Full Show Podcast: 17 May 2026

Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport Podcast with Jason Vine
from New Stalks ed b.

Speaker 2 (00:14):
A city taken over for.

Speaker 1 (00:17):
A festival of footy, a celebration of rugby league. Welcome
to Brisbane, Welcome to Magic Ground.

Speaker 2 (00:28):
Eight games, sixteen teams.

Speaker 1 (00:31):
Three days, the NRL's biggest party on the ground in
Brisbane to bring you all the color, the chaos and
the noise with legends of the game.

Speaker 2 (00:47):
He still fans from every corner.

Speaker 3 (00:50):
Of the league.

Speaker 1 (00:55):
And stories you won't hear anywhere else, inside analysis, opinion
and the atmosphere. It's Weekend Sport with Jason Vine live
in Brisbane for NRLs Magic Round.

Speaker 2 (01:09):
On your home of Sport News dogsb Oh.

Speaker 4 (01:12):
That's the kind of show and tro that gets the
blood pumping cure to good afternoon from Brisbane. Welcome to
Weekend Sport on News Talks. He'd be on the third
and final day of the NRL's Magic Round, Rugby league's
biggest festival weekend. After two huge days of wall to
wall action, we're set for one last blockbuster scheduled to
wrap up Magic Rounds. The atmosphere has been unbelievable here

(01:35):
in Brisbane. Fans from every club packing the city, turning
sun Corpse Stadium into the center of the rugby league
world and for Warriors fans, today is the day their
side takes on the hometowns, the Brisbane Broncos in the
headline clash of the weekend. The Warrior is looking to
spoil the party in front of a massive crowd. The

(01:56):
Broncos will be desperate to deliver for their fans on
the final day of this showcase event. We are live
from Brisbane as Magic Round comes to a close. No
better way to wrap the weekend and the Warriors against
the Broncos this afternoon. Head coach Andrew Webster is on
the show after one, Warriors CEO Cam George with us
this our Brent Tits standing by the lead us off

(02:17):
shortly and Warriors icon Mark Tuk is on the show
after two o'clock as well. I just checked the odds
the Warriors are favorites. Really keen to read your pulse
on this this afternoon. Lines of communication open all afternoon.
Gonna chat up at alag Football as well. Auckland FC.
A're going to host the A League Men's Grand Final.
What in occasion that'll be at go Media. More on that,

(02:38):
but later on Super Rugby as well. The Hurricanes and
Chiefs remain on what looks like a collision course in
the Grand Final next month. There's always plenty of time
for your calls and contributions. Lines of communication open all
afternoon oh eight hundred and eighty ten eighty ninety two
nine two for your text messages, emails and to Jason
at Newstalk SEDB dot co dot NZ nine and a

(02:59):
half past midday.

Speaker 1 (03:01):
Following the NZ Warriors on the road live in Brisbane
for NRL's Magic Gets Weekend Sport with Jason Vine on
your home of Sport News Talks.

Speaker 4 (03:11):
In me leading us off today. A man who enjoyed
an outstanding NRL career that spanned more than a decade,
Queensland and state of origin Australia at international level and
starring for three different clubs across one of the game's
most successful eras a Premiership one of with the Broncos,
a fan favorite during his time with the Warriors, and
later a key figure in the early years of the

(03:33):
North Queensland Cowboys, he built a reputation as one of
the toughest and most reliable players in the game. Twenty
three State of Origin matches for Queensland. He wore the
Green and Gold for Australia and gave Warriors fans plenty
to cheer about during his three seasons in Auckland. Great
to have him with us during Magic Round. Brent Tate,
how are you mate?

Speaker 5 (03:53):
Oh?

Speaker 3 (03:54):
Really well mate? How are you?

Speaker 4 (03:55):
Very very good? Distinguished career? As I say, with the Broncos,
the Warriors, the Cowboys can they're just zooming though on
those seasons. What stands out most from your time with
the war oh?

Speaker 3 (04:07):
Mate? I absolutely loved playing for the Warriors, mate. I
always look back on it really fond memories made, you know,
I went from playing at Brisbane, which is the most
professional club you know, in the league, and then I
go to the Warriors, mate, and then all of a
sudden you learn about family and brotherhood and makeship on
a completely different level with a different culture with the
Kiwi Boys and made I absolutely thrived in it and

(04:29):
loved it and the club was amazing to me, and
my time over there and made I always say that
I would have stayed there longer. If I had been here,
you know a few years younger, I would I would
have extended my time at the Warriors because it was
just such a great place to play foot and live.
And yeah, unfortunately, mate, you know, a decision long term,

(04:49):
I guess future was. I had to make it call,
but it was a really difficult one because, as I said,
I loved being there and playing at the club. It
was a wonderful place to be.

Speaker 4 (04:59):
We we just loved having you here at all, Brenton.
And look, I just wanted to ask you about the
circumstances around you arriving at the worl Are you sure
a State of Origin star Kangaroo's player right in your prime?
How on earth did we get you across?

Speaker 6 (05:12):
Well?

Speaker 3 (05:13):
Mate, I guess I'm such a passionate Queenslander. I had
no desire to go and live in New South Wales,
so mate, I flew across the ditch. And you know,
it's funny my son's got a Kiwi passport and again
on the Staunchossie. But you know, I guess the thing
that got in my head around him having a Kiwi
passport is that he wasn't born in New South Wales.
So I could I could sleep sleep a lot better

(05:34):
at nightmapes. So that's that's how passionate I am as
a Queenslander. But yeah, look my brother law obviously was
playing over there pricey and made he sold the dream
of you know what it meant to play for the
Kiwis and live in New Zealand and play for the Warriors.
And to be honest, I'm so glad I listened to
him because it's you know, when you look back on
your career, made it three years of my life that
I look back with real, really fond memories. I've been

(05:56):
at that place and as I said, I would have
loved to have stayed longer, but it wasn't meant to be.
But yeah, it's just a great place to come and play.

Speaker 4 (06:04):
You mentioned in your earlier answer out the brotherhood and
the family side of the Warriors as a club, they
do have a unique identity as an Australian coming into
that environment. What struck you most about the club and
also its connection to its fans?

Speaker 3 (06:19):
Well, mate, I always say playing in front of eight
or twelve thousand people at Mount Smart, which is completely
different to these days with the sellout I get at
that place nearly every week. Made it's it's probably my
second favorite ground to play out instead of Sun Court.
Stadium on Origin night, so you know, just the passion
that they have. As you said that there is a

(06:40):
real connection to the people. I think obviously it's the
only footy team in the country. So you know, when
I was there, mate, we were the turn from I
guess the popularity from Rugby to know the league was
it was starting to happen. But obviously now we're seeing
it in full swing and you know some of the
most passionate fans. Like this afternoon, that place will be

(07:01):
absolutely rocking. It will nearly be full of imagine, probably
the best atmosphere of the weekend we'll be you know,
that Warriors Bronx game. So yeah, mate, it's good fans,
good people, good country, great club.

Speaker 4 (07:14):
You mentioned Steve Price a course, some other iconic Warriors
figures and the teams that you played in, the likes
of Simon Mannering, Stacy Jones and others who were the
teammates at the club who made the biggest impression on you.

Speaker 3 (07:25):
Oh mate, I think to be honest, I just I
fell in love with all of the players because you know,
especially the Kiwi boys.

Speaker 7 (07:32):
Mate.

Speaker 3 (07:34):
You know, as I said, I'd gone from Brisbane where
you know, it's the most professional club you play it.
You come to the Warriors and you know we were
having to fill up our own ice bars and all
that sort of stuff. Where in Brisbane that stuff is
just you know, it was a given. It just happened.
So you know, it was a bit of a culture
shock for me. But mate, just just being around the
Kiwi boys and understanding how strong that brotherhood bond is

(07:58):
between those guys. And you know, as an Aussie coming over,
if you leave yourself to boy and know it and
accept it and be part of it, it's just such
a beautiful place to be. And I absolutely thrived in
that environment. And yeah, I guess looking back now at
my time, you know I've got to play with Reuben
Stacy Simon Mannering Lansa High. It was a great going,

(08:19):
a great competitor, and loved playing with him. So you know,
Mano Vada is probably the best winger I ever played with,
Major Ome Rapardi probably the most talented player I'd ever
come across. So I mean I could sit here and
talk for days about the different players and the different
impacts that it all had but made it was just
a wonderful place to be playing footym.

Speaker 4 (08:38):
Well, it's fast forward to the present day, the current
Warriors team twenty twenty six. They've had a really good
start to the season. What do you make of the
job Andrew Webster's done and building the side and too
what looks to be a genuine contender this year.

Speaker 3 (08:51):
Yeah, well, mate, I think if you not only Andrew Webster,
but I think Cam George made it because you know,
at the end of the day, it starts at the
front and office, and I think obviously there's a really
good management in place, and then you know, top that
offer a really good coach. And Andrew worbs through has
done a fantastic job. And mate, I think, you know,

(09:11):
the biggest thing for me is there's a lot of
young guys that weeb He's brought through and Mate, they're becoming,
you know, not just solid first graders, but superstars in
the game. And you know, I look at someone like
a Tanner Boyd who's been around for a long time,
but under you know whereb he's truly just now become
a really consistent good first grader week in and week

(09:32):
out in a really difficult position. So for me, mate,
I think, you know, him bringing these young guys through
turning them into good, solid first graders and superstars. I
mean that that's the greatest compliment you can give a
coach and where he's done that with so many players
in that side this year, so that they are going
along nicely. They're fine under the radar a little bit,

(09:52):
but mate, you know that they're certainly if they keep
improving each week and you know it comes final time,
you know that they're a team you'd be worried about playing,
that's for sure.

Speaker 4 (10:03):
Yeah, you mentioned before about today's atmosphere. It's going to
be absolutely epic there at some corp today. It feels
like a massive game for a number of reasons. When
you represented both of these sides, how do you see
this match up and and is it the kind of
game that tells us a bit about the Warriors and
whether they are genuine premiership material this year?

Speaker 3 (10:22):
It's made it such a funny camp at the moment.
I mean, anyone can beat anyone on any given day.
I mean, you look at the Cowboys last night beating
the Roosters under you know when you you know you
put them nearly the house on the rooster to w
When you look at the teams on paper and who
they had out and form lines and all that sort
of stuff. But look, look, you know the injuries that
the Brisbane have got, you would think that the Warriors

(10:43):
could get the job done today. But you know, one
thing Madge is done with Brisbane is he's galvanized that
group as well. And you know the injury toil that
they've got, he's been able to get them playing you
know pretty well week in and week out. You've got
and you've got to play well to beat Brisbane in
you know, twenty five twenty six. So look, it made
it'll be a big game, It'll be a big atmosphere.
For some reason made the Warriors always get up against Brisbane.

(11:05):
It's just when I played at Warriors, you could feel
it was just a little bit different when you come
up against the Broncos. So no doubt they'll, you know,
that feeling still strong and when they run out today
and you know it's a full house, all the players
will get a real understanding that it's it's going to
be a big game anyway. So yeah, look, I'd expect
the Warriors to get the job done today.

Speaker 4 (11:26):
But mate, you just never know, all right, Just to
finish print major ground. It's become one of the standout
events on the NRL calendar, Like all roads lead to
k Exton Street this afternoon. Do you wish something like
this had been around when you were playing?

Speaker 3 (11:39):
Oh definitely, Mate. I was down there Friday. I had
to come home Saturday, but maid old I left very
reluctantly because you know, anywhere you went there's people in
bars having a great time, you know, just just enjoying
the atmosphere and they've all got their jerseys on, supporting
their their clubs. And Mate, I just think it's one
of the best concepts. And yeah, look i'd be I'd

(12:01):
be so jealous of those guys running out there this
afternoon because it'll be it'll be a pumping atmosphere and
made it just be. It'll be a big game. It
really will be, mate, Regardless it's just a club game.
The atmosphere, we'll lift it to another level. So yeah,
very very very jealous. And then yes, the guys playing
and made your ground, it's a wonderful concept.

Speaker 4 (12:20):
Brent, really appreciate you taking the time to chat to us.
You're fondly remembered for your time at the Warriors, Mate,
thanks for taking the time for a chat this afternoon,
and enjoy the Broncos Warriors as your two former clubs
go head to hear.

Speaker 3 (12:31):
I certainly will may it'll be tuning in for sure.

Speaker 4 (12:33):
Thank you very much, No, thank you, Brent, Brent take
they're joining us on weekend sport for magic around. Yeah,
one of the toughest competitors going around. Interesting to hear
him say there that he would have liked to stay
for longer. I get a feeling that's probably the case
with a lot of people who come to the Warriors
that they do. You know, maybe they come with perhaps
limited expectations, but when they arrive, they say, man, this

(12:54):
is a place I want to be. CEO Cam George
going to join us later this hour. But Lead zero
went on this game this afternoon. Let's try and unpick this. Oh,
eight hundred and eighty ten eighty infact, let's not delve
too deeply into it. You can if you like, But
I'm really keen to you to have your levels of confidence,
of optimism, cautious optimism, more full blow and confidence, and

(13:17):
your areas of perhaps concern and worry. This feels like
the biggest test of the season. So far for the Warriors,
they've built real momentum in twenty twenty six, but taking
on the Brisbane Broncos at sun Corp in front of
a magic round crowd this afternoon is a very, very

(13:39):
different challenge. The Warriors haven't beaten the Broncos in Brisbane
since twenty eighteen, but you ask yourself why can't they
do it this afternoon. They've been one of the strongest
sides in the opening third of the season, and much
as there will be a pro Bronchos crowd there, there
will also be a massive Warrior's presence. And if someone

(14:03):
said to me on Friday night, everyone who is not
a Broncos fan will be cheering for the Warriors today
because there are supporters from all seventeen NRL clubs here
and even though their team might have played on Friday
or Saturday, most people or a lot of them anyway
by a three day pass, so they'll be there this afternoon,
and from a neutral's point of view, Broncos the Warriors

(14:26):
is the best game, so it'll be packed there this afternoon, Yes,
with a lot of Broncos fans and with a lot
of Warriors fans, And as I say, with a lot
of fans from other teams, and they will be cheering
for the Warriors. This game feels like a measuring stick
against the defending premieres on one of the biggest stages
of the year. Beating Brisbane away in magic rounds would

(14:50):
be the sort of statement that gets the rest of
the competition taking serious notice, and more importantly, perhaps it
would get us believing in this team and what they
might achieve. Yes, you look down down the road a
little bit, and yet I think it's about three four
games away when we play the Panthers as after the
next buy. So it's Broncos today, Dragons away next week,

(15:12):
then another bye and then the Panthers away. That I'm
sure is the game that everybody saying, Okay, well, that
will be the yardstick. That'll be the one. But this afternoon,
I think is just as important. One issue for the
Worry is that the Broncos are coming off the back
of back to back defeats, including a humbling at the
hands of Manly last weekend thirty two to four. The

(15:34):
fours almost as bad as the thirty two. They'll be
absolutely desperate to put that right. The last thing they
want is a third straight defeat during Magic rounds in
front of a packed house. Leasn't forget they're the defending champions.
They'll be able to prove there's still a good team
after a patchy start, and they are a good team.
Reese Walsh, the returning Adam Reynolds is are a man

(15:55):
in the halves, but we are a good side as well.
Let's not shy away from that. Four straight wins before
the bye last weekend. Second on the table, the chance
to go joint top on points with the Panthers if
they win today. Couple of keys for the Warriors before
we go to the lines. A good start. When this
game kicks off, it'll be fever pitch at sun Corpse.
So take the Broncos part of the crowd out of

(16:16):
the equation and make their own fans a big part
of the equation. Score early, defend well early, and then
the crowd will play their part and do the grunt
work through the middle. Big afternoons ahead for James Fishaharis,
Mitch Barnett plus the outstanding Jackson forought off the interchange
and then get it wide to our hyphenated wingers. Delan

(16:38):
Wa Tennis Lesniak and Alofiana can Perreira and another massive
game for Tanner Boyd today at the end of a
week where the club went all in on Tanner Boyd
and we're willing to say goodbye to Luke Metcalf it
is there. It is his chance to show us exactly

(16:58):
why they have done that. Oh eight hundred and eighty
ten eighty is our number, twelve twenty three, lyle Hi mate.

