James McOnie from The Crowd Goes Wild joined Elliott Smith to discuss the Black Caps' progress, Auckland FC's latest win and Richie Mo'unga potentially returning to the All Blacks earlier than planned.
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport Podcast with Jason Vine
from newstalksb As.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
We do this time every Sunday afternoon. It's a very
warm welcome. James mcconey, Good afternoon, Elliott.
Speaker 3 (00:19):
How's it going mate?
Speaker 2 (00:20):
You're right, I'm good, Thank you good, thank you. Good
to be back in New Zealand and watching some cricket.
It would be better if the black Caps could catch
Having said that.
Speaker 3 (00:30):
Yeah, I know they put out a few chances catches
with matches, as they say, but look, I think this
just shows that when you're a team that's regularly playing
Test cricket like England and seem to just have a
bit more composure and a confident when they're big guns
aren't firing. I mean Joe Root got a duck right,
(00:50):
so he was out after four balls, but Harry Brook
set them up with one hundred and seventy one for
an innings. That's really going to ensure that your team
is in a winning position. But you know, my main
issue I think with this was just maybe in the
selection I sort of felt that there were have been
room for a proper spinner. I would have liked to
have seen, you know, I know Mitch Stanton had a
(01:12):
side strain, but I still believe in and picking your
best spinner for even tests in New Zealand. And then
also you know Will Young the player of the series
in India and I can't get a gig. And I
just thought after you know, his average is thirty seven
for the calendar year, and I think someone like Devin
(01:34):
Conway who's been slipping away a little bit, his average
has gone from fifty down to thirty eight. It maybe
just keeps stay with the hot hands, stay with Bill Young.
Speaker 2 (01:44):
Well, yeah, I think the team you look at and
at the moment you've got to go with the players
that are in form and the packs some players that
are worfe lly out of form rather than the ones that,
as you say, have the hot hand.
Speaker 3 (01:56):
Yeah, and that's the tricky thing with batting is I mean,
I know Conway has been in there is an open
Will Young has opened as well. Is that you know
it is it's a confidence game and taking that momentum
away from Mill Young, I think that's what's customers entire
or short test career. Knowing that he's probably that he
might get dropped the next the very next game, and
(02:18):
that's what's happened to it after a history making series
win in India. So there's just a few I guess
what you call it, like philosophical differences from me with
the way that we're picking our team.
Speaker 2 (02:30):
Indeed, speaking of philoposophical differences, Scott Robertson is going to
go to the New Zealand Rugby Board again on the
eligibility matter and see if maybe there's a door that
can open to players from abroad to play for the
All Blacks Again. What would you make of that? Whereabouts
do you stand on the jams.
Speaker 3 (02:50):
I don't think we can afford to pick players from overseas.
I just think that once the flood gates are opened,
I mean that he might be if there was a
special dispensation. Maybe there's that. But you know, if you
want Super Rugby and the NPC to survive, you can't
just suddenly say we're picking from all around the world.
It's as simple as that. But we know it's all
about one person. It's all about Richie mo Wonga, right,
(03:14):
So for me, if you're chasing you know, Richie mo
Wonga from four years ago, I mean it's a bit
like trying to get back with you with the r X.
We've all done that and we you know, and it's
a risk and it doesn't always work. You know. It's
the same as rugby players, you know, there's a few
more miles on the clock, are a bit more stuck
(03:35):
in their ways. They're always complaining about clothes on the
floor and the amount of time is watching sport and
where to go for Christmas. Sorry, it's got triggered.
Speaker 2 (03:45):
It feels like you just brought up some repressed memories
for you. Sorry, James, but you.
Speaker 3 (03:50):
Know what it's like, are we going to get the
Is he going to get the player that he really
wants if he's going in for Wonga? And also I
just wonder whether what it says about New Zealand's development.
I think we've verse five has been a real blind
spot for us. I mean France they just chucked Ramos
and they're their fullback and they were fine, you know,
like where we have got a big mental blockover all
(04:11):
who plays first five and so much focus goes on it.
