Full Show Podcast: 11 May 2025

Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport Podcast with Jason Vine
from News Talk said B.

Speaker 2 (00:13):
The only place for the.

Speaker 1 (00:15):
Big names, the big issues, the big controversies and the
big conversations. It's all on Weekend Sport with Jason Vine
on your home of Sport news Talks.

Speaker 3 (00:28):
Ed B.

Speaker 2 (00:30):
Coulter. Good afternoon and a very warm welcome into Weekend
Sport for Sunday, May eleven, Happy birthday, Yuki Sonoda, Happy
birthday Victim Mattfield. Most importantly, Happy Mother's Day to my mom,
to producer Andy's mum. Also to my wife and my sister.
If you're a mum, I hope your special day is
going while you're being looked after. I'm Jason Pine Show

(00:50):
producer Andy McDonald. Here is your Saturday night sporting rap.
We know who the Super Rugby favorites are now Rome.

Speaker 4 (00:59):
Gets at the touch and the chicks come to christ
Church and make a real statement of tents and the
Super Rugby competition. From sixteen points down, they win by
sixteen thirty five nineteen.

Speaker 2 (01:16):
We know the Warriors are the real deal.

Speaker 4 (01:17):
They go back to Leyton Lua turn out ball lockdown
by with tennis a Lesbia.

Speaker 5 (01:23):
The Warriors.

Speaker 6 (01:24):
We again there fourth on the.

Speaker 2 (01:27):
Trots and we know who Auckland FC will play in
the A League Semis.

Speaker 4 (01:31):
As victory foot best spots in the semifinals for the
second year running, they will now face Auckland's in the
last four.

Speaker 2 (01:40):
So Rugby, rugby, Leagan football. We're going to cover it
all off for you next couple of hours. Stacy Jones
in a moment out of the Warriors camp Quiner part
from the Chiefs and your thoughts on some or all
of those things are welcome. Lines open all afternoon. Don't
wait for an invitation, just get in touch when the
mood strikes. Other matters around today are Trans Tasman basketball
double ahead of this afternoon in Hamilton, our Tall Blacks

(02:02):
and Tall Ferns playing the Australian Boomers and Opals coach
John Flavel's on the show. There's a new face in
Neples Amsed Premiership. The defending champion Northern Mystics have recruited
Australian shooter to now Wallam. She's in studio with us
this afternoon and we're going to rap American sport, including
the NBA Semis which are ongoing. Leon Busby along before
three James mcconey with his regular weekend thoughts as well

(02:25):
Live Sport while we're on the the NBA Semi Finals,
as I say, continue in the West, Game three between
the Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves underway at twelve
thirty in San Francisco, that series locked up at one apiece,
whole host of Round one matches and football's Chatham Cup
to keep an eye on this afternoon as well as mentioned,
we invite you to take part in the show if
you would like to Easy eight hundred and eighty ten

(02:48):
eighty on the phone nine two ninety two for your
thoughts via text emails and to Jason at Newstalk SEB
dot co dot nz. Coming up ten past midday.

Speaker 1 (02:59):
The Scoon from the Track, Fields and the Court on
your home of sport Weekend Sport with Jason vine Us
Talks NB.

Speaker 2 (03:06):
The Warriors have beaten the Dragons fifteen fourteen to secure
their fourth straight NROL win.

Speaker 7 (03:12):
Metcalf he is digging one pointer and he's got it.

Speaker 4 (03:17):
It stays inside the right, up right they go early.

Speaker 2 (03:21):
Metcalf takes them one. So the Warriors led fourteen nil
and then fourteen four at halftime before the Dragons leveled
things up at fourteen all, but that sixty ninth minute
Luke metcalf field goal proved decisive and gave the Warriors
the fifteen fourteen victory. Assistant coach Stacy Jones is with
us from the airport as the team prepares to fly home.

(03:43):
You fly home station second place. Four straight wins, a
tight one last night, though, how do you reflect on it?

Speaker 8 (03:50):
Yeah, look, obviously, you know, really happy with the first
half performance where you know, we're a pretty clinical start
of the game, and then that end of the first half,
you know we probably lost a little bit of bit
of momentum with probably not controlling the ruck as much,
and then you know we just the second half, we
come out and you know, some good patches there, but obviously,

(04:12):
you know, the Dragons are a very good attacking team,
so we probably gave them too much, no freedom to play,
and you know, we discipline probably let us down at
times and we come up to a couple of eras
when we sort of got a bit of momentum back.
But yeah, it was a really really tough as cool
performance and you know we're losing Jackson Ford in the

(04:35):
middle we put a bit of pressure on Mitch Barnett
and here and Clarketer played some decent minutes.

Speaker 2 (04:40):
As far as the clinical nature of the first half
hours concerned. Stay, you know, you sit there and watch that.
I mean, how pleased were you with the with the
first thirty minutes or so?

Speaker 8 (04:49):
Yeah, Look, you know it was a really good how
we want to play the game, you know, as far
as you know what we expect from our players and
you know, getting to the end of our sets and
putting them in tough positions to bring the ball back.
You know, we won that battle the momentum and there
was a there's a period there with all balls and
play for I think over seven minutes and you know,

(05:11):
they they cracked first. So that was very pleasing for
us that we were able to play a long period
of time and putting the pressure back on them.

Speaker 2 (05:20):
So they bring it back to fourteen, all, there's still
quite a bit of time to go twenty five minutes. Well,
so when do you start thinking about a drop goal
in a tight game like that?

Speaker 8 (05:31):
Yeah, good question. You know he's going to get a
feel for it, and you know we're reflected on it,
and then I think it was Kurt Caple that when
it spoke to Luke about thinking about it soon. I
think it was Mark twelve thirty minutes to go when
when Luke did it, And I think Luke probably thought
it might have been a bit too early, but you know,
he listened to the old head of of Kurt and

(05:56):
you know, it wasn't a lot of pressure on him
and he nailed it. And then from there on in
it was you know, we we sort of had had
our nose in front as far as how the game
was going, and you know we close it out pretty good.

Speaker 2 (06:08):
You're a very good judge of blokes aware the Seven Jersey.
How have you assessed the growth and development of of
Luke Metcalf this year.

Speaker 8 (06:16):
Yeah, Look, he's getting a lot of confidence what he's
doing with the team. In his combination with Chanel, it's
been really good and you know way egan there, so
they've got a really good good connection with how they're
doing things.

Speaker 9 (06:29):
And look, you know there's there's.

Speaker 8 (06:32):
Premier camprovement and Luke and his game and obviously you know,
but like we said, the start they was was very
good for him. But there are times where you know,
he knows that he can get better, and you know,
we probably could have put a bit more pressure on them,
But yeah, Luke's just I think these games has gone
to another level and taking on the responsibility.

Speaker 6 (06:54):
Of being our main ball player has been really good
for him.

Speaker 2 (06:57):
Stace, you've won four games this season now by four
points or less. I know it's probably not great for
the heart rate up on the coach's box, but last
year you lost half a dozen games by that sort
of margin. How have you developed the ability to close
out type games?

Speaker 8 (07:12):
Yeah, I guess that's that's been a real pleasing part
of our performances, where you know, we have been able
to win these type ones. Obviously, you know you'd love
to win some games a bit more comfortable than what
we had, but yeah, I guess it's the beauty of
it that we know that there's a lot of improvement
in this in this group, and you know, winning these
tough ones is only going to make us a better team.

(07:34):
So yeah, like I said, it'd be nice to be
a little bit more comfortable and where we are at
the moment of things.

Speaker 2 (07:42):
And obviously, before last night, the drag Dragons had lost
their last two, you'd won the previous three so I
guess momentum is on your side. Do you think that
plays a part as well, when when games are really tough,
that you believe that you will get across the line.

Speaker 8 (07:57):
I think you know this was anything Jason wanting Breed's
confidence and none. Obviously when you're losing it sort of know,
you can knock your comfort and so yeah, look, going
going to you know, to Illa Warror to play a
game and you know there are tough teams to play
down there. So that was a feazing thing about it,

(08:17):
regardless of what happened to them previously where they'd had
a couple of losses, but they they want a really
good games this year. They beat Melbourne, beat Manly Away.
You know they're a tough, tough unit to beat you
down and down in Wildong. So yeah, look for us,
it's getting confidence with with what we're doing and we

(08:37):
know that you know, we can get better. Last week
by the way, we need to get better.

Speaker 2 (08:42):
Yeah. Well, and and as you as you said on
the planet, hopefully you get the chance to watch movie
or something, but as you analyze what happened last night,
where do you see the growth theory is on the side.

Speaker 8 (08:53):
I think you know, we spoke about the start, you know,
and it's not always going to go your way. But
similar to last week, you know, we had a period
there of about ten fifteen minutes where you know, we
let the Cowboys sort of dombinate it us and you know,
I think, you know, it's just trying to help stop momentum,
and that's the game at the moment. Like, no mentum

(09:14):
is a big thing. I've never seen how big teams
can swing things in the competition this year, you know,
any other time of how this competition has been going
where you know, you can feel like you're comfortable, but
soon as you slip up, teams are just too good
now to turn things. And you know, like I don't
know how many games you have been this weekend where

(09:34):
teams have been in a position to win games comfortable,
but then all of a sudden, these other teams they
know how, you know, they can get a bit of
confidence with what they do.

Speaker 6 (09:44):
And it's the tough thing about it.

Speaker 2 (09:46):
Last time you won four straight was the back end
of twenty twenty three, when you won seven on the trump.
We know what a great season twenty twenty three was.
Does this feel a bit like twenty twenty three to.

Speaker 8 (09:56):
You, Oh, look, certainly the support that the team, the
club's getting at the moment, it feels a bit like that.
But you know, obviously we're a new group of players
and I think they're you know, they're getting some really
good confidence what they're doing. But yeah, there's a long
long way to go, Jason, and you know, you can

(10:19):
lose a couple then you know you can find yourself,
you know, outside the top eight. But you know, for us,
it's just keeping on you taking each game as it comes.
You know, Origin is coming up, and I think we'll
probably lose definitely Mitch and made him KG to there,
So there'll be a couple of losses for us, and
you know that will be a testing period to see
where're at when it comes comes around.

Speaker 2 (10:41):
Have a relaxing flight home, Stace, thanks as always for
the chat mate.

Speaker 8 (10:44):
I appreciate Jason Norris, but thank.

Speaker 2 (10:46):
You, no, thank you, Stacy. Stacy Jones, assistant coach of
the Warriors. There Warriors fans, your turn to like curiate
and that it was like it was teen Wasn't it
very very tight game? If you're like me, you were
maybe you had divided attention for parts of that game
last night, because I was trying to keep tabs on
the Crusader's Chiefs and the Warriors Dragons at the same time.

(11:08):
But once the Crusaders Chiefs game had finished, I could
fully focus on the Warriors, and that sort of coincided
with the last nervy sort of twenty thirty minutes. Oh,
eight hundred and eighty ten eighty Warriors fans, your second
Warriors can't fall out at the top two this weekend.
They'll finish the weekend in the top two. Four straight wins.

(11:29):
For me, it's the ability to win the tight ones
that has me rarely optimistic. Fifteen fourteen last night, thirty
twenty six over the Cowboys, last weekend in Magic Round,
twenty eighteen over the Broncos, twenty six, twenty four over
the Tigers, even fourteen to six over the Roosters in

(11:49):
a low scoring arm wrestle. Last year, the Warriors lost
those sorts of games six or seven times. They lost
by those sort of single figure margins. This year, theading
across the line in those sorts of situations. Why do

(12:10):
you think that is? What are you seeing that is
allowing this Warriors team to take the wins when last
year they went away empty handed. What are you seeing?
It is clearly a side with grit, with determination, with resilience.
But I think those things feel like they're sort of

(12:31):
a base level for an elite rugby league team. They're
making the right decisions. I think that's a big part
of it. And even hearing Stacy Jones talk then about
the drop goal for Luke Metcalf, it did feel quite early,
didn't it. You know, you normally think about a drop goal.
I guess as you tick over the seventy five minute mark,

(12:53):
there are five minutes to go, we're all square. This
is the time we start looking for a droppy instead.
The decision was made out there by the team's leaders
that it was sixty nine minutes actually, so yeah, with
more than ten minutes to go, we'll take the point
early in the set of six as well, we'll take
the droppy. We'll get our noses runs and then we'll
close it out. And they did. It turned out to

(13:15):
be the right call. Luke Metcalf very good. Gee, I
like him. I like him met seven Jersey. Do you
I enjoy watching him play? Still plenty of growth as well,
which is the encouraging thing is Andrew Webster with his
brief assessment of Luke Metcalf afterwards.

Speaker 10 (13:35):
I reckon, you'll walk in that tonight.

Speaker 11 (13:37):
Were happy at the moment they stood up and kicked it,
But I reckon, I'll actually not be that happy with
the way he play.

Speaker 10 (13:42):
We love his progression, and I reckon what he learned tonight.

Speaker 11 (13:45):
Will be another good learning curve so he kicks again,
and how he can bring some real energy to play
in our second half.

Speaker 2 (13:51):
See that's some very level I think from Andrew Webster,
and I'm sure Luke Metcalf feels exactly the same, easy
to come off when you've nailed the droppy that's won
the team the game. You got to try and kick
some other goals as well. But yeah, he won't be
pumped up. I'm sure, Poney says Hamish. Metcalf is better
in the clutch moments and games than Sean Johnson was.

(14:12):
I he can manage the game. That is high praise, Hamish,
high praise, Hi Mark.

Speaker 6 (14:19):
Hey Poney. Yeah, I think Metcalf's probably outside Nathan Cleary
is probably the best number seven in the comfort at
the moment. Any scoring tries his first try scorer is
today too. The worry is this is the best start,
and I mean going forward with the state of origin.
I know Stacey said, you know, it might be a
couple of players, but they're not going to be as

(14:40):
bad as a lot of the other teams that you
know and the rest of the teams when state of
Origin comes around. But going forward, you've got to think
to yourself, well, this is the best start we've ever
had in the competition and you've got to finish in
the top four to have any chance of winning the final.
So I'm sure in the back of their minds they

(15:02):
all know that, and I guess every team knows that,
and that's what they've got to for now, just that consistency.
And last night to me, was even more impressive than
the weekend before, when any sort of had to defend
for fifteen minutes. It's been for sort of almost like
a whole half and they scored a single point in
the second half. And to me, the way they're winning

(15:22):
this year, that probably the mentally the toughest team to
beat in the NRL. And I don't think at any
time of the Warrior's history anyone said that about the team.

