September 20, 2024 • 18 mins
One day out from Scott Robertson's first Bledisloe Cup test as All Blacks head coach, Sky Sport commentator Tony Johnson analyses the match, while D'Arcy and Piney kick it around in The Chamber as well
Which sports should feature at a scaled-back Commonwealth Games?
And moves to curb swearing in Formula One, what's this all about?
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 (00:09):
You're listening to a podcast from News Talks EDB follow
this and our wide range of podcasts now on iHeartRadio.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
This is Sportsfix Howard News Talks.
Speaker 3 (00:20):
It'd be hello there and welcome into the final Sports
Flex podcast for this week. But don't fare, We're back
on Monday. Let's not get ahead of ourselves. Let's look
at today's edition, Friday, September twenty I'm Jason Pine.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
On Darcy Augave, looking your head to well. Lots of
national teams are on board this week. I want'm to
get some break tomorrow of an election that all blacks,
black cats. The list goes on and of course the
white Ferns are playing too up to the very north
of Australia.
Speaker 3 (00:46):
Speaking of lists, I've come up with my sports for
the twenty twenty six Commonwealth Games pared back to ten.
We understand, Darcy. So I've had to go at listing
my ten. It's taking me a while. Who are we
chatting to on the podcast?
Speaker 4 (01:00):
God on?
Speaker 5 (01:00):
Is it ten individual sports or ten groups of sports?
Speaker 2 (01:03):
Like cycling? You can use a number of different sports. Athletics,
You've got a number of different sports, So tell me
more about your team or maybe not maybe I should
just wait.
Speaker 3 (01:12):
I'll ask the questions Darcy if that's okay.
Speaker 2 (01:14):
Okay, sorry about it?
Speaker 3 (01:15):
Okay, I think we've been I think we're to right.
Speaker 6 (01:18):
Who are we chatting? Two on the podcast today?
Speaker 2 (01:20):
Can you put Caber tossing in the Sorry? Well, Tony
Johnson joins us Sky Sport rugby commentator, writes broadcaster or
we's good to talk to TJ about rugby. He cuts
right through. He's extually over in Sydney at the moment,
enjoying the sunshine of Sydney town, which is fresh.
Speaker 3 (01:35):
All right, Well, we'll chat a bit about the right
bend the cricket as well, which I was quite encouraged
by up in Gaul in the last day or so.
Speaker 2 (01:43):
So let's get into it.
Speaker 3 (01:45):
In other news, checking out some of the big sports
stories around today. Half centuries by Tom Latham and Caine
Williamson guided New Zealand to two fifty five for four.
That's a deficit of fifty at stumps on the second
of the first cricketesque in Sri Lanka at Gaul. Tom
Latham top scoring with seventeen.
Speaker 4 (02:01):
Been a great day for us.
Speaker 2 (02:02):
I thank you to get those three footbook gets in
space and Filos, I think was really important.
Speaker 7 (02:07):
And then I think a partnerships that have been able
to be quite proactive against all their bowls, fishes, spin
put them on al them appreciate.
Speaker 3 (02:15):
Leonar Rossa through to the America's Cup Challenger Series final
against Britannia. They've beat an American Magic five to three
in the best of nine semi final, helmed of course
by Jimmy Spiddle.
Speaker 7 (02:25):
Suffer a real major structural father, Yes that for the
whole sam real letter, regroup and come together and worked
literally through the night. Nicely, give us a boat capable
of going out and winning that semifinal with something very
very special.
Speaker 3 (02:37):
And Daniel Ricardo says he's unaware of any decision to
replace him at Red Ball, amid speculation this weekend Singapore
Grand Prix could be his last, with Liam Lawson touted
to take his seat.
Speaker 7 (02:47):
I knew there was always going to be some let's say,
dates and deadlines this year, whether it was like someone
Bray called.
Speaker 2 (02:52):
Now post Singapore, so that's Postingapore's.
Speaker 6 (02:54):
The next one. So many things are up.
Speaker 7 (02:56):
In the air, and yeah, let's see, let's see other
weekend goes.
Speaker 1 (03:00):
Us and a Vinion It's Sports Fix with Jason Hine
and Dusty Waldegrave.
Speaker 3 (03:06):
Good news this week that the Commonwealth Games will go
ahead in twenty twenty six, but it'll be a scaled
back event. We're told that ten sports will feature, so
what will they be Considering we had nearly twice that
many at the last common Games two years ago. We
know that swimming and athletics are not negotiable. They are there,
so we can lock those two in. I also think
(03:26):
precedents should be given to non Olympic sports for which
the Commonwealth Games are a pinnacle event. So netball and
lawn bowls should be that. Cycling surely in all three
forms mountain, bike, track and road, but they only encounters one,
so there's five. We're halfway there. Then we have to
start making some choices. Here are some sports I think
(03:47):
we could happily say goodbye to T twenty women's cricket,
beach volleyball, table tennis, badminton, wrestling and judah, which I
think are gone anyway. I would keep boxing in there
to have a combat sport element. I'd keep squash as
a racket sport, and I would also leave weightlifting in
and gymnastics as well. It's nine, which leaves one spot hockey,
(04:12):
rugby seven's shooting. None of them really jump out at
me and maybe take up a bit too much time
actually in a paired down program. But the spectacle of triathlon,
now that ticks a box for me. So there's my
ten athletics, swimming, bowls, netball, cycling, boxing, squash, weightlifting, gymnastics
(04:33):
and triathlon. Just my opinion, but those are my ten
in a scale back Commonwealth Games.
