May 29, 2025 • 8 mins
Ardie Savea makes his return to Wellington this weekend, taking on his former Hurricanes as captain of Moana Pasifika. How will Wellington recieve him?
Newstalk ZB All Sport Breakfast host Adam Cooper and Weekend Sport host Jason Pine joined Nick Mills for the Friday Sport Kickoff.
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Speaker 1 (00:07):
You're listening to the Wellington Mornings podcast with Nick Mills
from News Talk, said B gett a use for your
sporting weekend. It's the Wellington Mornings Friday Sport Kickoff on
news Talk, said b.
Speaker 2 (00:36):
Joining us for Friday sports kick off as News Talk Speed,
new Talks head Bees or Sports Breakfast host Adam Cooper.
Speaker 3 (00:43):
Good morning groups.
Speaker 2 (00:45):
Can you be nice if you turn your mic on,
I'll turn it on for you.
Speaker 3 (00:48):
So good morning.
Speaker 4 (00:50):
You've got all the buttons and.
Speaker 2 (00:53):
Weekend sports host Jason Pine you need me to turn
your button on?
Speaker 3 (00:56):
Piney, I don't think so.
Speaker 2 (00:58):
Okay, all right, we.
Speaker 3 (00:59):
Can get Ethan to do it.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
How we doing? Are we okay?
Speaker 3 (01:01):
Fantastic? Yeah? Long weekend coming? How good?
Speaker 4 (01:04):
Well here to talk about you your last topic.
Speaker 3 (01:06):
That's that's good. It's good.
Speaker 2 (01:07):
We've swapped.
Speaker 3 (01:08):
We've moved on, moved on.
Speaker 2 (01:10):
I'm still alive and we've moved on. Right, let's talk
about Artie via the protocols protocol what's the word I'm
looking at? Prodigal prodigal son returning. That's why I didn't
go to a private school. Prodigal son returning. I mean,
it's a big weekend for Wellington Minor Pacific. If last
weekendn't happened, Jason Pine, would this weekend be bigger?
Speaker 5 (01:30):
You may be with Morena losing by so much, by eighty, yeah,
by eighty. I think this is always going to be
a big occasion. It's I think when the draw came out,
we all we all look to find out when Artie
would return to Wellington as Mona Pacific captain. You know,
it was always set to be a big occasion. I
see during the week Artie Safa said he expects to
(01:50):
be booed.
Speaker 3 (01:52):
Honestly, there will be.
Speaker 5 (01:54):
It will be the opposite. He is universally adored, absolutely
revered here in Wellington. He will get nothing other than
an absolutely magnificent ovation there tomorrow night. Can't wait to
see him run out against his former team. You know,
we've talked a lot about Artie this year and the
transformational effect he's had a Mona pacifica.
Speaker 3 (02:12):
But look, I think the Hurricanes will win the game.
Speaker 5 (02:15):
It just feels to me as though they are, you know,
are starting to find some momentum and some form. Mowana
look like as good as they've been this season. I
think they're just going to miss out on the six.
I get the feeling the Hurricanes will beat them in
the Blues wall squeak home against the war a task,
but that won't take away from what he's been the
terrific season.
Speaker 2 (02:32):
No, you're absolutely white right and coeper. There's no way
people are going to boot Ardie Savia.
Speaker 4 (02:38):
They're not football fans coming tomorrow, They're rugby fans. And
the way sorry Pine end, the way they operate is
very different. And I actually think there's and I'm not
trying to exaggerate here, there's a real chance there's going
to be just as many people in the stadium tomorrow
chearing for Moana Pacifica then there are the Hurricanes. I
think my Wana Pacifica have done an amazing job with
(02:58):
the help of Artie Savia this year, but it's been
building over a number of years. They have brought new
people back into the sport of rugby through their identity,
and you know, those with Pacific Island heritage and even
just people with connections to specific island heritage have found
a real, you know, new lease of life with their
involvement and interest in Super rugby as a result of
(03:19):
this team, and you know, a lot of the Hurricanes players.