Speaker 2 (15:33):
No It's interesting you're talking about about the defending of
the second half, and you're right, one point in the
last hour of the game. Mark, you know, they were
fourteen mill ahead after oh sorry, the last fifteen minutes.
I was almost equating it to a football game there,
the last fifteen minutes. They were fourteen milli head after
half an hour and then one point. But you know,
here we are talking as you say about the best

(15:56):
ever start. Look, I think if you'd said to the Warrior,
isn't it I mean, this isn't this, This isn't a
bold claim. I think if had said to them that
after nine games you'll be second and you would have
won seven of nine, your best ever start, they'd bite
your hand off. You're so right, make you know you've
got to be in the top four, very very difficult
to go deep outside the top four. They're making a
really good fist of it, aren't they. In twenty twenty five?

Speaker 6 (16:18):
Yeah, and I think all sports at the moment, all
sports just crazy at the moment. It doesn't mean it murder.
Watching the NBA, the Super Rugby or even the NRL
is even more crazy if you think you can switch
it off with twenty minutes to go with a team
being up by twenty points. You know, you only have
to ask Ricky Stewart what happened last night? And I'm
sure Ricky had a bad night after that last But

(16:40):
the games are just every game at the moment, it's
just nuts. I mean, the Crusaders last night didn't score
a single point in the second half. They are up,
they were, They scored nineteen in the first half and
then that was it. I mean, the Chiefs just rolled
over the top of them. It's Mayhem out there, Pony Mayhem.

Speaker 2 (16:57):
It's chaos. Mark, you're right now about the I mean
the Chiefs. But the Chiefs last night, You're so right.
They scored thirty two unanswered points last night, the Chiefs.
That was seven days after conceding twenty six unanswered points
last weekend against the Hurricanes. What is going on in sport?

Speaker 6 (17:17):
And to me, it's added to the end of this
Super Rugby competition. And I think you probably were in
the same boat as me with the Hurricanes. I'd counted
about the season. I mean, to be honest, the way
they started the season was okay, But you know, I
think that's still in with the Chats I'm ever the
OPTSK Hurricanes support of that. You know, last night was

(17:38):
a great it was a good game and it's sort
of pointing to me in the finals and I don't
think the Webs are really going to compete with Probably
they might might compete with the Hurricanes, but I don't
think they'll be the Chiefs or the Crusaders. And then
and the Blues. The way the Blues disposed of da
Fiji and Drew have been disappointing this year, is you
know what, seeming right back in the mix again. It's

(17:59):
actually quite exciting the end of the Super Rugby season.

Speaker 2 (18:02):
Yep, it certainly as Mark I'm look, I'm loving so
for rugby, I'm loving the NRL Mars says Piney. How
do you watch two games at once? Honestly, I have
to be completely invested in one game without distractions and
just tape the other one. I don't know how you
do it, muss. I look, I physically how I do it?
As I like last night, I'll use it as an example.

(18:23):
So so I got the TV and I've got my
tablet and so when the rugby started, obviously that's on
the big TV, and the worry is when they got
underway at seven thirty, I had that on the tablet
so alongside me. So I'm looking at two things. Then
at halftime in the rugby, I can put the league
up on the big screen for a little while, and
the rugby halftime I don't really take too much notice

(18:44):
of the halftime analysis, and then I just sort of
flick back and forth, and when the rugby's over, the
league goes on the big screen. That's the physical nature
of it. You're right, it is hard. I mean I
have a hard enough time focusing on one thing at once.
My wife will tell you, let alone multiple things. But
that's how I do it. And I look, I cannot
watch pre recorded sport for whatever reason. I'm just not

(19:05):
hard wired that way. I can't watch a game back,
you know, avoid the score and all that. I just
can't do it. I mean, I'm sure I physically could
do it, but I just don't like to do it.

Speaker 12 (19:16):
Greg, Hi, afternoon, Quannie. I think you need to get
your priorities right, mate. Put the league on the big
screen and put another ra rah on the little screen.

Speaker 2 (19:26):
The rarah on the little screen. I'll remember that, Greg.
I'm gonna write that down rah rah on the little screen.

Speaker 12 (19:34):
Three words defense, yes, composure.

Speaker 2 (19:40):
Yes, yes, Greg yes again again the words to the
formte Yeah.

Speaker 12 (19:50):
I think another good game from the Warriors, but not,
you know, a really great game. I'm still out on
Luke Metcalf. Metcalf let them both tries on the left
hand edge. His defense is just not up to it.

(20:13):
I have to disagree with the guy before who's saying
he's the second best half back. Sorry, stand up. In
the game, you notice when to Mrie Martin came on,
he actually made a big difference to what they were doing.
Even with his running, even though he was supposed to

(20:34):
be going playing in the second row, he sort of
hung around at a few different things. Metca, I don't
feel that he actually controls a game. If you watch
his game, most of the time he'll run across the
field and drop somebody back inside him. He doesn't really
organize anything else. He has a couple of little kicks

(20:59):
or a little couple of digs, but I don't believe
his kicking games anywhere near as good as Sean Johnson's
kicking game was. I'd rather have Chanelle Davida Harris doing
the kicking, but I think also some of those those
young guys, they're sort of stepping up really well. When

(21:20):
Laban came on, he's only I think the second year
first grade player. He sort of settled into his work
quite well.

Speaker 2 (21:31):
But yeah, did you know, greg the defensive side of it.
I know what you're saying that they came that the
tries came down that edge. But do you think that
some of the responsibility for that can be a portion
to to to some others on that edge.

Speaker 12 (21:47):
Yeah, can be a little bit. But Metcal's putting him
in a position and that that's where Sawn Sean Johnson
always used to sit as well. And I would say
that Sean was a better defensive player than Metcalf's. Metcalf
misses a lot of tackles.

Speaker 2 (22:07):
It's an interesting little dynamic, isn't it. Yeah, to mighty matter,
I was like you, Gregor, I was pleased to see
him back out there last night. When I say back
out there, isn't that a heck of a lot of
opportunity has I think it was only your second game
off the interchange bench last night. He came on against
the Broncos as well, so obviously helped to close out
two tight games. Yeah. Look, it's funny, isn't it. And

(22:27):
this is this is the beauty of it. You know,
different people see different things in players. I've really enjoyed
watching Luke Metcalf.

Speaker 12 (22:33):
Greg.

Speaker 2 (22:33):
You probably watch it with a far more educated eye
than I do. In fact, I know that you do.
So let's continue to chat about it, mate, defense, depth, composure,
love those words. Good to chat to you has always
made half past twelve back in the moment. With more
of your calls, I eight hundred and eighty ten eighty.

Speaker 1 (22:48):
You'd be the TMO. Have your say on eight hundred
and eighty ten eighty Weekends for It with Jason Hin
and GJ. Garvnerholmes, New Zealand's most trusted home builder, News
Talks NB.

Speaker 2 (23:00):
Twelve thirty two on News talks 'b I eight hundred
and eighty ten eighty Talking Warriors, kuday lyle YEA.

Speaker 13 (23:06):
Look, Grant Fox, that are saying back in his stay
the top level of sport, Well, the higher echelon of
sport is won by the top two inches. And I
think it's your previous callers have alluded to.

Speaker 6 (23:19):
Well, I'll call it.

Speaker 13 (23:19):
Their mental fortitude is far better than it has been
in the past, and obviously as they keep getting these
clutch games, it's only going to improve. There was obviously
going to very good team spirit. I expected them actually
to lose last night because last week, the last fifteen
minutes was so physically and emotionally draining. But they got
it done. But I'll tell you a little story. I

(23:41):
went down the pub to put me usual bets on
on each side exactly one point seven point thirteen and
the drawer. Anyway, I got them all on bar one
that was the Warriors by one point, went to the
bird when when they know hold on gets better. Went
to the bird behind the bar and she says, oh,
I know how to dig out horse races, but I
don't know anything about footy teb. Anyway, I left and

(24:03):
I've got I'm going a funny feeling here. I went
to the next pub, same thing, not on the screen
option look just wasn't there. So I went to the
young lady love a young peace behind the put and
I said, I want to do this, and she says
it's not here, and I said, can you manually put
it on for me? She said I should be able to.
After a couple of minutes she dug it out. I

(24:23):
had I was only put me usual five dollars down,
but I put ten dollars down. The Warriors win by
accept me a point. So for a ten dollars and
ten dollar investment, I got four hundred and ten.

Speaker 2 (24:36):
Back your little beauty. Oh that's magnet and it's a
it's a triumph of persistence, Lile. Imagine if you hadn't
if you hadn't gone, you know it's not okay. Well,
clearly I'm not going to be in a place the
bet the universes against me. Imagine if you'd given up
and not placed that bit.

Speaker 13 (24:52):
Actually I wrung a maide of mine.

Speaker 9 (24:53):
Here.

Speaker 13 (24:53):
Koopy's like he's he's been a punk all his life.
I said, have you ever seen this? He says, I
don't bets the man way you do. Easy takes the
points advantage. But I said, Tom, you'll hear me scream
one end of the Gold Coast to the other if
they get up by a point. I haven't got it
on anyway. I didn't bother say anything to them that
I got it on. I've got to text two minutes

(25:15):
or minute after all, Dawn saying I can hear you screaming,
I say, I replied, no, the tears and screams of joy.
But look they've got the Dolts, They've got the dolphins
up here next week at sun Corp. They've had two
very demanding, demanding games physically and mentally. I would have

(25:35):
mentioned the trainers. It'll be an easy week for a
recovery this week, but it'll be like a home game.
I mean Upper Coomber Logan, Labrador and parts of the
Gold Coast will be empty because they're going to be
obviously at sun Corp. There's plenty of New Zealanders that
live here anyway that'll.

Speaker 8 (25:51):
Go on and have a looking.

Speaker 13 (25:53):
But yeah, look, you can't win a championship this early on,
but you can lose one metcalf. He floats in and
out of games, you know, and one or two others
are a bit of a concern. But they're thanking the
two points and it's a marathon. Lean, are you want
to be peaking in October? They've still got players to

(26:14):
come back. But yeah, yeah, is it the year? I'd say, yeah, possibly,
But they're doing everything all right so far. So belong
suffering Warriors, fans, relatives and mine the match. How did
an He said, you know the wrong side at ninety.
Hopefully I'll do it before they pass.

Speaker 2 (26:38):
It's so well, spend your money wisely, mate, don't reinvest.
Spend it wisely. I know you'll probably reinvest. Do you
know what my multi was last night? Warrior is overs,
chiefs Unders. If only I'd gone the other way, Lyle,
thanks for your call, mate, Can I frank?

Speaker 14 (26:55):
Oh?

Speaker 15 (26:55):
Perny?

Speaker 16 (26:57):
The flag is flying at the tennis for the last
four weeks.

Speaker 2 (27:02):
Yes, you can just leave it up there. You can
paint it up.

Speaker 16 (27:07):
No, no, no, no, no, we don't want to. What
I'm seeing in this team is passion, a determination, and
the character. I'll give you two instances which I saw
last night, which I think is is the kind of
the shread that's running through this team. Nicol Crockstack. He

(27:30):
got up from a heavy tackle and he looked like
he just didn't know where he was. He was staggering.
It was a bit if it had been a box
that he would have been out before the counter ten
and I thought, he's not going to carry on. He
had a drink of this magic juice or whatever they
give him, and he paid the ball and next and

(27:51):
then he was stayed on until the end of the game,
and he had a couple of very good runs. He
tackled hard and I thought, God, this guy. And then
and then the other one was Egan. He got smashed
around the ribs, look very sore in the rebelia and
I thought, well, he should come off, but he stayed
on and played like it. So that tells me that

(28:15):
they are there is a there is a there's something
about this team this year that there is there is
just that determination they want to play for the Warriors.
And I mean, we're twenty six minutes to go. Let's
I mean, I'm not a high roller, but I do
have a bet. And I thought, well, this week, my

(28:36):
BET's gone and the flag is down. At the tennis
twenty six minutes to go, the Dragons were on a roll,
and you know they had the momentum twenty six minutes,
are surely going to score again. They didn't score a
single point. We scored one and we won it. So

(28:57):
I'm telling you this team has got this year. It's
going to go a long way. I don't I don't
know where he's going to win the championship, but by god,
they're going to give it a great go.

Speaker 2 (29:08):
Wonderful stuff. Frank, good on you mate, keep that flag flying.
I know you will always good to chat to you
as it is to you.

Speaker 17 (29:15):
Paul.

Speaker 2 (29:15):
What stood out for you most last night? Mate?

Speaker 10 (29:18):
Hi?

Speaker 14 (29:19):
Finally Yeah, got a few callers back talking Luke Metcalf
not being the game manager. It's probably a fair call,
but it's so early into his career, you know, especially
number seven being the game manager. I think Andrew John's mentioned,
you know, it takes takes a while, takes three to
five years for a really good half to find his

(29:41):
feet as a game manager. And I think the beauty
about Chanel and Luke working together is it to compliment
compliment each other? Well, you know they're both they're both
kick so and Luke's getting better and better better each day.
Probably his defense here for enough he needs to work on.
But this the game last night.

Speaker 9 (29:59):
Was it was it was.

Speaker 14 (30:02):
Just it was just a fantastic win, you know for
the guys, and you know, to win it that stadium again,
you know, you know, it reminded me when they won
against the Tigers at lech Hard, you know, against it Yeah, yeah,
I mean when you look at the injuries that we
you know, we got some injuries last week they went off.
We had to reshuffle old paper line kept some forward

(30:23):
went off last night and did so we had the reshuffle.
But the guys just they just get on with it
and just listening to Mitch Barnett in the aftermatch talking,
you know, they just did a bit like the Bulldogs
in terms of their their synergy, the harmony they playing
for each other. They are really really getting on well
with each other. And long, mate, continue, mate.

Speaker 2 (30:43):
How do you watch tight games? Paula? Not that I
want to sort of delve into your into your lounge
too much, but do you do? You do you pace around?
How do you how do you negotiate type Warriors games?

Speaker 14 (30:57):
If I had any fingers, fingernails, I'll tell you, especially
last week at the Magic Round, you know, it's nerve wrecking.
You know, I've been a long suffering worries. Then you
know they caught the roller coaster, because that's exactly what
it is. You go up and you go down. But
I'm just so glad we're the clubs at the moment,

(31:17):
you know, because you know with what's coming through with
the depths below and when you look back to where
we got to the both Grand finals. We had those
teams underneath us, you know, doing really well, so that's
a good sign. But in terms of watching the game, yeah,
it's very, very stressful at times. I tell you, I
can just imagine what it's like for the coaches. And
I just want to give a shout out to Charans

(31:38):
nic or clocks Dead. You know, I questioned him being
in the side. I thought Rogers should be at full back.
But I'm happy to eat dumble Pie because that guy
has just got ticker beyond belief, mate, he really is.