Speaker 1 (04:38):
Beating a vex, We've got just the ticket. It's Sports VIXV.
Speaker 2 (04:45):
Tony Johnson joins us now from Sydney down. He's managed
to get over there to watch what well will it
be an engaging fixture Tony Johnson and welcome to the program, Hi, Darcy.
Speaker 4 (04:57):
I think everyone seems to be expecting a runaway New
Zealand win. And if you go off, what happened the
last time the Wallabies played and they got absolutely smoke
or was it sixty four to twenty seven in Santa
Fe by Argentina and at times almost appeared as though
they'd given away the ghost. So you know the expectation
is the All Blacks will win. Well, look just looking
(05:20):
at the Australian team and I think they've named a
better team this time. They've got a coup all back.
I think Hunter, Passami and len Ekinkao form up in
the in the midfield. That makes them a bit stronger.
Having phrased them right back certainly helps them in terms
of their breakdown play, and you look through the team
you think, well, you know, why, why aren't they better?
(05:44):
So the one thing else I'd say is that I
just got a sneaking feeling that all along Joe Smith's
had his eye on the betters Load Cup. I don't
think he had a realistic chance of winning the Rugby Championship,
but I think if he could even win one of
the better't Load Cup games, then I think it would
(06:04):
be a massive turner corn turner corner turned for the Wallabies.
And that you know, so I wouldn't be taking it
totally for granted.
Speaker 2 (06:15):
No, And I think we've seen situations where the All
Blacks have been odds on favorites to a ridiculous state
and got rolled.
Speaker 6 (06:24):
You can't predict it. That's the glory of rugby.
Speaker 2 (06:26):
And I always go back to this tiele concept if
you never know what the ref's going to get up
to right.
Speaker 4 (06:32):
No, well I suppose there's that too. You know, the
recent record by the All Blacks has been pretty good.
I think they've won the last seven, which you know
is starting to threaten the record of ten consecutive wins
over the Wallabies. I think they last got beaten by
them was a twenty twenty in Brisbane. So yeah, recent
(06:53):
forms on their side. You know, the All Black team
that's been named a little bit conservative the selection so clearly,
you know, using what happened against the spring Boxes a
bit of a base, I think he wants to keep
the core of that team together and get the first
Test out of the way. Yeah. So, as I say,
(07:16):
I can understand why everyone thinks the All Books are
warm favorites, and I think they are too. I just,
you know, I'm just wondering what Australia has been up
to that makes a team that looks quite so good
on paper had such an abject performance in their last test.
Speaker 2 (07:35):
Well it wasn't just the last Test, it was the
last teen minutes. They leaked four tries. Tony, and we're
not really covering ourselves in glory from an All By perspective.
When it comes to the last twenty either are we
both teams.
Speaker 4 (07:49):
It's a completely different sort of dynamic to playing the
spring Box, who are just so strong in the last
twenty minutes, but no New New Zealand right throughout, including
the games against Argentina, their last quarter play in all
four of the Try Nations Test so far has been
(08:11):
pretty average. You know, maybe that's behind a couple of
changes that have been made. You know that he may
be trying to get a bit more off the bench.
I don't know, but that's something that that's got to
be a big work on. And you know, against the
Box they were really good. They were really competitive against
(08:33):
arguably the best Springbok team ever for sixty minutes, but
you know what happened in the last twenty cost them
any chance of both Test matches. So I think that
that is definitely one of the things they'll be gunning
for against the Australians.
Speaker 2 (08:50):
You said, Tony Johnson a conservative selection. I don't think
anyone's going to disagree with you on that one. How
long do you think before Razer starts doing something a
little looser does it take securing the Bledisloe? Going back
to Wellington releasing the lights of the proctors, maybe in
midfield and trying a few tweaks. Do you believe he's
(09:11):
going to carry.
Speaker 4 (09:12):
On my line that Yeah, I thought he was going
to do that for this test. When Noah Hooveam didn't
get released to play for Tasman in the Ramfibus Shield
game last week, three other players did so, I thought
that had to be a sure sign that he was
going to be involved in this test.
Speaker 2 (09:26):
But no.
Speaker 4 (09:27):
People looking for Raising to sort of blow it all
up and coming with something from left field are going
to be sadly disappointed because that's just not what he does.
He's got that image of someone who's a bit wacky
but out of the ordinary, you know, rides escapeboard, goes surfing,
all those sorts of things. But you look back over
you with the Crusaders, there was nothing particularly innovative about it.
