah, I've got the nerves
of doing the job now on the court. But also
I know that I know we'll walk down into the race.
I think he's an advantage ring out the horse inside,
you know. I think there is big advantages to that.

Speaker 3 (01:44:53):
You talked before about being in a couple of falls.
Of course, there was that horrendous accident at the end
of twenty twenty two. You are one of four riders
injured in a fatal race in Ashburn and twenty six
year old cross You try to Magan Taylor died that day.
How do you reflect on that time in your life?
Very very hard, hard.

Speaker 7 (01:45:13):
Thing to go through, like for anybody, like our family.
I just I can't take get her family out of
my head, you know a lot of the time, and
I know that they're lovely people. She was just an
amazing girl. She brightened up the room. She saw from
the jockeys room, the girl's jockeys room. Can we have
work sometimes, but she really brought a good balance to it,
and she saw fened us all around us. She's just

(01:45:34):
been She was an amazing girl. And one of the
reasons why I am keeping going this for her. I'm
trying to do me best for her.

Speaker 6 (01:45:41):
You know.

Speaker 7 (01:45:43):
It's just very sad she was so young, but look,
we all we didn't have to move on. And I
think of her all the time, you know, and a
lot of it is in honor of Gore.

Speaker 3 (01:45:53):
Did you have any trepidation returning to riding after that?

Speaker 7 (01:45:57):
A little bit? Like originally when I found out the
outcome on the day, I said that I didn't think
I was going to ride anymore. Like I've been in
three races now where three girls have passed away. So
it's and I don't want to do it in my family,
you know, getting that phone call. It the phone call
was bad enough when when I was brought down too,
but look it's just them. Yeah, a fear. You fear

(01:46:19):
the outcome, obviously, But at the same time, if I
thought like that, I wouldn't be out there. I'm really
enjoying where I am at the moment. I didn't think
I get that confidence back. But training and riding me
on horses is just a dream like you, I can't
describe it. I'm very lucky on you.

Speaker 3 (01:46:34):
And do you get nervous aside from the you know,
I guess the physical danger that you you put yourself in.
Do you get nervous for big events? You're nervous, just
you know, just before you jump.

Speaker 7 (01:46:45):
Ah, yeah, yeah, I'm only humans and the definitely, but look,
I kind of you have to put it aside once
you're on the horse, you know. I think once I
go in the gate, it's just all put to the
back of your head ring and you just have to
erase the rod, you know. Always trying me best, sometimes
trying too hard, but you know, it's it's a great
outfield and the nerves can't get to you sometimes. But

(01:47:09):
look we're out there doing our best and it's a
very dangerous job. So and we always want to win.
You can, you can guarantee that, you know, but you
know you have to get some some wrong sometimes, but yeah,
you just have to move on from that.

Speaker 3 (01:47:23):
When and how did you come to New Zealand.

Speaker 7 (01:47:26):
My ex boyfriend he moved over for the rebuilding. I
got told to give up hope being a jockie. Like
in Ireland, I got twenty four royds over three years.
In New Zealand in three years I got over thousand rys.
So it was a big different than the opportunity. But yeah,
my ex boyfriend he moved over ahead of me and
kind of telling me that the girls were getting a
good go here to move over and get me the

(01:47:47):
ultimate and to move over. I didn't really want to,
but I was doing a good job. But I'm glad
I did. And he didn't even have a visa, so
he had to move back to Ireland after four weeks
and me being here and so that was a bit
a hard time, but I was very lucky.

Speaker 3 (01:48:02):
So so back in Ireland you were getting very limited
of unities as a female jockey.

Speaker 7 (01:48:08):
Oh yeah, look a ride every two or three months.
Oh wow, Yeah, every time I've brought there, Fellow, it
was the fourth time, you know.

Speaker 3 (01:48:15):
Yeah, I guess, well it must be. I can only guess.
But the more you do it, I guess the more
you are comfortable with it. So is the New Zealand
bloodstot Key. We're going to be the biggest race you've raced.

