June 29, 2025 • 30 mins
This week on The Big League Podcast - Warriors women captain Apii Nicholls joins to discuss how she'll balance being a police officer and playing in the NRLW, how rugby union's helped her performance in league and the Warriors' other cross code stars.
Newstalk ZB's Nathan Limm and NZ Herald's Michael Burgess run through a valiant yet disgruntling loss to the Broncos and survey the damage of knee injuries Luke Metcalf and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad.
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Speaker 1 (00:09):
You're listening to a podcast from News Talks EDB. Follow
this and our Wide Ranger podcast now on iHeartRadio The.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
Big League podcastle podcast by News TALKSB.
Speaker 3 (00:23):
This week on The Big League Podcast, Warriors women's captain
pe Nichols joins to discuss how she'll balance being a
police officer and playing in the nrlw our rugby unions
helped her performance in the league and the Warriors. Other
Cross code stars Michael Burgess and I will run through
a variant yet disgruntling loss to the Broncos and survey
(00:44):
the damage of knee injuries to Luke metcalf and Chance
Nickel Kluck Star, my name is Nathan Limb. Let's go
b LB. All right, everyone just settled down. The gravity
of the twenty six to twelve loss to Brisbane cannot
be underestimated, not just because of the result the Warriors
going down in consecutive games for the first time this season,
(01:05):
but more so for the casualties. Luke metcar and Charans
Nickelcook's have both suffered worrying knee injuries. The grimace on
Metcalfe's faces he was helped from the park said at
all they both might be gone for the season, But
I'm going to tell you what's going to happen. Taine
to Opeki will step up as he has done all
season at fullback. To my dam Martin is going to
(01:28):
play half back. Remember last year when Shawn Johnson got
injured and everyone pooed themselves, Martin took the mantle alongside
Chanelle Harris Tavita and put on some masterful performances. Michael Burgess,
Senior New Zealand Herald Rider. How massive are these two injuries?
How are they going to replace them?
Speaker 4 (01:47):
What are we going to do?
Speaker 5 (01:50):
Remember last week when I was quite stressed after the
Penrith result, Yeah I do.
Speaker 4 (01:55):
How am I feeling now even more stressed? There you go.
Speaker 5 (02:00):
But yeah, it's a major concern, isn't it. Eighth, because
of you're taking out two members of the spine. Whenever
you're talking about spinal surgery in a league team, it's
not a good it's not a good situation. But to
your point, the Warriors aren't shut to halfbacks. If you're
looking at any team that's got the squad, that's got
(02:20):
a number of experienced halfbacks, they're not going to have
to throw in a kid you know, they've got Tomorday,
don't rule out Tanner Boyd though he could also be
an option. Andrew Webbs has got two weeks to think
about it, and then they've also got a couple of
decent fallbacks, haven't they. So I guess that's the slight
silver lining that there are players to come in and
step in and they'll do a good job.
Speaker 4 (02:41):
But there's a shortage of wingers now.
Speaker 5 (02:42):
Whatever happens, and I don't know, just the timing of
this is absolutely terrible on so many levels, especially for
met Cars.
Speaker 4 (02:49):
He's having the.
Speaker 5 (02:49):
Season of his life, leading the daily in voting, playing
so well, learning so much, and he's probably the most
X factor player in the Warriors back line with that pace.
You think of the amount of tries he's set up
or scored this year. Yeah, that's what they're really going
to make, even though I know people have different opinions
(03:11):
about his extual ability as a playmaker and a game organizer,
which has got better, but man, he was X factor.
Speaker 3 (03:17):
Yeah, it's devastating for him, especially when you factor in
the injury last year, how much of the season he missed.
Speaker 4 (03:24):
Then it is.
Speaker 3 (03:27):
Just it is devastating for the Warrior's spine because of
how you know, you talk about Metcalf and his X
factor leading the dally M, but also Charence. How many
try saving tackles has he made this season? How many
try saving tackles did he make just in that game gone.
I mean, he's pivotal for the Warrior's defense as well
as the amount of work he gets through on attack.
(03:48):
So I really really feel for those two. And in
regards to the incidents themselves, the Metcalf one is a
brutal tackle. As a brutal tackle, initially I thought it
was a rib. I thought he'd broken a rib. That
hit was so massive, but obviously the knee. There was
a bit of contention and commentators were talking about whether
or not the tackle was over. Ok For me, it
(04:09):
was okay. It was just a solid tackle and the
chance to could cookstart one just before halftime was sickening
looking at that Replaan and seeing his league get trapped.
Speaker 5 (04:18):
It's just one of those horrible ones, and it just
compounded everything. Broncos scoring a try seven seconds I think
it was before halftime after the Warriors it held on,
held on, held on that try and makes it eighteen
now and then wait a minute, Oh chances limping. Oh
he's limping off. Oh he's not going to be back.
So yeah, not great. And for Metcalf as well. Can't
(04:40):
we can't forget he's a new father, you know, so
he's going to be at home for all these months,
you know, trying to help out and can hardly move
all that stuff. Like you mentioned last year broke his
league twenty twenty three. You missed half the season injury
as well, so places had injuries. When he's at Cronal,
the guys, the guys had a Richard run.
Speaker 4 (04:58):
He really is now.
Speaker 3 (05:00):
Coach Andrew Webster expects the Peer to miss the warriors
next match against the Tigers following the buy it says
it's early to determine the extent.
Speaker 6 (05:10):
Let's ask the doctor for a coming and just said
what wasn't and he said he put their number of things.
Speaker 4 (05:15):
But let's wait for the skins.
Speaker 3 (05:16):
He says, they'll receive the skins once they're back in
New Zealand. The time of recording is Monday. This should
be undergoing the scans today and we'll get an update
this week.
Speaker 6 (05:24):
Plan in two weeks time, I can tell you that much.
Speaker 4 (05:26):
But I'm just going to wait and see how the.
Speaker 7 (05:28):
Scans are find out.
Speaker 3 (05:30):
Now we're going to go through this game in a
little bit more detail and later on here from Warriors
Women's captain a Petty Nichols. But first here are the highlights.
Broncos twenty six Warriors twelve.
Speaker 8 (05:45):
Rolls in st tesday stick scart score.
Speaker 4 (05:51):
With the first two tours and defenders.
Speaker 8 (05:54):
I'll touching just take it out of the simpty untouched
two plus left Max and Umber shut side cimiciety seven
side well inside it stay satan again. The Warriors passed
(06:16):
the me it gets it on, never comes.
Speaker 4 (06:18):
Across and run Terris over.
Speaker 8 (06:21):
He's Hellascus next to the posts where the Warriors give
themselves on my throat.
Speaker 4 (06:32):
Then on the man.
Speaker 8 (06:33):
Shot for Semasaki who beat up this time Gisarki gets
it off.
Speaker 3 (06:40):
It's the Broncos who collect the points. Here audio courtesy
of Fox Sports The Big League Podcast. Right, birds, let's
go through this game in a little bit more detail.
First of all, let's start on a positive because I
thought the defense was for the most part outstanding. The
number of Trice saving tackles was so impressive.
Speaker 4 (07:01):
I mean, how many were there?
Speaker 5 (07:02):
You just think of as you mentioned, Charms made an
amazing trice having tackle Tomato Martin early in the in
the second half somehow holds up Bryce Walsh. There are
other ones where thought of the Broncos are bound to
score here and then bomb suddenly they don't. And not
just those ones, but the ones within sets close to
the line where they were cut off. I mean, you
(07:25):
sum up the first half quite easily by saying that
the Warriors had eleven sets with the ball, the Broncos
had twenty. So it doesn't matter who you are. It
doesn't matter if you're the Melbourne Storm, if you're the
Bulldog's Penrith anyone. You ain't gonna do much when the
other team's got twice as much ball as you.
Speaker 3 (07:46):
And that was that was the story of the half. Really,
He's Andrew Webster's assessment after the game.
Speaker 6 (07:52):
Honestly, so many clubs loved to have the spirrable gout
at the moment, and.
