On Sports Fix with D'Arcy Waldegrave for Tuesday 15th April 2025, NZ Herald rugby scribe Liam Napier unpacks the departure of current All Blacks winger Mark Tele’a. The Japan-bound Blues player had to weigh up his options. At 28, remembering that AB wingers rarely last beyond 27, was it worth the punt to stay or was the money too good regardless?
D’Arcy is not at all concerned about the Warriors latest ‘effort’. They got flogged by the Storm again, with a shocking first half display, but he’s not sweating bullets.
The Chamber is infested by D’Arcy and NZH’s Alex Powell, talking America’s Cup venues and the Tele’a tale.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:09):
You're listening to a podcast from News Talks Ed be
follow this and our wide range of podcasts now on iHeartRadio.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
This is Sportsfix Howard by News Talks It.
Speaker 3 (00:20):
Be Hi there, Welcome on into the Sports Fixed podcast,
your home of bite sized morsels around the wonderful wide
world of sport. The show itself brought to you an
association with GJ. Gardner Holmes, new Zealand's most trusted home builder.
I'm Darcy Walter Gray Band. What have we got lined
up for you today? First up, we're going to be
(00:42):
joined by New Zealand Herald rugby writer Liam Napier as
we unpack the Mark talea saga Beyond that chat, I've
got some opinion around following the Warriors you fly to
you close to the sun, you know the Echorus story,
and there's the NRL so it's kind of predictable. After that,
will be joined in studio by New Zealand Herald's sports
(01:05):
journalist Alex Powell as we look at the continued exodus
of players to Japan I E. Talaya, and also we'll
get some Alex's thoughts around where to now for the
America's cups Not on the white of matar, So on
which harbor will it be? We'll find out all that
and more as the Sports Fix gets up and running.
(01:27):
So here we go. In other news, here's your verbal
sports fix for today. A coach, a kid, and a
captain gonna right at you. Former Warrior's coach Frank Endercott
has put his legendary cup of tea down to tell
the Big League Podcast about the lack of express merchants
and the side substitute for.
Speaker 4 (01:48):
Gas now Latin sheer, speed, share, pace.
Speaker 5 (01:51):
Metal, showing signs here and there, and he's going to
get better and better, and he has got speed, but
we haven't got too many explosive centers.
Speaker 3 (02:00):
The Rory McElroy story is there, couming thick and fast
after his magical Master's victory. It would appear that as
a nipper, Rory was a soothsayer. Is the precocius eight
year old on the BBC.
Speaker 4 (02:13):
Turn and throw on ten of the mergers and with
them all.
Speaker 3 (02:19):
One year Hurricanes co captain Nasafa Olmur, one of a
quartette of Wellington Skippers, has faced up to a plack
of form since his return to action in Round for five.
The downbeat sounding hooker is looking ahead to the Western
Force game to make amends that it's a long flight
to feel the pain and one of the leaders. It's
(02:41):
feel like I have to step up every week. Haven't
really been, to be honest, but yeah, hopefully get it
next week. It's hope that mea culpa for the hurricane
serves up what it did for Scooter Barrett Whiles he
got over the weekend after a pretty stink couple of weeks.
And that's some verbal servings of sport today for.
Speaker 2 (03:00):
Y'all Newscavinion it's Sporcefix with Dancy Waldegrave.
Speaker 3 (03:07):
Most people I know me no not to text, message, call,
or do anything around a sporting result over the weekend
because nine times out of ten I haven't seen it live.
I'm going to watch it on tape, as they say
later on in the piece. So I got texted by
a friend of mine saying, hey, are you coming down
to full time to watch the Warriors?
Speaker 1 (03:27):
Now?
Speaker 3 (03:27):
I'm picking my daughter up from the ferry. I'm gonna
watch it later. To what she responded, don't I knew
what that meant. I was not happy. I profess that
to her and it won't happen again. But she had
a point. That game on the weekend was atrocious. The
first half skinning of the Warriors at the hands of
(03:49):
the Melbourne Storm was a case of deja vu all
over again. Very hard to watch, very hard to stomach.
But think about it, if you're one of the players,
the coach, and you had to look back over that
tape and preparation for this upcoming weekend. But if you
look across the board the other results in the NRAL
over the weekend, this is not an outlier. Games like
(04:11):
this happen. Muggings like this happen. Call the cops. There's
a murder going on. It happens, and it happens in
the NRL. Not with alarming frequency, but enough to say
pack it up, put it to one side and walk away.
You're getting nothing out of that game. I suppose you
could say you could see it coming. Three consecutive wins.
It's the Warriors, We're looking fairly good. But when that
(04:34):
happens after three in a bounce, you've really got to go, hey,
can they carry on this momentum? Are they believing their
own media? Oh and look it's the Melbourne Storm at home.
They're not going to let this team go far on
the bounce. So as disappointing as it was, that's sports
fandom for you. I'm okay with that. It's part of
(04:55):
being a Warriors fan. It's part of being a sport supporter.
You get to revel in the good times when things
are rocking and rolling, and when it all turns to pup,
you just got to take it on the chin because
that's sport. You're a right las.
