September 23, 2024 • 20 mins
Another poor final 20 minutes for the All Blacks has triggered calls for the All Blacks coaches to rethink selections for the second Bledisloe Cup test in Wellington this weekend. New Zealand Herald rugby correspondent Liam Napier joins Adam to discuss the likelihood of Damian McKenzie being dropped from the starting side.
Nick Bewley joins The Chamber to discuss Lydia Ko's continued form and some largely predictable NRL preliminary finals.
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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 by.
Speaker 3 (00:19):
News Talks d B.
Speaker 4 (00:20):
Get up and welcome to a brand new week and
the Sports Fixed podcast for Monday, the twenty third of September.
Speaker 3 (00:26):
Adam Cooper with you for this edition.
Speaker 4 (00:28):
Thanks to your company, brought the halfway points of the
two Letters Low Cup tests for the year. Yet another
unconvincing performance by the All Blacks and Test one It's Sydney,
so just how much faith will Scott Robertson show his
incumbents for the return test in Wellington this Saturday. The
Herald's Rugby correspondently and nap here is traveling with both teams.
He'll join us shortly. I'll give my thoughts on what
(00:48):
should happen to the number ten jersey this week too.
I'm joined to the sports Chamber by News Talks Epichrist
Churches sports editor Nick Bewley. He'll give us his take
on the weekend's action, including another remarkable performance from Lydia coach.
Speaker 3 (01:01):
Great to have you with us. Let's get into it.
Speaker 4 (01:03):
In other news, checking out some of the day's main
sporting head lines Now and Lydia Coe looks boys to
continue professional golf in twenty twenty five. The twenty seven
year old's won a fourth tournament this year, claiming the
latest LPGA event at Ohio by five strokes. Coe's tiptoed
arounds the topic of retirement. Since winning Olympic gold in
(01:24):
Paris and the British Open at Saint Andrew's, seven women
have won four different majors.
Speaker 3 (01:29):
Coe's keen to become the eighth.
Speaker 5 (01:31):
It's always been a goal of mine to do the
Career Grand Slam, but.
Speaker 2 (01:35):
I just thought that would be so out there.
Speaker 5 (01:37):
But you know, I feel like I've already been part
of this fairy tales, so.
Speaker 4 (01:41):
Why not The LPGA honors the Career Grand Slam at four.
Despite having five majors, the US Open and PGA Championship
are missing from Coe's resume.
Speaker 3 (01:51):
The stars seem to.
Speaker 4 (01:52):
Be aligning, even close to William Lawson's appointment to a
full time Formula One seat with the Racing Bulls team
next year. The latest an emotional interview with Daniel Ricardo
after finishing eighteenth at the Singapore Grand Prix, signs pointing
now to his exit.
Speaker 3 (02:06):
Possibly.
Speaker 5 (02:07):
You know, I to acknowledge that it's obviously it's been
a little bit of a race by race situation and
I would have obviously loved the weekend to have gone better.
Speaker 6 (02:15):
It didn't.
Speaker 5 (02:16):
I have to be prepared for. Yeah, this may be being.
Speaker 4 (02:18):
It and Team man Arsenal have been tonighted and away
victory against Premier League leaders Manchester City, conceding a late
equal eyes at a settle for a tool draw. Arsenal
manager macal Artena reflects on conceding and the eight minutes
of stoppage time in.
Speaker 7 (02:31):
The ab blog because we had it you will, namely
seven minutes to extend it again and we end up
conceding the gold. But it's already a miracle, you know.
We play fifty five minutes of fifty six minutes at
the Idea with ten men.
Speaker 2 (02:43):
Leading a vix. We've got just the ticket.
Speaker 1 (02:46):
It's sports fix now by News talks IVY well.
Speaker 4 (02:50):
As questions grow around Damian Mackenzie's hold on the All
Blacks number ten jersey following another slow finish to a test,
the term mercurial used by coach Scott Robertson was hardly
the greatest endorsement of his number ten in the wash
up of the team's Mad Survival Act in Sydney. Twenty
one dollar a head after fifteen minute and it's twenty
eight to fourteen up at the break. There's no way
(03:11):
the side should have been forced to frantically fight at
the deaths for an eventual thirty one twenty eight victory.
The finger naturally gets pointed at your playmaker when, for
a fifth straight game, your team doesn't score any points
in the final twenty minutes of a test. In this case,
the final points came in the forty fifth minute. Mackenzie's
game management has been found out under pressure at times
(03:34):
this year, although at the same time some of his
brilliant individual attacking moments are always the first on a
highlights reel, A shape for him that arguably his best
moment of Saturday's Test, sparking that eighty meter breakout for
a quarter as at Are to Matri was subsequently pulled
back for a forward pass. So far, Scott Robinson's remained
defiantly loyal to McKenzie through the peaks and troughs of
(03:55):
the rugby year, but the use of the word mercurial
and admitting things are still a work in progress. Makes
me wonder is a change likely for Saturday's return bleders
Low Cup test in Wellington. It's an interesting balancing act
for the coach is here with the Bledisloe already locked away,
the team is playing for pride, some credibility and for
a strong launching pad for the end of year tour.
