All Episodes

February 15, 2025 • 12 mins

A win full of grit and satisfaction for the Chiefs to open their 2025 Super Rugby Pacific campaign.

Trailing the Blues by eight at halftime at Eden Park - they've scored 19 unanswered points to collect a 25-14 win.

Former All Black and Sky Sport commentator Jeff Wilson joined Smithy to discuss.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark as Played
Transcript

Episode Transcript

Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from News Talk ZEDB.

Speaker 2 (00:12):
He's taking the win last night at Eden Park, Fatima.

Speaker 3 (00:15):
Now here's some space mackenzie's flight through. How appropriate Damien
McKenzie over twenty three fourteen check to come.

Speaker 2 (00:28):
That might be enough for the Chiefs to win it
for me? Full time?

Speaker 4 (00:31):
That is full time. Well a segan half statement from
the Chiefs. Fourteen six down at halftime, twenty five fourteen winners,
A bomb squad effort from the Chiefs.

Speaker 2 (00:48):
How good was that bench of the Chiefs. I when
you roll out six all blacks on sort of limited minutes,
they haven't had much of a preseason. They go and
turn the game around. Damien McKenzie moves into first receiver.
He has a statement performance as well. Joining us to
discuss and reflect the first weekend of Super Rugby, Jeff Filson,
formal All Black and Skysport commentator joins the program. Jeff,

(01:09):
that was a cracking weekend of Super rugby to get
things underway.

Speaker 5 (01:12):
Yeah, outstanding. You know, a great crowdskape fan engagement. The
quality of rugby was certainly the high level giving it
was week one of what's going to be an incredibly
close competition. As you could see, every team had an
opportunity to go and get a win in the first
weekend and games going right down to the wire. In
terms of a spectacle for the fans, it was a
perfect start.

Speaker 2 (01:33):
Blues and Chiefs last night. Look, I don't think many
would have given the Chiefs much of a chance at
fourteen six down at halftime, but they came back and
gave the defending champions a bit of a bloody nose
in the second half. I know you were sideline for Sky.
What did you make of that?

Speaker 5 (01:47):
Well, this game was about moments, like big games always are,
and conceding that try just before halftime sort of I
think didn't do the Chiefs justice because they played really,
really well, had put a lot of pressure on the Blues.
The Blues were hanging on and then that one moment
of desperation from Cortez Ratama when Mark Talis trying to
score try, which I think probably may have sealed the

(02:08):
game if they got behind, but I think it might
have been eleven at that point. It would have been
really hard to see the Chiefs find a way to
back into it, but they hung in there. And then
all of a sudden they came home on the back
of what was an impressive bench. Let's be honest. I
mean there was one hundred and fifty old Caps I
think all Black Caps I'm talking about here coming off
the bench to put pressure on and they finished strong

(02:29):
and look, the Blues will get better. But for the Chiefs,
a small little bit of redemption and what turned out
to be very similar conditions to last year's Super Regular Final.

Speaker 2 (02:39):
Indeed, it was hot key was that bench, and you know,
I guess the bomb squad that clad McMillan was able
to roll out and also sliding in Damien McKenzie back
into first five later in the game.

Speaker 5 (02:50):
Yeah, I think the combination of all of those factors.
But bringing on someone like a tip of A who
had such a huge twenty twenty four he came on
and really brought some energy, some fot and some muscle
in that pack and a semi penny fee. Now, I
think ultimately the player form was laid up front, and
then the nice work they are able to do in
and around the backfield having in the morning Naa and

(03:13):
then Antony Leonard Brown, I mean, you're talking about guys
who have been there and done that and understand what
it takes in big moments. Cortez Lantema I thought was
very very good in terms of managing the games. So
all of the experience of last year and then the
fact that Blues just I think themselves just lost their
way just a little bit, and then all of a
sudden pressure came on and I think the Chiefs in

(03:34):
some ways were better prepared for this game. Technically, they
got it perfectly right in terms of their selection with
their all blacks, and they got a great result.

Speaker 2 (03:42):
Only round one. But what will that do for both
the Chiefs and the Blues as they approach the rest
of the season confidence wise and game plan wise.

Speaker 5 (03:52):
Look, I think for a lot of the teams, for
the teams that came away with the win, it's just
it's the right way to start in terms of feeling
good and feeling comfortable with where you are. And like
the Crusaders, you know the Chiefs will be looking this
is going in. This is a really nice way to
kick that season. But in terms of having to get
better to I suppose and nail a few little things

(04:14):
like motations of players are going to be critical this year.
How you manage those high workloads for some of the guys.
But I think just feeling comfortable on a Sunday after
the first round is a nice thing to have.