Speaker 5 (17:07):
I think it'll be possibly a golden point game, a
toss of the coin, because as you said, it's going
to be very desperate. Not they have three on the trot,
but obviously the Warriors won't lack for support. There's a
subwab called Upper Kumra which is about ten minutes north
of where or fifteen minutes north of where I'm standing
at the moment right, and the Aussis call it Greater

(17:29):
Western Auckland or Greater Western Rohta Ruha. One of my
Australian Tea workmates right lives in the street. There's thirty
four houses in the street and thirty two of them
are occupied by Kiwi families. To give you an example
and logan, well, you've got self up and we've got logan,
the Warriors have got an academy out there. But I

(17:51):
think now they've put this Metca thing behind them and
he's going to go to Saint George and good luck
to him. I think he's thrown us toys out of
the cop but that's a lot of story. They'll be settled.
I think they really want a good start, though they
it's imperative for the Warriors to win it. I think
they're going to get off to a good start. They

(18:11):
don't have to run out to a lead, but they
have this to assert early dominance and you know, make
a statement with the crowd and going right off from
the get game.

Speaker 4 (18:23):
Well, I just can't imagine the crowd there this afternoon.
You know, it's been it's been full ish for the
last two days. But I think, you know, if you've
got to take it to this to magic round, and
you looked at it and you said, right, what is
one game I will not miss? It's this one, isn't it?
Of course Broncos and Warriors fans, but I think all

(18:44):
fans this is the best game of the round.

Speaker 5 (18:47):
Yeah, I think, saying me, well, I was hoping the
South Sydney sides would be the best. But Dolphins played
well but not as good as South Sydney. Were pathetic, So.

Speaker 4 (18:59):
Yeah they weren't. I watched that. They weren't good, were
they South? I mean even right, the Dolphins were okay.

Speaker 5 (19:04):
But yeah, we'll put it this way, mate, it's ok
the South Sydney someone the boys went walk about. Yeah
you're probably not allowed to say that anymore nowadays, but
I just am. But yeah, they went side to side
too much and not enough direct. But they're hot and cold.
Uncle Wayne's going to have to have a serious talk

(19:25):
to them.

Speaker 7 (19:26):
I think, good on.

Speaker 4 (19:27):
You ll always good chatting mate. Speaking of Logan mark
Tooki's living there at the moment. He's involved in that
Warrior's academy that you just talked about.

Speaker 7 (19:34):
There.

Speaker 4 (19:35):
He's on the show after two o'clock, so I'm sure
you'll enjoy hearing from Mark Tuki twelve twenty six I
eight hundred and eighty ten eighty pinty thing. It's going
to be fifty to fifty support at the stadium. There's
so many Kiwis over there, Marsha dead right, there are
Kiwi's everywhere. Grant Frank Hold, they've got to get a
breakaway spear line. If you want to jump aboard I
eight hundred eighty ten eighty or fire your thoughts through

(19:56):
on text. Nine two nine two Weekend Sport is live
from Brisbane. We're back in a moth.

Speaker 1 (20:02):
It's the NRL's biggest party, Magic Ground in Brisbane.

Speaker 2 (20:06):
Weekend Sport with Jason Hyne, the News Talk ZIBB.

Speaker 4 (20:10):
News Talk CB and Weekend Sport Yes live from Magic
Round in Brisbane. How do you fancy our chances this afternoon, Grant.

Speaker 8 (20:20):
Well, Piney. First off, I'll say I think when when
the Broncos score, Brent Tate will be jumping up cheering,
and when the Warriors score, you'll be jumping up cheering
as well. I think maybe you'd be hoping for a draw.

Speaker 4 (20:33):
Yeah, maybe that's maybe that's the secret if you if
you don't have an allegiance e the way, you're not
going to be disappointed either way. I get the feeling
that if you really as sprint Tate, he'd probably be
cheering for the Broncos. I mean, he's such a proud Queenslander,
but it's clear he's got major affection for the Warriors
as well.

Speaker 8 (20:50):
Yeah, and of course there is that old saying, well,
not so old. Maybe it's it's increased even more nowadays
that Brisbane is the third largest New Zealand town behind
Auckland and quot Stritch.

Speaker 4 (21:03):
A lot of key we's here, grunt, a lot of
key we's here.

Speaker 8 (21:06):
Yeah, I have to say I'm making more excited about this. Well,
this is the game I'm most excited about all season.
I mean, obviously I look forward to all the other games,
but just youve got the magic round magic if you're
like happening, and you know, we always have good games
against Brisbane, Winnlou's or draw. And Andrew Webster's got the Warriors.

(21:31):
He's very sort of quiet coach, unlike some coaches who
just about throw something through the window of the coach's
box every time their team does something wrong. But he's
clearly got away with the players and with tactics and
so on. And I think the Warriors, I won't use
that saying, I won't even say you know the one
I'm talking about, but I think the Warriors is looking

(21:55):
more stable this year that I can remember. So I'm
really looking forward to the Right's game.

Speaker 4 (22:01):
Yes, am I grant good on your mate, thanks for
calling them with your thoughts. Yeah, I think that's a
good word. Actually, stable, they have looked stable, secure. You know,
in past years, perhaps they have been a little bit erratic,
and you look at some of the games they've had,
and you know, and I thought this over the last
couple of years as well. So maybe this isn't very indicative,

(22:23):
but the Warriors have won games this year that they
would perhaps have lost in the past. But there have
been some key wins. I mean the win over the Storm,
for example. We may well look back at the end
of the season and say that one over the Storm
was a real turning point. It was the start of
what is currently a four game winning streak off the
back of losses to the Tigers and the Sharks. You know,

(22:46):
the Storm, you know, the Warrior's bogey team for so long,
and yet they went and beat them. So that's the
kind of game. I guess that that might define seasons,
and I get the feeling this afternoon could be the same.
Of course, if they were to lose the game, then
I would hope that it wasn't season defining, But I don't.
It just feels as though there's something special brewing at

(23:08):
the Warriors in in twenty twenty six.

Speaker 9 (23:10):
Hello Frank, Hello Piney.

Speaker 10 (23:14):
If you look at the horizon, is that a black cloud?
Or is that a flock of swallows?

Speaker 4 (23:19):
Well, I'll tell you what, there's no black clouds in Brisbane,
I can report, Frank. It's all sunshine and smiles over here.
What about it your place?

Speaker 10 (23:26):
Yeah, it will sunshine over here, but bloody, but it's
very chilly though. Yeah. This team, I've got it. In
the pairs that we've got. We've got a We've got
Zelzenac and Peira up they the Flying Wingers. Pereira, I
think that's his name. He's a star. He's our new star.

(23:51):
We've got Tania Boyd and Harris de Vita those peering there.
Brilliant pairing. Another brilliant pairing are the Wrecking Boys, Balls
Hellaesima and Ray Manger. Look at our interchange, benched us afternoon,
look Jackson for Teamarra, Martin Luke Hansen. God, it just goes.

Speaker 11 (24:11):
On and on.

Speaker 7 (24:12):
It's just.

Speaker 10 (24:14):
We've got an unbelievable pack of stars out there, and
just I just hope they click us afternoon. Also in
the wings, we've got we haven't seen much of Jet
clearly yet I mean, and of course the one thing
that did sort of worry me about it is is
the Luke Metcalf. If when you're talking to Andrew Webster,

(24:41):
I can never understand why he didn't play him to
get him match fit into our second team, into the
new South Wales Cup team. He brought them into our
main team, and of course what happened we lost the
two games that he was in. But I just felt
that I just I don't know, I just felt that
he needed to match fit and they needed to come

(25:02):
or come in off the second team.

Speaker 4 (25:05):
But think I just think on that point, I just
think the temptation to see what the Metcalf boyd Halves
combination would be like was too strong to resist. That's
how it feels to me. You're right, I mean, not
many players come straight back and off a large injury
or long injury break as Luke Metcalf had ahead of
schedule by two or three weeks without having any without

(25:28):
having any rugby league. I agree, and I think maybe
if they had their time again, they would, you know
that that perhaps give him a couple of games in
reserve grade that might be where he plays the majority
of his Rugby League for the rest of the season
now and these injury intervenes. But you know, I just
think that the temptation was too strong. They wanted to
see what the board Metcalf combo might be like. It

(25:49):
didn't work out, and now we know it's not going
to work out because Luke Metcalf doesn't want to play six.
So yeah, I guess some You know you live in learn,
don't you.

Speaker 10 (25:56):
Yeah, just one thing. I just feel that with the
team we've got, I think we can round up these
Broncos and shut the gate on them. But but sport
being sport, I mean, look at yesterday, who would have
thought that the Roosters would have got beaten by the Cowboys. So,
but it's going to be a great match.

Speaker 11 (26:16):
It's then.

Speaker 10 (26:17):
I'm looking forward to it, and I'm sure you are,
and I envy you being over there.

Speaker 4 (26:25):
Thanks, Frank, I'll think of you when when the team's
run out, mate, and in all of the other Warriors
fans will be chunned in from around the place. Always
good to jet to you, mate, Thanks for taking the
time to call in.

Speaker 12 (26:34):
Mike.

Speaker 13 (26:34):
I mate, hey, by Yeah, I think we've got to
try and contain their backs. Have probably got a bit
of back line up than we have, but you know,
our strength lies in our forwards and you know, paying
houses and there, so you've got to give an each
to our forwards. But I think probably from a from
a punter's perspective, which I am in a very low
key sort of way, I think it's probably pretty even. Actually,

(26:56):
I think, yeah, the Warriors, I don't know whether that'd
be favorites and complete favorites, but yeah, I just think
given our bench, you know, forward's coming off the bench,
which you know most teams would like that luxury. So yeah,
I just think we're going to win it in the forwards,
and if they're going to win it, they're going to
win it in their backs. Was obviously you know, one
of the stars of the game in Reese Walsh.

Speaker 7 (27:15):
Yeah.

Speaker 4 (27:16):
And the best thing Mark, I mean, it's quite one
possible scenario is that the Broncos win the game. You know,
they're not. It's not it's absolutely not, not much more
than a flip of a coin. Yes, the Warriors are
probably favorite, which is really interesting given it's over here,
but they're probably favorite because of their recent form. You know,
they've won their last four the Broncos have lost their
last two. They're starting to stumble, and We're not starting

(27:36):
to stumble. They've had a very inconsistent season. Played ten
one to five, lost five. That's you know, that speaks
of an inconsistent first teen matches, but it does not
be on the realms of possibility. The Broncos will lift
and win the game this afternoon, but I think it'll
be absolutely intriguing contest.

Speaker 13 (27:53):
Yeah, and I mean I've been devastated with injuries. I
don't think there's another team probably in the conferen said,
you know, more injuries than them at this moment, and
I think that's the key to the Warriors as the
depth at the moment. You know, the players that we're leaving,
not even in the starting or his ears. You know,
they've still got some pretty good players. Do you know
what's happened to Chance? He's just not getting packed as something.

Speaker 4 (28:13):
No, No, he's he's I think I heard Andrew Webster
say during the week that he is back in contention
for the next game. I think next week. I think
he's due back. So yeah, no, he's yep, he's He's
not that far away. So yeah, I think when when
available he'll be he'll be in the mix again. Well
up the wires, up the wars. Indeed, Mark always good

(28:35):
to chat to you. Oh eight hundred and eighty ten
eighty is our number nine two nine two for your
text messages here and says great to hear all the
old fans ringing up, demonstrating the depth of passion and
support for the Warriors. Yeah, there's no one type of
Warriors fan I've discovered. I think I knew that anyway,
and it's probably self evident, but being over in Brisbane,

(28:55):
there's no one type of Warriors fan. You know, you'll
see families and Warrior's shirts. You'll see groups of friends,
You'll see couples, You'll see grandparents and grandkids all decked
out in Warriors gear. The Warriors have a pop up
store here in Brisbane which they've been operating over the
last four or five days. And I was down there

(29:16):
on Friday and the line of people just demonstrated the point.
There were all sorts of different people in the line,
and I also think that there were fans of other
teams apart from the Broncos getting a Warrior's shirt to
wear today. That's what it felt like to me. I
saw people in the line who had other shirts on,
queuing up for the for the Warriors pop up store,

(29:39):
so I reckon, Yeah, it's it's everybody against the Broncos
this afternoon. I'm not sure there'll be too many neutrals
chairing for the Broncos at sun Corp this afternoon. Twenty
one away from one. We'll take a break, come back
Cam George CEO of the Warrior's going to join as shortly.
Still time to chat though. Oh eight hundred and eighty
ten eighty.

Speaker 1 (29:59):
Live from the world's largest rugby league festival of the
NRL's Magic Ground in Brisbane.

Speaker 2 (30:04):
It's weekend sport. Jason Hine on your home of Sports
News talks.

Speaker 4 (30:09):
He'd be eighteen away from one. A couple of texts.
What's happened to rocc o'berry? He is due back next week.
I understand he has recovered almost from that shoulder injury,
so Roco Berry won't be too far away, And Mark says,
looking forward to a Warriors win and then a Panther's
lost to the Dragons. Yeah, that second thing doesn't seem
as likely, Mark, but we can always hope. I guess,
or are your CEO Cam George is with us. How

(30:32):
good seeing so many Warriors shirts around Brisbane? Cam? How
have the last few days been for you?

Speaker 7 (30:37):
Yeah?

Speaker 14 (30:38):
Very busy mate, but yeah it's great to be in
Southeast Queensland obviously Brisbane and see so much support for
our footy club. Makes you really proud to be a
part of it and I know that boys are really
feed off it today, so looking forward to it.

Speaker 4 (30:54):
The Warriors have built such a strong connection with your
fan base over several seasons now, but how much does
a weekend like this reinforce that the club has become
a team for all key We's not just Auckland based fans.