Spoke to two of them yesterday. Peter among A jents
and said he went back to his rugby club, which
I think is why no we are martyr and said
everyone there said, hey, hey, do you mind if we
cheer for Mowana just this week? And Eddie and Nardi,
who's the reserve halfback for the Hurricanes, said exactly the
same thing. A few of his friends and even family
members said, we're really sorry. We want Mowana to win
(03:40):
this week because of what they've done to rugby this year.
So I mean, we all want the Hurricanes to win,
but don't be surprised if even if there are boos
ferrati that they'll be drowned out pretty well.
Speaker 5 (03:51):
And I heard yesterday I got a heads up that
Aisle eighteen at Sky Stadium has been that mobilized. I've
know if you've heard of the Laughing sum owns the
comedy troupe, tool Finger is the main man there. He's
mobilized a whole bunch of his mates and the Pacific
Island community. They are going to pack out Il eighteen
because often you know, the away fans for a begin
(04:13):
They just said amongst it that you said anywhere right.
Apparently Il eighteen is going to be the more on
the Pacificer Island.
Speaker 3 (04:18):
Apparently it's just about sold.
Speaker 2 (04:19):
Out and the singing how good are they going to
get seeing? It's going to be like fabulous, isn't it.
I mean I'm getting emotional just thinking about it.
Speaker 4 (04:27):
It's going to be great and just being able to
see Artie sa Via you know on field at the stadium. Again,
a super rugby is an experience in itself, no matter
which team you support. So yeah, it's going to be
a great occasion. I'm like Piney, I think the Hurricanes
will get the job done. Things are looking really good
for them at the moment. Another gutsy performance against the
Reds over in Brisbane last week that they really had
to fight for. They're playing some great rugby at the moment,
(04:49):
and it is the last chance to play in front
of home fans this year too, before they hopefully try
and springboard themselves into a good run in the playoffs.
Speaker 2 (04:56):
Can I quickly ask you both because I want to
get on to another subject, but I quickly asked you
My two favorite sevens for a long long time playing
against each other. I mean that's that's all. So somebody,
we haven't mentioned.
Speaker 5 (05:07):
It, but that's I mean, that's going to be yeah, yeah,
Dupes against Artie. I know Dups is on Adam's show
tomorrow morning, so we'll hear a bit more about that.
But yeah, look, matchups everywhere, and I mean part of me,
like Curbs, part of me wants Moana to win so
that they'll be in the top six. But that might
put paid to Wellington's Hurricanes chances of being fourth, which
(05:30):
is quite important. Yeah, quite important that I'm not going
to try and drill down into that. Yeah, give us
afe if you lose and the top three all win.
It's a very confusing semi final series, but it's beneficial
to finish fourth.
Speaker 3 (05:42):
Hurricanes will do that if they win. I think they'll win.
Speaker 4 (05:45):
And then the team was actually just quickly sorry to
keep it going. They were asked about that yesterday and
a couple of the players said, look, you know, we
want more Pacifica to be in the playoffs, but it's business.
We do have to get a wins from team. So
there's so much respect between these two sides.
Speaker 2 (05:57):
And as I always say, momentum is a mother something
and you've got to keep your momentum going and we
are peaking at the right time, so you don't want
to change that.
Speaker 3 (06:05):
I'll have to ask you what that is this Costa Barbarretos.
Speaker 2 (06:08):
Now I actually text or got someone to text you,
because I think this is a huge story. I think
this is a massive story.
Speaker 3 (06:14):
Piney.
Speaker 2 (06:15):
How big a deal is losing Costa Barbarussos?
Speaker 3 (06:19):
Oh? Big? Huge? I mean he was.
Speaker 5 (06:21):
He's been the Phoenix's best player the last two seasons.
He's you know, both officially and unofficially, he's won all
the awards and the season just gone and last year
last season as well, when they went within one game
of the Grand Final. It's big, but no, no player
is bigger than a team, and it's kind.
Speaker 2 (06:38):
Of bigger than that because he's like, once again one
of ours.
Speaker 5 (06:42):
He is Pat's old boys. You're getting too emotional about this.
I think I've got through the emotion of it. I'm
now into the in the cold heart reality. What it
does do is it saves the Phoenix a lot of money.
Costa barbaruss would have been the highest paid player at
that club. That frees up that salary they have to send.