Speaker 2 (04:26):
Mawana Pacific lose by one in Perth late last night,
did we see an Artie lift for the Mawana PACIFICA
side straight away? Despite that defeat.

Speaker 5 (04:36):
I'm not going to lie to you. When Mowana scored
their last try, I actually I went to bed. I
thought the game was done all of a sudden, I
hadn't quite knotted off, and then my phone starts going nuts,
and so I watched the end of it. Look Majana
pacifica a little bit like the Highlanders this weekend. I'll
be looking at a missed opportunity where they had the
game in their hands. There's no doubt there was a lift.

(04:58):
I was really impressed with a number of things that
they showed in this game. But they'll be bitterly disappointed.
You know, they had plenty of opportunit only in the
last seven or eight minutes of that game to actually
put that game away, to take it away from the Force,
You've got to give credit to the Force. Like very
much like the War tars. They hang in, They hang in.
They just you know, they knew they what they had

(05:19):
to do to try and secure him. They got a
remarkable win. But for a week for game one, yeah
it was still it was still a really encouraging more
onea Pacific at per points.

Speaker 2 (05:29):
He mentioned the Highlanders as well Friday night. Look, they
showed some grit, but maybe not enough. That was an
end to end game, some promising signs. So this is
a very young Highlanders team. I think Jamie Joseph mentioned
last week the everage age is about twenty two in
the team and the war Tarz just sneaking in front
of them. What did you make of what the Highlanders
rolled out in week one?

Speaker 5 (05:51):
He young across the squad, but in terms of that team,
it was out on the field there was enough there
because they proved it was enough there, and they picked
up a couple of really nice players colored tongue tails
coming and you know, I think made you know, a
really positive start of his career down in Danita. And
so as much as that, I think a lot of
those young guys got exposure last year and they've played

(06:13):
more right now. Most of them had full campaigns at NPC,
So I get that. But there's enough there, there's enough
talent there, and they are in this game again once again,
one or two big players, and they wouldn't this contest.
I thought this was a slow game to get going.
To be honest, I'm not sure about the Waratar's the
use of their new superstar and Joseph chasing up and unders.

(06:36):
Maybe just put the ball in his hands, because I
tell you what, with the ball in his hands, he's
seriously dangerous. But they'll get better the Waratars, I can
see that happening. But for the Highlanders, like I say,
I really missed big missed opportunity because you know, picking
up I went away from home. For the Highlanders, who
are you are going to be fighting and scrapping for
every point they get that could have been huge.

Speaker 2 (06:58):
You're an outside beat for more outside back you So
what's your sense of weird his best position so that
he might be in a back line for the war
Tars and the Wallabies.

Speaker 5 (07:06):
Really, this is one of the things, you know, I
said right from the start with Roger two of us
the ship, the place to plan to start would have
been at fullback. Because all of a sudden there's time
in space. I really like his athlyticism. He's good in
the air. Look, he's you know, he's got to connect
to an understanding of the game of Rugia, you know.
And I think to me, this is the perfect place
for him to start with this group. They've got a

(07:28):
good midfield options for the Waratahs. You know. I like this.
There's some versatility in this player. And then all of
a sudden, if you're able to unleash him and get
him to feel really comfortable with the ball in his hands,
because he'll get a lot of touches with a lot
more space, and all of a sudden from the back,
you'll start to see things. Now if you bring him forward,

(07:48):
all good and well. But I look at this and
I start thinking, you know, the versatility he might be
able to show and the threat he might be I
havensues with him starting with fifteen on his back?

Speaker 2 (07:57):
Did you foralsome with us? On Newstalk zeb Let's go
back to the first game of the week in Crusader's
Hurricanes on Friday night and the Crusader start with a
whim come from behind of the way the Chiefs did
it at Aden Park after the horror year last year
for the Crusaders, they start with them when this was
an absolute cracker of a match to get things started
in the Super Rugby.

Speaker 5 (08:17):
Yet I do think that Scott Barrett's one of those
unlucky players ever though to be on the back end
of the fourth penalty in the first three minutes they
get a yellow car, I mean, and I wonder whether
or not then getting down fourteen mil changed the whole
mindset of them for the rest of the game in
terms of how they played. And you know, I thought

(08:37):
what we saw from them was actually a really strong
performance where memories and those things of last year because
quite easily have come forward quickly, they just went about
to some still there. I saw some really nice things
and the impact they got off the MP. James O'Connor
did a really nice job after Tahakama was I think
that did a really good job for the holding the foot.