(09:50):
It's just that what they did they did ruthlessly well,
and he had the right players and the right positions
to enable that to happen. This is a bit different,
and I think the coaching staff, with the exception of
Jason Ryan, are undergoing a crash cause and what test
rugby is all about. What I do think, and I
think there is cause for optimism is that you know,
they'll learn on the job, they will get better at
(10:12):
what they're doing as they go along. And we've seen enough,
you know, in those first hours of you know, the
two games against the Springboks. I think, well, this team
has got the ability if it can continues to develop,
you know, to remain at you know, in the top
two or three teams in the world. But as I say,
(10:32):
I just anything that's going to happen the involvement of
this team, I think is going to be gradual. I mean,
there's been no indication of anything else that we've seen
so far. Otherwise, why wouldn't you give the TT you
go at number eight, Why wouldn't you try to six
where he's look every bit a number six potential in
the last couple of test matches. Why wouldn't you give
(10:55):
Noah Hope them to go off the bench. That that
sort of thing. It's going to be gradual, and it's
not going to be a sort of a right, we're
coming out with a whole new ball game, whole new lineup,
et cetera. It's just not going to be like that.
Speaker 1 (11:08):
The chamber is now in session on Sportsfax.
Speaker 3 (11:13):
Let's get comfortable inside the chamber on one of our leaners,
which are getting leaned on a lot in the last
little while. We've got lots to chat about. We spoke
about the All Blacks yesterday, but keen again to.
Speaker 6 (11:23):
To hate some pain.
Speaker 2 (11:24):
Come on, it's Blearslow Cup week and the All Blacks
have come off a couple of beatings, sure not thrashings,
and they've really got to turn stuff around. Of course
we're going to talk about the All Blacks. Come on, man,
we're kiwis They.
Speaker 3 (11:35):
Sounded like one of our listeners in the chamber unexpectedly
as we were about to start. You're right, Look if
your razor, you wouldn't want to lose the Blood Slowe Cup,
would you.
Speaker 2 (11:48):
I don't think anyone wants to lose the Bluer Slow Cup.
And it's almost unheard of because I know there are
plenty of generation well younger people out there who haven't
existed without the Blood and Slowe Cup. It seemed like
heresy if that was to go. But do you really
honestly think the All Blacks are going to get tipped
by a team that conceded for in the space of
(12:09):
about eight minutes a couple of weeks backing against Argentina.
Speaker 3 (12:12):
No I don't. I don't, but just there's this little
nagging doubt that sits there, and it's based on a
couple of things, a couple of people. Actually Joe Shmid
has won and Mike cron is another. And you know,
whether you call it ip or inside knowledge or just
a real deep understanding of how the All Blacks go
about things, I'm not. I wouldn't say I'm concerned. I
still think the All Blacks will win the game comfortably
(12:34):
does but I just think it'll play a nice little
factor as far as the Australians are concerned that the
non Bledislow Cup possession goes back. I mean, put it
this way, No Australian rugby fan has ever put on
Facebook where the Bledislow Cup champions the last time they
had it marks like abergad and even had the idea.
Speaker 2 (12:52):
Wow, yeah that's historic for you. But the things around favoritism,
and that's what the All Blacks have plainly going into this,
even though they've got what do we say the other
day if one only two of the last five same
with Australia, so similar records going into this is this
one point. I remember the All Blacks getting railed via Ireland,
and there's many years ago now, but the All Blacks
(13:12):
are almost unbackable favorites going into that game, and that
narrative got turned on its head. There is no such
thing as a sure thing in sport. And let's not
forget the tyranny of the referees and what they can
do to a game and how they can alter the
trajectory of a game with the way they police it.
I don't want to sound overly paranoid, Jason, but that
(13:35):
can happen, and it can be very destructive. You know.
Speaker 3 (13:40):
The curious Pinety wonders what would happen if Australia do
win tomorrow and is very very curious about what the
weak ahead would look like as we're head towards the
second Test in my hometown Wellington next weekend, because of
course you have to win both tests if you're Australia
to win back the Bledislow count the All Blacks only
(14:00):
have to win one of them. So if Australia were
to win in Sydney Town tomorrow, what a week we're
in for ahead of the second team and Wellington does.
Speaker 6 (14:09):
Yeah, it's nice to see that the people are Willington
have turned up on Mass too. You've sold the turnout.
Think was about time you have had a couple of
bites of it. Now have any come on?
Speaker 1 (14:20):
Guy?
Speaker 6 (14:20):
Do it again and going and rolling and again.
Speaker 2 (14:22):
But that's understandable because even though they're not much, when
it comes to our position, it's the Bledslaugh and that
that that's bigger than anything. I think.
Speaker 6 (14:30):
Another thing coming out of this game.
Speaker 5 (14:32):
Is is it fair to say that Scott Robinson still
being fairly conservative with his selections as he starts to
build that side. And I don't know if we can
read too much into these selections except he's trying to
be a steady hand and bed some of these guys
and that that's fair, right.
