Full Show Podcast: 15 June 2025

Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport Podcast with Jason Vine
from Newstalks EDB. The only place for the 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 ed B.

Speaker 2 (00:30):
Hi, there curred, good afternoon, Welcome into Weekend Sport on
News Talks. It'd be for Sunday, June fifteenth, Happy birthday,
Nathan Astall. I'm Jason Pineshow producer Andy McDonald. We're talking
sport until three. Our Super Rugby Final is set and the.

Speaker 3 (00:44):
Maglock picks it out. She's all over and river here
in Hamilton. The Chiefs have come back from a disleup
wedding display against the Blues last week and they've run
out the win.

Speaker 4 (00:54):
It's thirty seven seventeen.

Speaker 2 (00:56):
So it'll be the Crusaders against the Chiefs, a repeat
of twenty twenty three, but this one in christ Church
next Saturday, five past seven. Chiefs Midfield of Day, your
owner with us after one o'clock to assess their display
last night and how the weak ahead will look for
them and we can start thinking about the final. I
think who might be the favorites and what might separate

(01:19):
these two sides. I think we've got the best two
teams in the final, haven't we? First Up today though
a provincial rugby think tank there will reports this week
that TV and Z will come on board as a
free to wear a partner for the NPC, showing live
provincial games on their streaming platform TV and Z Plus
from next year. Now us understood Sky will show the

(01:41):
All Blacks, the National teams and Super Rugby, but they're
going to work with TV and Z so that the
NPC and the Pharapartment Cup will appear on both, similar
to net Forak, where games are split between Sky and
TV and Z a mix of live, delayed, live and
highlights packages across boat. Now it's opening up the wider
discussion about the NPC and how it should be structured

(02:05):
in terms of game times, venues, and actually what provincial
unions should actually be about in terms of their key priorities.
Got a bit of a panel discussion on the shortly
a couple of couple of panelists deeply invested in the
grassroots game, and then I really want to get your
view as well. Let's reimagine the NPC and see what

(02:29):
we can come up with other matters around Today. New
Zealand Cricket has a new chief Chief High Performance Officer.
Daryl Gibson is the man former All Black. He replaces
Brian Stronach in the role next month. He's going to
join us after two. Speaking of cricket, South Africa have
ended twenty seven years of hurt, beating Australia by five
wickets and lords to win Cricket's World Test Championship Aiden

(02:51):
Mark from one hundred and thirty six. His innings was instrumental.
The protests have ended a drought stretching all the way
back to the nineteen ninety eight champions Trophy. That's a
long wait. We'll wrap that for you. Plenty going on
in American sport as well right now. Cover that off
for you to two with Leon Busby, James mccony and
his regular slot too. Just updating you. On the golf,

(03:12):
Ryan Fox has shot a third round three over past
seventy three at the US Open. The field continues to
struggle to tame this Oakmont course. It's been quite the
battle for the world's top golfers at the US Open.
Ryan Fox is tied for thirty ninth at eight over
for the tournament, and last time I checked and I'll

(03:33):
just update this, only four golfers currently under par. One
of those is Adam Scott. He's at a good round
today three under to be three under for the tournament.
Sam Burns, who of course Ryan Fox beat in that
playoff at the Canadian Golf Open a week ago, is
the clubhouse leader after the third round four under par
Adam Scott and JJ Sporn at three under. Victor Hoveland

(03:54):
at one under the only other golfer under par, and
Liam Lawson, as you heard now news unable to take
his practice form into qualifying for the Canadian Grand Prix.
After top ten finishes in the first two prak De sessions,
Liam could only set the nineteenth fastest qualifying time. He
will start one place higher, though Yuki Sonoda has been
demoted to last after a red flag infringement. So we'll

(04:17):
cover off the Canadian Grand Prina. But a goal for
you today as well. The show is yours to get
involved in if you would like to, oh eight hundred
and eighty ten eighty get you through on the phones
nineteen nine two for your text messages or emails into
Jason at NEWSTALKSEB dot co dot nz bang on eleven
past midday.

Speaker 1 (04:35):
Breaking down the Hail Mary's and the epic fails weekend
Sport with Jason NME News Talk ZENB.

Speaker 2 (04:44):
Want to start the show today with grassroots rugby, Community
rugby provincial rugby. As negotiations continue on a new broadcast
deal between Sky and New Zealand Rugby reports this week
that tvn Z will come on board as a free
to wear partner. They'll show some live NPC games on
their streaming platform TVNZ Plus from next year onwards. Now,

(05:05):
this would have to be a massive win for the
provincial game. It's also though, as I said before, opened
a wider discussion about the structure of the NPC, when
and where games should be played, and what the core
role of provincial unions should actually be. So we've assembled
a two man panel and both men with strong provincial

(05:27):
links and vast experience in the grassroots game. Shane Drummond
out of the Tasman region, longtime supporter of rugby in
that part of the country as well as a Highlander
shareholder and board member.

Speaker 5 (05:40):
How are your Drummy, good morning, We'll good afternoon, pony.

Speaker 6 (05:44):
Good to have you with us.

Speaker 2 (05:44):
Mate and longtime commentator and grassroots supporter out of the
Northland region, Steve Harris is here too.

Speaker 7 (05:50):
Get a Steve, Yeah, get a pony, and good afternoon
to your listeners.

Speaker 2 (05:56):
Yeah, good to have you both with us, guys. Let's
start with the free to wear component that's being reported
this in the latest broadcast deal NPC by the sounds
of It will have some of its games shown on
free to wear from next year moments. How big a
win drummy would this be for provincial unions and for
rugby fans.

Speaker 5 (06:15):
Well, I think huge pioneer, and I think that's why
we're discussing it because obviously opens a grand opportunity for
people that don't have Sky and obviously Sky TV for
Rugby full stop is huge because it's obviously a commercial
transaction that's protective and obviously at the same time important

(06:37):
to their viewership as well. So it's one of those delicate,
I'm sure negotiations. But yeah, as far as your original
question is what does it do for provincial rugby, it
does lots because there is a lot of people that
don't have it and from them being able to sit
in there in their households and watch our provincial game
of foty without having to pay. No person would deny

(07:02):
that's a win.

Speaker 2 (07:04):
I don't suppose you deny it to win. Steve pretty
happy with this news as well.

Speaker 7 (07:08):
Yeah, very much so. The thing that TVD does very
well it actually promotes its platforms on its various show
and as we know, there's a lot of stuff that's
that's digital out there. So it's a wonderful opportunity for
them as a broadcaster to actually promote this competition and
a period of time so everybody knows, hey, this is

(07:30):
when you're in PC starts from the first of August
through until say the middle of October. You know, it's
pretty much a sprint, and I think they've actually got
the tools to promote this competition very well.

Speaker 2 (07:44):
All right, well, let's assume then that this is going
to happen and it will also open up a conversation
about when and where games should be played kickoff times.
Guys from me, are you a fan of afternoon rugby?
Should games be played in the NPC mainly during the day?

Speaker 5 (08:02):
Yeah, well, obviously when you're asking my personal opinion on that,
pioneer and I I believe after mid afternoon games would
be a big.

Speaker 8 (08:10):
Win as well.

Speaker 5 (08:10):
And that's probably more for the kids of the world,
to be fair, because obviously sometimes there seven o'clock at
night type games. It probably disrupts the opportunity for taking
kids and families to a game. And I think that
opportunity for your provincial team to bring as many people
there and you know, you know my opinion on grassroots rugby,

(08:31):
which is enormous, just brings all those opportunities for people
to enjoy that caliber of footy on their doorstick.

Speaker 2 (08:40):
Yeah, how important, Steve, is it to have the ability
for as many kids as possible to go along to
watch live rugby. I mean we've talked about the freedomware
component which opens doors up, but what about the ability
to make kickoff times friendly enough so as many kids
can watch provincial rugby as possible.

Speaker 7 (08:59):
Yeah, lost one hundred percent. I think some of the
unions themselves, they've got a lot of work to do
in that space. Got to get your players out into
the communities, schools. I know in our new area of Northland,
I know James Fisher Harris is a very proud Northland
boy from the Warriors, and the Warriors actually do a
lot of work in that particular space. Heading up to

(09:23):
Northland where I'm don't want to be too critical someone
like the Blues, but we hardly have the Blues up
in the northern area. But I do know Northland as
a provincial union, they get a lot of their players
out to the various schools, communities. Hey, even if it's
at a cafe helping out with bakery, bakery or baking
or things of that slk, you know, so people know

(09:45):
who these players are because at the end of the day,
you've got to be seen out there, all right.

Speaker 2 (09:50):
I want to talk about match venues as well, because
you know, there's a suggestion that that Sky and New
Zealand Rugby are quite keen to have matches in PC
matches far a Palmer Cup matches played at smaller, more
intimate venues. Now, you blokes have both got got pretty
good venues for MPC sides Tasman playing both Nelson and
Blenham Drummy Trafalgar Park, Lansdowne Park good venues. But is

(10:15):
this a good idea for the likes of Auckland, Wellington,
Otago to move away from these big, cavernous Super Rugby stadiums.

Speaker 5 (10:24):
Yeah, well Pliny, like you say, Tasman have got the
coverage with Blennam and Nelson with their two parks. That's fine.
But you know we've had build up games for Super
Rugby with the Crusaders here and Nelson over at Rugby
Park Nottowaka. Then I don't know if you've experienced the
sort of the turnouts for those, but we've regularly had

(10:45):
between five and ten thousand people at those games and
a good man over there stage used to get behind
and sitting up a sort of a country ground. But
the other thing, like you're touching on with the Auckland,
Wellington and Canterbury type scenarios, the cost factor to run
stadiums and to employ stadiums is again one would know,

(11:07):
is on the high end. So being able to use
grassroot rugby type venues to get that real build up
and buy and from your community I think would be
again another big one.

Speaker 2 (11:21):
Steve Northland played at Seminole Stadium and Fungerai. How does
that work as a provincial venue?

Speaker 7 (11:27):
Oh listen, fantastic. A lot of work done in the community.
I think I can even remember talking to you a
couple of seasons back when the Tunny far played one
or two up and up in Kaikohe and that was
well patronized as well. But listen, that's you're very close.
It's one of those grounds that you're very very close,
close close to the action up in north and we

(11:49):
don't get a lot of big time rugby up that way.
We know we've got Scotland playing New Zealand Maori. The
Blues on the odd occasion have come up north, but
more likely preseason games. So you know, it's really important
just the fact that Northland doesn't get.

Speaker 9 (12:05):
Big time rugby.

Speaker 7 (12:06):
People love their rugby in the North and they will
rock along to what if there's quality rugular to be played,
even more so if the local side are going well.

Speaker 2 (12:15):
Just want to talk about the role of the provincial
union skies. There seems to be, you know, some differences
of opinion up and down the country. Some unions see
their primary goal as producing a winning NPC team and
developing players who can graduate into super rugby. Others believe
their purposes to run club competitions develop a love for

(12:36):
the game among junior players. Drummy, what is the best
balance to strike for a provincial union between overseeing the
community game and producing a competitive provincial side.

Speaker 5 (12:48):
Yeah, well all those things you've just said are fair
to say, are pretty well right, Piney, but it's such
a difficult one with you know, where we are positioned
as a provincial union and as I say, obviously running
grassroots traby and bringing every everyone together to be able
to play on sad day, whether it be an under

(13:09):
seventeen or senior team, that's crucial to rugby. But then
obviously a lot of people and if you look at
the Tesman area, you know we've been a success story
with amalgamation which in past some haven't, but being able
to bring Marlborough and Nelson Bays together to if you
see the smile on the kids' faces round Piney in
both areas that you know all those kids want to

(13:31):
be a Marco and to have that sort of feeling
amongst the kids that play club rugby or school rugby
and then you know their aspirations to be a Marco
from both areas. That's obviously been a bit of a
success story for us. So I think obviously running our
club foot and some of our competitions even at senior

(13:54):
rugby involved both Nelson and Marlborough, so we have a
competition that's jointed, but as well as having a competition
that's just the solely Nelson Bays and Marlborough, so we're
probably a little bit different in that space. And then
of course they all want to be Marco and then
after that, of course that gives them and shown in
the past years that the Marco is not just a

(14:17):
developing place where now obviously there's lots of all Blacks
that have come out of the Tasman area in the
last ten years, and I mean a lot, whereas in
previous years we had very few. So I think we're
doing it well engaging with club. But then obviously those
kids as spiring to me Marco and then going on
to be Super Slash all Blicks.

Speaker 2 (14:39):
What about for you, Steve in the Northland region, where
do you believe the priority should be for the Northland
Union in terms of the grassroots stuff but also you
know a competitive NPC side.

Speaker 7 (14:54):
As we know Pine Northlds are very vast area. You
know some areas children, kids that are involved in HP
or high performance which is based on fun. Today you're
traveling from Kai Taire, it's a four hour round trip
before the before the rubber hits even hits the road.
So talent identification is a huge thing. We've got something
like I do a bit of talent identification for north

(15:16):
and down here in Auckland, and we've got something like
about fifty one kids playing in the Auckland region and
fift various second secondary schools down here, so I keep
an eye on those kids that are playing down here
as well. I think I went to watch one row
Boys play Messy yesterday and there's some good kids running
around in that competition. So that talent talent identification space

(15:39):
is a real key component, and it's about sometimes just
keeping in touch talking to these players, players, parents, finding
out where they where they want to go with their
with their various situations academically wise, but also you want them,
you know, as previously said before by Shane, you want
these people. These kids to be tunny want to play

(16:01):
for the for the Tunny Fast, so you've actually got
to track them. The other important thing is, as your
club rugby component, keeping players informed where they sit in
the picking order and making sure that they've got a
clear pathway to become Tunny Far players and once they
make tunny far or there is that opportunity to become

(16:24):
professional players, make the blues, et cetera. So there's a
lot of work to be done in that space.

Speaker 10 (16:31):
Yep.

Speaker 2 (16:31):
Saying with you on that, Steve, what about a guy
you know or a girl? What about someone who just
wants to play some club rugby, doesn't have any aspirations
to be a professional, doesn't probably have any aspirations to
be in the tunny far side. What about someone who
just wants to play club rugby.

