November 18, 2024 • 24 mins
On Sports Fix with D'Arcy Waldegrave for Thursday 19 November 2024, top rugby player agent Simon Porter talks about Harry Plummer looking to move to France at the end of Super Rugby 2025.
D'Arcy delivers an opinion piece on future of Warren Gatland.
Plus, Newstalk ZB sports news director Clay Wilson joins the panel to discuss the World Rugby player of the year nominations.
Get 'Sports Fix' every weekday afternoon on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.
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 at be
follow this and our Wide Ranger podcast now on iHeartRadio.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
This is Sportsfix Howard by News Talks it.
Speaker 3 (00:20):
Be Hey, Hello there, welcome on in to the Sports Fix.
My name is Darcy Walter Grave. This is your one
stop podcast shop for all the news of the day.
It is the nineteenth of November twenty twenty four, Tuesday.
Great to have Yoell on board. Coming up in the
podcast shortly, I'll be catching up with a bloke called
(00:42):
Simon Porter. He is the managing director of Halo Sports,
a player agency of some repute. As we talk about
the decision of Harry Plummer to up sticks after one
test and disappear off to France, I've got a few
thoughts around the career of Warren Gatland. Gotta be the luckiest.
(01:03):
Can you call him a teflon coach? I suppose you can.
What's going on in Wales right now beggars belief. How
long can he last? How long will he last? How
did he get there in the first place. Also will
be joined in studio in the chambery News Talks Deb's
editor of Sport, mister Clay Wilson, as we throw around
some of the big sports stories of the day. That's
(01:25):
our master plan. So let's get amongst in other news.
Let's take away listening it now to the big sports
news of today, starting with raphaen Adell, who's rearing up
for the last push of his a legendary tennis career.
The thirty eight year olds are suiting arm for Spain
in the Davis Cup finals. The twenty two time Grand
(01:47):
Slam champ says he is comfortable with his decision to
retire from the sport given the toll it's taken on
his body.
Speaker 4 (01:55):
For me today, I meant don't make sense or to
keep going knowing that I don't have the real chance
to be competitive the way that I like to be competitive.
Speaker 3 (02:08):
Blacks have been left frustrated by missed opportunities. After sitting
down to look back on their loss to France before
kicking into the preparation for Italy and Turin, the squad
held their Monday review into the Paris defeat. Looks forward.
Willa Setiti says it painted a picture of chances they
didn't take.
Speaker 5 (02:28):
Unfortunately for us, so it was last Saturday, so like
I said, we'll take the learnings and take it into
this week against a strong Italian side who will be
up for this.
Speaker 6 (02:36):
Cameras are like we will.
Speaker 3 (02:37):
Northern Districts are looking keen to continue their strong start
in Crickets Planket Shield last year's runners up began with
a seven wicket win over Canterbury and go into today's
clash against Auckland with black Caps Caane Williamson and Tim
Salvey at their disposal that coach BJ Watling isn't thinking
too far ahead.
Speaker 7 (02:58):
We know we have to win four or five games
to be in this comp so it's as simple as that.
We'll look to try to do that again here today.
But each session, ball by ball, all the cliche stuff,
we've got to go through that to end up with
a re at the end of it.
Speaker 2 (03:10):
We've got just the ticket. It's Sports Vex, News Talks V.
Speaker 3 (03:16):
And it's a warm welcome to the program to Halo
Sports and managing director Simon Porter. Sim going to trust you, well.
Speaker 6 (03:23):
Yep, very well. I think you do see yourself.
Speaker 3 (03:25):
Yeah, not so bad. Haven't been offered a big French
contract yet. I don't I think there's any warm for
me over there are this plumber story not unusual in
this day and age is to have a one test
all Black swipe picked up by an overseas team. Does
strike youres is strange or out of the ordinary, Just
(03:46):
that's the way it rolls.
Speaker 8 (03:48):
Well, I think it's probably just the way it rolls.
I mean, I don't I don't know what's motivated Harry
to make the decision. Probably did come as a little
bit of a surprise, just given his you know, his
his ascension and how well his Super season went and
then his first taste of the All Blacks. But I
mean that part of the really hard thing with the
(04:08):
way the global market works is the lag between I mean,
this could be something they've been talking about for six months,
this could be a decision that was made back at
the start of Super Rugby. You know, you just don't
until you see the inner workings of it and all
that sort of stuff, you just don't really understand when
the timing.
Speaker 6 (04:26):
Of it all was.
Speaker 8 (04:26):
And that's part of that's part of the issue with
you know, with rugby, I guess where it's two quite
distinct hemispheres running to two quite distinct contracting windows or
calendar years, so they don't always marry up, and it's
always part of the when you're advising guys that the
hard bit is the timeline and things just don't always
(04:49):
come together at the same time, because it's not like
football where you have you define transferred periods or windows
or a draft like in an NFL which I imagine an
NBA in those American sports, which I imagine probably also
dictates a little bit about what happens with the guys
that are off contract or transferring or whatever.
Speaker 3 (05:07):
We have a lot of players to sparing overseas understandable.
Has it has it increased, does it say the same?
Is it decreased? What was the interest like? From your knowledge,
is part of harlight halo sport around the interest in
New Zealand players.
Speaker 6 (05:21):
I don't think it's increased, to be honest. I think
that you know, Harry, you'd go back.
Speaker 8 (05:27):
A long time find you know, somebody going to France
outside of the end of a or an All Black
going to France outside the end.
Speaker 6 (05:38):
Of a Rugby World Cup cycle.
Speaker 8 (05:40):
You know, since COVID, a number of things that happened,
but the biggest one of the salary caps have come
down in France and.
Speaker 6 (05:47):
In the UK.
Speaker 8 (05:49):
So I mean the UK and clubs has gone bankrupt
and all that sort of stuff, so it's not as
buoyant as it once was.
Speaker 6 (05:56):
They've also done.
