May 20, 2025 • 20 mins
On Sports Fix with D'Arcy Waldegrave for Tuesday 20th May 2025 - remember when the Warriors used to upset the NRL applecart on a regular basis? Michael Witt does. The man at the heart of the drama back in 2008 when the Wahs tipped up the Storm in the first playoff round, talks the current rise and rise of the Penrose Mud Dogs. They went on to the prelim final before losing to Manly. Has 2025 got similarities?
D’Arcy gets on the Savea ‘praise be’ bandwagon. Ardie isn’t knocking on the AB captaincy door, he ripped it off its hinges.
In the Chamber is Alex Powell from the NZ Herald locked in sport discussion with D’Arcy, including a tribute to the departing Ricky Riccitelli.
Big thanks to GJ Gardner Homes – New Zealand's most trusted home builder.
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Speaker 1 (00:09):
You're listening to a podcast from News Talks. It'd be
follow this and our wide range of podcasts now on iHeartRadio.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
This is Sportsfix Howard by News Talks.
Speaker 3 (00:20):
It'd be welcome to Tuesday's edition of the Sports Fix.
You're a home of all your bite sized sport wonderment
you need on an afternoon evening. Today it is Tuesday,
it is the twentieth of May twenty twenty five. One
of is Darcy Watergrovee. And coming up in this edition,
we're going to catch up with our mate Michael Witch
(00:41):
from the Warriors. Yeah, him of the black and gray
hooped shirt that gave us all heart attacks back in
two thousand and eight when he didn't put the ball
down against the storm what he did eventually. Anyway, we'll
talk to him about the resurgence of the Warriors. I'll
be joined in the chamber by Alex Powell as we
(01:02):
look at some of the big sports stories of the day,
and I've got some opinions like everybody else on the
planet has around the title that is Ardi Sadvia. This
is all brought to you in association with the fine
folk that JJ Gardner Holmes, New Zealand's most trusted home builder.
Now that's done, let's do.
Speaker 1 (01:22):
It in other news.
Speaker 3 (01:25):
Let's splotter some sport now with a couple of athletes
spitting sport. Will start off with Sam Darry He's on
the comeback r not now, but during the NPC, the
broken down Blues locks is. He's keen to climb into
the frey again this time. The Canterbury in the NPC
in round one in early August.
Speaker 4 (01:46):
Came in the all clear to start lifting weights, kind
of bench press abovehead press and all that kind of things,
resting to a few skills and then kind of mapped
out a wee bit more what the next kind of
two months looked like.
Speaker 3 (01:57):
And in the A and Z Premiership, the Southern Steel
has unleashed hell on the Magic. Sixty nine forty one
was the body count. It's the first time since twenty
two the Southerners have beaten the Northern. Massive is Malcolm Jordan.
Speaker 5 (02:14):
There's the hold up the end of the game. It's
a thracing for the home team. The Magic have been
dealt to in Hamilton tonight. The Steel have won it
by twenty eight goals.
Speaker 3 (02:29):
All back alleging that Sir Wayne Bucket Shelford has taken
his hat off to beast mode. Savia, the Nina Pacifaker Talisman,
has picked up the Super Rugby Pacific Player of the
Year two rounds before the regular season is due to
shut its doors. Already boss the Blues with a monstrous
effort over the weekend, some hailing it as the best
(02:51):
individual performance in Super Rugby history. AB's captain c Awaits when.
Speaker 6 (02:58):
He actually made the orblect a few years ago, I
thought to myself that he's probably going to be the
captain of the future.
Speaker 7 (03:04):
I just raised and wrote in the Giggill.
Speaker 3 (03:06):
There's some sports stars, former and current spluttering and spitting
some sport here on the Fix.
Speaker 2 (03:12):
You scan. It's Sportsfix with Darcy valde Greve.
Speaker 3 (03:18):
There's an old and tired saying in sport that is
still relevant. It just needs to be revved up a bit.
The saying is he's been knocking on the door for
some time now. Ardie Savia is not knocking on the door.
It's not even a half in a puff to try
and blow the house. And he's simply smashed the door
(03:39):
off its hinges and he's standing in the living room
with all of the menace he can possess in the
living room of the All Blacks house is one Scott
Razor Robinson. Ardi is not demanding the captaincy, but his
actions are. If you followed Super Rugby Pacific this year
and you haven't noticed Ardie Savia, you've not been paying
(04:01):
enough attention. He's picked up the Super Rugby Player of
the season gone and the regular season still well hasn't
even finished. You want a cherry on the top, that's
probably it. But what he did last weeke in against
the Blues beggars belief. What an astonishing performance. The commentators
were absolutely breathless. The column writers have run out of
(04:25):
superlatives to describe this guy. What he does on the
park and what he does, possibly more importantly, off the
park and in the sheds. He's a talisman, He's a superhero.