Speaker 7 (16:45):
Oh, we've still got a lot around there. We've actually
gone recently last year I think it was a grunt
Welsh but who played three hundred three hundred club games
for welst With last year over a span of about
fifteen years or so. Yeah, listen, they're just as important
as the as the youngsters that you're looking at, because

(17:05):
you want those particular players, once they be the finished
their career, to actually contribute to the club as well.
Because once again that's a that's another conversation its own,
the in and around volunteers and the club. I know
that I've had to go back to my own club
here and in Auckland, even though I'm an auseand boy.
I'm based in based in Auckland. I've gone back to

(17:26):
my local club just to help out, just simply because
the lack of volunteers. So that's a real important components
as well. And if I think clubs have got to
also change their outlook, it's got to be like a
community hub. I think gone are the days where that's
the place that you're basically going to have a drink
at the end of the game. It's got to be

(17:46):
a little bit more more and more involved, where you
have families involved. It's the place place to hang out.
Your kids are playing there, your parents are down there
supporting the kids and the club as well.

Speaker 2 (17:59):
Just want to finish with with what the MPC might
look like, you know, in the in the short to
medium term. I'll start with you on this one, drummy.
What is the ideal structure of the NPC and what
should it look like to be most effective within the
New Zealand rugby landscape.

Speaker 5 (18:18):
Yeah, well, if you look over the last few years,
finally there's been the idea of splitting and top tier,
bottom tier and all those things. But as recent as yesterday,
and this is a hard case that we're talking about
the North and Tasman area. I was talking to a
couple of key rugby guys yesterday telling me how strong

(18:39):
that Northland look to be this year and their NPC side.
What I'm probably alluding to here and something. When Tasman started,
of course we struggled. When I say struggled, weren't as
competitive as we are now, but that's growth and opportunities
for different players at different places to be recruited and
be getting game time and then showing they were. So

(19:00):
I think a little bit like the Super Rugby this year,
which every team and if you look at you know
the Highland is having the record of losing the most
games within sealand so that tells you the bottom team
are still extremely competitive and that's good when you go
into the game not knowing the winner. And I see
the tob odds for this weekend super Final was a

(19:21):
dollar ninety each. Well, that tells you they can't pick
the winner before they start that game. So I just
think that the competitiveness of most of these NPC teams
this year I see has been extremely strong. So I
don't think that you could sit there and say that
you could pick the winning team out of NPC and
who would be the bottom. That's the competition that you

(19:41):
do want, Whereas obviously that they've been looking in the
past of tearing having the top top eight type scenario,
which I'm not strong believer of because you know, when
it comes to Tasman or the likes to have Auckland,
Wellington and Canterbury coming to our town is great again
for our kids and for rugby. So I don't think

(20:03):
it's that broken currently as the depth of those teams
has got a lot better because some of these top
players are now moving around if they don't get the
game time that they would like, which strengthens some of
the teams like Tasman and Norton to to you're talking
to now.

Speaker 2 (20:19):
What's your assessment, Steve. Do you you believe that the
NPC for the most part is is for purpose or
does it need tweaking.

Speaker 11 (20:27):
Oh?

Speaker 7 (20:27):
I think it's very fit for purpose because if you
look at the number of players that have it's a pathway.
It's a pathway to super rugby. It's it's a pathway too,
it's Alvays. I mean, they're just to use the examples
kindle Quali Metis who played for White White cutsle pretty
much last year and we're all going well and before
you know it is in the in the in the
New Zealand sevens. It's still you still get a lot

(20:49):
of unpolished gems that come from Club Rugby into NPC.
But I agree with showing before about that competitiveness. That
is a real key component as well. I know there's
probably some of the bigger unions that sit on resources.
I know, not the Auckland Cops a bit of criticism,

(21:10):
but the reality is they do farm a lot of
players out to to other regions. And I've got to
say that the Shane if he's listening, I know Tisman
are going up at Northold this year, so we might
have to have a chocolate fish on that particular on
that on that particular game as well. Listen, as long

(21:31):
as we've got a competitive competition that we can get
by and from the supporters, because that's what gets people
like people will always take notice. But I could think
back to last year when I think Southland beat North
Harbor and I was just sitting there marveling affect. Even
though I've got a lot of friends in the North
Harbor Rugby Union, and that's what you know, that's what

(21:52):
our provincial rugby is all about. Sometimes when you sort
of think, think outside the square or one of the
big dogs gets gets knocked over. I think Tessiman's one
of the big dogs at the moment now. But you know,
that's what we want and we want that competitive spirit,
we want that edge. You can see it coming through

(22:12):
social network at the moment with the Super Rugby competition. Boy,
you've got to pick up with some of a lot
of the comments we're seeing on the social social network.
But that's what we need.

Speaker 6 (22:23):
That's what our game needs.

Speaker 7 (22:24):
It needs it that, you know, a little bit of
competitiveness from not just rotten of the players, but I
think supporters as well in support bases.

Speaker 2 (22:33):
Good on you guys. Hey, well we'll put a ring
around that game. Northland v. Tasman, Saturday, August sixteenth. The
chocolate fish has been has been put on the line.
Steve Harris, Shan Drumman, thank you so much for your
time this afternoon chatting provincial rugby. Some thought provoking stuff
from the both of you. All the best for for
your patches for your respective NPC seasons ahead twelve twenty nine.

(22:56):
Your ideas now anything you want to pick up on
there from the discussion with Steve and with Shane and
what is in general terms the best way forward for
the np O eight hundred and eighty ten eighty venue
choice is an obvious one for me. No more games
in cavernous stadiums like Eden Park, like sky Stadium, FMG Hamilton,

(23:20):
forsythe Bard in Eden, the super grounds. Basically, when you're
only getting one or two thousand people along to venues
of that size, it is a terrible look and more importantly,
it's a huge cost to the unions to hire venues
of that size, so smaller, more intimate venues are a must.
And Wellington have already made the very wise decision that

(23:42):
they won't play any rugby at Sky Stadium this NPC season.
They're taking their games out to Pottydoor Park, where it
is far more fit for purpose for an MPC game.
Game times now the broadcaster in this case Sky dictate
kickoff times as they should, and the majority of Super
Rugby games will always be played at night. But if

(24:05):
we're having a revamp in the broadcast of NPC, then
we should also play games at times which are most
convenient for fans to turn up. That means as much
afternoon rugby as possible, and venue choice might well dictate
that because a lot of the smaller grounds don't have
lights which are adequate for broadcasting games at night. But
if you want people to turn up, play games at

(24:27):
times which are friendly to them. The Auckland FC, example
this year, was a blueprint right home games at five o'clock.
It allowed a wide range of fans to come along
for NPC rugby. Let's have as many afternoon kickoffs as
we can. And if we just zoom out from the NPC,
what should the role of provincial unions actually be. High

(24:48):
performance is important, yes, there has to be a pathway
to aspire to and as Shane and Steve said, into
the muck or into the tunny fah and then on
towards super rugby, but the base of the pyramid is
surely the more important priority. We talk about the great
New Zealand rugby production line, and yes that is certainly

(25:09):
still a thing, but at a time when player numbers
are dwindling in the men's game in particular, there has
to be a focus on attracting and retaining young boys
and girls into the game of rugby. In the first place,
and that begins at junior level and then retaining those
players after they finish high school. So the base of

(25:29):
the pyramid has to be a focus has to be
for provincial unions as well. It can't just be about
high performance. Oh eight hundred eighty ten eighties and number
nine two nine to two for your texts. I've got
a couple of text messages and already and a couple
of calls on the line, Scotty, Arthur Police, hold with
you after this, got to get a breakaway. Oh eight
hundred and eighty ten eighty. Let's reimagine the NPC.

Speaker 1 (25:52):
It's more than just a game weekends for it. With
Jason Pine and GJ. Guvnerhomes New Zealand's most trusted home
builder News Talks, they'd.

Speaker 2 (26:00):
Be twenty five to one Super Rugby after one, but
talking provincial rugby. This our Scotty, thanks be holding make
that afternoon a good.

Speaker 12 (26:10):
But the easiest way to sort this out is but
the provincial unions will never do it because they've got
egos besides the Trump. It's have them play curtain raisers
for first fifteen schoolboy rugby because we've all known and
heard about the Auckland playing at Eden Park and the
curtain raiser is Sint Kent's versus Sacred Heart or King's

(26:32):
versus Grammar and there's twelve thousand people in the stands
and as soon as the first fifteen school rugby finishes
there's about two thousand. Or if you're over at North
Harbor last year or the year before, sorry, and there
was Auckland versus Sacred Heart in the North Harbor one
A final when there was three and a half thousand
at Westlake and down the road at Honiwad Domain for

(26:52):
the Mighty Battle for the Bridge between Tarbor and Auckland
was five hundred and fifty. So why not have the
schoolboy And you've got the same in christ Church with
Christ versus christ Church Boys, you'll have two and a
half thousand down there. You go along to watch Canterbury
and they might be seven or eight hundred in the stadium.
So let's have the Unions playing curtain raisers to the

(27:16):
first fifteen rugby and recognize where the fans are coming from.

Speaker 2 (27:20):
So flipping it, Scotty, I don't I love it?

Speaker 6 (27:23):
I love it?

Speaker 12 (27:23):
What?

Speaker 2 (27:24):
And and you're right, there's probably ego at play here
where you know where provincial unions would say, I ain't
no curtain raiser. I'm a main event. But yeah, as
I've said a lot, nothing should be off the table.
Why not give it a crack, as you say, why
not play a provincial game as a curtain raiser or
an early game for a big first fifteen match. I

(27:46):
don't mind it at all.

Speaker 12 (27:48):
That's all about the numbers they stack up. You can't
argue with the numbers when you've got twelve thousand of
Eden Park watching any of the big top four plane
you know, or you're in the top six including Kelston,
say Grammar and so like Battle of the Bridge two
years ago, five hundred and fifty went to the game
and up the an hour and a half or four
was around three thousand watching the Auckland on a final

(28:12):
between Sacred and Whistlake. Where that the numbers don't lie,
what does it?

Speaker 2 (28:19):
Also say Scotty about the high performance pathway, And I
guess the relevance now of NPC Rugby in that performance
pathway because I've had a bunch of techs already today
saying actually the performance pathway now skips will certainly skips
club rugby and is almost at the point now where
it's skips provincial rugby as well. Is that your experience,

(28:41):
You're seeing guys go straight from school into super rugby
academy types type setups.

Speaker 12 (28:47):
You're good players from all of the high schools will
be going through to the super franchisers in the development squads,
the under nine teams, they are under twenties, the development squads.
So they're not playing a lot of club rugby. Well
they're playing some club rugby, but they're more signed up
for the super franchises. Where does your club rugby player

(29:07):
come from high school?

Speaker 5 (29:10):
Yeah?

Speaker 2 (29:10):
Yeah, good on you, Scotty. Hey, well if we if
we can, if it ever happens, mate, if it ever
happens that a that an MPC game has played as
a curtain raiser to a first fifteen game, I'll come
to wherever it is and you know, probably we're in
your patch and we can watch it together made and
say it was your idea. Good on, you appreciate it. O.
One hundred and eighty ten eighty is our number, Arthur, Hello, Hi, Jason.

Speaker 13 (29:33):
Neil Barnes is very keen of this idea. Is not
played a midweek game because he claims it's very hard
on the players because you haven't a game during the week,
doesn't give time for players to recover. If ire injured
on Saturday, and then they've got to turn around and
play on one Wednesday and then yeah, he doesn't want

(29:54):
this rugby paid in midweek. The only thing I know
it takes longer to play that start the NPC a
week early early, like starting a second second of August
this year. I think safe you had it a week
early and not have that MIDWEK game, because that's what
Neil Barnes reckons. It's too hard on the players playing
a midweek game.

Speaker 2 (30:14):
Yeah, I think they have got rid of them. Martha.
I'm just having a look at the drawer here, and yeah,
they used to call it storm round, didn't they. I
don't know what. I don't know what that means, but
what it meant in practice was a team played on
a Wednesday then on a Sunday. Just looking at the drawer,
they've taken out those Wednesday games this year. So obviously
Neil Barnes has got got some influence and I totally
agree with them. As you say, so there's there's seven

(30:37):
games starting on a Thursday night, so Thursday night, Friday night,
three games on Saturday too, on Sunday, and they still
they still avoid any any clashes for the most part.
They can all be played at different times, which suits
the broadcaster. But yeah, I think midweek games. The other
thing too, are there, as you know, is a bunch
of these MPC guys also have jobs, you know, not

(30:58):
maybe not a full time, but they might have to
work on a Tuesday or a Wednesday or Thursday.

Speaker 13 (31:01):
So you know, yeah, yeah, I didn't know. I didn't
know the change was this season.

Speaker 14 (31:06):
Yeah.

Speaker 5 (31:07):
Yeah.

Speaker 2 (31:07):
So so he's got his way, he's got his wish
has Neil Barnes. Thanks Arthur Shangsy good? I mate, Hey,
hell are you good?

Speaker 14 (31:16):
Good?

Speaker 2 (31:16):
What are your thoughts on on in PC?

Speaker 15 (31:20):
Oh?

Speaker 9 (31:20):
Mate, look, I guess it's just I'll have to you know,
another sign. I'll have to abandon my romantic notion of
it ever coming back to the you know, to be
in the pinnacle, to step before the all blacks, because
I think I think, you know, fundamentally, you know, rugby's
sort of lost its tribalism at the elite level. Super

(31:41):
rugby doesn't do that. And I guess this is just
another you know, acknowledgment that it's not going to go
down that that route, but so be it. And because yeah,
I guess this doesn't I feel so the I think,
you know, for what MPC is at the moment and
all that you know, completely makes sense and if that's
where they're going, but it's still fundamentally doesn't really address

(32:03):
the issue that you know, rugby just has this massive
divide between you know, people at the grass roots, whether
they're volunteers or club players and actual you know, just
your general fans that go and watch you know, professional
rugby at the ground and support it there, and you
if you're on the club scenor know that there are
just so many people you know, are just so focused

(32:25):
on that area and you know, the people who are
rusted on and just love that. And then won't you know,
go and show up to the you know, to any
form of professional rugby and and that's the thing that
needs to be addressed. So I suppose that that goes
some way to addressing that. And then probably just the
last point was the one you touched on before about

(32:45):
the you know, the focus on building the base and
the pyramid and you know, everyone you know, all the
players there at that that you know that that have
no aspirations to you know, kids and everyone to drop
off from high school.

Speaker 6 (32:58):
They have no.