Speaker 7 (01:48:24):
In Oh totally. It's me forwards runner in an art
Island and it's what you always dream of as a jockey,
a strapper. Anyone that in the industry wants to take
part in such a team, you know. So I'm delighted
that we're getting a trend.

Speaker 3 (01:48:38):
Sam. It's just been such a delight chatting to you.
We'll be looking out for you next Saturday at Ellieslie.
I'll see if I can see any nerves in your
eyes on the start line. Not in my eyes. That
good to be able to see you. But hey, all
the best, thanks for chatting to us and wish you
wish you every success and the inn zedb.

Speaker 7 (01:48:53):
Key We thank you for your time.

Speaker 3 (01:48:55):
All the best now, all the best to you too, Sam.
That is a cement that will win delightful a rider
and trainer and she'll be a board pivotal ten in
the insied b Key wee Lee Racecourse next Saturday. We'll
have a lot more in terms of preview for that
on the show next weekend. It's twenty five to three.
Back to the New Zealand Golf Open shortly but just

(01:49:17):
a quick stop in super Rugby town, which last night
was Albany. A narrow escape for the Highlanders after holding
off Majana pacifica thirty one twenty nine at Albany. The
Southerners were thirty one ten ahead at the break before
Mawana pulled off a spirited second half fight back. A
wait to the left week corner ha ha many only

(01:49:40):
a billium how many.

Speaker 12 (01:49:43):
Gits the three tap and go in the twenty two somebody.

Speaker 27 (01:49:46):
Hoddle sit right, put it down some trick playe Marie
Subody had dropped it back in the pocket.

Speaker 3 (01:49:56):
It's a messid two pool, Hei, Lord, it's over. They
couldn't quite get there though. Thirty one twenty nine to
the Highlanders, who are two and one now and sitting
well up near the top of the table, which for
Highlanders fans will be something very pleasing to their eyes.
I'm just going to actually check the table before I
go too much further. The Chiefs are still top with

(01:50:17):
two wins from two. The Highlanders two wins and a
loss are equal on points. Then the Waratas, the Force
and the Reds. But still a lot of games to
come this weekend, so that table will change. Chiefs Brumby's
four thirty five Hurricanes Blues five past seven, Force, Reds
nine thirty five tonight. But back to last night's game,
what went wrong in the first half for more one
pacificated they were thirty one to ten down. Here's coach

(01:50:39):
tana Umaga.

Speaker 30 (01:50:42):
It's a good question. Probably probably need a bit more
time to have a look at the game. And but
it just our eras. We just made a few errors,
and you know it's at this level, you know, make
those kind of eras with the capabilities of the players
that you know, the teams have, they just capitalize on

(01:51:03):
for us. And so it's just something that we need
to you know, we've talked about it.

Speaker 4 (01:51:08):
It's us.

Speaker 30 (01:51:09):
You know, we made a lot of errors in that
first twenty minutes that gave them those opportunities to get
points up on us. You know, so it's only us
that can kure what's happening to us. So you know,
I suppose that's a positive for us. You know, we
just got to keep looking at ourselves and it's not
making it hard for ourselves in these games, you know,
and you can't us much more from our captain in

(01:51:34):
terms of the showcasing, the effort that you need to
win these games and the and also you know that
the clinical, as Ardie said, you know, being clinical in
those moments when we're down there, our forwards are doing
great work. Again, we just got to compliment that, you know,
in terms of what we're doing after it.

Speaker 3 (01:51:53):
That's kind of Artie Savia is a ton of reference
to during that club is captain of mo Wana Pacifica.
So how proud was Ardie Savia of the second half
fight back by his side?

Speaker 21 (01:52:03):
Yeah, other lands, But for me it's you know, like
at the end of the day, I'm we got to
win games.

Speaker 1 (01:52:14):
You know.

Speaker 25 (01:52:15):
As much as you know there were great moments for
our team, you know, we still we still lost. And
for this team, you know, we want to win games
and we've got to find ways to do that and
we don't have ourselves and.

Speaker 21 (01:52:31):
So you know we have to be better.

