March 24, 2025 • 14 mins
On Sports Fix with Elliott Smith for 24th of March 2025, the Blues continue to struggle after losing to their arch-rival Crusaders at Eden Park. Former All Black Mils Muliana joins the podcast to discuss how they can turn their season around.
Elliott also struggles to find the answers for the Blues as they run out of time to right the ship.
Plus, Elijah Fa'afiu is back in the people's chamber to recap yet another tough weekend for Lawson.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:09):
You're listening to a podcast from News Talks ed B.
Follow this and our wide range of podcast now on iHeartRadio.
This is Sportsfix howard By News Talks ed B.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Welcome into the SPORTSFX podcast. I'm Elliott Smith. Coming up
on today's episode, we talk the Blues, battles and Super
Rugby in their title defense, one win five losses at
their first buy of the season. We're joined by All
Black Centurion and Sky Sport commentator Mills Muliaina to discuss shortly,
I'll give you my perspective on why the Blues are struggling,
and Elijah f Fiel joins us to discuss Liam Lawson's
(00:42):
tough weekend at the Chinese Formula one Grand Prix. In
other news, Sport Today Now and Red Bull team principal
Christian Horner, Adminster clock is ticking on Liam Lawson's chance
to make an impact in Formula one. He has no
points from two races.
Speaker 3 (01:01):
Well, look, Formula one is a pressure business, isn't it,
And there's always time pressure and he knows that, you know,
hopefully he'll respond according Liam, and you know, we'll see
where we go.
Speaker 2 (01:09):
Sad News and Canterbury Rugby great Alex grizz Wiley being
remembered after his death over the weekend, aged eighty and
all black, of course, then coached through the Ridden Blacks
ran fairly shield era of the eighties. One of his
charges was Robbie Dean's.
Speaker 4 (01:23):
Very graphic Jerry, you had to turn if you're able
to do that. He is a very caring man and
he did evolve as a coach as well, hence a
lot of players out of the area and went on.
Speaker 2 (01:34):
To coach and more frustration for the New Zealand sale
GP team after finishing fifth at the latest event in
San Francisco, A when in the final fleet race, handsn't
been enough for the Peter Berling driven Black Foils to
make the final, which was won by Spain. Really felt
like we've done an amazing job getting through of the
issues of yesterday in touch to a first race today and.
Speaker 3 (01:53):
Then you know, I think the team really rallied after
that and you know, two good last times to finish
an officer.
Speaker 2 (01:57):
It definitely seemed like we can we put it all together.
We were there this weekend.
Speaker 1 (02:00):
Leading a VEX. We've got just the ticket. It's Sports
X powered by News.
Speaker 2 (02:05):
Talks Ivy the Blues are battling and Super Rugby title
defense one win from the opening six games to start
the Super Rugby season. Joining us to discuss how they've
got themselves into this predicament on sports Fix is skysport
commentator All blacks Inurion Mills, Mulliana Mills, Thanks for your
time on Sports Fix.
Speaker 4 (02:26):
No no worries any time.
Speaker 2 (02:27):
Well, we head into the buy from a Blues perspective
with one win and five losses to start their title defense.
I don't think anyone saw this coming, did you.
Speaker 4 (02:38):
I didn't think it was going to be this bad.
It's not the start they anticipated. But I think earlier
on for preseason, you know, they had a lot of
injuries coming into the season, but certainly they just haven't
quite clicked and obviously the disappointment of only winning picking
up one game so far, I think that the buyer
(02:59):
has come at a you know, they always say, come
at a pretty good time for the Blues right now.
Speaker 2 (03:04):
Fourteen injuries. How much does that impact their campaign?
Speaker 4 (03:08):
Which, you know, that's that's always a fact that you
can't really control, right You've got to look at the
depth of your squad. But they're also injuries and key positions.
You know, the Boden Barrett a few weeks ago against
the Brumby. So you look at the locking department as well.
You know, you know, losing quite a few guys there,
Petrick through Polo to pulling out, but also given people
(03:30):
fit to start to come back, a lot of a
lot of injuries and in disruptions. They certainly sort of upfront,
I mean it's all about key positions, you know, the hooker.