Speaker 2 (05:10):
You'll come back dissecting the sporting agenda. It's Sportsfix with
Darcy Waldegrave.
Speaker 3 (05:17):
And it's warm. Welcome to the Sports Fixed podcast. Now
to New Zealand Herald a rugby writer Liam Napier. Big
story today around mark Talia one of many. It seems
to happen with the regular monotony these players up and
going off to Japan. It's almost not a big story
because we kind of knew it was coming and it
happens all the time.
Speaker 6 (05:37):
Yet there has been a few in recent time, says
I guess it's been a few stay as well, Damien
McKenzie more Jordi Barrett's currently on sabbatical but he's committed
long term, but mark Talia will be a big loss.
Speaker 4 (05:49):
Twenty eight years old in the prime of his career.
Speaker 6 (05:53):
He's an incumbllent starting All Black swing and one of
the more elusive finishers in the world game.
Speaker 3 (06:01):
So I'm presuming that the Hawk there was continued employment
for three years. That would have been what ragged him over.
It wouldn't have been conditioned or anything else. It's purely
based on what do I do next?
Speaker 6 (06:15):
Yeah, security and cash. So I don't think there's you
can make bones about it. That the chance to set
yourself up from a financial perspective, the independence that that
that brings as a twenty eight year old winger. Wingers
do tend to expire earlier than other players. There's a
(06:36):
history of All Black greats Jeff Wilson, Christian Cullen, Joan Lomu.
None of these guys played for the All Blacks belt
beyond the age of twenty seven years old. So wingers
do tend to get surpassed earlier than others. And if
you look at one position where bolters come out of
the woodwork and Nihim Milnas gadder, why sucking the whole low?
(06:58):
Come World Cup time, all Blacks and other teams tend
to select on form. So Mark Talaire has assessed the
lad of the land here. He's going to double his wage
as I understand that, going up to Japan to play
for Toyota, Steve Hanson and in Foster's team up there.
So from his perspective, he's weighed up adding a few
(07:19):
all blacks tests, scoring a few more tries potentially, but
no guarantee. Contesting another World Cup or setting himself up
for life.
Speaker 3 (07:28):
Difficult decision for him to make because going to another
World Cup, being a hero there, this is what he's
fought for through North Harbor and the Blues and everywhere
else he's been So to actually assure all that and
move on to an early retirement that is hard. Is
it all money? Not that you know him, but how
much of that is generated by fear of falling off
(07:50):
that age cliff and not actually being picked anymore? He thought,
I'll run now while I can.
Speaker 6 (07:56):
Yeah, I think it is the security that I haven't
spoken to Mark himself.
Speaker 4 (08:01):
But it is a brutal industry professional sport.
Speaker 6 (08:04):
Whether you're a coach or a player, you're at the
whim of selection of coaching changes. It's a volatile industry,
isn't it Your flavor of the month, one minute gone,
the next and even last year, Mark Talia if you
go back to the starter Raisers, tenure wasn't in favor.
He favored severe Reese to start the year and by
(08:26):
all accounts that was one of the sticking points between
him and Leo McDonald. Leo McDonald favored Mark Talier and
Razor favoreds Severe Reese. But by the end of the
year Mark t Lea had forced his way into that squad.
He started four of the five Northern Tour tests. He
was exceptional at Twickenham, scored two tries against England, one
(08:47):
of which he pushed off about two or three defenders.
Speaker 4 (08:51):
He is incredibly elusive.
Speaker 6 (08:53):
He's deceptively strong, he's got fast feet, he's got a
good work grate and as you mentioned there, he has
been a late bloomer.
Speaker 4 (09:02):
He had to really scrap and fight and work hard
at his game.
Speaker 6 (09:04):
Coming from West Aukland, he spent three years with North
Harbor before he actually cracked the Blues, but he was
an instant hit when he cracked the All Blacks in
twenty twenty two.
Speaker 4 (09:15):
He was the will Player Breakthrough Player of the Year
at Following.
Speaker 6 (09:19):
The twenty twenty three World Cup, so he's recognized globally
as a game breaker and he will be a great
get for Toyota in Japan.
Speaker 3 (09:30):
Not being released by twyde in Japan yet, but that's
kind of typical of Japanese clubs. They won't say anything
until all the tea's are crossed and the eyes are
dotted and everything else is up and running. So we're
sure that it's there because the Instagram post remark didn't
mention where he's going and just said Japan.
Speaker 6 (09:51):
Yeah, there's certain protocols in Japan that have to be followed,
tick the boxes, and it's quite regimented and they like
to do things their way and announce it on their channels.
The French quite similar in that regards. But yeah, you
sort of leaked out at the back end of last
week that he was likely to leave even and Mars
confirmed that today. So I'd be very surprised if it
(10:12):
doesn't go up to Japan and link with his for
more black coaches. Ian Foster was a big fan of
his and he's obviously gone up there to Toyota this year,
so I've got no doubt that that connection played a
big part in Mark leaving and setting himself up.