I actually personally think it's one of the more fun
and easy positions in rugby. And then we shouldn't you
shouldn't actually screous about it. You know, playing seemed to
be a lot scarier than just been tacking in and
(04:31):
playing first five. I think the way Ireland protected Johnny
Sexton for years there he could have played first five
until he was forty eight, let alone you know thirty eight,
the way that they did that. So yeah, I'm not underperceived.
Join that yourself, Elliott, you're the rugby reporter, rugby editor.
Speaker 2 (04:50):
Look, if they're going to do it, it needs to
be very very limited. It needs to be maybe one forward,
one back, having reached a certain number of caps, a
sort of a thanks you long service, appreciate it, and
we still want you any part of the team. I
wouldn't want it to become widespread. Broth think there are
certain limitations. You could cap on it and go okay,
(05:11):
this players given us all New Zealand. He deserves to
go make some yeen abroad and we still want a
part of the All Blacks. But if you can make
the restrictions and the qualifications for that pretty tight, I
would be open to it to an extent, but you
wouldn't want it to become wide spreads. Let's top football, James,
(05:32):
because Auckland f C have forgotten how to lose or
have never lost?
Speaker 3 (05:36):
What's that? Sorry, the Auckland C. Yeah, I was just
before we move on there. I was going to say,
I think that's a good that's not a bad scheme.
If they could do it that way, then maybe that's
one way of selling it. But you know, the players
who make that sacrifice, then you've got to you know,
balance it out for them, otherwise there could be some
floodgates opening. But yes, Auckland C, they've just kept on
(05:57):
winning and kept on keeping it clean sheet. Alex Paulson
I heard that he was before the Kiwi Classic O
the derby in Phoenix that he was so stressed out
about that, you know, really fearful actually how he's going
to get treated down in Wellington. So he's been going
on this really emotional roller coaster playing for what is
(06:17):
essentially the arch nemesis of his of his beloved Phoenix,
and being almost the best player on the park and
when he's up against Phoenix again this weekend. So that's
a story within the story if you like. But really
just what they've done is they've recruited well Mordno from
Columbia I think scored yesterday, so even their imports have
(06:42):
been not really well chosen, and they play a really
good style. The only thing that I think is missing
from them is creating a few more chances that are
clear cut, and it's a little bit frustrating. Sometimes they
played these inverted wingers where you know you got someone
on the left who's actually a right foot, so when
they cut back in they can shoot, but conversely it
(07:02):
means they don't necessarily cross the ball as well. So
when they can sort that out, then I think they'll
be scoring in bunches.
Speaker 2 (07:09):
That Darby next week's got to be huge, isn't it?
At Mount Smart huge?
Speaker 3 (07:13):
Yes, sell out, it's I think it's twenty six thousand,
they're saying, So it is a massive and I mean
all eyes on the goal is because last time the
Phoenix goalie pretty much lost it for the Knicks. And
then again Paulson, let's just see the stress levels he
(07:34):
must feel, I mean, in terms of emotions, the most
emotional game he's ever had and he's having to back
it up a few weeks later.
Speaker 2 (07:44):
And just finally James tell me about this, what Tom
Molshin and Hamish cure up to the Alta at all
Athletics Trust. I haven't heard of this.
Speaker 3 (07:51):
Yeah, this is something that they're starting for young athletes.
They're trying to help with the funding. It's really tough,
I think for the athletes who are even getting to
towards Olympics or definite World Champs level to get any
kind of funding. They're always having to juggle jobs and
try and scrounge for spot ship. So this trust is
really there. They have a look online if you like
alt out or Athletics Trust dot com. It's really designed
(08:14):
to help the next generation of athletes and you get
the expertise of people like Hamishpare and Tom Walsho are
behind it to help you, you know, as mentors. So
when that sort of I was there at the launch
about a week ago and they just invited a few
key stakeholders and me. I don't know why I was there,
(08:36):
but it was a free lunch. Elliott, here we go. Yeah,
and no such thing I have to talk about on
radio now. But no. I think what they're doing really
is trying to get away from the funding models that
don't work for everyone. For every Olympic medalist and athlete,
there is about four or five others who fall by
the wayside and sometimes never ever realize their potential. I
(09:00):
mean just a recent example might be Eddie and kittyre
the sprinter. So if you if you're interested in that
and you think that you'd like to, if you're keen
on your athletics and you think it's an important sport,
which I think it really is, and go to al
Turtleathletics trust dot com and find out how you can
(09:21):
donate and find out about their events. And in the
case of Hamish Curve, I think he's going to compete
at least twice over the summer. I mean, remember this
is the Olympic gold medalist high jumper, and I think
it'll be at the Brook's Gardens and Wanganui's so good,
oh Wanau, He's going to get a look at him.