I mean, they haven't sort of got someone that's there
and well established in that department at the moment, and
so when you kind of look at that, you know
(03:50):
they're really unsettled in I mean, they'll be the first
one to admit as well. I think also the rules
have impacted the way they've been wanting to play. I
think they came into the season wanting to play a
similar style to last year, but that's just not the
case this year. We've got the faster looking game teams
and wanting to sort of explore you're on the outside
of these opportunities to issue with ball in hand, and
(04:14):
I think you know they've they've picked up on that
and in the last two or three weeks, but they
just seemed they hadn't quite got the balance right or
or quite connected in the fact they do we play
that game that won us last year's the style or
you know, we've got the ability also to play an
expensive game, and that's where they're sort of missing out
a little bit.
Speaker 2 (04:33):
Last year they went very direct with their forwards, rolled
up the sleeve, put pressure on teams inside the twenty two.
But this year and Saturday not probably being the biggest
example of that is that they struggled even into the
Crusader's twenty so they weren't playing in the right areas
of the park.
Speaker 4 (04:47):
Yeah, exactly. And if you're thinking about it, the kicking
is becoming from teams that they're playing. It's you now
the Blues down in their own half and all all
of a sudden becomes a different mindset to them.
Speaker 3 (05:00):
You know.
Speaker 4 (05:00):
They they haven't quite got their kicking game right to
put themselves back or the patients to be able to say, well, hey,
we're not going to play anything in our own hearts.
So they've almost force the Blues into playing the game.
They're not sure they're comfortable with you. I think they
can play an expensive game. I just don't think the
perhaps got the confidence or the connections all the all
(05:21):
that are backing from everyone to say, hey, we can
actually do this and and have the skill set to
be overdoor. But you're right, but they're not getting themselves
in the right area of the parking you we want
till last year, anything around that halfway mark or into
your own half, and the Blues would just keep the
ball in hand, carry hard, and they wouldn't meet sides,
(05:42):
you know, they wouldn't give the ball back to teamy side.
And now all of a sudden that's sort of disconnected
and their clean out. There's real opportunity to be able
to steal some rock ball and slow them down there
and even frustrate them. So again, you know, I mentioned
before the fact that this is a good time for
them to go and establish what game they want to play.
I certainly still think they're going to they can make
(06:03):
the six. I think they've got the talent and some
returning sort of guys coming back that are in key roles.
And this is a tough competition. It's I mean tough
in the fact that it's so so close, and so
I still think that there there's a there's a chance
that they'll make the six.
Speaker 2 (06:17):
What do they need to fact Is it just as
simple as tweaking that game plan, going back to what
they did last year and resetting that way.
Speaker 4 (06:24):
Yeah, I mean, I think get a few key players back.
I think Boden's not too far away once they establish
the five connection. Injuries is going to be a big
thing in healthy guys, I mean, losing areas at the
beginning of the season. These aren't Sullivan's of the world.
I'd like to see sort of those guys. But again,
you can't control when those guys are going to be.
(06:45):
Really but I think the balance of the game, it's
almost so to say over the weekend to reset, it
has to be you've got to forget the fact that
of they've only won one game, this is the next
three weeks is going to really define your season. And
so getting on the same page and by that, whether
it's a it's just reroute back to the old way
(07:07):
and care very hard and be really efficient at it,
or the reasonability. I mean, you looked at the way
they came back Institute and Hamilton. I mean that's a
side that it can play open the style of rugby.
I'd like to see them play that, but unfortunately at
the moment they just are lacking the little bit confidence
(07:27):
in the skillsy thirtage to go with it.
Speaker 2 (07:29):
Mis Molly Aina, thank you so much for your time
with us on Newstalks. That'd be appreciate its.
Speaker 1 (07:36):
Sports fix.
Speaker 2 (07:38):
So the Blues then one win five losses as they
head into their first buy of Super Rugby. They've got injuries, sure,
but their poor Super Rugby record can't be put all
down to that. This is a team that had every
Super Rugby team on the back foot last year at
one point or another. Yet they look like a meek
version of that twenty twenty four class, no longer imposing,
(07:59):
just ponderous. They were direct last year, now they are lateral.