Speaker 3 (14:51):
I think that's very fair to say that is one
hundred percent accurate. I think his tinkering with the side
and his blooding of new players has been pretty minimal.
You know, you look at a guy like Billy Procter.
He's had one crack this year and that Test against
Fiji in San Diego and hasn't been seen since. In
the play twenty three. For the last four test matches
all this one tomorrow, So you wonder when a guy
(15:13):
like that is going to be given an opportunity. He
hasn't really tinkered around the loose forwards that much. Damien
McKenzie has played every test of the year at first five.
So yes, I think conservative is a way you can
describe it. And I don't know about you does I
didn't expect Razer to be conservative.
Speaker 6 (15:29):
I don't think anybody did. The players. The opposition endsz Are.
Speaker 2 (15:33):
But he's looking long term, isn't He's like, Okay, hold on,
and I have this job for four years, all things
going well and good.
Speaker 6 (15:40):
I need to set my stall out. I need to
build the.
Speaker 2 (15:43):
Base of this so we're on solid foundations. And it
sounds horrible to say.
Speaker 6 (15:47):
And I know that all black fans demand victory every.
Speaker 2 (15:50):
Time we're kind of getting loose.
Speaker 6 (15:52):
Use to defeat, right now, what's more important?
Speaker 2 (15:55):
Strength in between World Cups or rolling at the World
Cup when it really counts.
Speaker 6 (15:59):
And I think I know we were leaning on this one.
Speaker 3 (16:01):
Look absolutely, and so therefore that's probably even more reason
to give guys a crack, because you have to find
out at some stage. Now, So what I find out
now when it doesn't really matter, or maybe it does
matter because it's his first year in charge. Maybe next year,
when he's got a year under his belt, maybe that's
when he makes us tinkering decisions around selection and starts
to blood.
Speaker 6 (16:19):
You guys, when he's more comfortable in the role.
Speaker 2 (16:21):
He say Billy Proctor before and I'm I'm still quite
stunned they haven't let him run rampant in the midfield.
Speaker 6 (16:28):
He's something else.
Speaker 2 (16:29):
He's fresh as you like, and he could be the
way to go. But hey, maybe in Wellington they might
give him a go. Who knows, yep, yep, hometown and
all that.
Speaker 3 (16:36):
Hey, just before we go, are you not let us
swear in Formula one anymore?
Speaker 2 (16:41):
This is something that's turned up through the management of
a Formula one, if you can say the management of
Formula one, right at the very top of F one.
Speaker 6 (16:49):
The Saudi's have.
Speaker 2 (16:51):
Got control of the program and they're now suggesting that
they'd rather not hear people swearing like rappers. Was the
quote over the well. They get a bit lippy, don't they,
the Formula one drivers when they're on the coms, and
they really rip through it. So this blake Mohammad bin Sullyan,
who's one of the bosses up there. He said, the
(17:12):
drivers got responsibilities. We're not rappers, you know. The President
was quoted as saying, makes for a step, next for
a step, and ride his guy. Now whatever, it doesn't matter.
What are we five years old? Are we six years old?
It's adrenaline, it's sport. It's full on.
Speaker 6 (17:28):
Kids know when to swear and we're.
Speaker 2 (17:29):
Not to swear. So he's not happy. But I don't
like the sanitizing of sport like this. Look, don't go nuts.
We're not talking like a halftime or a situation like
in basketball where they go to hell for leather. And
then then Lewis Hamilton's climbed in and said, look, I
actually think there's some racial overtones here too, comparing the
Formula one swearing Formula one.
Speaker 6 (17:49):
Guys to rappers.
Speaker 2 (17:50):
So I don't know if we've heard the end of this.
Speaker 3 (17:53):
All right, let's just let the guys drive, including Liam
Lawsa next year. But that's a different conversation. That's always
a pleasure being in the leaner with you.
Speaker 6 (18:00):
We'll do it again next week.
Speaker 2 (18:02):
Go hard over the weekend, mate, Enjoy it. Twelve two
three with Piney weekends sport and yes, Formula one next week.
Speaker 6 (18:08):
Because this time, this time, this weekend, we think Liam
Lawson his future is going to be unveiled.
Speaker 5 (18:15):
So we wait with baited breath, dissecting the sporting agenda.
Speaker 1 (18:21):
It's Sportsfix with Jason Paine and Darcy Waldgrave.
Speaker 3 (18:25):
And that's all we have for you on the Sports
Fix podcast today.
Speaker 2 (18:27):
But don't worry.
Speaker 3 (18:28):
A fresh episode drops into your podcast feed around about
this time every weekday if you subscribe, that will happen automatically.
Speaker 6 (18:35):
And if you want sport on the wires, you can
still get it.
Speaker 2 (18:38):
We're still old score. I'll tell you what News Talk's
ab Monday through Friday seven to eight pm, sports Talk
myself or Piney, and of course over the weekend, Piney's
got it all going on between midday and three Saturday
and Sunday with weekend sport. Get amongst, enjoy it and
don't take life too seriously.