(04:18):
But I actually think giving Damien McKenzie another shot in
the ten jersey is the right move here. We know
that a healthy again Boden Barrett would be the obvious
replacements if a move was made. We already know what
he's capable of and know what he can bring should
he be required to front at pivots on the end
of year tour. In the meantime, why not give Damien
(04:40):
McKenzie one final chance to respond to the increased scrutiny
push for that eighty minute performance and improved McKenzie with
maximum game time and confidence would be an asset in
just a couple of months time in London, Dublin and Paris.
Speaker 1 (04:55):
This is Sportsfix, your daily dose of sports news, now, news.
Speaker 2 (05:00):
Talks v Well.
Speaker 4 (05:02):
Let's take you to Wellington now, both the All Blacks
and the Wallabees have arrived in the New Zealand capital
for the return at Bledderslow Cup Test. Of course, still
reflecting on a dramatic three point victory for the All
Blacks in Sydney in Test one on Saturday night, the
All Blacks retaining the Bladers Load Cup. But certainly we'll
be wanting to end their home series of tests on
(05:25):
a high with the end of year Northern Hemisphere tour
just around the corner. And he's Hellen Herald's rugby correspondent
Liam Napier joins us now here on the Sports Fixed podcast.
Speaker 3 (05:35):
Liam.
Speaker 4 (05:36):
Thanks for your time, mate. So it's Monday before Test two.
What kind of chatter was there around the All Blacks
camp there today?
Speaker 6 (05:42):
Yeah, evening coops. Great to be back in the nation's capital,
your hometown. Went out to Upper Up today and saw
Wayne Smith floating around. I think it's his first time
in camp with the All Blacks. He's the I think
his official title is performance coach with the b and
Black Ferns. So interesting to see him flowing around. No
(06:03):
form what day on Jeordi Barrett, But he's certainly out
this week with his medial ligament injury. He had scans
today so we'll hear later in the week about that.
And then I guess while the All Blacks have locked
away to Bedslow Cup, there's certainly no shortage of motivation.
Everything from the Wellington Hudu haven't won here for six
years could be sam came into j Pennara's last home
(06:25):
tests and of course the last quarter second half failings.
Five tests in a row. Your Blacks haven't scored a
point beyond the fifty second minute, so plenty for Usco
Robinson's men to improve on.
Speaker 4 (06:38):
Yeah, exactly, and that was obviously a big talking point
straight after the game as well. From your perspective, how
much of the All Blacks and the coaching staff worried
about this? What kind of either poker faces or genuine
answers have they given in the last out of twenty
four to forty eight hours around that, that final twenty
minutes of games.
Speaker 6 (06:56):
Yeah, I think poker face is probably good way to
put it. They're certainly projecting optimism and no sense of
panic as such, but it is an unsolvable curse for
the All Blacks, these last quarter failings, whether it's the bench,
whether it's blowing ample opportunities they had the Wallabies on
the rack and Sydney led twenty one nil, twenty eight
(07:18):
to seven and then twenty eight to fourteen at halftime
and should have really blown them away but didn't. So
finishing those attacking chances is a very pressing concern. But
you know, Jason Hollins speaking today about backing their skill sets,
continuing to be positive and Will Jordan also talking about,
(07:42):
you know, things like refining support play and just continuing
to attack. But it is a major issue because we've
seen Neil Blacks blow big leads against Argentina here in Wellington,
the spring Box and Johannesburg they had ten point lead
and then again in Sydney, so it is a major
(08:04):
issue for them to try and solve.
Speaker 4 (08:06):
And hearing Scott Robertson used the torcure able to describe
Damien McKenzie's performance. Is that a sign that has consistent
backing and confidence in him so far this year is
possibly starting to wine a little bit.
Speaker 6 (08:19):
Yeah, I think it could be. Coops Boden Barrett was
late withdrawal last week. Will Drone City only had about
two hours prior to kick off, noticed that he was
switching from the wings to start at fallback. But by
all accounts there is a bit of sickness in the
All Blacks camp, but Boden is sent to have recovered,
so I wouldn't be surprised if we saw a change
(08:41):
at ten. I don't expect to see widespread changes from
the All Blacks this week. I think they haven't put
out the performance that they want, that everyone expects from them,
so I don't think they will feel comfortable enough to
have widespread experimentation as such, even though the blood is
locked away. But ten is a major talking point, isn't it.
Damien has been backed consistently this year, started all eight
(09:04):
tests and hasn't stamped his authority in that position. It's
fair to say there's been questions about his game management
as goalkicking, which was actually very good in Sydney, but
there was the audacious flick path and just the game
management in the final quarter. I think the All Blacks
had about thirty eight percent of territory in the second
(09:25):
half and that contributed to them being under pressure and
conceding too late yellow cards. So if the All Blacks
are going to make a change at ten, if they
do want to see some other options, whether that is
Boden Barrett, maybe Harry Plummer, Stephen Pefetter is injured. You'd
think it has to be now before they head north
(09:45):
for the end of your tools. They do play Japan
before confronting England Island and France up north, but if
they're going to have another look, you would think it
has to happen sooner rather than later.
Speaker 4 (09:58):
On the other side of the scale, could they benefit
from giving Damian McKenzie another shot here, build that confidence
before they head to Europe.
Speaker 6 (10:06):
Yeah, it's a fair points. I guess the more time
he spends at ten, the more backing he has from
the coaches, the more comfortable he should be in that role.
He hasn't prior to this year had a sustained run
for the All Blacks at ten, and he's of course
played there for the Chiefs, but Richard Muonger was the
first choice ten, you know, for the All Blacks, and
(10:29):
there's all sorts of talk that he's going to return
potentially next year, if not next year of the year
after so every minutes Damen gets of experience as incredibly valuable.