Speaker 4 (07:55):
How much we're willing to compete and fight. We just
got to get picks and execute out of them what
they want to do. You touched on it there, Burge.
For me, the Warriors let themselves down with the ball
off the ball.
Speaker 3 (08:05):
I thought they were pretty much fantastic, but they were,
and they were giving away stupid penalties and consecutive penalties
as well that were leap frogging Brisbane up the field.
The Warriors couldn't get out of their half. They just
couldn't get out of their half for much of that game.
The Laban scrumb penalty I wanted to highlight too as
just bizarre. You never see that. Why didn't he just
(08:27):
listen to Adam G.
Speaker 8 (08:29):
Well?
Speaker 5 (08:30):
I think Adam g had a funny afternoon too, because
which we'll talk about in a minute, he made some
pretty unusual calls, but that was also an unusual call.
I mean, there was no half back at the scrum,
but they could give them another few seconds to get
someone there. But it kind of summed up half, didn't it,
where there was just dumb things happening, bad decisions. Jackson
(08:51):
Ford just comes on the field and bomb gives away
an escort penalty. You don't mind the escort penalties, they happen.
What you don't like is when it's done right in
front of the referee, you know that sort of I
don't know. And then I think straight after that penalty.
Egan had his HIA, So there's another little turning point.
They defended well, they scrambled well, but I wouldn't label
(09:11):
the defense sort of fantastic in terms of you got
to mention that they did get stripped on the edges
a couple of times, and some certainly the right edge
Bury go see.
Speaker 4 (09:22):
They were struggling new pairing again, so it wasn't completely
what you want.
Speaker 5 (09:29):
But as Webster said in that quote, the spirit, the
resilience with everything going against them, they kept turning up.
I mean, the score could have been so much higher.
Speaker 4 (09:38):
I think what's improving warriors.
Speaker 3 (09:41):
My perception of the warrior's defense is that heart and
just like we said, the try saving tackles.
Speaker 4 (09:46):
I was really proud of the effort that they did
put in. But you mentioned they're the escort penalty.
Speaker 3 (09:51):
Reese Walsh offside, taken out by Jackson Ford chasing a check.
Speaker 4 (09:54):
He wasn't going to get anywhere near it.
Speaker 3 (09:56):
Reynolds kicks the penalty in the Broncos get another two,
but Webster was absolutely fuming afterwards.
Speaker 4 (10:02):
Take a listen to this. Yeah, I was right in
front of that.
Speaker 6 (10:04):
He was miles off side, miles off side, Wade Egan
in the first but I asked you to go.
Speaker 4 (10:09):
And pause it.
Speaker 6 (10:10):
When they play the ball is and you Tommy how
he's offside? He's three meters on side. It's like them
just made that up. Riese Walsh just way in front.
The first imprisonment is that if ibly give me a crap,
that it's for our players something.
Speaker 4 (10:21):
That's the first entression. I don't know how they miss it.
Oh I'm not a touch actually I'm not a ref
When I was down there, I can see him. It's
quite a good line, isn't it. Mate? They just made
that up.
Speaker 5 (10:33):
Like it's quite rare for webs to come out and
say things like that. It's even quite weird.
Speaker 4 (10:40):
You know what he's like.
Speaker 5 (10:41):
We always ask him in the weekly immediate sessions. I
asked him and in the press comments afterwards. He's reluctant
say too much about the refereeing or decisions. He's not
that kind of guy.
Speaker 4 (10:49):
He's not. He's not like a Ricky Stewart. That's just
you know, I love Ricky Stewart. Oh we all have Ricky,
but Ricky doesn't hold back. Andrew's more cautious. Da da
da da da. But so when he's saying something, you
know he's angry. You know he's angry.
Speaker 5 (11:02):
And it was just weird some of the decisions and
people say, oh, he's making excuses. But the way the
NURL is now you get all these decisions go against you.
It's just all these micro moments to add up and
just kill any momentum give. Like the worst one of
the match for me was, wait, Egan making this great
break up the middle round about forty to fifty meters.
Speaker 4 (11:22):
Here we go, goes to get up quickly. It's a
bit of a messy played the ball, but he just
plays it quickly.
Speaker 5 (11:28):
But Walsh had sort of held him down a bit,
you know, so it could have been a penalty, maybe
could have been a symburn plays it quickly falls over
and suddenly Egan's getting penalized for not playing the ball correctly.
And as the commentator said on at the time, they said,
there's got to be some credit for the attacking team
in that situation.
Speaker 4 (11:47):
He's made the break.
Speaker 5 (11:48):
Broncos are on the So those kind of things you
just scratch your head because it just doesn't show a
feeling for the game.
Speaker 3 (11:56):
I suppose with you know, I mentioned that the errors
and there were you know, a couple of times Warriors
on the attack, loose pass on the attack, dropped the ball,
bundled out in the corner. There was some good defense
for but it just felt like they just were not
making the most of their opportunities. And they did have
opportunities in that first half, especially the Warriors, but Brisbane
(12:17):
every time they got up the Warriors end in that
first forty they scored. They were clinical with the chances
that they had, and the Warriors just.
Speaker 4 (12:24):
Went, oh, they were clinical. And the Warriors defend a
world to hold them out.
Speaker 5 (12:29):
But Reynolds cooking game very good, so they'd forced a
repeat set, they'd keep the pressure on and you're right.
The Warriors attack was just felt like they were going
too wide too early. You know, they're going east to
west before going north. And the best example was first
tackle after repeat set, they go wide, shuffle it wide
and Cosey gets pushed out over the sideline. That's the
(12:50):
sort of play you do and tackle three or four
when you've already created pressure. And the other one was
from memory. Luke Metcalf runs a really narrow blindside, like
really narrow, like ten meters blind side metcalf Bury Cocy
on the third or fourth play, tries to steek down.
It's fine to try that stuff, but it was obvious
it was so skinny, and course he gets bundled out.
(13:11):
So things like that just kill the coach decision making,
decision making, I think, decision making. They all got a
bit frazzled, which happens when you haven't got the ball.
It's a hot afternoon. You need someone to settle the
team down, You need to stoppage and play. You need something.
And the problem is now these days they're ol. It
doesn't stop in the second half.
Speaker 3 (13:31):
I suppose, given everything we talked about them not making
the most of the opportunities out of nowhere. It was
twenty to twelve. Halasima scores, catches that bomb and untouched
he scores. Suddenly it's an eight point game, and you
think Hallo, less than ten minutes ago, worries they might
be in this and they kind of had no right
to be. What happened in that second half.
Speaker 5 (13:51):
Oh, you exactly right. That's the sort of what might
have been if only about this match. It was twelve
nil and Sanell had been held up in the first
half as well, but as twelve nil was seven seconds
ago before halftime, if the Warriors do hold them out,
twelve minil at halftime instead it's eighteen, So eighteen you thinking, okay,
long way back, no right to be in this contest.
(14:12):
But they did turn things around. They finally got the
Fords going. They've got some momentum and the Fords of
Broncos will beating them up through the ruck. The Nterchange
players made a difference in that area, the way they
come on and really got things going. They started to
throw the ball around a bit, and you're exactly right.
Twenty twelve were ten minutes to go. You suddenly can
hear all the Warriors fans in the stadium and you
(14:34):
have to wonder what might have happened if Ed Cosey
can take that cutout ball from Mardin which was a
little bit in front of him. But if he can
take that to twenty twelve, ten minutes to go and
they score, who knows.
Speaker 3 (14:48):
The Warriors remain fourth on the ladder twenty four points.
The gamp has closed to four. There is a guarantee
two points coming off the buy here, which we're going into,
which is fantastic for ser Harris James Fisher. Harris was
asked after the game if the Warriors are still a
top fourteen.
Speaker 7 (15:03):
Yeah, I believe it's ten and Doll club actually twelve
stepson from Cup do a good job and the belief
in our squad is immense. Whatever happens injuries and started,
still believing in the younger boys.
Speaker 3 (15:16):
Burge, I want your your packs for next game against
the Tigers. Who's the half back, who's on the wing,
who's at full wet.