Fourteen injuries, no small number, of course, and those in
Jurdaho profile you look at to it lot Barrett, Dwanga, Fanzi, Ricittelli,
Darry among some of those names. Not an injury toll
you'd wish on any team, but everyone goes through them
and the worrying thing for the Blues is that the
senior players left standing are not always stepping up. Dalton
(08:22):
Papalletti appears to have gone into his shell. How often
do we see him in action on Saturday Night. Rico
Juani has been quiet this season and Cadob Clark has
struggled to make his impact on games. They looked ruddless
until Finlay Christy gave them some go forward at half
back on the weekend. And that's the worrying thing for
the Blues. Players who have worn the black jersey Christie
aside should be lifting this team, but many are acting anonymous. Indeed,
(08:44):
it's the younger players Cameron Christie, is Avi t Elli,
Cory Evans who are out shining. They're more experienced teammates.
The Blues will get some of those injured players back
after the bye, and it's not too late yet. They
are seven points outside the top six, but they're rapidly
running out of runway.
Speaker 1 (09:00):
The Chamber is now in session on Sportsfax.
Speaker 2 (09:05):
To jump in the Chamber now and to join us
from Newstalk zb Sport. Elijah for you, Elijah, Welcome into
the Chambers. Always great to be here. Billy Liam Lawson
the story of the week. He in twelfth in the
Chinese Grand Prix after a poor finish in Australia as well.
What on earth is going on with Liam? Is it
just the car is too hard to drive, and do
you think he's going to keep his sink?
Speaker 3 (09:26):
I think part of it is the car. I think
we saw last season Max Verstapan was even complaining about
the car, and if you're four time defending world champions complaining,
then obviously something's wrong and that's carried teams to have
carried over into this season. I do think to Liam
needs a bit of time to sort of find himself
and gain a bit of confidence, but unfortunately, in the
world of Formula One, you just don't have the time.
Speaker 2 (09:46):
There was a question I was going to say, are
they prepared to give him time to see Christian Horner
is saying they'll have a bit of a think about
it and see what's going on. So I mean he's
in the lap of whatever decision they make, so I
guess he can only wait and figure out what's going on.
Speaker 3 (10:00):
Yeah, I think I think personally i'd keep him mind
for another few races. Next up as the Japanese Grand Prix,
which I know is a track that Liam's very familiar
with from time with super Formula So I think these
first couple of races were a bit tough on him.
We had to learn about these tracks in Melbourne and Shanghai,
so I think from Japanese gone peer onwards, hopefully Liam
can start to find his confidence there.
Speaker 2 (10:22):
Yeah, it's been a rough start from me. We saw
him obviously at racing bulls and and sort of punching
above his weight till a little bit with the car
that he had there. But now this is the big time,
isn't it, the red bull seat, high profile, expected to
get podium results and finish out of the points. You know,
this is a team that's under a lot of scrutiny.
It's a cutthroat world, isn't it.
Speaker 3 (10:39):
Yeah, And I think Liam knew that when he stepped
into this position. And Christian Hornell's doing what he can
to support him and wrap around him, which is all
you can really do at this point, and hopefully Liam
can can find his feats. But yeah, it's not easy
when your partner is a defending four time world champion
and all these expectation expectations are on you.
Speaker 2 (10:56):
Certainly is not speaking of expectations the Blues crashing and
burning in Super Rugby B expectations this year five losses,
one win as they hit the buy for the first
time this season. No one saw this coming alive.
Speaker 3 (11:08):
No, definitely not not me as a beloved Blue supporter
as well. I'm not too sure what's going on. Usually
you look to your big stars, like your Hoskins Stitutu
or your Caleb Clarks and your Mark Tliers. Obviously doesn't
help win Burn and Barrett's also out of action for
a little bit, but it seems like teams have really
found a way to counter that vern ball I feel
like I think that's part of the reason. But I'm
still optimistic looking ahead at their schedule and you've got
(11:32):
a few games against some Australian teams, a couple against
Winer PACIFICA. Yes, they've got the Hurricanes and the Crusaders,
so you'd think they need to win one or two
of those games to have a chance. But it's definitely
not going to be easy for the Blues.
Speaker 2 (11:43):
No, and any chance of a home ploff probably out
the window at this point of the season as well.
They've got a pile of injuries, fourteen of them at
this point. How much of affect do you think that's having.
Speaker 3 (11:53):
I think it's a huge effect. I mean we saw
how it affected the Crusaders last season, and I think
unfortunately it's the Blues turn to experience that. So yeah,
it's just part of the game really, and knicks man
app mentality is all the Blues that are doing at
this point. So they just have the deal with the
car they'v handed.