So I'm sure he'll want to retain those rains and
continue to improve. But we've seen elsewhere, you know, there's
been players punished to a degree for like a formal
(10:54):
or eras Riquewan he was dropped and brought back. Well Jordan,
you know, started one Test at fallback and then was
pushed back to the wing before the late change last week.
Others have fallen out of favor, the likes of Dalton
Papa Lee. So Scott Robinson has shown that he can
use selection to try and a vote performance, but just
(11:15):
not with Damon McKenzie to date.
Speaker 4 (11:17):
Yeah. And on the other side the positives obviously Wallace
to Tt Court is at Artema very much the ones
you know newb's on the team being credited for great
consistent performances in the last month or so. Do you
expect them to continue to be given the time in
the saddle again to just build that confidence.
Speaker 6 (11:34):
You think?
Speaker 5 (11:34):
So?
Speaker 6 (11:34):
Ethan Blackheader is back fit. He's been out for the
past two Tests with hamstring injury. So there's great depth
in the loose forwards and it would be very harsh
to drop Wallace the way he's playing. And Cortez at
Artima was for me the best all Black on the
park in Sydney. His distribution his kniping game, his defense
(11:58):
is kicking or exceptional, so I think he's really growing
into his work. You've got cam royguards Hurricanes halfback who's
obviously this whole season in camp with the All Blacks
this year. I think he'll play for Compte's Monaco next
week before possibly joining the All Blacks for the ndyear tour.
So it is really the youth that shine he for
(12:19):
the All Blacks at the moment. Tupu Vis another one
that's playing out of his skin. He was one of
the best performers in South Africa. So I think there's
a real case to be made that Scott Robinson needs
to promote this youth and back then more because he's
been a wee bit reluctant to do that. And it
is as you say that, like the Tt and Ratima,
(12:40):
that have really been the shining lights in recent weeks.
Speaker 4 (12:43):
Greatly and I appreciate your time and enjoy your week
in Wellington. That is The New Zealand Herald's Rugby corresponded
Liam Napier with the latest from the All Blacks camp
in Wellington.
Speaker 1 (12:51):
The Chamber is now in session on Sportsfax now on
sports Fix.
Speaker 4 (12:57):
We heads into the Chamber discuss a bit of well,
what's gone on over the weekend and a few other
bits and pieces in the sporting worlds we head south
ourman for news Dogs, Evy Sport in christ Churches, Nick
good A.
Speaker 2 (13:08):
Nick good A, Coops, good to be here in the chamber.
Speaker 4 (13:11):
Well, good to have you along too, Nick, because you
went viral over the weekends with well, a pretty interesting
tweet what about half time or towards the end of
the All Blacks Wallabies game and some quite interesting numbers
and time stamps you were sort of crunching on just
when the All Blacks seemingly this season so far in
the Rugby Championship have stopped scoring points and continue didn't.
Speaker 8 (13:36):
It certainly did. It's just been an observation of mine.
Of course, it's been well addressed over the last few weeks,
these these final quarter meltdowns for whatever reason. Disciplines obviously
an issue, lack of execution, but yeah, I just sort
of chucked it out there with people love their numbers,
don't they, Coops, And you go back over the course
of the Rugby Championship now, of course against the Wallabies
(13:57):
on Sydney, it was the forty fifth minute a Damien
Mackenzie penalty that was the last scoring act for the
All Blacks. Then the couple of weeks before in Cape
Town against the spring Box it was the fifty ninth minute,
then the fifty third the week prior at Alice Park,
and then the two Argentina tests, even the one where
the All Blacks were handsomely beat Argentina, they stopped scoring
(14:17):
the forty third minute of that game. So it is
a curious trend. I can't quite pinpoint why. I think
there's multiple factors that play here. It probably mostly speaks
to a lack of player depth. I feel this, of course,
being the first year of the new Rugby World Cup
cycle under a new system and a new coaching staff
(14:40):
led by Scott Robertson, and he doesn't have these guys
like Aaron Smith's, your Brody Retallics, your Sam Whitelocks and
Richie mong and I think he's just starting to find
that he might be happy with his fifteen.
Speaker 2 (14:53):
The starts have been great, haven't they.
Speaker 8 (14:54):
We've had some really nice tries being scored, but the
impact off the bench isn't quite there. So I'm happy
to give them a bit of leeway in terms of
creating that depth by bringing some young talent in. But
at the same time, I feel like something needs to
change here and not scoring a point after the hour mark.
Speaker 2 (15:10):
Just isn't going to cut it at this level.
Speaker 4 (15:12):
And Scott Robertson and Jason Holland, who have heard from
both since the game, I'm pretty honest saying it it
needs to improve. Do you expect that to trigger some
changes this week given the Bledislow kupp isn't the bag
for another year? Or are you of your view of
the view that they might actually just stick with their
guns and give the whole system at the moment another crack.
Speaker 2 (15:31):
Yeah, it's interesting, isn't it.
Speaker 8 (15:32):
And of course there is Wellington Hudoo that I'm sure
you know all about coops in terms of all Blacks
tests at sky Stadium. So look, I personally would like
to see some change. I think Damien McKenzie, for example,
at first five has been given ample opportunity to prove
his case and while his goalkicking was superb at the weekend,
(15:53):
he was just a little bit of ratic for mine.