Speaker 8 (05:57):
A little bit of work around closing the windows around
your ability to play there from a work permit point
of view, which is as a big factor. And then
in France, what we've seen is that they've put a
real emphasis, probably over the last decade on getting more
French players into the system, so they have a the
way that you can qualify to play in France as
(06:19):
a local player. They've basically put really stringent rules and
over time had sort of a sinking lid on the
number of foreign players you can have, so that if
you go and talk to the French clubs or the
French agents, the battleground is definitely around, you know, the
French players and the guys that are coming out of there.
You know, they're really successful under twenty program. So I
(06:40):
sort of just don't think, well, I know, if I
look at you know, our pen al and all that
sort of stuff, there's just not the same number of
players going to France. Japan is still pretty buoyant, you know,
there's still quite a lot of appetite for New Zealand
players up there. But you know, I don't actually think
it's it's increased. It's just, you know, sometimes you get
(07:02):
one like this where it's a you know, it's probably
a little bit out of the box and a little
bit unexpected, and it makes everyone sort of sit up
a little bit and go, or how why is he
doing that?
Speaker 3 (07:14):
Player agent managing director from Halo Sports, Simon Porter joins us,
what kind of conversation do players have if they need
with n z R around the possibility of leaving their
warm embrace as part of Super Rugby? Does that raise
its head much?
Speaker 6 (07:31):
Simon?
Speaker 8 (07:32):
Yeah, Well, I mean, and I've got a simple philosophy,
always give somebody the opportunity to do something stupid. So
you know, you'd definitely be talking to New Zealand and
the Blues around whether they're willing to keep them and
on what terms. And I'll be very surprised if New
Zealand hadn't had a piece of paper in front of
(07:52):
Harry for him to consider staying around for a bit longer.
Speaker 3 (07:56):
The importance of the value of a singular cat two
three caps, he said, they might not have even the
negotiation might have started before we even got that cat.
But how much extra value, how much extra emphasis has
put on the fact that he's worn the black jersey
and other players, how much is that up their market value?
Speaker 8 (08:14):
It certainly does in Japan, I think just because the
All Blacks are held in such a steam up there
that I certainly think it probably adds a little bit
up in Japan. But France it's probably a little bit different.
I think the main driver for France is just what
Harry can bring on the field and the fact that
they get them all for themselves and they can control
(08:36):
that and and they can build a team around him,
and you know, ten such an important position, and you
know how he can play twelve and he can play fifteen,
and he goal kicks and he's a real leader and
all that sort of stuff. So for them, you know,
that's it's probably worth more than somebody who's at the
other end of their career who might have played seventy
caps but has kind of you know, been through the
(08:59):
ringer a little bit each club. And it's really different
overseas with positions as well. In New Zealand, we're a
little bit more, you know, thirty cap props worth the
same as a thirty cap twelve type.
Speaker 6 (09:11):
You know, they try to keep it a little bit
like that.
Speaker 8 (09:13):
Whereas overseas it is very positional specific in each position
kind of has its own market value based on importance
to the team.
Speaker 3 (09:24):
What about warnings to young players thinking of going away,
because I'd suggest maybe not all the time. It's all
it's cracked up to be. It's not a land of
milk and honey. It might just be water and mamite.
So what do you tell your players about moving and
plying their trade over with these Japanese or French clubs.
Is there something to look out for any fishaloks there? Oh?
Speaker 8 (09:43):
Yeah, absolutely, I mean I think one of the biggest ones.
I think anyone that is thinking about going overseas that
I'm involved with anyway, I'm always asking about, well, what's
your why? Because when you're playing in New Zealand, you
know every day when you wake up, you know you're
aspiring for that black jersey. You're trying to keep it
(10:03):
and not let anybody else get their hands on it,
or you're working towards it. So it is really a
shine light that kind of keeps you going. And it's
so competitive you don't want to give you anyone a chance,
et cetera. And you know that's a bit different if
you're sitting up in Suzuka, which is where Honda's based
in the Formula one, you wake up to the sound
(10:23):
of the flatline engines or the testing engines going around
Clemont or your your whatever, and it's son on the
ground and you wake up and it's you know, twenty
sixth of December and you've got to go to a
training and you know you've got a bit of a
sniffle or you've got a bit of a sore leg.
What's going to make you get up in drive you
(10:47):
to being professional? Because I think people don't you know.
Then that's the thing about New Zealand, whether you get
the black jersey or not, there's just that that drive
that comes from being within any rugby environment in New
Zealand because it is that real sort of meritocracy.
Speaker 6 (11:00):
If you do well at.
Speaker 8 (11:01):
School, if you will get picked up at an academy,
then you gotta play well at club and you get
into your provincial team and Super Rugby and and all
that sort of stuff. And when that's gone you really
have to ask yourself for I think, you know, I'll
make the guys us themselves.
Speaker 6 (11:13):
You know what, what what is going to make them
get out of bed?
Speaker 3 (11:16):
So I'm imported Halo Sport. Thanks so much for your time.
Good luck on that all black call.
Speaker 1 (11:25):
This is Sportsfects, your daily dose of sports news news.
Speaker 3 (11:30):
Talks Backham or sack him. The case of Warren Gatlan,
the coach of Wales who's overseen them now to eleven
consecutive defeats, the last of the hands of the resurgent
Australians all go up against Wales, have they really resurged
as such a word. Warren Gatlin has said this about
(11:53):
the possibility of him stepping down or being removed from
the national post. Whatever the best decision is, and whether
that is to make change to bring some positivity back
into the game, I would support one hundred percent if
that means me, I'm comfortable with that. We've heard this
before from coaches and it never ends well if well
(12:14):
is keeping your job. Warren Gatton is probably for the
high jump, but before the game against South Africa this weekend,
he doesn't know whether he will still be in charge
come that game. For me, even though it might be
and it probably will be let's face a twelve consecutive
defeats in an awful way to end your international coaching career.
(12:35):
The best for Welsh Rugby says to me, don't weigh
down an incoming coach with the enormous baggage the team
is currently carrying around. It'll crush them, cut it clean
at the end and then start again. Warren Gattlin can
look back at his career as a coach with some satisfaction.