Speaker 2 (31:48):
Will you be at the Raiders game in a couple of.

Speaker 14 (31:49):
Weeks, Yeah, we'll be there, absolutely, We'll be there all day.
And I tell you, I think it's about thousand seats left,
so it'll be sold out. And yeah, there's going to
be a tough game, a real, real tough game.

Speaker 9 (32:00):
You know.

Speaker 14 (32:00):
The Raiders didn't go well the other night, so so yeah,
and now looking forward to that game.

Speaker 2 (32:06):
Fantastic mate, good man Paul always enjoyed chatting to him, Mate,
every thing. It's long, rest of your day, and we'll
talk to you again soon. We're got to get to
Quintupai out of the chief shortly. But I think we
can get to Ellen.

Speaker 15 (32:16):
Hello Ellen, Yeah, gooday, Jason. Look, I just talking the
Warriors last night. I just thought that the effort in
the last quarter was just magnificent. I can't think of
another word. And Mitch Barnett was enormous in that whole game.
He was just unbelievable at times, and although his position

(32:37):
is the middle of the paddock, he was quite often
getting close to the edges of the ruck to make
a tackle and it just went on and on and on.
I totally agree with that previous call about Nikol Klodstadt.
He's the right fullback with his method of play, if
you like. He's completely different from Roger tuvarz a Scheck,

(33:00):
but his play suits the Warriors team at the moment.
And since he's come back, he's been bloody good. There's
no other way to say it. But everybody had to go.
When you think of the the four youngsters that were
in there last night, none of them disgraced themselves, and
in fact, two or three of them I think are

(33:23):
pushing hard to be on the you know, when everybody
gets back, they're pushing hard to be in the run
on side. I just think that the four that we've
managed to keep from the earlier team's Warriors teams. I
think they've chosen very well because clearly these guys they've
got it to make it in the league. The big issue,
of course, is that when their contracts come up, they're

(33:46):
going to be hunted by other clubs, and that's an
issue that the Warriors will always have to face because
our base for the team is very, very big when
you when you think about the base in New Zealand
to one club. But yeah, I just think another another
wonderful effort on defense and how many games this year

(34:09):
have we won because we've got sufficient points and we've
kept the opposition. Now, it's really a great season so
far and long that at last.

Speaker 2 (34:18):
Yeah, love it Allen bang On too on Mitch Barnett
man and we had to play a few more minutes
than he probably would have ordinarily with Jackson Forge injury
as well, he really had to stand up. And of
the youngsters, lec Ahella Seima, he just impresses me so much.
And this is just a small thing and maybe it's
nothing at all, but when he was stripped in the
tackle last night and he immediately went to his captain

(34:39):
and said, look, captain's challenged that he could and it's not.
I mean, I'm sure in the tackle, you know, because
it was called a knock on, But he knew he'd
been stripped in the tackle. And maybe that's if you've
played rugby league long enough, you just have an instinct
that you have been But for him to have full
confidence in himself to say, use up a captain's challenge
because I've been stripped there, it's not a knock on.

(35:01):
I thought that was a just a small little feature
of his game. And man, what a player. You're, right, Ellen,
you know, young and old, playing well. And I endorsed
your thoughts on chance as well. I think he's having
a terrific season. Accord it to one. Let's take a break,
come back, get inside Chief's territory, Quint to Pyre after.

Speaker 1 (35:18):
This it's more than just a game. Weekend Sport with
Jason Pyne and GJ. Gunnomes, New Zealand's most trusted home
builder news dogs they'd be twelve to one.

Speaker 2 (35:29):
The Chiefs, who opened a four point gap at the
top of the Super Rugby table after a stunning thirty
five nineteen went over the Crusaders in christ Church last
night they were down nineteen to three, but then scored
thirty two unanswered points to pot themselves and the driver's
seat the home advantage during the playoffs. Chiefs and all
Blacksmithfield of Quint to Piers with us on weekend Sport.
Thanks for your time, Quinn. You're pretty happy Chiefs camp

(35:49):
as you flew home this morning. What stands out most
about the performance last night for you?

Speaker 18 (35:55):
Yeah? Thanks for having me on. You're pretty heavy camp,
get me on the flight this morning. And I guess
in that second half we won some big moments compared
to the first half where they controlled a lot of
the game, a lot of territory and a lot of positions,
so it was good to flip their second half on
its head and come away with a good victory.

Speaker 2 (36:13):
What sort of conversations were you're having at nineteen three down?

Speaker 18 (36:18):
Yeah, I guess we just needed to break them down
a bit. We weren't finding too much go forward on
the edges. So they're a team that saw the silver
pretty well and can defend for long sets, so we
decided to have a crack to go through them, and
I guess we got some good power to that and
we were pretty stoked to get their triges before half

(36:39):
time and you know, put a bit of window our
sALS going into half time.

Speaker 2 (36:44):
Yeah, yeah, I was going to ask you about that.
Pretty important to close it up to nineteen ten. What
was Seawan Stevenson doing though? I thought he was going
to go himself.

Speaker 18 (36:51):
Yeah, the old leagues assured couldn't get they couldn't get
past no hope them, So I was. I was surprised
as well. I thought he was going to slide on
in and get the guns out, but luckily got the
ball away and the money dotted over, So yeah, that
was quite lucky.

Speaker 2 (37:07):
Now, what about Leroy Carter's try? What was your view
of that?

Speaker 18 (37:11):
Yeah, that was a massive moment for the game. I guess.
I was caught up on the far side of the field,
so I was sort of whipping him home from seventy
meters away and didn't sort of move. I knew he
had it once he got into space and we'll giving
him stick this morning actually because he nearly got run
down by Fletcher Neil, which would have been embarrassing for

(37:31):
a speed sell like himself. But yeah, it was a
massive moment for us, and I guess yeah, it hurt
them a lot once.

Speaker 2 (37:39):
You went ahead. What was that twenty two to nineteen?
Once Damien had converted that try. I mean, you're in
christ you're right against the Crusaders. But when you wore ahead,
did you feel in control of the game?

Speaker 6 (37:52):
You know?

Speaker 18 (37:52):
I felt like that second half we played how we
wanted to and we did feel in control. But we
know from history we haven't won too many games down
there and not and other teams haven't either, So being
up three points you can't say give foot off the throats,
and we knew we needed a lot more points to
secure the win, and they threw everything at us and

(38:14):
defended their hearts out. So pretty proud of that effort.

Speaker 2 (38:17):
How good having Wallace to t t back off the
bench last couple of games, this first start last night
I got a try. How good having him back for
the for the push to watch the finals.

Speaker 18 (38:25):
Yeah, it's been massive. So he can play footy, that kid.
He just brings the extra punch to that forward pack
that we need. And it's a great battle in our
loose four trios with Penny and Simon playing well. Luke
our skipper, so it's a battle to start. But again
I guess Penny and those guys that come off the

(38:45):
bench also bring the extra punch that we also need.

Speaker 2 (38:48):
How much did last weekend against the Hurricane sting?

Speaker 18 (38:51):
H Yeah, we we had a pretty tough review and
we sat in the change rooms after the Hurricanes game
and listen to them, listen to them sing their song
next Door, which Donk turned our speaker off, and we
all sat there and listen to it, and it sort
of filled us. And we had a tough review on
Monday and two tough trainings on Tuesday Thursday, which I

(39:14):
guess prepared us well for this weekend. And yeah, it's
definitely showed out there.

Speaker 2 (39:19):
Yeah, well, you've got the chance to sing last night.
You've got to buy now before the final push. How
do you spend the next couple of weeks.

Speaker 18 (39:26):
Yeah, it's been it's been a big six week block
for us since our last by so it's about refreshing
for us. A lot of our guys. I've played big
minutes and the week will look like look different for everyone,
but it'll it'll contain a little bit of training, but
just mainly mentally refreshing and getting our bodies right for

(39:46):
the last two games and then our finals push here.

Speaker 2 (39:50):
You've beaten the Crusaders in christ Church. I think most
people would say the Chiefs are now Super Rugby favorites.
Is that a tag that's okay with you?

Speaker 15 (39:59):
Yeah?

Speaker 19 (39:59):
It is.

Speaker 18 (39:59):
I guess there's a lot of water to go on
the bridge until we get to the finals. But yeah,
it's a game we different it targeted and we knew
if we could do a drive down and christ it
should put us in good stead for the finals run.
So we know how important is to have home field
advantage in the finals and we don't have it yet.
But yeah, it's a massive goal for us to get

(40:20):
there those games there from j Stadium.

Speaker 2 (40:22):
Yeah, well you went a long way to achieve in
that last night. I congratch on the win. Quinn, thanks
for the chat this afternoon. Enjoyed bye week and all
the best for the finals.

Speaker 18 (40:28):
Mate, Beauty, thank you very much.

Speaker 2 (40:29):
Thanks having me on No thanks for joining us quin
Quinna Pie there on weekend Sports seven to.

Speaker 1 (40:33):
One breaking down the Hail Mary's and the epic fails
weekends for it with Jason Pine New Salk z Envy.

Speaker 2 (40:43):
I absolutely love that from Clayton McMillan making his Chief
side sit there in silence and listen to the Hurricane
sing their victory song last week. I love that from
brilliant Piney says this text my local pub and christ
Church is a rare Warriors pub when they're winning its
half priced drinks. I've got to find out where that is.
Thanks very much, indeed for the text. After the one

(41:04):
o'clock news, we'll talk some football. We know at the
f C are playing Melbourne victory and we go to
Go Media where it's been amazing this season.

Speaker 1 (41:12):
It's the only place to discuss the biggest Fours issues
on and after fields. It's all on WI James Ford
with Jason Vade on your Home of Sport new Talks.

Speaker 2 (41:26):
Well on the show one o seven, I'm Jason Fine,
this is Weekend Sport and a McDonald's show producer. We're
n till three after two. We're going to talk some basketball.
The Tall Blacks and the Tall Ferns in a Trans
Tasman double head of this afternoon in Hamilton. They take
on their Australian counterparts. The Boomers love that name and
the Opals Chard Flavel on the show after two, speaking

(41:47):
of basketball, Game three between Minnesota and Golden State in
the Western Conference NBA Semi Finals is underway in San Francisco.
Then the first quarter Timberwolves twenty one sixteen ahead. The
series is tied at one apiece. We'll wrap all of
the NBA Semi Final series a bit of ice hockey
as well after two with Leon Busby when we go

(42:09):
stateside this hour, though football kicks us off shortly a
league football we know who walk from the f C
will face in their semi final series Melbourne victory after
they bet the Wanderers last night. We'll break that down
for you and also go to go Media Stadium where
you have to say it has become just brilliant for

(42:31):
Match Days four, not only the Warriors and it's been
great there for a while for the Warriors, but also
for Auckland FC. So what's going on there and how
cool is that they have two anchor tenants now the
Warriors and Auckland the f C, which pretty much covers
the entire calendar year. James mcconey this hour as well,
just mopping up a couple of texts on the Warriors
from Joe. Perhaps the reason why the Warriors are in

(42:51):
the position they are in the latter is consistency of
selection of the forwards as a unit. They've been doing
the business where each week brings a new challenge and
they're up for it. Apart from the outside backs, where
injuries etc. Are happening, Generally Webster is picking a regular
side when Roger, James, Rocco and Ali are all fit again.
Andrew Webster and his cohorts have some big selection headaches,

(43:13):
but very welcome ones. I would say, thanks, Joe agree
and Richard's his Ponty Warrior success this season. Self belief
and that starts with the coaching team. The ability to
hang tough at the end of a close game when
the team is starting to grasp requires that self belief
and I have watched this develop under Andrew Webster. Thanks indeed,
Richard really appreciate your text and all of your texts

(43:36):
as well. Ten past one, Auckland FC will face Melbourne
Victory in their two legged semi final in Football's a League.
How they look for Arsony it's against claire Ie.

Speaker 13 (43:47):
If it stands a double up that Arzani's tricked his way,
plass both of them.

Speaker 2 (43:50):
Here's a victors. It's two to one.

Speaker 4 (43:53):
Now the victory Sena Deva Shafts with the finish.

Speaker 2 (43:57):
And that's how it finished. Victory confirming their spot in
the Final four with a two to one elimination final
win over the Western Sydney Wanderers last night. So Auckland
FC will travel to Melbourne for the first leg of
the semifinal next Saturday night nine thirty five, before hosting
legue two at go Media Stadium a week later. That'll

(44:18):
be a six o'clock kickoff on the night of Saturday
May twenty four. The other semifinal will feature home and
away matches between Melbourne City and Western United. Let's bring
in former A League champion, a League Golden Boot winner
and the Joe Marston medallist for Man of the Match
in the twenty twelve thirteen Grand Final. Now A Leagues

(44:38):
commentator Daniel mcbreen, who was on the call with Simon
Hill last night, Macca, thanks for your time. Did Victory
deserve their win last night over the Wanderers and their
progress through to the semifinals?

Speaker 6 (44:50):
Yeah?

Speaker 20 (44:50):
I think they did. I thought they were a better
team last night and it goes to show with finals
footballs about Wanderers were the favorites and at one stage.
I think after twenty minutes when Victory were doing really well,
the tight start of the turn and go to Western
Sydney and you thought, here we go, they've done this before.
But Zinady Mashafts put paid to that with a goal
which really just flattened Western Sydney Wanderers and they were

(45:14):
very unconvincing in the second half, really couldn't find their
mojo and that was all for Melbourne Victory. The way
they played, they defended as a great group and obviously
they've got players like Daniel Larzani who can step up
and create something out of nothing and he did that
last night.

Speaker 2 (45:30):
So Melbourne Victory, as we know, have real finals pedigree.
Auckland can't have it because they were in their first season.
But how much will finals experience help Melbourne Victory in
a two legged semi against Auckland.

Speaker 20 (45:43):
Look, yeah, you're right, they've got the experience. They were,
you know, about a minute away from holding the championship
trophy last year until the Mariners found something. So they've
got that heartache as well that they can draw on
to say, right, that's not going to happen again. I
think the advantage lays with Auckland. Yes their premiers and
yes they're the favorites, but I think the advantage lays

(46:04):
with two games. They've shown over the course of the
year that they are forced to be reckoned. With that
that they've lifted the premier's play and I think if
at one off game, anyone in the top six can
beat anyone. But I think over two legs may so
you know, Auckland's quality might shign through and they get
past that first game in Melbourne and they can come

(46:26):
away there with a good result. I think when they
get home and they have that huge crowd behind them,
that might give them the lift to get them through.

Speaker 2 (46:32):
How much motivation will there be for Steve Carriker and
Auckland FC too, I don't know, be a little bit
conservative and leg one, as you say, Macer, it's across
two leagues. Once the first game has done, we're only
at halftime and the tie. Do you expect them to
sit back a bit in League one?