Of course, if those passes stick, we're having a completely
different conversation depending on the health of Boden Barrit who
was a late withdrawal last week in the Test against
the Wallabies. I wouldn't mind seeing Boden Barrett given an
opportunity at first five, or even Harry Plummer, just to
see where things are at in the ten Jersey. It
is an area of concern I think going forward you
(16:16):
look below that.
Speaker 2 (16:16):
Yes, Stephen pier Effect is injured.
Speaker 8 (16:19):
But there's not many names knocking on the door there
for all Black selection for mine and the ten Jersey.
Of course there'll be a force to change at second
five eighth as well, with no Jordy Barrett we anticipate
due to that knee injury, a guy like Anton Lennart
Brown does he come in. I'd really like to see
Billy Proctor too, Coops. I know you've seen a lot
of him through the Hurricanes up in Wellington. He's a
(16:41):
real talent and someone I think needs to get another opportunity.
I thought he showed glimpses and that easy win over
Fiji in San Diego. So decisions to be made for
Razor and his crew and I guess we just wait
and see what happens on Thursday morning when that match
day twenty three is revealed.
Speaker 4 (16:57):
Yeah, it will be interesting the last and a roll
of the dice before the end of year tour squad
has confirmed. Right, let's talk golf, Nick, and I know
this morning you were covering Lydia Coe just another victory
for her, the time on the ALP to what's a
past three events it has been for her. You managed
to catch quite a few of the last holes that
she played today. What did you sort of notice about
(17:18):
what she brought to this tournament, you know, along the
lines of her last two victories as well since the Olympics.
Speaker 8 (17:23):
Yeah, look, I'm just running out of superlatives to sum
up Lydia Co's Yeah, and I think it's easy to
forget too, Coops that last year we were having a
completely different conversation around Jeril.
Speaker 2 (17:32):
We're at the end of the road for Lydia Coo.
Speaker 8 (17:33):
She hadn't won on the LPGA tour, She's been outside
of the top thirty at the five women's golf majors,
and she had hinted at retirement. Fast forward twelve months,
She's an Olympic champion. She's ended her major drought at
Saint Andrew's, the home of golf in the Open Championship,
and then she's come off a three week holiday, picked
(17:54):
up the clubs again and then just put together as
simply flawless four rounds of golf to win. She was
behind by two, ended up winning by five, and for
seventy two whole tournament coups and just to have the one.
I mean, her level of concentration and dedication to her
craft is just at another level at the moment, and
(18:16):
it feels like anytime lydia Co's in the field at
a golf tournament right now, it's hers to lose, which
is an exciting prospect for New Zealand sports fans, for
golf fans. As I mentioned, I felt like it wasn't
too long ago we were wondering when lydia co was.
Speaker 2 (18:29):
Going to reply.
Speaker 8 (18:29):
Now I felt like today after she won this tournament,
to know Hi, we got our strongest indication yet that
she's keen to go around at least another year. The
career Grand Slam would be probably the last thing left
for Lydia Coe to achieve. There are five women's golf majors.
Lydia Coo has won three of them. She's never won
the US Open, She's never won the PGA Championship. Seven
(18:51):
women have one have a career Grand Slam. We've won
four different majors. So for Lydia Co to say, yep,
that's a goal, that's a pretty exciting prospect for one.
Speaker 3 (19:01):
Yeare remarkable. Wouldn't that be amazing?
Speaker 8 (19:02):
Right?
Speaker 4 (19:03):
Just to wrap up, Nick, I know you would have
been casting your eye over the finals action and roll
over the weeks. Ken's semi finals done and dust. We've got
the prelim finals locked in. I've got Storm versus Roosters
and then Panthers Sharks. Can you see any other final
than Melbourne Penrith at this very moment.
Speaker 2 (19:19):
I honestly can't keep ses.
Speaker 8 (19:21):
The four top teams in terms of the regular season
are there, but I think Penrith and Melbourne are a
class above. It's always interesting to see, isn't it after
a team has a week off as did the Panthers
in the Storm just this weekend, and how that has
best served them or how has that served them getting
into these preliminary finals. But it all sets up for
(19:41):
mine anyway, for a Penrith Melbourne Grand final, which is
what I.
Speaker 2 (19:45):
Want to see.
Speaker 8 (19:45):
The two best teams going Hammer and Tong in the
Grand Final. It's a big couple of weeks, isn't it
in Australia with the AFL Grand Final this weekend too, Coops.
The AFL Finals just quietly have been out of this world.
And we've got two out of state teams from Victoria
and the Sydney Swans and Brisbane Lions going to battle
at the Melbourne Cricket Ground this Saturday.
Speaker 2 (20:05):
So so much sport to salivate over.
Speaker 3 (20:07):
So much sport.
Speaker 4 (20:07):
Indeed, thanks for joining us on the chamber this week here.
I have a wonderful week done on the O three
you too, mate, Sportsvex and that's all we have time
for for Sports Fix This Monday, September twenty third, the
start of another busy sporting week.
Speaker 3 (20:21):
Don't forget.
Speaker 4 (20:21):
If you do subscribe to the Sports Fix podcast, another
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Speaker 3 (20:27):
For you don't forget.
Speaker 4 (20:29):
You can join the sporting discussion on News Talks edb's
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Speaker 3 (20:40):
Thanks a listening, We'll catch you again.