Speaker 4 (15:25):
Bloody hell, that's a bit early, Okay. I've given you.
Speaker 3 (15:27):
Mine Tayane to Mind at half back, at full back
and then you got the same one.
Speaker 5 (15:34):
As Okay, Well, I'll go Roder at full back and
tenor Boyd at half back to be different now. But
look he's not going to put Roder at full back.
I just want to I just want to just go
back to Fish. The question of for Sir Harris, that's
that is that is becoming The question here is like
they are still in the top four, but are they
a top four team? The last two weeks they haven't
played like a top four team attacking? Why so that
(15:55):
that's there. That's their challenge now is to get back
rebound after the after the bye, because I remember we
were feeling pretty good about things a few weeks ago
and there was the eight point gap. Now it's four points.
Broncos are circling. I think the penrith a five points behind,
so there's pressure coming. In terms of what he does.
Speaker 4 (16:15):
I find this really interesting, mate, Like he's got two
weeks to think about it. What does he way up?
Speaker 5 (16:20):
Tomarte deserves the shot, surely because he's been so good,
but then you lose him as the utility guy.
Speaker 4 (16:26):
He deserves that. He did it last year, like you say.
Speaker 5 (16:29):
But Tanner Boyd does offer the best kicking game in
the club, Like he can kick kick the ball a mile.
That might be tempting given they're a bit you know,
they're not getting the four the yard is like there were,
you know, he might he might look at that. He
might look at Boyd and the same with Roger and Taine.
Like Roger, he'd be tempt wouldn't he. You don't think so, No,
(16:51):
I don't. I think he's made it very clear. Tayne
is the backup full back. Obviously Tyane had their head
in a couple of weeks ago, but he will be
okay for the for the Tigers game, he'll be at fullback.
Speaker 4 (17:01):
Roger will remain on the wing. That's how it was
last year when Charms got injured.
Speaker 5 (17:05):
That's true, and it keeps He wouldn't want to reshuffle
too much. But what are they doing the other wing?
Cosey didn't play great. He'll be under under pressure. There
aren't too many other options though, but I think we
still have a look at how people are training over
the next week and a half and it'll be fascinating.
Speaker 2 (17:22):
This is going the Big League Podcast on the Warriors Bandwagons,
Sin's Day one.
Speaker 4 (17:30):
This is the Big League Podcast.
Speaker 2 (17:33):
Well I got a.
Speaker 3 (17:34):
Sit down one on one with Rpe Nichols, a new
Warriors women's skipper, ahead of their return to the NRLW
this weekend against the Roosters.
Speaker 4 (17:44):
Let's take a listen.
Speaker 3 (17:45):
I pet you Nichols. Thank you so much for joining
the Big League Podcast. Really appreciate your time. First of all,
congratulations being named the Warriors women's captain, coming back one
of the foundation players. What was your reaction when you
first got the call up to be asked to be
the captain.
Speaker 9 (18:02):
I was shocked. I couldn't believe it. I needed sometime
to think about it.
Speaker 10 (18:07):
So yeah, I think after a couple of days of
you know, just processing everything, I was really really grateful
and honored to just you know, receive that call, and yeah,
I took it, and I don't regret it. I'm just
really grateful that I'm able to like lead this team
and yeah, just really lucky.
Speaker 4 (18:25):
Do you feel ready?
Speaker 3 (18:26):
Like what were the different things that you considered when
you were deciding whether or not to say yes.
Speaker 10 (18:30):
Yeah, I considered like whether I was fit for it,
because I'm not you know, I'm a woman of a
few words, So yeah, I don't really talk as much
off the field. That's something that I really struggle with.
And also like media stuff that was a fear of mine.
But yeah, just having run around me, you know, he's
mentored me since the start of the season and he's
(18:52):
built confidence in me, and yeah, I was just really
grateful that he's helped me through this process. And yeah,
and that's why I took it, because now I believe
that I am.
Speaker 9 (19:02):
Capable and I do deserve to be here. I deserve
this role, and yeah, I'm going to do my best
to like support my team and sure that I get
the best out of them.
Speaker 3 (19:10):
Can you tell us a little bit about your squad,
because obviously it's very young, there'll be a lot of
players who the average league fan in New Zealand doesn't know.
But then you've also got some superstars as well, So
can you tell us about how your squads sort of
shaping up?
Speaker 10 (19:22):
Yeah, yeah, no, I think we have about seventy percent
of them that have I might get these some one's wrong,
but yeah, I think just over half the team that
have never played league before, and some of them might
just returning to this level in our duble level, but
they have so much energy and we're just so connected
that it makes us quite different because they're very skillful.
(19:46):
Though they have never played league before, they've played other
codes like rugby, and they're really skillful.
Speaker 9 (19:50):
They're really talented.
Speaker 10 (19:52):
We've got speed, like obviously Mikaela, she's just you know,
they just bring so much strength into our team, the
rugby girls, so you're really lucky to have them. But
our young ones, they are very hungry and that's that's
a good thing. But I think most importantly, we're just
so connected and I feel like that'll take us a
long way throughout the season.
Speaker 9 (20:14):
Just staying connected regardless of you know, within you or not.
Speaker 4 (20:17):
Yeah, it might be nice.
Speaker 3 (20:20):
It must be nice, sorry, as a leader to be
able to lean on the likes of Mikayla Braak, who
although she doesn't have lots of league experience, she's been
on the world stations, being at the Olympic, she's one
gold medals, so she must have real mana within the group.
Speaker 9 (20:32):
Yeah, no, definitely, like yes, so she.
Speaker 10 (20:37):
Is very experienced and professional and it does definitely lift
our team, our team confidence as well, especially because she
brings so much value to our team.
Speaker 9 (20:46):
So yeah, we're really really lucky to have her. And
the other sport is new.
Speaker 10 (20:50):
Sometimes people shy away when they're joined something new, but
she's just fits brighten like she's has a voice since
she's jumped on board. She's the fastest than our team,
so yeah, she's definitely an inspiration to our players, especially myself.
Speaker 9 (21:08):
So yeah, just really lucky to have her.
Speaker 2 (21:11):
Now.
Speaker 3 (21:11):
Obviously, you played for the Warriors initially when they first
came into the NRLW. You've played for a couple of
other NROLW franchises since it was a Titans and the Raiders,
but you also spent two seasons with the Chiefs Manula
playing regby Union. Is there anything you can take out
of that experience playing Union that will help you coming
back to league.
Speaker 9 (21:30):
Yeah, definitely.
Speaker 10 (21:31):
I think Union defensively has helped me on my defensive
game and just the way just how professional Union was.
I felt like that helped. It helped me in a
way to like bring some of those strength and you know,
standards to league now. So yeah, I've definitely learned a
lot of skills from Union. Like they just really practice
(21:55):
a lot of technical stuff which helped with my game
and I was able to bring that to league.
Speaker 9 (21:59):
So yeah, that's pretty much got it brought over.
Speaker 4 (22:02):
And I understand that you're also in the police force
and you'll do that job alongside playing for the Warrior.
Is how challenging is that? And what does your week
look like? You know fitting everything in?
Speaker 9 (22:13):
Yeah, it is challenging.
Speaker 10 (22:15):
Like we so my week looks like Monday to Thursday,
I work normal business hours seven to three and then
in the.
Speaker 9 (22:22):
Evening we took off at four o'clock at.
Speaker 10 (22:25):
The Warriors, and then on top of that, I have
to like drop the kids off to school and spend
some time, you know, and just trying to spend some
time with them is really challenging because you know, we're
trying to juggle all these things, and yeah, it can
be like taxing on the body. But I think I'm
just grateful to have a really good support network around
me and just you know, not just my family, but
also my team here.
Speaker 9 (22:46):
They really helped me mentally get through, you know, all
the challenges that I that I face.
Speaker 3 (22:53):
Yeah, and you got the roosters up first to defending champions,
yes they are.
Speaker 10 (22:58):
Yeah, they're the defending champions, and they're They're an amazing team.