Speaker 9 (32:58):
Aspirations to go and be professional and never will. And
I feel that's the that is one hundred percent of
the area that needs to be focused on and really
needs to be rethought because you know, and a lot
of the thinking there is really wrong about everyone saying,
you know, we're focusing on you know, the average player,
but everything is still so focused on you know, skills

(33:19):
sessions and doing stuff like that, when really unions just
need to be out there and providing a venue for
people to go and you know, any avenue for people
to go in place some form of rugby without it
being organized and regimented. You know, that's where games like
soccer and basketball hall of it over us where it's
so easy to pick up a ball and kick it

(33:39):
around or throw it into a hoop, that's anywhere. That's
where they really need to be fundamentally looking at the game.
But rugby league has had a huge explosion in Australia
just from you know, registering players as touch rugby or
tag players and just going along and letting people play, if.

Speaker 2 (33:52):
You know what I mean, Shanks, You're just on your
first point there about the divide. So are you saying
that there are people in clubland who won't go and
watch in PC Super Rugby all blacks because well, they
feel they feel in some way disinvested of that's a
word from the professional game.

Speaker 9 (34:14):
Undercent. But this is I'm just going off the people
I hear from around Wellington.

Speaker 16 (34:17):
You'll hear a lot of.

Speaker 9 (34:18):
People say that you're going to the Hurricanes and now
bay Nona Na, No, I don't watch that.

Speaker 14 (34:24):
You know.

Speaker 9 (34:24):
For example, in my friends group I've got I've got
a group of mates that are you know that all
have other group of mates that have season tickets for
Hurricanes that have the years. None of them have ever
played rugby before the soccer players and just sort of
just casual fans. They've had their ticket, they love going
along and doing all of that. Seriously, that all the

(34:48):
people down at Club Rugby, my friends who are involved
at you know, you know, whether they're just on the committee,
coaches and managers of those club teams, that the vast
majority of them will not go to any form of
professional games, and whether it's you know how to spice.
He's probably a bit of that, or whether it's just
out you know, that's where they're focuses a lot of

(35:11):
the time, you know, getting to the game after your
club game, or we're going on a Friday night when
you're already got there is just unattainable. And look again,
I don't know if anyone has similar experiences around the country.
I'm purely going off what I see.

Speaker 2 (35:24):
In random but yeah, fascinating. Hey, Shanksy, good to talk
to you, mate, Thanks for calling in that. That is
so interesting to me. I'd be keen to enough. That
is the case in other places. Are there people who
are for whatever reason and there are a few reasons,
maybe a Shanksy said, some of us out of spite
not bother with that, or maybe this cost or whatever.

(35:45):
All you are just so invested in your club. I
hadn't become really aware of that divide. So interesting, Shanksy,
Thanks for calling, mate. Twelve forty five. Peter hold there
with you after this.

Speaker 1 (35:57):
The Tough Questions Off the Turf Weekends Sport with Jason
Hine and GJ. Gunnerholmes, New Zealand's most Trusted home Builders.

Speaker 2 (36:06):
Twelve to one from Scotti Shanksy spot on I'm a
life member of my rugby club. I love watching Club Rugby,
but haven't been to a super or NPC games game
for decades. Interesting, Peter, Hi, thanks for holding and thanks
for calling.

Speaker 17 (36:21):
Yeah, how are you doing there?

Speaker 2 (36:23):
Very good? Thank you, Peter.

Speaker 17 (36:25):
Hey, look, before talking about the crowd sizes of first
fifteen games compared to win PC games, well, I'd say
that's a very good reason why first fifteen games are
better equipped with spectators as opposed to win PC. That's
the think that most first fifteen games aren't televised.

Speaker 2 (36:44):
Yeah, that's that's the point. I thought you were going
to say it's because they're free as well, which is
another factor.

Speaker 17 (36:49):
Well, yeah, it would be there.

Speaker 2 (36:51):
Yeah, But I think also it feels to me, Peter,
and you might have some thoughts on this, that the
atmosphere of these first fifteen games, the big rivalries, is
kind of cool.

Speaker 17 (37:03):
Oh, it's it's extremely tribal and you really rests to
think for that. And I don't know how we replicate
that an NPC situation at the NPC level, but you know,
to get our opinion with various clubs, Coalssing and saying

(37:26):
you know, these people are representing us, you know, come
and give them your support. I don't know how we
translate that sort of you know, that sort of thoughts
into action.

Speaker 2 (37:40):
The word you use Peters so as so bang on
tribal tribalism, you know, and it used to be it
used to be so prevalent in the old days of
the NPC, pre Super Rugby. You know, those tribalisms, even
even Auckland Canterbury. You know, we saw the Blues and
the Crusaders when it was that Friday Night and I
guess that was a bit of a throwback. But the

(38:02):
rivalries that exist and the tribalism that is very real
in school rugby now is is a It's a it's
not necessarily a golden ticket, but it's certainly a big
part of why people turn up to watch sport of
any kind.

Speaker 17 (38:16):
I reckon, Oh yeah, absolutely. I mean you look at,
for example, the English Premier League in the absolute madness
of the fan base there. You know that, you know,
Manchester United would be Manchester City. There's a perfect example.
Each side think the other side is absolute stuff. They've
probably taken it a bit too far, and I'd like

(38:41):
to see something similar to that sort of feeling. I mean,
the best night I ever had and watching a rugby
game was the second Test between the Orles and the
Lions in two thousand and five and Wellington. That stadium
was pumping. But what I love is in the stadium

(39:04):
everybody's shouting each other. In these chances you think God
does well and you had that sort of atmosphere, but
afterwards everybody's out drinking, having a good time, best of mates.
English soccer doesn't have that best to mate side situation
and I'd hate to see Rugby lose that. But we
kind of need to get some sort of feeling down

(39:25):
that road, if you know.

Speaker 6 (39:25):
What I mean.

Speaker 2 (39:26):
I do obviously that night as well, Peter and Bang
on the tribalism part of it. You know the Lions fans,
how many of them were there. It was incredible, But
you're right, you know, your your chair for your team,
but then you have a beer afterwards. Yeah, that's the
bit that English football hasn't quite got right. Good to
chat to you, mate, Karen. Last word from you mate?
What's on your mind?

Speaker 8 (39:46):
Hey?

Speaker 18 (39:46):
Yeah, it's just about the tribalism thing. Like I still
think there's a little bit in the MPC. I mean,
so probably the last ten years I've been pushed further
and further away from rugby, especially Super rugby, Like I
wouldn't even watch a game now, but I'll still do
my best to watch every single All Blacks game as possible,
and definitely watch coming far game that's a non negotiable,

(40:08):
still always supporting the tunny part, so I'll still watch that.
But I think a lot of it filters down from
the products. I mean, I think it was Steve Hanson
that said a few years ago that the NRL is
just a better product to watch, and a lot of
that isn't just the tribalism between you know, the teams
that they have, including the Warriors for example, but it's

(40:30):
also got a lot to do with the actual finished products.
It's entertaining to watch. I feel like rugby's just gone
down this very dark and path, especially Super Rugby, to
where it's very hard to get new people into it
because it's so stop start for example.

Speaker 2 (40:46):
Yeah, good point, Karen, And look, the the NRL a
terrific competition. Competitive if you don't know from week to
week who's going to win, and you're right high quality
action and I guess NPC is won down from Super
Rugby in terms of the of the product. But I
get where you're driving at and up the mighty tunny far.
Hope you have a great season, mate, Good to chat
to you. Seven to one News Talk to one Pinty.

(41:07):
In terms of what shanks you just said, I don't
understand that that is happening in a widespread way. We
have and witnessing a fantastic Super Rugby competition. Looking forward
to some great NPC rugby. It's up to the supporters
to go out there and support where they can. And
there's a bit more there which I won't be able
to get to. Thank you so much for your for
your text Thank you for all your texts and your feedback.

(41:30):
We move from provincial rugby to Super Rugby after one
o'clock Daniel Rohner out of the Chiefs and are they
favorites to win?

Speaker 4 (41:37):
It?

Speaker 1 (41:38):
The only place to discuss the biggest sports issues on
and after fields, It's all on Weegen Sport with Jason
Vaine on your home of Sport US Talk.

Speaker 2 (41:51):
Welcome into Weekend Sport one O seven. I'm Jason Pine
and Andy McDonald alongside talking sport until three. James mcconi
this out and as regular Sunday Slot with his irreverent
look at all things to do with sports. Super Rugby
is our focus? Your RNA standing by to chat to
us out of the Chiefs camp. They have secured passage
to a third consecutive Super Rugby final. Can they finally

(42:14):
win this one third time?

Speaker 19 (42:16):
Lucky?

Speaker 2 (42:17):
Can they send Clayton mcmillanoff to Munster a winner? Daniel
Rohona shortly your thoughts as well? Who are favorites? Shane
Drummond mentioned last hour when we were chatting in PC
Rugby that the tab framed it up at a dollar
ninety each. They don't know coin flip, coin flip. I
know who I think our favorite. I know who I

(42:37):
think is going to win the game. You'll know who
you think is going to win the game. We probably
won't agree. I doubt you'll get any sort of agreement.
If for us a dollar ninety each, it's likely to
be fifty fifty, isn't. Let's kick it around before we
get to Daniel Roho. Just a few text to mop
up from last hour when we were talking in PC.
Chris says Pinney We do a local podcast in Nelson
covering local rugby. We do picks on Super Rugby and

(42:59):
had more than one senior club player saying they don't
watch Super Rugby. NPC in New Zealand and Australia should
be second tier with maybe Trans Tasman Top four finals.
Imagine Jordan Havili, Blackadder and the rest and the Tasman side.
Trafalgo Park would be packed. Thanks Chris, appreciate your text.

(43:21):
Another one here, Accessibility, Accessibility, Accessibility, says Jason. That has
to be the priority for the NPC. While it's on
a much larger scale. Premier League football comps in the
UK are essentially built around the three o'clock Saturday kickoff,
with the odd game each week played at a different
time for TV. That's what New Zealand Rugby should concentrate

(43:42):
on making the NPC accessible. Thank you, Jason. NPC and
Club Rugby says this one represent the height of the
amateur ideals which drove New Zealand rugby to great success
for one hundred years. Those amateur days died in nineteen
ninety six and Club Rugby and NPC went with them.
Wake up New Zealand and realize we need a major

(44:04):
shift towards a purely profittional system from school to pro clubs,
and then the all Blacks stop pining over a game
we all remembered was so great in the eighties and
nineties but has long since died. I do not agree
with that text at all. I don't think we need
a system where the only people who play rugby are

(44:24):
those at the very top. Talk about a professional system
which goes from school straight to Super Rugby, cutting out
club and MPC. What about people who just want to
play rugby, just want to play sport. Are we really
going to the American system where participation in sport is
pretty much non existent unless you are an elite player.

(44:49):
Wouldn't like to see that at all. Local Magpie fan
here from the bas there's this one. Love attending the
afternoon games at McLain Park. Great for getting the kids along,
tons of activities, always a great day out and a
reasonable crowd most times. Absolutely yes for afternoon MENPC, big fan.
Thank you for that one. The NRL's tribal says Jeff,

(45:10):
That's why it's so successful. Yeah, the tribalism is a
huge part of it, right, And Super rugby. What's been
around now for well coming up thirty years, and that
tribalism just I guess has has kind of been created.
You look at Crusaders b Blues for example, Crusaders Highlanders.
You know, is there a Hurricanes Chiefs. I don't know,
Hurricanes Blues. I don't know, certainly not to the same

(45:32):
degree that we used to have with MPC. But that
was built over many, many years, wasn't it. And final
text here are piney. I have an idea for rugby
points for tries. Any tries that are back gets are
worth six points, and if a Ford scores a try,
it's worth four points. There's too much pick and go
when teams are ten meters out. It creates an incentive

(45:54):
to me more creative, which is what we need. Mentioning that,
imagine if you sent to forwards, Hey, you never tried,
but only worth four points backs you flash, Harris, yours
can be worth six.

Speaker 12 (46:05):
Look.

Speaker 2 (46:06):
I get the intents in terms of pick and go,
but I have to say, and I know I got,
you know, a bit of disagreement on this. Yesterday that
watching the Blues batter away at the line two weeks
in succession successfully against the Chiefs up in Hamilton last
weekend and unsuccessfully against the Crusaders and Christytch on Friday night.
I still find that in people. Some people are boring.

(46:28):
I find that utterly compelling, just you know, just watching
the commitment of the defense to repel them line after
you know, as well, what's going to stop? We saw
it happen with Will Jordan. What's going to stop a
back doing a pick and go? Well, if it's only
worth four points, I might not, but.

Speaker 20 (46:45):
Banks can still score six points on pick pick and
go tries on this one.

Speaker 2 (46:49):
Now I'm with you. Yes, well, yeah, maybe I don't know.
Maybe the intend is a pick and go tries. Anything
that's you know, like that are a rolling mally? You
can't you know? That's yeah. But again I don't mind
a rolling mall. There's not the worst thing.

Speaker 21 (47:02):
There are worse aspects to rugby, especially if it's a
really well there's something almost artistic about a very well
put together rolling mall.

Speaker 2 (47:13):
I agree with you. I agree with you here. Jason
Ryan's eyes used to light up, didn't didn't they? Who
else said that that?

Speaker 10 (47:19):
It was?

Speaker 2 (47:20):
Talk about how rolling? Who said that was?

Speaker 10 (47:22):
It?

Speaker 12 (47:22):
Was it?

Speaker 2 (47:23):
Wayne Smith or somebody I might be. I might not
have been Wayne Smith, but somebody quite high up and
rugby last year said on rolling malls, you know, no good,
no good for the game, and every tight forward in
the country said, hang on.

Speaker 20 (47:34):
It sounds like a Wayne Smith. Tony Brown's those fleery
backs that that love love highlight plays. No, there's there's
still good good stuff about rolling malls. The flowing back
line moves to be worth ten points for a try.
In fact, it sounds like a lobby group for the
back lines.

Speaker 2 (47:52):
The TMO should decide the esthetic value of the try
and say right, I'm going to assign that one eight points.
Get gymnastics, judges and too. To determine the scores of
rugby games. We have gone into a very area. Thank
you Andy. It's one thirteen. The Chiefs through to their
third consecutive Super Rugby Final in pretty dominant fashion, beating

(48:14):
the Brumbies thirty seven seventeen in their semi in Hamilton
last night.

Speaker 4 (48:18):
Quincy By first.

Speaker 3 (48:19):
Receiver, Oh, he beats one, he beats two, five out
balls quickly in a.

Speaker 1 (48:24):
Dry by the lad pick it up.

Speaker 22 (48:26):
He scored.

Speaker 3 (48:26):
It's fight seven the ladder out and nothing.

Speaker 4 (48:29):
He's done with Stemmy Reese.

