Regular Correspondent James McOnie re-joins Weekend Sport for 2025.
James and Piney discuss the Black Caps v Sri Lanka test at Wellington's Basin Reserve, Naomi Osaka making the ASB Classic women's final, top contenders in the English Premier League, and 2025's rugby talent to look out for.
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Fine
from News Talks.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Ed B seventeen and a half away from two. Big
part of our Sunday afternoons the last couple of years
has been James Mconi at around about this time. Good
to know that the Weekend Sport people got together with
your people, James and negotiated another year. Good to have
you back.
Speaker 3 (00:28):
Yeah, great, great negotiations. Thanks Piney. My people and your
people obviously agreed terms. And I'm back, baby. I mean,
I was down in path here I'm looking at the
great White sharks, but I thought, no, I can do
this for you.
Speaker 2 (00:43):
Well, it's great to have you with us for twenty
twenty five. Who knows what the year might hold. In fact,
want to talk about what the year might hold with
you in a moment, But what the years holding at
the moment is a fairly cold base in reserve where
schrole Anka are making fairly heavy going of it. One
forty two for six and the thirty fourth that's not
even really a very good total in T twenty is
at let alone fifty overs.
Speaker 3 (01:05):
I don't think i've seen this many half for jackets
at a January cricket game in New Zealand. So that's
a world record, maybe when you get Guinness out there
to test that. But I was really looking forward to
watching commandumendous. Now he's the guy who averages seventy four
(01:25):
in tests. He's just raced up to I think five
centuries already in test matches and he got run out
for three. So and also the one thing about that
is you wouldn't even know he's in the country. Now,
I feel like that cricket does lack a little bit
of hype. And forgive me, you may have interviewed him
earlier in the show Piny, but you know, you know,
(01:46):
a batsman who's that talented coming to New Zealand would
usually create a bit more of a stare.
Speaker 2 (01:51):
I think you know, you're right. I haven't interviewed him. No,
you're right. I think probably apart from those who follow
the game as deeply as you and maybe you know
the Sri Lankan nationals who live now in New Zealand,
you're right, I'm not sure that there would be a
great degree of knowledge around about Adam as far as
New Zealander concerned. I don't know about you, but in
the t twenties. I just loved seeing some new guys
(02:12):
out there, and it's flowed into this as well, you know,
Mitch Hay, Zach folks, you know Tim Robinson's out there.
I'm just really enjoying the freshness of our white ball side.
Speaker 3 (02:23):
I know, Tim Robinson's an interesting one and he's a big, muscular, hunting,
fishing batsman who loves to throw himself around. And I mean, look,
I think we needed to see that new talent come through.
And Duffy as well, just showing that he can do
things with the ball. Seems like he could be you know,
(02:44):
a Test bowler eventually as well. I mean that's a
good thing about it. Mitch Hay as a as a
keeper looks really tidy, so you know that signs are good.
It's just that the summer really it's going through the
Black Cats now because I think the next time they
head off to Pakistan and then return in March to
play a big old series against to Pakistan. But international
(03:07):
cricket is about to disappear after this week.
Speaker 2 (03:10):
Yeah, it is. It's a shame because we always love,
you know, watching certainly what I do like watching red
ball international cricket in January and February, even into March
and April, and that's just not going to happen unfortunately
this year. But look, I am, as I say, enjoying
the freshness of the of the lineups that are out there,
with Mitchell Santner captaining the team. Obviously other matters around tennis.
(03:34):
Naomi Osaka is in the final at the ASB Classic
later on this afternoon. Good to see her living up
to her pre tournament billing.
Speaker 3 (03:42):
Yes, indeed, and I mean, look, I think Naomi Osaka.
Tennis really needs her. She is an outstanding talent. Four
Grand Slam singles titles. She is legit a potential number one.