Speaker 14 (31:08):
Yeah, we represent everyone anyone that's connected to New Zealand
in particular and live over here and have done so
for many years. We want them to feel part of
our jumper and I genuinely believe that that's grown and
grown year on year and we do a great job
as a club, players and staff across the board to

(31:30):
really engage and doesn't matter you know whether you live
or where you live, if you know you are connected
to New Zealand, this is your team and we want
to make you proud.

Speaker 4 (31:41):
A real festival atmosphere around Brisbane all weekend as someone
involved deeply in the game, how much value is there
in the NRL taking the game out of the traditional
weekly format and creating this kind of spectacle across a
weekend and doing it year on year on year.

Speaker 15 (31:57):
It's important.

Speaker 14 (31:58):
I'm just standing here outside our hotel and the thing
that is what the NRL are looking at and should
be looking at. US's clubs are looking at is the
amount of families and kids that are here celebrating rugby
league for the weekend. Now, look at a three very
young kids in front of me. One's got a Broncos
jumper on, a Storm jumper on, and and Saint George

(32:20):
jumper on. They're all part of the same family. Like,
how awesome is that that they're all come to one
location to watch their teams play. And you know that
that's the generation all shift out games making and you
know winning at the moment, and the Warriors are playing
a massive, massive part in that and we're very proud
to be a part of it.

Speaker 4 (32:40):
Game day aside, what sort of opportunities does Magic Ground
create for the likes of yourself and the other CEOs
to get together and have a yarn about a few things.

Speaker 14 (32:50):
Well, during the course of the week, it's built up
where the CEO conferences and marketing and commercial and all
of the different departments if you like, you know, come
together and talk about the challenges and as a team,
as as a game, how do we improve across the
board and so there's a lot of benefits in that way.

(33:13):
And look, it's just really I feel like it's it's
just a really good theme for the game in general
because everyone connects, everyone promotes it, and everyone really enjoys it.
And yes, we're here to win. That's the most important
part for our footall club. But at the same time,
you know, the likes are putting up a pop up
store in Queenstown more Queen Street Mall and stuff like

(33:35):
that is innovative and great. So the club does benefit
and we benefit across across the week.

Speaker 4 (33:41):
How's the general feel at the moment about the expansion
with the Perth Bears coming on board next year then
the P and G side everything on track, and how's
the general feel around the next breakeet of expansion for
the NRL.

Speaker 14 (33:53):
Well, it was discussed at length during the course of
the week, and look, there there's clearly some challenges around
the I suppose a depth or the quality that we're
going from seven teams to eighteen teams to nineteen teams
in the next two years, and the reality is that's
that's another one hundred odd players being spread across two

(34:16):
new clubs. So the integrity to competition, we've got to
try and maintain it at such a high level. And
you know, Perth I only got a very short runway
into the competition that we've only had twelve months and
now down within six months, and that they've got eighteen
players signed, so they need probably another twenty players to
get there, and.

Speaker 7 (34:37):
It's just not easy to do.

Speaker 14 (34:40):
You know, there's only so many players who can play
so many positions.

Speaker 15 (34:43):
So I think everyone's.

Speaker 14 (34:44):
Starting to think we've we've got to step in and
help where we can, to try and make sure that
when they start the competition they're going to be as
strong and as competitive as possible. I'm not just talking
about perfect any new team, and as a game we're
responsible for that, so it's easier said than done.

Speaker 7 (35:01):
Mate.

Speaker 4 (35:02):
Interesting week for the Warriors as well. We've got Andrew
Whipster on the radio after one o'clock and I'll chat
to him about this. But the Luke Metcalf situation, how
do you reflect on how that's played out across the week.

Speaker 14 (35:13):
I think it's played out as we wanted it to,
very efficient, very quick. We didn't want to be a
circus and a media story for days and days and days.
Luke knew that, you know, when he sat down and
spoke to us, and you know, asked the question about
exploring other options. You know, my job as part of

(35:35):
the club is to find a solution and protect our
club as quick as we can. And after talking to Webb,
it was like, Okay, we'll grant your permission. We're not
going to be here for weeks and weeks reading about it.

Speaker 2 (35:46):
Go and get the job done.

Speaker 7 (35:47):
Get back and you.

Speaker 14 (35:48):
Know, it's all been done very quickly, which we appreciate,
and we're drawing a long moved on. We respect Luke,
We love Luke at the club for the rest of
the year, and he'll play his part at some stage,
no doubt, and he knows that. And yeah, I'm just
glad that for everyone's sake, we're not here for two,
three four weeks reading about it. It said and done.

Speaker 7 (36:09):
Now we move on.

Speaker 4 (36:10):
Yeah, and that is the quickest way of moving on
is to grant the release. But was there any temptation
to say, you know what your contracted to us, we
want you to honor that contract. Was that part of
the discussion too.

Speaker 14 (36:24):
Not in those exact words, but you know, we would
have liked to have seen that and heard that, But
at the end of the day, that's not what was requested.
So as I said, you can sit there and bashing
ahead against a brick wall. You can try and swim
people's feelings around. You can try and change things however,

(36:45):
or you can just get on with it and put
solutions in place. And that's what we've done, and that's
in the message about Footag Club. You know it's on
our first ray dao on these circumstances. But at the
end of the day, my experience is the quickie you
you draw a.

Speaker 2 (37:01):
Line, move on one way.

Speaker 13 (37:02):
Or the other, whether they stay or go.

Speaker 14 (37:03):
That's the best thing for the club, not let it
just get on for weeks and weeks and try and
have that You know that that argument if you like,
with debate to try and swing their feelings around.

Speaker 4 (37:13):
And thanks for the clarity there. Just before you go,
what are we about three and three and aben hours
away from from kickoff to What are the next three
hours hold for you? Are you and where do you
watch from? Dore you able to get down on the
fans or do you have to stay up in the everywhere?

Speaker 7 (37:27):
I'll be everywhere.

Speaker 14 (37:28):
I've just been down to the wall, have a shop
and and then yeah, I'll head up to cats and
Streets soon and just stroll through.

Speaker 13 (37:37):
And have a beer with a few people.

Speaker 14 (37:39):
And mate, I'll get to the ground and yeah, I'll
try and find some quiet spots where I can, but
it'll be pretty loud there today and I'd like to
cat the hot ten roof today, let me tell you. So,
I just want to win so badly for our fans,
and it's going to be a big day, big game,
and yeah, hopefully you hopefully I'll just find a good

(38:03):
little spot I can watch.

Speaker 4 (38:06):
Fantastic text for here. Please tell Cam that even and
even in the cargoo, we feel connected to the Warriors.
So there you go, mate, enjoy your afternoon. Good to
chat as always, Thanks Bin, see take it easy, Bye bye.
That's Cam George joining us on the show ahead of
this massive day for the club and massive weekend for
the sport of rugby league. Nine away from one new

(38:26):
Stalk said.

Speaker 1 (38:27):
B all the trays, all the celebrations and all the
calls Weekend Sport with Jason five and live in Brisbane
for the NRL's Magic Round on your home of sport
news Dog.

Speaker 4 (38:39):
Sendb coming up six away from one hour afternoon. What
time in New Zealand is the wast kickoff today?

Speaker 7 (38:46):
Please?

Speaker 4 (38:46):
Yes, it is five past six in New Zealand. I
got my time zones mixed up when I was talking
to Cam George Reckon there was three hours to go,
five hours to go, Yeah, five hours to go. It's
five past four local time, five past six New Zealand time.
So those are the kickoff times that you need to
know about. After one o'clock Andrew Webster has to be
on the show. How is the team feeling ahead of

(39:10):
this massive game? And yeah, the Luke Metcalf situation, how
they sort of dealt with that across the week. We
kind of covered it off yesterday and had a bit
of yarn about it, but keen to hear from Andrew Webster.
You know what sort of conversations have been had and
in particular, what the rest of this season looks like
as far as Luke Metcalf's involvement in the side is concerned.

(39:30):
Glenn on email looking forward to the Warriors, Jason, much
depends on which Brisbane Bronco's team will turn up. We
need to get the momentum. Sorry, keep the momentum going,
says Glenn. Just the point of jackson Ford goes to
the interchange, but then that shows the squad depth of
a Dally M contender. Can't start on the run on side.
I hope I don't miss the quiet achiever Roger two

(39:52):
Ivasa Schek too much. Yeah, that's that's a bit of
a blow not having Roger this afternoon. But in terms
of jackson Ford, I don't think the plan at the
start of the season. I heard Andrew webs to talk
about this during the week. I'll ask him after one.
I don't think the plan at the start of the
year was to have jackson Ford playing as many eighty
minute games as he has. I think that the plan

(40:13):
might have been to have him more often on the
interchange than as a as a starting player who played
all the minutes that he has. He clearly thrives on it.
He clearly is okay playing the eighty minutes because you
look at his body of work this year, it's been
absolutely superb, just magnificent. But yeah, I get the feeling

(40:34):
that they won't mind too much having him as part
of the interchange Today are the other games today? Incidentally,
the Titans against Andy's Newcastle Knights. I reckon the Newcastle
Knights are a chance. They might be a chance against
the Titans this afternoon. That's two o'clock local time, four
o'clock in New Zealand. Then the Warriors Broncos. And then

(40:55):
to finish the round, it is probably I guess you'd
say the biggest mismatch of the round is the team
at the very top takes on the team at the
very bottom. It's the Panthers against the Dragons. I had
a quick look at some odds over here, and it
would be fair to say that the Panthers are almost
unbackable favorites for this game, and those in charge of

(41:18):
setting odds for the game don't give the Dragons any
chance at all. Wouldn't it be great the after if
it was one of those where you know, against all expectation,
that Dragon's got up and won. Can't Imagine It News
next at one, then Andrew Webster after.

Speaker 2 (41:33):
The News, bringing you the Builder, the Battle and the Battle.

Speaker 1 (41:41):
As we celebrate the world's biggest festival of rugby league.
It's Weekend Sport with Jason Vine Live and Brisbane on
your home of Sport News Talks B.

Speaker 4 (41:54):
One seven. Welcome in, Welcome back. This is Weekend Sport
on News Talks NB. I'm Jason Pine. Andy McDonald is
running the cover back in Auckland. I'm and Brisbane. I
certainly got the better side of that deal and I
don't quite know how these things turn out sometimes, but well,
what a place to be and what a weekend to
be here. Magic round in Brisbane. Sun Corpse Dudy in

(42:16):
the last two nights has been absolutely brilliant. Set to
be exactly the same today for the third and final
day with the Marquis fixture of course, the Warriors up
against the Broncos from five past four local time five
past six in New Zealand. Andrew Webster shortly Mark Tukey
after two. He was an absolute cult hero at the

(42:40):
Warriors when he was here. He was part of that
team that made the first ever Grand Final. You'll remember
in two thousand and two, came across from the Paramatta
Eels these days lives not far from Brisbane and a
place called Logan. It's about half an hour away from Brisbane.
As I understand it, that's where the Warriors have set
up an academy and Mark Tuki is part of those

(43:00):
who oversee that academy. So had a chance to catch
up with him this morning. It couldn't come on live
because he's got so much going on. But I went
to the brilliantly named beats In Hotel this morning. It
was it had its name changed recently the last couple
of years to honor Queensland Rugby League great Arthur beats In.
So I caught up with Mark Turkey at the Beats

(43:22):
and Hotel this morning. What a champion of a man.
Looking forward to playing that out for you after two
o'clock this afternoon. There are other sports going on. We
haven't forgotten about the other stuff that's going on, in
particular the A League Football Grand Final which is going
to be in Auckland next weekend. This combination of circumstances

(43:42):
over the weekend which saw Auckland FC beat Adelaide on
Friday night in Adelaide to secure their place in the
Grand Final, and then last night Sydney FC beating the
top qualifiers and Premier's Plate winners the Newcastle Jets on
penalties to earn their spot. And the way that the

(44:04):
competition is structured, the highest ranked qualify for the Grand
Final hosts the Grand Final. Auckland f C were third
in the regular season, Sydney FC were fifth. Therefore Auckland
f C get the opportunity to host the A League
Grand Final next Saturday night. Nick Becker is CEO of

(44:25):
Auckland f C. He's going to join us in the
next hour with ticket details and that sort of thing.
But I mean this will this is historic obviously first
ever Grand Final to be hosted in New Zealand. We
know that the Wellington Phoenix women made the Grand Final
and played in it yesterday unfortunately going down three to
one to Melbourne City in Melbourne. Auckland f C at

(44:46):
this time yesterday didn't know that they'd be hosting. They
do now, so further history awaits. Nick Becker is going
to join us to chat about that in the next hour.
In Super Rugby as well as see my Hurricanes won again.
That sort of happened in an around my sphere of
of awareness. Yesterday, I was trying to follow the Phoenix women.
I was trying to follow Magic round and then I'm
but that the Hurricanes were playing the Blues and they

(45:09):
did a job. So so I'll get We'll get Kennina
Hola on the on the show this hour to talk
a bit more about that. Our lines of communication are
well and truly open. Eight hundred and eighty ten eighty
nine to nine to two is the text line. Have
you been to Cameron Monster's pub yet? Piney asked this one.
I haven't, No, I didn't know Cameron Monster had a pub.

(45:30):
I need to check that out. There is no shortage
of places to grab a drink and something to eat
around here. I can tell you just before we get
to Andrew Webster, we have a new Facebook page and
a new Instagram page, News Talk ZEDB Sport. It's all
been refreshed and redone and it's looking fantastic. So if

(45:51):
you want to follow us on social media, not just
this show, but everything that happens sports wise on news
Talks EDB, then please follow News Talks HEDB Sport, News
Talks hed Be Sport on both Facebook and Instagram and
you'll be right up to date with everything we do.
A lot of our social media content and everything else
will be there. What time is it? One eleven? One

(46:15):
eleven is the time. Let's get you inside the Warriors camp.
Head coach Andrew Webster is with us. Andrew, thanks for
taking the time. You simply cannot walk ten meters in
Brisbane right now without seeing a Warrior's shirt. The place
is absolutely full of Warriors fans. So ahead of this
massive game against the Broncos, how big a boost does

(46:36):
having all of these fans around give to the team?

Speaker 9 (46:40):
Yeah, the last three years, it's been amazing matting round.
I think I think we're the most well supported out
of town thing, that's for sure. I'm really proud of it.
And the boys get a buzzer out of it, and
it's going to be a full house on Sunday and
they're going to get the boy the real buzz.

Speaker 4 (47:00):
Just before we talk about the game, the big story
of the week obviously is Luke Metcalf. We'll leave at
the end of the season. How do you reflect on
the way this has played out Over the last few days.

Speaker 9 (47:10):
It's been busy that's a short busy time I'm learning
as part of rugby league. You this's my fourth year
head coach now, and you know, there's so many of
these scenarios that people do know about and don't know about,
and it's obviously been well publicized, but I feel like
it's been tidied up really quick at the back end

(47:30):
of the week, all the players that are real focused
now and knocking down and getting ready to play, and
everyone can move on to the clarity.

Speaker 4 (47:40):
How potentially disruptive could it have been if it wasn't,
as you say, kind of tidied up as quickly as
it has been.