Speaker 1 (20:42):
For more from News Talks EDB. Listen live on air
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Speaker 2 (00:17):
This is Sportsfix Howard by.
Speaker 3 (00:19):
News Talks d B.
Speaker 4 (00:20):
Get up and welcome to a brand new week and
the Sports Fixed podcast for Monday, the twenty third of September.
Speaker 3 (00:26):
Adam Cooper with you for this edition.
Speaker 4 (00:28):
Thanks to your company, brought the halfway points of the
two Letters Low Cup tests for the year. Yet another
unconvincing performance by the All Blacks and Test one It's Sydney,
so just how much faith will Scott Robertson show his
incumbents for the return test in Wellington this Saturday. The
Herald's Rugby correspondently and nap here is traveling with both teams.
He'll join us shortly. I'll give my thoughts on what
(00:48):
should happen to the number ten jersey this week too.
I'm joined to the sports Chamber by News Talks Epichrist
Churches sports editor Nick Bewley. He'll give us his take
on the weekend's action, including another remarkable performance from Lydia coach.
Speaker 3 (01:01):
Great to have you with us. Let's get into it.
Speaker 4 (01:03):
In other news, checking out some of the day's main
sporting head lines Now and Lydia Coe looks boys to
continue professional golf in twenty twenty five. The twenty seven
year old's won a fourth tournament this year, claiming the
latest LPGA event at Ohio by five strokes. Coe's tiptoed
arounds the topic of retirement. Since winning Olympic gold in
(01:24):
Paris and the British Open at Saint Andrew's, seven women
have won four different majors.
Speaker 3 (01:29):
Coe's keen to become the eighth.
Speaker 5 (01:31):
It's always been a goal of mine to do the
Career Grand Slam, but.
Speaker 2 (01:35):
I just thought that would be so out there.
Speaker 5 (01:37):
But you know, I feel like I've already been part
of this fairy tales, so.
Speaker 4 (01:41):
Why not The LPGA honors the Career Grand Slam at four.
Despite having five majors, the US Open and PGA Championship
are missing from Coe's resume.
Speaker 3 (01:51):
The stars seem to.
Speaker 4 (01:52):
Be aligning, even close to William Lawson's appointment to a
full time Formula One seat with the Racing Bulls team
next year. The latest an emotional interview with Daniel Ricardo
after finishing eighteenth at the Singapore Grand Prix, signs pointing
now to his exit.
Speaker 3 (02:06):
Possibly.
Speaker 5 (02:07):
You know, I to acknowledge that it's obviously it's been
a little bit of a race by race situation and
I would have obviously loved the weekend to have gone better.
Speaker 6 (02:15):
It didn't.
Speaker 5 (02:16):
I have to be prepared for. Yeah, this may be being.
Speaker 4 (02:18):
It and Team man Arsenal have been tonighted and away
victory against Premier League leaders Manchester City, conceding a late
equal eyes at a settle for a tool draw. Arsenal
manager macal Artena reflects on conceding and the eight minutes
of stoppage time in.
Speaker 7 (02:31):
The ab blog because we had it you will, namely
seven minutes to extend it again and we end up
conceding the gold. But it's already a miracle, you know.
We play fifty five minutes of fifty six minutes at
the Idea with ten men.
Speaker 2 (02:43):
Leading a vix. We've got just the ticket.
Speaker 1 (02:46):
It's sports fix now by News talks IVY well.
Speaker 4 (02:50):
As questions grow around Damian Mackenzie's hold on the All
Blacks number ten jersey following another slow finish to a test,
the term mercurial used by coach Scott Robertson was hardly
the greatest endorsement of his number ten in the wash
up of the team's Mad Survival Act in Sydney. Twenty
one dollar a head after fifteen minute and it's twenty
eight to fourteen up at the break. There's no way
(03:11):
the side should have been forced to frantically fight at
the deaths for an eventual thirty one twenty eight victory.
The finger naturally gets pointed at your playmaker when, for
a fifth straight game, your team doesn't score any points
in the final twenty minutes of a test. In this case,
the final points came in the forty fifth minute. Mackenzie's
game management has been found out under pressure at times
(03:34):
this year, although at the same time some of his
brilliant individual attacking moments are always the first on a
highlights reel, A shape for him that arguably his best
moment of Saturday's Test, sparking that eighty meter breakout for
a quarter as at Are to Matri was subsequently pulled
back for a forward pass. So far, Scott Robinson's remained
defiantly loyal to McKenzie through the peaks and troughs of
(03:55):
the rugby year, but the use of the word mercurial
and admitting things are still a work in progress. Makes
me wonder is a change likely for Saturday's return bleders
Low Cup test in Wellington. It's an interesting balancing act
for the coach is here with the Bledisloe already locked away,
the team is playing for pride, some credibility and for
a strong launching pad for the end of year tour.
(04:18):
But I actually think giving Damien McKenzie another shot in
the ten jersey is the right move here. We know
that a healthy again Boden Barrett would be the obvious
replacements if a move was made. We already know what
he's capable of and know what he can bring should
he be required to front at pivots on the end
of year tour. In the meantime, why not give Damien
(04:40):
McKenzie one final chance to respond to the increased scrutiny
push for that eighty minute performance and improved McKenzie with
maximum game time and confidence would be an asset in
just a couple of months time in London, Dublin and Paris.