(12:55):
He's had high points, he's had low points, possibly more
low than high, but he has managed to ford for
himself a career, a storied career in world rugby, and
he can't tune you in nose up at that. The
problem with Warren is he just went for too long.
It wasn't by design. You don't want to carry on
(13:17):
in a career when you're past, you'll use by date.
We saw what happened when he came home and attempted
to coach the Chiefs. It was a complete train wreck.
Then he decided up with Wales to go back to
the place where he made his name, and things didn't
get any better. I'd like to think that we'll remember
(13:37):
the coaching career of Warren Gatlin for the huge success
he had with Wales back in his healcion days. And
let's hope that is the case. Not a bad coach,
just a coach that's gone on a wee bit too long.
Speaker 2 (13:50):
The Chamber is now in session on Sportsfix.
Speaker 3 (13:55):
And here we are in the Chamber again, this time
with Clay will Soon Clay as a sports director for
News Talk z B. Clay, Hi, thanks for joining me.
Are you comfortable? Yes, Okay, we'll change that pretty far.
Here are our subjects of a day. We're going to
start off with the tale of woe for the All
Blacks because none of them been selected for the World
(14:16):
Player of the Year. Well, I'm pretty flat out on this.
Who cares? I don't, do you?
Speaker 6 (14:21):
No?
Speaker 5 (14:22):
I wish I could disagree with you, because it's these
things are better when we disagree generally. But I think
most people are going to think this, and I mean
I suppose some fans are going to, you know, get
a little bit upset. But to me, these kinds of
awards in general, I mean, I compare this to a
Halberg situation.
Speaker 7 (14:40):
You know.
Speaker 5 (14:40):
The subjective awards are subjective nominations made by a select
group of people. And yes, people that have knowledge of
the sport or of sport in general. But I think
I remember, was it a couple of years ago when
Ardie Severe was hands down the best player in the
world for that season and didn't even he might think
(15:01):
he got nominated but then lost out to an Irish player,
or I might have been Johnny Sexton. Funnily enough, probably yeah, yeah,
I don't think we go you would have voted for him.
Speaker 3 (15:10):
But why do players play? I mean why at the
bottom line, what do they do when they grow up?
They go, I want to win the World Player of
the Year award.
Speaker 5 (15:18):
I mean everyone likes to awards, right, Like, I mean,
even in your own line of work. You might be
up for an award or in some kind of sport
or other pursuit that you have outside of work. Everyone
loves to win an award. To me, most people don't
really care that much if you don't win it. It's
not like it comes with a big, juicy, fat bonus.
What does it mean and what does it mean for
(15:39):
us as fans?
Speaker 3 (15:39):
I mean, like, I'm very disappointed in the entire All
Black set up because not one of them gets invited
to put a penguin suit on and go and stand
around in a room well listening to.
Speaker 5 (15:48):
Sponsors them are probably glad they don't have to have
to hire attacks and whether they have it a monaca
or something like that. For probably for a lot of
rugby players, it's not really their scene.
Speaker 3 (15:59):
Well, you've been too many awards ceremonies. Tell me how
horrible they are.
Speaker 5 (16:03):
Yeah, well they're not all well that sort of kind
of jacked up to be on the television or wherever
you're watching them, for sure.
Speaker 3 (16:11):
You know you have to sit around and listen to
a sponsor deliver a long and tedious speech which is
almost identical to the sponsor beforehand that delivered the same
one tedious speech. Is a story for you. New Zealand
Cricket Awards many many, many many years ago. When I
used to get invited to these things. People have given
up now because I'm a disgrace. A guy from the
(16:31):
National Bank stood up to make a speech. Here we go,
oh and blah blah blah blah blah. Hey National Bank,
really proud to be part of this team. We're absolutely
stoked and no one wants to sit around here listen
to me talks They have a great night. Honestly, the
appause was outrageous. Everyone's just.
Speaker 5 (16:50):
Isn't it a breath of pressure?
Speaker 3 (16:52):
Astonishing? Let's go to more relevant rugby news. Clay Wilson
Harry Plummer off to France. Essentially, it's confirmed. We know
he's going good, bad, indifferent.
Speaker 5 (17:06):
I think this is a good thing for everyone. And
my first thought when I heard this news this morning
was a smart move from Harry Plummer. Not to say
that he would never become the first choice, first five
for the All Blacks, but in terms of his stock
and what he's going to maximize financially for his career,
his stock is as high as it's ever been. Now
(17:27):
if a French club's coming to you and saying we're
going to give you this much money, when probably twelve
months ago the offer from overseas clubs might have been
half of what he's potentially getting. But because he's had
a great Super rugby season, he's got himself into the
mix of the All Blacks. He's got a cap, you know,
the overseas clubs look at.
Speaker 3 (17:43):
That, he's got the jersey on the wall. You can
see that I'm an All Black. Fantastic god mate, check
that one off because an essence for players of that ilk,
And no disrespect to mister Plummet, it's a job. He's
got a promotion and a job, and he's moving overseas
for his job.
Speaker 5 (17:59):
It's just a sign of the times, isn't it that
increasingly more players seem to be anyway? Looking at it
that way.
Speaker 3 (18:06):
Yes, they love.
Speaker 5 (18:07):
The game, you know, they were growing they grew up
playing it. It's their passion. But you have to be
especially in a sport like rugby where you're not guaranteed
one more game with work, with the way concussions are,
any kind of injuries you can, you can have. So
I would say a smart decision. I mean, I don't know,
(18:27):
do you do? You look at the stocks and the
All Blacks? First five?
Speaker 3 (18:31):
He's gonna have to do Stephen Donald? Isn't he to
get up first? Five? Eight? Again? He's not He's not
fourth or fifth?
Speaker 2 (18:37):
Or is he?
Speaker 3 (18:38):
How old is Harry Plummer twenty six?