Speaker 9 (47:47):
I think the fans, the media, I think sometimes coaches
can make it a bigger thing than it is. I
think the players probably understand the business better than anyone
because they're a part of it and they live it
and they're in it. So I'll probably feel like it'splay
more distraction for so everyone else are in the players,

(48:08):
But it's certainly when you're a coach, you try and
give the players every opportunity of the best preparation possible.
So I think we've certainly got no excuses and we're
prepared well.

Speaker 4 (48:22):
So from a coaching perspective, then how do you manage
Luke for the rest of his time at the Warriors
this season?

Speaker 7 (48:29):
Mate?

Speaker 9 (48:29):
Just coaching as normal. Mate, He's motivated, he wants to
be here. I'm sure Luke could have left straight away
if you wanted, and he didn't want it, and we
didn't want him to either, So we're very We're very
motivated getting him playing really good football. And whether he
plays in the NRL or Reserve great or in the

(48:49):
nineteen whatever it might be, I know Luke's going to
be great to have around the group and we're better
for having him for the rest of the season.

Speaker 4 (48:58):
How do you hope Warriors fans responds to this?

Speaker 9 (49:05):
Well, I can't speak for the fans, but I love them.
You know, they're so important to us. We are our
job is to represent them, you know, and we've got
to do it to our best judgment. And I hope
they realize that we're trying to put the best roster
together in the best group and the group that want

(49:25):
to be in the group that want to buy in.
So if anything, I'm sure they trust what we're doing.
You can't can't keep everyone happy. But like I said before,
we're trying to go in a direction where we're winning games,
but we've also got a culture where everyone's swimming in
the same direction or rowing in the same direction, I

(49:45):
should say, and I'm sure the fans will understand that someway,
but we can't please every single person.

Speaker 4 (49:53):
All right, Well, let's look ahead to your challenge this weekend.
The Broncos at Sun called one of the toughest assignments
in the competition. How much do you embrace that though
as part of Magic Round, given the Warrior is really
strong first nine games of the season.

Speaker 9 (50:08):
Yeah, I mean, look there, I think Broncos are just
such a talented team and got to strike everywhere. We
feel like we still haven't found our best performance, so
we're chasing that. We don't put this team under pressure,
we're going to make it a hard day for us.
Obviously strike players, they're well organized by the RENALDS. Carrigan's

(50:31):
up front, So I mean, on paper, they're still probably
the most talented, one of the most talented sides in
the competition, So it's really important for us that we
put them under pressure because they're they're a strong thing.

Speaker 4 (50:47):
You've had the bye, hitting into major ground is that
a Is that a good thing? Is that a bad thing?
Or is it neither of those two things?

Speaker 9 (50:55):
Well, we'll do for a bite, mate, but we needed
it nine games of training hard and playing hard and
the boys put everything into it, so they certainly you
need to use the buyers. Historically not every team come
out of the buy that well. But if we want
to go where we want to go in the competition,

(51:16):
and we need to, we need to do well. You know,
we need to do well doing this and we need
to learn how to cope and just and be flexible
and use use the fashion up for everything that it
should be. So don't I can't guarantee it, but our
preparation has been good. They look like they're energize, they're focused,
and they're teen to go. But we certainly, we certainly

(51:40):
have to have arrested some stages. Can't go twenty seven rounds.

Speaker 4 (51:43):
About a break Jackson Ford on the interchange this week
after starting every other game this season, Is it nice
to give him a break from playing eighty minutes every week,
which I don't know, might not have been the plan
at the start of the season anyway.

Speaker 9 (51:57):
Yeah, which hasn't been one game where We've planned to
play Jackson Frady. It's just that stubs or circumstances late
in the game where like someone else might get injured
or someone else has not gone that well, and we
just leave Jackson next. We trust him and now.

Speaker 7 (52:12):
He'll do the job.

Speaker 9 (52:13):
So as a result of that, getting out two captains
starting in the middle with Aaron Clark and obviously Wade
Eagan allows Jackson. He's guaranteed a rest at the starts
again and then he can come on the field and
finish it. So we're obviously need to be flexible. We

(52:36):
can't twenty seven see around or twenty four games. I
should say we're three buys. We can't just be doing
the same thing all the time. But we don't want
to get too cute with it either and start overthinking it.

Speaker 4 (52:49):
It's been a bit difficult for the Warriors to win
against the Broncos and Brisbane. I don't think it's happened
since twenty eighteen. Do you use that sort of thing
as motivation in any way or is that completely irrelevant?

Speaker 9 (53:03):
Well, I mean this group, when I'm right, their own history,
you know, so they they want to achieve things for
this group, and by doing that if they, like you say,
if we can happen to win it hasn't been done
since twenty eighteen, Well there'll be the team that broke
broak the what is it? Who dozyone tells me?

Speaker 7 (53:26):
I think?

Speaker 9 (53:26):
But if we can do that, then they get to
write their own history. But we don't. We're not fixated
on it. We're honestly chasing our best game. We chose
our best game.

Speaker 7 (53:36):
We give ourselves a really.

Speaker 9 (53:37):
Good chance to win. So yeah, but well it'd be
nice for them to be the team that won in
twenty twenty six.

Speaker 4 (53:47):
What I reckon is going to be like there on Sunday.
I mean some corps of magnificent Arena. The Broncos will
have a lot of home support. As I said at
the chat start of the chat, there are thousands of
Warriors fans in the city. I mean, do you actually
during a game get the opportunity to appreciate the atmosphere
that is happening around you.

Speaker 9 (54:06):
Definitely, certainly when you're in you arrive at they came.
Some coaches boxes are really sound proof as Brisbane, isn't it.
It's quite the me You get the best of both
world to get to hear the atmosphere and.

Speaker 7 (54:19):
You yourselves actually talk.

Speaker 9 (54:22):
But it's going to be crazy, like I generally know.
The NRL, in my opinion, have put us in the
Broncos in the second last game on Sunday to make
sure that all the fans are around all week because
we're so well supported, and obviously it's a home home team,
so they're guaranteeing themselves on camera on television and the

(54:43):
people are in the stadium an humble level atmosphere on
Sunday and instead of everyone getting a little bit sick
of football over the weekend and kind of starting to
have enough, everyone's energoy's and ready to go for the
match of the round.

Speaker 4 (54:56):
In my opinion, yeah, I want to stamp of approval
for the club. Fantastic. We'll be always good to catch up.
Thanks for taking the time for a channel the best
against the Broncos.

Speaker 9 (55:03):
Absolutely pleasure, thank you.

Speaker 4 (55:05):
No, thank you. We'll be there. Andrew Webster, coach of
the Warriors, got a bit of time to chat Warriors
if you couldn't get through last hour, I'm going to
switch across to rugby in the next litt while Kenning
the whole are going to join us out of the
Hurricanes to talk about there win last night. But let's
talk a bit more Warriors, even if it's just a
just to read your pulse and just to gauge your

(55:26):
levels of optimism out of this game this afternoon. It
is still only one game, of course, but it feels
as though it's slightly more important than that. Oh, eight
hundred and eighty ten eighty is a number if you'd
like to ring through heavy on you know, Yes, all
the games are worth the same number of points. You
get two points this afternoon if you beat the Broncos
and they get two points if they win the game.

(55:48):
But it feels like more than that. It feels like
coming to Brisbane for Magic Round and beating the Broncos
at sun Corpse Stadium would be some sort of statement,
and not just for the team but for the rest
of the competition to say, actually, they are a team
that we need to be a bit careful about it.

(56:14):
If the Broncos are beaten this afternoon, If the Warriors
beat the Broncos this afternoon, then we can very confidently
start talking about this team as a genuine top four
proposition at the very least, at the very least, you know,
as Andrew Webster talked about it, there the who do
of coming to Brisbane and winning against the Broncos. No

(56:36):
team's done that in Warriors colors since twenty eighteen. It
is a very intimidating place to come anyway, even if
it's just a normal regular season game. In many ways,
Magic Round might be slightly friendlier as far as the
Warriors are concerned, because, as I mentioned previously, any rugby
rugby league fan in the Sea this weekend who isn't

(56:59):
a Broncos fan will be in behind the Warriors this afternoon.
You notice that with all the other games as well,
that you know, if you're watching game that doesn't involve
your team, you kind of pick a side, don't you.
Sometimes you can just sit back and enjoy the game
for what it is, but you tend to pick aside
for whatever reason. I can tell you this afternoon, everybody

(57:19):
who is not a Broncos fan is going to be
a Warriors fan. So how are you feeling about this? Oh,
eight hundred and eighty ten eighty is our phone number
nine two ninety two if you would prefer to send
a text. Mike says, great to have both the CEO
and the coach of the Warriors on the show today. Yeah,
they've been very good. The Warriors, I have to say
they've been you know, it is a very busy time
for them. The pack up, the pop up store down

(57:43):
that Cam George talked about when we chat a chat
to him before one o'clock down in Queen Street Mall.
I think it's called that the cues there on Friday
were just unbelievable in one stage. I think Shawann Johnson
was there, so that probably attracted a few down to it.
But just the breadth of support for this team in

(58:06):
the city is you kind of do have to see
it to believe it. Blake says the Broncos have a
few injuries. It is just one game though, yes it is.
But they've got a couple back. I think Adam Reynolds's
back isn't he eddn't play last week. He and Israel
Man will team up in the halves. Reese Walsh is
there of course as well, so you know they're pretty
handy players, those guys. Maybe the Warriors have the edge

(58:28):
in the forwards with a couple of a couple of
Broncos players still out injured, but Yeah, keen to hear
how you're feeling about this. Oh, eight hundred and eighty
ten eighty is our number ninety two ninety two. If
you would prefer to send a text or an email
to Jason at newstalkseedb dot co dot NZ one twenty
four back with more of your calls after this live.

Speaker 1 (58:48):
In Brisbane for the NRL's Magic Ground Weekend Sport with
Jason Vine on your home of sport.

Speaker 4 (58:54):
The Youth Talks EDB one twenty six hore on News
Talk zb as. We're coming to you from Brisbane for
Magic Round. Ben says, piney very much looking forward to
watching my screen bounce from the impact of Barney off
the back fence and Williamson and Carrigan.

Speaker 7 (59:11):
Yeah.

Speaker 4 (59:11):
Mitch Barnett, Gee, he's had a he's had a I mean,
it's been a must have been a frustrating season for
Mitch Barnett. You know, he's come in and he's and
you know he had that injury of course last season
that kept him out for you know, a long long time.
It's going to bring these stats up as how many
games he's actually been able to play, just the five
games so far this season, four for Mitch Barnett. We

(59:33):
saw him for the first time in Round three against
the Knights, that was off the interchange bench, and then
he played the next couple of games, then he was
out again and then back in, then out again, and
you know, he played against the Dolphins in Wellington and
back out with injury and luckily the buy has come
at the right time for him to recuperate from his
latest injury and here he is now back in the

(59:56):
back in the side. So yeah, Mitch Barnett, I think
we'll have a berg say this afternoon. It also allows
Jackson Ford to have that slightly different role Andrew Webster
talked about it wasn't always the plan. In fact, I
don't think it was ever the plan for him to
play as often as he has across the eighty minutes

(01:00:17):
Jackson Ford, but you know he has been and he's
been doing it brilliantly. If you have missed the other
games that have been played across the weekend in terms
of Magic Round, it's been as I say, rel festival
as you'd expect. All started on Friday night when the
Sharks beat the Bulldogs thirty eight sixteen. The Dolphins took
good for the rabbit Os thirty two ten. As Lyle,
one of our talkback callers said when we spoke to

(01:00:38):
him last hour, the rabbit O's were really quite ordinary,
quite ordinary. It's you know, I mean, obviously you know
it's only one game, but they just did not turn up.
Then yesterday the Sea Eagles beating the Tigers. That was
the battle of the two Kiwi coaches of course, with

(01:00:59):
Karen forn and Benji Marshall going ahead. The head Sea
Eagles doing it well forty six eighteen some of them
to the top four. I think they're fourth now, the
Sea Eagles. This is of course after they had that
horrendous start of the season which saw them sack their
coach and Kiaren Fornes come in and he's been absolutely
tremendous son. Another win along the way for the for

(01:01:21):
the Manly Sea Eagles in the early game yesterday. Following that,
we transition across and the Cowboys getting home against the
Roosters eighteen twelve. And then the Melbourne Storm with a
good win last night as they kind of start to
resurrect themselves. Thirty four points to six over the Eels
takes the Storm up into thirteenth place. On the table.
But yeah, good to see them, I guess for Storm

(01:01:42):
fans anyway, finding a bit of life and getting back
into things. Just before we go to rugby, I just
wanted to mention the PGA Championship as well. This is
the one of the of the majors obviously this year
and a couple of kewis in the field. Daniel Hillier
is at even par through three rounds, even par through

(01:02:03):
three rounds. There at and the Lee he is at
six under. Alex Smalley is the leader at six under.
So Daniel Hillier wies within striking distance, isn't he with
and even pascour? And Ryan Fox is a bit further down.
He has tied for forty eighth at two over the card.

(01:02:23):
Two over the card for him. So we'll keep eyes
on the two Kiwi's taking part Daniel Hillier and Ryan
Fox who are flying the Kiwi flag at the PGA Championship.
Let's go to Super Rugby. The Hurricanes have swept through
Eden Park. They have run out forty seven twenty four

(01:02:43):
winners over the Blues, their first win in Auckland since
twenty nineteen. It has moved them five points clear at
the top of the table with two rounds to play,
so only the Chiefs can now catch the Hurricanes as
regular season winners. And among the triscorers last night for
the Hurricanes was returning winger in the last couple of
weeks Kenny Naholo.

Speaker 7 (01:03:06):
One they drive.

Speaker 16 (01:03:07):
Once all comes for it.

Speaker 6 (01:03:10):
I can really get going and naughty down the shorter
side of the parts. Kenny Nahollo gets the tried blues.

Speaker 16 (01:03:18):
Couldn't pick it.

Speaker 2 (01:03:19):
Kenny Naholo certainly could.

Speaker 4 (01:03:21):
Yeah, just one of the eye catching tries for the
Hurricanes last night. Kenny Nahola joins us a good win
for the Canes last night. Can he look like one
of the more complete performances of the season. How happy
with the coaching staff and the players after the game
last night?

Speaker 7 (01:03:36):
Yeah?

Speaker 11 (01:03:37):
I think they were pretty happy with our I said
in the way we play the game yesterday, and I
was pretty scapy towards the end there. But I guess
we're happy to come away with the winning obviously, But
when this point was messing for.

Speaker 4 (01:03:50):
Us, Yeah, to go to Edon Park and put forty
seven points on them, It's quite the statement, isn't it.
Did it feel like a game? You know, as you say,
got a scrap at the end, But certainly in the
first half, in the first hour even did it feel
like a game where a lot was going well and
a lot was clicking for you?

Speaker 3 (01:04:08):
Yeah, I was.

Speaker 11 (01:04:08):
Yeah, for the first half, I feel like everything was
going well. Then feel like at times they were. They
did pretty well to slow the right down for us,
so we couldn't we couldn't play on top of them
when we want to.

Speaker 7 (01:04:22):
But yeah, like we.