Speaker 1 (18:55):
Right for more from News Talk ZEDB listen live on
air or online and keep our shows with you wherever
you go with our podcasts on our radio
You're listening to a podcast from News Talks EDB follow
this and our wide range of podcasts now on iHeartRadio.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
This is Sportsfix Howard News Talks.
Speaker 3 (00:20):
It'd be hello there and welcome into the final Sports
Flex podcast for this week. But don't fare, We're back
on Monday. Let's not get ahead of ourselves. Let's look
at today's edition, Friday, September twenty I'm Jason Pine.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
On Darcy Augave, looking your head to well. Lots of
national teams are on board this week. I want'm to
get some break tomorrow of an election that all blacks,
black cats. The list goes on and of course the
white Ferns are playing too up to the very north
of Australia.
Speaker 3 (00:46):
Speaking of lists, I've come up with my sports for
the twenty twenty six Commonwealth Games pared back to ten.
We understand, Darcy. So I've had to go at listing
my ten. It's taking me a while. Who are we
chatting to on the podcast?
Speaker 4 (01:00):
God on?
Speaker 5 (01:00):
Is it ten individual sports or ten groups of sports?
Speaker 2 (01:03):
Like cycling? You can use a number of different sports. Athletics,
You've got a number of different sports, So tell me
more about your team or maybe not maybe I should
just wait.
Speaker 3 (01:12):
I'll ask the questions Darcy if that's okay.
Speaker 2 (01:14):
Okay, sorry about it?
Speaker 3 (01:15):
Okay, I think we've been I think we're to right.
Speaker 6 (01:18):
Who are we chatting? Two on the podcast today?
Speaker 2 (01:20):
Can you put Caber tossing in the Sorry? Well, Tony
Johnson joins us Sky Sport rugby commentator, writes broadcaster or
we's good to talk to TJ about rugby. He cuts
right through. He's extually over in Sydney at the moment,
enjoying the sunshine of Sydney town, which is fresh.
Speaker 3 (01:35):
All right, Well, we'll chat a bit about the right
bend the cricket as well, which I was quite encouraged
by up in Gaul in the last day or so.
Speaker 2 (01:43):
So let's get into it.
Speaker 3 (01:45):
In other news, checking out some of the big sports
stories around today. Half centuries by Tom Latham and Caine
Williamson guided New Zealand to two fifty five for four.
That's a deficit of fifty at stumps on the second
of the first cricketesque in Sri Lanka at Gaul. Tom
Latham top scoring with seventeen.
Speaker 4 (02:01):
Been a great day for us.
Speaker 2 (02:02):
I thank you to get those three footbook gets in
space and Filos, I think was really important.
Speaker 7 (02:07):
And then I think a partnerships that have been able
to be quite proactive against all their bowls, fishes, spin
put them on al them appreciate.
Speaker 3 (02:15):
Leonar Rossa through to the America's Cup Challenger Series final
against Britannia. They've beat an American Magic five to three
in the best of nine semi final, helmed of course
by Jimmy Spiddle.
Speaker 7 (02:25):
Suffer a real major structural father, Yes that for the
whole sam real letter, regroup and come together and worked
literally through the night. Nicely, give us a boat capable
of going out and winning that semifinal with something very
very special.
Speaker 3 (02:37):
And Daniel Ricardo says he's unaware of any decision to
replace him at Red Ball, amid speculation this weekend Singapore
Grand Prix could be his last, with Liam Lawson touted
to take his seat.
Speaker 7 (02:47):
I knew there was always going to be some let's say,
dates and deadlines this year, whether it was like someone
Bray called.
Speaker 2 (02:52):
Now post Singapore, so that's Postingapore's.
Speaker 6 (02:54):
The next one. So many things are up.
Speaker 7 (02:56):
In the air, and yeah, let's see, let's see other
weekend goes.
Speaker 1 (03:00):
Us and a Vinion It's Sports Fix with Jason Hine
and Dusty Waldegrave.
Speaker 3 (03:06):
Good news this week that the Commonwealth Games will go
ahead in twenty twenty six, but it'll be a scaled
back event. We're told that ten sports will feature, so
what will they be Considering we had nearly twice that
many at the last common Games two years ago. We
know that swimming and athletics are not negotiable. They are there,
so we can lock those two in. I also think
(03:26):
precedents should be given to non Olympic sports for which
the Commonwealth Games are a pinnacle event. So netball and
lawn bowls should be that. Cycling surely in all three
forms mountain, bike, track and road, but they only encounters one,
so there's five. We're halfway there. Then we have to
start making some choices. Here are some sports I think
(03:47):
we could happily say goodbye to T twenty women's cricket,
beach volleyball, table tennis, badminton, wrestling and judah, which I
think are gone anyway. I would keep boxing in there
to have a combat sport element. I'd keep squash as
a racket sport, and I would also leave weightlifting in
and gymnastics as well. It's nine, which leaves one spot hockey,
(04:12):
rugby seven's shooting. None of them really jump out at
me and maybe take up a bit too much time
actually in a paired down program. But the spectacle of triathlon,
now that ticks a box for me. So there's my
ten athletics, swimming, bowls, netball, cycling, boxing, squash, weightlifting, gymnastics
(04:33):
and triathlon. Just my opinion, but those are my ten
in a scale back Commonwealth Games.