Speaker 5 (18:41):
So you know it's sort of a it's kind of
a Charles PoTA kind of situation, isn't and or there's
been players of that elk.
Speaker 3 (18:48):
I think it'll be star to be compared to Charles
p a TA it was something else.
Speaker 5 (18:52):
But yeah, going away, going away. Perhaps when you think,
oh maybe there's a there's a something more in terms
of an international career on the horizon with the All Blacks.
But I tend to think of a smart move when
you weigh it up, don't you. I mean you weigh
it up like any like you and I without careers.
You weigh it up, and to me, it's a smart
it's a smart move. Yes, I suppose you're unless INZI
(19:15):
are change their rules, which doesn't seem to be happening
in the near future. He's not gonna, you know, he's
he's probably going to be pushing it to become the
full time first five in the All Blacks, and the
payday is going to be bigger overseas anyway, regardless.
Speaker 3 (19:32):
So different quality of life, different style of living, and
talking to some porter player agent around that and he said,
really important in these discussions for the player is ask
them what their why is, What gets them up, what
gets them playing, what drives them. Once you can determine
what your why is, then you can start making decisions
(19:52):
around your future. Because if you get up and grind
every day, because all you want to do is be
an all Black that's your why. You're probably going to
stick around if you're like, well, it's just a job.
Speaker 5 (20:03):
And as you get older, you know, it's the same
for a lot of us. As you get older, partners, children, families,
you're your why becomes different, doesn't it. When twenty two
to twenty three you're just desperate on pulling on that
black jersey and going to a World Cup and winning
a World Cup. As you get a bit older, yes
you still want to do those things, but you've got
(20:24):
other priorities in life as well, don't you. So perhaps
some of that's come into it for Harry.
Speaker 3 (20:28):
And interesting with Simon heard in an interview that there's
a situation where French love players who are in New
Zealanders because they can't get picked from overseas. So they
know that they can build a club around a player
like that, Well they.
Speaker 5 (20:44):
Make money for him.
Speaker 3 (20:45):
And that's to your point, Well, they can't do it
with the South Africans because they keep getting picked from overseas,
So you know, I pragmatic is that the word? Whether
he got a shoulder tap before he became an All
Black rafter, it's probably.
Speaker 5 (20:59):
So if you're a if you're a fringe all black
coming up, perhaps you don't want that eligibility rule to change, right,
you want you want that dollar to stay high in
places like France.
Speaker 3 (21:09):
Yeah, or you go to Japan where absolutely idolize all blacks.
If you've got that black jumper, that's it. You're in.
I't won't do what you want. Let's walk away from
football now rugby and will.
Speaker 6 (21:18):
Go to the well.
Speaker 3 (21:19):
The success story is so far in the mbel breakers
are traveling fairly well. What they've They've saw the Duvo
in a couple of occasions, but generally really good. Freddy
Gillisbie see you later. Go one big man defensive big
man can't bring the offense that the coach cop wants.
Speaker 5 (21:35):
Yeah, I think this one's been coming for a while,
isn't it. Because when the break is brought in Taco fall,
who was the man that's going to take that roster spot?
Speaker 3 (21:43):
We think, we think.
Speaker 5 (21:47):
It seems to be something that's been mailed very early
on since he came in, and then of course he
came over here to his with his family, with his
family and been carrying that injury. It seemed to be
heading that way. Perhaps they haven't quite got the performance
out of Freddy Gillespie that they thought they might. But
it seems to me that they as soon as this
opportunity with Taco Fall came up, there was something they
(22:08):
wanted to they wanted to try and make happen. So
it'll be interesting, Like you said, the Breakers are going well,
aren't they?
Speaker 7 (22:15):
You know?
Speaker 5 (22:16):
Do you?
Speaker 6 (22:16):
You know?
Speaker 5 (22:16):
It's the old don't If it ain't broke, don't fix
I don't fix it kind of analogy, isn't it. So
it will be interesting to see because they've been I mean,
you've been watching a bit more than me, but they've
been rolling pretty well.
Speaker 3 (22:28):
They have, and still got some other players to roll
bigin to that side, as well as an interesting four
coach cop and how he goes about his selections. But
early Dawes, because you remember the Breakers was at last
season got off to an absolute raw? Was it the
season before? And then Wheels fell off toward the end
of it. So a game of runs and it's a
season of runs too, so on a reasonable good one
(22:50):
at the moment, and I'm sure box office wise there'll
be a lot of people bums on seats who want
to go and see Taco fall. Sure, he's got that name.
Speaker 5 (22:58):
He was, you know, that kind of folk hero for
Boston a couple of seasons ago, even though he wasn't
playing much because of his size and his personality, and
he became a bit of a beloved figure there, and
he's a name that basketball fans know. He's gonna get
you a few extra ticket sales. So that's you know,
it's interesting, isn't it. Because they're playing well on the court,
so you think it's a bit of a risk, but
(23:18):
clearly a very good player. Once he gets fitting hopefully
on the court, then hopefully they don't lose much and
even perhaps gain a little bit as well.
Speaker 3 (23:25):
And on that we vict you from the chamber. Thank
you very much. Clay Wilson, sports news director for news
Talk ZMB.
Speaker 5 (23:32):
Thanks to us.
Speaker 2 (23:35):
Dissecting the sporting agenda.
Speaker 1 (23:37):
It's Sportsfix with Jason Pine and Darcy Waltergrave.
Speaker 3 (23:41):
And that's it for the Sports Fix on Tuesday the
nineteenth of November twenty twenty four. Darcy Watergrave, thanks very
much for your time. And if you want some live
sport that you can interact with sports talkers, where you
need to be Monday to Friday from seven pm through
to eight oh eight hundred and eighty ten eighty just
in case you don't know, and over the weekend Jason
(24:03):
Pine does it, but for longer, from twelve midday to
three Saturday and Sunday. That is Weekend Sport. Have you
enjoyed what you've heard, Tell your mates, tell your family
and subscribe and this will drop in your inbox Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday.