Speaker 20 (46:48):
Look, yeah, I don't think it's going to be Kamikazi
all out, let's go and just smash them off the
park in the first game. It might be a bit
of a feeling out process. First finals series for the club.
As you mentioned, so I think when you're going away
from home generally you are a little bit more pragmatic.
But look, they've got the best defense in the league
for a reason. They know they can rely on that.

(47:10):
They've probably i would say the best goalcreeper in here
again in the league. Again that they can rely on
that as well. So well, I think all the things
that they've done this year show that they're a quality team.
As I say, I think going away from home, if
they can come away with at least a draw, I
think they'll be very confident at home that they can
get the job done. But in saying that, I don't

(47:30):
think they're going to sit there and play for it.
If they can go and win the game, of course
they will go and do it.

Speaker 2 (47:35):
You mentioned Melbourne Victory's Soolkreho's attack of Daniel Lasani best
player out there last night? Wasn't he how big a
part of Victory's championship hopes? Do you think he is?

Speaker 6 (47:45):
Well? Huge?

Speaker 20 (47:46):
We all know that when we see when he's at
his best, he is extremely good. But when he has
an off day he can be very quiet, and that's
the probably the big thing that everyone spoke about Daniel
Larsani over the past few years is we know he's
got outstanding talent, but it's just that consistency of delivering
time and time again and that's not easy. But he
just seems to be in very confident mood at the

(48:08):
moment since himself and Missa Volupla went into the Soccaro's
camps and Tony Popovich gave him a little bit of
a serve when he first went in. He seems to
have taken that and put the bit between the teeth
and said, right, well, I'm going to be better than
and the confidence is great and when he gets in
one v one situations at the moment, there's not too
many defenders that can stop him because he's electric, he's quick,

(48:30):
he's talented, and he's also very very.

Speaker 2 (48:31):
Strong aside from him Mecca. You know, for Auckland FC
fans looking to try and match these two teams up,
how do you think Auckland FC match up in general
terms against Melbourne victory.

Speaker 20 (48:44):
Yeah, I think they're very good. Look, Auckland's defensive setup
is absolutely fantastic when you look at the back four.
As I said Alex Paulson in goals and the two
midfielders of Australia sitting in front of the back four.
That's the reason they're the best defense in the league
because they are strong, aggressive, experienced and I think if
anyone's going to keep Missal volupl and Daniel Larzani quiet,

(49:07):
well it's Sacki and Debrize. And when you've got the
Strata and Dan Hall there as well, it's a very
very solid unit. And you've got in at the mashas
straight up against the Strata. For me, that is an
epic battle. They're two big, strong players who don't let
anything go without a fight. It's going to be an
exceptional battle and honestly, I can't wait to see it.

Speaker 6 (49:28):
I'm really excited.

Speaker 2 (49:29):
Yeah, we all are too. I mean, I don't know
that anybody expected Auckland FC to do what they've done
in their debut season. At what point during the season
did you start to think to yourself, hey, this is
actually a team that could go quite deep.

Speaker 20 (49:42):
Well, I think when they went the first was it
the first nine games or eight games without conceding a
goal and didn't lose a game.

Speaker 5 (49:48):
I think everyone was very early.

Speaker 6 (49:50):
In the season. They're like hang on.

Speaker 20 (49:51):
I think Stevie coach has put a very good team
together here. I must admit I thought goal scoring would
be a bit of a problem early on in the
season because it was they didn't seem to have anyone
who was a standout, prolific goalscorer. But as the seasons
rolled on, that has hasn't proved to be a problem either.
And I just think they've just got more confident better
as the season going on. And I think then that

(50:14):
little aura starts to build around them as the season
goes on and teams that are coming up against them realize, hey,
this is a difficult task we've got here. So I
think it's just been a steady build. They started off
fantastically once they sort of started at storing the goals
from everywhere as well. They can score from set pieces,
they could score from outside the box. Yeah, as it
went on, I probably say about halfway through the season,

(50:35):
you're thinking these guys are the real deal.

Speaker 2 (50:38):
And we saw some interesting scenes just after the final's
last night, the two head coaches coming together with some
heated words. By the looks. Have you managed to find
out what went on there?

Speaker 20 (50:48):
I'm going to be honest, I was up in the
commentary box, so we couldn't quite work out what was
going on. But it did continue with some of the
backroom staff of Victory and Alan Stagies for quite some
time after. And I did get someone send me a
message to say that the last time they met they
believed that Arthur Dillis didn't shake hands Stags when he
shook when they got beat. Now I'm not sure if

(51:09):
that's true or not. I haven't had chance to go
back and check that out, but there was some definite
feeling there and it continued for quite some time.

Speaker 2 (51:16):
Interesting stuff for Weston, And suddenly you're right Backer. You know,
I had them as favorites going in last night, you did?
They were at home? A bit of a meek end
to the season, was it?

Speaker 15 (51:26):
Yeah?

Speaker 20 (51:26):
It was. Look, you've got to give credit to Melbourne
Victory because they defend it fantastically. We've spoke about Ryan
Teigue at nauseum this year, but Jordy Valadon's performance as
well in the midfield, his energy and his ambition to
close down any Western Sydney attack was therefore all to see.
Nicholas Milanovitch, who we all thought would set the game

(51:47):
on fire was very quiet and subdued and they just
couldn't seem to find their rhythm going forward. There was
probably a ten to fifteen minute period in the first
half where you thought, here we go, they're going to
turn it around. But credit to Melbourne Victory, they snuffed
that out and they couldn't really get a shot in
and on target in the second half. That really trouble
Jack at duncan Well in.

Speaker 2 (52:08):
Melbourn's obviously the power base of a league football. Because
the other two Melbourne teams, Melbourne City and Western United
are in the other semi final, who do you expect
to come through to the Grand final from those two?

Speaker 20 (52:20):
Well, it's a good question, fining you put me on
the spot there. Look, Western United were fantastic in their
game against Adelaide. But saying that, Adelaide, I think we've
seen the second after the season have been a bit
of a shadow of their former selves from the first
half of the season. If I was Stevie Courrie to
the one team and I know you've got to beat

(52:40):
the best to be the best, but I think the
one team that he'd be looking at with a little
bit of trepidation would be Western United. Obviously, Auckland lost
three games this year incredibly. One of them was against Perth.
I don't know how that happened. The other two losses
came against Western United and it was done in pretty
emphatic fashion as well. I think it was four niel
and four to two. So I think if you're looking

(53:01):
from an Auckland perspective, I think they might be sitting
there saying, and I know this sound strange, Melbourne City
of so good as well, that they might be looking
at Melbourne City same please get through because Western United
seemed to have the wood on us.

Speaker 2 (53:12):
Yeah, it's an interesting, intriguing final series ahead or semi
final series ahead home and away Melbourne City, Western United
home and away, Auckland FC and Melbourne Victory. Macw I
love to call last night as always, thanks for joining
us today.

Speaker 20 (53:24):
Thanks Pani always a pleasure mate.

Speaker 2 (53:25):
Good on you mate, and Daniel mcbreen there joining us
out of Australia. So our semi finals are set. Auckland
f C will take on Melbourne victory and just another reminder,
these are home and away matches. It is the winner
across the two legs that will progress to the final.
So Aukland FC, by virtue of finishing top of the table,

(53:47):
have elected to have the home leg second, So the
first leg Melbourne Victory Auckland FC will take place on
Saturday Night, Saturday Night, the seventeenth of May, a nine
thirty five kickoff New Zealand time, nine thirty five New
Zealand Time, Western United Melbourne City in the first of
the semis. That's Friday night, and then the second legs

(54:11):
are the following weekends and the twenty fourth of May. Saturday,
the twenty fourth of May at Go Media Stadium, Auckland
FC will host Melbourne Victory. That is a six o'clock
New Zealand time kickoff. Now I've just got some new
three here from Auckland FC. They are hosting semi final
watch parties next Saturday, and they've got them in three

(54:33):
different places. Takutai Square, Tyler Street, Sport and the brit
are all hosting watch parties. Now Takutai Square is going
to put up a big thirty square meter big screen
and going to have other entertainment cage football which isn't
as daunting as it sounds, are DJ games and other things,

(54:54):
making it ideal for families, Tyler Street Sports and the
Brits for obviously over eighteen's only because they're licensed premises.
They're all free events now from Auckland f c's release here.
Tyler Street Sport best suited to port members and fans
who are keen to sing, cheer and stand right throughout

(55:15):
the game. The brit will provide a more relaxed atmosphere,
more suited to I guess you know, I guess you're
more civilized members, but still those who get excited and
Takutai Square ideal for families, with the build up starting
early for those who won't make it to the nine
thirty five kickoff time. So again you have to hand
it to Auckland FC. They're innovating around this. And as

(55:39):
far as the tickets to the home semi are concerns,
let me just bring up this. So this is the
home legue on the twenty fourth of May. Tickets for
Auckland FC members on sale now. So if you're an
Auckland f C member, I'm sure you've already got your ticket.
Tickets for away fans ten o'clock on Monday. That's ten

(55:59):
o'clock tomorrow, and I think that's also when the general
sale for Auckland FC goes on sale, so tomorrow morning
at around ten o'clock. Anyway, if you go to the
Auckland FC website, I'm sure you can follow your nose
to find your tickets. It's gonna sell out that game.
On the twenty fourth. They're putting an extra seats at
go Media Stadium, twenty seven hundred extra seats. That'll take

(56:21):
the attendance up to close to thirty thousand. They'll add
eight hundred more should they make it through to the
Grand Final. So yes, set to be some occasion, some occasion,
I think Melbourne victory. I think Auckland f C will
be okay with that, not that they get to choose
necessarily at all, but I think they'll be okay facing

(56:42):
Melbourne Victory home and away. It wasn't that long ago,
Only two or three weeks ago they went to Melbourne
Victory and played one of their best games of the season.
They won two nil over there. Look, if they can
get a two nil winning the first league over there
and bring that back home, they'll be absolutely laughing. I
would suggest that if you offered Steve Corriker and the
players a drawer away they would take it, bring it

(57:02):
back home and win at home. There's no away goals,
nothing like that, nothing to confuse you. Sometimes in these competitions,
if you score away from home, those goals are worth more.
They've got rid of all of that. So after the
one hundred and eighty minutes ninety minutes in Melbourne ninety
minutes in Auckland, whoever is ahead on aggregate will advance

(57:23):
the Grand Final. If it's level, they'll go to thirty
minutes of extra time. If it's still level, the penalty shootout.
I don't know whether people's hearts will stand it. Let's
take a break. When we come back, we'll get inside
the venue that has played host to Aukland FC this season,
Go Media Stadium. It's become this incredible place to be

(57:43):
on Auckland FC match days. We'll go to the director
of Auckland Stadiums for Tartuki Auckland Unlimited, James Parkinson. He's
going to join us after this with how they've done
it and how it is to have a new tenant
at go Media Stadium. Back in a second on Weekend Sport, the.

Speaker 1 (58:01):
Tough Questions off the Turf. Weekend Sport with Jason Tyne
and GJ. Guvnerho new Zealand's most trusted home builder.

Speaker 4 (58:11):
Path take him fum Stallman brilliant gave a football six
on the bounce.

Speaker 2 (58:20):
The Auckland FC Alex Paulson's goal finally breached, but it
wasn't enough to silence the port and it was not
enough to lower the blue and black colors of the
A Leagues New Boys says. While Auckland f C have
been making history on the pitch in their debut A

(58:40):
League men's season, nearly quarter of a million fans have
flooded the stands at Go Media Stadium to watch on
The Black Knights have attracted the highest average home attendance
across the entire A League, with over eighteen thousand fans
per home match coming through the turnstiles. TARTUCKI Auckland Unlimited
Unlimited Director of Auckland Stadiums is James Parkinson, who joins

(59:05):
US now. James new tenants at Go Media have made
quite the splash. How much have you enjoyed partnering with
Auckland f C in their debut season.

Speaker 5 (59:15):
Yeah, thanks, Jason, No, it's been been a real blast
for our team.

Speaker 15 (59:20):
I mean Our.

Speaker 5 (59:20):
Whole, whole focus in operating go Media Stadium is to
partner with our tenants, whether that's the Warriors or now
Auckland f C. And we're really there to provide the
platform for our tenants to succeed and it's been great
to see Auckland FC do exactly that in their first year.

Speaker 2 (59:41):
Did you expect attendances this big.

Speaker 5 (59:45):
Is a real tough question. We're working with Mick Becker
and his team and we're both asking each other what
we thought the crowds might be first year. I think
it's fair to say that we've both been flying away
with exactly where that attendance has landed. I mean, with
an average crowd over eighteen thousand, more than double the

(01:00:08):
A League average, So you're very very happy with where
that's turned out.

Speaker 2 (01:00:13):
How different has it been accommodating an active supporters group
the port of course who stand during matches, they bring
their own unique style of football support. How different has
that been to manage?

Speaker 5 (01:00:26):
Yeah, it's definitely different, but it's a real feature of
football and a feature of successful football teams, so it's
something that we've been keen to embrace. We've certainly worked
very closely with both Auckland FC and APL themselves, and
I think the trick there is we want everyone to

(01:00:47):
have fun. We want the active fans to have fun,
we want the families that turn up to have fun.
So it's just ensuring that all of that can happen
without things getting out of hand, and I think by
and large we've all managed that very well.

Speaker 18 (01:01:01):
As here.

Speaker 2 (01:01:02):
Hawkin FC have also been very innovative in creating their
match the experience as a giant slide a fairest well.
They shipped in over one hundred tons of sand to
make a temporary beach over the holiday period. When Nick
Becker's name came up on your phone, did you start
thinking of yourself, what did you come up with? Now?

Speaker 5 (01:01:20):
Yeah, But it's the great thing with Auckland f C.
And it's a great thing about go Media Stadium that
it provides a platform where that kind of creativity can happen.
So it's been a joy to see it. In fact,
the giant slide has been something we've been keen to

(01:01:42):
see there for some time, so it was great to
see Auckland f C embrace it and it's become a
real feature of their game day.

Speaker 2 (01:01:49):
So the seasons are overlapping now because the NRL season's underway,
well underway, actually Auckland f C Is still going. How
much of a logistical challenge does that present to you
and your team, James, having matches at go Media for
two sides, sometimes on the same weekend.

Speaker 5 (01:02:03):
Yeah, yeah, there is a challenge and amongst all of that,
but it is really inherent in running a successful stadium
that you need to be able to do that. And
our team has become very experienced over the years of
turning the venue around, and I think we're certainly very

(01:02:24):
proud of the way that from our turf team and
the way that that pitch is presented each weekend through
to all members of our operational team, marketing team commercial,
they all play a vital part and turning it around
and providing that the opportunity for the fans to come

(01:02:44):
along and enjoy themselves.