Speaker 11 (01:04:24):
Said, it's not easy going up then get a win.
But to come away with the win and the score
that much point was pretty good.

Speaker 4 (01:04:33):
To get the try at the end, which did get
you the bonus point, because what they came back with
those three tries, didn't they I don't think they were
ever going to win the game, but they did look
as though they were going to deny you the bonus points.
So how crucial was better likewise late try which which
got you that bonus point and the five points for
your night's work.

Speaker 11 (01:04:51):
Yeah, it was messive for us, and were the where
we were sitting at the table, And I guess that
kind of gives us a bit of advantage. I guess
five points ahead of the or the Chiefs, And yeah,
like it's it's pretty tight up up the top to
top two, so we've just got to make sure we
get as much points as we can every week. So

(01:05:14):
getting that result last night, it was pretty cool.

Speaker 4 (01:05:17):
Great to have you back as well after a long
time out with injury. How good has it been to
be back out there playing for you personally?

Speaker 11 (01:05:29):
Yeah, it's been pretty good last couple of weeks, obviously
misplaying at their level, and then I guess I've still
got a long way to go with some of the
things that are most like specially with them a game,
fitness and all that stuff. But like you said that,
like the boys are doing pretty well and it makes

(01:05:50):
it that we turn my exciting and some wait to
see where we go from here.

Speaker 4 (01:05:55):
How challenging was the last year for you as you
as you're rehabbed from a pretty serious injury.

Speaker 11 (01:06:03):
Yeah, sometimes it can gets a bit lonely, But I've
done I guess I've done Maciel twice n so I
know what it feels like to go through that their face,
and and I'm pretty lucky with all the staff members
we have, with the medical team and in some of

(01:06:24):
the players there were I was doing rehab, we're doing
last year so mixed. The rehab more exciting and enjoyable
as well, So even though I prefer to be playing,
but I guess that's part of rugby, so you can't
really control that.

Speaker 4 (01:06:40):
I've never heard rehab described as exciting and enjoyable, but
I know what you mean, not think you know. Yeah,
as you say, it was the second time you've done it.
So did that even though it was you know, I mean,
terrible luck to even do it once, let alone twice.
Did it give you kind of a frame of reference saying, Okay,
I've done this before, I know the markers I have
to hit. Was it in some ways helpful that you
had a bit of a frame of reference.

Speaker 11 (01:07:03):
Yeah, it's sort of like, well, they're just told me
that you've done this before, and you know what it's
going to be like in like I said, the stuff,
the stuff that we've got pretty good, and they sort
of gaide me towards my rehab and that so I'll
stake to have them in the team. And yeah, like

(01:07:23):
I said, I was lucky to have some other or
not lucky, but not lucky for them, But it was
good for me that there's see other players that I
was doing rehab with so I guess it kind of
makes it a little bit undoable going to the gym.
Would rather do reheab with five other players than doing
it on my own.

Speaker 4 (01:07:42):
Indeed, indeed, and you were on fire last year when
the injury happened. You were scoring tries for fun and
speaking of wingers who were doing that, you mate for
the young and norfour was grabbing the headlines another try
last night. That's the that equals the season try scoring record.
What have you made of the way he's been playing
this season and why has he been such a try

(01:08:03):
scoring threat?

Speaker 11 (01:08:07):
Yeah, for here obviously in a great film and scoring
a lot of tries, which is great for the team.
And there's a big part of why we're doing so well.
And at the moment, yeah, I guess we've got a
pretty good It's quite at the moment that I feel
like every week there's always going to be a chance
for the outside outside so the wingers to score tries,

(01:08:29):
which is I guess exciting. So we've got a pretty
good forward back and then and the backline to do
all the job for us. It makes it easy for
those for our wingers to score tries.

Speaker 4 (01:08:42):
Do you start talking Actually, I think I know the answer.
You don't start talking about winning the whole thing, But
how do you make sure that you do focus week
to week? As you say, it's still tight at the
top between yourself and the chiefs. How do you make
sure you focus week to week for the remaining couple
of games ahead of the finals rather than start thinking
about a Grand final already.

Speaker 11 (01:09:03):
Yeah, we try not to look too far forward, so
trying to take every week as it comes. So take
each week like folks are really big on nailing your
work every week. So I guess for us, who's trying
to I guess do a training well during the week

(01:09:26):
and not get too carried too far ahead with what
the people says. And obviously we're doing pretty well at
the moment, but we're just trying to take each week
as it comes.

Speaker 4 (01:09:38):
Ye, you're doing pretty well as an understatement, so Highlanders
and then Crusaders to finish, just I mean, how cool
is it for you personally to come back into a
side that is playing so well, that are setting up
as outside the way that it does. It must be
a really exciting prospect for you, you know, given the long
rehab to come back into a team that's playing the
way that it is.

Speaker 11 (01:09:58):
Yeah, it makes it your return. I guess it'll look
forward to it because when you see the wings of
U scoring tries doing well, that you want to be
a part of. And it was something that I was
looking forward to. And yeah, like I said, we've got
a pretty good depth thing the squad which makes it
easy for US wingers to do a job. And yeah,

(01:10:21):
like I said, and hopefully we keep going like this
and her nice, we'll see what happens.

Speaker 4 (01:10:27):
We will see what happens. Indeed, it's great to have
you back, Kenny. It's great to see you back out
there and Hurricanes Jersey with a smile on your face.
Scoring Trice, Congratulations on your rehab made. It must have
been a really challenging time, so good to see you back.
Thanks for chatting to us this afternoon. All the best
as you prepare for the Highlanders.

Speaker 11 (01:10:43):
Thanks Money, thank you, all.

Speaker 4 (01:10:45):
The best to you can he thanks mateken he Na
Holo joining us there on weekend sport. Yeah, I mean
you forget how good he was going last year. You know,
you think Finny Young and awf was going well and
he is, but Kenna Hollow, I think he said something
like ten tries and twelve games last season before he
got injured. He was, he was on fire, and I think, yeah,

(01:11:09):
he had eight tries in ten games. Sorry, I didn't
want to I don't want to overstate it, but he
had that season enning ACL injury, and he was reportedly
heading off shore at the end of last season, but
that put paid to that. There was, you know, reports
around that he was off to Japan. That didn't happen, obviously,
so he signed a one year extension with the Hurricanes

(01:11:30):
instead to rehab. And here he is back again now
and I just love the fact that he's been looked
after and has now gotten himself back into the side
and is playing well again. I mean, goodness me. The
Hurricanes were frightening anyway, but Kenny Nahlo and Fahir finnianga
North fall on the wings. I mean, so, where's Josh

(01:11:53):
Morbig going to play? You know, he got four tries
last week against Moana. Maybe he goes to fallback. I
don't know. Callum Harkin's been playing pretty well there. And
then there's Baleen Sullivan also in this. In this mix,
I mean, we just set up for a Hurricanes Chiefs
Grand Final, aren't we It just seems that these two

(01:12:13):
are so far ahead of everybody else they now can't
be knocked out of the top two spots. The table
now has the Hurricanes, as mentioned, at the top of
the table with fifty points, five points cleare of the
Chiefs on forty five. The Blues are on thirty eight
after their lost last night. They've only got one game
to go, so they can't catch either the Hurricanes or
the Chiefs. Then it's the Crusaders on thirty two. Brumbies

(01:12:34):
twenty nine reads twenty eight. Highland isn't going to make
the six again?

Speaker 16 (01:12:38):
Are they?

Speaker 3 (01:12:39):
Then?

Speaker 4 (01:12:40):
Unfortunately not going to make the top six? Only got
one game to go. It's against the Hurricanes this week
in Wellington. They're probably not going to win that game.
The Highland isn't going to be in the top six.
The other four should be. Okay, See the Force won
again last night like a bit of a smoky. They'd
have to win their last two games probably to make it.
But yeah, everything points to a Hurricanes Chiefs Super Rugby Final.

(01:13:01):
But still a lot of still a lot of water
to flow under the bridge before we read that point.
Great to hear from kenninga Hola on the show this afternoon,
what are we nineteen away from two? This like a
break speaking of the chiefs, one of them because supporters us.
James mcconey maybe he's got a view on this among
his regular Sunday musings. He's going to join us after
this on Weekend Sport.

Speaker 1 (01:13:22):
Live from Brisbane sound bag for the NRL's Magic Ground.
It's Weekend Sport with Jason Pine News Dogs, mb.

Speaker 4 (01:13:30):
News Talk TV and Weekend Sports sixteen away from two.
James mcconey is always on a Sunday. We've got an
a League Green final at home next week.

Speaker 15 (01:13:39):
In James, incredible, It's unbelievable, Piney. I watched that penalty shootout.
There an amazing game between Sydney and the Newcastle Jets.
And look, I've never been a massive Sydney fan, but
for some reason them as underdogs or was you know,
was quite they were more endearing. But look I did

(01:14:00):
want for some reason, I sort of won a Newcastle
to win that game. Then I realized, hold on it,
hold on a second, we can get at a home final.
Sky we're throwing the kitchen sink at it. I think
we're going to have Raptor cam which is like Spider
can there. So all the bells and whistles will be
going towards that Grand Final, and of course you'll be
there calling it piney.

Speaker 4 (01:14:20):
Yeah, well I hope so, yes, I haven't. I haven't. Well,
actually I have. I've got a couple of messages I
need to apply to indicating my availability. It's silly they
even asked me, you know, I hope that they would
assume that I'd be Okay. Look, it'll be a cracker,
won't it. And and there's a bit of a circular
sort of feeling about this. Steve Coricker Auckland FC head coach,

(01:14:41):
former championship winning coach and player with Sydney FC. It's
it's got a bit of serendipity about it should be
a fantastic occasion.

Speaker 7 (01:14:50):
Yeah, it will be.

Speaker 15 (01:14:51):
And look the fact that that they see got there
by winning an Adelaide, which is, you know, the hostile environment,
toughest place to win in the A League, all the
players stepping up in their own way. We talked about
that ensemble cast last week, but there's one moment that
I think sort of will live long in the memory,

(01:15:12):
and that is cosgrow Sam Cosgrove getting his foot ahead
of the defender just as he was clearing the ball
in the penalty area. It's a sneaky penalty to give.
It's so sneaky, but unfortunately for Adelaide var makes that
look like a lockdown penalty. It had to be given
because he got in first clear just ahead of the

(01:15:32):
from the defender's blind side. But that for me decided
the game right there, just as such a heartbreaker. But
nevertheless Croker was confident and the players look confident.

Speaker 16 (01:15:44):
YEP.

Speaker 4 (01:15:44):
A big wak ahead for them as they prepare for
a Grand Final next Saturday. Go Media Stadium. Team Past
eight New Zealand Timers kickoff. Just before we move from
the football. The Wellington Phoenix women, well they'll always have
the piece of history that they were the first New
Zealand side to play in a Grand Final. Unfortunately not
able to get the job done against Melbourne City yesterday.

Speaker 15 (01:16:03):
Yeah it's a shame, but the pieces are there right.
I think they are one of those teams that if
they've come out of nowhere to make the final, nobody
really picked them in the in the in the preseason,
and if they can keep some of these players together,
some of those the stars, and they've had they've got
good goal scorers, they've got the bones there from from

(01:16:25):
the football ferns that you really want. And a team
like that, I think that, you know, It's football is
looking strong at the moment. And in New Zealand, of
course the All Whites team is named during the week
as well. And Piney, I looked at your predictions. I
think you were bang on when you predicted the team.
And I can't complain about any of those, but I

(01:16:47):
did notice and it was it you and commentary that
said perhaps can Howison needs to be considered unlucky. I
thought he possibly was. And I like Luke Brooks Smith
as well from from the Phoenix, maybe as a young option.
But apart from that, can't complain.

Speaker 4 (01:17:01):
Yeah, I can't either, And I think Luke brook Smith's
time will come. You know, he's only a teenager. He
might have another three World Cups. So I think we
can be okay with the twenty six that Darren Basley
has chosen. Hey, Friday Night Chiefs Highlanders look a good
win by the Chiefs, but I mean absolutely devastating scenes
and look, Sky's cameras are so good. They capture everything

(01:17:25):
on the field, whether it be at the positive end
of the emotional scale or the other ends. Those scenes
of Caleb Tungatow being stretched off were just so heartbreaking,
wasn't it for a player who was set to get
an All Blacks call up under Dave Rennie, you know,
as soon as the next month or so.

Speaker 15 (01:17:43):
Yeah, and we all know how long the Achilles rupture,
which sounds like what it does, will take it at
least a year before you're sort of really back in action.
And so look, I hope for Calen Tangytown's say that
he can make a late run to.

Speaker 7 (01:17:58):
The World Cup.

Speaker 15 (01:17:59):
But man, that was really tough watch. He knew when
he hit the ground he had slapped the turf that
he was out for a while with that. And so
look it means that when it comes to wings, other
people come into the picture and with you know, your
mate from the Canes, Josh Morby, son of a town
is your dairy farmer or dairy farmer's I should add,

(01:18:20):
is he's right in the frame now or do they
move Will Jordan to the wing and Damien Mackenzie goes
to fall back to be that sort of live wire
at the back, possibly possibly suits that Dave Rennie plan.

Speaker 4 (01:18:33):
I mean, Josh Morby might not get a game now
because Kenning holos back with fine aerofa on the other wing.
That's a pretty potent combination. I suppose CAYLEB Clarkson and
amongst this conversation as well, isn't he but ye Will Jordan?
I feel like there's you know, there's more options at
fallback than there are on the wings at the moment.
So ye, maybe Will Jordan when he does come back,
which is hopefully soon, where's the fourteen and and then

(01:18:56):
you make a decision about your fallback.

Speaker 15 (01:18:58):
I don't know, Yeah, I think I think Cale Clark
you lock him in. He's probably unlucky because the Blues
for me have been playing such forward orented Rugby that
he just hasn't got the ball. If he's playing for
the Hurricanes, he's probably setting records like when he owned
and of for and by the way, if only he
could stay in New Zealand, I reckon there must be

(01:19:18):
talks ongoing, but it would cost a fair bit of money,
you know, a few hundred thousand dollars. But look, New
Zealand Rugby might not be able to make that call.
But if they can get a benefactor to come in
and pay that money, I'm sure it'll be worth it.

Speaker 4 (01:19:34):
The Canes and the Chiefs are just on a collision
course for the Grand Final, aren't they. I know there's
a bit of rugby to be played before then, but
they just seen far and away the best two sides.

Speaker 15 (01:19:42):
Yeah they do. I just feel like the Hurricanes just
have an incredible mix and look that they didn't have
Camero regard or superkify yet Innyanadi. What a game, probably
best super rugby game I've ever seen him play. And
then the loose forward mix. I mean, Brad Shields is
he's paid test rugby, He's come back and Braden your
set who's had to sort of pick it? You know,

(01:20:04):
he's been off the bench for most of the season.
I mean, I wouldn't be surprised seeing someone like Braden
you'll say, really talked about a lot by Dave Renie.

Speaker 11 (01:20:14):
Yeah he was.