And also the National Champs in Dunedan, so that's where
(09:42):
you'll get to see the great man himself.
Speaker 2 (09:44):
Ah good. I mean you're obviously at started to France
last year with me at the World Cup commentating in
those games. I looked at you know, started to France
and I was there a couple of weeks back, and
they'll go That's where Hamish Kerr got the gold medal.
That's where he got it. I was and he did
the run around the track.
Speaker 3 (09:58):
It was so good exactly, I know, and I didn't
even make it to that although I just think that
like that, that moment, it's just so exceptional. We've never
seen anything like that. I mean, you met Williams one
in the long jump, but you know, high jump in
the modern era is just that. We never see the
New Zealand flag, you know, anywhere close to the podium,
(10:18):
and now we've got this guy who's right at the top.
It's yeah, it's something special for the sport. And also
you can trace athletics back to a lot of top
sports people here in New Zealand in their past. You
know there's Sunny Bills that involved you know, so many
of our rugby players, cricketers. Yep, we're great athletics and netball.
(10:41):
So this is the thing. I think it's still really
important and go out there and support that sport because
you know, this is where it's the building blocks and
we want to be part of the prestige sport. I
think of the Olympics the way we were in Paris absolutely.
Speaker 2 (10:56):
James Laconey is always thank you very much for your
time on a Sunday afternoon. Appreciate it.
Speaker 3 (11:00):
Cheers Elliott.
Speaker 2 (11:01):
That is James mcconey joining us say as he does
on a Sunday afternoon here on News Talk ZB and
Weekend Sport.
Speaker 1 (11:08):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live
to News Talks at B weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Weekend Sport Podcast with Jason Vine
from newstalksb As.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
We do this time every Sunday afternoon. It's a very
warm welcome. James mcconey, Good afternoon, Elliott.
Speaker 3 (00:19):
How's it going mate?
Speaker 2 (00:20):
You're right, I'm good, Thank you good, thank you. Good
to be back in New Zealand and watching some cricket.
It would be better if the black Caps could catch
Having said that.
Speaker 3 (00:30):
Yeah, I know they put out a few chances catches
with matches, as they say, but look, I think this
just shows that when you're a team that's regularly playing
Test cricket like England and seem to just have a
bit more composure and a confident when they're big guns
aren't firing. I mean Joe Root got a duck right,
(00:50):
so he was out after four balls, but Harry Brook
set them up with one hundred and seventy one for
an innings. That's really going to ensure that your team
is in a winning position. But you know, my main
issue I think with this was just maybe in the
selection I sort of felt that there were have been
room for a proper spinner. I would have liked to
have seen, you know, I know Mitch Stanton had a
(01:12):
side strain, but I still believe in and picking your
best spinner for even tests in New Zealand. And then
also you know Will Young the player of the series
in India and I can't get a gig. And I
just thought after you know, his average is thirty seven
for the calendar year, and I think someone like Devin
(01:34):
Conway who's been slipping away a little bit, his average
has gone from fifty down to thirty eight. It maybe
just keeps stay with the hot hands, stay with Bill Young.
Speaker 2 (01:44):
Well, yeah, I think the team you look at and
at the moment you've got to go with the players
that are in form and the packs some players that
are worfe lly out of form rather than the ones that,
as you say, have the hot hand.
Speaker 3 (01:56):
Yeah, and that's the tricky thing with batting is I mean,
I know Conway has been in there is an open
Will Young has opened as well. Is that you know
it is it's a confidence game and taking that momentum
away from Mill Young, I think that's what's customers entire
or short test career. Knowing that he's probably that he
might get dropped the next the very next game, and
(02:18):
that's what's happened to it after a history making series
win in India. So there's just a few I guess
what you call it, like philosophical differences from me with
the way that we're picking our team.