They have to spend it well. We all know how
disappointing the Phoenix season was. They got a bounce back
(07:03):
that will recruit well, they're going to use that money wisely. Yeah,
but for Costa, you know, he has to do what's
right for him.
Speaker 2 (07:09):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (07:10):
I get that.
Speaker 2 (07:10):
I get there. But it's still sad. I can. It's
all right to have emotion, isn't it.
Speaker 4 (07:14):
Well, Coops, Yeah, I'm disappointed. And I was out at
the Phoenix when they announced it just a couple of
days ago. They're extremely disappointed. You know, we don't know
what's led to him wanting to play elsewhere, but the
fact that you know, came back home with his family,
wanted to end his career playing for the Phoenix and
had this option of an extra season, and he's chosen
not to and likely going to another team in the
(07:34):
league over in Australia. To take all his family at
age thirty five back across the ditch, it's really disappointing.
It is just really frustrating and disappointing. As as Piney said,
best player last two years, he held so much credibility
for that team, for the fans.
Speaker 2 (07:48):
Yeah, I mean there's a lot of rumors floating around
and it's all heading towards one thing why he's leaving.
But I won't go into that because I'm not a
football guy. But there's a lot of talk just big
weekend for Port Arena.
Speaker 3 (08:02):
I said it right, didnight you did?
Speaker 2 (08:03):
Arena? Saints take on Otago more and night as well.
I don't have time to talk to you, but I
just needed to put the plug in.
Speaker 3 (08:09):
No good, no one go to the Saints about your
games and potty do. I say, absolutely, it's good. You
want to move, you want to move out to Pete Town.
Speaker 2 (08:19):
I'd love to Casey, Casey Frank was trying to describe
that on TV last night.
Speaker 3 (08:22):
He did a Nick Mills on that one. He really
did a Nick Mills all that one.
Speaker 2 (08:26):
I said, okay, Casey, I'm going to swap that up
for tomorrow.
Speaker 3 (08:29):
Thank you.
Speaker 2 (08:29):
Both guys have great shows over the weekend. Lovely to
talk to you.
Speaker 1 (08:33):
For more from Wellington Mornings with Nick Mills. Listen live
to News Talks It'd be Wellington from nine am weekdays,
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.
You're listening to the Wellington Mornings podcast with Nick Mills
from News Talk, said B gett a use for your
sporting weekend. It's the Wellington Mornings Friday Sport Kickoff on
news Talk, said b.
Speaker 2 (00:36):
Joining us for Friday sports kick off as News Talk Speed,
new Talks head Bees or Sports Breakfast host Adam Cooper.
Speaker 3 (00:43):
Good morning groups.
Speaker 2 (00:45):
Can you be nice if you turn your mic on,
I'll turn it on for you.
Speaker 3 (00:48):
So good morning.
Speaker 4 (00:50):
You've got all the buttons and.
Speaker 2 (00:53):
Weekend sports host Jason Pine you need me to turn
your button on?
Speaker 3 (00:56):
Piney, I don't think so.
Speaker 2 (00:58):
Okay, all right, we.
Speaker 3 (00:59):
Can get Ethan to do it.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
How we doing? Are we okay?
Speaker 3 (01:01):
Fantastic? Yeah? Long weekend coming? How good?
Speaker 4 (01:04):
Well here to talk about you your last topic.
Speaker 3 (01:06):
That's that's good. It's good.
Speaker 2 (01:07):
We've swapped.
Speaker 3 (01:08):
We've moved on, moved on.
Speaker 2 (01:10):
I'm still alive and we've moved on. Right, let's talk
about Artie via the protocols protocol what's the word I'm
looking at? Prodigal prodigal son returning. That's why I didn't
go to a private school. Prodigal son returning. I mean,
it's a big weekend for Wellington Minor Pacific. If last
weekendn't happened, Jason Pine, would this weekend be bigger?
Speaker 5 (01:30):
You may be with Morena losing by so much, by eighty, yeah,
by eighty. I think this is always going to be
a big occasion. It's I think when the draw came out,
we all we all look to find out when Artie
would return to Wellington as Mona Pacific captain. You know,
it was always set to be a big occasion. I
see during the week Artie Safa said he expects to
(01:50):
be booed.