Speaker 3 (10:31):
Is he in all black ever again? Or is that
ship sailed?
Speaker 6 (10:36):
I think if you're raisy, you're probably looking to move on, aren't.
Speaker 3 (10:39):
Yeah.
Speaker 6 (10:39):
Mark's available by all accounts until the back end of
this year November. I think it is before he has
to join his Japanese club, so he could play France
in July when they come out here. He could play
the Rugby Championship, could play a part in the Northern Tour.
But you're probably looking at to move on and invest
in others, and your two years out from a World Cup,
(11:00):
you want to be formulated, starting to build plans around
your outside backs and solidify some combinations.
Speaker 4 (11:07):
So there's a real chance he has played his last test.
Speaker 2 (11:10):
The chamber is now in session on sports Fix.
Speaker 3 (11:16):
Swing the chamber doors open and who's there? Way to look.
It's Alex Powell, sport news journalist out of in Z
Herald and also out of this podcast. You're you're a
recidiviust you're always here, Alex, how are you?
Speaker 5 (11:27):
I'm good mate, You're leaving out this award nominated podcast.
Speaker 3 (11:30):
Now, No, I'm not. I'll just let you say it instead,
because you know, no one wants to hear that from
the mouth of the horse, right, people don't want actually
hear anything from horses mouths, But go figure sports news
of a day to tell our stories. The big one
this has been I suppose telegraphed for quite some time.
People kind of knew, but they kind of didn't. And
now the statement's out. Although I tried to talk with
toy of Blitz and we've got nothing from them at all,
(11:52):
because they've got a strange way of dealing with things
like this over in Japan, haven't they.
Speaker 5 (11:56):
Oh, the Japanese rugby media is hilarious. You cannot get
anything out of them. It's considered, I guess, disrespectful to
challenge authority in that regard. So you ever asked you
remember all the stuff with sam Kin last year when
I was injured, and none of the Japanese out that's
front Sorry, none of the Japanese club fronted about it
when he was playing at Suntory. So it's just a
weird one that we sort of have to connect dots
until everything's confirmed.
Speaker 3 (12:15):
Initially, will they be upset at him for getting on
instrument and saying, Hey, that's it, I'm leaving or not? No,
he wouldn't have done that unless he had prior approval.
So he's gone. And this was talked about with mar Lily, Miliana,
Jeff Wilson and the likes over the weekend on breakdown
differing opinions around this. What do you do with them
this winter? Does he play for the All Blacks? No?
Speaker 5 (12:35):
I mean, if anything's to go by any passed standards,
then no, he won't. They've traditionally not been very loyal
to people who have decided their futures are elsewhere. Like,
It's not as though there's a shortage of wingers in
this country. There are always going to be someone coming
up because it's such an easy position to quantify. You've
got more tries than him, You're the All Black swinger,
You're faster, You're faster and more elusive, you're younger.
Speaker 3 (12:54):
He's okay, yeah, So.
Speaker 5 (12:57):
I mean in that regard, I would be very surprised
if Mark Tiller gets any minutes for the All Blacks
this year.
Speaker 3 (13:03):
Well, if he's not being loyal to them, they won't
be loyal back. Again. This is an unwritten I suppose
when you're twenty eight years old, even though it's a
very late starter, you're looking into the future going, wow,
we're going to be in three years? Am I going
to get picked for the World come out? How much? Oh? Sure,
I'm rolling because the players love it over in Japan.
They have a great time over there.
Speaker 5 (13:22):
I think if you or I got offered two or
three times what we're earning here to go and do
what we do in Japan and we didn't take it,
we'd be considered stupid. You know, it's such an unfair
double standard that, as sportsmen are held to in Sportswoman,
that you're expected to turn down these large sums of
money to be loyal to an inferior and offer you know,
it's crazy, but you know, good on much to Lea
(13:44):
showing what he has that makes someone put that money
on the table and then be being brave enough to
take it. Like I think, as where we've talked about
eligibility so often on this podcast, guys don't see the
all blacks as the bell and endle anymore.
Speaker 3 (13:55):
And this is not an outlier. This happens all the time.
So in that space, what ins do about this? What
also I'm interested in Rob Nickel plays in what they
do about that fascinating story because this is evolving, it
will keep changing, and he maybe the balance will tip
one way. We don't know where it's going to end,
(14:16):
which is why we're fascinated by it.
Speaker 5 (14:18):
I mean, would you be in favor of a we'll
call it a Muanga rule or a Talia rule now
that the All Blacks can pick a certain number of
guys from overseas if they meet criteria, So like seasons
done in Super Rugby Test played for the All Blacks.
I mean Tellia wouldn't really meet a lot of those would.
Speaker 3 (14:32):
Probably not, but yeah, I wouldn't mind that. I think
the key thing around this is I don't want to
lose younger players who sounds I sound like an old man.
The kids want to go and watch them play, and
that is so important for following the All Blacks. They
want their stars right there. And if they just disappear
(14:53):
early doors without anything around their eligibility to come back,
they're lost forever.