Sports Fix and Darcy Waltergrave proud to be of your service.
Speaker 1 (24:24):
For more from news Talks at b Listen live on
air or online, and keep our shows with you wherever
you go with our podcasts on iHeartRadio
You're listening to a podcast from News Talks at be
follow this and our Wide Ranger podcast now on iHeartRadio.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
This is Sportsfix Howard by News Talks it.
Speaker 3 (00:20):
Be Hey, Hello there, welcome on in to the Sports Fix.
My name is Darcy Walter Grave. This is your one
stop podcast shop for all the news of the day.
It is the nineteenth of November twenty twenty four, Tuesday.
Great to have Yoell on board. Coming up in the
podcast shortly, I'll be catching up with a bloke called
(00:42):
Simon Porter. He is the managing director of Halo Sports,
a player agency of some repute. As we talk about
the decision of Harry Plummer to up sticks after one
test and disappear off to France, I've got a few
thoughts around the career of Warren Gatland. Gotta be the luckiest.
(01:03):
Can you call him a teflon coach? I suppose you can.
What's going on in Wales right now beggars belief. How
long can he last? How long will he last? How
did he get there in the first place. Also will
be joined in studio in the chambery News Talks Deb's
editor of Sport, mister Clay Wilson, as we throw around
some of the big sports stories of the day. That's
(01:25):
our master plan. So let's get amongst in other news.
Let's take away listening it now to the big sports
news of today, starting with raphaen Adell, who's rearing up
for the last push of his a legendary tennis career.
The thirty eight year olds are suiting arm for Spain
in the Davis Cup finals. The twenty two time Grand
(01:47):
Slam champ says he is comfortable with his decision to
retire from the sport given the toll it's taken on
his body.
Speaker 4 (01:55):
For me today, I meant don't make sense or to
keep going knowing that I don't have the real chance
to be competitive the way that I like to be competitive.
Speaker 3 (02:08):
Blacks have been left frustrated by missed opportunities. After sitting
down to look back on their loss to France before
kicking into the preparation for Italy and Turin, the squad
held their Monday review into the Paris defeat. Looks forward.
Willa Setiti says it painted a picture of chances they
didn't take.
Speaker 5 (02:28):
Unfortunately for us, so it was last Saturday, so like
I said, we'll take the learnings and take it into
this week against a strong Italian side who will be
up for this.
Speaker 6 (02:36):
Cameras are like we will.
Speaker 3 (02:37):
Northern Districts are looking keen to continue their strong start
in Crickets Planket Shield last year's runners up began with
a seven wicket win over Canterbury and go into today's
clash against Auckland with black Caps Caane Williamson and Tim
Salvey at their disposal that coach BJ Watling isn't thinking
too far ahead.
Speaker 7 (02:58):
We know we have to win four or five games
to be in this comp so it's as simple as that.
We'll look to try to do that again here today.
But each session, ball by ball, all the cliche stuff,
we've got to go through that to end up with
a re at the end of it.
Speaker 2 (03:10):
We've got just the ticket. It's Sports Vex, News Talks V.
Speaker 3 (03:16):
And it's a warm welcome to the program to Halo
Sports and managing director Simon Porter. Sim going to trust you, well.
Speaker 6 (03:23):
Yep, very well. I think you do see yourself.
Speaker 3 (03:25):
Yeah, not so bad. Haven't been offered a big French
contract yet. I don't I think there's any warm for
me over there are this plumber story not unusual in
this day and age is to have a one test
all Black swipe picked up by an overseas team. Does
strike youres is strange or out of the ordinary, Just
(03:46):
that's the way it rolls.
Speaker 8 (03:48):
Well, I think it's probably just the way it rolls.
I mean, I don't I don't know what's motivated Harry
to make the decision. Probably did come as a little
bit of a surprise, just given his you know, his
his ascension and how well his Super season went and
then his first taste of the All Blacks. But I
mean that part of the really hard thing with the
(04:08):
way the global market works is the lag between I mean,
this could be something they've been talking about for six months,
this could be a decision that was made back at
the start of Super Rugby. You know, you just don't
until you see the inner workings of it and all
that sort of stuff, you just don't really understand when
the timing.
Speaker 6 (04:26):
Of it all was.
Speaker 8 (04:26):
And that's part of that's part of the issue with
you know, with rugby, I guess where it's two quite
distinct hemispheres running to two quite distinct contracting windows or
calendar years, so they don't always marry up, and it's
always part of the when you're advising guys that the
hard bit is the timeline and things just don't always
(04:49):
come together at the same time, because it's not like
football where you have you define transferred periods or windows
or a draft like in an NFL which I imagine an
NBA in those American sports, which I imagine probably also
dictates a little bit about what happens with the guys
that are off contract or transferring or whatever.
Speaker 3 (05:07):
We have a lot of players to sparing overseas understandable.
Has it has it increased, does it say the same?
Is it decreased? What was the interest like? From your knowledge,
is part of harlight halo sport around the interest in
New Zealand players.
Speaker 6 (05:21):
I don't think it's increased, to be honest. I think
that you know, Harry, you'd go back.
Speaker 8 (05:27):
A long time find you know, somebody going to France
outside of the end of a or an All Black
going to France outside the end.
Speaker 6 (05:38):
Of a Rugby World Cup cycle.
Speaker 8 (05:40):
You know, since COVID, a number of things that happened,
but the biggest one of the salary caps have come
down in France and.
Speaker 6 (05:47):
In the UK.
Speaker 8 (05:49):
So I mean the UK and clubs has gone bankrupt
and all that sort of stuff, so it's not as
buoyant as it once was.
Speaker 6 (05:56):
They've also done.
Speaker 8 (05:57):
A little bit of work around closing the windows around
your ability to play there from a work permit point
of view, which is as a big factor. And then
in France, what we've seen is that they've put a
real emphasis, probably over the last decade on getting more
French players into the system, so they have a the
way that you can qualify to play in France as
(06:19):
a local player. They've basically put really stringent rules and
over time had sort of a sinking lid on the
number of foreign players you can have, so that if
you go and talk to the French clubs or the
French agents, the battleground is definitely around, you know, the
French players and the guys that are coming out of there.