He's a demi god to that side, although I expect
you wouldn't like me describing him as that. Ardie Savilla
has been the go to rock star. But Ardie Savia
(04:48):
has enabled a number of other players to stand up
and be counted. You look at the likes of Tamoi
Philaur like miracle, Filangi l LaMelo Lallomi, like Slack, like Palagrini,
like his brother Jules, all playing out of their skin,
and I haven't covered them all off. The power that
this man possesses, the inspirational ability that this man has,
(05:12):
the skills about to draw a team together under one
mantra has been superb. Whether this means he becomes the
All Black captain, I don't know whether it's a captain
or a leader within the team. It's irrelevant. We are
being treated to an absolute freak show by Ardie Savia
(05:34):
long Mayte.
Speaker 2 (05:34):
Last dissecting the sporting agenda. It's Sportsfex with Darcy Waldgrave.
Speaker 3 (05:41):
And it's a big hello now to former warrior from
back in the helcyon days of the Gray and Black
Hooped Jumper. His name is Michael Witt. Michael, great to
have you on board.
Speaker 6 (05:53):
Mate, very well.
Speaker 3 (05:56):
Hey, great to catch up with you again. It's been
too long and really good to talk about the wars
in the ascendency, like when you used to play for
them back in two thousand and what two thousand and seven,
two thousand and eight, two thousand year there.
Speaker 6 (06:09):
Yeah, it seems like a different lifetime sometimes and then
sometimes it feels like it was just yesterday, but it's
certainly some great memories and love seeing the Wars at
the top of the tablement very exciting.
Speaker 3 (06:19):
Well, you're selling second hand houses now, which is a
fine thing to do. You've been doing quite some time.
But you're still engage with the game, aren't You still
got some connections with the club and connections with rugby
league in Australia.
Speaker 6 (06:31):
Yeah, I have some connections at the Warriors. I played
with Webby. I played with coach Webby way back in
Parramatta days on. Good mates with Robbo. Robbie used to
live a few doors down from me here on the
gold Coase until I sold his house and then he
moved away a little bit. But good mate with Robbo,
so definitely, yeah, I want to stay in contact with
(06:52):
those guys, and yeah, I love the Warriors and my team.
Speaker 3 (06:55):
You gave tine to Picky and Nudge too, didn't you
see a gun play for the Wires. Yeah.
Speaker 6 (07:00):
So I do a little bit of coaching here at
the Billy Bears. Picky I'd coached him for two years
and was really impressed by him and that I've never
ever done before. And to be honest, I haven't done since,
but I reached out to Webby just I wanted to say,
give this guy a crack. Webby was very receptive of that,
and so I had a couple of chats and yeah,
(07:21):
it was great to see him head over there, and
I think he's he's been fantastic since he's gone there.
He's just a little bundle of energy. And yeah, I'm
so staked to see him doing well.
Speaker 3 (07:29):
Well, the whole team is doing well, and that's why
we've got you on board. I suppose we'll start with
Webby and what he's done last year was I wouldn't
say a train read, but they lost the close ones.
They couldn't turn them. Completely different story this year, sitting
nearly at the top of the table, massive game against
the Raiders, a bit of revenge as well from round
one coming up on the weekend second place. What have
(07:51):
you noticed? Because they keep stringing together victories regardless of
who they've gone on board or not, it's where does
the success come from?
Speaker 8 (07:59):
With he?
Speaker 6 (08:00):
Yeah, Look, success is contagious, and I think there's a
couple of games there this year that the boys haven't
played their best footy. I think everyone agree with that.
But they're still scratching away with wins. So to me,
that just shows that their effort and energy is second
to none, and they work really hard. I don't think
it's any secret. That's how you win games, just by
working hard, and it seems as though that's what we're
(08:21):
being The coach and staff are preaching there and all
the boys are tearing in the.
Speaker 3 (08:26):
Ability of players to slot in with ever their needed.
That says a lot about coaching. Talk to me about that.
When you've got guys on the edge you can slotting
into the center position, you've got guys playing prop, and
then they're at the back at lock. This also, of
course the fullbacks, the wings, they all chop around as well.
Where does that come from, Michael.
Speaker 6 (08:45):
Well, I guess it's just I guess you know the
guys that.
Speaker 3 (08:48):
Are missing out.
Speaker 6 (08:48):
That shows the strength of the squad. But there's no
doubt that's part of your coaching. That's part of a
preseason where guys have been tried at different positions and
the coaches know that if, yeah, things injuries come, which
they always do. It certainly takes a squad to win
win a competition, and yeah, there's no doubt that the
coaching stuff tried players in different positions and then they're
(09:10):
easy to slot them in when needed.