You know, I feel like they've developed that They've definitely
developed their teams throughout the years.
Speaker 9 (23:08):
But you know what, these girls, I feel like our girls.
I feel like we're just.
Speaker 10 (23:11):
Going to go out there and play with hard and
play for each other and that's all that matters.
Speaker 3 (23:15):
Where do you see expectations for the season, given it's
your first year back, Like, do you expect to go
out there and win the Premisshire?
Speaker 8 (23:22):
No?
Speaker 9 (23:22):
We I don't expect. I just expect our girls to
just go out there and do their best, you know.
Speaker 10 (23:27):
Regardless, I'm proud of how far we've come, and I
just feel like we will always continue to build on
to build every game and just yeah, just to keep
breaking on our work ons.
Speaker 2 (23:40):
The Big League Podcast on the Warrior is Bad Wagons
since day one, The Big League Podcast for the Biggest
League fans.
Speaker 4 (23:51):
Okay, Berg, we're back into short rounds again because we've
got State of Origin coming up in a week and
a half.
Speaker 5 (23:57):
You know time, Short Round reminds me of one of
my favorite ever movies and favorite of a movie characters,
Indiana Jones.
Speaker 4 (24:06):
Very good. Yeah, so impressed you.
Speaker 5 (24:09):
I thought you had no chance of that reference, considering
that movie came out in about nineteen eighties four.
Speaker 3 (24:16):
I think, see, the only reason I get that reference
is because I've watched The Big Bang Theory, which references
Short Round.
Speaker 4 (24:21):
Oh okay, I've never seen Indiana Jones film all the
way through it.
Speaker 5 (24:24):
Oh well, Short Round was amazing, and he was also
just imagine a superstar back I'm at primary school back then,
and this kid on the movies, and he was also
the same actor was in the Goonies.
Speaker 4 (24:36):
So there you go to the Goonies. Okay, well, we've
got to have a conversation after this. Sorry.
Speaker 5 (24:41):
It's like one of the odd time great eighties movies
Ancient for the Goonies. Seriously, are you joking?
Speaker 4 (24:48):
How have you? How are you here without seeing the Goonies?
Speaker 5 (24:51):
What?
Speaker 4 (24:53):
How did you make it this far? And work and
life and for the goodies that impact for on you? Yeah,
I mean the lead character was called Mikey, so that
was pretty cool. Oh okay, right, but yeah, short rounds,
it is great.
Speaker 5 (25:07):
But to to segue again, how do you have a
full time job as a police officer and play in
er LW You know what I mean? It's just I mean,
you can't even balance your social touch rugby with being
a radio guy.
Speaker 4 (25:24):
You know, why are you just turning this around and
slagging me off?
Speaker 3 (25:27):
Pelie Nichols is doing incredibly well, and by all accounts,
a lot of the worries women also they're working other jobs.
Peie Nichols is going to work four days a week
as a police officer and then playing the NRL on
the weekends.
Speaker 4 (25:41):
No, but that was I was.
Speaker 5 (25:42):
I was making a joke, and I can make a
joking by myself because this year I've had to give
up over thirty five's soccer because I know, work and
jugging everything else.
Speaker 4 (25:52):
But that's my whole point.
Speaker 5 (25:53):
Like I think this is one of the stories of
this whole in errow is the sacrifice, the commitments that
they have to go through, the full time jobs, training
in the evening, training the afternoon. It's but it's great
they're back. She's a great leader. I remember her in
the first year. She was fantastic. So much experience now
(26:14):
and she's got a really good team around her. So
I like because they've signed.
Speaker 4 (26:18):
I like the coach. Good signs, mate. I'm really excited
to see what they do this season.
Speaker 3 (26:23):
And we'll have a chat about whatever they produce on
Saturday next week. But it's a quick fire predictions burges
as I said, yeah, short round, short round circle back
in Indiana Jones reference. But the Bulldogs and the Broncos
that both have had some big games, like all in
(26:43):
a row, and they're coming up against one another now.
The Bulldogs who went down to the Panthers and here
come the Panthers. Oh no, and the Broncos inform.
Speaker 5 (26:54):
Yeah, we both tip the Panthers too, so don't to
us to beat the Bulldogs. I'll go with the Bulldogs
because this is Sydney and the Broncos will be missing
missing Painhass, missing Karrigan, missing Reese Walsh, and missing a
few Origin players, which I think will make the difference.
But it should be close because they certainly got their
(27:16):
mojo back. But yeah, the Bulldogs to edge it in Sydney.
Speaker 4 (27:20):
I'm going to agree with you.
Speaker 3 (27:21):
The Bulldogs will miss a couple as well, but they
will Yeah, like the likes of Crichton, But yeah, I
think they will bounce back.
Speaker 5 (27:28):
Raiders Dragons, Raiders for mine. They're just finding a way.
I don't know if they'll from memory. Their draw they
run home is pretty kind. They might not lose another
game this year, that's how crazy. They're just finding a
way to get things done. Over the weekend they you know,
they went to Newcastle, who have started to look good again.
Speaker 4 (27:48):
Got it done. Ricky so happy at the moment because
his boys are playing for him.
Speaker 3 (27:52):
It's a rare site happy Ricky Stewart Cowboys versus the Storm.
Speaker 5 (27:57):
I will go for the first time this season. I
think I'm going to tip against the Storm. Sure, it's
the first time, I know, I know. Seriously, I just
wonder if they've got too many too many Origin players out,
even though they've got all the key weason. They've still
got good players, but they'll be missing four or five
pretty important players. I know they've just smashed the Sharks
that look really good. But the Cowboys had a good
(28:17):
win too. They'll be at home, not missing, you know,
missing the Cowboys missing dead and too, aren't they And
okay hmm, okay.
Speaker 4 (28:25):
No, you can't change your peck. Cowboys storm to win.
Roosters versus the Tigers, Roosters versus Tigers.
Speaker 5 (28:35):
Yes, Roosters are one of those teams that are breathing
down the warrior's necks. I think there, what are they
equaled the Broncos. So they're they're on the charge, They're
on twenty Yeah, they called the Broncos. They're coming off
the bye yeah, coming.
Speaker 4 (28:48):
Off the buye.
Speaker 5 (28:49):
They'll be well rested. But I am gonna tip Benji's
boys here only because the Roosters will be missing I
think five or six players through origin and that could
and should make the difference.
Speaker 4 (29:03):
So the chan the Tigers look at that, I might excited.
Speaker 3 (29:08):
No, I'm begging the Roosters Seagulls versus the Bunnies to finish.
Speaker 5 (29:13):
Also, But I just can't stop thinking about short round,
Like what was the best Indiana Jones movie. We have
to discuss this got Raiders Temple of Doom in the
Last Crusade, don't count, don't count the one since.
Speaker 3 (29:25):
Wait wait wait wait, one of them, one of them
had had this scene that I was shown as a kid,
and it like scarred me. And it was it was
someone reaches inside and pulls out the heart of Yeah,
it's someone, Yeah, the bad guy whatever reaches in and
pulls out the heart of this guy and he's like
his heart's like outside his chest and then he I
guess he dies. But I saw someone showed me that
(29:48):
as a kid, I had nightmares for literally months.
Speaker 5 (29:51):
Yeah, it was when the scariest things actually scariest things
you could see as a kid. I could agree with that.
There was Temple of Doom that were probably people. Yeah,
that was amazing. Short round that his best.
Speaker 4 (30:02):
I'm not going to watch him, no, but yeah, to
get back.
Speaker 5 (30:07):
To l I'll go for the Seagulls simply because well
mainly is still still a good team. They're just about
up and down, but they'll be too good.
Speaker 4 (30:17):
To go for the Rabbit over to finish. We're disagreeing
on a few this week, but it's quite good.
Speaker 3 (30:22):
We thank you so much for your time, your wisdom,
your insight, and all the insight into Indiana Jones as well.
Michael Burgers, well done, bring you around it. Thank you
Neckholas too for appearing on the podcast for the very
first time. Very excited to see other worries women go
this year. Please follow and rate the podcast. Thank you
for listening and making us a part of your week.