Speaker 2 (01:02:46):
The A League season starts in October and runs through
to the end of May, and the NRL season goes
from March to September, which means basically, now you have
an anchor tenant at go Media Stadium for the entire
calendar year. How significant is that for you?

Speaker 5 (01:03:02):
It's hugely significant. I mean Go Media Stadium is now
the busiest sports stadium in terms of attendees to sports events,
and that very much is down to having sports content
throughout the year. It's obviously based on having two very
successful tenants and both the Warriors and Auckland FC. And

(01:03:25):
I know that really is a reflection that we've got
a stadium there with a capacity at twenty five thousand
that works really well for the vast majority of sport
content in the city. You heard Nick Bettor talk yesterday
about the fact that every seats has a great view

(01:03:46):
and there's just the flexibility around the activation, so people
come along knowing they're going to have a great time.

Speaker 2 (01:03:53):
How much do you think as well, James, the fact
that the shape of the playing service at go Media
is rectangular improves the atmosphere, with the crowd basically right
on top of the players regardless of where they are.

Speaker 5 (01:04:04):
Really no, it's key the combination of the capacity, so
the Warriors and Auckland f C can go out there
confident that they've got the ability to sell the place out.
The fans know they need to get them early and
buy their tickets to ensure they're there, and then the
fans themselves become a big part of the experience with

(01:04:27):
the atmosphere that they create, so it shifts the dynamic.
People no longer want to just be at home watching
their game, They actually want to be there and be
part of it absolutely.

Speaker 2 (01:04:37):
Now, of course, there was a school of thought that APL,
who run the a League, might take the Grand Final
if Auckland FC were to make it to Eden Park,
which of course has a bigger capacity, in order to
get more ticket revenue. Now, thankfully sanity has prevailed and
the Grand Final of Auckland f C make it will
be at go Media. What was your part in those discussions.

Speaker 5 (01:04:59):
I think it comes back yet again. Our whole philosophy
is around partnering. We knew how important having that home
game was to Auckland FC. We took the time and
our discussions with the APL to understand what was important
to them and the route he is. It's more than
just the ticket revenue. There are other ways for them

(01:05:20):
to get commercial returns out of their events, and so
we found ways to deliver that for them and I
think it's a great, great outcome for the APL, for
Auckland FC, and certainly for their fans.

Speaker 2 (01:05:35):
So you're putting in twenty seven hundred extra seats for
the semi then eight hundred more off Auckland FC make
it through to the Grand Final. How about a logistical
exercises that for your team?

Speaker 5 (01:05:44):
Well, yeah, we've been fortunate. We've had plenty of opportunities
to get temporary seats and over the years. The last
time was for the or Black South Africa game at
Media Stadium, so again it's something we're used to. This
time it's a little bit different doing is than two tranches,

(01:06:06):
but yeah, every confidence that that will go very smoothly.

Speaker 2 (01:06:11):
And that weekend of the semi final. I know you
know this because it's a new calendar, but just to clarify,
of course, there's the semi final of the A League
on the Saturday and then Lease or actually in fact
almost exactly twenty four hours later, the Warriors host Canberra.
So will you leave those twenty seven hundred extra septs
there for sale for the Warriors?

Speaker 5 (01:06:30):
Well, certainly the seats will be there. Ultimately, that decision
around how they used is up to the Warriors and
obsidly leave that to them to make any announcements around that,
but it is no question it's a big weekends. In
addition to those two games at go Media, our team
have also got the Black Fans game up at North

(01:06:53):
Harbor on the Saturday as well, So.

Speaker 2 (01:06:55):
I big weekend to sport in absolutely, and of course
you've welcomed to Mona Pacifica to Albany on a full
time basis the Super Rugby season as well. How's that
relationship going.

Speaker 5 (01:07:05):
Yeah, no, we've enjoyed the relationship with MYNA. It's one
that formed before they played the first game on the
field and it's been great to see how that presence
up at North Harbor has already worked for them, having
both their training base and game venue up there, and

(01:07:26):
the fans seem to have really taken to it. I
think the game against the Blues next weekend will be
a magical experience up.

Speaker 2 (01:07:35):
There, and of course two hundred and thirty five thousand
plus fans need to be fed and watered, so your
team has sent me some stats here. Two hundred and
fifteen thousand beverages served across the A League season, one
hundred and ten thousand portions of hot food. That doesn't
include the corporate spaces and we know what they're like
with food and drink. Your cater is a working over

(01:07:55):
time too, by the sounds of it.

Speaker 5 (01:07:56):
James, Yes, yet, and we've enjoyed We've got a new
catering partner on board ovation. We've only recently into New
Zealand and so it's been great to welcome them and
them in with the stadium going so well well, I
think we've we've done a great job with our food

(01:08:18):
and beverage this year, but it's certainly an area that
we can see plenty of opportunity to improve as well,
and that's what we'll be looking forward to doing for
our fans over the coming months.

Speaker 2 (01:08:30):
How do you spend next days? You you don't get
out in the active support. I'm not going to see
you jumping up and down in the port come SEEMI
final day, James.

Speaker 5 (01:08:39):
Probably probably not in a mixed support, but I'll certainly
be there. And yeah, I mean it's it is a
great experience. I man now our team in terms of
venue operators, we get our satisfaction out of delivering these
events and just seeing the people have a great time,

(01:09:00):
and we've been seeing that in abundance throughout the season.

Speaker 10 (01:09:04):
Yeah.

Speaker 2 (01:09:04):
Well, I've had the very fortunate honor of being there
for every single Auckland FC home game and I hadn't
had the chance really to spend much time at go
Media Stalium in the past, James. But I can only
congratulate you and your team on the match the experience
that you allow to happen there. Clearly it's taken some
flexibility on your part as well. So look, I hope
we get another couple of really big nights there at

(01:09:25):
go Media and of course the Warriors as well on
towards there are very successful NRL season so far too.
Thanks for joining us this afternoon, James has been great
chatting to you.

Speaker 5 (01:09:34):
Ye, thank you, Jason, much appreciated.

Speaker 2 (01:09:37):
All the best, mate, James Parkinson, Director of Auckland Stadiums
overseeing go Media also North Harbor Stadium and Western Springs
as well. You know, it's just been look at. Anyone
who's been to an Auckland FC home game will tell
you nothing compares in terms of the experience. You can't
just sit on the couch and watch the game. You'll

(01:09:57):
miss out. You'll miss out. What about that weekend twenty
four to twenty five May twenty fourth to May the
Saturday night six o'clock Auckland FC against Melbourne victory in
the second leg of the semi with a place in
the Grand Final on the line at the end of it.
And then twenty four hours later Warriors v. Canberra Raiders,
the team that gave them a bit of a hiding

(01:10:20):
in Vegas and round one of the NRL season. I
said to Francesca when we ch had to just before midday,
think I might just roll out of bed, might just
stay there for the whole weekend. Just on twenty one
away from two. We'll take a break when we come back.
James mcconey in his regular Sunday slot.

Speaker 1 (01:10:37):
The biggest teams in the sport are on Weekendsports with
Jason Paine and GJ. Gubnohlmes, New Zealand's most trusted home
builder News Talks.

Speaker 2 (01:10:46):
There'd be one forty two Sunday afternoon. Let's bring in
James mcconey, alternative commentary, collective, crowd goes Wild and various
other pursuits. Do you believe in third time? Lucky the Chiefs? James?
You know, Grand Final last year, Grand Final the year before,
weren't able to win it? Third time lucky for the Chiefs.

Speaker 9 (01:11:06):
I've been too burnt by the other times to even
think about it. Now. Something I lost something that night
in Hamilton, watching Razor breakdance on the turf white at
the stadium. It just it took something from me. I
guess an innocence or whatever. It is, just belief. It

(01:11:27):
all just evaporated that night, and now whatever happens just happens.
I'm numb to it. But at least we look good.

Speaker 2 (01:11:34):
We did look good, Well you did. I texted our
media colleague Olie Ritchie last night, who, as you know,
is a big Crusaders man out of christ Church. This
was when the Crusaders went nineteen to three ahead, and
I said to him, what even was twenty twenty four
for the Crusaders? Was that a parallel universe or something?
He came back saying, was certainly a time we choose

(01:11:56):
to forget. Well, he might want to forget what happened
after that as well. What happened after that, Well, after.

Speaker 9 (01:12:01):
That, the Crusaders didn't score any points, so they didn't
score any points in the second half. It stayed at nineteen.
The Chiefs, though, got their act together. They were a
bit clunky, So we can talk about the obvious, which
is having Damien McKenzie back really helps. But he did
look to have what looked like a cast on his
hand because he broke his hand a few weeks ago

(01:12:22):
to come back quite early, and it did I think
affected his passing and just confidence in that first half
a couple of intercepts in their intercepts if you like.
But then that third quarter has been incredible for the
Chiefs for most of the season except for last week
against the Hurricanes, so we can get to that. But

(01:12:43):
just one last night, I think there were three players
that I thought really spit out apart from dmac and
they were Quintupire, Luke Jacobson t happening at open side
Flanka just all the dirty works. But Wallace a T
T twenty two hit ups, coming back and playing a
full game after that neat reconstruction. He is a machine.

(01:13:03):
And I mean, look, he is the breakthrough world rugby
player of the year, so he.

Speaker 2 (01:13:08):
Was world class, just absolutely, can I add emoni Nullawa,
you know, not as not as eye catching a game
last night, but across the season, his body of work
for the Chiefs, he's the form right winger in the competition,
isn't he he is?

Speaker 9 (01:13:25):
I think he's a Player of the Year candidate for
the Chiefs as well. You think about the minutes he's
played and how influential he's been a real deadlock breaker
as well. So he's one of those guys who if
you look back at the Chiefs and when the momentum
swimming starts, he's one of those wingers that also likes
to pick and go. So he's right there at the
base of the rack trying to get amongst it and

(01:13:46):
the good on Clayton McMillan just says, Yeah, why not
do what you've got to do if that's your game,
and go and do it. I've felt sorry for the
Crusaders because Will Jordan's so influential. As soon as he
went off, their game sort of went to pieces a bit,
and that just shows those really those top class superstars
make such a big difference. That's almost we might have

(01:14:07):
to decide the playoffs piny because maybe without dmac the
Chiefs aren't going to be able to get up and
beat some of the top teams. And are the Hurricanes,
given that the Chiefs lost last week, are they the
form new Zealand side. Are they the best hes onside?

Speaker 2 (01:14:23):
Well, I guess we're going to find out. I'm you
probably didn't hear Quinta Pie with us on the radio
about an hour ago, but he said that after they
lost to the Hurricanes last week and in the process
leaked twenty six unanswered points in the second half, Clayton
McMillan afterwards in the changing room turned their speaker off
and made them sit silently and listen to the Hurricanes
singing their victory song in the changing room next door.

(01:14:46):
That is masterful stuff from Clayton.

Speaker 9 (01:14:51):
It when the Crusaders went up ninety nineteen points to
three and you were texting early Ritchie, I was thinking,
I was in the alternative commentary thinking can we go
over to the Warriors? And also if there's ever been
a time in rugby where a team needed time out,
that would have been you know, they just looked all
at sea, but then it came right and probably Clayton

(01:15:12):
had a really good half time with you know, turning
speakers off and doing what he does.

Speaker 2 (01:15:18):
Indeed, well, while you were watching the rugby, the Warriors
were playing and you, I'm presumed caught the end of it.
Which was probably the most exciting, but once the rugby
had finished, that just got an ability this season to
close out the the tighte ones.

Speaker 9 (01:15:31):
James, Yes, and I like the technical of taking an
early droppy. There's nothing like when you try and see
it happen in the seventy ninth minute or whatever. It's
just all or nothing. You can see the pressure pile
on the on the kicker, although there is the safety
net if you like of gotten point extra time, but
it was it was a good call from Luke Metcalf,

(01:15:52):
you know, just bossing it the way he has so far.
You can see him growing with every game and winning
those tough ones is something that the Warriors that the
need is part of their repertoire because they're always going
to get those sorts of games over in Australia. So yeah,
there was just from looking at some of the highlights
and I watched a bit of the second half, I
do like the fact that they they're more uncompromising this year,

(01:16:18):
and even defensive highlights, you see the worrier is really
standing up there. So imagine when we get James Swisher
Harris back, it's going to be even more formidable.

Speaker 2 (01:16:28):
And Roger two of us. The Sheky's not back yet.
We saw Dellan come back last night, so that the
cavalry is starting to arrive. Think about att Raga League, Thay,
it must just I guess they just accept that injuries
happened jackson Ford last night. Buntie Alfo I think went off.
They just must accept that the attrition rate in this
game is going to be quite high.

Speaker 9 (01:16:47):
Yeah, and also shout out to Tomighty Marsin who's from
just south of Kafia Harbor, Tahadora. It's near my neck
of the woods. They are having someone like him come
on and be a mister fixer is really what you need.
And that's what you know. The bench has become in
regular league. You just have to decide really carefully because
you've got your forward rotation. We guys like Bunty you

(01:17:09):
have always been stars. But then who do you have
who can plug gaps? And he's done that incredibly well.
I think a lot of people are thinking his career
was over with the harps Coomb but they've got now.
But he put in played a nice hand.

Speaker 2 (01:17:23):
A couple of other matters around Today. Auckland f C
will face Melbourne victory home and away for a place
in the A League Means Football Grand Final. You're happy
enough with that outcome?

Speaker 9 (01:17:33):
No, I'm not, pony, I'm not happy about it. I
think Melbourne victory really sneakingly good. Is my feeling about
the Melbourne victory. And you know the players better than me.
But you know Nisha Vlukla, the Sri Lankan star, Ossiebourne
Sri Lankan. I mean there's all these players who they
just have for a team that's I guess, you know,

(01:17:56):
not really had a dynasty era. They do feel like
they're consistently very very good and they've got more X
factor than most your thoughts.

Speaker 2 (01:18:05):
No, I agree totally. I think if you and I
actually thought Western Sydney had as much X factor as
Melbourne victory. But last night it was the It was
the Victory players who showed that Daniel Larzani he best
player out there last night. All I'll say though, is
that a couple of things. Auckland FC went over there
and one two knill not that long ago. And Auckland
FC have the best defense in the competition. So look,

(01:18:29):
when you're talking about NULLA foring threats, I think the
likes of Hiroki Sakai, Dan Hallmander, Pinaker, Francis Devreze, Alex
Paulson and goalie of Strata in front of them. I
think we're pretty well equipped to repel victories.