And now when you look at the tennis landscape and
all the players and the big names they've lost, and
(04:03):
even with the drug scandals as well and the men's game,
tennis needs Naomi Osaka. The top three at the moment,
I think we've got Saberlenka from Belarus, Sabina Tech from Poland,
Coco Golf from USA who was young. She's only won
one Grand Slam, but you could easily say that playing
(04:25):
any her full potential or Sarka should be right up there,
perhaps at number one. She took time off ever at
a baby of course, so you know she's been visiting.
Speaker 2 (04:36):
Indeed, but yeah, I'd great to see her back up
there and hopefully she can continue to climb. I think
fifty seventh in the world at the moment, but yeah,
a good showing at the Aussie Open and she'll start
to climb up the rankings.
Speaker 3 (04:46):
Again.
Speaker 2 (04:46):
Speaking of climbing up and staying up there, Nottingham Forest
are still fit in the Premier League.
Speaker 3 (04:53):
Look, I can't believe this because you know, I was
watching the part of the man City game when they
beat west Ham this morning and the commentators have pretty
much written off man City, just saying, look, they'll be
aiming for top four, that's all the best they can
hope for. And then I sort of when they had
a look at the table and I thought, yeah, there's
only two teams that can challenge Liverpool at the moment,
(05:14):
and I think one of them is Arsenal. On the
other it's Nottingham Forest because we've got a game in
hand and if they win again then you know they
go up level with Arsenal, which is crazy to think.
And also with Chris Wood at the forefront of everything
they do, and right up there on the goalscorers list
on the charts. This is I don't think I've ever
(05:37):
seen a KI player so influential in in a top
foreign league like that. It's just unbelievable.
Speaker 2 (05:44):
Yeah, I'm pretty sure it hasn't happened. I can't. I
think it's unpreceated. It can't remember it happening. Wolves are
their next opposition. They go to Wolves tomorrow morning and
then I believe they welcome Liverpool next. I mean, this
is just brought in for Chris Wood and at the
start of a year where hopefully he'll also guide New
Zealand to the World Cup when they have their fine
(06:06):
a couple of World Cup qualifiers in March. Speaking of
looking ahead at twenty twenty five, I know you like
to to, you know, suss out the latest rugby talent
at the start of any calendar year. Last year, I
remember very well you're telling me about Wallace Atiti and
I said who, and you were right. So who's the
name to look out for this year?
Speaker 3 (06:27):
I've atually most of these names people would have heard
of because they kind of made a splash twenty four.
So I haven't got a Sa Titi out mostly at
the moment, but in sevens I sort of feel like
Georgia Miller and Oli Mathis are going to be unbelievable.
And Georgia wherever she plays, I think, and Oli if
he gets a chance at fifteen's, but definitely Georgia should
(06:49):
be able to dabble them both. She just looks like
it's it's going to be. Well, she's a superstar in
the making. But if you're a if you're Highlanders fan,
Fabian Holland, the Big Dutch Awn Locke, I think is
going to make great strides. And I mean everybody went
into all that training raved about him. Even you would
(07:11):
like the look of someone who looks like your brother Pony.
Speaker 2 (07:15):
Certainly heightwise, I think he's got a bit more in
terms of muscle, but yeah, I mean big lockforwards. I
know that Jason Ryan was a huge fan of Passilio
Tossi when he first threw him the Big Hurricanes prop,
he loved him. What did Scott Robinson say? It was
some sort of love story that he talked about. I
get the feeling Jason Ryan and feel the same way
(07:35):
about Fabian Holland, the Big, the big hunk of Highlander's lock.
Speaker 3 (07:40):
So look, I mean the Crusaders, I've already sort of
harped on about Schaffy Hackey before and Noah them. So
let's go to your team, the Hurricane, so I think
will dominate along with the Blues and Super Rugby, and
there's just seeing Canroy Guard on that end of year
tour if he can play amager through and whoever plays
(08:01):
ten outside, and I think the nineteen to twelve combination
with Roy Guard, if it's Harry Godfrey amazing, Ruben Love
incredible and then Riley Higgins outside them, I think that
combination could be amazing to watch. Just you proper as
well Billy out there. So look, I mean that that's
(08:24):
something with the Duplessy can easy as well. But the
way he finished that year because he had injured troubles
as well and was a leap frog, wasn't he by
Peter Larkey. I just think those guys and that Hurricanes
team have got something special. So it's good news for you, Piney.