My name is Nathan Limb. Will be back next Monday.
Have a fantastic week.
Speaker 1 (30:48):
For more from News Talks, it'd be listen live on
air or online and keep our shows with you wherever
you go with our podcast on iHeartRadio
You're listening to a podcast from News Talks EDB. Follow
this and our Wide Ranger podcast now on iHeartRadio The.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
Big League podcastle podcast by News TALKSB.
Speaker 3 (00:23):
This week on The Big League Podcast, Warriors women's captain
pe Nichols joins to discuss how she'll balance being a
police officer and playing in the nrlw our rugby unions
helped her performance in the league and the Warriors. Other
Cross code stars Michael Burgess and I will run through
a variant yet disgruntling loss to the Broncos and survey
(00:44):
the damage of knee injuries to Luke metcalf and Chance
Nickel Kluck Star, my name is Nathan Limb. Let's go
b LB. All right, everyone just settled down. The gravity
of the twenty six to twelve loss to Brisbane cannot
be underestimated, not just because of the result the Warriors
going down in consecutive games for the first time this season,
(01:05):
but more so for the casualties. Luke metcar and Charans
Nickelcook's have both suffered worrying knee injuries. The grimace on
Metcalfe's faces he was helped from the park said at
all they both might be gone for the season, But
I'm going to tell you what's going to happen. Taine
to Opeki will step up as he has done all
season at fullback. To my dam Martin is going to
(01:28):
play half back. Remember last year when Shawn Johnson got
injured and everyone pooed themselves, Martin took the mantle alongside
Chanelle Harris Tavita and put on some masterful performances. Michael Burgess,
Senior New Zealand Herald Rider. How massive are these two injuries?
How are they going to replace them?
Speaker 4 (01:47):
What are we going to do?
Speaker 5 (01:50):
Remember last week when I was quite stressed after the
Penrith result, Yeah I do.
Speaker 4 (01:55):
How am I feeling now even more stressed? There you go.
Speaker 5 (02:00):
But yeah, it's a major concern, isn't it. Eighth, because
of you're taking out two members of the spine. Whenever
you're talking about spinal surgery in a league team, it's
not a good it's not a good situation. But to
your point, the Warriors aren't shut to halfbacks. If you're
looking at any team that's got the squad, that's got
(02:20):
a number of experienced halfbacks, they're not going to have
to throw in a kid you know, they've got Tomorday,
don't rule out Tanner Boyd though he could also be
an option. Andrew Webbs has got two weeks to think
about it, and then they've also got a couple of
decent fallbacks, haven't they. So I guess that's the slight
silver lining that there are players to come in and
step in and they'll do a good job.
Speaker 4 (02:41):
But there's a shortage of wingers now.
Speaker 5 (02:42):
Whatever happens, and I don't know, just the timing of
this is absolutely terrible on so many levels, especially for
met Cars.
Speaker 4 (02:49):
He's having the.
Speaker 5 (02:49):
Season of his life, leading the daily in voting, playing
so well, learning so much, and he's probably the most
X factor player in the Warriors back line with that pace.
You think of the amount of tries he's set up
or scored this year. Yeah, that's what they're really going
to make, even though I know people have different opinions
(03:11):
about his extual ability as a playmaker and a game organizer,
which has got better, but man, he was X factor.
Speaker 3 (03:17):
Yeah, it's devastating for him, especially when you factor in
the injury last year, how much of the season he missed.
Speaker 4 (03:24):
Then it is.
Speaker 3 (03:27):
Just it is devastating for the Warrior's spine because of
how you know, you talk about Metcalf and his X
factor leading the dally M, but also Charence. How many
try saving tackles has he made this season? How many
try saving tackles did he make just in that game gone.
I mean, he's pivotal for the Warrior's defense as well
as the amount of work he gets through on attack.
(03:48):
So I really really feel for those two. And in
regards to the incidents themselves, the Metcalf one is a
brutal tackle. As a brutal tackle, initially I thought it
was a rib. I thought he'd broken a rib. That
hit was so massive, but obviously the knee. There was
a bit of contention and commentators were talking about whether
or not the tackle was over. Ok For me, it
(04:09):
was okay. It was just a solid tackle and the
chance to could cookstart one just before halftime was sickening
looking at that Replaan and seeing his league get trapped.
Speaker 5 (04:18):
It's just one of those horrible ones, and it just
compounded everything. Broncos scoring a try seven seconds I think
it was before halftime after the Warriors it held on,
held on, held on that try and makes it eighteen
now and then wait a minute, Oh chances limping. Oh
he's limping off. Oh he's not going to be back.
So yeah, not great. And for Metcalf as well. Can't
(04:40):
we can't forget he's a new father, you know, so
he's going to be at home for all these months,
you know, trying to help out and can hardly move
all that stuff. Like you mentioned last year broke his
league twenty twenty three. You missed half the season injury
as well, so places had injuries. When he's at Cronal,
the guys, the guys had a Richard run.
Speaker 4 (04:58):
He really is now.
Speaker 3 (05:00):
Coach Andrew Webster expects the Peer to miss the warriors
next match against the Tigers following the buy it says
it's early to determine the extent.
Speaker 6 (05:10):
Let's ask the doctor for a coming and just said
what wasn't and he said he put their number of things.
Speaker 4 (05:15):
But let's wait for the skins.
Speaker 3 (05:16):
He says, they'll receive the skins once they're back in
New Zealand. The time of recording is Monday. This should
be undergoing the scans today and we'll get an update
this week.
Speaker 6 (05:24):
Plan in two weeks time, I can tell you that much.
Speaker 4 (05:26):
But I'm just going to wait and see how the.
Speaker 7 (05:28):
Scans are find out.
Speaker 3 (05:30):
Now we're going to go through this game in a
little bit more detail and later on here from Warriors
Women's captain a Petty Nichols. But first here are the highlights.
Broncos twenty six Warriors twelve.
Speaker 8 (05:45):
Rolls in st tesday stick scart score.
Speaker 4 (05:51):
With the first two tours and defenders.
Speaker 8 (05:54):
I'll touching just take it out of the simpty untouched
two plus left Max and Umber shut side cimiciety seven
side well inside it stay satan again. The Warriors passed
(06:16):
the me it gets it on, never comes.
Speaker 4 (06:18):
Across and run Terris over.
Speaker 8 (06:21):
He's Hellascus next to the posts where the Warriors give
themselves on my throat.
Speaker 4 (06:32):
Then on the man.
Speaker 8 (06:33):
Shot for Semasaki who beat up this time Gisarki gets
it off.
Speaker 3 (06:40):
It's the Broncos who collect the points. Here audio courtesy
of Fox Sports The Big League Podcast. Right, birds, let's
go through this game in a little bit more detail.
First of all, let's start on a positive because I
thought the defense was for the most part outstanding. The
number of Trice saving tackles was so impressive.
Speaker 4 (07:01):
I mean, how many were there?
Speaker 5 (07:02):
You just think of as you mentioned, Charms made an
amazing trice having tackle Tomato Martin early in the in
the second half somehow holds up Bryce Walsh. There are
other ones where thought of the Broncos are bound to
score here and then bomb suddenly they don't. And not
just those ones, but the ones within sets close to
the line where they were cut off. I mean, you
(07:25):
sum up the first half quite easily by saying that
the Warriors had eleven sets with the ball, the Broncos
had twenty. So it doesn't matter who you are. It
doesn't matter if you're the Melbourne Storm, if you're the
Bulldog's Penrith anyone. You ain't gonna do much when the
other team's got twice as much ball as you.
Speaker 3 (07:46):
And that was that was the story of the half. Really,
He's Andrew Webster's assessment after the game.
Speaker 6 (07:52):
Honestly, so many clubs loved to have the spirrable gout
at the moment, and.
Speaker 4 (07:55):
How much we're willing to compete and fight. We just
got to get picks and execute out of them what
they want to do. You touched on it there, Burge.
For me, the Warriors let themselves down with the ball
off the ball.