Speaker 1 (04:55):
This is Sportsfix, your daily dose of sports news, now, news.
Speaker 2 (05:00):
Talks v Well.
Speaker 4 (05:02):
Let's take you to Wellington now, both the All Blacks
and the Wallabees have arrived in the New Zealand capital
for the return at Bledderslow Cup Test. Of course, still
reflecting on a dramatic three point victory for the All
Blacks in Sydney in Test one on Saturday night, the
All Blacks retaining the Bladers Load Cup. But certainly we'll
be wanting to end their home series of tests on
(05:25):
a high with the end of year Northern Hemisphere tour
just around the corner. And he's Hellen Herald's rugby correspondent
Liam Napier joins us now here on the Sports Fixed podcast.
Speaker 3 (05:35):
Liam.
Speaker 4 (05:36):
Thanks for your time, mate. So it's Monday before Test two.
What kind of chatter was there around the All Blacks
camp there today?
Speaker 6 (05:42):
Yeah, evening coops. Great to be back in the nation's capital,
your hometown. Went out to Upper Up today and saw
Wayne Smith floating around. I think it's his first time
in camp with the All Blacks. He's the I think
his official title is performance coach with the b and
Black Ferns. So interesting to see him flowing around. No
(06:03):
form what day on Jeordi Barrett, But he's certainly out
this week with his medial ligament injury. He had scans
today so we'll hear later in the week about that.
And then I guess while the All Blacks have locked
away to Bedslow Cup, there's certainly no shortage of motivation.
Everything from the Wellington Hudu haven't won here for six
years could be sam came into j Pennara's last home
(06:25):
tests and of course the last quarter second half failings.
Five tests in a row. Your Blacks haven't scored a
point beyond the fifty second minute, so plenty for Usco
Robinson's men to improve on.
Speaker 4 (06:38):
Yeah, exactly, and that was obviously a big talking point
straight after the game as well. From your perspective, how
much of the All Blacks and the coaching staff worried
about this? What kind of either poker faces or genuine
answers have they given in the last out of twenty
four to forty eight hours around that, that final twenty
minutes of games.
Speaker 6 (06:56):
Yeah, I think poker face is probably good way to
put it. They're certainly projecting optimism and no sense of
panic as such, but it is an unsolvable curse for
the All Blacks, these last quarter failings, whether it's the bench,
whether it's blowing ample opportunities they had the Wallabies on
the rack and Sydney led twenty one nil, twenty eight
(07:18):
to seven and then twenty eight to fourteen at halftime
and should have really blown them away but didn't. So
finishing those attacking chances is a very pressing concern. But
you know, Jason Hollins speaking today about backing their skill sets,
continuing to be positive and Will Jordan also talking about,
(07:42):
you know, things like refining support play and just continuing
to attack. But it is a major issue because we've
seen Neil Blacks blow big leads against Argentina here in Wellington,
the spring Box and Johannesburg they had ten point lead
and then again in Sydney, so it is a major
(08:04):
issue for them to try and solve.
Speaker 4 (08:06):
And hearing Scott Robertson used the torcure able to describe
Damien McKenzie's performance. Is that a sign that has consistent
backing and confidence in him so far this year is
possibly starting to wine a little bit.
Speaker 6 (08:19):
Yeah, I think it could be. Coops Boden Barrett was
late withdrawal last week. Will Drone City only had about
two hours prior to kick off, noticed that he was
switching from the wings to start at fallback. But by
all accounts there is a bit of sickness in the
All Blacks camp, but Boden is sent to have recovered,
so I wouldn't be surprised if we saw a change
(08:41):
at ten. I don't expect to see widespread changes from
the All Blacks this week. I think they haven't put
out the performance that they want, that everyone expects from them,
so I don't think they will feel comfortable enough to
have widespread experimentation as such, even though the blood is
locked away. But ten is a major talking point, isn't it.
Damien has been backed consistently this year, started all eight
(09:04):
tests and hasn't stamped his authority in that position. It's
fair to say there's been questions about his game management
as goalkicking, which was actually very good in Sydney, but
there was the audacious flick path and just the game
management in the final quarter. I think the All Blacks
had about thirty eight percent of territory in the second
(09:25):
half and that contributed to them being under pressure and
conceding too late yellow cards. So if the All Blacks
are going to make a change at ten, if they
do want to see some other options, whether that is
Boden Barrett, maybe Harry Plummer, Stephen Pefetter is injured. You'd
think it has to be now before they head north
(09:45):
for the end of your tools. They do play Japan
before confronting England Island and France up north, but if
they're going to have another look, you would think it
has to happen sooner rather than later.
Speaker 4 (09:58):
On the other side of the scale, could they benefit
from giving Damian McKenzie another shot here, build that confidence
before they head to Europe.
Speaker 6 (10:06):
Yeah, it's a fair points. I guess the more time
he spends at ten, the more backing he has from
the coaches, the more comfortable he should be in that role.
He hasn't prior to this year had a sustained run
for the All Blacks at ten, and he's of course
played there for the Chiefs, but Richard Muonger was the
first choice ten, you know, for the All Blacks, and
(10:29):
there's all sorts of talk that he's going to return
potentially next year, if not next year of the year
after so every minutes Damen gets of experience as incredibly valuable.