Speaker 3 (09:11):
Would you look at the defensive roles of the side
and this fascinates me to myself. Not on the greatest
league mind in the world, but the trust on your
inside and outside is huge in the side right now.
It's hard to break that line unless they go to
sleep temporarily.
Speaker 6 (09:28):
Yeah, well, I think that's been something I guess over
the years. The worry has always been out of school
points and they can still do that now. But here
the defensive side of the game is so important in
the moment and the boys again, it's just about working hard,
continuing to turn up for each other, and I think
that goes back to what you do off the field
as well. There's no doubt there are a good bunch
of mates and.
Speaker 3 (09:48):
They're prepared to work hard for each other.
Speaker 6 (09:50):
There's guys there that are playing out of their skin,
and you just don't do that if you're not happy.
Speaker 3 (09:55):
Lost a couple of players this weekend. No Forsher Harris
after that last minute infringement, which I'm sure drove everybody,
and that's no point in fighting it because you go
down such just one week, and of course Bonnett, who's
been extraordinary, this inspirational, he's off to Origin Land really
deserve But how much of the loss of those two
guys do you think up front with not only the
(10:16):
strength and their ability, but with their leadership.
Speaker 6 (10:19):
Yeah, we're definitely gonna need some other guys to put
their hand up this week because those two men, Fishing
and Barnett have been leading from the front. I think
they're probably the one of the best front rows in
the camp and that's why we're at the top. So
some boys will have to put their hand up, but
there's no doubt. I'm sure someone will do that.
Speaker 8 (10:37):
And yeah, it'll be a tough game came into Raiders.
I think they'll miss one player. I think the back
rowers playing Origin. But yeah, missing the two big boys
will be hard to feel. But you know, next man
up policy.
Speaker 3 (10:49):
What's the trick with Ricky Stuart And as boys now come,
they've suddenly turned it on, do you know what.
Speaker 8 (10:55):
I think.
Speaker 6 (10:55):
I've had a few discussions because the half back there
is an old Burly Bears player, so I've had a
few chatting him about it, and he just tells me
he really cares about his players, and I think he
can see that. You can see how he gets the
he gets the shits. He he kicks the chairs and
he's very you know, he's very invested. But he does
things for the players that you know, go unnoticed. I
(11:16):
know he looks after the gig. He just just does things.
He just really cares and then that makes players want
to play for him. And when that happens, it's a
winning culture.
Speaker 2 (11:24):
The Chamber is now in session.
Speaker 3 (11:26):
On Sports Fix and if more Welcome to the Chamber
to Alex Powell. He's a sports journalist from the New
Zealand Herald. Always good to have you on, Alex. I
trust you well all good mate, you yeah good. Ricky
ric Ittelli off to France. We don't know exactly what
club it is yet because I'm sure it's all under wraps.
The various contract that a thirty years old. Interesting time
(11:49):
for a guy to leave. He's always been there or
there abouts. In All Black conversation, what do you think's Tipton?
Speaker 7 (11:56):
I mean, I think missing out last year it's probably
what Tipton. The All Blacks had, the what they had,
the injury crisis with Sammersony tucky I not playing a minute,
and they picked George Bell. You know, obviously there's talk
of Razor being the coach, and he'spect the guy he
knows from the Crusaders, a guy he sees time for
the future. And but then to just overlook Ricchelli. Smory
didn't get in the All Backs fifteen either, you know,
(12:16):
so I've been close.
Speaker 3 (12:18):
He was an under twenty player back in the day.
I mean, he's always been kind of touching that, but
never quite the next step.
Speaker 7 (12:23):
And he came into the side onto the squad rather
under Steve Anson when they went over to Australia. You know,
so he's been close.
Speaker 3 (12:30):
I'm actually quite sad.
Speaker 7 (12:31):
I really like Ricy Ricktell. He's a he's a bloody
your player for that level and he's a really good dale.
Speaker 3 (12:37):
Could he make that step though?
Speaker 7 (12:39):
He was like because of how well stopped New Zealanders
in the front row. At the moment, I don't see
him ever being a starting All Black the way things
are now. But the James Parsons kind of role, No,
I think he's better than James Parsons is the thing.
Even though James Parson was in the All Blacks, but
there's just no room for him. And that's I mean,
in a way it's really good for the all becks
that quality players like Riccitell he can miss out. But
(13:01):
sad for the guy because you come through as a
player in New Zealands, do your time. You talk of
the pyramid structure and everything always has another step and
he just wasn't able to get that last, you know,
the top step of the podium. But in saying that,
going to France, he's gonna have a bloody good life.