Speaker 2 (48:30):
And he scored twenty two points off the boot of
Damien McKenzie. Pretty crucial both sides scoring three tries. Let's
bring a Chief midfielder Daniel Daniel congratulations for the third
year in a row. You've got a Grand Final to
prepare for. What do you reckon? The coaching staff and
the players will be most happy about after last night's
performance and result.

Speaker 14 (48:52):
Yeah, I think we defended really well last night. I
had to go some big beeps hits there by pot twice,
especially early on, and I think the boys stood up
to think to believe, so sure that we really came
out of the.

Speaker 2 (49:07):
Cons Obviously, you had a pretty intense game against the
Blues last weekend. Was it equally intense out there last night?
Did you feel like it ramped up you know the
rugby during during finals football?

Speaker 14 (49:19):
Yeah, ok, finals, it's really physical.

Speaker 6 (49:22):
Obviously.

Speaker 14 (49:23):
I always a lot harder, so yeah, that's just what
you can expect. I guess with finals footage it's good.

Speaker 2 (49:33):
But they scored just after halftime that made it nineteen
seventeen to you. But then a burst of eighteen unanswered
points in eighteen minutes from the Chiefs what do you
think was behind that little period of play which basically
won you the game?

Speaker 14 (49:53):
Per last night put us in the right here in
the field, and obviously was really good off the team.
So he's definitely definitely was probably a bigre why that
was the case. But yeah, I think we just went
the storm in the first half and then turning our
fire and yeah, I just yeah, just played really well.

Speaker 2 (50:18):
So did you get a decent view of Damion McKenzie's
trice saving tackle on Tom Wright.

Speaker 14 (50:25):
No, I didn't do. I was a cross oun side
of the field, so I wasn't too short it was
going on. I thought we were coming in and they
had definitely scored and then wot's them going were checking something?
And I thought they must have been checking something from
earlier in the player But it was pretty pretty unbelievable.

Speaker 2 (50:43):
I was, yeah, righteous stuff. So for about the I
think five or six game in a row or certainly
in recent times, you've been in midfield with Quintin Piet
again last night. How much you enjoying that partnership.

Speaker 3 (50:59):
No, I love it.

Speaker 14 (51:00):
I think he's such a claugh player and I think
we were really really work well. Yeah, he's a leader
in our background, and he's playing some really, really good football,
so I really enjoyed it.

Speaker 2 (51:16):
Has Anton Lennart Brown still been in and around the group,
even though he now can't play with that injury he's
picked up Yeah.

Speaker 14 (51:23):
Yeah, yeah, basfically stalling them around the group and has
been saying in the week to weeks he's just started
getting back into a little bit of training with us,
running the defense defense against us, and I'm pretty sure
I have doing the game again this week, which will
be good.

Speaker 2 (51:43):
You must, I mean, obviously it's it's misfortune for Anton,
but for you it's opened up that thirteen jersey which
you've you've grabbed hold of. You must be enjoying having
a decent run in the side in that jersey, are you.

Speaker 14 (51:56):
Yeah, obviously it's nice to be playing forty in the
position that I enjoyed the most. Obviously, not great simpercis
that und but it just happened. That's all for me
get more time than in Jersy, which.

Speaker 2 (52:14):
How much did last weekend and the loss of the
Blues sting the playing group, Yeah, it's.

Speaker 14 (52:22):
Definitely hurting the feeling and changing the boys AliOS all
week it was it was a big week and the
Boys Cup really well and the pality was just a
big edge through the week and we're going to put
out a good performance last night there.

Speaker 2 (52:42):
Yeah, And as you look ahead to the week ahead,
as I say, this is the third year in a
row you'll be preparing for a Grand Final. I mean
everyone's heard the stats. It's very very difficult to beat
the Crusaders in Christ you come knockout time. Will your
preparation be any different this week? And what do you
think the main focus will be?

Speaker 14 (53:03):
Well on table, keep the Princeton. There's no point trying
to changage change our week for our because a Grand
final the work that we've done and the week that's
got us here so far, and just really enjoy the week.
I guess that finals don't come around too often, so

(53:26):
it's been about really enjoying the week and getting the
body giant and then just getting out of detail and
getting down a Christ which really bad.

Speaker 2 (53:36):
I'm sure I'm Playton McMillan hasn't made this about him
at all, But has have the players talked, you know,
at all about wanting to send off your coach as
a super rugby champion?

Speaker 14 (53:49):
Uh No, they haven't been been too much about that,
but I guess that's always in the back of everyone's minds,
you know, taking Bunks done so much for his club
and he's been a massive part of.

Speaker 6 (54:02):
The club ground and.

Speaker 14 (54:05):
What will been on three grateful four grands in the
last five years, say, and it comes down to a
lot to do with Donk and be nice ye.

Speaker 2 (54:16):
In and out on the wind And famously, of course
you were pouring concrete full time before you picked up
your your first Chiefs contractor are presuming you you're not
missing being on the tools.

Speaker 14 (54:28):
Obviously not they Obviously I missed because I was doing it.
Was a couple of good mates and so I missed
going to work with them. But bafinitely definitely missed and
in the store.

Speaker 2 (54:43):
Well, you've earned yourself another Monday, another week to prepare
for a Grand Final. Congratulations on the win last night, Daniel,
and your pardon it all the beast for the week
you hit as you prepare to go to christych and
try and win the Super Rugby title.

Speaker 14 (54:55):
Yes, it's very much perfect.

Speaker 2 (54:57):
No, thanks for joining us, Daniel. Daniel Roner there out
of the Chiefs camp. Another very good performance from him
last night. He's he's stepped up, isn't he. Daniel Rohner, Yeah,
he was pouring chrome. It was included in the wider
training group from memory in twenty twenty three, came in
did really well enough to win a deal, So no
more concreting. It's rugby for Daniel Rona and a nice

(55:18):
partnership he's forming with Quintupie in the Chiefs midfield with
Antonin Lennart Brown out for the season. Okay, happy to
take your feedback now after last night, Chiefs fans really
good bounce back ability showing after the loss of the Blues.
But to be fair, I never at any stage last
night thought the Brumbis would in that game, even when
they went ahead early and when they closed it up

(55:42):
to nineteen seventeen early in the second half. The Chiefs
has put the foot on the gas and pulled away
and that Trice saving tackle from Damien McKenzie, My goodness,
utterly sensational when that happens. If you're the Brumbies, you
know it's not going to be your night. I thought
Connor Tool's very good for them, a couple of good tries,
constant menace, but I think we can all agree. We've

(56:06):
got the two best teams this season in the final.
So now we ask the question, can the Chiefs do
what no other team has managed in the history of
this competition, the entire history, and beat the Crusaders in
a finals match in chross Church, and not just any
finals match, the grand final. Now, I feel like if

(56:31):
anyone can, it's the Chiefs. They've already won down there
this season.

Speaker 23 (56:39):
And the Chiefs come to christ Church and make a
real statement of intense from sixteen points down, they win
by sixteen thirty five nineteen, and.

Speaker 2 (56:51):
They put on the highest score against the Crusaders all season.
Back in round two.

Speaker 13 (56:56):
The siren's gone, McKenzie right out in front on the
ten meter mark.

Speaker 4 (56:59):
Up towards and over and it goes.

Speaker 2 (57:03):
It's forty nine to twenty four.

Speaker 3 (57:05):
It's all over.

Speaker 2 (57:06):
So won in christ Each in round one of the
twenty twenty three season, the.

Speaker 23 (57:10):
Chiefs have come to christ Jag and they do what
not many teams too.

Speaker 21 (57:15):
They had absolutely thumped the Crusaders by thirty.

Speaker 2 (57:17):
One points to ten. But after losing just one of
sixteen games that season, the Chiefs we shouldn't forget what
happened when they played the Crusaders in Hamilton in the
Grand Final in twenty twenty three.

Speaker 3 (57:30):
He's gonna kick it dead if he doesn't kick it anywhere,
and he clears the ball and it is twenty five
points to twenty and the Crusaders have been in the
chiefs and they are Super Rugby Pacific champions.

Speaker 2 (57:42):
But then you think to yourself, does any of that
really matter? This history really just completely irrelevant. Is the
only thing that really matters? Who was better six nights
from now? An absolute corn flip? Really, And the tab
agrees with said. They've opened and head to head betting

(58:03):
at a dollar ninety each. For those of us with
no allegiance to either of these sides, we can just
enjoy it without any tension. We don't have to have
to bite our nails. We can look at it objectively.
And so maybe it's those of us who don't have
any skin in this game who can be the best
predictors of how it might turn out. You look at
the matchups, right, the sides that lined up in the semis,

(58:25):
and you say, well, let's assume they'll be pretty similar
for the final. The loose forward battle Ethan Blackadder, Tom
Christy and the very impressive. Christian Leo Willie, who has
to be in the All Blacks conversation. I reckon against
Summer Penny Fee now, Luke Jacobson and Wallace Atiti. What
a battle. Some sensational outside backs Reese v Harckey Jordan

(58:49):
for the Crusaders, Carter Nullowah Stevenson for the Chiefs. Although
there are some doubt, isn't there over Sewan Stevenson. He
left the field last night with the head knock that
might rule him out. And if that happens. If Sewan
Stevenson's ruled out, it'll be very interesting to see what
Clayton McMillan does. Would he move Damien McKenzie to fall

(59:11):
back as he did early this season when Shawn Stevenson
was still in Japan and start Josh Jacob at first five,
or would he leave Damien McKenzie at first five and
maybe swap at full back, maybe put Jacob there. I
think he went on at fullback last night, didn't Hey,
Maybe Nullo who were plays there and Attenny Nano Stuto
comes onto the wing. I'd be doing that. I'd be
keeping Damien McKenzie at first five because in the game

(59:33):
that's going to be as intense and as tight as
this one. I would want him running the cutter because
that's one position where the Chiefs definitely have the edge.
Much as Rivers Rahana has comeen and played well for
the Crusaders, he is not Damien McKenzie, so if the
Chiefs can set him a platform, he could be the
most influential player in this final. And with the All

(59:56):
Black squad set to be named a couple of days later,
what better way for him to stake a claim for
the ten jersey for the All Blacks than to guide
his side to a Super Rugby title. Plenty of talking
points eight hundred and eighty ten eighty is our number
nine two ninety two. If you would prefer to send
a text one twenty six SES's they can break back
with your calls right after this.

Speaker 1 (01:00:17):
The biggest seams in sports are on Weekend Sports with
Jason Paine and GJ. Gunnerhomes New Zealand's most trusted home
builder News Talks.

Speaker 2 (01:00:26):
They'd be one twenty eight talking Super Rugby. Rodger says
it's whether dependent Ponty good weather night the Chiefs win
rainy crappy weather in christ Church, the Crusaders take it.
Thanks Roch. It was an interesting article this week about
the new stadium actually and whether that will take away
the advantage that the Crusaders have in the wet down there.
Before we go to the lines, Allison says, diehard Crusaders fan,

(01:00:47):
but I don't think we can beat the Chiefs in
those past factories we had Richie Mooonger and Sam Whitelock.
Interesting Allison, interesting phil whose favorites?

Speaker 24 (01:01:01):
Oh gee, I don't know how you can split them pointy,
I think, or possibly I was going to say the
Crusaders might possibly be some for the only fact that
it's at home, you know, their home final with that record,
But oh, I don't know.

Speaker 2 (01:01:21):
To be honest, it's an unfair question to ask because
there isn't an answer. I don't think there is an answer.
It's all just opinion. You're right. I mean, you could
make a case for You could make a case for
the Crusaders based on things you've said, like home advantage.

Speaker 12 (01:01:36):
You could.

Speaker 2 (01:01:36):
You could make a case for the Chiefs like I
have with Damian McKenzie in a key position. But really
it is so hard to separate these two.

Speaker 24 (01:01:45):
Oh completely, She's just going to be a real hum dinger,
as they say. You know, I watched both games, and boy,
I said to Andy, I just about burnt the house
down because I put that on the Friday night because
I was so I was so into it. I put
some oil wine to fry some bacon, and then those

(01:02:06):
forty phase at the end of the game Crusaders game,
I was on the couch, you know, and I just
completely be careful.

Speaker 2 (01:02:14):
Felt to be careful, don't fry, don't fry, and watch
it the same time. Mate, You gotta you've gotta wait
for your bacon, wait till the end of the game.

Speaker 24 (01:02:23):
Yeah, but you know it was so yeah, you know,
it was it was that and thralling, and I was, yeah,
I thought, for a start on the Friday with the Crusaders,
like rayhann Is, you know, he's very good player and
he's developing in that, but I thought he was a
bit shaky with a couple of kicks in for a start.

(01:02:45):
But then he came right, you know, and done some
really good stuff.

Speaker 25 (01:02:48):
But I thought, as.

Speaker 24 (01:02:49):
Well, things just weren't sort of going our way for
a bit there, and I thought, oh god, this feels
like this is just not going to be the Crusaders
night one of those types of games. But they you know,
they settled in and got there. So and like I say,
you know that forty phases of defending that line, I
was just sitting on the edge of the couch gun

(01:03:09):
for God's sake.

Speaker 6 (01:03:10):
Don't make a mistake.

Speaker 13 (01:03:11):
Don't make a mistake.

Speaker 24 (01:03:12):
Somebody kick it to lose the bull grammar, get it
out something, but just don't stuck it up with a penalty.
So that was yeah, So that was fantastic. And like
I said, I don't think the Crusaders were at their
best on that game either. Like Auckland played really well.
They came out of the gates and they played really well.
And I just got the feeling that Crusaders were in
it right at their best on top. So maybe you

(01:03:34):
know they can up at a bit. Well, they wore
up at a bit for this final game. Now, the
the Chiefs game and the Blue the Brumbies, I actually
was I actually wasn't going to be surprised. I might
be the only one in the country that the Brumbies
did actually get up and win, because I quite right
the Brumbies in that first half, you know, they were right,

(01:03:55):
and it playing really good.

Speaker 10 (01:03:57):
And and.

Speaker 24 (01:03:59):
And then you know the bit of ill discipline, you know,
and they got penalized a few times and the Chiefs
were able to put the wents on the board. Will
build that pressure that way, then get that try. But
I think the real turning point in that game where
I thought the Blues could the Bumbies sorry, could still
come up and win it was when Damian McKenzie saved

(01:04:22):
it the miracua like that was unbelievable, save that try
of keeping his hand on the ball. When he done that,
that's when I thought, Wow, that's it. That's the end
of it for the Brumbies. Any chance they've got now
you know that.