Speaker 4 (01:20:15):
He was sort of in and around that mix when
they chose Wallace to Tt, wasn't he When there was
hoskinstitute to Wallace a TT. Bradon Yosse was in that
conversation a couple of years ago as a as a
you know, it wasn't just like a bolter. He was like, hey,
he's one of the best. Lucy's going around. We know
Devin Flanders is leaving now. He had a good start
to the season. Flanders, but you'll say, he's you know, versatile,

(01:20:36):
loves to run with the ball, good tackler, who knows.

Speaker 15 (01:20:39):
Yeah, there's options there. I feel sorry for Flanders because
I think that he is a Dave Rennie style, loose forward.
He loves the work ethic and so you know, you've
got to You've got to take your moments, don't you.
If you get off in a big contract overseas, it's
going to set up your family for life. You've got
to say yes, you do.

Speaker 4 (01:20:57):
Indeed, hey, just to finish. Luke Metcalf is leaving the
Warriors at the end of this season. How do you
think that'll play out over the rest of this season.

Speaker 15 (01:21:07):
I think Luke will be treated like any other player.
I don't think Webster will play favorites. He'll want to
want to win. If Luke start showing that he's got
good form, he'll get given account. The one thing that
seems to be. His weakness will be defense. So maybe
that's where the warrior is, like the gutsiness of their
helves at the moment, you know, you wouldn't really want

(01:21:27):
to lose Chanelle Harris de Vita out there, who's you know,
Smashed and burg regular on Crowgo's Wild. But the one
thing with Luke is he's such a lovely guy. I
think he's the sort of guy who probably is into
Frozen in high school musical and I hope he goes
to a club that that respects that and realize that
he is. He's not a boffhead, So please look after him, Dragons.

Speaker 7 (01:21:49):
I've got a lot of time for Luke.

Speaker 2 (01:21:50):
For Lukey met love.

Speaker 4 (01:21:51):
It James, always good chatting mate. We'll see you, I
guess at the Grand Final next weekend at Go Media.

Speaker 15 (01:21:56):
Will we Yeah, I'll be right behind you, Poney, breathing
down your neck.

Speaker 4 (01:22:02):
No place I'd rather have you, James. Thanks Pet. Apart
from on the radio on us though, of course, James
mcconey crag Go's Wild, Alternative, comment free collective and across
his socials big part of our Sunday afternoons seven to
two news talks edb.

Speaker 1 (01:22:15):
It's the NRL's biggest party, Magic Ground in Brisbane.

Speaker 2 (01:22:19):
Weekend Sport with Jason Hine, The News Talk ZIBB.

Speaker 4 (01:22:23):
Four to two, Vince on text, ex you on email,
Vinces Piney, will you be talking about the football today?
I certainly will, Vince. We're going to talk about it
after two. Actually, Nick Becker is going to join us
CEO of Auckland f C to give us ticket details
for the Grand Final. But yeah, keen to take some
calls as well on Auckland FC. We spoke a bit
about it yesterday, but they will host the Grand Final
against Sydney FC Saturday night. Go Media. So you're Nick Becker.

(01:22:44):
After two. Mark Tuky is on the show as well.
I spoke to Mark Tuky this morning. He wasn't available live,
so I went and recorded him at his hotel. What
a champion of a man, Mark tuk. After two o'clock
on News Talks.

Speaker 7 (01:22:56):
Heb.

Speaker 1 (01:22:58):
Counting down to kick after as the worry is take
on the Brisbane Broncos.

Speaker 2 (01:23:03):
That NRL's Magic Round.

Speaker 1 (01:23:05):
It's we Sport with Jason Vine live in Brisbane for
the NRLs Magic Round.

Speaker 2 (01:23:12):
On your home of Sport News Talk said me.

Speaker 4 (01:23:16):
Yeah, gooday, there Welcome in, Welcome back to O seven.
It's been so good being in Brisbane. I have to
say thanks to everybody who made this happen. Magic Round
is a bucket list for many and getting the chance
to experience it has been wonderful this afternoon. So looking
forward to watching the Warriors play the Broncos. The town

(01:23:36):
is a buzz with Warriors fans. Mark Tuky shortly he
became something of a cult hero during his time at
the Warriors. He played in the Grand Final in two
thousand and two. He now overseas the Warriors Academy in Logan,
which is not far from Brisbane, overseeing about sixty young

(01:23:57):
players with designs on perhaps a career in the NRL.
So Mark Tuky very shortly going to talk some football
this hour as well, with Auckland FC to host the
A League Men's Grand Final on Saturday night, So six
nights from now Go Media Stadium ten past eight kickoff
in that one. Nick Becker is the CEO of Auckland

(01:24:19):
f C. He's going to give us all the details
around tickets, when members can get them, when the general
public can get them, how many they'll be, when he
expects it to sell out, not but when it will
sell out. So Nick Becker, this hour, we can talk
some football as well, if you'd like a couple of
texts to mop up. Just heard you say, he says, Marco.
The Hurricanes and the Chiefs are on a collision course

(01:24:40):
for a Super Rugby Grand Final. As a Chiefs fan,
more than anything, I want to clash with the Crusaders
in the Semis or the final and knock them out,
as they are always the biggest challenge for us. Well,
that could well happen, Marco, couldn't it. The way that
the Super Rugby Pacific playoffs are structed, you might remember this,

(01:25:00):
the top six go through one play six, two plays
five and three plays four. What the winners of those
games all go through to the Semis as well as
the highest ranked loser. Yeah, the lucky loser. They though
do drop down the pecking order. That's a change from
last year. Remember last year the Chiefs won the regular season,

(01:25:21):
they lost their first playoff game but still hosted the
next week. And Super Rugby have taken on board the
rather robust feedback around that and decide that if you
are the lucky loser, you immediately go to the bottom
of the pecking order for the semis. In other words,
you cannot host a semi and if you make it through,
you cannot host the final either. So the lucky loser

(01:25:44):
only benefits you for one week and that it keeps
you in anyway. That's all to come. What else did
I have to mention before we get on?

Speaker 3 (01:25:54):
Oh?

Speaker 4 (01:25:54):
That's right from Paul Pinty. Gutted for Hearts and for
former Phoenix player Cami Devlin that they didn't get the
job done. The old firm dominance continues in the Scottish
Premier League, but gusting scenes with Celtic fans storming the field.
Yeah you heard that during our news with Elliott. It's
debatable whether the ref blew the final whistle or not.
Surely this needs to be investigated. Celtic needs to be punished.

(01:26:19):
Many Hearts fans are calling for the result to be
reversed under the abandoned match rule. I was gutted when
I wake up this morning Paul and saw that Hearts
hadn't won. That wouldn't it have been great? A Cam
Devlin form of Phoenix player and something different from the
Celtic Rangers' old firm stranglehold on the Scottish Premier League. Anyway,
it is Celtic's title, and barring any kind of investigation,

(01:26:40):
as you point out, it'll be Celtic's title again. You
can always text us nine two ninety two and call
us eight hundred and eighty ten eighty. But with the
time at bang on ten past two, let's get you
up to date with some of the things that have
been happening around the place that you may not have
caught up with. In case you missed, it is the
name of the feature, and there's plenty to catch you

(01:27:03):
up on. Let's start with magic Ground in the NRL
fozball and that's not Ian Foster, that's Karen Forn continues
to work wonders.

Speaker 6 (01:27:12):
There's a little bit ginger ol Kauatu not go the
short side, hala.

Speaker 4 (01:27:15):
That sums up the situation.

Speaker 2 (01:27:17):
So I'm gonna that trip.

Speaker 4 (01:27:20):
Enterprising stuff from the seagulls and they're just doing it
insy now. Yeah, big win forty six eighteen over the West.
Tiger's manly up into the top four. The Cowboys meantime one,
in very un cowboys like fashion.

Speaker 16 (01:27:34):
You get dummy Hart.

Speaker 17 (01:27:35):
He's got Clifford who's running the show Quickford had out
to Sun, how did crop?

Speaker 6 (01:27:39):
And now a big chutter's testa the bat the Cowboys.

Speaker 10 (01:27:45):
Thread of.

Speaker 4 (01:27:47):
An eighteen twelve arm wrestle went over the Roosters and
the Melbourne Storm are now on a winning streak.

Speaker 16 (01:27:54):
Gotta go live, Sportman's.

Speaker 3 (01:27:55):
Bought it here on the lift.

Speaker 4 (01:27:56):
What Josh keep doing?

Speaker 18 (01:27:58):
Josh that forty joys, Well he's done.

Speaker 4 (01:28:02):
Just call takes it all of the town high clays
up the outside of the three bout over half Josh
kick just has a run at scored to dry bending
the Parametta eels thirty four to eight. Let's go to
super rugby defense not required as the warrantars one big

(01:28:23):
over the Fiji and Drewer.

Speaker 14 (01:28:25):
Looking to seal the deal here you would think it's
gonna be five.

Speaker 4 (01:28:30):
So close, so.

Speaker 2 (01:28:32):
Now they've got advantage.

Speaker 12 (01:28:34):
Run away.

Speaker 2 (01:28:35):
Did he slam it down? Yes?

Speaker 4 (01:28:36):
See dead Oh fifty points to thirty five. The final
score eighty five points and that one. The Force then
beat the Reds in a far more traditional scoring game.

Speaker 17 (01:28:50):
But they've got the foundery to now they got to
kick in behind Red squab Pip. It's on a cross
to the left and that's where they hit now, don't
beat everywhere?

Speaker 2 (01:29:00):
Who's got up there?

Speaker 8 (01:29:02):
Who second?

Speaker 2 (01:29:03):
He's got it?

Speaker 4 (01:29:04):
Nineteen fourteen. The final score to the Force, who keep
their slim top six hopes alive. The White Ferns have
drawn their ODI series against England thanks to a solid
knock from Brook Halliday.

Speaker 19 (01:29:17):
Drive and oh brilliant, Oh no no, just the dive
was the dive was really good. It just slipped out
of the grass order the boundary for four beautifully timed
though from Holiday.

Speaker 4 (01:29:30):
They won the third ODI by seventeen runs in a
range shortened affair. Melbourne City are the A League Women's champions.

Speaker 6 (01:29:40):
Yeah, I think three minutes strike on goal that diagonal
bought looked a little bit too easy from Melbourne perspective.

Speaker 4 (01:29:48):
There's another one.

Speaker 6 (01:29:51):
Right in the top corner, Esia McKenna.

Speaker 4 (01:29:55):
Yeah. Heartbreak for the Wellington Phoenix going down three to
one in the final and Auckland FC now know their
opponent for the A League Men's Final. In a penalty
shootout SYDNEYFC and Newcastle Jets, Sydney FC coming out on top.

Speaker 14 (01:30:11):
So Sydney.

Speaker 17 (01:30:14):
One kick away from the Grand Final. Well it's the experience, Keruccio.
He's won a couple of championships. Will we have a
chance to make it three?

Speaker 2 (01:30:29):
Next week?

Speaker 17 (01:30:33):
Geruccio scores.

Speaker 2 (01:30:36):
And Sydney end the season of the.

Speaker 1 (01:30:41):
Premiers live from Brisbane South Bank for the NRL's Magic Ground.

Speaker 2 (01:30:46):
It's Weekend Sport with Jason Fine News Dogs.

Speaker 4 (01:30:50):
MB two fourteen Yes has mentioned. Nick Picker, CEO of
Auckland FC, is on the show this hour after AUCKLANDFC
won hosting rights to that Grand Final next weekend Saturday
night at teen past eight. It is fourteen minutes past
two as we come to your life from Brisbane with
Magic Round into its third and final day. A lot

(01:31:10):
of former Warriors players around, and one I was particularly
keen on catching up with was a fan favorite during
his time with the club for his hard running style.
He was a powerful front rower who played in the
NRL for the South Queensland Crushes, the Parametta Eels and
the Warriors. He was part of the Warriors' side that
reached the two thousand and two NRL Grand Final, the

(01:31:33):
first team ever to make the Grand Final. He later
played in England's Super League before moving into coaching and
development roles. I'm talking of course about Mark tuke I
had the chance to chat with him this morning at
his hotel in Caxton Street, just a short walk from
sun Corpse Stadium. What a pleasure to come to the
Beatson Hotel, which was renamed recently for the great Arthur

(01:31:56):
Beats in and catch up with Warriors cold hero Mark Turkey.
Nice to see you, mate.

Speaker 16 (01:32:00):
How are you mate?

Speaker 18 (01:32:01):
I'm feeling okay, but yeah, I love Magic Round. It's
a really good time of the year the teams come
to Brisbane, so mate, loving it.

Speaker 4 (01:32:09):
Warrior shirts everywhere. I mean I've been here for a
couple of days. I know you have as well, been
around and there's just Warrior shirts everywhere. What do you
think it is about this club that connects with fans
on both sides of the Tasman.

Speaker 18 (01:32:22):
I really don't know, but we have a lot of
keywis here, especially in Logan where we're at now.

Speaker 16 (01:32:27):
But it's yeah, they're there, They're.

Speaker 2 (01:32:32):
There's just a soft spot.

Speaker 18 (01:32:34):
I think they're everyone's second team at the moment. You know,
we did go through some tough times through COVID and
we sacrificed a lot as.

Speaker 7 (01:32:41):
A club, so.

Speaker 18 (01:32:43):
That I think that might explain some of it. But mate,
we're a good team to watch as well. You know,
we're pretty exciting. We've got some really good players there.
So as far as that kind of stuff goes, mate, yeah,
it's a good mix.

Speaker 4 (01:32:55):
You're done obviously played a lot of rugby leage other places,
the Crushes.

Speaker 16 (01:32:58):
In the Eels.

Speaker 4 (01:32:58):
But how do you reflect on your your time at
the Warriors when you think back to that time, what
stands out the most?

Speaker 18 (01:33:03):
Oh, the we're When we went to the Warriors, that
the making of me. To be honest, the fans just
absolutely accepted me.

Speaker 16 (01:33:11):
And and have ever since to this day.

Speaker 18 (01:33:14):
So I think, I, yeah, everyone was down the chants
and all that type of thing, but yeah, I just
they kind of got the vibe from me that I
just do me think I'm no frills.

Speaker 16 (01:33:26):
I just to cut the ball forward and you know,
do my job.

Speaker 18 (01:33:30):
But I always had a very a lot of time
for the fans, and the fans kind of probably see
that and then they had a lot of time for me.

Speaker 4 (01:33:39):
Can you tell us a story about how you came
to come to the Warriors from the Eels, because I
know you're called a bit of a bluff from member
from the story I heard. Can you tell us that story.

Speaker 18 (01:33:47):
Yeah, I sawn with the Eels from the from the Crushers, me,
Troy Pizzette, and Clinton Chokowski.

Speaker 16 (01:33:53):
We signed a two year deal I think it was, and.

Speaker 18 (01:33:57):
I think I played there for no I signed a
two year deal with it with an option, and then
the option was coming up. I think it was for
a hundred thousand or something like that, and Bridesmith pulled
me aside after training one day and said, oh, we're
not going to take up that hundred thousand dollars option.
And I'm like, okay, what does that mean? And he said, oh,
you're free to look for look at other clubs.