Speaker 5 (14:59):
But I mean, you look at a name like Charles
Piertow when that was faired, would happen to him? He
left very early, but he was immediately replaced by Nehmo
on a scuddle like guys will come up and take
these positions when they're available. That's what New Zealand rugby
has always been incredibly good at doing, whether or not
the resources there when they're competing now with the likes
of the NRL, who are very good at swipping into
the New Zealand school boys team and offering guys huge
contracts a year younger than what they're allowed to be
(15:21):
offered in rugby union. Who knows, all right, but you
mean you look at a guy like Ki and Ti
moiflower at Wine of Psifica now who has played for
Tomas and Indicati wants to to switch to the All
Wax and we'll go through the three years stand down
because he meets all the residency criteria and he'll be
the next one in your wakes. He'll probably playing on
the wing for the twenty twoes in World Cup. Wony, Well,
there's plenty of them out there.
Speaker 3 (15:41):
And that was my next question because you've got Lester
Finger and Nickel on the way back again. Different kind
of winger, the old power winger if you will, So
he'd be back in the fall. What next year I
think is next year? And there are a lot of
other players, I mean, Caylele Clark's looking at severa. Reese
is looking out there. Yeah, true, very well, and of
course high tailing and out of Dunedin the Highlanders who
(16:04):
can play we seem to one of the looks of it,
and wing I'd say fall back in any where else
isahweh there you go forward? Yeah, what wouldn't put a
pass them right? Next Tobo tell what is going away? Yeah,
the America's Cup. What a segue you should be on
the radio. Well, it's going I found an interest in
(16:24):
Chris Reeve, one of our colleagues, writes a lot of
good stuff around the America's Cup. I find this fascinating.
And Grant Dalton says that we're not too far away
from announcing the new venue now. When he says that,
I think, well, New Zealand will never in with the
chants if it's that close, right, it's already been lined up,
so the whole art could have been if they had
given some money. I don't believe it, but that's just me.
(16:47):
I can't back that up with just put thought battens.
But he did say it was quoted anyway the Herald.
I don't think we're that far away from actually being
ready to announce new venue for the America's Cup, although
we were hoping that it was going to be Auckland.
Speaker 5 (17:01):
I take them out as well. I think they would
have wanted Auckland to be their first choice, but that's
not going to happen now. So where do they go next?
And that's where we are as we speak. Where doesn't
go well, I mean Greece, Italy, Soudy, What do you want.
Speaker 3 (17:13):
Something that's a bit of time zone. I'm not Maybe
back to San Francisco.
Speaker 5 (17:17):
Australia, wasn't it? It was great Valencia, But well we
know it's not going back to Barcelona. No, we know
it's definitely not coming here. I thought it was going
to be Saudi Arabia.
Speaker 3 (17:28):
Remember Dalton a year or so ago saying, hey, this
place is amazing for one of those pre America's Cup Regattas,
I could really see the America's Cup being as we go,
He's already rolled it out. But that it happens, I
don't entirely know. But I wonder if from like a
lot of other people are like it's over there.
Speaker 5 (17:45):
Again, do you feel like if versus the way it's
going to go In New Zealand, will fall out of
love with the America's Cup, especially now we've got sale GP.
Speaker 3 (17:52):
That is it every week, it's happening now. It's happening now,
And I wonder I don't know anything about why Pete
Berling walked. My major thought is easy, young father, he
doesn't want to spend the next few years in a
tenship with Grant dalton A building a boat and then
traveling all. It's not He's already got the sal GP right,
he's the CEO, that's his major job. So he wants
(18:15):
some certainty. So he's gone because he doesn't want the uncertainty.
He knows what he's doing. And I wonder if other
fans out there think, well he's gone, that's the heart
ripped out. I'm not really into anymore. Just seems to
be a slow fading death. Is that?
Speaker 5 (18:29):
I feel like as New Zeanders, we are quite fickle
with this, aren't we. Like we will happily not give
any attention to the America's Cup for three years, but
the fourth one, when it's actually on, they get behind it.
And that's what I worry. Will happen now and everything
will because remember there was a huge uproar about Barcelona,
and then when they're they're lifting the old mug after
having many weeks, six or seven weeks of actual racing.
(18:49):
That always forgiven and that's what will happen again, say
with the Olympic Games, same with the Olympics, waving your
festy and this is not fair, this is not right,
this is not.
Speaker 3 (18:57):
This is wow, how fox he is and you forget
about everything. It's very similar with the America's Cup. Look,
I'd say all strength to their arm, are good on
not getting the money here to make it work, need
to have it overseas. But I do think that stretch
between the New Zealand public and the America's Cups getting
longer and longer, and one day it'll snap. And that's
(19:18):
it from us in the chamber. Alex Powell, sports news
journalists out of New Zealand. Hell, thanks for your time,
your attitude and your opinion. Always a pleasure. Now please
leave the chamber.
Speaker 2 (19:28):
This is Sportsfix, your daily does of sports news, powered
by News Talks EBB.
Speaker 3 (19:35):
And then you have it, served with joy, served with pride,
and served by being the hot deal out there in Sportland.
