August 30, 2025 • 9 mins
James McOnie from The Crowd Goes Wild joined Piney to discuss rugby in all forms. From the upcoming All Blacks vs Springboks game, to the grass-roots local games happening around New Zealand.
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from News Talks ed B and around.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
This time every Sunday afternoon we get the pleasure of
the company of James mcconey and today is no different.
But if we fast forward a week James and when
we're speaking the day after all Black Spring Boks at
Eden Park, what do you expect the conversation to consist
of between the two of us?
Speaker 3 (00:30):
You know what, It's going to be, like, Poney, It'll
be all around discipline, taking opportunities, kick the goal, stuff
like that, because I think it's just going to be
such a titanic struggle. I haven't got a long range
forecast for you, but I think that'll have a huge
bearing on the game as well. But this is as
big as it gets outside of a World Cup indeed.
Speaker 2 (00:51):
So what do you expect Scott Robertson to do? Selection wise?
I think we can say, okay, Wallace ted he comes
back into the starting side to Mighty Williams as well.
But I'm interested in your thoughts on back three and
potentially midfield as well.
Speaker 3 (01:04):
Yeah, well, back three, I think Caleb Clark should get
a chance to play in the back three. I mean,
he's an expert under the high ball. He is a
really good elite test player. He's had really a difficult
year because of you know, that motorcycle court case that
just you know, derailed him somewhat, and so I think
now he's probably had time to just sort of get
(01:27):
himself together and hopefully have a good game this afternoon.
I think he is playing, isn't he Piney? Yes, he is,
so we've got to watch with Kevin eye on him.
I think he should play on the left wing. He's
got to get good left boot on him as well, Caleb.
But the other thing is maybe at center. Even though
I'm a big Billy Procter fan, and I'm sure you
are too, is it better to be conservative and say
(01:49):
Rico Yowani comes back in a really good defensive center
to play in that position for such a big game.
Speaker 2 (01:56):
I wonder that too. You know, I wonder that too,
And you're right, I'm a big fan of Billy Procter,
not just because he's from the same place in New
Zealand as me, but yeah, I wonder that too. So
action will be a massive, a massive part of this.
It's absolutely pouring down and Wellington unfortunately. So it's not
gonna be yea, not gonna be one of those games
of running rugby unfortunately at Potty or A Park Jerry
(02:16):
Collins studying today.
Speaker 3 (02:18):
Did you see also Tabatava Nahwai is injured, So I'm thinking, yeah,
what does that mean Razor brings in you know, leicesterfying
a new two. He need to go to the board
to get permission to bring them in earlier than then
they anticipated. But then there's also Mark Talia is around right,
so I know he's been left out in the cold.
But look, this is you want to win the Rugby Championship?
(02:39):
Do you want to pick the best players? There are
some big decisions for Razor to make and I know,
you know, he's got a beautiful mind raising he's one
of those guys. He thinks and lives in breeze rugby,
so he'll leave no stone unturned this week. But of
course it's that high ball issue which needs to be
resolved a sap.
Speaker 2 (02:58):
They're only they're only only going to be in their
own rules, aren't they or break their own rules. You know,
they can be the rules that they enforced upon themselves
and rugby and the all blacks so they can change
them if they want to anyway. Yeah, yeah, let's go
to Hamilton. I've just received a text from our match
commentator up there, Graham Minty mead, it's twelve degrees in
pouring down Southam will feel right at home? Can Southam
(03:20):
take the shield back down to whim vericrgole this afternoon?
Speaker 3 (03:23):
Well not with me taking the cow bell. I'm on
the way and I hope that didn't blow out your speakers.
I loved it, but it's you know, I'm on I'm
on the road soon to hit down there to see
how it goes. To be honest, you know, the South
and have been have been, doubt a classic hospital passed
(03:45):
by all these all blacks being available for white cuts
or so you've got Luke Jacobson at number eight. Anton
lend Brown seen to some Openny female Olin Norris are
both starting as well. Initially they were in name so
it felt like there was some kind of battle between
Ross Filippo and Raisa going on, two old Crusaders teammates.