He'll go. I mean, we don't know what club is
going to match. He's gonna make a fair amount of
coin playing a really good league. Let's not forget the
top fourteen probably is the best combination of the world
(13:23):
right now. He's gonna have mates. Evinre have Harry Plumber
who's of course gone a clement.
Speaker 3 (13:29):
And his partner is tennis player, wants to play over
in Europe as well, so she's got that. And at
thirty he's in a great position and he could get
considering the way they love Ford play and he's quite nimble.
He played very well this year. He's got a chance
to maybe play five six years over there, maybe over
(13:49):
in England. He can experience life outside of not outside
of rage, but outside of his ZLD, something he hasn't
done before. I think it's a brave decision, but it's
a very good decision. He should be applayed right absolutely.
Speaker 7 (14:02):
I think we do tend to look at things through
the lens of the all blacks, and if you're not
an all black, then you're not really anything. But let's
not forget there's a professional sport, like if this is
his profession, it's his job to go over and make
as much money as he can while he can, and
if that has to happen in France, then it's fair
play to him.
Speaker 3 (14:17):
I go back to one of my favorite stories effect
a party. You've seen the prop for the Warriors way
back in the day, and he left just as Steve Price,
rib and Wiki were turning up. See mate, what are
you doing? Why are you leaving? Now? These are the
best props in the business. And he just looked at
me and goes, if you knew what I was getting paid,
you wouldn't ask that question, gotcha? And that's it. How
long has he got left? He might as well make
(14:37):
hay while the sun shines and make the hay Over
in France. Beautiful Formula one Monaco the place you can't pass.
Not too dissimilar to Imla the place you can't pass,
but it is. It is the jewel and the crown
of Formula one. Change it aibit. Change it up this
time around, which is necessary.
Speaker 7 (14:58):
Changed it a web, but I don't know how much
it going do. So basically you're gonna have to do
all the drivers are going to have to do a
second pit stop now. So normally you the rules of
Formula one are you have to do a race on
at least two tire compounds, which means you have to
put stop at least once. You can do as many
as you need, but to make it mandatory they have
to do two stops. Will change things slightly, I hope,
but we saw them. Although when they changed the tires
and when they moved it so the softest tires possible
(15:21):
were the ones used over the course of the race weekend.
But it just made pet stopping so strategic, and it's like.
Speaker 3 (15:26):
Well, well, it makes some more drama in the pert lane.
Someone's bound to drive into the side of someone else.
They don't kind of really understand, do That's not what
they have indicators, but the guys just drive out. Oh dear,
oh dear.
Speaker 7 (15:37):
Yeah, I don't know if the work it does like
I'm skeptical. I want it to be, you know, a change,
because we've seen it so many years now in Monaco
that you basically went it on the Saturday.
Speaker 3 (15:46):
Qualify it. But they can't widen the streets in and
then just narrow the cars and they're getting narrow next
to you, but nothing near as narrow as they should
be to pass at Monaco. If they dare get rid
of it off the calendar.
Speaker 7 (15:58):
No, of course they won't. There's too much money in it.
Speaker 3 (16:00):
You know, what do you do?
Speaker 7 (16:01):
It can make it a running race or something around Pidelades.
Speaker 3 (16:04):
Both takes Liam Lawson might have a chance. They're just
just real quick down there were fans of Liam Lawson.
Has been a very very hard watch. He's got to
the end of the year or is there a lot
less I've seen your columns in the Herald about this,
the expectations. Yes, he's tailored some of his own demise,
not that he's gone yet, but he's had awful bad luck.
Speaker 7 (16:27):
Yeah, there are so many things that he's just not
out of control over like getting two red flags when
you need to set a qualifying lap.
Speaker 3 (16:32):
You know, that's that's crap.
Speaker 7 (16:34):
Getting it where his battery loses power in Miami, you
know that's that's not on him getting it in Bahrain
where his DRS breaks and he loses milliseconds on the
straight and that's what cost him out. You know, Like
you just feel for the way. You can hear it
when he speaks at the moment that he is just
desperate for something to go his way, and then that's
cut off by the fact his teammates absolutely flying at
the moment and it just doesn't look good. Like so
(16:56):
much of the narrative is how poor is laws and
was like, no, how good is Haja?
Speaker 3 (17:00):
Like that's really well he talked about this. He's got
were not world champion, it's close. He's got some pace there, guy,
he really does. And you mentioned before we're talking three
way race now for that second Red Bull seat next year.
Speaker 7 (17:13):
I don't know if it will be three way because
I mean, I at the moment, I think it's Hajar
or Bust. I don't think Sonoda's going to stay, and
I don't think Lawson is currently doing enough. I mean,
the great thing with F one is recency biased, and
we know the end of the season when you get
tracks like Austin, you get tracks like Brazil, you get
the Middle Eastern tracks like Katara, and those are tracks
where Liam Lawson has actually done really well on. So
(17:36):
if he does the last four or five races and
absolutely drives it like he stole it, then I don't
think there's any reason why he can't get back into
the conversation. But he just needs something to start going
his way.