Speaker 2 (12:11):
They do indeed, and they've got to buy now, So
plenty of chance to contemplate around that. The All Whites
Tonight Elijah qualifying for the Football World Cup in the
grasp they face New Caledonia. Yet tonight seven o'clock win
gets them through the twenty twenty six feet the World Cup,
just the third time New Zealand, the New Zealand men's
team have been there. How important tonight because they're expected
(12:32):
to win. How important is a good performance versus just
getting the job done going out there one now whatever
it might be, and qualifying for the World Cup.
Speaker 3 (12:39):
I think tonight, because the World Cup spot is on
the line, it's all about winning. Personally, I think they've
got friendlies later in the year against Norway, Ukraine, Ivory
Coast that those are your opportunities to sort of refine
your game a little bit once they've stealed the World
Cup spot. But to night it's about winning and getting them.
That's how I feel.
Speaker 2 (12:57):
Yeah, what did you mean the seven nail game the
other night? We probably didn't learn it too much apart
from you can't jump in the stands when you're Chris Wood.
We didn't learn too much from that. But they're playing
some good football, aren't they. Again some teams that you know,
obviously below the level of the All Whites.
Speaker 3 (13:12):
Yeah, for sure, And I mean I guess it would
have been interesting to see how this all Whites team
would have stacked up had they had to go through
the previous ultimate path of playing like the fourth best
out of Asia or South America. So I think this
is a great all white squad. Hopefully they get the
job done tonights, and again they've got their friendlies later
on the year to see how they stack up against
the rest of the world.
Speaker 2 (13:32):
But there's a part of me that still liked that
old format where you had to go test yourself. But
you know, it's easy to get the four the part
the pass through now, and you're probably going to take
that the easier path rather than the more complicated one.
Speaker 3 (13:42):
Yeah. No, definitely for sure. But hey, well we'll take
the card we've been doubts and hopefully the Alwhites can
get the job done. There's no upsets, upsets at all
happening tonight.
Speaker 2 (13:51):
Yeah, fingers crossed Elijah for you'll, thank you very much
for your time in the chamber. Is always cool.
Speaker 3 (13:55):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (13:56):
This is Sports Fix, your daily dose of sports news,
towing by News Talks.
Speaker 2 (14:03):
Thanks for listening. We'll be back tomorrow with another episode
of Sports Fix, and you can catch more this evening
from seven on News Talk ZEBB with Sports Talk.
Speaker 1 (14:12):
For more from News Talk zed 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 ed B.
Follow this and our wide range of podcast now on iHeartRadio.
This is Sportsfix howard By News Talks ed B.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Welcome into the SPORTSFX podcast. I'm Elliott Smith. Coming up
on today's episode, we talk the Blues, battles and Super
Rugby in their title defense, one win five losses at
their first buy of the season. We're joined by All
Black Centurion and Sky Sport commentator Mills Muliaina to discuss shortly,
I'll give you my perspective on why the Blues are struggling,
and Elijah f Fiel joins us to discuss Liam Lawson's
(00:42):
tough weekend at the Chinese Formula one Grand Prix. In
other news, Sport Today Now and Red Bull team principal
Christian Horner, Adminster clock is ticking on Liam Lawson's chance
to make an impact in Formula one. He has no
points from two races.
Speaker 3 (01:01):
Well, look, Formula one is a pressure business, isn't it,
And there's always time pressure and he knows that, you know,
hopefully he'll respond according Liam, and you know, we'll see
where we go.
Speaker 2 (01:09):
Sad News and Canterbury Rugby great Alex grizz Wiley being
remembered after his death over the weekend, aged eighty and
all black, of course, then coached through the Ridden Blacks
ran fairly shield era of the eighties. One of his
charges was Robbie Dean's.
Speaker 4 (01:23):
Very graphic Jerry, you had to turn if you're able
to do that. He is a very caring man and
he did evolve as a coach as well, hence a
lot of players out of the area and went on.
Speaker 2 (01:34):
To coach and more frustration for the New Zealand sale
GP team after finishing fifth at the latest event in
San Francisco, A when in the final fleet race, handsn't
been enough for the Peter Berling driven Black Foils to
make the final, which was won by Spain. Really felt
like we've done an amazing job getting through of the
issues of yesterday in touch to a first race today and.
Speaker 3 (01:53):
Then you know, I think the team really rallied after
that and you know, two good last times to finish
an officer.
Speaker 2 (01:57):
It definitely seemed like we can we put it all together.