Speaker 2 (01:04:33):
Yeah, Pell, I agree when that happened. It's one of
those where where when something like that happens and you're
the opposition, you think to yourself, it's just not going
to be our night. If they had scored there, that
would have you put them back into it. But yeah,
I think you see kind of shrug his shoulders and say, well,
it's not our night tonight. Good the chatters always, mate,

(01:04:54):
Just be careful with that oil, be careful, mate, needs
you around for a bit longer yet, Mike says Crusader's
definitely favorites with their playoff and titles, history, homeground advantage,
and probably weather conditions plus the extra day recovery. Good points, Mike,
good points. Ian, who do you Reckon's going to win it?

Speaker 10 (01:05:14):
Well, I'm just a little baffled at the moment, Jason,
but I've got a funny feeling the Chiefs are going
to do it. And after last night's game, well, look,
I was a surprised as everybody else out there in
the rugby world that they actually got through to that score,
you know, and I thought that's amazing, you know. But

(01:05:36):
it was great game. Everything went well. But as he
said earlier, the last caring, you know, I mean, he
could be right. They just might just squeeze in the Crusaders.
I'm just sort of but I'm backing the Chief, Mate.
Money goes on the Chief, Jason.

Speaker 2 (01:05:52):
All right, And well I'll put that. Look, I'm not
going to I'm not going to put any money on
this game. I don't have any investments in it emotionally,
and I'm not going to make any investment in it financially.
I'm just going to enjoy the game. But yeah, you're
right to say that, you know, from the part of
country you're calling from, of course you should back your

(01:06:14):
own team. Good on, Yan, appreciate it very much. I
can't see the Chiefs winning in Crusader's country, says this text,
history repeats Rivers. Rayhannah doesn't need to be Damien McKenzie.
He proved that already throughout the season and against the
Blues in the semi. His running and kicking game suits
Crusader's footy, field position, set piece and performance under pressure.

(01:06:36):
Leroy Hi after me, Bunny, how are you going?

Speaker 15 (01:06:40):
Very good?

Speaker 19 (01:06:40):
Leroy?

Speaker 2 (01:06:41):
How a us today?

Speaker 19 (01:06:41):
Mate?

Speaker 25 (01:06:42):
Yeah, I'm good. Thanks Money, one of the patern mast
A legends. He was open size flank offf with Tarniky
Beeck in the day of Richard PANOI picked me up
last night and we went up. He wanted to game
watch the game last night, so I took him out
to the sports fire and gisbe knee.

Speaker 5 (01:06:57):
Yeah, few people, you know, not too much.

Speaker 25 (01:07:00):
Was quite nice Acily, but we both decided, Oh, they
were going to go for the Chiefs next week. It's
going to be hard, you know, coming up against the Crusaders.
But no, it was awesome. It was an awesome game
last night.

Speaker 2 (01:07:13):
Yeah, I mean when the Chiefs play well and look,
you probably have a view. I don't know whether they
were at one hundred percent last night. They won't look
back at and say that was our best performance of
the season. They've been very good in other games too,
but they are a good teammate and I just feel
like it has to be their time. If it was
in Hamilton, I think we'd be saying, look, this is
the Chief's time. It's just the Crusaders' home factor, which really,

(01:07:35):
you know, makes you think, and the fact that you
know from last year when they were so bad to
make it through the Grand Final and host it. It's
just what the Crusaders do, isn't it.

Speaker 25 (01:07:46):
Yeah, they did well, as you know, master last year's
run that their head dreadful. But this year, oh no,
they you know, I give it to them. Give it
to the Crusaders. They didn't been like it for years
and years.

Speaker 6 (01:07:55):
But we don't want them to win.

Speaker 25 (01:07:56):
We have the Chiefs one.

Speaker 2 (01:08:02):
En George the night last time, and you're so right,
You're so right. It's like, I don't think anybody outside
of christ wants the Crusaders to win another one.

Speaker 8 (01:08:10):
I don't know.

Speaker 2 (01:08:11):
You know, I feel like the neutral would want the
Chiefs to win. I could be wrong. I could be wrong,
but I don't think I am. You know, anyway, let's
carry on, Sherwood.

Speaker 26 (01:08:21):
Hello, I just thought i'd mentioned that the Crusaders are
currently one short of having won half of the titles,
so they've got to win this one to get back
to their fifty percent success rate.

Speaker 2 (01:08:37):
Then, even then, I think Surewood is probably a reason
why we don't want them to it. They've been so
good for too long.

Speaker 26 (01:08:43):
And secondly, they're going to be paying their last game
at this venue. They'd want to send that little ground
off with a bang. That's very important to them. And Thirdly,
the Chiefs to win would mean they'd won three times
in one year against the Crusaders, and I think that's
a pretty tough ask.

Speaker 2 (01:09:01):
I don't think anybody would have done that. Well, well,
I can't imagine that anybody has ever done that, be
beaten the Crusaders three times in one season. I would
almost be one hundred percent confidence in saying that that
has never happened. But then you flip that shirt and
you say, well, if anybody's going to beat the Crusaders.
Surely it's a team who's already done it twice this year.

Speaker 26 (01:09:24):
Totally. I mean, the two best teams are definitely in
the final. There's no quibbling on that score at all,
and so may the better team win and I hope
of the Crusaders can.

Speaker 2 (01:09:35):
I just saw what thanks for calling, mate, I appreciate it.
A bunch of tecks to get through here. When Josh
Jacob and Damian McKenzie are on the field together, they
are a real handful, says David. Yet it may well
be that if Sean Stevenson has ruled out that clat
McMillan does get both Jacob and mackenzie on the field
at the same time, and it probably to be fair
doesn't matter which jersey they wear because they can just

(01:09:57):
mix and match to suit. Yeah, Josh Jacob looked good
last night when he came on into that fullback role,
which he hasn't rarely started in. I don't think this
year I can't remember him starting at fullback. All of
the starts have been at first five. I mean start
of the season when Stevenson wasn't there, there was mackenzie
who played fullback, not Jacob. Quick prediction, Jase, which way

(01:10:21):
are you going?

Speaker 11 (01:10:23):
Don't I know which way I want it to go. An,
as far as your blacks aspirations are concerned for this year,
any truth that if the Crusaders are strong, the all
blacks are going to go well?

Speaker 2 (01:10:34):
Well, it certainly was the case between sort of twenty
eleven and twenty fifteen.

Speaker 11 (01:10:38):
Jace, Yeah, what if you look Philly Reese ethan blackhead alike.
If they all go super strong and they win, looks
good for all blacks. I just hope it's they all
go well. And I hope Damien McKenzie is an absolute blinder,
but he falls about two points short of the Crusaders,
and then I'm very happy, right, Jas.

Speaker 2 (01:10:59):
I take it on board, mate, I take it on
the board. And I like the way you're thinking. Having
Luke Jacobson and Quincy pie Back made a mess of
difference last night, says this text. I'm a Crusaders fan,
but the Chiefs are definitely the favorites, says this one.
You're wrong, says Judy. Every Mainlander will be behind the Crusaders.

Speaker 12 (01:11:16):
Is that, Judy?

Speaker 7 (01:11:17):
Is that true?

Speaker 2 (01:11:20):
Duneed In folk, Dunedin Folk, do you want the Crusaders
to win. I understand those in the Crusaders catchment, which
is christ Church up. I understand if those in the
Tasman region are cheering for the Crusaders, but duneading people Southlanders?

(01:11:41):
Do you want the Crusaders to win? Blackie says, if
Sewan Stevens's rule out Saturday night, the Chiefs will play
a Tenny Nanos Tuta full back if he's fit. It
would be a bad move to bugger around with Damien.
Chiefs win. Thanks Blackie, He's a good text coming through here.
Crusaders to win, but the new stadium's cursed. They'll never

(01:12:03):
win another home playoff game. Goodness, but that's an early call.
I haven't even open the doors yet. Twenty to two.
Let's take a break come back with James mcconey.

Speaker 1 (01:12:12):
Don't get caught off signe call. Eight hundred eighty eight
Weekend Sports with Jason Pain and GJ. Guvnerholmes, New Zealand's
most trusted home builder.

Speaker 2 (01:12:21):
News Dogs env seventeen to two. Judy's text has been
the catalyst for an influx.

Speaker 6 (01:12:29):
Text.

Speaker 2 (01:12:30):
Judy's contention was that everybody in the South Island will
be supporting the Crusaders. It would appear duty that's not
the case. Absolutely no from Dunedin says this one up
the Chiefs. Every Mainlander won't be behind the Crusaders, says Nigel,
She's wrong. Everyone south of the White Tucky is for
the Chiefs. From Dunedin definitely supporting the Chiefs. Allison says,
I'm a Crusaders fan, but I know further south they

(01:12:52):
hate us like everybody else does. And I'm a Highlander supporter,
says this one. I hate the Crusaders going into workers
so much better after a Crusaders loss, go the Chiefs.
There you go, Judy, So perhaps not everybody. And three
is a Crusaders fan. James mccaroniy, hello.

Speaker 6 (01:13:10):
Mate, get a piney.

Speaker 11 (01:13:12):
How are you?

Speaker 6 (01:13:12):
Yes, enjoying all the calls, but also I've got a
plan for the NPC. Can I put it go on?

Speaker 2 (01:13:18):
Yeah? Can I please please watch your pitch?

Speaker 6 (01:13:21):
My pitch is that apart from Friday night it's daytime rugby,
no kickoff later than five pm. People have said that,
but especially with the Friday night game like cities like Auckland.
I mean, I don't think Pokakoe Counties would wan a
Friday night game, so it has to be you know,
the union has to want it and be able to
market it properly. So then there's that three conferences the

(01:13:42):
South for teams on the South Island south of Otago, Canterbury, Tasman,
Central Wellington one of two Hawks, Bay and Tallanak and
then North has the six remaining teams, So from Bakland
all the way up to Northland and you have a
top seven with the number one team going straight to
the semi finals, et cetera, et cetera. And your trial

(01:14:03):
new laws, so the rolling wall tries less, you can
make a box check because they suck, and then you know,
just basically tinker with the laws even limit the number
of picking goes and one out runs as well. You
know that you have to pass the able, you know,
more than more than once or something, which is what
you actually do a lot of junior rugby and league.

(01:14:24):
You can't just run up from dummy harf and stuff.
And it works quite well.

Speaker 2 (01:14:28):
Innovation. I love the innovation. We have to think outside
the box, don't we We have to do We can't
just keep on doing what we've always done, you know,
in a in a changing landscape like this. I think.
I love the conferences. I think that would you know,
that would compel you know, those those existing rivalries to
become perhaps even more passionate.

Speaker 12 (01:14:47):
I like it.

Speaker 2 (01:14:48):
You need to pitch, Yeah, you need to pitch it
to whoever it is that makes these decisions at HQ.

Speaker 14 (01:14:54):
Yeah.

Speaker 6 (01:14:55):
How many more months have I got with Mark Robinson?
I can maybe ask him for an audience, just you know,
for his slips out the door. But saving on travel
would be a big thing, I reckon, because you're just
gonna You're going to reduce costs the stand. We all
know that.

Speaker 2 (01:15:07):
Poney, yep, absolutely right. Well, I like you. I like
the way you're thinking. Hey, now when we speak in
a week from now, you'll be a super rugby champion.
Surely the Chiefs will win it.

Speaker 6 (01:15:17):
No more baiting, please. The master Basa is in the house,
and I tell you what I can't deal with. I
I was hoping the Brumbis would win because I just
don't want to deal well, another disappointing final. I don't
want to see Rob Penny breakdance these things that we
have to win last night, because now we go to
christ Church. The biggest task, the toughest task the hospital

(01:15:39):
pass and all of rugby is to go and win
down there. I mean, yeah, the Chiefs are a chance,
but your thoughts money, No.

Speaker 2 (01:15:47):
I look, it is a coin flip. I've been saying
all afternoon. The tab can't say break them a dollar
ninety each. I honestly think the Chiefs can do it.
I think they can go down there and do it.
There's these indefinable things. Clayton McMillan will be heading away.
You know that doesn't count for anything on the scoreboard,

(01:16:08):
but doesn't count for something inside that playing group because
we know how much they they love him. The Damien
McKenzie factor for me is massive. I think if it
was if the Crusaders had Bowden, Barrett or Richie Muonga,
then would be having a different conversation. I like Rivers Rayhana,
but Dmak in big moments can be a game changer.

Speaker 6 (01:16:29):
Yeah, And I think Dmak will have more touches than
Bowden had on Friday night. I think he's so involved
in the game as even with his with that defense,
defensive play, He's just everywhere, and I think that will
be a huge help. You could argue that the Crusaders
have the edge in the forwards and the Chiefs maybe
have an edge in the backs. But then we're waiting
on Sewan Stevenson and I agree with your text before

(01:16:53):
saying it's any nine nice Obsuto for me would be
the logical replacement good big left boots on him as well,
so he can kick, which will be needed. But my
biggest concern is I think Will Jordan is the best
rugby player and he's zelland at the moment back yep,
forward and he's going to bug knee and he's still
the best in show as far as I'm concerned.

Speaker 2 (01:17:12):
Yeah, incredible player. Hey, I'm just on on the forward battle.
How good's Christian Leo? Will he Bean? He's a player,
isn't he?

Speaker 6 (01:17:20):
Oh No, he's amazing, the massy boy from out west
here choir boy. You know, he's just one of those guys,
and I mean, raising needs to take credit. Probably one
of the best sign of you know, scouts of diamonds
in the rough, you know, FITZU Douglas was another one
that he brought down there come or come or you
know those guys that have come flourished in the Crusaders,

(01:17:41):
you know Jordan til four before that, there's just so
many players that they take and turn into champions. I
love Christian Leo Willie and I think though our Chiefs
lose forwards, they with our top loose forwards out there.
And I think Simon Parker probably needs to come back
into the mix because he's had a good season. But
Jacobson slowly turning into Sam Kine, you know, just cleaning

(01:18:04):
the balls perfect so we get better possession. And obviously
while a Titi is still trying and he's gotten that
ankle strapped up, but I think he'll be another week
and probably a game not as physical as the Crusader's
Blues game will help. So my one thing I would
say before we move off Super Rugby is out wide,

(01:18:27):
the Chiefs have some real raz or dazzle. But if
you notice even last night, the difference they made was
mainly through the middle, So Nadawa with the pick and
go and a couple of breaks up the center. There
was an assist from Leroy Cardiff right in front of
the posts. So sometimes it's not out wide where you
get the impact from these guys. So watch that as well.