So I was just thinking, okay, well now they're in right.
(04:05):
So that's it's all we can say is that it
is tough for Southland. They don't get ethan degree or
savy rest, which is a shame for them, but hey,
they are shield specialists. They care about the Logowood as
much as any province. So I think it's going to
be an awesome battle. And the All Blacks might all
be off off the field at the business end. They
might only play fifty or sixty minutes, so you know,
(04:29):
if it rains, which it is at the moment, and
like you say, twelve degrees, I think that helps Southland,
doesn't it.
Speaker 2 (04:34):
I think so. I think so. I'm just hoping for
another great battle. I enjoyed Waikato Talanaki last week. I've
got no skin in the game. Got no skin in
this game this afternoon either, But I just love the
emotion that is wrapped around at Jason Rutlers actually a
Southland stalwater. I'm sure you've seen play a few times
for them and also for the Highlanders. Are going to
chat to with some about an hour or so, so
be keen to hear from him just how much it means,
(04:55):
because I think it does still mean mean a lot. Hey,
the schoolboy rugby finals on right now, fielding against Rotaldo
a boys rot I have just scored a try to
go twenty seven ten ahead with twenty minutes to go.
I've just been watching it sort of off to one
side on the live stream. Man, the quality of rugby
is good.
Speaker 3 (05:13):
It's incredible. These teams are the ones that didn't make
it as well. I mean, I'm a Hamilton Boys old
boy and I went and saw my old team get
beaten by in the dying second. So this team is
an incredible try from the fullback. I think we're talking
about a seventy meter try, aren't we here, Pony, you.
Speaker 2 (05:30):
Just watching the replay, he's beaten about seventeen guys.
Speaker 3 (05:34):
Yeah, the fullback is unbelievable. So it also are a
powerhouse and they were probably anticipated all the favorites in
this top four, but fielding, they've beaten allcomers. Really. They've
taken on Parmi boys here that have had an exceptional season.
They beat Hastings as well on the way here and
Westlake the other day to make the final. And I
(05:56):
think that's just exceptional for what is really, you know,
a class at co ed school, sixteen hundred kids from
a country town. Although I'm very surprised to see on
Wikipedia that the population of Fielding is eighteen thousand. Did
you a population of eighteen thousand? Is that correct?
Speaker 2 (06:12):
Well, if you'd ask me how many people live in Fielding,
I would have been well down below ten thousand. I
would have said seven or one.
Speaker 3 (06:18):
Someone's gone on to Wikipedia and messed with that. Surely
it can't be. Please people from Fielding come and text
in and tell us what your actual population is because
it doesn't feel correct. But a I'm happy for them.
A school that produced Aaron Smith and the White Loot Brothers. Yeah,
they are good at Rugby, a powerhouse in the co
ed scene. But if they were to get up I
(06:38):
don't think they will. But if they were to get
up today, there would be. It would really make history
in this competition, which is always you know, the usual suspects.
Speaker 2 (06:46):
Text the population of Fielding to nine two ninety two
if you have the official word. Hey, now the Warriors
have dropped out of the top four because the Broncos
won last night. The Sharks play the Newcastle Knights later
and they'll absolutely win that. So the Warriors are faced
with the with the It's a pretty simple equation really.
Now they've got to beat Manly and then they got
to hope both the Broncos and the Sharks lose next
(07:07):
weekend to finish fourth. You reckon, yeah, I mean it's
I mean, how likely does that seem? All of that.
Speaker 3 (07:15):
Highly unlikely. I don't think the Warriors will make the
top four. I think you know, it's Daily Cherry Evans'
final game at Brookvale next week. That's the issue, right,
that's the passion for Daily Cherry Evans at Brookvale. Not
a happy hunting ground at all for the Warriors historically.
So I think there's going to be well, I think
(07:35):
Fielding about to score an incredible try. I know almost.