Speaker 2 (08:40):
Yeah, looking forward to that. Yeah, and what about further
up up your way and then on to the defending champions.
Speaker 3 (08:46):
Yes, Malachai Rampling is probably a seeking to Teti if
you will. He's a loose forward who can run with
the ball. He's got great footwork, he's really silky skills
and was a star for the under twenty so he
was looking good in Japan last during the preseason. So
if he can get some minutes Malacho rambling for the
(09:08):
Chiefs and then up for the Blues. I'm hearing good
things about Shay Clark, who will play You remember him
from the All Black Sevens, and he'll play blindside flanker.
I think tall, and it's hard to tell these Sevens players.
You can't actually tell me hype until they sidle up
beside someone else in the fifteens game. And he's tall,
(09:30):
he's fast, So yeah, have a lookout for Shay Clark.
Speaker 2 (09:34):
I've written all of this down and so a year
from now you'll be able to to just celebrate and
luxuriate in your and your ability ability to be the
weekend sport nostra damas well.
Speaker 3 (09:48):
I know I'm prepared to be absolutely humble, Pony, so
please bring that.
Speaker 2 (09:52):
Bring it on, all right, great to chat for the
first time in twenty twenty five. Let's say catch up
again next week.
Speaker 3 (09:58):
Cheers, Pony. See you mate, See.
Speaker 2 (10:00):
You mate, Dames mcconey. There part of our Sundays again
in twenty twenty five and around about this time every
Monday afternoon on Weekend Sport Australia have lost a wicket
there forty seven for one. Sam Constans out for twenty
two so malus Lava Shane's come out to join Usman
Kawaja and as far as Sri Lanka are concerned, one
fifty three for six, they are one hundred and fifty
three for six after thirty six overs at the Basin Reserve.
(10:24):
Seven and a half to two News Talks EB.
Speaker 1 (10:26):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine. Listen live
to News Talks EDB weekends from midday, or follow the
podcast on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Fine
from News Talks.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Ed B seventeen and a half away from two. Big
part of our Sunday afternoons the last couple of years
has been James Mconi at around about this time. Good
to know that the Weekend Sport people got together with
your people, James and negotiated another year. Good to have
you back.
Speaker 3 (00:28):
Yeah, great, great negotiations. Thanks Piney. My people and your
people obviously agreed terms. And I'm back, baby. I mean,
I was down in path here I'm looking at the
great White sharks, but I thought, no, I can do
this for you.
Speaker 2 (00:43):
Well, it's great to have you with us for twenty
twenty five. Who knows what the year might hold. In fact,
want to talk about what the year might hold with
you in a moment, But what the years holding at
the moment is a fairly cold base in reserve where
schrole Anka are making fairly heavy going of it. One
forty two for six and the thirty fourth that's not
even really a very good total in T twenty is
at let alone fifty overs.
Speaker 3 (01:05):
I don't think i've seen this many half for jackets
at a January cricket game in New Zealand. So that's
a world record, maybe when you get Guinness out there
to test that. But I was really looking forward to
watching commandumendous. Now he's the guy who averages seventy four
(01:25):
in tests. He's just raced up to I think five
centuries already in test matches and he got run out
for three. So and also the one thing about that
is you wouldn't even know he's in the country. Now,
I feel like that cricket does lack a little bit
of hype. And forgive me, you may have interviewed him
earlier in the show Piny, but you know, you know,
(01:46):
a batsman who's that talented coming to New Zealand would
usually create a bit more of a stare.
Speaker 2 (01:51):
I think you know, you're right. I haven't interviewed him. No,
you're right. I think probably apart from those who follow
the game as deeply as you and maybe you know
the Sri Lankan nationals who live now in New Zealand,
you're right, I'm not sure that there would be a
great degree of knowledge around about Adam as far as
New Zealander concerned. I don't know about you, but in
the t twenties. I just loved seeing some new guys
(02:12):
out there, and it's flowed into this as well, you know,
Mitch Hay, Zach folks, you know Tim Robinson's out there.