We were there this weekend.
Speaker 1 (02:00):
Leading a VEX. We've got just the ticket. It's Sports
X powered by News.
Speaker 2 (02:05):
Talks Ivy the Blues are battling and Super Rugby title
defense one win from the opening six games to start
the Super Rugby season. Joining us to discuss how they've
got themselves into this predicament on sports Fix is skysport
commentator All blacks Inurion Mills, Mulliana Mills, Thanks for your
time on Sports Fix.
Speaker 4 (02:26):
No no worries any time.
Speaker 2 (02:27):
Well, we head into the buy from a Blues perspective
with one win and five losses to start their title defense.
I don't think anyone saw this coming, did you.
Speaker 4 (02:38):
I didn't think it was going to be this bad.
It's not the start they anticipated. But I think earlier
on for preseason, you know, they had a lot of
injuries coming into the season, but certainly they just haven't
quite clicked and obviously the disappointment of only winning picking
up one game so far, I think that the buyer
(02:59):
has come at a you know, they always say, come
at a pretty good time for the Blues right now.
Speaker 2 (03:04):
Fourteen injuries. How much does that impact their campaign?
Speaker 4 (03:08):
Which, you know, that's that's always a fact that you
can't really control, right You've got to look at the
depth of your squad. But they're also injuries and key positions.
You know, the Boden Barrett a few weeks ago against
the Brumby. So you look at the locking department as well.
You know, you know, losing quite a few guys there,
Petrick through Polo to pulling out, but also given people
(03:30):
fit to start to come back, a lot of a
lot of injuries and in disruptions. They certainly sort of upfront,
I mean it's all about key positions, you know, the hooker.
I mean, they haven't sort of got someone that's there
and well established in that department at the moment, and
so when you kind of look at that, you know
(03:50):
they're really unsettled in I mean, they'll be the first
one to admit as well. I think also the rules
have impacted the way they've been wanting to play. I
think they came into the season wanting to play a
similar style to last year, but that's just not the
case this year. We've got the faster looking game teams
and wanting to sort of explore you're on the outside
of these opportunities to issue with ball in hand, and
(04:14):
I think you know they've they've picked up on that
and in the last two or three weeks, but they
just seemed they hadn't quite got the balance right or
or quite connected in the fact they do we play
that game that won us last year's the style or
you know, we've got the ability also to play an
expensive game, and that's where they're sort of missing out
a little bit.
Speaker 2 (04:33):
Last year they went very direct with their forwards, rolled
up the sleeve, put pressure on teams inside the twenty two.
But this year and Saturday not probably being the biggest
example of that is that they struggled even into the
Crusader's twenty so they weren't playing in the right areas
of the park.
Speaker 4 (04:47):
Yeah, exactly. And if you're thinking about it, the kicking
is becoming from teams that they're playing. It's you now
the Blues down in their own half and all all
of a sudden becomes a different mindset to them.
Speaker 3 (05:00):
You know.
Speaker 4 (05:00):
They they haven't quite got their kicking game right to
put themselves back or the patients to be able to say, well, hey,
we're not going to play anything in our own hearts.
So they've almost force the Blues into playing the game.
They're not sure they're comfortable with you. I think they
can play an expensive game. I just don't think the
perhaps got the confidence or the connections all the all
(05:21):
that are backing from everyone to say, hey, we can
actually do this and and have the skill set to
be overdoor. But you're right, but they're not getting themselves
in the right area of the parking you we want
till last year, anything around that halfway mark or into
your own half, and the Blues would just keep the
ball in hand, carry hard, and they wouldn't meet sides,
(05:42):
you know, they wouldn't give the ball back to teamy side.
And now all of a sudden that's sort of disconnected
and their clean out. There's real opportunity to be able
to steal some rock ball and slow them down there
and even frustrate them. So again, you know, I mentioned
before the fact that this is a good time for
them to go and establish what game they want to play.
I certainly still think they're going to they can make
(06:03):
the six. I think they've got the talent and some
returning sort of guys coming back that are in key roles.
And this is a tough competition. It's I mean tough
in the fact that it's so so close, and so
I still think that there there's a there's a chance
that they'll make the six.
Speaker 2 (06:17):
What do they need to fact Is it just as
simple as tweaking that game plan, going back to what
they did last year and resetting that way.