But I think what's happened is the Warriors have been
i'd say one of the most unconvincing top four teams
in history. You know, their points falling against is very low,
almost one hundred points down on the other teams. But
they've managed to do it really on the sniff of
an early rag. I mean, let's be honest, they're key
playmakers and just Luke Metcalf. Their best player is a
(07:58):
nineteen year old Lequahalasima who mainly plays off the bench.
I mean, it's just the team that's probably just punching
above its weights, and I think at the moment they
really don't want to. I guess face one of those
teams who are hitting really good form. And I'm thinking
about the Roosters right now. You don't want to have
to play them in the playoffs, No, and that.
Speaker 2 (08:20):
May well be the scenario that they face. Hey, no
one's texted the fielding population, but somebody is helpfully texted
through that at the moment to Ash Burton at his
six degrees. That's good to know, isn't it.
Speaker 3 (08:33):
I like that it gets a town roundup please, But yeah,
when we went on a deep dive of populations of
towns last night. We can talk about that another time,
but I just did want to mention that the Wellington
Phoenix betting left out of this Oceania competition is such
a massive snub. I bet you. David Dome is absolutely
fuming and he probably wouldn't even want to go on
(08:53):
radio because you'd probably start saying things that would backfire
on the on the side. But it just seems the
biggest belief given that Uklan they've seen now have a
chance to qualify for the World Club Final, which of
course you know what it's like. You play Chelsea, you
play Paris and jer Man, it's immense And for the Phoenix,
as a protein that's been around for fifty ninde years,
(09:17):
not to get invited as just seems like a massive
slap in the face. But hey, we've all been there, poney,
whether it's a wedding or a golf weekend where we
feel that we could have added value but we don't
get the call up, and you know you're just going
to suck it up.
Speaker 2 (09:31):
I've been slapped in the face and snubbed numerous times
in lots of different scenarios. Fielding populations seventeen and a
half thousand, says this text. The school is a boarding
school which brings students in from all over the place.
Got to go, mate, But let's chat again next Sunday
after an all Black swins, shall we cheers?
Speaker 3 (09:49):
Mate? Sounds good?
Speaker 2 (09:50):
Yeah? Go fielding, Go fielding, and go James mccarney's.
Speaker 1 (09:54):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, Listen live
to News Talk z B weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio.
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from News Talks ed B and around.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
This time every Sunday afternoon we get the pleasure of
the company of James mcconey and today is no different.
But if we fast forward a week James and when
we're speaking the day after all Black Spring Boks at
Eden Park, what do you expect the conversation to consist
of between the two of us?
Speaker 3 (00:30):
You know what, It's going to be, like, Poney, It'll
be all around discipline, taking opportunities, kick the goal, stuff
like that, because I think it's just going to be
such a titanic struggle. I haven't got a long range
forecast for you, but I think that'll have a huge
bearing on the game as well. But this is as
big as it gets outside of a World Cup indeed.
Speaker 2 (00:51):
So what do you expect Scott Robertson to do? Selection wise?
I think we can say, okay, Wallace ted he comes
back into the starting side to Mighty Williams as well.
But I'm interested in your thoughts on back three and
potentially midfield as well.
Speaker 3 (01:04):
Yeah, well, back three, I think Caleb Clark should get
a chance to play in the back three. I mean,
he's an expert under the high ball. He is a
really good elite test player. He's had really a difficult
year because of you know, that motorcycle court case that
just you know, derailed him somewhat, and so I think
now he's probably had time to just sort of get
(01:27):
himself together and hopefully have a good game this afternoon.
I think he is playing, isn't he Piney? Yes, he is,
so we've got to watch with Kevin eye on him.
I think he should play on the left wing. He's
got to get good left boot on him as well, Caleb.
But the other thing is maybe at center. Even though
I'm a big Billy Procter fan, and I'm sure you
are too, is it better to be conservative and say
(01:49):
Rico Yowani comes back in a really good defensive center
to play in that position for such a big game.
Speaker 2 (01:56):
I wonder that too. You know, I wonder that too,
And you're right, I'm a big fan of Billy Procter,
not just because he's from the same place in New
Zealand as me, but yeah, I wonder that too. So
action will be a massive, a massive part of this.