I'm just really enjoying the freshness of our white ball side.
Speaker 3 (02:23):
I know, Tim Robinson's an interesting one and he's a big, muscular, hunting,
fishing batsman who loves to throw himself around. And I mean, look,
I think we needed to see that new talent come through.
And Duffy as well, just showing that he can do
things with the ball. Seems like he could be you know,
(02:44):
a Test bowler eventually as well. I mean that's a
good thing about it. Mitch Hay as a as a
keeper looks really tidy, so you know that signs are good.
It's just that the summer really it's going through the
Black Cats now because I think the next time they
head off to Pakistan and then return in March to
play a big old series against to Pakistan. But international
(03:07):
cricket is about to disappear after this week.
Speaker 2 (03:10):
Yeah, it is. It's a shame because we always love,
you know, watching certainly what I do like watching red
ball international cricket in January and February, even into March
and April, and that's just not going to happen unfortunately
this year. But look, I am, as I say, enjoying
the freshness of the of the lineups that are out there,
with Mitchell Santner captaining the team. Obviously other matters around tennis.
(03:34):
Naomi Osaka is in the final at the ASB Classic
later on this afternoon. Good to see her living up
to her pre tournament billing.
Speaker 3 (03:42):
Yes, indeed, and I mean, look, I think Naomi Osaka.
Tennis really needs her. She is an outstanding talent. Four
Grand Slam singles titles. She is legit a potential number one.
And now when you look at the tennis landscape and
all the players and the big names they've lost, and
(04:03):
even with the drug scandals as well and the men's game,
tennis needs Naomi Osaka. The top three at the moment,
I think we've got Saberlenka from Belarus, Sabina Tech from Poland,
Coco Golf from USA who was young. She's only won
one Grand Slam, but you could easily say that playing
(04:25):
any her full potential or Sarka should be right up there,
perhaps at number one. She took time off ever at
a baby of course, so you know she's been visiting.
Speaker 2 (04:36):
Indeed, but yeah, I'd great to see her back up
there and hopefully she can continue to climb. I think
fifty seventh in the world at the moment, but yeah,
a good showing at the Aussie Open and she'll start
to climb up the rankings.
Speaker 3 (04:46):
Again.
Speaker 2 (04:46):
Speaking of climbing up and staying up there, Nottingham Forest
are still fit in the Premier League.
Speaker 3 (04:53):
Look, I can't believe this because you know, I was
watching the part of the man City game when they
beat west Ham this morning and the commentators have pretty
much written off man City, just saying, look, they'll be
aiming for top four, that's all the best they can
hope for. And then I sort of when they had
a look at the table and I thought, yeah, there's
only two teams that can challenge Liverpool at the moment,
(05:14):
and I think one of them is Arsenal. On the
other it's Nottingham Forest because we've got a game in
hand and if they win again then you know they
go up level with Arsenal, which is crazy to think.
And also with Chris Wood at the forefront of everything
they do, and right up there on the goalscorers list
on the charts. This is I don't think I've ever
(05:37):
seen a KI player so influential in in a top
foreign league like that. It's just unbelievable.
Speaker 2 (05:44):
Yeah, I'm pretty sure it hasn't happened. I can't. I
think it's unpreceated. It can't remember it happening. Wolves are
their next opposition. They go to Wolves tomorrow morning and
then I believe they welcome Liverpool next. I mean, this
is just brought in for Chris Wood and at the
start of a year where hopefully he'll also guide New
Zealand to the World Cup when they have their fine
(06:06):
a couple of World Cup qualifiers in March. Speaking of
looking ahead at twenty twenty five, I know you like
to to, you know, suss out the latest rugby talent
at the start of any calendar year. Last year, I
remember very well you're telling me about Wallace Atiti and
I said who, and you were right. So who's the
name to look out for this year?