Speaker 3 (17:46):
Let's move on to another sport. If you will, look,
if Gallon and Sonny Bill Williams we're doing the face
slap competition or the run it's straight, I'll probably be
more interested. Is this relevant this fight or not?
Speaker 7 (18:01):
What year is it? It feels like we've been talking
about this for so long now, Gallon VSBW, Where are
you on it?
Speaker 3 (18:09):
Are they going to be out there on these Zimmer frames?
I that's horrible. I shouldn't say it. I was never
a fan of Gallon, but I got to talk to
him a couple of times and I found him really
engaging in really interesting Sonny Bill, Yeah, are we bit
of loof? But that's cool. It's not what I think.
It doesn't matter as far as the fighting. You got
to back Gallon for this one, because I'll go back.
(18:30):
I'll go back to Michael Luck back in the day
saying to me about time in the gym for the warriors.
He goes, Oh, mate, you're all me just looking for
beach muscles. None of them is strong. And if you
look at these two guys, Gallon's strong, Sony's got beach muscles?
Is that unfair?
Speaker 7 (18:46):
I don't know, Like you look at the fighters who Paul,
I can't believe we're actually talking about this.
Speaker 3 (18:52):
Do you look it over with you?
Speaker 7 (18:53):
If you look at the fights Gallons has had and
then the people he's fought, it does make for a
bit better reading in terms of like just athletes than
what Sonny Bull has done. Like you see Sonny Bell's
fights a yes to just be against a fat block.
Gallon's fighting goes so at least look good. Like I'm
not gonna refess to be some sort of boxing expert,
but I mean, you got to get behind Sunny Bell
for this.
Speaker 3 (19:12):
Surely, Oh, I'll support him. I think Alon you'll probably win,
and I think I definitely won't buy it. And that
is how we end the chamber. Alex Pearl, thanks for
your time, Thanks.
Speaker 7 (19:22):
Having me much.
Speaker 2 (19:23):
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(20:14):
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Speaker 2 (00:17):
This is Sportsfix Howard by News Talks.
Speaker 3 (00:20):
It'd be welcome to Tuesday's edition of the Sports Fix.
You're a home of all your bite sized sport wonderment
you need on an afternoon evening. Today it is Tuesday,
it is the twentieth of May twenty twenty five. One
of is Darcy Watergrovee. And coming up in this edition,
we're going to catch up with our mate Michael Witch
(00:41):
from the Warriors. Yeah, him of the black and gray
hooped shirt that gave us all heart attacks back in
two thousand and eight when he didn't put the ball
down against the storm what he did eventually. Anyway, we'll
talk to him about the resurgence of the Warriors. I'll
be joined in the chamber by Alex Powell as we
(01:02):
look at some of the big sports stories of the day,
and I've got some opinions like everybody else on the
planet has around the title that is Ardi Sadvia. This
is all brought to you in association with the fine
folk that JJ Gardner Holmes, New Zealand's most trusted home builder.
Now that's done, let's do.
Speaker 1 (01:22):
It in other news.
Speaker 3 (01:25):
Let's splotter some sport now with a couple of athletes
spitting sport. Will start off with Sam Darry He's on
the comeback r not now, but during the NPC, the
broken down Blues locks is. He's keen to climb into
the frey again this time. The Canterbury in the NPC
in round one in early August.
Speaker 4 (01:46):
Came in the all clear to start lifting weights, kind
of bench press abovehead press and all that kind of things,
resting to a few skills and then kind of mapped
out a wee bit more what the next kind of
two months looked like.
Speaker 3 (01:57):
And in the A and Z Premiership, the Southern Steel
has unleashed hell on the Magic. Sixty nine forty one
was the body count. It's the first time since twenty
two the Southerners have beaten the Northern. Massive is Malcolm Jordan.
Speaker 5 (02:14):
There's the hold up the end of the game. It's
a thracing for the home team. The Magic have been
dealt to in Hamilton tonight. The Steel have won it
by twenty eight goals.
Speaker 3 (02:29):
All back alleging that Sir Wayne Bucket Shelford has taken
his hat off to beast mode. Savia, the Nina Pacifaker Talisman,
has picked up the Super Rugby Pacific Player of the
Year two rounds before the regular season is due to
shut its doors. Already boss the Blues with a monstrous
effort over the weekend, some hailing it as the best
(02:51):
individual performance in Super Rugby history. AB's captain c Awaits when.