You know, they're really successful under twenty program. So I
(06:40):
sort of just don't think, well, I know, if I
look at you know, our pen al and all that
sort of stuff, there's just not the same number of
players going to France. Japan is still pretty buoyant, you know,
there's still quite a lot of appetite for New Zealand
players up there. But you know, I don't actually think
it's it's increased. It's just, you know, sometimes you get
(07:02):
one like this where it's a you know, it's probably
a little bit out of the box and a little
bit unexpected, and it makes everyone sort of sit up
a little bit and go, or how why is he
doing that?
Speaker 3 (07:14):
Player agent managing director from Halo Sports, Simon Porter joins us,
what kind of conversation do players have if they need
with n z R around the possibility of leaving their
warm embrace as part of Super Rugby? Does that raise
its head much?
Speaker 6 (07:31):
Simon?
Speaker 8 (07:32):
Yeah, Well, I mean, and I've got a simple philosophy,
always give somebody the opportunity to do something stupid. So
you know, you'd definitely be talking to New Zealand and
the Blues around whether they're willing to keep them and
on what terms. And I'll be very surprised if New
Zealand hadn't had a piece of paper in front of
(07:52):
Harry for him to consider staying around for a bit longer.
Speaker 3 (07:56):
The importance of the value of a singular cat two
three caps, he said, they might not have even the
negotiation might have started before we even got that cat.
But how much extra value, how much extra emphasis has
put on the fact that he's worn the black jersey
and other players, how much is that up their market value?
Speaker 8 (08:14):
It certainly does in Japan, I think just because the
All Blacks are held in such a steam up there
that I certainly think it probably adds a little bit
up in Japan. But France it's probably a little bit different.
I think the main driver for France is just what
Harry can bring on the field and the fact that
they get them all for themselves and they can control
(08:36):
that and and they can build a team around him,
and you know, ten such an important position, and you
know how he can play twelve and he can play fifteen,
and he goal kicks and he's a real leader and
all that sort of stuff. So for them, you know,
that's it's probably worth more than somebody who's at the
other end of their career who might have played seventy
caps but has kind of you know, been through the
(08:59):
ringer a little bit each club. And it's really different
overseas with positions as well. In New Zealand, we're a
little bit more, you know, thirty cap props worth the
same as a thirty cap twelve type.
Speaker 6 (09:11):
You know, they try to keep it a little bit
like that.
Speaker 8 (09:13):
Whereas overseas it is very positional specific in each position
kind of has its own market value based on importance
to the team.
Speaker 3 (09:24):
What about warnings to young players thinking of going away,
because I'd suggest maybe not all the time. It's all
it's cracked up to be. It's not a land of
milk and honey. It might just be water and mamite.
So what do you tell your players about moving and
plying their trade over with these Japanese or French clubs.
Is there something to look out for any fishaloks there? Oh?
Speaker 8 (09:43):
Yeah, absolutely, I mean I think one of the biggest ones.
I think anyone that is thinking about going overseas that
I'm involved with anyway, I'm always asking about, well, what's
your why? Because when you're playing in New Zealand, you
know every day when you wake up, you know you're
aspiring for that black jersey. You're trying to keep it
(10:03):
and not let anybody else get their hands on it,
or you're working towards it. So it is really a
shine light that kind of keeps you going. And it's
so competitive you don't want to give you anyone a chance,
et cetera. And you know that's a bit different if
you're sitting up in Suzuka, which is where Honda's based
in the Formula one, you wake up to the sound
(10:23):
of the flatline engines or the testing engines going around
Clemont or your your whatever, and it's son on the
ground and you wake up and it's you know, twenty
sixth of December and you've got to go to a
training and you know you've got a bit of a
sniffle or you've got a bit of a sore leg.
What's going to make you get up in drive you
(10:47):
to being professional? Because I think people don't you know.
Then that's the thing about New Zealand, whether you get
the black jersey or not, there's just that that drive
that comes from being within any rugby environment in New
Zealand because it is that real sort of meritocracy.
Speaker 6 (11:00):
If you do well at.
Speaker 8 (11:01):
School, if you will get picked up at an academy,
then you gotta play well at club and you get
into your provincial team and Super Rugby and and all
that sort of stuff. And when that's gone you really
have to ask yourself for I think, you know, I'll
make the guys us themselves.
Speaker 6 (11:13):
You know what, what what is going to make them
get out of bed?
Speaker 3 (11:16):
So I'm imported Halo Sport. Thanks so much for your time.
Good luck on that all black call.
Speaker 1 (11:25):
This is Sportsfects, your daily dose of sports news news.
Speaker 3 (11:30):
Talks Backham or sack him. The case of Warren Gatlan,
the coach of Wales who's overseen them now to eleven
consecutive defeats, the last of the hands of the resurgent
Australians all go up against Wales, have they really resurged
as such a word. Warren Gatlin has said this about
(11:53):
the possibility of him stepping down or being removed from
the national post. Whatever the best decision is, and whether
that is to make change to bring some positivity back
into the game, I would support one hundred percent if
that means me, I'm comfortable with that. We've heard this
before from coaches and it never ends well if well
(12:14):
is keeping your job. Warren Gatton is probably for the
high jump, but before the game against South Africa this weekend,
he doesn't know whether he will still be in charge
come that game. For me, even though it might be
and it probably will be let's face a twelve consecutive
defeats in an awful way to end your international coaching career.
(12:35):
The best for Welsh Rugby says to me, don't weigh
down an incoming coach with the enormous baggage the team
is currently carrying around. It'll crush them, cut it clean
at the end and then start again. Warren Gattlin can
look back at his career as a coach with some satisfaction.
(12:55):
He's had high points, he's had low points, possibly more
low than high, but he has managed to ford for
himself a career, a storied career in world rugby, and
he can't tune you in nose up at that. The
problem with Warren is he just went for too long.