Speaker 2 (01:18:45):
Yeah, and tight games as well. You're so right, Well,
Will Jordan with a pick and go try on Friday night.
You know that's not Will Jordan's you know, normal method
of scoring isn't. But you're so right, And yeah, there
we be lots of water chat about across the week. Yeah,
let's see where we are all week from now. Hey,
other matters around, Ryan Fox continues has rise. I mean,
he obviously is out of contention at the US Open,

(01:19:06):
but he's playing in the US Open. He's playing the
weekend at the US Open, exactly.

Speaker 6 (01:19:12):
I mean, I love the rise of Ryan Fox has
been an incredible story, and his reconnecting with his old
coach Marcus Wheelhouse has made a huge difference to him.
Just confidence. Those two guys just bounce off each other
and gel really well. And I know, I know for
a fact that when Marcus Wheelhouse is overseas with Ryan Fox,
he tends to phone his wife Melody Robinson less because

(01:19:36):
he's having such a good time with Foxy that they just.

Speaker 16 (01:19:39):
You know, I mean, it makes a difference. Right, other
times he's he's zooming and he's face timing, but hey,
when he's with Foxy, he's having the time of his life.
And I think that makes a big difference.

Speaker 6 (01:19:51):
As you no pint. You're on tour, probably facetiming and
missus all the time, right.

Speaker 2 (01:19:54):
Yeah, oh no, we do tend to chant, yeah, reasonably regularly.
But I don't know. I don't know Melody Robinson or
Marcus Wheelhouse well at all. I've obviously had a bit
to do with both of them, but I reckon they've
obviously come to some sort of arrangement that works for everybody.

Speaker 6 (01:20:08):
Yeah, it's pretty good. So having Marcus back, I can
see Ryan Fox as well. He's looking a lot trimmer.
I think he's laying off the Applebee's, which I found
very tempting over there. I think he goes to the
PF Chain's or something. There are a lot of good
restaurants in America with very big cautions. But Fox has
been disciplined. But also what he's getting his respect from

(01:20:30):
the elite. He's one of the boys now. So Scotti
Scheffler pretty much came up to him and said that
three would you hit in that playoff hole at the
Canadian Open was one of the greatest shots I've ever
seen you. Rory mckleboy's giving him a bear hug in
the car park, and this is the difference Fox, he's
one of the lambs.

Speaker 2 (01:20:47):
Yeah, love it, I absolutely love it. Love it for him.
Can we finish with tennis? We know that that rugby
has built on tribalism and rivalries, tennis is as well,
and we've got a bit of a new guard emerging.

Speaker 6 (01:21:00):
Yes, indeed. And look, I mean I think the Ciner
versus Al Kharaz rivalry. Men's tennis need that so badly.
But also the you know, Cocoa golf coming through and
upsetting the apple cart there in the in the French
Open was outstanding. So I mean, I just think that
having I think there were seeds one and two playing

(01:21:21):
each other was just brilliant for tennis and it really
needed it because the drop off after the veteran Nadal
and you know Jokovac, even though he's still around, is huge.
And I think, you know, without the the Williams sisters,
et cetera, whatever you want, that both both sides of
tennis needed a shot in the arm and they've got it.

(01:21:42):
But also wanted to maybe just finish piny just quickly.
With the cricket, I thought the South Africans were incredible.
I'm glad they they won and I was impressed at
how humble they were in victory, saying oh, hey, you've
got the better conditions. It's like it doesn't matter. You
won the World Test Championship. And we need to thank
South Africa because without South African cricket and that factory,

(01:22:05):
we would have Neil Wagner, Devin Comwaits, Glenn Phillip's, Colum Monroe,
Grant Elliott. The list goes on Piney. So thanks to
South African cricket.

Speaker 2 (01:22:13):
Indeed, and good to see them lose that Chokers for tag. Finally,
good to chat James. We'll do it again next week
when you're a Super Rugby champion winning team supporter. Look
forward to that seven to two from Gonna on text.
The Crusaders are good, but they're not the Crusaders of
twenty three. No Richie, no Sam. Absolutely world class players.
I feel the Chiefs pack and especially the reserves will

(01:22:36):
be the difference. Just look at the Brumby scrum in
the last twenty minutes the last trip to christ Church.
Our forwards dominated them in the second half which led
to a very good win. I have six long sleeps
to wait. I can't wait.

Speaker 4 (01:22:48):
Go my Chiefs.

Speaker 2 (01:22:49):
Good on, You're gonna good to hear from you News
next to two.

Speaker 1 (01:22:53):
The only place to discuss the biggest sports issues on
and after field. It's all on Weeke and Ford with
Jason Taine on your Home of Sport, New York.

Speaker 12 (01:23:06):
He seven.

Speaker 2 (01:23:06):
This is Weekend's Sport on News TALKSB until three when
Tim Beveridge takes over for Sunday's edition of the Weekend Collective.
Looking forward to that. Before we can hand over, though
a bit to get through. Want to cover off a
whole bunch of American sport, including playoffs in the NHL
and NBA. Leon Busby Stateside with US will also celebrate

(01:23:31):
South Africa's throwing off of their chokers tag and cricket.
They finally won something, the World Test Championship. Aiden Markram
was the star as they beat Australia by five wickets
in the final at Lord's Over. Note Daryl Gibson along shortly.
You'll know him as a former All Black, but he
is the new high Performance director for New Zealand Cricket,

(01:23:54):
Chief high Performance Officer. To give him his correct title,
Chief high Performance Officer, it was Brian Stronach's old job.
He's left and Daryl Gibson is now in that role.
He'll chat to us shortly. We were looking at ways
of improving rugby a short time ago. Somebody on text
has suggested that the person who scores the try has

(01:24:14):
to take the conversion. I don't mind it, don't mind it.
It does rather take the goalkicking out of the equation.
I know you can still kick penalties in that, but yeah,
it does take a goalkicking out of the equation ever
so slightly. Maybe maybe that's a good thing. Yeah, so
the try scorer has to take the conversion anyway, Your
calls and text on all matters are welcome. Oh eight

(01:24:37):
hundred and eighty ten eighty nine two ninety two on text.
But as we took past eight pass two as we
always do, and around this time on weekend sport, let's
get you up today with a busy sporting weekend stuff
that's happens mainly off these shores that you might not
yet have caught up with in case you missed it,
Starting with cycling, another day in the Daphina and another

(01:25:00):
big win for Taday Pigaca.

Speaker 15 (01:25:03):
Well today fez Ma hat number Sanger guard had parts
to play, but Pagaccia doesn't play by their rules and
he yets again rights to the finish line alone today
in yellow ninety eight wins for taday Pagaia.

Speaker 2 (01:25:21):
Just looking head and shoulders above his rivals. With the
Tour de France now just around the corner to the Nral,
the Roosters had to fight but managed to complete the
comeback against the Knights.

Speaker 22 (01:25:31):
To disco he'll kick hed lid y chase it dru
see one on the race for the Roosters are congratulating
each other because the time back on the.

Speaker 27 (01:25:45):
Last second expiers and they've come from behind eight points
to kneel down and to win at twelve points to
eight the final score in Newcastle.

Speaker 2 (01:25:55):
The Dolphins, meantime, dishing out a walloping to the Cowboys.

Speaker 22 (01:25:59):
I Karima show short Moloa.

Speaker 19 (01:26:05):
There's another what Dolphins I said about the supporting actors.
They have not had a bad player, everyone who's contributed
to what is an enormous win.

Speaker 2 (01:26:17):
For the club fifty eight to four. The Dolphins won
that one somehow, improving on their fifty six sixth win
last week. The Dolphins going great guns to Formula one.
A tough day for Liam Lawson in Montreal, but George
Russell had a happy day for Mercedes.

Speaker 28 (01:26:34):
Here though, comes backs for Stapane's batch of pool again
in a forty half bowl coming his way. Why is
George Russell just thatching away from him again in Montreal
and he has He's George Russell mister Saturday hop pole position.

Speaker 2 (01:26:50):
Unfortunately, Liam Lawson will start in eighteenth on the grid
when the race gets underway around six tomorrow morning. Ryan
Fox another challenging day at the US Golf Open, but
he still had his moments, said Ryan Fox said, a
couple close to ours, two hawns.

Speaker 4 (01:27:05):
This whole locations should really suit his ball flight.

Speaker 2 (01:27:09):
All right, Fox is dial in here in this third round.

Speaker 23 (01:27:13):
That'll be his third consecutive birdie.

Speaker 2 (01:27:16):
Ryan Fox finishing three over for the day. He sits
in a tie for thirty ninth at eight over for
the tournament. And Jordy Barrett has finished his time at
Leinster in winning fashion, leading them to the URC title
with a win over the balls in the final over
the top on.

Speaker 22 (01:27:34):
The padstof for Jordy Barty chicks ahead Tommy our pride
of Jordy Barrett had a raster cut down.

Speaker 10 (01:27:41):
Torny Barrett cuts the tray.

Speaker 19 (01:27:42):
The thing from Jeffrey the BA Leinster's big player comes
off with a Lasser moment in the.

Speaker 1 (01:27:49):
RC final when it's down to the line. You made
a call on eighty Weekend Force with Jason Hine us
talksib there.

Speaker 2 (01:27:59):
We got to great to have Jordy Barrett back. The
All Black squad, the first one of the season, incidentally,
for the French Tests in Lie is named a week tomorrow,
So next Monday, I think that's the twenty third from memory. Monday,
the twenty third of June is when Scott Robertson will
unveil his first All Black squad of the year. I

(01:28:20):
understand it's going to be thirty five names, thirty five
in that squad. We'll bring it to you on News
Talks EDB of course when that time comes. New Zealand
Cricket meantime has a new Chief high Performance Officer and
it's a former All Black, Darryl Gibson. He is going
to start in the role next month, replacing the long
serving but now departing Brian Stronik. Daryl Gibson comes into

(01:28:45):
the job from his role as head of high Performance
Coaching at High Performance Sport. New Zealand and Daryl Gibson
is with us on Weekend Sport. Daryl, thanks for taking
the time. Congratulations on the appointment. What was it about
this role that attracted you to it?

Speaker 8 (01:29:01):
Well, thank first of all, thank you Pony. That's quite
a mouthful that title. On what attracted me to the role,
I think obviously the role itself and the opportunity to
join an organization in New Zealand cricket that is reshaping
itself to be fit for purpose in an increasingly complex

(01:29:27):
cricketing scene. I think what we're seeing in sport, and
I know Rugby going through the same thing, is the
way we're consuming sport, how sport is funded and invested
in is changing, you know, with's the way we consume
sport with TV, and it's making sure we're fit for
purpose for that. But then also, you know, cricket is ambitious.

(01:29:50):
You know, I really love that global nature. You know,
NDT have invested into Major League cricket in America, you know,
so it's it's sport that wants to go places, and
you know, I'm really really privileged.

Speaker 2 (01:30:06):
To joint I want to talk about the complexity of
the global cricketing landscape. In a moment. But what do
you perceive to be the most important parts of this role?

Speaker 8 (01:30:19):
For me, the most important part is ensuring that we
are a sustainable competitive cricket nation year on here and
for me, what comes down to making sure that our
high performance system is producing men and women at a
very high level to sustain our competitive edge. We're a

(01:30:40):
small nation in terms of cricket and so we've always
had to bet above our capability and we've consistently done
that over the last fifteen years. So first of all,
we're really curious to learn what is it that we're
doing better than any other cricket nation in the world,
because there will be strengths there that we're going to

(01:31:01):
make sure we maintain. But then also coming in with
a fresh set of eyes, okay, with some performance growth
and gaps currently in our system in ways that we
can be better.

Speaker 2 (01:31:13):
The cricketing landscape, as you have outlined there, has changed
markedly in recent times and will continue to do so,
no doubt. How do you ensure international success in the
face of the rise and rise of T twenty franchise cricket?

Speaker 8 (01:31:29):
Yeah, and that that is a challenge, isn't it, Because
we can all see the large sums of money that
are on offer for our young men women in terms
of playing in IPL leagues solely, so I think there's
a real job to make sure that playing for New
Zealand and Cricket Internationals and the three formats still retains

(01:31:52):
a very special place and meaning for the players, because
we know we're competing with a large sums of money,
an opportunity that if we were in similar positions, you
would make it very difficult. First of all, making sure
the environments that we produce in all three formats are
very compelling and the players want to come back and

(01:32:14):
play for New Zealand. I still think that players are
always going to need a platform to be able to
pick up the deals and contracts around the world. You're
still going to have to play well for your country
and be the very very best cricketer you can be.
So certainly where that challenge, that complexity of the amount

(01:32:36):
of cricket that is on offer around the global stage
and making sure that New Zealand still retains that special place.

Speaker 2 (01:32:45):
And do you think it does at the moment is
that I know you're about to start in the role,
but it feels to me as though there is that. Yes,
there are players who are opting not to take up
central contracts, but it seems to me and I don't
think they're lying. When you ask the players, they still
talk about the specialness of the international environment. Is that
your perception too.

Speaker 8 (01:33:05):
Absolutely, I still think it retains that genuine I want
to play for my country and I want to perform
and be part of the team and challenge on the
international sort of global stage. So our challenges for the
coaches and administrators in the game to make sure that
that's retained. The values of what we stand for identified

(01:33:29):
to need to be very strong and clear right through
our whole pathway. So that's also part of the challenge
of making sure that retains.

Speaker 2 (01:33:40):
And you arrive into this role at around the same
time as a new black Caps coach has just been appointed,
Rob Alter taking over from Gary Stead. Of course, does
the fact that you're new, he's new and an extra
layer of challenge for you both or actually is it
a chance to look at things through two sets of
fresh eyes.

Speaker 8 (01:33:57):
Yeah, I think there's a bit of both there. There
is definitely an opportunity. What attracted me to this role
is the fact that I knew there would be an
incoming head coach and an opportunity to potentially reshape things
in the direction that we feel that we.

Speaker 6 (01:34:11):
Need to go.

Speaker 8 (01:34:13):
But then also the challenge of you have two new
people into the system, you know, And that's something I
spoke about at my interview with the chair and the
CE and the captains around the role that they have
to ensure that what everything that has been great about
New Zealand Cricket has retained and then the two new

(01:34:33):
people into the system get to learn that really quickly
about our standards and our years and so forth, our
culture and making sure that we integrate quickly.

Speaker 2 (01:34:45):
If we just zoom out a bit, Daryl, regardless of
what sport it is, are there key factors that apply
across all effective high performance environments?