Speaker 25 (01:52:33):
But you know, extremely like there's moments there that you
know the boys, you know, fronted up now the next task,
grew down twenty one and we got back within the game.
You know, those are the those are the moments where
the boys showed ticker. It's just we got to stop
putting ourselves in those positions and whether that's the mental game,

(01:52:53):
whether that's nailing our next moment where that's we switch off.
We've got to financewers quickly and that's that's something that
we need to prove on.

Speaker 3 (01:53:01):
There's the voice of Ari Savea, Captain of Molana Pacifica.
So you look at this score this season Mowana they
lost forty five forty four to the Force, then fifty
six thirty six to the Reds and then last night
thirty one twenty nine to the Highlanders. So scoring points,
as I said before, is not a problem for this team,
one hundred and nine of them across their first three games.

(01:53:24):
It's just the leakage at the other end. So next
up for Moana Pacifica they will take on I think
they might have to buy. No, they don't know that.
They don't have to buy just yet. They've got the
Hurricanes actually next weekend. The Hurricanes next weekend back at Albany.
So for Adi Savia, that'll be a bit special, won't
it coming up against his former side. Don't forget. All

(01:53:44):
games involving New Zealand sides, including Mowana Pacifica in both
Super Rugby Pacific and Super Rugby Opakey are broadcast live
on Gold Sport and via iHeartRadio twenty to three. It's
gonna breakaway when we come back, Richie mccaugh not talking rugby,
talking golf, and we're back there as well with Andrew
Ortison at the New Zealand Golf Open, the Big.

Speaker 1 (01:54:06):
Shoes on and after field call eighty ten eighty weekends
Ford with Jason Pain and GJ. Gunner Homes New Zealand's
first trusted home. Milder News Talks, Abby.

Speaker 3 (01:54:17):
News Talks back to Milbrook for an update on the
leaderboard shortly at seventeen to three. But as I mentioned
earlier in the hour, there are a number of New
Zealand Golf Open Ambassadors playing in the pro am. We've
heard from Ricky Ponting. Let's bring in another one double
World Cup winning All Blacks captain Richie McCaw who is
a New Zealand Golf Open Ambassador this time around. Good

(01:54:37):
to jettire Richie. How are you enjoying your time at
the New Zealand Open.

Speaker 4 (01:54:42):
I loving being here.

Speaker 31 (01:54:44):
My golf is yeah, certainly nothing to write home about,
but yeah it's a pretty pretty cool event and yeah,
very very privileged to be involved.

Speaker 3 (01:54:53):
Is golf something that you have played a lot of, Richie?
Did you play much golf during your your rugby playing days.

Speaker 4 (01:54:59):
I did a little bit early on.

Speaker 31 (01:55:00):
I read a crew and the Crusaders used to get
out on the occasion, but I was never very good,
didn't really get enthusiastic.

Speaker 4 (01:55:08):
But a bunch of mates these days, the absolutely love
the golf.

Speaker 31 (01:55:13):
Every week in Away once a year I've turned up
been some of the worst golfer, so I've tried to
get a little bit better, get a couple of lessons,
those sort of things. But yeah, it's very hit and mess.
So I can can be on fire for a couple
of holes and then yeah, you get a bits pretty quickly.
So but yeah, I do enjoy it. And it's one
of those things that you know you're gonna put a
bit of time and any better.

Speaker 3 (01:55:34):
You've just described every single goal for listening to the
show Richie, you know, on fire for a couple of
holes and then it all turns to casting. You must, though,
enjoy being in one of the most beautiful parts of
New Zealand. How is it just sort of walking around
the course there down at Millbrook, I.

Speaker 31 (01:55:50):
Was playing with the guys, just playing with see him,
I forgot his last name, but the pro from Aussie.
He's just something mate every time a company. I just
can't believe this spectacular setting in view the play golf
and and yeah I think it's key with the preps
take for granted, but it's an amazing scene and immaculate
course and you know you know, having standing beside these

(01:56:13):
pros haven't hit your ball, it feels it's very cool.