As sports Fix for Tuesday, the fifteenth of April twenty
twenty five. My name's Darcy Waldgrave. I've eve enjoyed that offering.
If you have, please subscribe that way. This podcast will
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(19:58):
Have you on some sport talk you can actually interact
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(20:19):
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Speaker 1 (20:31):
For more from News Talks ed B. Listen live on
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follow this and our wide range of podcasts now on iHeartRadio.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
This is Sportsfix Howard by News Talks It.
Speaker 3 (00:20):
Be Hi there, Welcome on into the Sports Fixed podcast,
your home of bite sized morsels around the wonderful wide
world of sport. The show itself brought to you an
association with GJ. Gardner Holmes, new Zealand's most trusted home builder.
I'm Darcy Walter Gray Band. What have we got lined
up for you today? First up, we're going to be
(00:42):
joined by New Zealand Herald rugby writer Liam Napier as
we unpack the Mark talea saga Beyond that chat, I've
got some opinion around following the Warriors you fly to
you close to the sun, you know the Echorus story,
and there's the NRL so it's kind of predictable. After that,
will be joined in studio by New Zealand Herald's sports
(01:05):
journalist Alex Powell as we look at the continued exodus
of players to Japan I E. Talaya, and also we'll
get some Alex's thoughts around where to now for the
America's cups Not on the white of matar, So on
which harbor will it be? We'll find out all that
and more as the Sports Fix gets up and running.
(01:27):
So here we go. In other news, here's your verbal
sports fix for today. A coach, a kid, and a
captain gonna right at you. Former Warrior's coach Frank Endercott
has put his legendary cup of tea down to tell
the Big League Podcast about the lack of express merchants
and the side substitute for.
Speaker 4 (01:48):
Gas now Latin sheer, speed, share, pace.
Speaker 5 (01:51):
Metal, showing signs here and there, and he's going to
get better and better, and he has got speed, but
we haven't got too many explosive centers.
Speaker 3 (02:00):
The Rory McElroy story is there, couming thick and fast
after his magical Master's victory. It would appear that as
a nipper, Rory was a soothsayer. Is the precocius eight
year old on the BBC.
Speaker 4 (02:13):
Turn and throw on ten of the mergers and with
them all.
Speaker 3 (02:19):
One year Hurricanes co captain Nasafa Olmur, one of a
quartette of Wellington Skippers, has faced up to a plack
of form since his return to action in Round for five.
The downbeat sounding hooker is looking ahead to the Western
Force game to make amends that it's a long flight
to feel the pain and one of the leaders. It's
(02:41):
feel like I have to step up every week. Haven't
really been, to be honest, but yeah, hopefully get it
next week. It's hope that mea culpa for the hurricane
serves up what it did for Scooter Barrett Whiles he
got over the weekend after a pretty stink couple of weeks.
And that's some verbal servings of sport today for.
Speaker 2 (03:00):
Y'all Newscavinion it's Sporcefix with Dancy Waldegrave.
Speaker 3 (03:07):
Most people I know me no not to text, message, call,
or do anything around a sporting result over the weekend
because nine times out of ten I haven't seen it live.
I'm going to watch it on tape, as they say
later on in the piece. So I got texted by
a friend of mine saying, hey, are you coming down
to full time to watch the Warriors?
Speaker 1 (03:27):
Now?
Speaker 3 (03:27):
I'm picking my daughter up from the ferry. I'm gonna
watch it later. To what she responded, don't I knew
what that meant. I was not happy. I profess that
to her and it won't happen again. But she had
a point. That game on the weekend was atrocious. The
first half skinning of the Warriors at the hands of
(03:49):
the Melbourne Storm was a case of deja vu all
over again. Very hard to watch, very hard to stomach.
But think about it, if you're one of the players,
the coach, and you had to look back over that
tape and preparation for this upcoming weekend. But if you
look across the board the other results in the NRAL
over the weekend, this is not an outlier. Games like
(04:11):
this happen. Muggings like this happen. Call the cops. There's
a murder going on. It happens, and it happens in
the NRL. Not with alarming frequency, but enough to say
pack it up, put it to one side and walk away.
You're getting nothing out of that game. I suppose you
could say you could see it coming. Three consecutive wins.
It's the Warriors, We're looking fairly good. But when that
(04:34):
happens after three in a bounce, you've really got to go, hey,
can they carry on this momentum? Are they believing their
own media? Oh and look it's the Melbourne Storm at home.
They're not going to let this team go far on
the bounce. So as disappointing as it was, that's sports
fandom for you. I'm okay with that. It's part of
(04:55):
being a Warriors fan. It's part of being a sport supporter.
You get to revel in the good times when things
are rocking and rolling, and when it all turns to pup,
you just got to take it on the chin because
that's sport. You're a right las.
Speaker 2 (05:10):
You'll come back dissecting the sporting agenda. It's Sportsfix with
Darcy Waldegrave.