Speaker 6 (02:58):
He actually made the orblect a few years ago, I
thought to myself that he's probably going to be the
captain of the future.
Speaker 7 (03:04):
I just raised and wrote in the Giggill.
Speaker 3 (03:06):
There's some sports stars, former and current spluttering and spitting
some sport here on the Fix.
Speaker 2 (03:12):
You scan. It's Sportsfix with Darcy valde Greve.
Speaker 3 (03:18):
There's an old and tired saying in sport that is
still relevant. It just needs to be revved up a bit.
The saying is he's been knocking on the door for
some time now. Ardie Savia is not knocking on the door.
It's not even a half in a puff to try
and blow the house. And he's simply smashed the door
(03:39):
off its hinges and he's standing in the living room
with all of the menace he can possess in the
living room of the All Blacks house is one Scott
Razor Robinson. Ardi is not demanding the captaincy, but his
actions are. If you followed Super Rugby Pacific this year
and you haven't noticed Ardie Savia, you've not been paying
(04:01):
enough attention. He's picked up the Super Rugby Player of
the season gone and the regular season still well hasn't
even finished. You want a cherry on the top, that's
probably it. But what he did last weeke in against
the Blues beggars belief. What an astonishing performance. The commentators
were absolutely breathless. The column writers have run out of
(04:25):
superlatives to describe this guy. What he does on the
park and what he does, possibly more importantly, off the
park and in the sheds. He's a talisman, He's a superhero.
He's a demi god to that side, although I expect
you wouldn't like me describing him as that. Ardie Savilla
has been the go to rock star. But Ardie Savia
(04:48):
has enabled a number of other players to stand up
and be counted. You look at the likes of Tamoi
Philaur like miracle, Filangi l LaMelo Lallomi, like Slack, like Palagrini,
like his brother Jules, all playing out of their skin,
and I haven't covered them all off. The power that
this man possesses, the inspirational ability that this man has,
(05:12):
the skills about to draw a team together under one
mantra has been superb. Whether this means he becomes the
All Black captain, I don't know whether it's a captain
or a leader within the team. It's irrelevant. We are
being treated to an absolute freak show by Ardie Savia
(05:34):
long Mayte.
Speaker 2 (05:34):
Last dissecting the sporting agenda. It's Sportsfex with Darcy Waldgrave.
Speaker 3 (05:41):
And it's a big hello now to former warrior from
back in the helcyon days of the Gray and Black
Hooped Jumper. His name is Michael Witt. Michael, great to
have you on board.
Speaker 6 (05:53):
Mate, very well.
Speaker 3 (05:56):
Hey, great to catch up with you again. It's been
too long and really good to talk about the wars
in the ascendency, like when you used to play for
them back in two thousand and what two thousand and seven,
two thousand and eight, two thousand year there.
Speaker 6 (06:09):
Yeah, it seems like a different lifetime sometimes and then
sometimes it feels like it was just yesterday, but it's
certainly some great memories and love seeing the Wars at
the top of the tablement very exciting.
Speaker 3 (06:19):
Well, you're selling second hand houses now, which is a
fine thing to do. You've been doing quite some time.
But you're still engage with the game, aren't You still
got some connections with the club and connections with rugby
league in Australia.
Speaker 6 (06:31):
Yeah, I have some connections at the Warriors. I played
with Webby. I played with coach Webby way back in
Parramatta days on. Good mates with Robbo. Robbie used to
live a few doors down from me here on the
gold Coase until I sold his house and then he
moved away a little bit. But good mate with Robbo,
so definitely, yeah, I want to stay in contact with
(06:52):
those guys, and yeah, I love the Warriors and my team.
Speaker 3 (06:55):
You gave tine to Picky and Nudge too, didn't you
see a gun play for the Wires. Yeah.
Speaker 6 (07:00):
So I do a little bit of coaching here at
the Billy Bears. Picky I'd coached him for two years
and was really impressed by him and that I've never
ever done before. And to be honest, I haven't done since,
but I reached out to Webby just I wanted to say,
give this guy a crack. Webby was very receptive of that,
and so I had a couple of chats and yeah,
(07:21):
it was great to see him head over there, and
I think he's he's been fantastic since he's gone there.
He's just a little bundle of energy. And yeah, I'm
so staked to see him doing well.
Speaker 3 (07:29):
Well, the whole team is doing well, and that's why
we've got you on board. I suppose we'll start with
Webby and what he's done last year was I wouldn't
say a train read, but they lost the close ones.
They couldn't turn them. Completely different story this year, sitting
nearly at the top of the table, massive game against
the Raiders, a bit of revenge as well from round
one coming up on the weekend second place. What have
(07:51):
you noticed? Because they keep stringing together victories regardless of
who they've gone on board or not, it's where does
the success come from?