Speaker 8 (01:34:55):
Absolutely, And I think there are principles because simply I'm
not from cricket. I am that fresh pair of eyes
that can come into a system and look at it
from a point of view of principles. We're very lucky
here in New Zealand and that you know, our principles
are pretty clear around high performance. It firstly starts with people.

(01:35:16):
We're in a people business. How do we get people
together operating in a very clear direction and purpose around
a really clear defined set of values that, especially when
unique to our country, and form in such a way
that produces sporting performances that firstly people here in New

(01:35:37):
Zealand can identify with and be very proud of. And
I think the way our sports people and that's one
of the things I've admired about our cricket team is
the way they play the game. We play to win,
but we also.

Speaker 14 (01:35:54):
When we win well, we win with money, and.

Speaker 8 (01:35:58):
I think that's really important. So it's cutos and brilliant
for the work that Gary, Mike Hessen, Ben Sawyer and
the women's game have really installed a culture around Hey, yep,
we play hard. We expect that, as keywis, but also

(01:36:18):
you know, we play the game in the right spirit.

Speaker 2 (01:36:21):
Just back to the black Cats coaching role, there was
talk that perhaps a split and responsibilities might occur between
red and white ball. That hasn't been the case. Rob
will oversee all formats. Can you see a time down
the track when that is revisited.

Speaker 8 (01:36:39):
I think possibly, you know, I'm sure he's on a
cricket discussed all the different advantages and disadvantages of splitting
white ball red bull. Obviously, having two coaches, two chiefs
of different areas would provide its challenge but also an opportunity,
Whereas if you have one leader or one coach setting

(01:37:01):
the culture and framework across all three teams, it's certainly
more consistent and clearer for the players. And I guess
at this point in time we've opted for that and
that it's better to have one coach across all three formats.
Of course, the detraction and that, and we've seen that
over time, and Piney, I think you'd agree it's a

(01:37:23):
heavy workload for one coach. You know, that's a considerable
amount of time away committed to cricket and those three formats.
So I think building building in enough time for the
coach to reach, ouge and regenerate themselves is going to
be important. You know, the way we look after our
coach in that regard is going to be part of the.

Speaker 5 (01:37:46):
Work that I do.

Speaker 2 (01:37:48):
And we'll know about your rugby career. Nineteen Test matches
for the All Blacks, multiple Super Rugby championships with the Crusaders,
do you Plinny cricket growing.

Speaker 8 (01:37:56):
Up, I certainly won't feature in the Cricket b Rugman
playfor party.

Speaker 25 (01:38:03):
I can assure you that.

Speaker 8 (01:38:06):
Just like many New Zealanders grew up on a diet
of when cricket was on mainstream TV, you know those
years where we're dominated with Hadley and over in Australia,
and obviously the Money ninety World Cup features strongly in
my mind. I've always admired cricketers. I think, you know,
getting getting on the patch and facing someone who's bowling

(01:38:29):
at one. You know, it takes some courage and bravery
just to do that. So from that point of view,
certainly admire my cricket and it's all particularly five day
cricket Test match in terms of the consistency the patients

(01:38:51):
and what character traits is required to win through five days.

Speaker 2 (01:38:56):
Well, congrats again on the new role. Exciting times ahead
and interesting challenging times ahead as well for the game
of cricket both domestically and internationally. I hope it's art.

Speaker 25 (01:39:06):
Well.

Speaker 2 (01:39:06):
We'll look forward to catching up once you've got your
feet under the desk in a couple of months time
or so. Brilli, Thanks Boyne, no, thank you, Darrel, Darrel Gibson.
There he is the new new Zealand Cricket Chief High
Performance Officer, replacing Brian Stronach, looking forward very much to
seeing what he brings to that role. Two twenty three.
In the NHL Stanley Cup Finals, Game five, best of

(01:39:31):
seven between Florida and Edmonton, Florida Lee three to one
in the third period. There are three periods in the
game of ice hockey. They're three to one ahead with
twelve and a half minutes to go in the third period,
so effectively twelve and a half minutes to go in
the game. The series tied at two a piece, so
Florida with the advantage in the third period of Game five.

(01:39:51):
Will cover off American sport in greater detail before three
o'clock with Leon Busby State side. But when we come back,
it's a wrap of the World Test Championship Cricket Final,
both captains with their postmatch thoughts and the big moments
from the game which saw South Africa become champions for
the first time.

Speaker 1 (01:40:07):
Back after this, the Voice of Sport on your Home
of Sport Weekend Sport with Jason Fyne gj Gunnos, New Zealand's.

Speaker 2 (01:40:16):
Most trusted oh builder News Talks ITV two twenty six
on News Talks b just before we get to the
World Test Championship Cricket Final. KII Formula One driver Liam Lawson,
we'll start eighteenth on the grid in tomorrow morning's Canadian
Grand Prix in Montreal. He could only post the nineteenth
best time in qualifying after being in the top ten
in both practice sessions. Yesterday, he was upgrade at a

(01:40:38):
place on the grid after a penalty to Red Bulls
Yuki Sonoda. Here are Liam Lawson's brief post qualifying thoughts. Hayleim,
you're looking goods out there? What happens?

Speaker 29 (01:40:50):
I have no idea, to be honest, We trades. We've
been struggling to make the tire work on the first
lap all weekends, honestly, and first running Q one, I
had to do a bill lap to have them in
the right window, and we didn't do a bill lap
for the last run and it didn't have much script
through the lap. So yeah, it's uh, it's pretty disappointing.

(01:41:12):
Jars been fast, so could you.

Speaker 2 (01:41:14):
Just run out of time then to do that build
up in that second run?

Speaker 29 (01:41:18):
We know we had time, but once you kind of commit,
you know to the lab or so halfway through the lab.
By then you've used a lot of the tire and
you you know, I could have boord it and then
start the next lap, but then tires are again not
on the right windows. So it's uh, you kind of
have to commit to it early on and with yeah,

(01:41:38):
we just we tried to make it work on the
first laps as most people did to be fair, and
just didn't work for us.

Speaker 2 (01:41:44):
So eighteenth on the grid. Tomorrow morning when the race
gets under way, it's six New Zealand time for Liam
Lawson Mercedes. George Russell will start from poll for the
first time in twenty twenty five. Read balls Max for
stepping alongside him with the McLaren of Oscar Pastree. Third
on the grid. Let's go to cricket and the World
Test Championship Finals. South Africa's long wait for an ic

(01:42:05):
C troph Feet is finally over. RAINA does the honors.

Speaker 30 (01:42:12):
And South Africa make history. The Ultimate Test, the ultimate
result of the proteers, the roy motion.

Speaker 31 (01:42:23):
The jubilation takes over on.

Speaker 30 (01:42:25):
The field and the grandstands, in the dressing rooms. Years
in the waiting, the ultimate stage to played Test match.

Speaker 2 (01:42:34):
Here at Lord's the Ultimate Arena, the.

Speaker 30 (01:42:37):
Biggest opposition in Australia.

Speaker 31 (01:42:39):
They've given us so much heartache over the years.

Speaker 10 (01:42:45):
That now.

Speaker 30 (01:42:47):
The xtormation mark of an ICC event. They've stood tall
and ended up victorious.

Speaker 2 (01:42:53):
Special moment for the Proteas, winning the World Test Championship
Final at Lord's against Australia by five wickets. A very
low scoring Test finally saw Australia score just two hundred
and twelve in two hundred and seven in their respective innings.
South avering a one hundred and thirty eight all out
on their first innings, leaving themselves two hundred and eighty
two to chase in the fourth innings to win. They

(01:43:16):
certainly did not look like favorites when they started their rulings,
given the low scoring of the chest up to that point,
but that was when Aiden Markram stepped up and put
his name in the spotlight with a magnificent century, clicked.

Speaker 31 (01:43:30):
Leg saved, clicked all the way to the boundary, a
magical mark rom hundred, his eighth.

Speaker 2 (01:43:38):
In Tesma's cricket and if South Africa going to win
this game, it will be his most important and he
got them to the verge of victory before succumbing with
just six runs needed to win one broad to come
for Hazelwood's six required?

Speaker 32 (01:44:01):
Is that a really good tease of feeling enforced us exact,
He's out, He's our My goodness.

Speaker 2 (01:44:07):
May it was so slow motion, so low key.

Speaker 32 (01:44:11):
Marcrom has out been beautifully taken, unbelievable and all the
Australians to a man, have gone to him, all of them.

Speaker 2 (01:44:24):
That's a sad moment.

Speaker 31 (01:44:25):
He would have loved to have been there to knock
off the final runs.

Speaker 2 (01:44:28):
But what an innings that can't.

Speaker 31 (01:44:29):
Take away from this one hundred and thirty six that
he's achieved. And in a funny way, it's probably even
more fitting because he's going to get more clause as
he walks off the ground, and flause that he thoroughly deserves.
Are fantastic inings by Aidan Markram. He has stood tall
on the biggest stage and he's got his team onto
the drink of something special.

Speaker 2 (01:44:50):
And the postmatch media conference, Aidan Markram was asked about
how he felt to fall just before the finished line.

Speaker 33 (01:44:57):
Yeah, I wish I could have. Yeah, that's meeting me
when I get out on Boy's English, Sir, I wish
I could have. But at least looking at the building
in front was pretty special and then naturally the World
Cup was incredibly special.

Speaker 4 (01:45:13):
So at least as one or two memories from that.

Speaker 2 (01:45:16):
And the term chokers has been thrown around South African
cricket for many, many years, even as recently as overnight
when they needed just sixty nine runs with eight wickets
in hand, would they choke again? Aiden Markram was asked
about how it felt for him to help shed that
tag of choking.

Speaker 4 (01:45:33):
It'll be great to not have to hear it again,
that's for sure.

Speaker 33 (01:45:38):
In terms of it motivating you, I mean, there's always
going to be external things that can motivate you, but
it's not your sole purpose for playing. So to have
got the job done and to literally have got the
job done and to get rid of that is quite
a big thing for this team, I feel.

Speaker 2 (01:45:55):
Captain of this protear side is timber Bavooma. He struggled
with a hamstring injury throughout the match but fought on
to score sixty six pretty crucial fourth innings runs to
help get the protein years across the line. Ada Marc
rom asked about the performance of his captain.

Speaker 33 (01:46:10):
Yeah, Berthy isnotually huge to see his amigo was obviously
but not worrying.

Speaker 12 (01:46:20):
But then.

Speaker 33 (01:46:22):
Who got to tea I think it was And we
chatted in the change room and he said he feels
like he can still keep going, but he wanted to
know from our side of the twos that are becoming
ones with effactness. I said, there's no chance. It's about partnership,
staying out there for long, getting the ball even softer,
even older, because that's obviously when a bad him became

(01:46:43):
a lot easier.

Speaker 4 (01:46:44):
And that's exactly what he did. And he's still actually
managed to.

Speaker 33 (01:46:47):
Run twos and threes, So I think there was a
lot of adrenaline there, but a lot of leadership and
character that he showed. And again those maybe not the big,
big numbers, but the ones that really make a difference
in that was timber in this game for.

Speaker 2 (01:47:00):
Us, and this century was just a continuation of Ada
Marcrum's very good record against Australia. It was this third
century against them in just five Test matches as well
as another fifty in Cape Town and twenty eighteen, he
averages sixty one against Australia and was asked about his

(01:47:21):
strong record against this opposition.

Speaker 4 (01:47:24):
No it's not.

Speaker 33 (01:47:25):
I'm not sure about figures, but yeah, I think the
Australians and South Africans are pretty similar in the play
the game in a similar way. Play the game hard,
play the game to compete, play the game to really win.
And I think it as well as for them, but
very much so for us, brings out the best in US.
So it's just a battle, it's just competition and two

(01:47:48):
teams that really don't have any interest in losing. So
I think it brings out the best in a lot
of cricketers and not just myself, but quite a few
of the players in a team in in out team.

Speaker 2 (01:47:57):
And finally from Aden Markram, what does test cricket mean
to him? And how important is Test cricket as a
format in the international game?

Speaker 33 (01:48:06):
Always been my most important and most favorite format. Naturally,
playing fewer games is not really on us. It's just
sort of the cards you get old. But it's really
important in my opinion to keep test cricket as the
number one in South Africa. So we understand all the
dynamics that are happening in the cricket world and that's

(01:48:26):
completely fair, but it's more about the young guy coming
through that his main thing is to get a Test
much bag and play Test much cricket for so Africa.
That's if you can still do that, it's fine for
however long they play for is a different conversation in
the world of cricket nowadays.

Speaker 6 (01:48:43):
But the number one.

Speaker 33 (01:48:45):
Priority should always be to play test cricket and I've
always felt that, believe that and if you can get
that back with the younger people coming through, I think
we've done well.

Speaker 2 (01:48:54):
As for Australia well as defending champions. Before this Test,
I hand over the trophy to South Africa. Australian captain
Pat Cummins was asked about his team's emotions after the defeat.

Speaker 4 (01:49:06):
Obviously, you know, disappointment.

Speaker 34 (01:49:08):
He works so hard to get to the final and
it's just yeah, you kind of just miss ou funy.
So yeah, disappointment, but you know, I think overall everyone
it's pretty pumped to be here to the final, make it.

Speaker 4 (01:49:20):
But yeah, it's always when you just missed that of.

Speaker 34 (01:49:21):
A huge opportunity by a little bit, leave you a
little bit empty.

Speaker 2 (01:49:25):
A lot of conversation about how much the wicket changed,
particularly from days to one and two into Day three.
Pat comings asked about his thoughts on that.

Speaker 4 (01:49:35):
Yeah, pretty much that.

Speaker 34 (01:49:37):
You know, I think when there's cloud covers, you know,
edi is real that the ball does a bit more,
it zips around a bit more.

Speaker 4 (01:49:45):
And I think England's one.

Speaker 34 (01:49:45):
Of those places where when it's triggered to that, it's
one of the triggiest places in the world, but when
it's flat, it's one of the fattest places in the world. So,
you know, I thought they batted fantastically. They didn't really
give us a chance. They you know, had a really
tight defense and whenever we got a little bit why
they scored. But yeah, it didn't feel like there was
a heap in it for us, kind of in the

(01:50:06):
second innings compared to the first innings.

Speaker 2 (01:50:08):
And even though this teaest is now just finished, it
doesn't feel like there is a free start coming for
the Australians with the new World Test Championship cycle.

Speaker 4 (01:50:17):
Yeah, I think in some ways you do.