Speaker 3 (05:17):
And it's warm. Welcome to the Sports Fixed podcast. Now
to New Zealand Herald a rugby writer Liam Napier. Big
story today around mark Talia one of many. It seems
to happen with the regular monotony these players up and
going off to Japan. It's almost not a big story
because we kind of knew it was coming and it
happens all the time.
Speaker 6 (05:37):
Yet there has been a few in recent time, says
I guess it's been a few stay as well, Damien
McKenzie more Jordi Barrett's currently on sabbatical but he's committed
long term, but mark Talia will be a big loss.
Speaker 4 (05:49):
Twenty eight years old in the prime of his career.
Speaker 6 (05:53):
He's an incumbllent starting All Black swing and one of
the more elusive finishers in the world game.
Speaker 3 (06:01):
So I'm presuming that the Hawk there was continued employment
for three years. That would have been what ragged him over.
It wouldn't have been conditioned or anything else. It's purely
based on what do I do next?
Speaker 6 (06:15):
Yeah, security and cash. So I don't think there's you
can make bones about it. That the chance to set
yourself up from a financial perspective, the independence that that
that brings as a twenty eight year old winger. Wingers
do tend to expire earlier than other players. There's a
(06:36):
history of All Black greats Jeff Wilson, Christian Cullen, Joan Lomu.
None of these guys played for the All Blacks belt
beyond the age of twenty seven years old. So wingers
do tend to get surpassed earlier than others. And if
you look at one position where bolters come out of
the woodwork and Nihim Milnas gadder, why sucking the whole low?
(06:58):
Come World Cup time, all Blacks and other teams tend
to select on form. So Mark Talaire has assessed the
lad of the land here. He's going to double his wage
as I understand that, going up to Japan to play
for Toyota, Steve Hanson and in Foster's team up there.
So from his perspective, he's weighed up adding a few
(07:19):
all blacks tests, scoring a few more tries potentially, but
no guarantee. Contesting another World Cup or setting himself up
for life.
Speaker 3 (07:28):
Difficult decision for him to make because going to another
World Cup, being a hero there, this is what he's
fought for through North Harbor and the Blues and everywhere
else he's been So to actually assure all that and
move on to an early retirement that is hard. Is
it all money? Not that you know him, but how
much of that is generated by fear of falling off
(07:50):
that age cliff and not actually being picked anymore? He thought,
I'll run now while I can.
Speaker 6 (07:56):
Yeah, I think it is the security that I haven't
spoken to Mark himself.
Speaker 4 (08:01):
But it is a brutal industry professional sport.
Speaker 6 (08:04):
Whether you're a coach or a player, you're at the
whim of selection of coaching changes. It's a volatile industry,
isn't it Your flavor of the month, one minute gone,
the next and even last year, Mark Talia if you
go back to the starter Raisers, tenure wasn't in favor.
He favored severe Reese to start the year and by
(08:26):
all accounts that was one of the sticking points between
him and Leo McDonald. Leo McDonald favored Mark Talier and
Razor favoreds Severe Reese. But by the end of the
year Mark t Lea had forced his way into that squad.
He started four of the five Northern Tour tests. He
was exceptional at Twickenham, scored two tries against England, one
(08:47):
of which he pushed off about two or three defenders.
Speaker 4 (08:51):
He is incredibly elusive.
Speaker 6 (08:53):
He's deceptively strong, he's got fast feet, he's got a
good work grate and as you mentioned there, he has
been a late bloomer.
Speaker 4 (09:02):
He had to really scrap and fight and work hard
at his game.
Speaker 6 (09:04):
Coming from West Aukland, he spent three years with North
Harbor before he actually cracked the Blues, but he was
an instant hit when he cracked the All Blacks in
twenty twenty two.
Speaker 4 (09:15):
He was the will Player Breakthrough Player of the Year
at Following.
Speaker 6 (09:19):
The twenty twenty three World Cup, so he's recognized globally
as a game breaker and he will be a great
get for Toyota in Japan.
Speaker 3 (09:30):
Not being released by twyde in Japan yet, but that's
kind of typical of Japanese clubs. They won't say anything
until all the tea's are crossed and the eyes are
dotted and everything else is up and running. So we're
sure that it's there because the Instagram post remark didn't
mention where he's going and just said Japan.
Speaker 6 (09:51):
Yeah, there's certain protocols in Japan that have to be followed,
tick the boxes, and it's quite regimented and they like
to do things their way and announce it on their channels.
The French quite similar in that regards. But yeah, you
sort of leaked out at the back end of last
week that he was likely to leave even and Mars
confirmed that today. So I'd be very surprised if it
(10:12):
doesn't go up to Japan and link with his for
more black coaches. Ian Foster was a big fan of
his and he's obviously gone up there to Toyota this year,
so I've got no doubt that that connection played a
big part in Mark leaving and setting himself up.
Speaker 3 (10:31):
Is he in all black ever again? Or is that
ship sailed?
Speaker 6 (10:36):
I think if you're raisy, you're probably looking to move on, aren't.
Speaker 3 (10:39):
Yeah.
Speaker 6 (10:39):
Mark's available by all accounts until the back end of
this year November. I think it is before he has
to join his Japanese club, so he could play France
in July when they come out here. He could play
the Rugby Championship, could play a part in the Northern Tour.