It's absolutely pouring down and Wellington unfortunately. So it's not
gonna be yea, not gonna be one of those games
of running rugby unfortunately at Potty or A Park Jerry
(02:16):
Collins studying today.
Speaker 3 (02:18):
Did you see also Tabatava Nahwai is injured, So I'm thinking, yeah,
what does that mean Razor brings in you know, leicesterfying
a new two. He need to go to the board
to get permission to bring them in earlier than then
they anticipated. But then there's also Mark Talia is around right,
so I know he's been left out in the cold.
But look, this is you want to win the Rugby Championship?
(02:39):
Do you want to pick the best players? There are
some big decisions for Razor to make and I know,
you know, he's got a beautiful mind raising he's one
of those guys. He thinks and lives in breeze rugby,
so he'll leave no stone unturned this week. But of
course it's that high ball issue which needs to be
resolved a sap.
Speaker 2 (02:58):
They're only they're only only going to be in their
own rules, aren't they or break their own rules. You know,
they can be the rules that they enforced upon themselves
and rugby and the all blacks so they can change
them if they want to anyway. Yeah, yeah, let's go
to Hamilton. I've just received a text from our match
commentator up there, Graham Minty mead, it's twelve degrees in
pouring down Southam will feel right at home? Can Southam
(03:20):
take the shield back down to whim vericrgole this afternoon?
Speaker 3 (03:23):
Well not with me taking the cow bell. I'm on
the way and I hope that didn't blow out your speakers.
I loved it, but it's you know, I'm on I'm
on the road soon to hit down there to see
how it goes. To be honest, you know, the South
and have been have been, doubt a classic hospital passed
(03:45):
by all these all blacks being available for white cuts
or so you've got Luke Jacobson at number eight. Anton
lend Brown seen to some Openny female Olin Norris are
both starting as well. Initially they were in name so
it felt like there was some kind of battle between
Ross Filippo and Raisa going on, two old Crusaders teammates.
So I was just thinking, okay, well now they're in right.
(04:05):
So that's it's all we can say is that it
is tough for Southland. They don't get ethan degree or
savy rest, which is a shame for them, but hey,
they are shield specialists. They care about the Logowood as
much as any province. So I think it's going to
be an awesome battle. And the All Blacks might all
be off off the field at the business end. They
might only play fifty or sixty minutes, so you know,
(04:29):
if it rains, which it is at the moment, and
like you say, twelve degrees, I think that helps Southland,
doesn't it.
Speaker 2 (04:34):
I think so. I think so. I'm just hoping for
another great battle. I enjoyed Waikato Talanaki last week. I've
got no skin in the game. Got no skin in
this game this afternoon either, But I just love the
emotion that is wrapped around at Jason Rutlers actually a
Southland stalwater. I'm sure you've seen play a few times
for them and also for the Highlanders. Are going to
chat to with some about an hour or so, so
be keen to hear from him just how much it means,
(04:55):
because I think it does still mean mean a lot. Hey,
the schoolboy rugby finals on right now, fielding against Rotaldo
a boys rot I have just scored a try to
go twenty seven ten ahead with twenty minutes to go.
I've just been watching it sort of off to one
side on the live stream. Man, the quality of rugby
is good.
Speaker 3 (05:13):
It's incredible. These teams are the ones that didn't make
it as well. I mean, I'm a Hamilton Boys old
boy and I went and saw my old team get
beaten by in the dying second. So this team is
an incredible try from the fullback. I think we're talking
about a seventy meter try, aren't we here, Pony, you.
Speaker 2 (05:30):
Just watching the replay, he's beaten about seventeen guys.
Speaker 3 (05:34):
Yeah, the fullback is unbelievable. So it also are a
powerhouse and they were probably anticipated all the favorites in
this top four, but fielding, they've beaten allcomers. Really. They've
taken on Parmi boys here that have had an exceptional season.