Speaker 3 (01:56:17):
Yeah, And I spoke to Ricky Ponting earlier and asked
him this question. He's been involved, obviously in massive cricket matches.
You've been involved in the biggest rugby matches New Zealand's
ever played, World Cup finals and such like. I'm not
sure if you got nervous or not before those, but
do you get nervous on the first tea at events
like this?

Speaker 7 (01:56:37):
Yeah?

Speaker 31 (01:56:38):
Like people asked me that, and yeah, I get nervous.
I got nervous for four games of rugby. But you
kind of bet yourself you had some knowledge and some
skill to be able to handle it. When you when
you get those sort of feelings and you're actually not
sure what to do with a golf stick, they would
every thing goes tense. And today I'm the first tea.
At least I made contact. But it wasn't It wasn't

(01:56:59):
the best shot. But Jesus, when you ever goes quiet
and standing over it, some funny thoughts go through you.

Speaker 3 (01:57:04):
Here to tell you, I bet and you're one of
a number of New Zealand Golf Open ambassadors down there.
I mentioned Ricky Ponting, Tom Eber, Crombie, Hayden padd and
Grant Elliott, Jeff Wilson. Is he dad, who no doubt
has a bit to say one of your former teammates.
Are you enjoying the friendly competition among the other ambassadors.

Speaker 4 (01:57:22):
Yeah, a great fun.

Speaker 31 (01:57:24):
And I got to play with Ricky Ponting yesterday, who's
you know, obviously a classic cricket, but the classic golfer
as well, like he's on a scratch handicap pretty much.
And yeah, that was that was very cool. And I
give is he dead Clinia stick? He likes to back himself,
but he still He's told me the day I beat

(01:57:44):
him playing golf today he gives up.

Speaker 4 (01:57:46):
So that's all we challenge for me to keep working out.

Speaker 3 (01:57:49):
That's great motivation to make his role dad give up
golf on the on the course. In terms of the professionals, Richie,
obviously we've we've waited a while for a New Zealand winner,
the last one back in twenty seventeen. How good would
it be to see a New Zealand winner win the
New Zealand Open sometimes tomorrow?

Speaker 4 (01:58:07):
Oh, it would be awesome it would be awesome.

Speaker 31 (01:58:08):
And you know, I don't follow golf enough to know
all the pedigree of all the guys, but if everyone
say is a pretty strong field, and you know, I
know John Hatton the organizers making sure they make it
now and they love to see a keep we winning
it again. So yeah, it's I guess we'll wait and see,
but yeah, it's I'm not going to be able to

(01:58:29):
blame the course or the backet because it's absolutely perfect.

Speaker 3 (01:58:33):
And this must be wandering around a course like like
you are down at Millbrook. It must be slightly more
relaxing than than doing the coast to coast as you
did in a couple of weeks ago.

Speaker 4 (01:58:44):
Well, in a way, I kind of, as I say,
when you know what you're doing, you sort of relax
a bit.

Speaker 31 (01:58:50):
So we're I'm on the bike. I sort of don't mind.
But this is quite stressful really when you walk up.
But yeah, a different sort of stress, but it is.

Speaker 4 (01:58:59):
It is.

Speaker 31 (01:59:00):
Yeah, now, I've really really enjoyed it so far, and
you'll just board the next couple of days.

Speaker 3 (01:59:04):
Good on your Richie. Hey, well thanks for joining us.
It's great that you're having a good time down there
as one of the New Zealand Golf Open Ambassadors. I
appreciate you taking the time for a quick chat to
us this afternoon. Appreciation, No problem, thanks mate. That's Richie
mccaugh of course, and it's a golfer our greatest all
black and enjoying himself as a New Zealand Golf Open Ambassador.
By the sounds of things, it's coming up eleven to three.
Let's get you back to the course and to the

(01:59:26):
top of the leaderboard. Andrew Ordison is our man at Millbrook,
following along. Great to hear chat to Sam Jones a
short time ago, orders how far back is he from
the runaway leader, Good Tacco of Korea.