It wasn't by design. You don't want to carry on
(13:17):
in a career when you're past, you'll use by date.
We saw what happened when he came home and attempted
to coach the Chiefs. It was a complete train wreck.
Then he decided up with Wales to go back to
the place where he made his name, and things didn't
get any better. I'd like to think that we'll remember
(13:37):
the coaching career of Warren Gatlin for the huge success
he had with Wales back in his healcion days. And
let's hope that is the case. Not a bad coach,
just a coach that's gone on a wee bit too long.
Speaker 2 (13:50):
The Chamber is now in session on Sportsfix.
Speaker 3 (13:55):
And here we are in the Chamber again, this time
with Clay will Soon Clay as a sports director for
News Talk z B. Clay, Hi, thanks for joining me.
Are you comfortable? Yes, Okay, we'll change that pretty far.
Here are our subjects of a day. We're going to
start off with the tale of woe for the All
Blacks because none of them been selected for the World
(14:16):
Player of the Year. Well, I'm pretty flat out on this.
Who cares? I don't, do you?
Speaker 6 (14:21):
No?
Speaker 5 (14:22):
I wish I could disagree with you, because it's these
things are better when we disagree generally. But I think
most people are going to think this, and I mean
I suppose some fans are going to, you know, get
a little bit upset. But to me, these kinds of
awards in general, I mean, I compare this to a
Halberg situation.
Speaker 7 (14:40):
You know.
Speaker 5 (14:40):
The subjective awards are subjective nominations made by a select
group of people. And yes, people that have knowledge of
the sport or of sport in general. But I think
I remember, was it a couple of years ago when
Ardie Severe was hands down the best player in the
world for that season and didn't even he might think
(15:01):
he got nominated but then lost out to an Irish player,
or I might have been Johnny Sexton. Funnily enough, probably yeah, yeah,
I don't think we go you would have voted for him.
Speaker 3 (15:10):
But why do players play? I mean why at the
bottom line, what do they do when they grow up?
They go, I want to win the World Player of
the Year award.
Speaker 5 (15:18):
I mean everyone likes to awards, right, Like, I mean,
even in your own line of work. You might be
up for an award or in some kind of sport
or other pursuit that you have outside of work. Everyone
loves to win an award. To me, most people don't
really care that much if you don't win it. It's
not like it comes with a big, juicy, fat bonus.
What does it mean and what does it mean for
(15:39):
us as fans?
Speaker 3 (15:39):
I mean, like, I'm very disappointed in the entire All
Black set up because not one of them gets invited
to put a penguin suit on and go and stand
around in a room well listening to.
Speaker 5 (15:48):
Sponsors them are probably glad they don't have to have
to hire attacks and whether they have it a monaca
or something like that. For probably for a lot of
rugby players, it's not really their scene.
Speaker 3 (15:59):
Well, you've been too many awards ceremonies. Tell me how
horrible they are.
Speaker 5 (16:03):
Yeah, well they're not all well that sort of kind
of jacked up to be on the television or wherever
you're watching them, for sure.
Speaker 3 (16:11):
You know you have to sit around and listen to
a sponsor deliver a long and tedious speech which is
almost identical to the sponsor beforehand that delivered the same
one tedious speech. Is a story for you. New Zealand
Cricket Awards many many, many many years ago. When I
used to get invited to these things. People have given
up now because I'm a disgrace. A guy from the
(16:31):
National Bank stood up to make a speech. Here we go,
oh and blah blah blah blah blah. Hey National Bank,
really proud to be part of this team. We're absolutely
stoked and no one wants to sit around here listen
to me talks They have a great night. Honestly, the
appause was outrageous. Everyone's just.
Speaker 5 (16:50):
Isn't it a breath of pressure?
Speaker 3 (16:52):
Astonishing? Let's go to more relevant rugby news. Clay Wilson
Harry Plummer off to France. Essentially, it's confirmed. We know
he's going good, bad, indifferent.
Speaker 5 (17:06):
I think this is a good thing for everyone. And
my first thought when I heard this news this morning
was a smart move from Harry Plummer. Not to say
that he would never become the first choice, first five
for the All Blacks, but in terms of his stock
and what he's going to maximize financially for his career,
his stock is as high as it's ever been. Now
(17:27):
if a French club's coming to you and saying we're
going to give you this much money, when probably twelve
months ago the offer from overseas clubs might have been
half of what he's potentially getting. But because he's had
a great Super rugby season, he's got himself into the
mix of the All Blacks. He's got a cap, you know,
the overseas clubs look at.
Speaker 3 (17:43):
That, he's got the jersey on the wall. You can
see that I'm an All Black. Fantastic god mate, check
that one off because an essence for players of that ilk,
And no disrespect to mister Plummet, it's a job. He's
got a promotion and a job, and he's moving overseas
for his job.
Speaker 5 (17:59):
It's just a sign of the times, isn't it that
increasingly more players seem to be anyway? Looking at it
that way.
Speaker 3 (18:06):
Yes, they love.
Speaker 5 (18:07):
The game, you know, they were growing they grew up
playing it. It's their passion. But you have to be
especially in a sport like rugby where you're not guaranteed
one more game with work, with the way concussions are,
any kind of injuries you can, you can have. So
I would say a smart decision. I mean, I don't know,
(18:27):
do you do? You look at the stocks and the
All Blacks? First five?
Speaker 3 (18:31):
He's gonna have to do Stephen Donald? Isn't he to
get up first? Five? Eight? Again? He's not He's not
fourth or fifth?
Speaker 2 (18:37):
Or is he?
Speaker 3 (18:38):
How old is Harry Plummer twenty six?
Speaker 5 (18:41):
So you know it's sort of a it's kind of
a Charles PoTA kind of situation, isn't and or there's
been players of that elk.
Speaker 3 (18:48):
I think it'll be star to be compared to Charles
p a TA it was something else.