So I'm sure he'll want to retain those rains and
continue to improve. But we've seen elsewhere, you know, there's
been players punished to a degree for like a formal
(10:54):
or eras Riquewan he was dropped and brought back. Well Jordan,
you know, started one Test at fallback and then was
pushed back to the wing before the late change last week.
Others have fallen out of favor, the likes of Dalton
Papa Lee. So Scott Robinson has shown that he can
use selection to try and a vote performance, but just
(11:15):
not with Damon McKenzie to date.
Speaker 4 (11:17):
Yeah. And on the other side the positives obviously Wallace
to Tt Court is at Artema very much the ones
you know newb's on the team being credited for great
consistent performances in the last month or so. Do you
expect them to continue to be given the time in
the saddle again to just build that confidence.
Speaker 6 (11:34):
You think?
Speaker 5 (11:34):
So?
Speaker 6 (11:34):
Ethan Blackheader is back fit. He's been out for the
past two Tests with hamstring injury. So there's great depth
in the loose forwards and it would be very harsh
to drop Wallace the way he's playing. And Cortez at
Artima was for me the best all Black on the
park in Sydney. His distribution his kniping game, his defense
(11:58):
is kicking or exceptional, so I think he's really growing
into his work. You've got cam royguards Hurricanes halfback who's
obviously this whole season in camp with the All Blacks
this year. I think he'll play for Compte's Monaco next
week before possibly joining the All Blacks for the ndyear tour.
So it is really the youth that shine he for
(12:19):
the All Blacks at the moment. Tupu Vis another one
that's playing out of his skin. He was one of
the best performers in South Africa. So I think there's
a real case to be made that Scott Robinson needs
to promote this youth and back then more because he's
been a wee bit reluctant to do that. And it
is as you say that, like the Tt and Ratima,
(12:40):
that have really been the shining lights in recent weeks.
Speaker 4 (12:43):
Greatly and I appreciate your time and enjoy your week
in Wellington. That is The New Zealand Herald's Rugby corresponded
Liam Napier with the latest from the All Blacks camp
in Wellington.
Speaker 1 (12:51):
The Chamber is now in session on Sportsfax now on
sports Fix.
Speaker 4 (12:57):
We heads into the Chamber discuss a bit of well,
what's gone on over the weekend and a few other
bits and pieces in the sporting worlds we head south
ourman for news Dogs, Evy Sport in christ Churches, Nick
good A.
Speaker 2 (13:08):
Nick good A, Coops, good to be here in the chamber.
Speaker 4 (13:11):
Well, good to have you along too, Nick, because you
went viral over the weekends with well, a pretty interesting
tweet what about half time or towards the end of
the All Blacks Wallabies game and some quite interesting numbers
and time stamps you were sort of crunching on just
when the All Blacks seemingly this season so far in
the Rugby Championship have stopped scoring points and continue didn't.
Speaker 8 (13:36):
It certainly did. It's just been an observation of mine.
Of course, it's been well addressed over the last few weeks,
these these final quarter meltdowns for whatever reason. Disciplines obviously
an issue, lack of execution, but yeah, I just sort
of chucked it out there with people love their numbers,
don't they, Coops, And you go back over the course
of the Rugby Championship now, of course against the Wallabies
(13:57):
on Sydney, it was the forty fifth minute a Damien
Mackenzie penalty that was the last scoring act for the
All Blacks. Then the couple of weeks before in Cape
Town against the spring Box it was the fifty ninth minute,
then the fifty third the week prior at Alice Park,
and then the two Argentina tests, even the one where
the All Blacks were handsomely beat Argentina, they stopped scoring
(14:17):
the forty third minute of that game. So it is
a curious trend. I can't quite pinpoint why. I think
there's multiple factors that play here. It probably mostly speaks
to a lack of player depth. I feel this, of course,
being the first year of the new Rugby World Cup
cycle under a new system and a new coaching staff
(14:40):
led by Scott Robertson, and he doesn't have these guys
like Aaron Smith's, your Brody Retallics, your Sam Whitelocks and
Richie mong and I think he's just starting to find
that he might be happy with his fifteen.
Speaker 2 (14:53):
The starts have been great, haven't they.
Speaker 8 (14:54):
We've had some really nice tries being scored, but the
impact off the bench isn't quite there. So I'm happy
to give them a bit of leeway in terms of
creating that depth by bringing some young talent in. But
at the same time, I feel like something needs to
change here and not scoring a point after the hour mark.
Speaker 2 (15:10):
Just isn't going to cut it at this level.
Speaker 4 (15:12):
And Scott Robertson and Jason Holland, who have heard from
both since the game, I'm pretty honest saying it it
needs to improve. Do you expect that to trigger some
changes this week given the Bledislow kupp isn't the bag
for another year? Or are you of your view of
the view that they might actually just stick with their
guns and give the whole system at the moment another crack.
Speaker 2 (15:31):
Yeah, it's interesting, isn't it.
Speaker 8 (15:32):
And of course there is Wellington Hudoo that I'm sure
you know all about coops in terms of all Blacks
tests at sky Stadium. So look, I personally would like
to see some change. I think Damien McKenzie, for example,
at first five has been given ample opportunity to prove
his case and while his goalkicking was superb at the weekend,
(15:53):
he was just a little bit of ratic for mine.
Of course, if those passes stick, we're having a completely
different conversation depending on the health of Boden Barrit who
was a late withdrawal last week in the Test against
the Wallabies. I wouldn't mind seeing Boden Barrett given an
opportunity at first five, or even Harry Plummer, just to
see where things are at in the ten Jersey. It
is an area of concern I think going forward you
(16:16):
look below that.