Speaker 9 (01:18:43):
But the one issue is I think, look, there's a
chance we'll lose in Melbourne, right, So if that happens,
then we come back to go media. And as your
previous James on the show was saying, you know, there's
extra seats in the atmosphere has been electric, so it
will be a cauldron as you put a piney. So
the thing is they need to finish their chances. I

(01:19:04):
don't think you can rely on Francis of Reece winning,
you know, winning corners for him on the on the
preferred right side of the field, so it's left foot
can work its magic. I think they really need to
say to m and my and Max Martin, so the
guys they start up front, they've got to be way
more deadly in front of the gold That's.

Speaker 2 (01:19:22):
It, all right, just to finish. NBA Semi Finals are
on at the moment. In fact, there's a game on
as we speak halftime, Golden State Warriors forty two, forty
ahead of the Timberwolves. This one's locked up at one all.
It seems like it's been very difficult for teams to
win at home during these NBA playoffs.

Speaker 9 (01:19:38):
It's been totally topsy turvy, and the Boston Celtics have
been given a massive wake up call from the New
York Mix. But today, one of the cool stories is
that for the what Golden State Warriors, because Steph Curry
isn't playing, there's a guy called Pat Spencer who looks
like he pretty much belongs in you, you know, r
YMC a league, playing out there with a T shirt

(01:19:59):
on and just you know, looking like someone's geography teacher.
And he's just been magic for them, just filling gaps.
He's not been lighting up the school board completely, but
he's suddenly effective because they've got no stuff. They've traded
lots of players away, and he's getting to play a
really important role for a depleted Warrior's side. And you

(01:20:24):
probably got the TV. I've just gone to an ad.
I was going to give you a score update. But
that's good on them. Good old Pat Spencer a lacrosse
star in his youth. He was the number one for
lacrosse player in America. But he just preferred basketball and said,
this is what I'm going to do with my life.

Speaker 2 (01:20:40):
You don't get a lot of pets anymore. Do you
get a lot of people called Pat?

Speaker 9 (01:20:46):
And not only is playing NBA's brother plays at Memphis Grizzly.
So it's kind of crazy how I have Suddenly everyone's
wanting to write stories about good old Pat the postman.
Pat always delivers.

Speaker 2 (01:20:59):
Good Thanks as all those James mccony, big part of
our Sunday is very popular part of our Sundays. Catch
them on the Alternative Commentary Collective, on the Craig Goes World,
and across your social media platforms as well. Forty two
to forty The Warriors lead the Timberwolves at halftime in
Game three of their semi final series. It's all locked
up at one game apiece. Leon Busby Actually after two o'clock,
our American sports expert going to break down all of

(01:21:22):
the NBA Semi Finals for us back in a moment
on Weekend.

Speaker 1 (01:21:25):
Sports, analyzing every view from every angle in the sporting
world Weekends for it with Jason pie They call eight
hundred and eighties and eighty News Talks MB.

Speaker 2 (01:21:35):
Four to two just a correction on tickets for the
Auckland FC game. I mentioned before they might be available
tomorrow for general sale. No Tuesday. Tuesday is when they
go on general sale. This is the home leg of
the semi on the night of May twenty four, three
o'clock Tuesday afternoon through Ticketmaster as we can get your
tickets for the semi final home leg. Members of course
already have the opportunity to buy theirs right now. After

(01:21:59):
two o'clock. Judd flavel on the show, coach of the
Tall Blacks, a Trans Tasman doubleheader in Hamilton with both
of their Tall Backs and Tall Ferns. Tacking on the
Australian counterparts and speaking of Australian's Donald Wallam new to
the mystics this year in the am Z Premiership. She's
with us.

Speaker 1 (01:22:14):
Too, the only place to discuss the biggest fours issues
on and after fields. It's all on Weekend Sport with
Jason Paine on your Home of Sport. We used talks.

Speaker 2 (01:22:29):
Hello there and welcome into the show. Welcome back. It
is seven past two. I'm Jason Pine. This is Weekend Sport,
Ada McDonald producing the show. Only here until three o'clock
when Tim Beveridge takes over or the weekend collective Mother's
Day edition before we can hand the mic over. Quite
a bit to talk about, actually, hoop sports, including netball.

(01:22:52):
The A and Z Premiership is underway, with the Central
Pulse victorious yesterday fifty seven forty four against the whitecutt
Or Bay of Plenty, Magic and Parmeerston North four o'clock
This afternoon Auckland Derby Northern Mystics Northern Stars event find
a Stadium in Auckland. Danell Wallom has taken the place
of Grace Weki in the Northern Mystics lineup. The Mystics,

(01:23:14):
of course, are defending champions. Danell Wallom is an Australian
diamonds shooter. How she feeling ahead of her first season
with the Mystics, we'll find out when she joins us.
The Mainland Tactics later on tonight hosts the Southern Steel
in christ Church. Full commentary of that game incidentally via
Gold Sport and iHeartRadio Basketball as well. A Trans Tasman

(01:23:39):
double header at Globox Arena in Cordland's Hamilton about to
get underway, the toll Blacks against the Australian Boomers, and
then following that it's our tall Ferns against the Australian Opals.
Judd Flavel, coach of the toll Blacks. I spoke to
him yesterday because we knew who wouldn't be able to
get him on while the game was getting under way.
It's a Judg Flavel coming up and we'll wrap American

(01:24:02):
sport for you, including the NBA Basketball semi finals and
NHL Ice hockey playoff action for you as well. Please
continue to get in touch if you would like to
via any of the means available to you Text nine
two nine to two, email Jason at NEWSTALKZB dot co
dot nz or on the phone, oh eight hundred and

(01:24:24):
eighty ten eighty. But before we get into any of that,
as we always do it around about this time on
weekend sport, let's get you up today, shall we with
some of the things that might have escaped your attention
in case you missed it from the last twenty four
hours or so. Starting in the Premier League, aston Villa
picking up a win over Bournemouth to stay in the

(01:24:45):
hunt for Champions League football next season. Rogers and Watkins
and Hay halftime lead.

Speaker 4 (01:24:57):
The joy evidence of the face of Olie Watkins and
in the sixth minutes of additional time.

Speaker 2 (01:25:05):
Aston Villa o'bannoses in front and stayed in front, winning
its one knell to Super Rugby. The Brumbies up to
second on the table with an impressive win away at
the Western Force. There for lotting it wider, sob right
holds it up the till to accelerate to get through
the way.

Speaker 7 (01:25:24):
To sup It is Dicky who have the Brunbies?

Speaker 3 (01:25:28):
Oh is it?

Speaker 2 (01:25:29):
Thirty three point fourteen? The Brumbies running out winners in
Western Australia. In the NRL, the comebacks continued, the Bulldogs
overcoming a twenty point deficit. Siren is nearly upon us.

Speaker 10 (01:25:43):
Some of them are.

Speaker 8 (01:25:43):
Jumping for joy on the sideline.

Speaker 7 (01:25:45):
This is one of the great reds, the eight twin
of the season for a character cards. For the first
time in twenty four years, Canterbury have overcome a twenty point.

Speaker 2 (01:25:57):
Deficit, indeed winning it thirty two points to twenty. And
the Cowboys had to come back from a double digit
deficit twice to seen their game against the Panthers at
a golden point. And then this happened No Clarie quick
hands filled dot jackins tie with the car, chuggles it
at the time, kicks it back t con seconds off

(01:26:20):
the clock. There won't be time for a scrub.

Speaker 4 (01:26:23):
We've got ninety minutes, folks, and we'll have to.

Speaker 5 (01:26:26):
Call it a drawer.

Speaker 2 (01:26:27):
Indeed, we will thirty thirty between the Cowboys and the Panthers,
nothing splitting the two and a barn storming performance from
rookie fall back Braxton Sorenson McGhee has got on the
Blackfern's year off to a winning start.

Speaker 7 (01:26:43):
There's no one there counts us to Sarance McGee five
the time in the corner brex at Sorrence McGee with
a trial on day Boo the eighteen year old the
full back in the right egg corner by selling yourself
to the rexton. Sir McGhee with two tries on tapoo
scores it underneath the sticks.

Speaker 1 (01:27:03):
Breaking down the hail Mary's and the epic fields weekends
for it with Jason Vine News Talk ZENV.

Speaker 2 (01:27:11):
Eleven minutes past two basketball doubleheader at Globox Arena, Clawton's,
Hamilton today to conclude the Trans Tasman throwdown, the Australian
Boomers and the Tall Blacks have just tipped off at
ten past four as the Australian Opals and the Tall
Ferns now. Both Australian teams were victorious in the opening
two matches and Adelaide on Wednesday night the Opals beat

(01:27:34):
our Tall Ferns eighty eight to seventy and the Boomers
beat the Tall Blacks eighty points to sixty eight. And
then on Friday night in the Sunshine Coast it was
the women's ninety two to sixty seven to Australia and
in the men ninety eight sorry, ninety two sixty seven
and the men ninety eight to fifty seven in the women.
So some pride to play for this afternoon in the

(01:27:56):
third and final games of this Trans Tasman series, the
Trans Tasman throw Down as they're calling it. I spoke
yesterday with Tall Black's coach jud flavel Staffter he got
off the plane on the flight home and asked him
what had taken up most of his thinking time on
the flight back to New Zealand ahead of Game three
this afternoon.

Speaker 21 (01:28:16):
Yeah, it was an early start for us this morning,
travel day and all, but we had had some time
to look across get across the film, and I guess,
you know, there's a lot to light there in terms
of what we wanted to achieve.

Speaker 10 (01:28:30):
We wanted to tidy up some of the things on
the offensive.

Speaker 21 (01:28:32):
End, and you know, we we we were able to
do that, and we just I guess trying to put
it together consistently is the is the mission the objective.
And at times when we did do that and converted,
you know, we we were good. We haven't shot the
ball well, we've shot it, I guess across both games,

(01:28:53):
you know, twenty three percent from a three point line,
and so it's hard to win ball games, you know.
And when I guess you are unable to convert, I
guess what you're trying to do. I thought, defensively, we've
been very solid across the board, little things that we

(01:29:15):
can you know, as as you get into these these
games and and you know your your opponents throw them
different things at you. But for the most part, in
the core of our defense, I've been really happy with it.

Speaker 2 (01:29:27):
So when you're looking for offensive consistency, Jardin and those
three pointers aren't dropping the way you are hoping they will,
are you encouraging your guys to keep on shooting from
from free point land or are you looking for other
options to that point.

Speaker 21 (01:29:41):
Yeah, Look, traditionally tall blacks, we we have to be
out of space the floor, and so the shots that
we you know, some of the shots that we get
in and they're not falling, we're happy with that. That's
that's you're playing the numbers game as far as as
far as that's concerned and numbers. Yeah, like shooters have
got to shoot, and if we turn down those shots,

(01:30:04):
then you know, we live. I guess I'll give ourselves
less time on the on the shop clock and to
try to generate more or another advantage, which is really
just going to come back to getting the same shot.
So I guess we don't have a lot of margin
for error, I guess at that end. And so we

(01:30:24):
have to be very precise and be on top of
things as far as the execution is concerned. And yeah,
given a short time frame and the way that we
came into this window, you know, if we had a
longer prep time, then maybe maybe some things we would
have done differently.

Speaker 10 (01:30:37):
But yeah, it's a good it's a good process for
us to go through.

Speaker 21 (01:30:40):
And what leads into the Asia Cupain in a couple
of months time.

Speaker 2 (01:30:44):
So you alluded to your defensive performance before Judd across
the two matches, how do you evaluate your your your
defensive performance.

Speaker 21 (01:30:54):
Yeah, as I say, just I think pretty solid across
the board. That the two areas that it really stood
out last night obviously was points that we gave up
in transition and that really I guess a flowing effect
from what you're doing and the half caught offensively, like
if you're executing well and you're giving good shots, you
can be predictable and getting to your defensive transition structures.

(01:31:17):
But we you know, we had a lot of turnovers.
We had I think it was sixteen or eighteen turnovers
that led to a lot of points for them, and
we also gave up I guess the offensive rebound count.

Speaker 10 (01:31:30):
We've lost that both games. And I guess that's those
are the sides that the sides of.

Speaker 21 (01:31:36):
The game that you know, if you've got to be
solid across those areas and that gives you a fighting charts.
And you know Xavier Cooks who had six off into
rebounds last last night, as you know, someone like that
has to be you know, we have to make it
more difficult for them, and sometimes it's an effort thing.
Sometimes it's just the way our structures are on the
defensive end. So yeah, those are the two areas for

(01:31:59):
us that we will be looking to improve. And but
you know, overall, for the defense and for the short
time span and the connection that we that we have,
you know, things that there's been some good science.

Speaker 2 (01:32:13):
You're welcomed Fin Delaney back into your camp after his
club season in Japan. Was all done good to have
him back in the Black Singler. How much of a
boost does Findalaney give you?

Speaker 21 (01:32:24):
Yeah, just a leader, another veteran that has a wealth
of experience and knowledge and you know it just it's
been great obviously a guy that can play at a
high level and has been playing at a high level
for a number of years. And yeah, I know the
toll box means a lot for him and him coming
back and such as short notice and you know, straight

(01:32:45):
after the conclusion of his season in Japan just speaks
volumes of him and what the tour backs means to
him and what he means to the tow backs as well.

Speaker 10 (01:32:55):
So the great influence to have.

Speaker 21 (01:32:57):
We've got a young group, we got like three or
fourteen agers here, some early some guys in the early
twenties and having a role model and a a leader.
LA is Yeah, with its weight in gold.

Speaker 2 (01:33:10):
So you mentioned, I mean there's a couple of players
who aren't available. Maybe you can just drill down to
that a little bit for us, Judd, how close is
this tall Blacks roster to the best possible side you
could put out of everybody was available.

Speaker 21 (01:33:24):
Yeah, look, it's good, as I said, a lot of
youngsters that are going to be you know, tall Blacks
for years to come. And I guess tama Isaac an
eighteen year old who will be eating off to college soon.
And same with Julius Ala who is apparently over in Georgetown.
You know, both to eighteen year old's Jackson boy who

(01:33:45):
got on the court again last night, and a seventeen
year old is still at school and you know at
high school nape your boys. So yeah, we also had
Oscar Goodman as well, another eighteen year old that was
at the Adelaide game. These guys are the future of
New zeal basketball, and you know they're got their way

(01:34:07):
into the squad because of I guess you just timing
of the when this this series has played. You know,
there's a there's a lot of international basketball that's still
going in terms of the professional league. So there's a
lot of a large number of guys that are currently
away and unavailable, you know, Thy Webster zone in Europe

(01:34:29):
and along with Jordan Natai and Yanni Witzel and then
we have about three or four guys over in Puerto
Rico as well, so as well as Japan, and so yeah,
there's a number of guys that I would say is
are missing.