Speaker 1 (04:38):
Beating a vex, We've got just the ticket. It's Sports VIXV.
Speaker 2 (04:45):
Tony Johnson joins us now from Sydney down. He's managed
to get over there to watch what well will it
be an engaging fixture Tony Johnson and welcome to the program, Hi, Darcy.
Speaker 4 (04:57):
I think everyone seems to be expecting a runaway New
Zealand win. And if you go off, what happened the
last time the Wallabies played and they got absolutely smoke
or was it sixty four to twenty seven in Santa
Fe by Argentina and at times almost appeared as though
they'd given away the ghost. So you know the expectation
is the All Blacks will win. Well, look just looking
(05:20):
at the Australian team and I think they've named a
better team this time. They've got a coup all back.
I think Hunter, Passami and len Ekinkao form up in
the in the midfield. That makes them a bit stronger.
Having phrased them right back certainly helps them in terms
of their breakdown play, and you look through the team
you think, well, you know, why, why aren't they better?
(05:44):
So the one thing else I'd say is that I
just got a sneaking feeling that all along Joe Smith's
had his eye on the betters Load Cup. I don't
think he had a realistic chance of winning the Rugby Championship,
but I think if he could even win one of
the better't Load Cup games, then I think it would
(06:04):
be a massive turner corn turner corner turned for the Wallabies.
And that you know, so I wouldn't be taking it
totally for granted.
Speaker 2 (06:15):
No, And I think we've seen situations where the All
Blacks have been odds on favorites to a ridiculous state
and got rolled.
Speaker 6 (06:24):
You can't predict it. That's the glory of rugby.
Speaker 2 (06:26):
And I always go back to this tiele concept if
you never know what the ref's going to get up
to right.
Speaker 4 (06:32):
No, well I suppose there's that too. You know, the
recent record by the All Blacks has been pretty good.
I think they've won the last seven, which you know
is starting to threaten the record of ten consecutive wins
over the Wallabies. I think they last got beaten by
them was a twenty twenty in Brisbane. So yeah, recent
(06:53):
forms on their side. You know, the All Black team
that's been named a little bit conservative the selection so clearly,
you know, using what happened against the spring Boxes a
bit of a base, I think he wants to keep
the core of that team together and get the first
Test out of the way. Yeah. So, as I say,
(07:16):
I can understand why everyone thinks the All Books are
warm favorites, and I think they are too. I just,
you know, I'm just wondering what Australia has been up
to that makes a team that looks quite so good
on paper had such an abject performance in their last test.
Speaker 2 (07:35):
Well it wasn't just the last Test, it was the
last teen minutes. They leaked four tries. Tony, and we're
not really covering ourselves in glory from an All By perspective.
When it comes to the last twenty either are we
both teams.
Speaker 4 (07:49):
It's a completely different sort of dynamic to playing the
spring Box, who are just so strong in the last
twenty minutes, but no New New Zealand right throughout, including
the games against Argentina, their last quarter play in all
four of the Try Nations Test so far has been
(08:11):
pretty average. You know, maybe that's behind a couple of
changes that have been made. You know that he may
be trying to get a bit more off the bench.
I don't know, but that's something that that's got to
be a big work on. And you know, against the
Box they were really good. They were really competitive against
(08:33):
arguably the best Springbok team ever for sixty minutes, but
you know what happened in the last twenty cost them
any chance of both Test matches. So I think that
that is definitely one of the things they'll be gunning
for against the Australians.
Speaker 2 (08:50):
You said, Tony Johnson a conservative selection. I don't think
anyone's going to disagree with you on that one. How
long do you think before Razer starts doing something a
little looser does it take securing the Bledisloe? Going back
to Wellington releasing the lights of the proctors, maybe in
midfield and trying a few tweaks. Do you believe he's
(09:11):
going to carry.
Speaker 4 (09:12):
On my line that Yeah, I thought he was going
to do that for this test. When Noah Hooveam didn't
get released to play for Tasman in the Ramfibus Shield
game last week, three other players did so, I thought
that had to be a sure sign that he was
going to be involved in this test.
Speaker 2 (09:26):
But no.
Speaker 4 (09:27):
People looking for Raising to sort of blow it all
up and coming with something from left field are going
to be sadly disappointed because that's just not what he does.
He's got that image of someone who's a bit wacky
but out of the ordinary, you know, rides escapeboard, goes surfing,
all those sorts of things. But you look back over
you with the Crusaders, there was nothing particularly innovative about it.