Speaker 3 (01:52):
Honestly, there will be.
Speaker 5 (01:54):
It will be the opposite. He is universally adored, absolutely
revered here in Wellington. He will get nothing other than
an absolutely magnificent ovation there tomorrow night. Can't wait to
see him run out against his former team. You know,
we've talked a lot about Artie this year and the
transformational effect he's had a Mona pacifica.
Speaker 3 (02:12):
But look, I think the Hurricanes will win the game.
Speaker 5 (02:15):
It just feels to me as though they are, you know,
are starting to find some momentum and some form. Mowana
look like as good as they've been this season. I
think they're just going to miss out on the six.
I get the feeling the Hurricanes will beat them in
the Blues wall squeak home against the war a task,
but that won't take away from what he's been the
terrific season.
Speaker 2 (02:32):
No, you're absolutely white right and coeper. There's no way
people are going to boot Ardie Savia.
Speaker 4 (02:38):
They're not football fans coming tomorrow, They're rugby fans. And
the way sorry Pine end, the way they operate is
very different. And I actually think there's and I'm not
trying to exaggerate here, there's a real chance there's going
to be just as many people in the stadium tomorrow
chearing for Moana Pacifica then there are the Hurricanes. I
think my Wana Pacifica have done an amazing job with
(02:58):
the help of Artie Savia this year, but it's been
building over a number of years. They have brought new
people back into the sport of rugby through their identity,
and you know, those with Pacific Island heritage and even
just people with connections to specific island heritage have found
a real, you know, new lease of life with their
involvement and interest in Super rugby as a result of
(03:19):
this team, and you know, a lot of the Hurricanes players.
Spoke to two of them yesterday. Peter among A jents
and said he went back to his rugby club, which
I think is why no we are martyr and said
everyone there said, hey, hey, do you mind if we
cheer for Mowana just this week? And Eddie and Nardi,
who's the reserve halfback for the Hurricanes, said exactly the
same thing. A few of his friends and even family
members said, we're really sorry. We want Mowana to win
(03:40):
this week because of what they've done to rugby this year.
So I mean, we all want the Hurricanes to win,
but don't be surprised if even if there are boos
ferrati that they'll be drowned out pretty well.
Speaker 5 (03:51):
And I heard yesterday I got a heads up that
Aisle eighteen at Sky Stadium has been that mobilized. I've
know if you've heard of the Laughing sum owns the
comedy troupe, tool Finger is the main man there. He's
mobilized a whole bunch of his mates and the Pacific
Island community. They are going to pack out Il eighteen
because often you know, the away fans for a begin
(04:13):
They just said amongst it that you said anywhere right.
Apparently Il eighteen is going to be the more on
the Pacificer Island.
Speaker 3 (04:18):
Apparently it's just about sold.
Speaker 2 (04:19):
Out and the singing how good are they going to
get seeing? It's going to be like fabulous, isn't it.
I mean I'm getting emotional just thinking about it.
Speaker 4 (04:27):
It's going to be great and just being able to
see Artie sa Via you know on field at the stadium. Again,
a super rugby is an experience in itself, no matter
which team you support. So yeah, it's going to be
a great occasion. I'm like Piney, I think the Hurricanes
will get the job done. Things are looking really good
for them at the moment. Another gutsy performance against the
Reds over in Brisbane last week that they really had
to fight for. They're playing some great rugby at the moment,
(04:49):
and it is the last chance to play in front
of home fans this year too, before they hopefully try
and springboard themselves into a good run in the playoffs.
Speaker 2 (04:56):
Can I quickly ask you both because I want to
get on to another subject, but I quickly asked you
My two favorite sevens for a long long time playing
against each other. I mean that's that's all. So somebody,
we haven't mentioned.
Speaker 5 (05:07):
It, but that's I mean, that's going to be yeah, yeah,
Dupes against Artie. I know Dups is on Adam's show
tomorrow morning, so we'll hear a bit more about that.