Speaker 17 (01:59:37):
Well it's currently five back at the moment point, so
Jones on fifteen under the card. He's finished with after
that ten under round on this copposite course, so getting
through in sixty one. But there's going to be some
serious competition at the front there with good tac Co.
He is on his own, pretty much allergic to pars.
So far in this round he's had four birdies and

(01:59:59):
a bogie and continues to advance his course, so he's
at twenty under the card across the tournament. Remember the
rec called for the tournament is twenty seven under from
Daniel Lisbet which was seventy years ago at Millbrook Resort
and co doing his utmost to stay out in front there.
James Mkassoni Maksani is in the fifteen under as well

(02:00:20):
at this particular juncture, and well other New Zealander's moving
their way up through the ranks. Michael Henry thirteen under
his two out of the day through seven so far,
Mark Brown has moved to twelve under, He's six under
the day through sixteen, and Josh Gary back in eleven
under overall, So there or thereabouts. But as you were
saying earlier on you want to be I'm guessing within

(02:00:42):
three or four I've gottac code to have any chance
hitting is that final round?

Speaker 3 (02:00:47):
Well E might make that impossible if he keeps shooting
the lights out like he is. What are the galleries
like today around around the course?

Speaker 14 (02:00:53):
Orders, yesh, I've got a.

Speaker 17 (02:00:54):
Good sight for it right at the moment, just looking
back through the course and just hundreds of people in here, Pinty,
this people and it was right from the wed go
since we came down to Spoil was here relatively early
and people's three through the gates, and they had other
aspects of the game involved. It was a she Loves
Golf exhibition as you came on, and there was a
pitch and put competition, et cetera. Just involving people in

(02:01:17):
so many ways, children, cia and adults and people just
embracing it. So following it round. Just plenty of people
behind the ropes just watching this and especially I'm just
looking out over the eighteenth at the moment with the
gallery around it. That's going to be quite the scene
come well this time Sunday, but another couple of hours,

(02:01:38):
et cetera. So it's creating quite the atmosphere.

Speaker 3 (02:01:41):
Good Man, Orders, thanks so much for your reports this afternoon.
You can continue to Andrews' reports courtesy of News Talks
thereby top of every hour in our Sports News. But
guntac Co, as you heard from, Orders, there with a
five shot lead at the moment, three under through five
holes in his third round. He's ahead of a group
of three players, one of who is the key we
the leading key we Sam Jones, who has carted at

(02:02:01):
ten under sixty one today and is in the clubhouse
at fifteen under. Nine to three on News Talks EDB
and Weekend Sport.

Speaker 1 (02:02:10):
Analyzing every view from every angle in the sporting world.
Weekend Sport with Jason Pie they call eight hundred and
eighty and eighty News Talks.

Speaker 3 (02:02:19):
EDB coming up five and a half away from three.
That is us on Weekend Sport for today, just a
quick look ahead to tomorrow. Between twelve and one tomorrow
on Weekend Sport, we have a comprehensive build up for
you to the first Warriors game of twenty twenty five.
They're in Las Vegas to take on the Raiders one
o'clock New Zealand time kickoff tomorrow, So between twelve and
one we will build towards that will also look at

(02:02:40):
the big Super Rugby stories that happen tonight yet to
be written. We'll talk some cricket as well, and even
some Golden shears that will feature on the show tomorrow
as well. Francisca Rudkin has the Saturday edition of the
Weekend Collective for you after three o'clock. Thank you for
listening in this afternoon. Thanks to Andy McDonnell for producing
with such skill and exquisite timing. As per usual, those

(02:03:03):
compliments going finey I like it, Well, I'd rather you
went out with a side. What have you got, Well,
I've got It's actually my partner's birthday today, so she's
a huge Bob Sega fan, so we've got night Moves
to finish up the show today. Very happy birthday to
your row. Great song choice too. We will see you
tomorrow on Weekend Sport, Working and practice.

Speaker 1 (02:04:42):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live
to news talks it be weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio.

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