Speaker 5 (18:52):
But yeah, going away, going away. Perhaps when you think,
oh maybe there's a there's a something more in terms
of an international career on the horizon with the All Blacks.
But I tend to think of a smart move when
you weigh it up, don't you. I mean you weigh
it up like any like you and I without careers.
You weigh it up, and to me, it's a smart
it's a smart move. Yes, I suppose you're unless INZI
(19:15):
are change their rules, which doesn't seem to be happening
in the near future. He's not gonna, you know, he's
he's probably going to be pushing it to become the
full time first five in the All Blacks, and the
payday is going to be bigger overseas anyway, regardless.
Speaker 3 (19:32):
So different quality of life, different style of living, and
talking to some porter player agent around that and he said,
really important in these discussions for the player is ask
them what their why is, What gets them up, what
gets them playing, what drives them. Once you can determine
what your why is, then you can start making decisions
(19:52):
around your future. Because if you get up and grind
every day, because all you want to do is be
an all Black that's your why. You're probably going to
stick around if you're like, well, it's just a job.
Speaker 5 (20:03):
And as you get older, you know, it's the same
for a lot of us. As you get older, partners, children, families,
you're your why becomes different, doesn't it. When twenty two
to twenty three you're just desperate on pulling on that
black jersey and going to a World Cup and winning
a World Cup. As you get a bit older, yes
you still want to do those things, but you've got
(20:24):
other priorities in life as well, don't you. So perhaps
some of that's come into it for Harry.
Speaker 3 (20:28):
And interesting with Simon heard in an interview that there's
a situation where French love players who are in New
Zealanders because they can't get picked from overseas. So they
know that they can build a club around a player
like that, Well they.
Speaker 5 (20:44):
Make money for him.
Speaker 3 (20:45):
And that's to your point, Well, they can't do it
with the South Africans because they keep getting picked from overseas,
So you know, I pragmatic is that the word? Whether
he got a shoulder tap before he became an All
Black rafter, it's probably.
Speaker 5 (20:59):
So if you're a if you're a fringe all black
coming up, perhaps you don't want that eligibility rule to change, right,
you want you want that dollar to stay high in
places like France.
Speaker 3 (21:09):
Yeah, or you go to Japan where absolutely idolize all blacks.
If you've got that black jumper, that's it. You're in.
I't won't do what you want. Let's walk away from
football now rugby and will.
Speaker 6 (21:18):
Go to the well.
Speaker 3 (21:19):
The success story is so far in the mbel breakers
are traveling fairly well. What they've They've saw the Duvo
in a couple of occasions, but generally really good. Freddy
Gillisbie see you later. Go one big man defensive big
man can't bring the offense that the coach cop wants.
Speaker 5 (21:35):
Yeah, I think this one's been coming for a while,
isn't it. Because when the break is brought in Taco fall,
who was the man that's going to take that roster spot?
Speaker 3 (21:43):
We think, we think.
Speaker 5 (21:47):
It seems to be something that's been mailed very early
on since he came in, and then of course he
came over here to his with his family, with his
family and been carrying that injury. It seemed to be
heading that way. Perhaps they haven't quite got the performance
out of Freddy Gillespie that they thought they might. But
it seems to me that they as soon as this
opportunity with Taco Fall came up, there was something they
(22:08):
wanted to they wanted to try and make happen. So
it'll be interesting, Like you said, the Breakers are going well,
aren't they?
Speaker 7 (22:15):
You know?
Speaker 5 (22:16):
Do you?
Speaker 6 (22:16):
You know?
Speaker 5 (22:16):
It's the old don't If it ain't broke, don't fix
I don't fix it kind of analogy, isn't it. So
it will be interesting to see because they've been I mean,
you've been watching a bit more than me, but they've
been rolling pretty well.
Speaker 3 (22:28):
They have, and still got some other players to roll
bigin to that side, as well as an interesting four
coach cop and how he goes about his selections. But
early Dawes, because you remember the Breakers was at last
season got off to an absolute raw? Was it the
season before? And then Wheels fell off toward the end
of it. So a game of runs and it's a
season of runs too, so on a reasonable good one
(22:50):
at the moment, and I'm sure box office wise there'll
be a lot of people bums on seats who want
to go and see Taco fall. Sure, he's got that name.
Speaker 5 (22:58):
He was, you know, that kind of folk hero for
Boston a couple of seasons ago, even though he wasn't
playing much because of his size and his personality, and
he became a bit of a beloved figure there, and
he's a name that basketball fans know. He's gonna get
you a few extra ticket sales. So that's you know,
it's interesting, isn't it. Because they're playing well on the court,
so you think it's a bit of a risk, but
(23:18):
clearly a very good player. Once he gets fitting hopefully
on the court, then hopefully they don't lose much and
even perhaps gain a little bit as well.
Speaker 3 (23:25):
And on that we vict you from the chamber. Thank
you very much. Clay Wilson, sports news director for news
Talk ZMB.
Speaker 5 (23:32):
Thanks to us.
Speaker 2 (23:35):
Dissecting the sporting agenda.
Speaker 1 (23:37):
It's Sportsfix with Jason Pine and Darcy Waltergrave.
Speaker 3 (23:41):
And that's it for the Sports Fix on Tuesday the
nineteenth of November twenty twenty four. Darcy Watergrave, thanks very
much for your time. And if you want some live
sport that you can interact with sports talkers, where you
need to be Monday to Friday from seven pm through
to eight oh eight hundred and eighty ten eighty just
in case you don't know, and over the weekend Jason
(24:03):
Pine does it, but for longer, from twelve midday to
three Saturday and Sunday. That is Weekend Sport. Have you
enjoyed what you've heard, Tell your mates, tell your family
and subscribe and this will drop in your inbox Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday.
Sports Fix and Darcy Waltergrave proud to be of your service.
Speaker 1 (24:24):
For more from news Talks at b Listen live on
air or online, and keep our shows with you wherever
you go with our podcasts on iHeartRadio
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.