(09:50):
It's just that what they did they did ruthlessly well,
and he had the right players and the right positions
to enable that to happen. This is a bit different,
and I think the coaching staff, with the exception of
Jason Ryan, are undergoing a crash cause and what test
rugby is all about. What I do think, and I
think there is cause for optimism is that you know,
they'll learn on the job, they will get better at
(10:12):
what they're doing as they go along. And we've seen enough,
you know, in those first hours of you know, the
two games against the Springboks. I think, well, this team
has got the ability if it can continues to develop,
you know, to remain at you know, in the top
two or three teams in the world. But as I say,
(10:32):
I just anything that's going to happen the involvement of
this team, I think is going to be gradual. I mean,
there's been no indication of anything else that we've seen
so far. Otherwise, why wouldn't you give the TT you
go at number eight, Why wouldn't you try to six
where he's look every bit a number six potential in
the last couple of test matches. Why wouldn't you give
(10:55):
Noah Hope them to go off the bench. That that
sort of thing. It's going to be gradual, and it's
not going to be a sort of a right, we're
coming out with a whole new ball game, whole new lineup,
et cetera. It's just not going to be like that.
Speaker 1 (11:08):
The chamber is now in session on Sportsfax.
Speaker 3 (11:13):
Let's get comfortable inside the chamber on one of our leaners,
which are getting leaned on a lot in the last
little while. We've got lots to chat about. We spoke
about the All Blacks yesterday, but keen again to.
Speaker 6 (11:23):
To hate some pain.
Speaker 2 (11:24):
Come on, it's Blearslow Cup week and the All Blacks
have come off a couple of beatings, sure not thrashings,
and they've really got to turn stuff around. Of course
we're going to talk about the All Blacks. Come on, man,
we're kiwis They.
Speaker 3 (11:35):
Sounded like one of our listeners in the chamber unexpectedly
as we were about to start. You're right, Look if
your razor, you wouldn't want to lose the Blood Slowe Cup,
would you.
Speaker 2 (11:48):
I don't think anyone wants to lose the Bluer Slow Cup.
And it's almost unheard of because I know there are
plenty of generation well younger people out there who haven't
existed without the Blood and Slowe Cup. It seemed like
heresy if that was to go. But do you really
honestly think the All Blacks are going to get tipped
by a team that conceded for in the space of
(12:09):
about eight minutes a couple of weeks backing against Argentina.
Speaker 3 (12:12):
No I don't. I don't, but just there's this little
nagging doubt that sits there, and it's based on a
couple of things, a couple of people. Actually Joe Shmid
has won and Mike cron is another. And you know,
whether you call it ip or inside knowledge or just
a real deep understanding of how the All Blacks go
about things, I'm not. I wouldn't say I'm concerned. I
still think the All Blacks will win the game comfortably
(12:34):
does but I just think it'll play a nice little
factor as far as the Australians are concerned that the
non Bledislow Cup possession goes back. I mean, put it
this way, No Australian rugby fan has ever put on
Facebook where the Bledislow Cup champions the last time they
had it marks like abergad and even had the idea.
Speaker 2 (12:52):
Wow, yeah that's historic for you. But the things around favoritism,
and that's what the All Blacks have plainly going into this,
even though they've got what do we say the other
day if one only two of the last five same
with Australia, so similar records going into this is this
one point. I remember the All Blacks getting railed via Ireland,
and there's many years ago now, but the All Blacks
(13:12):
are almost unbackable favorites going into that game, and that
narrative got turned on its head. There is no such
thing as a sure thing in sport. And let's not
forget the tyranny of the referees and what they can
do to a game and how they can alter the
trajectory of a game with the way they police it.
I don't want to sound overly paranoid, Jason, but that
(13:35):
can happen, and it can be very destructive. You know.
Speaker 3 (13:40):
The curious Pinety wonders what would happen if Australia do
win tomorrow and is very very curious about what the
weak ahead would look like as we're head towards the
second Test in my hometown Wellington next weekend, because of
course you have to win both tests if you're Australia
to win back the Bledislow count the All Blacks only
(14:00):
have to win one of them. So if Australia were
to win in Sydney Town tomorrow, what a week we're
in for ahead of the second team and Wellington does.
Speaker 6 (14:09):
Yeah, it's nice to see that the people are Willington
have turned up on Mass too. You've sold the turnout.
Think was about time you have had a couple of
bites of it. Now have any come on?
Speaker 1 (14:20):
Guy?
Speaker 6 (14:20):
Do it again and going and rolling and again.
Speaker 2 (14:22):
But that's understandable because even though they're not much, when
it comes to our position, it's the Bledslaugh and that
that that's bigger than anything. I think.
Speaker 6 (14:30):
Another thing coming out of this game.
Speaker 5 (14:32):
Is is it fair to say that Scott Robinson still
being fairly conservative with his selections as he starts to
build that side. And I don't know if we can
read too much into these selections except he's trying to
be a steady hand and bed some of these guys
and that that's fair, right.
Speaker 3 (14:51):
I think that's very fair to say that is one
hundred percent accurate. I think his tinkering with the side
and his blooding of new players has been pretty minimal.
You know, you look at a guy like Billy Procter.