Speaker 3 (08:05):
I thought they were pretty much fantastic, but they were,
and they were giving away stupid penalties and consecutive penalties
as well that were leap frogging Brisbane up the field.
The Warriors couldn't get out of their half. They just
couldn't get out of their half for much of that game.
The Laban scrumb penalty I wanted to highlight too as
just bizarre. You never see that. Why didn't he just
(08:27):
listen to Adam G.
Speaker 8 (08:29):
Well?
Speaker 5 (08:30):
I think Adam g had a funny afternoon too, because
which we'll talk about in a minute, he made some
pretty unusual calls, but that was also an unusual call.
I mean, there was no half back at the scrum,
but they could give them another few seconds to get
someone there. But it kind of summed up half, didn't it,
where there was just dumb things happening, bad decisions. Jackson
(08:51):
Ford just comes on the field and bomb gives away
an escort penalty. You don't mind the escort penalties, they happen.
What you don't like is when it's done right in
front of the referee, you know that sort of I
don't know. And then I think straight after that penalty.
Egan had his HIA, So there's another little turning point.
They defended well, they scrambled well, but I wouldn't label
(09:11):
the defense sort of fantastic in terms of you got
to mention that they did get stripped on the edges
a couple of times, and some certainly the right edge
Bury go see.
Speaker 4 (09:22):
They were struggling new pairing again, so it wasn't completely
what you want.
Speaker 5 (09:29):
But as Webster said in that quote, the spirit, the
resilience with everything going against them, they kept turning up.
I mean, the score could have been so much higher.
Speaker 4 (09:38):
I think what's improving warriors.
Speaker 3 (09:41):
My perception of the warrior's defense is that heart and
just like we said, the try saving tackles.
Speaker 4 (09:46):
I was really proud of the effort that they did
put in. But you mentioned they're the escort penalty.
Speaker 3 (09:51):
Reese Walsh offside, taken out by Jackson Ford chasing a check.
Speaker 4 (09:54):
He wasn't going to get anywhere near it.
Speaker 3 (09:56):
Reynolds kicks the penalty in the Broncos get another two,
but Webster was absolutely fuming afterwards.
Speaker 4 (10:02):
Take a listen to this. Yeah, I was right in
front of that.
Speaker 6 (10:04):
He was miles off side, miles off side, Wade Egan
in the first but I asked you to go.
Speaker 4 (10:09):
And pause it.
Speaker 6 (10:10):
When they play the ball is and you Tommy how
he's offside? He's three meters on side. It's like them
just made that up. Riese Walsh just way in front.
The first imprisonment is that if ibly give me a crap,
that it's for our players something.
Speaker 4 (10:21):
That's the first entression. I don't know how they miss it.
Oh I'm not a touch actually I'm not a ref
When I was down there, I can see him. It's
quite a good line, isn't it. Mate? They just made
that up.
Speaker 5 (10:33):
Like it's quite rare for webs to come out and
say things like that. It's even quite weird.
Speaker 4 (10:40):
You know what he's like.
Speaker 5 (10:41):
We always ask him in the weekly immediate sessions. I
asked him and in the press comments afterwards. He's reluctant
say too much about the refereeing or decisions. He's not
that kind of guy.
Speaker 4 (10:49):
He's not. He's not like a Ricky Stewart. That's just
you know, I love Ricky Stewart. Oh we all have Ricky,
but Ricky doesn't hold back. Andrew's more cautious. Da da
da da da. But so when he's saying something, you
know he's angry. You know he's angry.
Speaker 5 (11:02):
And it was just weird some of the decisions and
people say, oh, he's making excuses. But the way the
NURL is now you get all these decisions go against you.
It's just all these micro moments to add up and
just kill any momentum give. Like the worst one of
the match for me was, wait, Egan making this great
break up the middle round about forty to fifty meters.
Speaker 4 (11:22):
Here we go, goes to get up quickly. It's a
bit of a messy played the ball, but he just
plays it quickly.
Speaker 5 (11:28):
But Walsh had sort of held him down a bit,
you know, so it could have been a penalty, maybe
could have been a symburn plays it quickly falls over
and suddenly Egan's getting penalized for not playing the ball correctly.
And as the commentator said on at the time, they said,
there's got to be some credit for the attacking team
in that situation.
Speaker 4 (11:47):
He's made the break.
Speaker 5 (11:48):
Broncos are on the So those kind of things you
just scratch your head because it just doesn't show a
feeling for the game.
Speaker 3 (11:56):
I suppose with you know, I mentioned that the errors
and there were you know, a couple of times Warriors
on the attack, loose pass on the attack, dropped the ball,
bundled out in the corner. There was some good defense
for but it just felt like they just were not
making the most of their opportunities. And they did have
opportunities in that first half, especially the Warriors, but Brisbane
(12:17):
every time they got up the Warriors end in that
first forty they scored. They were clinical with the chances
that they had, and the Warriors just.
Speaker 4 (12:24):
Went, oh, they were clinical. And the Warriors defend a
world to hold them out.
Speaker 5 (12:29):
But Reynolds cooking game very good, so they'd forced a
repeat set, they'd keep the pressure on and you're right.
The Warriors attack was just felt like they were going
too wide too early. You know, they're going east to
west before going north. And the best example was first
tackle after repeat set, they go wide, shuffle it wide
and Cosey gets pushed out over the sideline. That's the
(12:50):
sort of play you do and tackle three or four
when you've already created pressure. And the other one was
from memory. Luke Metcalf runs a really narrow blindside, like
really narrow, like ten meters blind side metcalf Bury Cocy
on the third or fourth play, tries to steek down.
It's fine to try that stuff, but it was obvious
it was so skinny, and course he gets bundled out.
(13:11):
So things like that just kill the coach decision making,
decision making, I think, decision making. They all got a
bit frazzled, which happens when you haven't got the ball.
It's a hot afternoon. You need someone to settle the
team down, You need to stoppage and play. You need something.
And the problem is now these days they're ol. It
doesn't stop in the second half.
Speaker 3 (13:31):
I suppose, given everything we talked about them not making
the most of the opportunities out of nowhere. It was
twenty to twelve. Halasima scores, catches that bomb and untouched
he scores. Suddenly it's an eight point game, and you
think Hallo, less than ten minutes ago, worries they might
be in this and they kind of had no right
to be. What happened in that second half.
Speaker 5 (13:51):
Oh, you exactly right. That's the sort of what might
have been if only about this match. It was twelve
nil and Sanell had been held up in the first
half as well, but as twelve nil was seven seconds
ago before halftime, if the Warriors do hold them out,
twelve minil at halftime instead it's eighteen, So eighteen you thinking, okay,
long way back, no right to be in this contest.
(14:12):
But they did turn things around. They finally got the
Fords going. They've got some momentum and the Fords of
Broncos will beating them up through the ruck. The Nterchange
players made a difference in that area, the way they
come on and really got things going. They started to
throw the ball around a bit, and you're exactly right.
Twenty twelve were ten minutes to go. You suddenly can
hear all the Warriors fans in the stadium and you
(14:34):
have to wonder what might have happened if Ed Cosey
can take that cutout ball from Mardin which was a
little bit in front of him. But if he can
take that to twenty twelve, ten minutes to go and
they score, who knows.
Speaker 3 (14:48):
The Warriors remain fourth on the ladder twenty four points.
The gamp has closed to four. There is a guarantee
two points coming off the buy here, which we're going into,
which is fantastic for ser Harris James Fisher. Harris was
asked after the game if the Warriors are still a
top fourteen.
Speaker 7 (15:03):
Yeah, I believe it's ten and Doll club actually twelve
stepson from Cup do a good job and the belief
in our squad is immense. Whatever happens injuries and started,
still believing in the younger boys.
Speaker 3 (15:16):
Burge, I want your your packs for next game against
the Tigers. Who's the half back, who's on the wing,
who's at full wet.
Speaker 4 (15:25):
Bloody hell, that's a bit early, Okay. I've given you.
Speaker 3 (15:27):
Mine Tayane to Mind at half back, at full back
and then you got the same one.