But yeah, look, matchups everywhere, and I mean part of me,
like Curbs, part of me wants Moana to win so
that they'll be in the top six. But that might
put paid to Wellington's Hurricanes chances of being fourth, which
(05:30):
is quite important. Yeah, quite important that I'm not going
to try and drill down into that. Yeah, give us
afe if you lose and the top three all win.
It's a very confusing semi final series, but it's beneficial
to finish fourth.
Speaker 3 (05:42):
Hurricanes will do that if they win. I think they'll win.
Speaker 4 (05:45):
And then the team was actually just quickly sorry to
keep it going. They were asked about that yesterday and
a couple of the players said, look, you know, we
want more Pacifica to be in the playoffs, but it's business.
We do have to get a wins from team. So
there's so much respect between these two sides.
Speaker 2 (05:57):
And as I always say, momentum is a mother something
and you've got to keep your momentum going and we
are peaking at the right time, so you don't want
to change that.
Speaker 3 (06:05):
I'll have to ask you what that is this Costa Barbarretos.
Speaker 2 (06:08):
Now I actually text or got someone to text you,
because I think this is a huge story. I think
this is a massive story.
Speaker 3 (06:14):
Piney.
Speaker 2 (06:15):
How big a deal is losing Costa Barbarussos?
Speaker 3 (06:19):
Oh? Big? Huge? I mean he was.
Speaker 5 (06:21):
He's been the Phoenix's best player the last two seasons.
He's you know, both officially and unofficially, he's won all
the awards and the season just gone and last year
last season as well, when they went within one game
of the Grand Final. It's big, but no, no player
is bigger than a team, and it's kind.
Speaker 2 (06:38):
Of bigger than that because he's like, once again one
of ours.
Speaker 5 (06:42):
He is Pat's old boys. You're getting too emotional about this.
I think I've got through the emotion of it. I'm
now into the in the cold heart reality. What it
does do is it saves the Phoenix a lot of money.
Costa barbaruss would have been the highest paid player at
that club. That frees up that salary they have to send.
They have to spend it well. We all know how
disappointing the Phoenix season was. They got a bounce back
(07:03):
that will recruit well, they're going to use that money wisely. Yeah,
but for Costa, you know, he has to do what's
right for him.
Speaker 2 (07:09):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (07:10):
I get that.
Speaker 2 (07:10):
I get there. But it's still sad. I can. It's
all right to have emotion, isn't it.
Speaker 4 (07:14):
Well, Coops, Yeah, I'm disappointed. And I was out at
the Phoenix when they announced it just a couple of
days ago. They're extremely disappointed. You know, we don't know
what's led to him wanting to play elsewhere, but the
fact that you know, came back home with his family,
wanted to end his career playing for the Phoenix and
had this option of an extra season, and he's chosen
not to and likely going to another team in the
(07:34):
league over in Australia. To take all his family at
age thirty five back across the ditch, it's really disappointing.
It is just really frustrating and disappointing. As as Piney said,
best player last two years, he held so much credibility
for that team, for the fans.
Speaker 2 (07:48):
Yeah, I mean there's a lot of rumors floating around
and it's all heading towards one thing why he's leaving.
But I won't go into that because I'm not a
football guy. But there's a lot of talk just big
weekend for Port Arena.
Speaker 3 (08:02):
I said it right, didnight you did?
Speaker 2 (08:03):
Arena? Saints take on Otago more and night as well.
I don't have time to talk to you, but I
just needed to put the plug in.
Speaker 3 (08:09):
No good, no one go to the Saints about your
games and potty do. I say, absolutely, it's good. You
want to move, you want to move out to Pete Town.
Speaker 2 (08:19):
I'd love to Casey, Casey Frank was trying to describe
that on TV last night.
Speaker 3 (08:22):
He did a Nick Mills on that one. He really
did a Nick Mills all that one.
Speaker 2 (08:26):
I said, okay, Casey, I'm going to swap that up
for tomorrow.
Speaker 3 (08:29):
Thank you.
Speaker 2 (08:29):
Both guys have great shows over the weekend. Lovely to
talk to you.
Speaker 1 (08:33):
For more from Wellington Mornings with Nick Mills. Listen live
to News Talks It'd be Wellington from nine am weekdays,
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.
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