Speaker 2 (16:16):
Yes, Stephen pier Effect is injured.
Speaker 8 (16:19):
But there's not many names knocking on the door there
for all Black selection for mine and the ten Jersey.
Of course there'll be a force to change at second
five eighth as well, with no Jordy Barrett we anticipate
due to that knee injury, a guy like Anton Lennart
Brown does he come in. I'd really like to see
Billy Proctor too, Coops. I know you've seen a lot
of him through the Hurricanes up in Wellington. He's a
(16:41):
real talent and someone I think needs to get another opportunity.
I thought he showed glimpses and that easy win over
Fiji in San Diego. So decisions to be made for
Razor and his crew and I guess we just wait
and see what happens on Thursday morning when that match
day twenty three is revealed.
Speaker 4 (16:57):
Yeah, it will be interesting the last and a roll
of the dice before the end of year tour squad
has confirmed. Right, let's talk golf, Nick, and I know
this morning you were covering Lydia Coe just another victory
for her, the time on the ALP to what's a
past three events it has been for her. You managed
to catch quite a few of the last holes that
she played today. What did you sort of notice about
(17:18):
what she brought to this tournament, you know, along the
lines of her last two victories as well since the Olympics.
Speaker 8 (17:23):
Yeah, look, I'm just running out of superlatives to sum
up Lydia Co's Yeah, and I think it's easy to
forget too, Coops that last year we were having a
completely different conversation around Jeril.
Speaker 2 (17:32):
We're at the end of the road for Lydia Coo.
Speaker 8 (17:33):
She hadn't won on the LPGA tour, She's been outside
of the top thirty at the five women's golf majors,
and she had hinted at retirement. Fast forward twelve months,
She's an Olympic champion. She's ended her major drought at
Saint Andrew's, the home of golf in the Open Championship,
and then she's come off a three week holiday, picked
(17:54):
up the clubs again and then just put together as
simply flawless four rounds of golf to win. She was
behind by two, ended up winning by five, and for
seventy two whole tournament coups and just to have the one.
I mean, her level of concentration and dedication to her
craft is just at another level at the moment, and
(18:16):
it feels like anytime lydia Co's in the field at
a golf tournament right now, it's hers to lose, which
is an exciting prospect for New Zealand sports fans, for
golf fans. As I mentioned, I felt like it wasn't
too long ago we were wondering when lydia co was.
Speaker 2 (18:29):
Going to reply.
Speaker 8 (18:29):
Now I felt like today after she won this tournament,
to know Hi, we got our strongest indication yet that
she's keen to go around at least another year. The
career Grand Slam would be probably the last thing left
for Lydia Coe to achieve. There are five women's golf majors.
Lydia Coo has won three of them. She's never won
the US Open, She's never won the PGA Championship. Seven
(18:51):
women have one have a career Grand Slam. We've won
four different majors. So for Lydia Co to say, yep,
that's a goal, that's a pretty exciting prospect for one.
Speaker 3 (19:01):
Yeare remarkable. Wouldn't that be amazing?
Speaker 8 (19:02):
Right?
Speaker 4 (19:03):
Just to wrap up, Nick, I know you would have
been casting your eye over the finals action and roll
over the weeks. Ken's semi finals done and dust. We've got
the prelim finals locked in. I've got Storm versus Roosters
and then Panthers Sharks. Can you see any other final
than Melbourne Penrith at this very moment.
Speaker 2 (19:19):
I honestly can't keep ses.
Speaker 8 (19:21):
The four top teams in terms of the regular season
are there, but I think Penrith and Melbourne are a
class above. It's always interesting to see, isn't it after
a team has a week off as did the Panthers
in the Storm just this weekend, and how that has
best served them or how has that served them getting
into these preliminary finals. But it all sets up for
(19:41):
mine anyway, for a Penrith Melbourne Grand final, which is
what I.
Speaker 2 (19:45):
Want to see.
Speaker 8 (19:45):
The two best teams going Hammer and Tong in the
Grand Final. It's a big couple of weeks, isn't it
in Australia with the AFL Grand Final this weekend too, Coops.
The AFL Finals just quietly have been out of this world.
And we've got two out of state teams from Victoria
and the Sydney Swans and Brisbane Lions going to battle
at the Melbourne Cricket Ground this Saturday.
Speaker 2 (20:05):
So so much sport to salivate over.
Speaker 3 (20:07):
So much sport.
Speaker 4 (20:07):
Indeed, thanks for joining us on the chamber this week here.
I have a wonderful week done on the O three
you too, mate, Sportsvex and that's all we have time
for for Sports Fix This Monday, September twenty third, the
start of another busy sporting week.
Speaker 3 (20:21):
Don't forget.
Speaker 4 (20:21):
If you do subscribe to the Sports Fix podcast, another
edition will land every weekday around this time.
Speaker 3 (20:27):
For you don't forget.
Speaker 4 (20:29):
You can join the sporting discussion on News Talks edb's
at Sports Talk every weeknight between seven and eight and
again on weekend Sport Saturdays and Sundays between twelve and three.
Speaker 3 (20:40):
Thanks a listening, We'll catch you again.
Speaker 1 (20:42):
For more from News Talks EDB. Listen live on air
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