Speaker 16 (01:34:20):
I'm like, oh, okay. So I read my manager. I'm like,
I'm free to look at other clubs? What does that mean?

Speaker 18 (01:34:24):
And he's kind of going, oh, okay, yeah, they're not
taking up your option, blah blah blah. And then my
manager brings me back and said, oh, we've got a
meeting in the city with Hugh mcgahann.

Speaker 16 (01:34:33):
I'm like Hugh McGahan and.

Speaker 18 (01:34:35):
He goes, yeah, yeah, he's the Warriors recruitment goy. I'm like, oh, yeah,
I know you mcguhn. I watched him play and I'm like, okay.
So we went and had a meet with him, and
they basically I can't remember that circumstances.

Speaker 16 (01:34:45):
But they flew us over me and my family at
the time to New Zealand.

Speaker 18 (01:34:50):
I think we must have had a buy or I
don't know what it was, but we might have been
around Origin time maybe, and they flew us over there
and they windered on us a little bit, put us
up in the Scott City Tower and they looked around
and they basically come to a after at a dinner,
what do you want for before you go home? And

(01:35:12):
to sign, you know, to lock it in, And I'm like, gosh,
so men they getting me and the manager kind of
I went out away for a couple of hours and
we kind of went right, they want to do this.
So we threw car in, we threw house, we didn't
pro bode in, but we got rent paid and everything
like that. And so we went back to them and
they said done and we were like, oh, okay, it

(01:35:36):
was that easy. So I signed before I left New
Zealand and then so that was kind of how it
all went down. And then I played in the two
thousand and season with Aucle Morris at the time, not
New Zealand Morris and by the end of the season
the club had gone broken. I didn't get any of
the money anyway, so it didn't really matter.

Speaker 16 (01:35:57):
But again it all panned out the right way.

Speaker 18 (01:36:00):
But yeah, yeah, there was a bit of a drama
with the finances back in that kind of era. And yeah,
so and then we all saw a new contract. So
I signed a new contract with the New Zealand Warriors
with Daniel Anderson come to save us and everything like that.
So that was kind of how that went down. It
was very interesting times, brilliant.

Speaker 4 (01:36:21):
So can we fast forward to two thousand and two
Grand Final? Still fondly remember the first Warriors team to
make a Grand Final. What do you remember most about
that team in that season?

Speaker 18 (01:36:32):
It was a crazy season. We did train hard and
we worked hard for each other and everything like that.
I still remember blokes like Kevin Campion and that coming
to the club and they just had a work ethic
and it was, we say, the kind of the Aussie
way and it was just that hardness and he had
that just mid one Grand Finals with the Broncos and

(01:36:54):
stuff like that. So we had Ivan come through. There
was a lot of us, but that was more of
accountability thing. We you know, they didn't let us take
any shortcuts, and especially the Polynesian boys who were elite athletes,
but they just hadn't kind of gone to that next level.
And Campo and those guys, they got us all to

(01:37:15):
that next level. And we're all on the same page.
We did the hard training, we did the hard training,
and we all just we were all on the same
page and we all worked into the same goal and
we all really got on with each other. And then
saying that, you know, the hardness from this and the

(01:37:38):
old Australian heads and stuff. We had some really elite
young Kiwi boys, alil tds, the only farm Wiena, you know,
and you throw Stacey Jones in there, and we just
had a really good mix.

Speaker 4 (01:37:51):
Look at the score in the final and you think, oh,
that's that's quite a comfortable win. But it wasn't. I
remember when Stacy scored that, try, do you feel like,
actually we're in this?

Speaker 16 (01:37:58):
Yeah, well we hit the lead.

Speaker 18 (01:37:59):
Yeah yeah, when he scored that, we hit the lead
eight six I think.

Speaker 16 (01:38:02):
It was or something like that.

Speaker 18 (01:38:03):
And yeah, and again the Roosters were probably the yardstick
of the comp that year, we got to kind of them.
We took the shield out by default when the cow
when the Bulldogs lost all their points.

Speaker 16 (01:38:17):
But the Roosters were.

Speaker 18 (01:38:19):
A dominant force, you know, they kind of come with
this in your face defense system that no one had
kind of seen before.

Speaker 16 (01:38:26):
We could handle it because we were a bit bigger
than most sides. But yeah, it was.

Speaker 18 (01:38:31):
And then yeah, once the tide turned, I think Villa
or worrying he got Freddie Fittler and split him. And
I'm not saying that's the turning point, but they just
kicked him to gear from there, and they scored a
couple of quick tries and we hung in there.

Speaker 16 (01:38:44):
We were in the game, but they were too good
on the day.

Speaker 4 (01:38:47):
So when you see Warriors fans now, and I'm sure
you see many, especially this weekend, they're everywhere, what what
do they want to talk to you about? When they
have a young to you?

Speaker 16 (01:38:54):
The first question I get every bloody time is have
you still got the mini?

Speaker 2 (01:38:58):
But you sold it to Chess?

Speaker 4 (01:38:59):
Most it's dad, I think something.

Speaker 16 (01:39:02):
Chas is Dad.

Speaker 18 (01:39:04):
I put it on I put it for sale and
I got divorced, unfortunately, and I just couldn't justify a
mini sit in the garage. So I sold it to
Chas Mostard's dad who gave it to his wife for
a wedding anniversary or something like that. So big Eddie Mostart.
So yeah that was again. I've just done it all
up and done it. And if there's anyone out there

(01:39:25):
wants to buy me a mini, but yeah, I get
that a lot. And then Butte, the Warriors supporters are
second to none, mate, they go, They're different.

Speaker 16 (01:39:38):
I just don't know.

Speaker 18 (01:39:38):
It seems like it's the Queensland state of origin thing.
They just get it, the Warriors supporters. So they're passionate buggers.
And what I've found with them is when we're when
we lose, they really take it to heart, you know,
because they're that passionate. There's passionate fans and then there's
Warriors fans and it really hurts. And when they lose,
you know, and they're not sure losers. It's just they're

(01:40:00):
that invested in it. But yeah, I run into them
a lot now and I just love having a chat
with them all and on Today is like going to
be next level. I've got a couple of supporters clubs
to go and catch up with and have a chat too,
and yeah, they just they just love it.

Speaker 4 (01:40:18):
How do you reckon?

Speaker 2 (01:40:19):
They'll go?

Speaker 4 (01:40:19):
I mean not just today, but this year they've started well.
Web He's got them playing well, cheapest and every year
we start it's our year. You know what are you
seeing this year?

Speaker 18 (01:40:29):
Yeah, there are different side this year. They're a different
Warriors team. I liken it to the two thousand side,
but I think they've even got a better chance this
year just for the year fact that they're very balanced,
They're they're they're now able to get in the grind,
you know what I mean when when they're under pressure

(01:40:50):
they just handle it. And the Warriors sides in the
past have probably outside of two and eleven maybe, but
they've just gone. They get to that level and put it,
get put under pressure and sometimes crack. I was at
that Wellington game against the Dolphins and it was a
close and I was sitting behind the post, but they never.

Speaker 16 (01:41:10):
Looked like scoring. Warriors had it so they were.

Speaker 18 (01:41:13):
So calm in defense and their resilience levels are off
the charts.

Speaker 4 (01:41:17):
I know plenty of other things to do today, but
I just want to ask you about the March to
the ground because I saw it on your Facebook page.
I think it's been a feature of Magic Round, so
what from three o'clock this afternoon, But if a heck
allway down Caxton by the sounds of it.

Speaker 18 (01:41:29):
Yeah, I've got to I've got to go to the Boys'
Trip New Zealand and down the road here on Kasas Street,
and then I'm going in to watch the game. But
Upper La, the Warrior Nation and Ruined Hamma, a couple
of our supporters groups, they normally host an event.

Speaker 16 (01:41:46):
Up there and I've been there every single year. I
absolutely bloody love it.

Speaker 18 (01:41:49):
And they take over the La upstairs and they just
you know, heck, all the fans on the ground and
then all the wild fans out there. So it's just
something to behold. And where I'm going, I'm coming out
of the stadium to run back to do the march
because it's it's an absolute dumb spectacle. No other club
can do it, and no other club can match what
we do. And that's a big credit to the Warrior

(01:42:12):
Nation crew.

Speaker 16 (01:42:13):
And then Wise.

Speaker 18 (01:42:14):
But yeah, yeah, and we've got our academy in Logan,
so I'm running the Warriors Academy and Logan at the moment,
and we've got our academy kids doing a halftime thing
in our game Warriors rest Broncos. So we've got sixty
kids up here from Logan, but we're trying to.

Speaker 16 (01:42:33):
Cross our fingers to get them to experience the march.

Speaker 18 (01:42:35):
So we'll race them out of the stadium as well
and try and get them to get in the front
of the march there and bang the drum and sing
some chance.

Speaker 4 (01:42:43):
Or some so good to see. One final question, can
we beat the Broncos?

Speaker 16 (01:42:46):
Yeah, of course we can meet the Broncos. We can
beat anyone man.

Speaker 18 (01:42:49):
So yeah, I'm much more confident than I've ever been
in the past years about what the Warriors bring now.
But yeah, Broncos can beat us too. You know, I'm
not going to be They're a good side, they're the
premiers for a reason, but not on any side can
beat anyone at the moment.

Speaker 16 (01:43:05):
So it's a bit scary being a footy fan. You
just don't know which team's going to turn up.

Speaker 18 (01:43:10):
And that Broncos team that turned up last week was
not the Broncos, So I'm a bit worried they're going
to bounce back, But I'm still comfortable in the Warrior's
ability to weather the storm, be resilient and you know,
and get the job done, that's for sure. So the
boys are in good spirits. I was that Captain's Run
yesterday and yeah, the boys are in really good spirits.

Speaker 16 (01:43:30):
And where I took I brought.

Speaker 18 (01:43:31):
One hundred and seventy fans up from Logan to see
the boys at Captain's Run.

Speaker 16 (01:43:36):
So another really good experience.

Speaker 18 (01:43:38):
And you know, the it's Webbe and the team and
Cam George and they just they're doing it right at
the moment.

Speaker 4 (01:43:45):
Great to see mate, You're finally remembered by all Warriors fans.
Thanks for taking the time for a chat.

Speaker 16 (01:43:49):
Absolute pleasure. Thanks mate.

Speaker 4 (01:43:50):
No, that was Mark Tukey earlier on today at the
Beats and Hotel on Caxton Street. I was it was
really quite. It was so funny. Went down to Caxton
Street this morning and for those of you who know
Magic Round and who know you know about what Caxton
Street turns into during Magic Round, will know that it's

(01:44:12):
utter chaos. When I got down there on Friday, you know,
the first time I've experienced it, it was like it
was just incredible. Just this festival. They closed the street
off so there's no motor vehicles going down there, but
the place is just absolutely packed with Rugby League fans
of all different supporter groups. You know, there's there's every

(01:44:35):
you could walk I reckon, you could walk one hundred
meters and see a playing jersey from each of the
seventeen clubs, plus all sorts of other things. Well there
are well, you know, there are Kangaroo's jerseys Queen, a
lot of Queensland jerseys from New South Wales, couple of
Kiwis jerseys. But but that is the most noticeable thing

(01:44:55):
is that fans of all teams are here and come
together and just mix and mingle, all for the for
the shared love of the game. Anyway, that was on Friday.
I went down to Caxton Street this morning to catch
up with Mark Turkey at around sort of breakfast time,
and it was so calm down there, and I was
walking along and a couple walked past and they said

(01:45:17):
to me, this is the calm before the storm. And
they're so right, because it is going to go off
there again this afternoon. Man, if we thought there were
Warriors jerseys there in big numbers the other day, there
are going to be so many there this afternoon. We
could talk some more rugby league between now and three.
If it's like eight hundred and eighty ten eighty, if
you hadn't been able to get to your get to
point across or get through on the lines, happy to

(01:45:38):
have you to you a couple here on text. If
the Warriors beat the Broncos, Pony, surely their top of
the power rankings tomorrow night. Well they may well be.
They may well be. We do do the power rankings.
We rate the weekend every Monday night here on news Talks.
He'd be if the Warriors were to win, they would
have to be a yeah in the conversation anyway to

(01:46:00):
be top of the power rankings, Paul says Pony. With
Charns and Rocoberry available next week, Webbe has some big
decisions to make, especially if the Warriors win today across
the park meantime, we're definitely favorites. If if in capital
letters we don't give away possession cheaply, we should win
the game, thanks Paul. Yeah, look, I just think it's

(01:46:22):
set to be a wonderful occasion. Five past six New
Zealand time, five past four Local time. The Warriors up
against the Broncos it's the penultimate match in Magic Round
for twenty twenty six. The last game could be a
bit of a phizzy your fancy as the Panthers, top
of the pile take on the Dragons. So how many
games have they lost in a row now? Is at nine? Yeah? Nine,

(01:46:43):
They're over nine this year the Dragons. The Panthers meantime,
have won nine and lost one of their ten matches,
so it would be a major major surprise if the
Dragons were to even stay close to the Panthers. And
the late game the Titans against the Knights is the
first game today that's underway at two o'clock local time,
four o'clock in New Zealand. Oh eight hundred and eighty

(01:47:06):
eight nine two, nine to two on text. That has
bang on hulf past two on Weekend Sport as we
broadcast live from Brisbane. When we come back, Nick Becker,
CEO of Auckland FC, who will host a Grand final
next Saturday night in the A League, means we'll find
out more about that, in particular the all important ticket

(01:47:26):
details when Nick Becker joins us after this.

Speaker 1 (01:47:30):
Live from the world's largest rugby league festival of the
nral's Magic Round in Brisbane. It's Weekend Sport with Jason
Pine on your home of Sport, News TALKSB.

Speaker 4 (01:47:41):
News TALKSB and Weekend Sport. Twenty six and a half
away from three, Auckland FC will not only be the
first New Zealand football club to play in an A
League men's Grand Final, they will be the first to
host one.

Speaker 6 (01:47:56):
There is the final whistle history for Offlin FC.

Speaker 4 (01:48:01):
Favoo for spot in the.

Speaker 6 (01:48:02):
Azuzu A League Grand Final and put the heart of
season one behind them and go further than they've ever
been before. Handshakes for Steve Coricker. They've traveled to Adelaide
a professional performance. Three nil on the night, four to
one on aggregate.

Speaker 2 (01:48:22):
They become the first team.

Speaker 4 (01:48:25):
In the Grand Final. Indeed ten past eight Saturday nights
at go Media Stadium, Auckland FC will host Sydney FC,
the club where Auckland FC head coach Steve Coricker won
two championships as a player and two more as a
head coach. Auckland FC CEO Nick Becker is with us
Nick to host. You needed Sydney FC to win last night,

(01:48:47):
which they did eventually on penalties against Newcastle. With the
messages flying back and forth during their game as you
were trying to work out whether you'd be hosting or not.

Speaker 12 (01:48:58):
Yeah, absolutely were, And what a fantastic result for us
as a club. We can't wait to kind of sell
out go media stating next Saturday night and sort of
you know, play in front of a good prochyol Auckland.