But you're probably looking at to move on and invest
in others, and your two years out from a World Cup,
(11:00):
you want to be formulated, starting to build plans around
your outside backs and solidify some combinations.
Speaker 4 (11:07):
So there's a real chance he has played his last test.
Speaker 2 (11:10):
The chamber is now in session on sports Fix.
Speaker 3 (11:16):
Swing the chamber doors open and who's there? Way to look.
It's Alex Powell, sport news journalist out of in Z
Herald and also out of this podcast. You're you're a
recidiviust you're always here, Alex, how are you?
Speaker 5 (11:27):
I'm good mate, You're leaving out this award nominated podcast.
Speaker 3 (11:30):
Now, No, I'm not. I'll just let you say it instead,
because you know, no one wants to hear that from
the mouth of the horse, right, people don't want actually
hear anything from horses mouths, But go figure sports news
of a day to tell our stories. The big one
this has been I suppose telegraphed for quite some time.
People kind of knew, but they kind of didn't. And
now the statement's out. Although I tried to talk with
toy of Blitz and we've got nothing from them at all,
(11:52):
because they've got a strange way of dealing with things
like this over in Japan, haven't they.
Speaker 5 (11:56):
Oh, the Japanese rugby media is hilarious. You cannot get
anything out of them. It's considered, I guess, disrespectful to
challenge authority in that regard. So you ever asked you
remember all the stuff with sam Kin last year when
I was injured, and none of the Japanese out that's
front Sorry, none of the Japanese club fronted about it
when he was playing at Suntory. So it's just a
weird one that we sort of have to connect dots
until everything's confirmed.
Speaker 3 (12:15):
Initially, will they be upset at him for getting on
instrument and saying, Hey, that's it, I'm leaving or not? No,
he wouldn't have done that unless he had prior approval.
So he's gone. And this was talked about with mar Lily, Miliana,
Jeff Wilson and the likes over the weekend on breakdown
differing opinions around this. What do you do with them
this winter? Does he play for the All Blacks? No?
Speaker 5 (12:35):
I mean, if anything's to go by any passed standards,
then no, he won't. They've traditionally not been very loyal
to people who have decided their futures are elsewhere. Like,
It's not as though there's a shortage of wingers in
this country. There are always going to be someone coming
up because it's such an easy position to quantify. You've
got more tries than him, You're the All Black swinger,
You're faster, You're faster and more elusive, you're younger.
Speaker 3 (12:54):
He's okay, yeah, So.
Speaker 5 (12:57):
I mean in that regard, I would be very surprised
if Mark Tiller gets any minutes for the All Blacks
this year.
Speaker 3 (13:03):
Well, if he's not being loyal to them, they won't
be loyal back. Again. This is an unwritten I suppose
when you're twenty eight years old, even though it's a
very late starter, you're looking into the future going, wow,
we're going to be in three years? Am I going
to get picked for the World come out? How much? Oh? Sure,
I'm rolling because the players love it over in Japan.
They have a great time over there.
Speaker 5 (13:22):
I think if you or I got offered two or
three times what we're earning here to go and do
what we do in Japan and we didn't take it,
we'd be considered stupid. You know, it's such an unfair
double standard that, as sportsmen are held to in Sportswoman,
that you're expected to turn down these large sums of
money to be loyal to an inferior and offer you know,
it's crazy, but you know, good on much to Lea
(13:44):
showing what he has that makes someone put that money
on the table and then be being brave enough to
take it. Like I think, as where we've talked about
eligibility so often on this podcast, guys don't see the
all blacks as the bell and endle anymore.
Speaker 3 (13:55):
And this is not an outlier. This happens all the time.
So in that space, what ins do about this? What
also I'm interested in Rob Nickel plays in what they
do about that fascinating story because this is evolving, it
will keep changing, and he maybe the balance will tip
one way. We don't know where it's going to end,
(14:16):
which is why we're fascinated by it.
Speaker 5 (14:18):
I mean, would you be in favor of a we'll
call it a Muanga rule or a Talia rule now
that the All Blacks can pick a certain number of
guys from overseas if they meet criteria, So like seasons
done in Super Rugby Test played for the All Blacks.
I mean Tellia wouldn't really meet a lot of those would.
Speaker 3 (14:32):
Probably not, but yeah, I wouldn't mind that. I think
the key thing around this is I don't want to
lose younger players who sounds I sound like an old man.
The kids want to go and watch them play, and
that is so important for following the All Blacks. They
want their stars right there. And if they just disappear
(14:53):
early doors without anything around their eligibility to come back,
they're lost forever.