Speaker 2 (02:30):
Indeed, speaking of philoposophical differences, Scott Robertson is going to
go to the New Zealand Rugby Board again on the
eligibility matter and see if maybe there's a door that
can open to players from abroad to play for the
All Blacks Again. What would you make of that? Whereabouts
do you stand on the jams.
Speaker 3 (02:50):
I don't think we can afford to pick players from overseas.
I just think that once the flood gates are opened,
I mean that he might be if there was a
special dispensation. Maybe there's that. But you know, if you
want Super Rugby and the NPC to survive, you can't
just suddenly say we're picking from all around the world.
It's as simple as that. But we know it's all
about one person. It's all about Richie mo Wonga, right,
(03:14):
So for me, if you're chasing you know, Richie mo
Wonga from four years ago, I mean it's a bit
like trying to get back with you with the r X.
We've all done that and we you know, and it's
a risk and it doesn't always work. You know. It's
the same as rugby players, you know, there's a few
more miles on the clock, are a bit more stuck
(03:35):
in their ways. They're always complaining about clothes on the
floor and the amount of time is watching sport and
where to go for Christmas. Sorry, it's got triggered.
Speaker 2 (03:45):
It feels like you just brought up some repressed memories
for you. Sorry, James, but you.
Speaker 3 (03:50):
Know what it's like, are we going to get the
Is he going to get the player that he really
wants if he's going in for Wonga? And also I
just wonder whether what it says about New Zealand's development.
I think we've verse five has been a real blind
spot for us. I mean France they just chucked Ramos
and they're their fullback and they were fine, you know,
like where we have got a big mental blockover all
(04:11):
who plays first five and so much focus goes on it.
I actually personally think it's one of the more fun
and easy positions in rugby. And then we shouldn't you
shouldn't actually screous about it. You know, playing seemed to
be a lot scarier than just been tacking in and
(04:31):
playing first five. I think the way Ireland protected Johnny
Sexton for years there he could have played first five
until he was forty eight, let alone you know thirty eight,
the way that they did that. So yeah, I'm not underperceived.
Join that yourself, Elliott, you're the rugby reporter, rugby editor.
Speaker 2 (04:50):
Look, if they're going to do it, it needs to
be very very limited. It needs to be maybe one forward,
one back, having reached a certain number of caps, a
sort of a thanks you long service, appreciate it, and
we still want you any part of the team. I
wouldn't want it to become widespread. Broth think there are
certain limitations. You could cap on it and go okay,
(05:11):
this players given us all New Zealand. He deserves to
go make some yeen abroad and we still want a
part of the All Blacks. But if you can make
the restrictions and the qualifications for that pretty tight, I
would be open to it to an extent, but you
wouldn't want it to become wide spreads. Let's top football, James,
(05:32):
because Auckland f C have forgotten how to lose or
have never lost?
Speaker 3 (05:36):
What's that? Sorry, the Auckland C. Yeah, I was just
before we move on there. I was going to say,
I think that's a good that's not a bad scheme.
If they could do it that way, then maybe that's
one way of selling it. But you know, the players
who make that sacrifice, then you've got to you know,
balance it out for them, otherwise there could be some
floodgates opening. But yes, Auckland C, they've just kept on
(05:57):
winning and kept on keeping it clean sheet. Alex Paulson
I heard that he was before the Kiwi Classic O
the derby in Phoenix that he was so stressed out
about that, you know, really fearful actually how he's going
to get treated down in Wellington. So he's been going
on this really emotional roller coaster playing for what is
(06:17):
essentially the arch nemesis of his of his beloved Phoenix,
and being almost the best player on the park and
when he's up against Phoenix again this weekend. So that's
a story within the story if you like. But really
just what they've done is they've recruited well Mordno from
Columbia I think scored yesterday, so even their imports have
(06:42):
been not really well chosen, and they play a really
good style. The only thing that I think is missing
from them is creating a few more chances that are
clear cut, and it's a little bit frustrating. Sometimes they
played these inverted wingers where you know you got someone
on the left who's actually a right foot, so when
they cut back in they can shoot, but conversely it
(07:02):
means they don't necessarily cross the ball as well. So
when they can sort that out, then I think they'll
be scoring in bunches.