He's had one crack this year and that Test against
Fiji in San Diego and hasn't been seen since. In
the play twenty three. For the last four test matches
all this one tomorrow, So you wonder when a guy
(15:13):
like that is going to be given an opportunity. He
hasn't really tinkered around the loose forwards that much. Damien
McKenzie has played every test of the year at first five.
So yes, I think conservative is a way you can
describe it. And I don't know about you does I
didn't expect Razer to be conservative.
Speaker 6 (15:29):
I don't think anybody did. The players. The opposition endsz Are.
Speaker 2 (15:33):
But he's looking long term, isn't He's like, Okay, hold on,
and I have this job for four years, all things
going well and good.
Speaker 6 (15:40):
I need to set my stall out. I need to
build the.
Speaker 2 (15:43):
Base of this so we're on solid foundations. And it
sounds horrible to say.
Speaker 6 (15:47):
And I know that all black fans demand victory every.
Speaker 2 (15:50):
Time we're kind of getting loose.
Speaker 6 (15:52):
Use to defeat, right now, what's more important?
Speaker 2 (15:55):
Strength in between World Cups or rolling at the World
Cup when it really counts.
Speaker 6 (15:59):
And I think I know we were leaning on this one.
Speaker 3 (16:01):
Look absolutely, and so therefore that's probably even more reason
to give guys a crack, because you have to find
out at some stage. Now, So what I find out
now when it doesn't really matter, or maybe it does
matter because it's his first year in charge. Maybe next year,
when he's got a year under his belt, maybe that's
when he makes us tinkering decisions around selection and starts
to blood.
Speaker 6 (16:19):
You guys, when he's more comfortable in the role.
Speaker 2 (16:21):
He say Billy Proctor before and I'm I'm still quite
stunned they haven't let him run rampant in the midfield.
Speaker 6 (16:28):
He's something else.
Speaker 2 (16:29):
He's fresh as you like, and he could be the
way to go. But hey, maybe in Wellington they might
give him a go. Who knows, yep, yep, hometown and
all that.
Speaker 3 (16:36):
Hey, just before we go, are you not let us
swear in Formula one anymore?
Speaker 2 (16:41):
This is something that's turned up through the management of
a Formula one, if you can say the management of
Formula one, right at the very top of F one.
Speaker 6 (16:49):
The Saudi's have.
Speaker 2 (16:51):
Got control of the program and they're now suggesting that
they'd rather not hear people swearing like rappers. Was the
quote over the well. They get a bit lippy, don't they,
the Formula one drivers when they're on the coms, and
they really rip through it. So this blake Mohammad bin Sullyan,
who's one of the bosses up there. He said, the
(17:12):
drivers got responsibilities. We're not rappers, you know. The President
was quoted as saying, makes for a step, next for
a step, and ride his guy. Now whatever, it doesn't matter.
What are we five years old? Are we six years old?
It's adrenaline, it's sport. It's full on.
Speaker 6 (17:28):
Kids know when to swear and we're.
Speaker 2 (17:29):
Not to swear. So he's not happy. But I don't
like the sanitizing of sport like this. Look, don't go nuts.
We're not talking like a halftime or a situation like
in basketball where they go to hell for leather. And
then then Lewis Hamilton's climbed in and said, look, I
actually think there's some racial overtones here too, comparing the
Formula one swearing Formula one.
Speaker 6 (17:49):
Guys to rappers.
Speaker 2 (17:50):
So I don't know if we've heard the end of this.
Speaker 3 (17:53):
All right, let's just let the guys drive, including Liam
Lawsa next year. But that's a different conversation. That's always
a pleasure being in the leaner with you.
Speaker 6 (18:00):
We'll do it again next week.
Speaker 2 (18:02):
Go hard over the weekend, mate, Enjoy it. Twelve two
three with Piney weekends sport and yes, Formula one next week.
Speaker 6 (18:08):
Because this time, this time, this weekend, we think Liam
Lawson his future is going to be unveiled.
Speaker 5 (18:15):
So we wait with baited breath, dissecting the sporting agenda.
Speaker 1 (18:21):
It's Sportsfix with Jason Paine and Darcy Waldgrave.
Speaker 3 (18:25):
And that's all we have for you on the Sports
Fix podcast today.
Speaker 2 (18:27):
But don't worry.
Speaker 3 (18:28):
A fresh episode drops into your podcast feed around about
this time every weekday if you subscribe, that will happen automatically.
Speaker 6 (18:35):
And if you want sport on the wires, you can
still get it.
Speaker 2 (18:38):
We're still old score. I'll tell you what News Talk's
ab Monday through Friday seven to eight pm, sports Talk
myself or Piney, and of course over the weekend, Piney's
got it all going on between midday and three Saturday
and Sunday with weekend sport. Get amongst, enjoy it and
don't take life too seriously.
Speaker 1 (18:55):
Right for more from News Talk ZEDB listen live on
air or online and keep our shows with you wherever
you go with our podcasts on our radio
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
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
Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.