Speaker 5 (14:59):
But I mean, you look at a name like Charles
Piertow when that was faired, would happen to him? He
left very early, but he was immediately replaced by Nehmo
on a scuddle like guys will come up and take
these positions when they're available. That's what New Zealand rugby
has always been incredibly good at doing, whether or not
the resources there when they're competing now with the likes
of the NRL, who are very good at swipping into
the New Zealand school boys team and offering guys huge
contracts a year younger than what they're allowed to be
(15:21):
offered in rugby union. Who knows, all right, but you
mean you look at a guy like Ki and Ti
moiflower at Wine of Psifica now who has played for
Tomas and Indicati wants to to switch to the All
Wax and we'll go through the three years stand down
because he meets all the residency criteria and he'll be
the next one in your wakes. He'll probably playing on
the wing for the twenty twoes in World Cup. Wony, Well,
there's plenty of them out there.
Speaker 3 (15:41):
And that was my next question because you've got Lester
Finger and Nickel on the way back again. Different kind
of winger, the old power winger if you will, So
he'd be back in the fall. What next year I
think is next year? And there are a lot of
other players, I mean, Caylele Clark's looking at severa. Reese
is looking out there. Yeah, true, very well, and of
course high tailing and out of Dunedin the Highlanders who
(16:04):
can play we seem to one of the looks of it,
and wing I'd say fall back in any where else
isahweh there you go forward? Yeah, what wouldn't put a
pass them right? Next Tobo tell what is going away? Yeah,
the America's Cup. What a segue you should be on
the radio. Well, it's going I found an interest in
(16:24):
Chris Reeve, one of our colleagues, writes a lot of
good stuff around the America's Cup. I find this fascinating.
And Grant Dalton says that we're not too far away
from announcing the new venue now. When he says that,
I think, well, New Zealand will never in with the
chants if it's that close, right, it's already been lined up,
so the whole art could have been if they had
given some money. I don't believe it, but that's just me.
(16:47):
I can't back that up with just put thought battens.
But he did say it was quoted anyway the Herald.
I don't think we're that far away from actually being
ready to announce new venue for the America's Cup, although
we were hoping that it was going to be Auckland.
Speaker 5 (17:01):
I take them out as well. I think they would
have wanted Auckland to be their first choice, but that's
not going to happen now. So where do they go next?
And that's where we are as we speak. Where doesn't
go well, I mean Greece, Italy, Soudy, What do you want.
Speaker 3 (17:13):
Something that's a bit of time zone. I'm not Maybe
back to San Francisco.
Speaker 5 (17:17):
Australia, wasn't it? It was great Valencia, But well we
know it's not going back to Barcelona. No, we know
it's definitely not coming here. I thought it was going
to be Saudi Arabia.
Speaker 3 (17:28):
Remember Dalton a year or so ago saying, hey, this
place is amazing for one of those pre America's Cup Regattas,
I could really see the America's Cup being as we go,
He's already rolled it out. But that it happens, I
don't entirely know. But I wonder if from like a
lot of other people are like it's over there.
Speaker 5 (17:45):
Again, do you feel like if versus the way it's
going to go In New Zealand, will fall out of
love with the America's Cup, especially now we've got sale GP.
Speaker 3 (17:52):
That is it every week, it's happening now. It's happening now,
And I wonder I don't know anything about why Pete
Berling walked. My major thought is easy, young father, he
doesn't want to spend the next few years in a
tenship with Grant dalton A building a boat and then
traveling all. It's not He's already got the sal GP right,
he's the CEO, that's his major job. So he wants
(18:15):
some certainty. So he's gone because he doesn't want the uncertainty.
He knows what he's doing. And I wonder if other
fans out there think, well he's gone, that's the heart
ripped out. I'm not really into anymore. Just seems to
be a slow fading death. Is that?
Speaker 5 (18:29):
I feel like as New Zeanders, we are quite fickle
with this, aren't we. Like we will happily not give
any attention to the America's Cup for three years, but
the fourth one, when it's actually on, they get behind it.
And that's what I worry. Will happen now and everything
will because remember there was a huge uproar about Barcelona,
and then when they're they're lifting the old mug after
having many weeks, six or seven weeks of actual racing.
(18:49):
That always forgiven and that's what will happen again, say
with the Olympic Games, same with the Olympics, waving your
festy and this is not fair, this is not right,
this is not.
Speaker 3 (18:57):
This is wow, how fox he is and you forget
about everything. It's very similar with the America's Cup. Look,
I'd say all strength to their arm, are good on
not getting the money here to make it work, need
to have it overseas. But I do think that stretch
between the New Zealand public and the America's Cups getting
longer and longer, and one day it'll snap. And that's
(19:18):
it from us in the chamber. Alex Powell, sports news
journalists out of New Zealand. Hell, thanks for your time,
your attitude and your opinion. Always a pleasure. Now please
leave the chamber.
Speaker 2 (19:28):
This is Sportsfix, your daily does of sports news, powered
by News Talks EBB.
Speaker 3 (19:35):
And then you have it, served with joy, served with pride,
and served by being the hot deal out there in Sportland.
As sports Fix for Tuesday, the fifteenth of April twenty
twenty five. My name's Darcy Waldgrave. I've eve enjoyed that offering.
If you have, please subscribe that way. This podcast will
hit your in box at a similar time Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday.
(19:58):
Have you on some sport talk you can actually interact
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(20:19):
very much for listening. Tell your friends, tell your family,
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