(09:00):
But you're almost the felt that David Harveli was running
the show for the Crusaders. You really did so. I
I think you look at his connection with Wilchwoodham something
pretty special Week one. A lot of them, a lot
of their season will come down to health like it
is for a lot of teams they've banged up, but
this was this was a pressive performance, you know. And
the Hurricanes, look, they've got a couple of young guys

(09:23):
and key positions, which, to be honest with that, I
liked what I saw. They're only going to get you know,
they're only going to get better out the time.

Speaker 2 (09:30):
It was certainly a high scoring round of Super rugby.
That game last night forty five forty four, the one
in fig as well, and a couple of others were
very very high scoring Friday night that the Warror Tize
game off. It's the benchmark. We're in for a lot
of tries and a fun season.

Speaker 5 (09:43):
Jeff February it's smart, and then April and then we'll
get into what we'll get into the May, joring of
July and then all of a sudden, even Eden Park
last night. What is it about Eden Park elliant to
think that it can help it rain?

Speaker 2 (09:58):
We had I don't think it was in the fore West.

Speaker 5 (10:00):
We haven't seen weighing for two weeks. And then somehow
it's six thirty five, twenty five minutes and we'll kick
on all of a sudden, Oh, there's a shower, brilliant
and we're not talking a share it back. It's down. Look,
I think we'll see this probably the next six weeks.
You know, this is the good time of the year.
You're playing on top of the ground and things always
change when the conditions change and you know, you get

(10:22):
close to the playoffs. But ultimately this is a really
good starter. I'll commend Super Rugby that've come in with
a mindset. When I say Super Rugby, I'm talking about
the organization that's running at game. We want the game
to be faster, we want, you know, the tempo to
be quicker, we want less stoppages. They're working on a
whole lot of things, but I think the intent is there.
We got that. So when you get fatigue, you get

(10:44):
points because you get guys missing tackles and falling off.
And I think ultimately the package that we saw over
the weekend, we saw some fantastic tries and if everyone action,
they certainly got it.

Speaker 2 (10:55):
You listed your top six on the breakdown last Sunday night.
Is anything from the opening round? I know it's early,
has anything changed in mind? And that six is yet?

Speaker 4 (11:03):
Ah.

Speaker 5 (11:03):
Look, look, there's a whole lot of thing cheek and
a lot of things that you do. You know. All
I know is that I think five and six are
going to be a revolving door in regards to you know,
who's going to be and who's going to be out.
There's going to be a lot of results that will
swing who are going for those pivotal two spots. I
think I think the top four at some point will
probably clear out. Haven't seen the Rigs yet, of course,

(11:25):
looking forward to seeing what they bring. But there was
a big win for the Brumbies going and beating the
drawer away. You know, you do those sorts of things,
you know all of a sudden, like say the Chiefs.
I think the Blues are going to get better. This
is going to be tough, you know, trying to make
predictions before the season earlier as hard, right, You've got
to come up with it. And of course I was
going to be loyal to my team down south, but

(11:46):
I think they know what the challenges in front of
them for the Highlanders, but they showed that they're going
to be competitive. If you bring it every week under
Jamie Joseph, you can stay in the fight. You do that,
you never know.

Speaker 2 (11:56):
Fascinating opening round of Super rug be Ji Fulson. Thanks
so much for your time with us on Newstalk ZB
on Weekends Sport. Appreciate it. Always a pleasure, Fawkes and
joining us on the program.

Speaker 1 (12:06):
For more from Weekends Sport with Jason Fine, Listen live
to News Talk set B weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio
Advertise With Us

Popular Podcasts

Amy Robach & T.J. Holmes present: Aubrey O’Day, Covering the Diddy Trial

Amy Robach & T.J. Holmes present: Aubrey O’Day, Covering the Diddy Trial

Introducing… Aubrey O’Day Diddy’s former protege, television personality, platinum selling music artist, Danity Kane alum Aubrey O’Day joins veteran journalists Amy Robach and TJ Holmes to provide a unique perspective on the trial that has captivated the attention of the nation. Join them throughout the trial as they discuss, debate, and dissect every detail, every aspect of the proceedings. Aubrey will offer her opinions and expertise, as only she is qualified to do given her first-hand knowledge. From her days on Making the Band, as she emerged as the breakout star, the truth of the situation would be the opposite of the glitz and glamour. Listen throughout every minute of the trial, for this exclusive coverage. Amy Robach and TJ Holmes present Aubrey O’Day, Covering the Diddy Trial, an iHeartRadio podcast.

Dateline NBC

Dateline NBC

Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

The Breakfast Club

The Breakfast Club

The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy And Charlamagne Tha God!

Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.