Speaker 34 (01:50:20):
I don't particularly know why, but it does feel like
a little bit of a fresh start, you know. Fast forward,
you know, a couple of years you start maybe thinking
about who's going to be hopefully we make the final,
who's going to be in that and maybe do we
want to get some games into them, you know, do
we feel like now is the right time to change
or do you hold you know, with the team that
got us to the final.

Speaker 4 (01:50:40):
So yeah, I think we'll kind of got.

Speaker 34 (01:50:44):
A couple of weeks before the first less and the Windys,
so I think we'll sit down and have a bit
of a think and after we digest this game. But yeah,
for me, I think a new WTSLE WTC cycle in
some ways, I just feel like a bit of a reset.

Speaker 2 (01:50:58):
And finally from Pat Cummings, what has he made of
timber Bovuma's performance and the journey that South Africa have
taken to reach the top of tears cricket.

Speaker 4 (01:51:07):
Yeah, I mean, first of all, you know how he played. Yeah,
I thought he was fantastic.

Speaker 34 (01:51:10):
Is I just gave that half a chance early and
then you really give us another look until he got out.
Had a big partnership, so I thought he played really well.
In terms of leading, it's always pretty hard unless you're
kind of playing underneath someone to judge them, I think, so,
I don't know, but from the outside it look good.

Speaker 4 (01:51:28):
And yeah, in terms of you know, the way they
made it, they made it fair and square.

Speaker 34 (01:51:32):
So you know, everyone has a slightly different route to
make the final, but they absolutely deserve to make the
final and showed why.

Speaker 4 (01:51:40):
You know, I think they're very deserving champions.

Speaker 2 (01:51:43):
That is the voice of Pat Cummins, Australian cricket kept
and so World Chess Championship glory for South Africa. The
scores in the final lords Australia two hundred and twelve
all out and two hundred and seven all out. South
Africa all out for one hundred and thirty eight in
their first I think two hundred and eighty two for
five and their seconds anchored by a terrific century from

(01:52:04):
Aiden Mark from one hundred and thirty He was out
with six runs required for victory. Timber Bavooma the captain
with sixty six and South Africa getting to two hundred
and eighty two for five and winning the World Test
Championship final by five wickets. Coming up twenty one away
from three. When we come back, we'll get your state side.
Lots of American sport going on at the moment and

(01:52:26):
lots of storylines as well. Leon Busby, our American sports
expert with us right after this.

Speaker 1 (01:52:32):
The big issues on and after Field Call Oh eight
hundred eighty ten eighty Weekends Forward with Jason.

Speaker 12 (01:52:38):
Paine and GJ.

Speaker 1 (01:52:39):
Gunnerhomes New Zealand's most trusted home builder, News.

Speaker 2 (01:52:43):
Talks a baby eighteen away from three. Busy old time
in the United States as far as sport is concerned,
with finals in both the NHL and NBA, plus lots
of other storylines to chat about. Let's bring in our
American sport expert, Leon Busby. How you doing lyon.

Speaker 35 (01:53:01):
Good afternoon, Jason. It's great to be back. Make it
the six some of our headlined American sports. But first
and foremost, I'm just going to hold you right there.
Congratulations on your continued success at the highest level. Now,
your loyal listening audience have often heard you say that
the Blacksbrin's Woman seven Steam are the standard of excellence
in their field. Well, I'm more than justified to say one.

(01:53:22):
Jason Pine falls into that same narrative as the benchmark
here and his inner sports journalism. Well done, mate, on
you deserved award once again. Hey, now that we've got
the important stuff out of the way, let's get into today.

Speaker 2 (01:53:34):
I think we should have left that till lastly on
but thank you very much. It's greatly appreciated. Now we
come to you as the NHL playoffs for the Stanley
kupp are going on the Edmonton Oilers and the Florida Panthers.
It was tied at two games apiece. Game five is
in its final stages in Edmonton. How's it looking?

Speaker 35 (01:53:54):
Yeah, not looking too good for the home team at
the moment. So the Oilers are down four to two
as we speak. Now, in a way, it's sort of
must have my notes of it, but I'll try and
get there. Now, if there's one thing that separates these
two teams, because over the series so far, three of
the first four games were resulted resulting in overtime, so

(01:54:16):
their both teams are quite evenly matched. But there's one
real factor that separates these two teams. Now, what I
want to talk about quickly and I'll explain this to
your audience. Finally, they may be unfamiliar with this term.
It's called a power play.

Speaker 23 (01:54:32):
Now.

Speaker 35 (01:54:32):
Power player is a situation where one team is a
numerical advantage on the ice due to a penalty called
against the opposing team. So when a players sense of
the penalty box, usually for two or five minutes, depending
on the seriousness of the indiscretion. Their team plays shorthanded
while their opposing team gets a power play, typically five
on four or even five on three if multiple penalties

(01:54:54):
are called. So think of it as a yellow cat
and rugby. The chances of the team with the packet
a significant chance of scoring while the penaltized play or
players are off the ice. So if we look at
the series again, Florida has done today on.

Speaker 9 (01:55:06):
A couple of power plays.

Speaker 35 (01:55:08):
Florida has a huge advantage in terms of the power play,
and it punished all as on u miss occasion. This
could be well be a key going back to back. However,
statistics aside, I feel that Edmonton are still with a
very good chance to win it all as they have
the best player in the game, Colin McDavid, and also
showed real resilience in Game four, the last game, and
they became the first road team in the Stanley Cup

(01:55:29):
Final to come back from a three gold deficit since
get this nineteen nineteen. I'm me one hundred and six
years ago. So the series is looking luckily to go
to seven games as it did last year, But at
the moment, yeah not looking to good for Edmonton.

Speaker 2 (01:55:43):
I'm afraid all right, we'll move to the NBA playoffs.
This has been rarely compelling. Staff Oklahoma City Thunder Indiana
Pacers ok See came back from eighty seven eighty down
at three quarters time to win Game four yesterday one eleven,
one oh four in Indiana. So we're tied up at
to a piece. We go back to Oklahoma City for

(01:56:04):
Game five on Tuesday. Can you pick which way this
series is going to go?

Speaker 14 (01:56:12):
Yeah?

Speaker 35 (01:56:12):
So much like the Stanley Cup Finals, this series has
quite every balanced. There are two games all at the
moment either side. I've never won the Larroer Broke Brian
Trophy before, so this is new territory for them. So
over the first four games, Pony okay See have averaged
one hundred and thirteen points while Indiana one hundred and
nine point five, only three point five points difference. In

(01:56:34):
Game three, won by the Paces one sixteen one oh seven.
Indiana's bench was a big factor here. Okay See's bench
only scored a combined total eighteen points while the home
team bench contributed forty nine, showing their superior depth outside
of the standing five. That really was a telling difference
in the end result. Now, if we wandered back to

(01:56:54):
yesterday's pivotal Game four, the Paces, like you you alluded to, Pony,
the Pace has led for most of the game and
were up by seven at the end of the third quarter. Unfortunately,
they only scored seventeen to or points in the fourth
quarter and capitulate it down the streets, losing at home
one four, one eleven. Now, I believe that if in
the Enda had won that game yesterday, the chances of

(01:57:15):
winning the series would have been almost hard to bid again,
so I feel in a way, the passers blew their
chances of taking a commanding and seemingly understandable leading the series.
We'll look back on Game four and realized that this
loss was defining, but we can also look at the
remainder of the series and say it's now our best
of three when it takes all. However, although I've got
no skin in the series, and I know you use

(01:57:35):
their term often, I'm leaning slightly towards Okase, who have
home court advantage should it go to a deciding game seven,
Like you said, Piney, a compaigning series.

Speaker 2 (01:57:45):
Nonetheless, Indeed, we know Americans love to watch their sport.
Do you have any ratings for the NHL or the
NBA postseason?

Speaker 11 (01:57:55):
Ah?

Speaker 35 (01:57:56):
Yeah, But first of all, I want to say that,
as you know, Poney, I'm one who loves to extend
you're at the positive. But there's something that I really
need to address in terms of this and to real
concent and I'll quickly cover this. So have you managed
to catch any of the NBA or NHL games the
past couple of weeks?

Speaker 2 (01:58:12):
By the way, I've been watching the NBA ice hockey's
not reading a sweet spot, but I've been watching a
bit of the NBA.

Speaker 35 (01:58:17):
Yep, not fair enough. Well, then you're not alowing there,
because in terms of TV ratings, the NHL Final and
the US is averaging only two point four to two
excuse excuse me viewers per night, down on wapping twenty
eight percent from last year. Now in Canada, though, the
numbers are much more respectable at four point two million,
mainly because many Canadians are backing the Edmonton Orders, jumping

(01:58:40):
on their band wag and to finally break, hopefully break
their thirty two years who do for a team north
of the border, to finally lift the coveted Stanley Cup. Now, worryingly,
the NBA final numbers are also tanking, mainly due to
a combination of small markets with both OKC and Indiana.
Then in that mix you mixed up with two teams
that are relatively anonymous. They have anonymous players most you

(01:59:03):
followed the NBA wouldn't be able to name another player
from both outside of oksee MVP SHI Guildris Alexander and
Indiana star Tyre Telliburton. Earlier this week, the NBA commissioner
tried his best to downplay the poor TV ratings, but
with only two percent watching the actual final series, it's
no wonder that NBA HU have legitimate concerns. Player salaries

(01:59:25):
are growing to the roof, but unfortunately this doesn't translate
with TV audience numbers. Now, the overriding problem seems almost contagious,
and that the NBA, NHL and other sports leagues are
facing said challenges despite competitive games for most part, and
that viewing habits and how we consume live sports have
changed over the last decades because of rapid advancements and

(01:59:47):
digital technology. This is a global challenge, Plinium, There's no
easy fix. Those in control need to evolve with the
times and must address this challenge much more sooner than later.

Speaker 2 (01:59:58):
Just while we're on the NBA, it's trade season. I
guess you can call it a lot of NBA trade
talk at the moment. What are the big storylines for you?

Speaker 35 (02:00:07):
Yes, so two of the biggest names in the league,
former MVP and two time champion Kevin Durant and two
time MVP and former champion Jonas and Atacompo, both future
Hall of famers. Both players are elite and would command
top dollar from many franchise to move now. There's a
lot of speculation at this point about where both players
may land, with the LA Clippers now throwing their hat

(02:00:28):
in the ring for Kd's services as well as a
blockbuster trade that could involve future NBA draft picks. As
for Giannis, again, a lot of rumors in speculation, but
the bidding money is on him staying in Milwaukee, as
he has not yet requested a trade. It's well known
that he longs for another ring after his success in
twenty twenty one, but it seems more likely that the

(02:00:49):
Greek Freak will stay a Buck for now at least.

Speaker 9 (02:00:52):
Also, just to.

Speaker 35 (02:00:53):
Quick side note Piney and break the news from Earlier
this morning, eleven year NBA veteran Stephen Adams an inked
new three year extension worth the report of sixty six
million New Zealand dollars fully guaranteed through twenty twenty eight,
to stay with the Houston Rockets. He turned thirty two
next month and was stated to become an unrestricted free agent.

(02:01:13):
The big key we expressed a desire to stay with
the franchise, who had a very successful overall season, finishing
second in the West. He was a significant priority for
the Rockets after playing a key rotation and leadership rold
this season in Houston's first playoff run since twenty twenty.

Speaker 16 (02:01:30):
The team roster is quite.

Speaker 35 (02:01:31):
Young, with good depth, and there's a lot of expectation
that the Rockets will be a genuine contender in a
top heavy Western conference for years to come.

Speaker 2 (02:01:39):
Great to see Steven Adams secure his immediate future. And
the biggest name in the women's game, Caitlyn Clark. Now
she's been out with a quot injury for the last
five games. She's back with a vengeance. By the looks
of things, Leon Oh for.

Speaker 35 (02:01:53):
Sure earlier today. She's now known as the faith of
the NBA. Superstar Caitlin Clark made her highly anticipated return
for the Indiana Fever against the reigning champion New York Liberty.
She showed a little russ in an impressive all round performance,
recording thirty two points, eight rebounds, and nine assists. After
suffering a quad strain injury on May twenty four, Clark

(02:02:16):
missed five games, and the Fever clearly struggled to a
two and three record during her absence. The twenty twenty
four WNBA Rookie of the Year was clearly unimpeded by
her recent injury today and was a catalyst in a
fourteen point statement win over the previously unbeaten Liberty. Clark
is vitally important to Indiana's chances this year that they
hope to be a genuine can tend to come to playoffs,

(02:02:38):
but even more so for the league, as we know
she's the place and the start of the league financially
moving forward.

Speaker 2 (02:02:45):
They'll be very very pleased to have her back. Got
to leave it there lyon, but I can tell you
that the Florida Panthers of one game five in the
Stanley Cup by five goals to two. They've moved within
one game of winning the Stanley Cup Leon Busby state
side with us here on News talks 'b and Weekend
Sport eight to.

Speaker 36 (02:03:03):
Three, analyzing every view from every angle in the sporting
world Weekends for It with Jason five Call eighty US
Talks Envy.

Speaker 2 (02:03:14):
Five to three. Thanks for joining us on Weekend Sport.
The show's come to an end for another day and
another Weekken. We really appreciate you taking the time to
tune in and to interact with us if that's what
you decided to do. That's of thanks to Andy McDonald
for producing the show as always. Thanks mate, have an
excellent couple of hours of rest and relaxation this afternoon.
We're back for Sports Talk tomorrow night between seven and

(02:03:35):
eight as we wrap the sporting weekend to beverage on
the radio after three o'clock with the weekend collective song
to take us Out today, Courtney Cox turns sixty today,
best known of course for playing the role of Monica
in Friends. Happy Birthday, Courtney Cox. He's the Friends theme
taking us out, said Hmorry Night.

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

All Episodes

Episode Transcript

Popular Podcasts

On Purpose with Jay Shetty

Crime Junkie

Ridiculous History

.css-15opob5{left:0;position:absolute;top:0.8rem;} All Episodes

.css-14f5ked{margin:0;word-break:break-word;display:-webkit-box;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;box-orient:vertical;-webkit-line-clamp:2;overflow:hidden;}Full Show Podcast: 15 June 2025

Episode Transcript

Popular Podcasts

.css-r6mb8g{margin:0;word-break:break-word;display:-webkit-box;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;box-orient:vertical;-webkit-line-clamp:1;overflow:hidden;}On Purpose with Jay Shetty

Crime Junkie

Ridiculous History

All Episodes

Full Show Podcast: 15 June 2025

On Purpose with Jay Shetty