Speaker 8 (07:59):
With he?
Speaker 6 (08:00):
Yeah, Look, success is contagious, and I think there's a
couple of games there this year that the boys haven't
played their best footy. I think everyone agree with that.
But they're still scratching away with wins. So to me,
that just shows that their effort and energy is second
to none, and they work really hard. I don't think
it's any secret. That's how you win games, just by
working hard, and it seems as though that's what we're
(08:21):
being The coach and staff are preaching there and all
the boys are tearing in the.
Speaker 3 (08:26):
Ability of players to slot in with ever their needed.
That says a lot about coaching. Talk to me about that.
When you've got guys on the edge you can slotting
into the center position, you've got guys playing prop, and
then they're at the back at lock. This also, of
course the fullbacks, the wings, they all chop around as well.
Where does that come from, Michael.
Speaker 6 (08:45):
Well, I guess it's just I guess you know the
guys that.
Speaker 3 (08:48):
Are missing out.
Speaker 6 (08:48):
That shows the strength of the squad. But there's no
doubt that's part of your coaching. That's part of a
preseason where guys have been tried at different positions and
the coaches know that if, yeah, things injuries come, which
they always do. It certainly takes a squad to win
win a competition, and yeah, there's no doubt that the
coaching stuff tried players in different positions and then they're
(09:10):
easy to slot them in when needed.
Speaker 3 (09:11):
Would you look at the defensive roles of the side
and this fascinates me to myself. Not on the greatest
league mind in the world, but the trust on your
inside and outside is huge in the side right now.
It's hard to break that line unless they go to
sleep temporarily.
Speaker 6 (09:28):
Yeah, well, I think that's been something I guess over
the years. The worry has always been out of school
points and they can still do that now. But here
the defensive side of the game is so important in
the moment and the boys again, it's just about working hard,
continuing to turn up for each other, and I think
that goes back to what you do off the field
as well. There's no doubt there are a good bunch
of mates and.
Speaker 3 (09:48):
They're prepared to work hard for each other.
Speaker 6 (09:50):
There's guys there that are playing out of their skin,
and you just don't do that if you're not happy.
Speaker 3 (09:55):
Lost a couple of players this weekend. No Forsher Harris
after that last minute infringement, which I'm sure drove everybody,
and that's no point in fighting it because you go
down such just one week, and of course Bonnett, who's
been extraordinary, this inspirational, he's off to Origin Land really
deserve But how much of the loss of those two
guys do you think up front with not only the
(10:16):
strength and their ability, but with their leadership.
Speaker 6 (10:19):
Yeah, we're definitely gonna need some other guys to put
their hand up this week because those two men, Fishing
and Barnett have been leading from the front. I think
they're probably the one of the best front rows in
the camp and that's why we're at the top. So
some boys will have to put their hand up, but
there's no doubt. I'm sure someone will do that.
Speaker 8 (10:37):
And yeah, it'll be a tough game came into Raiders.
I think they'll miss one player. I think the back
rowers playing Origin. But yeah, missing the two big boys
will be hard to feel. But you know, next man
up policy.
Speaker 3 (10:49):
What's the trick with Ricky Stuart And as boys now come,
they've suddenly turned it on, do you know what.
Speaker 8 (10:55):
I think.
Speaker 6 (10:55):
I've had a few discussions because the half back there
is an old Burly Bears player, so I've had a
few chatting him about it, and he just tells me
he really cares about his players, and I think he
can see that. You can see how he gets the
he gets the shits. He he kicks the chairs and
he's very you know, he's very invested. But he does
things for the players that you know, go unnoticed. I
(11:16):
know he looks after the gig. He just just does things.
He just really cares and then that makes players want
to play for him. And when that happens, it's a
winning culture.
Speaker 2 (11:24):
The Chamber is now in session.
Speaker 3 (11:26):
On Sports Fix and if more Welcome to the Chamber
to Alex Powell. He's a sports journalist from the New
Zealand Herald. Always good to have you on, Alex. I
trust you well all good mate, you yeah good. Ricky
ric Ittelli off to France. We don't know exactly what
club it is yet because I'm sure it's all under wraps.
The various contract that a thirty years old. Interesting time
(11:49):
for a guy to leave. He's always been there or
there abouts. In All Black conversation, what do you think's Tipton?
Speaker 7 (11:56):
I mean, I think missing out last year it's probably
what Tipton. The All Blacks had, the what they had,
the injury crisis with Sammersony tucky I not playing a minute,
and they picked George Bell. You know, obviously there's talk
of Razor being the coach, and he'spect the guy he
knows from the Crusaders, a guy he sees time for
the future. And but then to just overlook Ricchelli. Smory
didn't get in the All Backs fifteen either, you know,
(12:16):
so I've been close.