Speaker 10 (01:34:45):
And you know we had named some guys.

Speaker 21 (01:34:47):
You have Flynn Cameron who was part of this initial
group and Corey Webster, but injuries, you know that they
come around, but you know.

Speaker 10 (01:34:55):
Bad timing for them and for us.

Speaker 21 (01:34:57):
But look what it has given us as an opportunity
to build our future and.

Speaker 10 (01:35:02):
You know, and that looks promising.

Speaker 2 (01:35:04):
So back home now and we don't get the chance
to watch the All Blacks play Australia on home courts
very often. How motivated are you to pull up a
game back and to put on a real show for
your home fans in Game three?

Speaker 10 (01:35:15):
Oh?

Speaker 21 (01:35:16):
Absolutely, you know we relished the opportunity to play against
I guess our rivals and two in this series has
really stretched us and we've learned a lot about ourselves
and a great preparation for what we're great opportunities for

(01:35:37):
us to really stretch ourselves and this, Yeah, this game
in Hamilton tomorrow is going to be nothing short of
what we've seen so far. Two countries playing hard and
playing the game the right way, and I think it's going.

Speaker 10 (01:35:50):
To be a great spectacle.

Speaker 21 (01:35:52):
Of course, you know, we are going to compete as
hard as we can and do the best that we
can and try to put on I guess a performance
that we can be very proud of and putting together
forty minutes. There's something that we'll be striving for and
you know as we as we close out the series.

Speaker 2 (01:36:09):
And speaking of young up and coming players, your daughter
Bailey is in the Tall Ferns side that's been playing
the Opals, the Australian women's side at the same time
you've been facing the Boomers. So have you been able
to take a break from being Tall Black's coach to
be a proud dad?

Speaker 21 (01:36:26):
Well, I actually asked the game yesterday, did stick around
and watch their game? And so yeah, he had had
a moment there to sort of watch her and.

Speaker 10 (01:36:36):
Yeah, it's been fun.

Speaker 21 (01:36:37):
Look, you know, just been on tour with this, I
think with the Tall Ferns group and the Tall.

Speaker 10 (01:36:42):
Back's been together.

Speaker 21 (01:36:42):
It's it's great for the two teams to be playing
and traveling around together and and sort of really build
that connection there. And obviously having Bailey there. You know,
sometimes I do catch myself going on that's right. Yeah,
Bailly's playing and Bailey's here, so I see her, you know,
having a good time and enjoying the experience.

Speaker 10 (01:37:01):
But yeah, that's that's what it's all about at the
end of the day.

Speaker 21 (01:37:04):
It's it's basketball, it's it's sport, and you know, it's
fun and yeah, we're lucky to do this.

Speaker 2 (01:37:10):
That is the voice of Judd Flavel, Tall Blacks coach,
who I spoke to once they jumped off the plane
yesterday ahead of Game three today, which is underway at
Globbox Arena in Claudland's near Hamilton. They're in the first
quarter and the Boomers with a seven to six lead.
The game the other night on the Sunshine Coast was

(01:37:31):
very even early too. It was I think only eighteen
ten at quarter times, so pretty tough defensively in the
first quarter, and so it's proving here seven to six.
The Boomers lead the Toall Blacks with about four minutes
gone or sorry, five and a half minutes to go
in the first quarter, to be followed by the women's game.

(01:37:51):
Now from the NBA, where it's Game three between the
Golden State Warriors and the Minnesota Vikings in San Francisco,
all locked up at one apiece.

Speaker 18 (01:38:00):
What was that?

Speaker 15 (01:38:01):
Sorry?

Speaker 2 (01:38:03):
What did I say? The Vikings? The Minnesota Vikings. Sorry,
and that's the NFLT. You're well out of season there, mate,
I am I'm so used to say in the Minnesota
Vikings because that's my soun's team, Minnesota Tempolves. What a
dick against the one New Zella Warriors is at the
Warriors going back to back they lead by one two

(01:38:25):
the Warriors fifty six fifty five, Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves.
Good to have you alongside, Andy. I'm glad that you're
here to twenty two. It's like a break come back
with some nipple.

Speaker 1 (01:38:39):
Don't get caught offside Weekend Sports with Jason Pyin and GJ.
Guvnomees New Zealand's most trusted home builder News Dogs MV.

Speaker 2 (01:38:50):
Two twenty five. Gary texts throw and says piney, Yesterday
I saw one of the best occasions ever at a
sports game and Upper Hut Senior rug but your Tawa,
says Gary. Against Upper Hut, all the Upper Hut Senior
team members walked out with their mum to the center
of the ground and presented flowers to each of them
as a thank you and wishing them happy Mother's Day.

(01:39:12):
Unbelievable and touched everyone present. Let's hope it continues. Gary,
thank you for texting that. Through brilliant idea by the
Upper Hut rugby club. Now confusion reigns over this basketball game,
not just in me calling the team the wrong name.
I'm talking about the Tall Blacks Australia game.

Speaker 10 (01:39:28):
Now.

Speaker 2 (01:39:30):
They must have had the score wrong on the screen
because the score actually is with three minutes twenty to
go in the first quarter Tall Blacks sixteen Boomers four.
So the Toll Blacks have absolutely come out firing in
this third game in front of their home crowd in Hamilton,
a really really good start sixteen to four. New Zealand
lead Australia with three and a bit minutes left in

(01:39:53):
the first quarter. So long may that continue. The new
A and Z Premiership Netball season is upon us and
there's a new face and the defending champion Northern Mystics
lineup this season. This is quite the coup. The Mystics
have acquired this services of Australian shooter Danell Wallom. It's
the first to go ahead by two. After that Walem,

(01:40:13):
I couldn't get the ball to Doji. Now back to
Australia Weston.

Speaker 3 (01:40:19):
She finds proud Walem to Australia.

Speaker 2 (01:40:24):
But you have written that if you tried, Danel Wallem. Yes,
so Dannell Wallam is now a Northern Mystics player and
she is with us in studio. Denell, thank you for
joining us, Congratulations on the move, Welcome to New Zealand.
How did this all come about?

Speaker 17 (01:40:40):
Thank you so much for having me.

Speaker 19 (01:40:41):
Yeah, so Mystics reached out to my management at the
end of last year and I was obviously looking for
a contract and you know I was tossing up between
the UK and New Zealand. But after speaking to Tia
at the Mystics here, I knew that Mystics was a
team I wanted to come to.

Speaker 2 (01:40:59):
How easy has the Mystics environment been to fit into.

Speaker 17 (01:41:03):
Oh so easy.

Speaker 19 (01:41:04):
It's just you know, everyone has been so welcoming and
just probably the biggest barrier is like just the difference
in language that we use for netball. It's just so
interesting how so many people can interpret the game so differently.
But now I felt like a smooth transition over here,
and it's just been great.

Speaker 2 (01:41:23):
So what are some of the examples that do we
just use different words over here for different things on
court and things like that?

Speaker 19 (01:41:28):
Yeah, that's all right, just using different words. And then
I'm like, I don't really know what that means until
we start getting into it, and I'm like, oh, okay, yep.

Speaker 2 (01:41:35):
Fair enough. Well, I'm glad you've got up to speed
with the season now here. Now this is the question
I'm sure you've been asked more than any other question.
Do you feel any pressure at all replacing Grace Wiki
in the Mystics lineup?

Speaker 17 (01:41:46):
Yeah, I did feel at a little bit of pressure.

Speaker 19 (01:41:49):
You know, she's got she's an amazing shooter, and there's
big shoes to feel there. But something that Tears said
to me in our initial meeting was that they just
wanted me for me and to come over and be
myself and bring the skills that I bring. And so
that kind of took the pressure and I knew that
ly I didn't have to live up to anybody else's expectations.

Speaker 17 (01:42:10):
I've just got to come.

Speaker 2 (01:42:11):
And be mere fantastic. So here we are on the
eve of the first game. How are you feeling as
a team heading into weekend one of the A and
Z Premiership.

Speaker 17 (01:42:19):
Yeah, I'm really excited.

Speaker 19 (01:42:21):
As you said, it's a bit of a new look
team as well, so I'm excited to see what we
can do out on court, you know, in that game,
real game scenario.

Speaker 17 (01:42:28):
So I'm looking forward to it. I can't wait.

Speaker 19 (01:42:30):
It's the Auckland Derby between Mystics and Stars, so that's
really exciting.

Speaker 2 (01:42:35):
So did you play basketball to quite a high level
growing up?

Speaker 17 (01:42:40):
I did play basketball too. I think they call it
NBL one now.

Speaker 19 (01:42:45):
Yeah, so, but I've just basketball was probably the sport
I've played my whole childhood. But I've played a bit
of netball as well socially for my hometown. And yeah,
so I think there's a lot of similarities in the
two sports.

Speaker 2 (01:42:57):
Well, the reason I asked, of course, is the two
point shot, which is a new innovation we're all looking
forward to seeing in the A and Z Premiership this year.
Does that excite you as a as a former basketball Yeah,
I love.

Speaker 19 (01:43:09):
It, and you know, the SSN have been playing with
it for a few years, so I know how much
it excites the crowd as well, and how much it
can bring the crowd into the game, which is just
so good for Natbelle. I think it just can change
the way a game goes as well. So I'm a
big fan of the super shot.

Speaker 2 (01:43:25):
So can you tell us how the evolution of it
has worked, because it's new to us obviously, and talking
to a couple of the other teams, they're all sort
of in a little bit of an experimental phase as
to how beast to use it both to shoot as
shooters and in the defensive circle as well. Are you
trying to score as many two pointers as possible and

(01:43:45):
that in those segments of the game, or are you
still relying on the you know, under the hoop one
pointers as well.

Speaker 19 (01:43:51):
Yeah, So I guess it depends where we're at in
the game. You know, if we've got a big lead,
then I guess we can afford to just take the
ones and keep ticking the scoreboard over. But if you're
chasing the lead, then you kind of have to back
yourself and go for those two pointers.

Speaker 17 (01:44:07):
It's high risk but high.

Speaker 2 (01:44:08):
Reward, absolutely. And so what I mean, I know you
obviously do you know, you operate at the at the
offensive end of the court, But have you noticed the
defenders and the team coming up with their strategies. Obviously
they've got to defend further out if people aren't taking
two point shots.

Speaker 19 (01:44:24):
Yeah, I think it's tricky for the defenders because you know,
they've been told any other time to push the defenders,
push the attackers out and make them shoot from you know,
long range. But as soon as that supershot buzzer goes off,
they've got to do the complete opposite. So I think, yeah,
I'm in awe of the defenders when you know they've
got to try and switch their game plan around.

Speaker 2 (01:44:43):
So, yeah, coming into a new environment, Danelle, how hard
have you worked on establishing connections with you know, with
your fellow shooters, but also the mid quarters who are
going to be feeding you most off and across the season.

Speaker 19 (01:44:56):
Yeah, that's been really important to me to try and
you know, we had a shorter pre season, so I
had to kind of work on those connections really fast.
But thankfully we've had a few preseason games, so we've
got to figure each other out on the court and
also figure each other out off the court. I think
that's just as important as well. So we feel very

(01:45:16):
connected and I'm excited for us to have a crack
this weekend.

Speaker 2 (01:45:20):
And you've been part of the Australian Diamond set up
for the last few years. Is that still a focus
for you to represent Australia.

Speaker 19 (01:45:26):
Yeah, definitely, Like I'm just taking this season as it comes,
game by game, but you know, the ultimate goal is
to hopefully pull on the green and gold dress again.
So for me, I'm just coming over learning as much
as I can playing over here, and yeah, whatever will
be will be.

Speaker 2 (01:45:42):
What's the situation with because I'm sure you've picked up
on this that there's a bit of an eligibility discussion
going on over here around mainly around Grace actually and
the fact that she's playing in Australia, which prevents her
currently from playing for the Silver Ferns. Is that the
same rule that applies for Australia, Like can you represent
Australia while playing for the Mystics.

Speaker 19 (01:46:00):
Yeah, no, that's we don't have that rule in Australia.
And I spoke to Stacey Marinkovich, the Australian coach. She
reassured me that, you know, she'd rather be playing that
ball than staying home in OZ to get a training
partner contract if that was the case, But she said
that over here, I'm still eligible for selection.

Speaker 10 (01:46:20):
Now.

Speaker 2 (01:46:20):
I feel like playing that ball is the main thing,
isn't it isn't you know, playing are going to be
a lot more beneficial than, as you say, being a
training partner.

Speaker 17 (01:46:27):
Yeah, absolutely so.

Speaker 19 (01:46:29):
Yeah that, like I said, it just reassured me that
coming over here was the right choice for me as well.

Speaker 13 (01:46:35):
Well.

Speaker 2 (01:46:35):
Hopefully the powers will be on the side of the
Tasman will have a similar epiphany and engineers the rules
over here. But I know that's got nothing to do
with you, Denell. All your focusing on is the Mystics
at the moment. Look really appreciate your stepping into the
studio and having a chat to us. All the best
for the season ahead as the Mystics look to go
back to back. Thank you so much, No, thank you
for stopping in, Denel Dannell while I'm there a new

(01:46:56):
recruit for the Northern Mystics, the defending champion Northern Mystics,
of course, who opened their campaign in a couple of
hours four o'clock center Pass against the Northern Stars at
event find A Stadium in Auckland. The Mainland Tactics hosting
the Southern Steel from seven o'clock this evening at Wolfbrook
Arena in christ Church. The season underway yesterday in Palmerston North,

(01:47:18):
where the Central Pulse were very impressive in beating the
Whitecutal Bay of plenty Magic fifty seven forty four. It
was the first chance to see the two point shot clearly.
Amelioranic Andasio has been working on it. I was watching
it yesterday and she was hitting two or three from
out in the two point area. If you've only just
caught up with us. Basically you think of the shooting

(01:47:38):
circle in netball, and the outer reaches of the shooting
circle that is now shaded on the court, and so
if you take a shot, it's only in the last
two minutes of each quarter. But if you take a
shot from in that shaded area, so the outside part
of the shooting circle and you land it you get
two points. It's a new innovation this year, so'm be

(01:48:00):
interesting to see how it plays out and how teams
will cope with, certainly having to defend it, but also
how they strategize about using it. I guess gives teams
a chance as well. Who might feel like there's a
big deficit to pull back, you know, eight to ten
points in the past, that might seem like, you know,
a few too many, but when you got two point

(01:48:20):
shots to rely on, maybe it's not quite so big
a deficit to pull back. Twenty five to three is
the time updating you from the NBA where Golden State
lead Minnesota seventy sixty four with a minute to go
in the third quarter. This is a pretty crucial game
in the Western Conference semifinals with the series tied at
one apiece. We'll update you on all of these NBA

(01:48:42):
semi final series, four of them shortly, two in the
East and two in the West, and also the National
Hockey League Stanley Cup playoffs which are ongoing as well
as they as they head towards the big dance in
the Stanley Cup ice hockey. Leon Busby is our American
sports expert on weekend Sport. He is with us as

(01:49:03):
we go stateside right after this.