Speaker 4 (06:24):
Yeah, I mean, I think get a few key players back.
I think Boden's not too far away once they establish
the five connection. Injuries is going to be a big
thing in healthy guys, I mean, losing areas at the
beginning of the season. These aren't Sullivan's of the world.
I'd like to see sort of those guys. But again,
you can't control when those guys are going to be.
(06:45):
Really but I think the balance of the game, it's
almost so to say over the weekend to reset, it
has to be you've got to forget the fact that
of they've only won one game, this is the next
three weeks is going to really define your season. And
so getting on the same page and by that, whether
it's a it's just reroute back to the old way
(07:07):
and care very hard and be really efficient at it,
or the reasonability. I mean, you looked at the way
they came back Institute and Hamilton. I mean that's a
side that it can play open the style of rugby.
I'd like to see them play that, but unfortunately at
the moment they just are lacking the little bit confidence
(07:27):
in the skillsy thirtage to go with it.
Speaker 2 (07:29):
Mis Molly Aina, thank you so much for your time
with us on Newstalks. That'd be appreciate its.
Speaker 1 (07:36):
Sports fix.
Speaker 2 (07:38):
So the Blues then one win five losses as they
head into their first buy of Super Rugby. They've got injuries, sure,
but their poor Super Rugby record can't be put all
down to that. This is a team that had every
Super Rugby team on the back foot last year at
one point or another. Yet they look like a meek
version of that twenty twenty four class, no longer imposing,
(07:59):
just ponderous. They were direct last year, now they are lateral.
Fourteen injuries, no small number, of course, and those in
Jurdaho profile you look at to it lot Barrett, Dwanga, Fanzi, Ricittelli,
Darry among some of those names. Not an injury toll
you'd wish on any team, but everyone goes through them
and the worrying thing for the Blues is that the
senior players left standing are not always stepping up. Dalton
(08:22):
Papalletti appears to have gone into his shell. How often
do we see him in action on Saturday Night. Rico
Juani has been quiet this season and Cadob Clark has
struggled to make his impact on games. They looked ruddless
until Finlay Christy gave them some go forward at half
back on the weekend. And that's the worrying thing for
the Blues. Players who have worn the black jersey Christie
aside should be lifting this team, but many are acting anonymous. Indeed,
(08:44):
it's the younger players Cameron Christie, is Avi t Elli,
Cory Evans who are out shining. They're more experienced teammates.
The Blues will get some of those injured players back
after the bye, and it's not too late yet. They
are seven points outside the top six, but they're rapidly
running out of runway.
Speaker 1 (09:00):
The Chamber is now in session on Sportsfax.
Speaker 2 (09:05):
To jump in the Chamber now and to join us
from Newstalk zb Sport. Elijah for you, Elijah, Welcome into
the Chambers. Always great to be here. Billy Liam Lawson
the story of the week. He in twelfth in the
Chinese Grand Prix after a poor finish in Australia as well.
What on earth is going on with Liam? Is it
just the car is too hard to drive, and do
you think he's going to keep his sink?
Speaker 3 (09:26):
I think part of it is the car. I think
we saw last season Max Verstapan was even complaining about
the car, and if you're four time defending world champions complaining,
then obviously something's wrong and that's carried teams to have
carried over into this season. I do think to Liam
needs a bit of time to sort of find himself
and gain a bit of confidence, but unfortunately, in the
world of Formula One, you just don't have the time.
Speaker 2 (09:46):
There was a question I was going to say, are
they prepared to give him time to see Christian Horner
is saying they'll have a bit of a think about
it and see what's going on. So I mean he's
in the lap of whatever decision they make, so I
guess he can only wait and figure out what's going on.
Speaker 3 (10:00):
Yeah, I think I think personally i'd keep him mind
for another few races. Next up as the Japanese Grand Prix,
which I know is a track that Liam's very familiar
with from time with super Formula So I think these
first couple of races were a bit tough on him.
We had to learn about these tracks in Melbourne and Shanghai,
so I think from Japanese gone peer onwards, hopefully Liam
can start to find his confidence there.
Speaker 2 (10:22):
Yeah, it's been a rough start from me. We saw
him obviously at racing bulls and and sort of punching
above his weight till a little bit with the car
that he had there. But now this is the big time,
isn't it, the red bull seat, high profile, expected to
get podium results and finish out of the points. You know,
this is a team that's under a lot of scrutiny.