Speaker 3 (06:27):
I've atually most of these names people would have heard
of because they kind of made a splash twenty four.
So I haven't got a Sa Titi out mostly at
the moment, but in sevens I sort of feel like
Georgia Miller and Oli Mathis are going to be unbelievable.
And Georgia wherever she plays, I think, and Oli if
he gets a chance at fifteen's, but definitely Georgia should
(06:49):
be able to dabble them both. She just looks like
it's it's going to be. Well, she's a superstar in
the making. But if you're a if you're Highlanders fan,
Fabian Holland, the Big Dutch Awn Locke, I think is
going to make great strides. And I mean everybody went
into all that training raved about him. Even you would
(07:11):
like the look of someone who looks like your brother Pony.
Speaker 2 (07:15):
Certainly heightwise, I think he's got a bit more in
terms of muscle, but yeah, I mean big lockforwards. I
know that Jason Ryan was a huge fan of Passilio
Tossi when he first threw him the Big Hurricanes prop,
he loved him. What did Scott Robinson say? It was
some sort of love story that he talked about. I
get the feeling Jason Ryan and feel the same way
(07:35):
about Fabian Holland, the Big, the big hunk of Highlander's lock.
Speaker 3 (07:40):
So look, I mean the Crusaders, I've already sort of
harped on about Schaffy Hackey before and Noah them. So
let's go to your team, the Hurricane, so I think
will dominate along with the Blues and Super Rugby, and
there's just seeing Canroy Guard on that end of year
tour if he can play amager through and whoever plays
(08:01):
ten outside, and I think the nineteen to twelve combination
with Roy Guard, if it's Harry Godfrey amazing, Ruben Love
incredible and then Riley Higgins outside them, I think that
combination could be amazing to watch. Just you proper as
well Billy out there. So look, I mean that that's
(08:24):
something with the Duplessy can easy as well. But the
way he finished that year because he had injured troubles
as well and was a leap frog, wasn't he by
Peter Larkey. I just think those guys and that Hurricanes
team have got something special. So it's good news for you, Piney.
Speaker 2 (08:40):
Yeah, looking forward to that. Yeah, and what about further
up up your way and then on to the defending champions.
Speaker 3 (08:46):
Yes, Malachai Rampling is probably a seeking to Teti if
you will. He's a loose forward who can run with
the ball. He's got great footwork, he's really silky skills
and was a star for the under twenty so he
was looking good in Japan last during the preseason. So
if he can get some minutes Malacho rambling for the
(09:08):
Chiefs and then up for the Blues. I'm hearing good
things about Shay Clark, who will play You remember him
from the All Black Sevens, and he'll play blindside flanker.
I think tall, and it's hard to tell these Sevens players.
You can't actually tell me hype until they sidle up
beside someone else in the fifteens game. And he's tall,
(09:30):
he's fast, So yeah, have a lookout for Shay Clark.
Speaker 2 (09:34):
I've written all of this down and so a year
from now you'll be able to to just celebrate and
luxuriate in your and your ability ability to be the
weekend sport nostra damas well.
Speaker 3 (09:48):
I know I'm prepared to be absolutely humble, Pony, so
please bring that.
Speaker 2 (09:52):
Bring it on, all right, great to chat for the
first time in twenty twenty five. Let's say catch up
again next week.
Speaker 3 (09:58):
Cheers, Pony. See you mate, See.
Speaker 2 (10:00):
You mate, Dames mcconey. There part of our Sundays again
in twenty twenty five and around about this time every
Monday afternoon on Weekend Sport Australia have lost a wicket
there forty seven for one. Sam Constans out for twenty
two so malus Lava Shane's come out to join Usman
Kawaja and as far as Sri Lanka are concerned, one
fifty three for six, they are one hundred and fifty
three for six after thirty six overs at the Basin Reserve.
(10:24):
Seven and a half to two News Talks EB.
Speaker 1 (10:26):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine. Listen live
to News Talks EDB weekends from midday, or follow the
podcast on iHeartRadio
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