Speaker 5 (15:34):
As Okay, Well, I'll go Roder at full back and
tenor Boyd at half back to be different now. But
look he's not going to put Roder at full back.
I just want to I just want to just go
back to Fish. The question of for Sir Harris, that's
that is that is becoming The question here is like
they are still in the top four, but are they
a top four team? The last two weeks they haven't
played like a top four team attacking? Why so that
(15:55):
that's there. That's their challenge now is to get back
rebound after the after the bye, because I remember we
were feeling pretty good about things a few weeks ago
and there was the eight point gap. Now it's four points.
Broncos are circling. I think the penrith a five points behind,
so there's pressure coming. In terms of what he does.
Speaker 4 (16:15):
I find this really interesting, mate, Like he's got two
weeks to think about it. What does he way up?
Speaker 5 (16:20):
Tomarte deserves the shot, surely because he's been so good,
but then you lose him as the utility guy.
Speaker 4 (16:26):
He deserves that. He did it last year, like you say.
Speaker 5 (16:29):
But Tanner Boyd does offer the best kicking game in
the club, Like he can kick kick the ball a mile.
That might be tempting given they're a bit you know,
they're not getting the four the yard is like there were,
you know, he might he might look at that. He
might look at Boyd and the same with Roger and Taine.
Like Roger, he'd be tempt wouldn't he. You don't think so, No,
(16:51):
I don't. I think he's made it very clear. Tayne
is the backup full back. Obviously Tyane had their head
in a couple of weeks ago, but he will be
okay for the for the Tigers game, he'll be at fullback.
Speaker 4 (17:01):
Roger will remain on the wing. That's how it was
last year when Charms got injured.
Speaker 5 (17:05):
That's true, and it keeps He wouldn't want to reshuffle
too much. But what are they doing the other wing?
Cosey didn't play great. He'll be under under pressure. There
aren't too many other options though, but I think we
still have a look at how people are training over
the next week and a half and it'll be fascinating.
Speaker 2 (17:22):
This is going the Big League Podcast on the Warriors Bandwagons,
Sin's Day one.
Speaker 4 (17:30):
This is the Big League Podcast.
Speaker 2 (17:33):
Well I got a.
Speaker 3 (17:34):
Sit down one on one with Rpe Nichols, a new
Warriors women's skipper, ahead of their return to the NRLW
this weekend against the Roosters.
Speaker 4 (17:44):
Let's take a listen.
Speaker 3 (17:45):
I pet you Nichols. Thank you so much for joining
the Big League Podcast. Really appreciate your time. First of all,
congratulations being named the Warriors women's captain, coming back one
of the foundation players. What was your reaction when you
first got the call up to be asked to be
the captain.
Speaker 9 (18:02):
I was shocked. I couldn't believe it. I needed sometime
to think about it.
Speaker 10 (18:07):
So yeah, I think after a couple of days of
you know, just processing everything, I was really really grateful
and honored to just you know, receive that call, and yeah,
I took it, and I don't regret it. I'm just
really grateful that I'm able to like lead this team
and yeah, just really lucky.
Speaker 4 (18:25):
Do you feel ready?
Speaker 3 (18:26):
Like what were the different things that you considered when
you were deciding whether or not to say yes.
Speaker 10 (18:30):
Yeah, I considered like whether I was fit for it,
because I'm not you know, I'm a woman of a
few words, So yeah, I don't really talk as much
off the field. That's something that I really struggle with.
And also like media stuff that was a fear of mine.
But yeah, just having run around me, you know, he's
mentored me since the start of the season and he's
(18:52):
built confidence in me, and yeah, I was just really
grateful that he's helped me through this process. And yeah,
and that's why I took it, because now I believe
that I am.
Speaker 9 (19:02):
Capable and I do deserve to be here. I deserve
this role, and yeah, I'm going to do my best
to like support my team and sure that I get
the best out of them.
Speaker 3 (19:10):
Can you tell us a little bit about your squad,
because obviously it's very young, there'll be a lot of
players who the average league fan in New Zealand doesn't know.
But then you've also got some superstars as well, So
can you tell us about how your squads sort of
shaping up?
Speaker 10 (19:22):
Yeah, yeah, no, I think we have about seventy percent
of them that have I might get these some one's wrong,
but yeah, I think just over half the team that
have never played league before, and some of them might
just returning to this level in our duble level, but
they have so much energy and we're just so connected
that it makes us quite different because they're very skillful.
(19:46):
Though they have never played league before, they've played other
codes like rugby, and they're really skillful.
Speaker 9 (19:50):
They're really talented.
Speaker 10 (19:52):
We've got speed, like obviously Mikaela, she's just you know,
they just bring so much strength into our team, the
rugby girls, so you're really lucky to have them. But
our young ones, they are very hungry and that's that's
a good thing. But I think most importantly, we're just
so connected and I feel like that'll take us a
long way throughout the season.
Speaker 9 (20:14):
Just staying connected regardless of you know, within you or not.
Speaker 4 (20:17):
Yeah, it might be nice.
Speaker 3 (20:20):
It must be nice, sorry, as a leader to be
able to lean on the likes of Mikayla Braak, who
although she doesn't have lots of league experience, she's been
on the world stations, being at the Olympic, she's one
gold medals, so she must have real mana within the group.
Speaker 9 (20:32):
Yeah, no, definitely, like yes, so she.
Speaker 10 (20:37):
Is very experienced and professional and it does definitely lift
our team, our team confidence as well, especially because she
brings so much value to our team.
Speaker 9 (20:46):
So yeah, we're really really lucky to have her. And
the other sport is new.
Speaker 10 (20:50):
Sometimes people shy away when they're joined something new, but
she's just fits brighten like she's has a voice since
she's jumped on board. She's the fastest than our team,
so yeah, she's definitely an inspiration to our players, especially myself.
Speaker 9 (21:08):
So yeah, just really lucky to have her.
Speaker 2 (21:11):
Now.
Speaker 3 (21:11):
Obviously, you played for the Warriors initially when they first
came into the NRLW. You've played for a couple of
other NROLW franchises since it was a Titans and the Raiders,
but you also spent two seasons with the Chiefs Manula
playing regby Union. Is there anything you can take out
of that experience playing Union that will help you coming
back to league.
Speaker 9 (21:30):
Yeah, definitely.
Speaker 10 (21:31):
I think Union defensively has helped me on my defensive
game and just the way just how professional Union was.
I felt like that helped. It helped me in a
way to like bring some of those strength and you know,
standards to league now. So yeah, I've definitely learned a
lot of skills from Union. Like they just really practice
(21:55):
a lot of technical stuff which helped with my game
and I was able to bring that to league.
Speaker 9 (21:59):
So yeah, that's pretty much got it brought over.
Speaker 4 (22:02):
And I understand that you're also in the police force
and you'll do that job alongside playing for the Warrior.
Is how challenging is that? And what does your week
look like? You know fitting everything in?
Speaker 9 (22:13):
Yeah, it is challenging.
Speaker 10 (22:15):
Like we so my week looks like Monday to Thursday,
I work normal business hours seven to three and then
in the.
Speaker 9 (22:22):
Evening we took off at four o'clock at.
Speaker 10 (22:25):
The Warriors, and then on top of that, I have
to like drop the kids off to school and spend
some time, you know, and just trying to spend some
time with them is really challenging because you know, we're
trying to juggle all these things, and yeah, it can
be like taxing on the body. But I think I'm
just grateful to have a really good support network around
me and just you know, not just my family, but
also my team here.
Speaker 9 (22:46):
They really helped me mentally get through, you know, all
the challenges that I that I face.
Speaker 3 (22:53):
Yeah, and you got the roosters up first to defending champions,
yes they are.
Speaker 10 (22:58):
Yeah, they're the defending champions, and they're They're an amazing team.
You know, I feel like they've developed that They've definitely
developed their teams throughout the years.
Speaker 9 (23:08):
But you know what, these girls, I feel like our girls.
I feel like we're just.