It's a cutthroat world, isn't it.
Speaker 3 (10:39):
Yeah, And I think Liam knew that when he stepped
into this position. And Christian Hornell's doing what he can
to support him and wrap around him, which is all
you can really do at this point, and hopefully Liam
can can find his feats. But yeah, it's not easy
when your partner is a defending four time world champion
and all these expectation expectations are on you.
Speaker 2 (10:56):
Certainly is not speaking of expectations the Blues crashing and
burning in Super Rugby B expectations this year five losses,
one win as they hit the buy for the first
time this season. No one saw this coming alive.
Speaker 3 (11:08):
No, definitely not not me as a beloved Blue supporter
as well. I'm not too sure what's going on. Usually
you look to your big stars, like your Hoskins Stitutu
or your Caleb Clarks and your Mark Tliers. Obviously doesn't
help win Burn and Barrett's also out of action for
a little bit, but it seems like teams have really
found a way to counter that vern ball I feel
like I think that's part of the reason. But I'm
still optimistic looking ahead at their schedule and you've got
(11:32):
a few games against some Australian teams, a couple against
Winer PACIFICA. Yes, they've got the Hurricanes and the Crusaders,
so you'd think they need to win one or two
of those games to have a chance. But it's definitely
not going to be easy for the Blues.
Speaker 2 (11:43):
No, and any chance of a home ploff probably out
the window at this point of the season as well.
They've got a pile of injuries, fourteen of them at
this point. How much of affect do you think that's having.
Speaker 3 (11:53):
I think it's a huge effect. I mean we saw
how it affected the Crusaders last season, and I think
unfortunately it's the Blues turn to experience that. So yeah,
it's just part of the game really, and knicks man
app mentality is all the Blues that are doing at
this point. So they just have the deal with the
car they'v handed.
Speaker 2 (12:11):
They do indeed, and they've got to buy now, So
plenty of chance to contemplate around that. The All Whites
Tonight Elijah qualifying for the Football World Cup in the
grasp they face New Caledonia. Yet tonight seven o'clock win
gets them through the twenty twenty six feet the World Cup,
just the third time New Zealand, the New Zealand men's
team have been there. How important tonight because they're expected
(12:32):
to win. How important is a good performance versus just
getting the job done going out there one now whatever
it might be, and qualifying for the World Cup.
Speaker 3 (12:39):
I think tonight, because the World Cup spot is on
the line, it's all about winning. Personally, I think they've
got friendlies later in the year against Norway, Ukraine, Ivory
Coast that those are your opportunities to sort of refine
your game a little bit once they've stealed the World
Cup spot. But to night it's about winning and getting them.
That's how I feel.
Speaker 2 (12:57):
Yeah, what did you mean the seven nail game the
other night? We probably didn't learn it too much apart
from you can't jump in the stands when you're Chris Wood.
We didn't learn too much from that. But they're playing
some good football, aren't they. Again some teams that you know,
obviously below the level of the All Whites.
Speaker 3 (13:12):
Yeah, for sure, And I mean I guess it would
have been interesting to see how this all Whites team
would have stacked up had they had to go through
the previous ultimate path of playing like the fourth best
out of Asia or South America. So I think this
is a great all white squad. Hopefully they get the
job done tonights, and again they've got their friendlies later
on the year to see how they stack up against
the rest of the world.
Speaker 2 (13:32):
But there's a part of me that still liked that
old format where you had to go test yourself. But
you know, it's easy to get the four the part
the pass through now, and you're probably going to take
that the easier path rather than the more complicated one.
Speaker 3 (13:42):
Yeah. No, definitely for sure. But hey, well we'll take
the card we've been doubts and hopefully the Alwhites can
get the job done. There's no upsets, upsets at all
happening tonight.
Speaker 2 (13:51):
Yeah, fingers crossed Elijah for you'll, thank you very much
for your time in the chamber. Is always cool.
Speaker 3 (13:55):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (13:56):
This is Sports Fix, your daily dose of sports news,
towing by News Talks.
Speaker 2 (14:03):
Thanks for listening. We'll be back tomorrow with another episode
of Sports Fix, and you can catch more this evening
from seven on News Talk ZEBB with Sports Talk.
Speaker 1 (14:12):
For more from News Talk zed B, listen live on
air or online, and keep our shows with you wherever
you go with our podcasts on iHeartRadio
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