Speaker 1 (01:49:06):
Voice of Sport on your Home of Sport Weekend Sport
with Jason Vain and GJ. Gunner Holmes, New Zealand's most
trusted oh Builder, News.

Speaker 2 (01:49:15):
Talks, News Talks. It be just a word on Major
League Soccer before we actually get to our American sports
segment proper this morning, Michael Boxell all whites defender who
plays for Minnesota United in Major League Soccer, came up
against into Miami and do you know who is marking

(01:49:35):
Michael Boxall Lionel Messi. Michael Boxel against Leonel Messi and
Michael Boxwell's Minnesota United won that game four one tremendous.
Let's talk some more American sport. Get your state site
for our regular catch up on what's happening in American sports.
Lee on Buzz Lee on Buzzby is with us. Haw's
your weekend been so farly on?

Speaker 22 (01:49:57):
You're pretty good? Jason, Yeah, happy, mother's at all. The
mother's out there to listening.

Speaker 2 (01:50:02):
Absolutely right. I endorsed that one hundred percent. Okay, want
to get to the basketball, but first, can we start
with the NHL the National ice Hockey League playoff time there.
How do the playoffs work in the in the Stanley
Cup In the NHL, what's the situation.

Speaker 22 (01:50:19):
Yeah, so pretty much like the NBA, it's broken down
into the Western and the Eastern Conference. So we'll start
off with the Eastern Conference. So we've got four series
going on at the moment. The Carolina Hurricanes versus Washington
Capital so they played earlier today with Carolina winning and
dominant fashion four mill say they've taking a vital two
leeed in that series. Then you've got the defending champion

(01:50:42):
Florida Panthers versus the Toronto Maple Leagues. Toronto leads that
series too well, with game four schedule for tomorrow. Now,
next to the Eastern Conference, we've got the Edmonton Oilers
versus the Las Vegas Golden Knight. Now Edmonton leads that
series to nil and Game three is played out as
we speak in a Class one of that. But some
of your usteners party will be aware that the Golden

(01:51:04):
Knight's actually owned by Texan born billing Bill Fowley, who
also owns AFC Bournemouth and the EPL and our own
Orphan FC in the A League. So that's pretty interesting.
And finally the Dallas Stars versus the Winnipeg Jets. That
series that tart up with one all, with game three
tomorrow as well.

Speaker 2 (01:51:21):
All right, so the winners three to the Stanley Cup Final.
I asked Andy to find out for me when the
last time a Canadian team won the Stanley Cup was.
He tells me it was in nineteen ninety three when
the Montreal Canadians won it. So what chance we have
a Canadian winner this year?

Speaker 10 (01:51:41):
Yeah?

Speaker 22 (01:51:41):
Well, good on any for dounans homework. But if we
look at the fourth series, three of them are between
Canadian and American teams. They out of the eighth the
maining contenders left. There are three Canadian teams but five
American teams still left on the ice. Most brity websites
currently have the following nines and I'll give them to
you now to win it all. They start with the
favorite Edmonton orders. They're at plus two ninety, so they're

(01:52:03):
living up to that favoritism, having won the opening two
games on the road, with the series now moving to
their own arena. They also happen to have the best
player in the league, Conor McDavid. His odds on to
win the cons Mico Trophy for regular season MVP, but
unfortunately from there the odds are stacked against the other
two Canadian teams, the Maple Leased and yet To are

(01:52:24):
at plus six fifty and plus one thousand, respectively. Said
answer you a question, pony, I guess most hopes were
a long overdue win by Canadian teams have finally lift
the coveted Stanley Cup. Wrest on the shoulders of the
oilers and as Andy looked up where he's doing his homework.
It's been thirty two years since the Canadian team wunner
all way back in nineteen ninety three with the Canadians.

(01:52:47):
Since then, there have been seven Canadian teams in the
NHL finals, but have all come up short. So when
I Talkie has considered Canada's national sports, they're almost the
kind of the all black solution that led us Though
Cup to Australia year and year out. An indictment, really and.

Speaker 2 (01:53:05):
Yet carry on, Sorry, No, I was going to say
it's actually gone the other way, hasn't it? In fact,
I think I think, I think the drought between Canadian
teams winning the national a National Hockey League, the Stanley
Cup goes back further than the All Blacks winning streak
at Eden Park by the sounds of things nineteen ninety three.

Speaker 22 (01:53:24):
Yeah, I think it's been twenty odd years, but I'm
just the prituci of the segment.

Speaker 18 (01:53:28):
Pony.

Speaker 22 (01:53:28):
Just another NHR headline of significance. About a month or
so ago, Washington Capital star Alex Richkin broke Wayne Gritzky's
all time career goal scoring record when he scored his
eight hundred and ninety fifth goal. The thirty nine year
old Russian and twenty year Britain in the league was
congratulated by Gritzky himself, who wasn't a tennis to see

(01:53:48):
history made, as his record stood for thirty one years
and many four.

Speaker 8 (01:53:52):
Would never be broken.

Speaker 2 (01:53:53):
All right, well done to him. Let's go to the
NBA with the semi finals on at the moment, again
split into Eastern and Western conferences. I want to go
through these with you. The Eastern Conference, and it's actually
been what feature of the of the semi five has
been road teams dominating early on Eastern Conference. Here's an example,
the Boston Celtics twice blowing twenty point leads at home

(01:54:16):
to go down too nil to the new York next.
Then they go to New York and they win Game
three one fifteen ninety three at Madison Square Garden. So
I'm not quite sure what's happening on home courts. Game
four is back in New York on Tuesday. Celtics Knicks.
How do you see this playing out?

Speaker 9 (01:54:33):
Yes?

Speaker 22 (01:54:33):
So yeah, if we figure about these two teams, excuse me, Boston.
The Celtics are the number two seed and the defending
NBA champions against the number three seed nixt So against
the Eyes that you alluded to. New York won the
opening two games on the road, which no one picked,
and as you also said, Boston blew twenty point leads

(01:54:53):
in both of those games, but New York were able
to hold their composer rally and winning dramatic fashion cur
to Sye at the NBA Clutch Player of the Year
Jen and Brunson. Now, in game one alone, get this,
the Celtics shot and abysmal twenty five percent beyond the
arc and made only fifteen to three pointers from sixty attenths. Now,
that's an NBA record. Unfortunately, not to be proud of

(01:55:15):
bos Dinner. A team that live and die by the
three and They're waves continued in game two as well,
but thankfully for them yesterday and games two, they're able
to make the necessary adjustments and pull one back with
a comfortable Winniper Garden. The Tanka duo of Tatum and
Brown showed up this game and lead from the front,
but the Knicks still hold the series advantage to on
with the pivotal Game four on Tuesday.

Speaker 2 (01:55:36):
All right, let's stay in the East and the Cleveland
Cavaliers pulling a game back on the Indiana Pacers in Indianapolis. Yesterday,
the Pacers lead to one in this series with Game
four tomorrow. Who do you see advancing between Cleveland and Indiana?

Speaker 15 (01:55:55):
Yes, they're here.

Speaker 22 (01:55:55):
We had the number one seed Cleveland versus the number
four seed Indiana and pretty much a mirror owners of
the Celtics Knicks series.

Speaker 8 (01:56:02):
Right.

Speaker 22 (01:56:02):
The Pacers shocked the Kevalians, winning the opening two games
in Cleveland, but much like the Boston New York series
earlier today, the Cavaliers won on the road. Tony trailed
Indiana two to one. As you said, Game four takes
place Tuesday and is a must win for the Cavaliers.
The key players to watch here are Donovan Mitchell for
the Cavaliers than Tyrre Saliburton for Indie. Now, I wanted

(01:56:23):
to ask you a question, Pony, are you a stats
get a stats Geeglock?

Speaker 2 (01:56:27):
I am, absolutely, I am. You'll get a big fan
in me if you've got some stats and facts there, Leon.

Speaker 22 (01:56:33):
Hey, Jason, here's a statistic to get your listener's heads around.
NBA teams that are down seven or more points in
the fourth quarter or in overtime in the final minute
all time are wait for it, three and one thousand,
six hundred and forty one. The Indiana Painters have now
accomplished that rare feet twice in this postseason a lane.

(01:56:55):
How crazy is that, Pony.

Speaker 2 (01:56:57):
Well crazy? A partners whost counted them all? It's the
guy rold girl who's gone back to count them all.
That's incredible, incredible.

Speaker 22 (01:57:06):
I want to do that.

Speaker 2 (01:57:08):
I know, I know. All right, Let's get to the
west where in the semis there Golden State Minnesota. Now,
Game Game three is on right at the moment, and
I can update it from the screen. I'm looking at
Golden State seventy five, now seventy seven, seventy to ahead
with nine and a half minutes to go in the contest,
Warriors have lost Steph Curry to injury. How big is

(01:57:29):
Steph Curry's absence as far as the Golden State Warriors
are concerned.

Speaker 22 (01:57:35):
Yet in this series we've got the number six seed
against the number seventy, So you know, we think about
Steph Curry. He's a future first Ballop Wall of Famer
and the point guard. Unfortunately to stand a hamstring injury
early in game month. Now, the latest injury prognosis had
him out until at least Game five, which would be
huge blow for the Warrior's chances to regret. I think

(01:57:57):
it's better say that the Timberwolves, not the Vikings. Pony, thanks,
I should visit series, maybe even before Steph returned. So
are same really because this series is highly anticipated, But
when you've got a market player such as Curry out,
it almost seems inevitable what the final outcome will be
on the back of say the young t Wolves start
Anthony Edwards. However, today Golden said a certainly defying those

(01:58:20):
eyes and playing it close.

Speaker 2 (01:58:23):
All right, yeah, I mean they look at for them
as you say, Golden SAG just want to keep the
series alive as long as they can. So they get
Steph Curry back hopefully in game five. Yeah, seventy seven,
seventy five now and there's still nine minutes to go,
so many of time, clear time. You will be well
done with a segment, so you can catch the inn
of it. Leeon. But before I let you go, Denver,
Okay see Denver, Oklahoma City Thunder. The Nuggets won Game

(01:58:44):
three of this series to take a two to one lead.
Game four is in Denver tomorrow morning. So break this
one down for us.

Speaker 22 (01:58:53):
Yes, they're here in this series. We've got the number
one seed Oklahoma City Riots is the number four seed
Denver the currently the Nuggets surprisingly had the series lead
to one after winning an overtime yesterday gets to Thunder.
Game four is tomorrow and could go either way. Now,
the biggest take from this series is there have been
lingering doubts as to whether the much younger Okasey can

(01:59:13):
lift their game to another level against a much more
experienced Denver. It's a pivotal game for tomorrow for the
Thunder because if they lose, they basically have to win
the three remaining games in order to advance to the
Western Conference Finals. Now that's a huge hurdle to overcome
for Shy Gilgis Alexander, the predicted league MVP and a
young upstart cohorts against the finals veterans Jokich, Murray and Gordon.

(01:59:38):
And if I can't excuse me, Fay, if I can
just the first off today, I've got one final headline
of note from the assasiation earlier, the three legendary NBA
head coach Greek Popovitch, affictionately known as Coach Pop, retired
from coaching due to prolonged health issues after stellar twenty
nine year career in the league. Now widely recognized as

(01:59:59):
one of the greatest basketball coaches of his generation, the
three time NBA Coach of the Year led the Stan
Antonio's firs to five championship and a record four hundred
and twenty two wins, leaving the lasting legacity so a
true legend of the game.

Speaker 2 (02:00:12):
Indeed, indeed, he is a great way to wrap the
latest edition of State sidely on, Thanks as always for
your time and your expertise. Get back in front of
that TV for Game three between Golden State and Minnesota
and all at Florida. We'll look forward to chatting American
sport with you again sometime soon.

Speaker 22 (02:00:29):
Thanks faving me are today Pine much appreciate it. We'll
do it again with seeing cheers mate.

Speaker 2 (02:00:34):
Good on you, Lee On Leon Busby that our American
sports expert on Weekend Sport Bang on ten.

Speaker 1 (02:00:38):
To three when it's down to the line. You made
a call on eight eighty Weekend Sports with Jason Hine
News Talk.

Speaker 2 (02:00:47):
ZEB seven away from three updating you from Globbox Arena
in Hamilton where the first league of the double header,
the Trans Tasman Basketball double header, is approaching halftime as
the toll Blacks against the Boomers, to be followed by
the women's game. Tall Ferns Opals. Toll Blacks have lost
the first two games quite convincingly, you might say, Bart.
They've come out in this third game and really taking

(02:01:09):
it to the Australians forty nine thirty five. They lead
with two and a half minutes to go in the
first half. So extremely promising first half for jud Flawell's
meant that's hope it continues into the second period. That
is us pretty much on Weekend Sport for today and
for the weekend and beverage in with the Mother's Day

(02:01:29):
edition of the Weekend collective after three o'clock. Hope it's
been a good Mother's day for you. If you fall
into that category, we appreciate you very much. Indeed, I
appreciate you Andy McDonald. Thanks for producing the show across
the last couple of days, jacking up all the guests
and making sure everything ran smoothly. And thanks to you
for listening as well. We know you're busy. We appreciate

(02:01:50):
any time that you spend with us. As far as
an exit song is concerned, today, well, Andy and I
have been embracing New Zealand Music Month, which it is
during the month of May. So I've gone back thirty years,
well before Andy was even thought of, and come up
with this number. Not that young, mate, eighties. I thought

(02:02:11):
you were about twenty four. I'll take that all right. Well,
I'm only going from your your antics.

Speaker 10 (02:02:18):
Really.

Speaker 2 (02:02:18):
In fact, twenty four might be mentally about fifteen mate. Yes,
we all know this, as I was saying nineteen eighty five,
this song went to number three the amazing lyrical talents
of Any Krummer as part of the nether World Dancing Toys.
And for today, you enjoy the rest of today. We'll
see it tomorrow. Night on Sports Talk five.

Speaker 3 (02:02:39):
Now Want to Day how SnO what Today Want to

(02:03:21):
Day had many snap.

Speaker 16 (02:03:42):
Want to.

Speaker 14 (02:03:49):
Go to Day.

Speaker 1 (02:04:19):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine. Listen live
to News Talks at B weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio

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