Speaker 7 (01:49:10):
Fan fan base. It's fantastic, pointing absolutely well.

Speaker 4 (01:49:14):
I mean, you're only in your second season, You're won
the Premiers, played last season but couldn't take the step
to the grand final. Now you have and you will
host that Grand final. Did you dare imagine things would
go so well so quickly for this club?

Speaker 12 (01:49:30):
No, I think if I would probably would have been
locked up if I've been sort of around town talking
about how this is all going to play out. So
it has been, you know, not a surprise, I think,
but everything you need to kind of the conditions needed
to be right.

Speaker 7 (01:49:43):
Utan didn't have a team. We came in and provided that.
The growth of the game and the city.

Speaker 12 (01:49:48):
Has been Phenomenalbody Orkanders wanted to have something new and
they and they certainly got behind our team and embraced it.
So you've got that side of things then we've built.
You know, we've got some great players and a great
coach and Steve Coriker and everyone behind the scenes who
supports them and helps them out competitive from day one,
and we said that we wanted to.

Speaker 7 (01:50:08):
Win silverware right from the start.

Speaker 12 (01:50:10):
Managed that in season one, which you know, I saw
think was an incredibly special season, and now we've got
the chance to go to that one step further, which
it's what the boys talked about at the start of
the season. They said, you know, they it hurt them
getting to the semi final last year. I think sometimes
you need to you need to go and lose something

(01:50:30):
to realize.

Speaker 7 (01:50:31):
How hard it is to win it, and that hurt.
I think you saw that come out certainly.

Speaker 12 (01:50:36):
In their display against Melbourne City when it went all
the way through to penalties and without a doubt on
Friday night in Adelaide, where where a lot of people
have written us off and they were sort of like,
you know, all the pundits for tipping Adelaide to go through. Certainly,
I think there was a feeling of that they kind
of had one foot in the in the Grand Final

(01:50:57):
pre match around the stadium at Cooper's so to go
there and put on such a complete performance and win
three nil was just an amazing achievement.

Speaker 7 (01:51:05):
And you know, we're just maybe so proud of the guys.

Speaker 4 (01:51:09):
So when you won that game, then you're in the
Grand Final, but you don't know who you're playing, and
therefore you don't know whether you're hosting or not. But
do you get into dialogue with apl who run the
competition immediately after Friday and they say to you, okay, Nick,
well if Sydney when you're hosting, so do you start
the wheels moving on the on the hosting side of
things at that stage?

Speaker 7 (01:51:31):
Yeah, that is exactly how it happens.

Speaker 12 (01:51:32):
So we actually have a few conversations beforehand and playing
out the various scenarios so that everything's organized. You've obviously
got to have your stadium book to start with, but
then everything like you know, ticket pricing, members, member on
sale pieces and the League have been.

Speaker 7 (01:51:49):
Fantastic to work with that on that side of things,
and they've come out with I think it's.

Speaker 12 (01:51:55):
A pretty decent ticket price and structure for the final which.

Speaker 7 (01:51:58):
Becoes on sale tomorrow. You know, members are members between
nine am and four pm tomorrow will have.

Speaker 12 (01:52:04):
The opportunity to buy tickets and get twenty percent off,
and I think the adult the cheapest adult ticket starts
at thirty nine dollars and.

Speaker 7 (01:52:12):
Juniors at twenty dollars.

Speaker 12 (01:52:13):
So for a Grand Final, for the for everything that
goes on around the game, the entertainment, and then.

Speaker 7 (01:52:20):
The actual match itself, I think that's that's reasonable value
for money.

Speaker 4 (01:52:25):
Absolutely it is. So that's your members, so from nine
till four tomorrow and then presumably general ticket sales from
four o'clock tomorrow.

Speaker 7 (01:52:34):
Yeah, exactly that.

Speaker 12 (01:52:35):
So, so members get a special code that they go
on that that gives them twenty percent off, and they
can also have the opportunity to snatch their favorite seats
before anybody else does, and then at four pm it's
it's general sale to everyone.

Speaker 7 (01:52:48):
I expect that South Stand is going to sell out
pretty quickly on say a matter of ours, and then
I'm hoping to see entirely packed go Media next Saturday
night at eight pm.

Speaker 4 (01:53:00):
Yeah, I don't think there'll be any problem with that.
Had to miss sorry a question here on text. Was
there ever a view and I know this was talked
about last year about moving the Grand Final to Eden Park?
Was that ever discussed.

Speaker 7 (01:53:15):
It's it's been discussed, but I personally, I think, you know,
to your point at the start, Pioneers is we're going
to remember we're only two years old, and I think,
you know, I think in the future we will be
taking our big games to Eden Park.

Speaker 12 (01:53:30):
You know, hopefully we're frequently in the finals and frequently
taken Grand finals there.

Speaker 7 (01:53:35):
But I think at this stage of where we are
and how we want to grow, a packed go Media
for me is probably the best place to play that final.
And then in the years to come, yeah, sure, go
to Focus. It's definitely not off the cards, but you
just do it at the right time. As my failing and.

Speaker 4 (01:53:54):
Kickoff time of ten past eight, that's obviously later than
most of your home games will be. In fact, all
of your home games have been presumably that's around catering
to an Australian broadcast audience as well. A bit of
a compromise there.

Speaker 7 (01:54:08):
Yeah, we don't have any say really over the over
that side of things. We're sort of you know, we've taken.

Speaker 12 (01:54:14):
The attitude that just tell us the day and the
time and we'll be there and do everything to win
the game.

Speaker 7 (01:54:19):
So it is a little bit late to the normal.
I don't think it's too bad.

Speaker 12 (01:54:23):
I mean, the one the one disappointing bit is my
six year old and four year old won't be able
to come because it's.

Speaker 7 (01:54:27):
Way past their bed time. But it does mean that
there's there's a whole load of.

Speaker 12 (01:54:32):
Other people who might have been tied up on Saturday
with jobs, other football games, whatever.

Speaker 7 (01:54:36):
It might be, just general life.

Speaker 12 (01:54:37):
We'll hopefully have that that that sex of the night
Claire and be able to come along to the game.
It's also going to mean it's a it's under lights,
and it has that kind of like sense of occasion,
you know, it's it's it's proper Grand Final at night
in sort of you know, wintery conditions.

Speaker 7 (01:54:54):
It's going to be brilliant.

Speaker 4 (01:54:55):
Yeah, it's going to be absolutely great. And I presume
there'll also be a few logistical demands and the and
the weak ahead. I mean, nobody here knows how to
put on a Grand Final and new z and so
I presumer you'll get alongside apl But how busy will
the week ahead look or how busy will it be
for you and the members of your team?

Speaker 12 (01:55:15):
Oh yeah, everyone's going to be Everyone's going to be
really full on, but it's sort of this is what
we do it for, you know, because it'll be you know.

Speaker 7 (01:55:23):
It'll be a full on week finally, no doubt about that.

Speaker 12 (01:55:25):
But then come the end of next weekend, and let's
not forget we've also got an IFC team playing in
a semi final on Wednesday night, which if they win
that they go through to a grand final which will
be on the Sunday. So it could be awk'n to
see grand finals all weekend. And then and then what
happens after that and we've celebrated, hopefully.

Speaker 7 (01:55:46):
Is everything just stops and we've got nothing to do.

Speaker 12 (01:55:50):
So I'll be telling my team just to kind of
it will be a lot of hard work, but just
to take a moment to enjoy it and and and
remember this is exactly.

Speaker 7 (01:56:01):
What we do it for.

Speaker 4 (01:56:02):
Eric and Steve Corik is secretly quite please that it's
a former up he gets to come up against in
Auckland FC's first ever Grand final.

Speaker 12 (01:56:12):
Yeah, how good? How good is sport? It's just creating
narratives like that, It's it's brilliant. And I mean, Steve,
I'm sure we'll play it down.

Speaker 7 (01:56:20):
In the media.

Speaker 12 (01:56:22):
This was I'm sure, we won't mind me saying, but
it'd be something that it will be very special for
him to you know, he was he was just a
he was a one club man in the in the
A Leagues in terms of playing, assistant coaching and then
coaching with Sydney A SE's spent a long time there,
had a lot of success there.

Speaker 7 (01:56:39):
I saw something flash up on on my socials.

Speaker 12 (01:56:41):
Today saying this is Steve's fourth Grand Final as a
head coach, so he knows what he's doing. He's clearly
shows he's a talented a talented coach and he's also
a super competitor, so he you know, the guy's a
winner and he just wants to win and and to
do that against your former club would be would be
pretty special. I know I used to work at Melbourne

(01:57:02):
City and when we beat them, the kind of felt
a little bit better.

Speaker 7 (01:57:05):
So I'm sure he'll have sim ofer feelings too, all.

Speaker 4 (01:57:09):
Right, Just to finish, you know, the club is new,
as we know, only two years old. You've already won
the Premier's Plate. You've got the chance next Saturday night
to win the A League Championship. What would it mean
if it is a Roki Sarky lifting that trophy next
Saturday night.

Speaker 7 (01:57:26):
It'll be an incredible occasion. I definitely don't want to
get ahead of ourselves.

Speaker 12 (01:57:31):
And I know they'll give everything for that game, But
to do the premiership in the year one and then
the opportunity.

Speaker 7 (01:57:39):
To win a championship in year two is a huge
effort on the pitches. There's no other sort of way
to describe it.

Speaker 12 (01:57:47):
And and if Roki does lift it and we and
we do win and you know as we end find it,
because it'll be it'll be a really fantastic moment.

Speaker 7 (01:57:57):
But I think for now it's just focused on getting
in there.

Speaker 12 (01:58:00):
Let's still the Let's fill the stadium, get all of
Auckland behind the boys, and I'm sure that will have
help them carry it over and get the result that
we all want.

Speaker 4 (01:58:10):
All right, Auckland FC dot co dot nz is your website,
best place to go to find out all the ticket details.
I reckon your kids can come. They don't have to
go to school on.

Speaker 7 (01:58:18):
The Sunday, that's true.

Speaker 12 (01:58:21):
Yeah, I know, I know I'll have a chat with
my wife today but they definitely will be wanting to
come by them.

Speaker 4 (01:58:28):
I'll see you there, Nick, thanks for chatting as always.
Thanks mate, cheers Nick Becker, CEO of Auckland f C
into a Grand Final, hosting a Grand Final Saturday night
ten past eight at go Media Stadium in Auckland. We'll
have a built up show, no doubt next Saturday as
we as well get alongside the team and see if

(01:58:48):
they can make another piece of history by winning the
A League Championship. Yeah Auckland FC dot co dot in z.
What did next day? The text three here? What were
the ticket prices? Ticket prices adults from thirty nine dollars
and kids from twenty dollars, so very reasonable. But yeah,
said to be a great occasion. I wouldn't wait if

(01:59:09):
you have an inkling to go along to this game,
I don't know. I wouldn't be waiting to buy your tickets.
I'd be getting in when you can. If you remember,
you'll obviously be going from nine tomorrow morning. But if
you're a general sports fan and you want to be
part of history, I'd get on there from four o'clock
tomorrow afternoon and get my tickets of Oh, this will
sell out. There's nothing surer it'll sell out, So you

(01:59:31):
want to be there Auckland FC, dot CO dot MZ
fourteen and a half away from three NEWSTALKSB.

Speaker 1 (01:59:37):
All the trays, all the celebrations and all the calls.
Weekend Sport with Jason Vine and Live in Brisbane for
the NRL's Magic Round on your Home of Sport Use dogs.

Speaker 4 (01:59:49):
eNB eleven away from three. Question out how come Auckland
to hosting when they finished third on the table. Well,
the reason is that they are the highest qualifier for
the Grand final Newcastle who were top beaten by Sydney
FC and Adelaide who were second beaten by Auckland FC.
So when it comes to a Grand final, I think
this is the first time that the top two one

(02:00:13):
of the top two hasn't made it to the a
Leagus Grand Final. I'm pretty sure I had that stat
thrown around yesterday. So that's the reason why the two
teams that marc the Grand Final, whoever's highest ranked in
the regular season hosts and that Aaukland FC, having finished
third first and second are knocked out. Sydney FC were fifth.
So that's why we're having this game in Auckland. Will

(02:00:33):
Bill Foley be at the game? Asks this texter, it's
a good question. He of course is the majority owner
of the club, but he also has business interests in
other places as well, including Bournemouth. He's the owner of
Bournemouth and they have their final as he waxes Mike,
my apologies for that their final Premier League game of

(02:00:54):
the season a few hours after. In fact, it's on
the Monday morning on New Zealand Times, so about twenty
four to thirty hours later. Bournemouth have their final game
of the current Premier League season, ironic against Nottingham Forest,
where Chris Wood and our All Whites captain plays football.
So I heard a whisper that Bill Foley might be
at the game, but he does have other things going on.

(02:01:17):
He may have already booked his trip to be with
his Bournemouth site at the end of the Premier League season,
but you'd have to think that it would at least
be in consideration that this team of his in the
second season plays in a Grand Final. You have to
hope that Bill Foley would think about coming. Surely, surely
he'd want.

Speaker 7 (02:01:35):
To be there.

Speaker 4 (02:01:36):
Pintly, the Dragons are terrible. They've lost nine this season
and a few at the end of last season. As well,
I think there are losing runners around twelve or thirteen matches. Ye,
no better time for the Dragons to turn it around
and beat the Panthers. Later on tonight nine and a
half to three News Talks, he'd be live.

Speaker 1 (02:01:53):
In Brisbane for the NRL's Magic Ground Weekend Sport with
Jason Yne on your home of Sport, The Use Talks n.

Speaker 4 (02:02:00):
B six away from three. Been an honor bringing you
the show from Brisbane across the weekend. My thanks to
everybody who has made it happen. Too numerous to mention,
but huge thanks to Andy McDonald for pulling everything together,
keeping it keeping it going from your and Andy, thanks
and d for that. Thank you for listening in. I
can't wait to see how it goes this afternoon when
the Warriors take on the Broncos. We're back tomorrow night

(02:02:22):
on Sports Talk to break it all down and look
forward to your company. Then Tim beverages on the radio
after three o'clock with the Weekend Collector. In terms of
a song to take us out, we'll Seeing all of
the NRL shirts around the place, both old and retro
and new and contemporary, has reminded me of the greatest

(02:02:43):
ever advertising campaign for the NRAL, which sort of happened
in the late eighties early nineties and featured the vocal
talents of Tina Turner with this song, So that's our
exit song today is Magic Round boils to its climax. Again,
thank you for listening in over the last couple of days.
See Tomorrow night. Thanks Andy.

Speaker 7 (02:03:03):
See you.

Speaker 11 (02:03:22):
Don't know.

Speaker 16 (02:03:30):
Someone spa the cards off.

Speaker 2 (02:03:32):
The cha.

Speaker 20 (02:03:37):
Was breathing the fide so they breathe to the f
let me. I want you can Jo swept the dok to.

Speaker 4 (02:03:54):
The woman by.

Speaker 3 (02:04:01):
The jack the want sleep.

Speaker 1 (02:04:56):
For more from Weekends Sport with Jason Fine, listen live
to news talks it be weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio

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