Speaker 10 (23:11):
Going to go out there and play with hard and
play for each other and that's all that matters.
Speaker 3 (23:15):
Where do you see expectations for the season, given it's
your first year back, Like, do you expect to go
out there and win the Premisshire?
Speaker 8 (23:22):
No?
Speaker 9 (23:22):
We I don't expect. I just expect our girls to
just go out there and do their best, you know.
Speaker 10 (23:27):
Regardless, I'm proud of how far we've come, and I
just feel like we will always continue to build on
to build every game and just yeah, just to keep
breaking on our work ons.
Speaker 2 (23:40):
The Big League Podcast on the Warrior is Bad Wagons
since day one, The Big League Podcast for the Biggest
League fans.
Speaker 4 (23:51):
Okay, Berg, we're back into short rounds again because we've
got State of Origin coming up in a week and
a half.
Speaker 5 (23:57):
You know time, Short Round reminds me of one of
my favorite ever movies and favorite of a movie characters,
Indiana Jones.
Speaker 4 (24:06):
Very good. Yeah, so impressed you.
Speaker 5 (24:09):
I thought you had no chance of that reference, considering
that movie came out in about nineteen eighties four.
Speaker 3 (24:16):
I think, see, the only reason I get that reference
is because I've watched The Big Bang Theory, which references
Short Round.
Speaker 4 (24:21):
Oh okay, I've never seen Indiana Jones film all the
way through it.
Speaker 5 (24:24):
Oh well, Short Round was amazing, and he was also
just imagine a superstar back I'm at primary school back then,
and this kid on the movies, and he was also
the same actor was in the Goonies.
Speaker 4 (24:36):
So there you go to the Goonies. Okay, well, we've
got to have a conversation after this. Sorry.
Speaker 5 (24:41):
It's like one of the odd time great eighties movies
Ancient for the Goonies. Seriously, are you joking?
Speaker 4 (24:48):
How have you? How are you here without seeing the Goonies?
Speaker 5 (24:51):
What?
Speaker 4 (24:53):
How did you make it this far? And work and
life and for the goodies that impact for on you? Yeah,
I mean the lead character was called Mikey, so that
was pretty cool. Oh okay, right, but yeah, short rounds,
it is great.
Speaker 5 (25:07):
But to to segue again, how do you have a
full time job as a police officer and play in
er LW You know what I mean? It's just I mean,
you can't even balance your social touch rugby with being
a radio guy.
Speaker 4 (25:24):
You know, why are you just turning this around and
slagging me off?
Speaker 3 (25:27):
Pelie Nichols is doing incredibly well, and by all accounts,
a lot of the worries women also they're working other jobs.
Peie Nichols is going to work four days a week
as a police officer and then playing the NRL on
the weekends.
Speaker 4 (25:41):
No, but that was I was.
Speaker 5 (25:42):
I was making a joke, and I can make a
joking by myself because this year I've had to give
up over thirty five's soccer because I know, work and
jugging everything else.
Speaker 4 (25:52):
But that's my whole point.
Speaker 5 (25:53):
Like I think this is one of the stories of
this whole in errow is the sacrifice, the commitments that
they have to go through, the full time jobs, training
in the evening, training the afternoon. It's but it's great
they're back. She's a great leader. I remember her in
the first year. She was fantastic. So much experience now
(26:14):
and she's got a really good team around her. So
I like because they've signed.
Speaker 4 (26:18):
I like the coach. Good signs, mate. I'm really excited
to see what they do this season.
Speaker 3 (26:23):
And we'll have a chat about whatever they produce on
Saturday next week. But it's a quick fire predictions burges
as I said, yeah, short round, short round circle back
in Indiana Jones reference. But the Bulldogs and the Broncos
that both have had some big games, like all in
(26:43):
a row, and they're coming up against one another now.
The Bulldogs who went down to the Panthers and here
come the Panthers. Oh no, and the Broncos inform.
Speaker 5 (26:54):
Yeah, we both tip the Panthers too, so don't to
us to beat the Bulldogs. I'll go with the Bulldogs
because this is Sydney and the Broncos will be missing
missing Painhass, missing Karrigan, missing Reese Walsh, and missing a
few Origin players, which I think will make the difference.
But it should be close because they certainly got their
(27:16):
mojo back. But yeah, the Bulldogs to edge it in Sydney.
Speaker 4 (27:20):
I'm going to agree with you.
Speaker 3 (27:21):
The Bulldogs will miss a couple as well, but they
will Yeah, like the likes of Crichton, But yeah, I
think they will bounce back.
Speaker 5 (27:28):
Raiders Dragons, Raiders for mine. They're just finding a way.
I don't know if they'll from memory. Their draw they
run home is pretty kind. They might not lose another
game this year, that's how crazy. They're just finding a
way to get things done. Over the weekend they you know,
they went to Newcastle, who have started to look good again.
Speaker 4 (27:48):
Got it done. Ricky so happy at the moment because
his boys are playing for him.
Speaker 3 (27:52):
It's a rare site happy Ricky Stewart Cowboys versus the Storm.
Speaker 5 (27:57):
I will go for the first time this season. I
think I'm going to tip against the Storm. Sure, it's
the first time, I know, I know. Seriously, I just
wonder if they've got too many too many Origin players out,
even though they've got all the key weason. They've still
got good players, but they'll be missing four or five
pretty important players. I know they've just smashed the Sharks
that look really good. But the Cowboys had a good
(28:17):
win too. They'll be at home, not missing, you know,
missing the Cowboys missing dead and too, aren't they And
okay hmm, okay.
Speaker 4 (28:25):
No, you can't change your peck. Cowboys storm to win.
Roosters versus the Tigers, Roosters versus Tigers.
Speaker 5 (28:35):
Yes, Roosters are one of those teams that are breathing
down the warrior's necks. I think there, what are they
equaled the Broncos. So they're they're on the charge, They're
on twenty Yeah, they called the Broncos. They're coming off
the bye yeah, coming.
Speaker 4 (28:48):
Off the buye.
Speaker 5 (28:49):
They'll be well rested. But I am gonna tip Benji's
boys here only because the Roosters will be missing I
think five or six players through origin and that could
and should make the difference.
Speaker 4 (29:03):
So the chan the Tigers look at that, I might excited.
Speaker 3 (29:08):
No, I'm begging the Roosters Seagulls versus the Bunnies to finish.
Speaker 5 (29:13):
Also, But I just can't stop thinking about short round,
Like what was the best Indiana Jones movie. We have
to discuss this got Raiders Temple of Doom in the
Last Crusade, don't count, don't count the one since.
Speaker 3 (29:25):
Wait wait wait wait, one of them, one of them
had had this scene that I was shown as a kid,
and it like scarred me. And it was it was
someone reaches inside and pulls out the heart of Yeah,
it's someone, Yeah, the bad guy whatever reaches in and
pulls out the heart of this guy and he's like
his heart's like outside his chest and then he I
guess he dies. But I saw someone showed me that
(29:48):
as a kid, I had nightmares for literally months.
Speaker 5 (29:51):
Yeah, it was when the scariest things actually scariest things
you could see as a kid. I could agree with that.
There was Temple of Doom that were probably people. Yeah,
that was amazing. Short round that his best.
Speaker 4 (30:02):
I'm not going to watch him, no, but yeah, to
get back.
Speaker 5 (30:07):
To l I'll go for the Seagulls simply because well
mainly is still still a good team. They're just about
up and down, but they'll be too good.
Speaker 4 (30:17):
To go for the Rabbit over to finish. We're disagreeing
on a few this week, but it's quite good.
Speaker 3 (30:22):
We thank you so much for your time, your wisdom,
your insight, and all the insight into Indiana Jones as well.
Michael Burgers, well done, bring you around it. Thank you
Neckholas too for appearing on the podcast for the very
first time. Very excited to see other worries women go
this year. Please follow and rate the podcast. Thank you
for listening and making us a part of your week.
My name is Nathan Limb. Will be back next Monday.
Have a fantastic week.
Speaker 1 (30:48):
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air or online and keep our shows with you wherever
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