They beat Hastings as well on the way here and
Westlake the other day to make the final. And I
(05:56):
think that's just exceptional for what is really, you know,
a class at co ed school, sixteen hundred kids from
a country town. Although I'm very surprised to see on
Wikipedia that the population of Fielding is eighteen thousand. Did
you a population of eighteen thousand? Is that correct?
Speaker 2 (06:12):
Well, if you'd ask me how many people live in Fielding,
I would have been well down below ten thousand. I
would have said seven or one.
Speaker 3 (06:18):
Someone's gone on to Wikipedia and messed with that. Surely
it can't be. Please people from Fielding come and text
in and tell us what your actual population is because
it doesn't feel correct. But a I'm happy for them.
A school that produced Aaron Smith and the White Loot Brothers. Yeah,
they are good at Rugby, a powerhouse in the co
ed scene. But if they were to get up I
(06:38):
don't think they will. But if they were to get
up today, there would be. It would really make history
in this competition, which is always you know, the usual suspects.
Speaker 2 (06:46):
Text the population of Fielding to nine two ninety two
if you have the official word. Hey, now the Warriors
have dropped out of the top four because the Broncos
won last night. The Sharks play the Newcastle Knights later
and they'll absolutely win that. So the Warriors are faced
with the with the It's a pretty simple equation really.
Now they've got to beat Manly and then they got
to hope both the Broncos and the Sharks lose next
(07:07):
weekend to finish fourth. You reckon, yeah, I mean it's
I mean, how likely does that seem? All of that.
Speaker 3 (07:15):
Highly unlikely. I don't think the Warriors will make the
top four. I think you know, it's Daily Cherry Evans'
final game at Brookvale next week. That's the issue, right,
that's the passion for Daily Cherry Evans at Brookvale. Not
a happy hunting ground at all for the Warriors historically.
So I think there's going to be well, I think
(07:35):
Fielding about to score an incredible try. I know almost.
But I think what's happened is the Warriors have been
i'd say one of the most unconvincing top four teams
in history. You know, their points falling against is very low,
almost one hundred points down on the other teams. But
they've managed to do it really on the sniff of
an early rag. I mean, let's be honest, they're key
playmakers and just Luke Metcalf. Their best player is a
(07:58):
nineteen year old Lequahalasima who mainly plays off the bench.
I mean, it's just the team that's probably just punching
above its weights, and I think at the moment they
really don't want to. I guess face one of those
teams who are hitting really good form. And I'm thinking
about the Roosters right now. You don't want to have
to play them in the playoffs, No, and that.
Speaker 2 (08:20):
May well be the scenario that they face. Hey, no
one's texted the fielding population, but somebody is helpfully texted
through that at the moment to Ash Burton at his
six degrees. That's good to know, isn't it.
Speaker 3 (08:33):
I like that it gets a town roundup please, But yeah,
when we went on a deep dive of populations of
towns last night. We can talk about that another time,
but I just did want to mention that the Wellington
Phoenix betting left out of this Oceania competition is such
a massive snub. I bet you. David Dome is absolutely
fuming and he probably wouldn't even want to go on
(08:53):
radio because you'd probably start saying things that would backfire
on the on the side. But it just seems the
biggest belief given that Uklan they've seen now have a
chance to qualify for the World Club Final, which of
course you know what it's like. You play Chelsea, you
play Paris and jer Man, it's immense And for the Phoenix,
as a protein that's been around for fifty ninde years,
(09:17):
not to get invited as just seems like a massive
slap in the face. But hey, we've all been there, poney,
whether it's a wedding or a golf weekend where we
feel that we could have added value but we don't
get the call up, and you know you're just going
to suck it up.
Speaker 2 (09:31):
I've been slapped in the face and snubbed numerous times
in lots of different scenarios. Fielding populations seventeen and a
half thousand, says this text. The school is a boarding
school which brings students in from all over the place.
Got to go, mate, But let's chat again next Sunday
after an all Black swins, shall we cheers?
Speaker 3 (09:49):
Mate? Sounds good?
Speaker 2 (09:50):
Yeah? Go fielding, Go fielding, and go James mccarney's.
Speaker 1 (09:54):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, Listen live
to News Talk z B weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio.
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