Speaker 2 (07:09):
That Darby next week's got to be huge, isn't it?
At Mount Smart huge?
Speaker 3 (07:13):
Yes, sell out, it's I think it's twenty six thousand,
they're saying, So it is a massive and I mean
all eyes on the goal is because last time the
Phoenix goalie pretty much lost it for the Knicks. And
then again Paulson, let's just see the stress levels he
(07:34):
must feel, I mean, in terms of emotions, the most
emotional game he's ever had and he's having to back
it up a few weeks later.
Speaker 2 (07:44):
And just finally James tell me about this, what Tom
Molshin and Hamish cure up to the Alta at all
Athletics Trust. I haven't heard of this.
Speaker 3 (07:51):
Yeah, this is something that they're starting for young athletes.
They're trying to help with the funding. It's really tough,
I think for the athletes who are even getting to
towards Olympics or definite World Champs level to get any
kind of funding. They're always having to juggle jobs and
try and scrounge for spot ship. So this trust is
really there. They have a look online if you like
alt out or Athletics Trust dot com. It's really designed
(08:14):
to help the next generation of athletes and you get
the expertise of people like Hamishpare and Tom Walsho are
behind it to help you, you know, as mentors. So
when that sort of I was there at the launch
about a week ago and they just invited a few
key stakeholders and me. I don't know why I was there,
(08:36):
but it was a free lunch. Elliott, here we go. Yeah,
and no such thing I have to talk about on
radio now. But no. I think what they're doing really
is trying to get away from the funding models that
don't work for everyone. For every Olympic medalist and athlete,
there is about four or five others who fall by
the wayside and sometimes never ever realize their potential. I
(09:00):
mean just a recent example might be Eddie and kittyre
the sprinter. So if you if you're interested in that
and you think that you'd like to, if you're keen
on your athletics and you think it's an important sport,
which I think it really is, and go to al
Turtleathletics trust dot com and find out how you can
(09:21):
donate and find out about their events. And in the
case of Hamish Curve, I think he's going to compete
at least twice over the summer. I mean, remember this
is the Olympic gold medalist high jumper, and I think
it'll be at the Brook's Gardens and Wanganui's so good,
oh Wanau, He's going to get a look at him.
And also the National Champs in Dunedan, so that's where
(09:42):
you'll get to see the great man himself.
Speaker 2 (09:44):
Ah good. I mean you're obviously at started to France
last year with me at the World Cup commentating in
those games. I looked at you know, started to France
and I was there a couple of weeks back, and
they'll go That's where Hamish Kerr got the gold medal.
That's where he got it. I was and he did
the run around the track.
Speaker 3 (09:58):
It was so good exactly, I know, and I didn't
even make it to that although I just think that
like that, that moment, it's just so exceptional. We've never
seen anything like that. I mean, you met Williams one
in the long jump, but you know, high jump in
the modern era is just that. We never see the
New Zealand flag, you know, anywhere close to the podium,
(10:18):
and now we've got this guy who's right at the top.
It's yeah, it's something special for the sport. And also
you can trace athletics back to a lot of top
sports people here in New Zealand in their past. You
know there's Sunny Bills that involved you know, so many
of our rugby players, cricketers. Yep, we're great athletics and netball.
(10:41):
So this is the thing. I think it's still really
important and go out there and support that sport because
you know, this is where it's the building blocks and
we want to be part of the prestige sport. I
think of the Olympics the way we were in Paris absolutely.
Speaker 2 (10:56):
James Laconey is always thank you very much for your
time on a Sunday afternoon. Appreciate it.
Speaker 3 (11:00):
Cheers Elliott.
Speaker 2 (11:01):
That is James mcconey joining us say as he does
on a Sunday afternoon here on News Talk ZB and
Weekend Sport.
Speaker 1 (11:08):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live
to News Talks at B weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio
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