Speaker 3 (12:18):
He was an under twenty player back in the day.
I mean, he's always been kind of touching that, but
never quite the next step.
Speaker 7 (12:23):
And he came into the side onto the squad rather
under Steve Anson when they went over to Australia. You know,
so he's been close.
Speaker 3 (12:30):
I'm actually quite sad.
Speaker 7 (12:31):
I really like Ricy Ricktell. He's a he's a bloody
your player for that level and he's a really good dale.
Speaker 3 (12:37):
Could he make that step though?
Speaker 7 (12:39):
He was like because of how well stopped New Zealanders
in the front row. At the moment, I don't see
him ever being a starting All Black the way things
are now. But the James Parsons kind of role, No,
I think he's better than James Parsons is the thing.
Even though James Parson was in the All Blacks, but
there's just no room for him. And that's I mean,
in a way it's really good for the all becks
that quality players like Riccitell he can miss out. But
(13:01):
sad for the guy because you come through as a
player in New Zealands, do your time. You talk of
the pyramid structure and everything always has another step and
he just wasn't able to get that last, you know,
the top step of the podium. But in saying that,
going to France, he's gonna have a bloody good life.
He'll go. I mean, we don't know what club is
going to match. He's gonna make a fair amount of
coin playing a really good league. Let's not forget the
top fourteen probably is the best combination of the world
(13:23):
right now. He's gonna have mates. Evinre have Harry Plumber
who's of course gone a clement.
Speaker 3 (13:29):
And his partner is tennis player, wants to play over
in Europe as well, so she's got that. And at
thirty he's in a great position and he could get
considering the way they love Ford play and he's quite nimble.
He played very well this year. He's got a chance
to maybe play five six years over there, maybe over
(13:49):
in England. He can experience life outside of not outside
of rage, but outside of his ZLD, something he hasn't
done before. I think it's a brave decision, but it's
a very good decision. He should be applayed right absolutely.
Speaker 7 (14:02):
I think we do tend to look at things through
the lens of the all blacks, and if you're not
an all black, then you're not really anything. But let's
not forget there's a professional sport, like if this is
his profession, it's his job to go over and make
as much money as he can while he can, and
if that has to happen in France, then it's fair
play to him.
Speaker 3 (14:17):
I go back to one of my favorite stories effect
a party. You've seen the prop for the Warriors way
back in the day, and he left just as Steve Price,
rib and Wiki were turning up. See mate, what are
you doing? Why are you leaving? Now? These are the
best props in the business. And he just looked at
me and goes, if you knew what I was getting paid,
you wouldn't ask that question, gotcha? And that's it. How
long has he got left? He might as well make
(14:37):
hay while the sun shines and make the hay Over
in France. Beautiful Formula one Monaco the place you can't pass.
Not too dissimilar to Imla the place you can't pass,
but it is. It is the jewel and the crown
of Formula one. Change it aibit. Change it up this
time around, which is necessary.
Speaker 7 (14:58):
Changed it a web, but I don't know how much
it going do. So basically you're gonna have to do
all the drivers are going to have to do a
second pit stop now. So normally you the rules of
Formula one are you have to do a race on
at least two tire compounds, which means you have to
put stop at least once. You can do as many
as you need, but to make it mandatory they have
to do two stops. Will change things slightly, I hope,
but we saw them. Although when they changed the tires
and when they moved it so the softest tires possible
(15:21):
were the ones used over the course of the race weekend.
But it just made pet stopping so strategic, and it's like.
Speaker 3 (15:26):
Well, well, it makes some more drama in the pert lane.
Someone's bound to drive into the side of someone else.
They don't kind of really understand, do That's not what
they have indicators, but the guys just drive out. Oh dear,
oh dear.
Speaker 7 (15:37):
Yeah, I don't know if the work it does like
I'm skeptical. I want it to be, you know, a change,
because we've seen it so many years now in Monaco
that you basically went it on the Saturday.
Speaker 3 (15:46):
Qualify it. But they can't widen the streets in and
then just narrow the cars and they're getting narrow next
to you, but nothing near as narrow as they should
be to pass at Monaco. If they dare get rid
of it off the calendar.
Speaker 7 (15:58):
No, of course they won't. There's too much money in it.
Speaker 3 (16:00):
You know, what do you do?
Speaker 7 (16:01):
It can make it a running race or something around Pidelades.
Speaker 3 (16:04):
Both takes Liam Lawson might have a chance. They're just
just real quick down there were fans of Liam Lawson.
Has been a very very hard watch. He's got to
the end of the year or is there a lot
less I've seen your columns in the Herald about this,
the expectations. Yes, he's tailored some of his own demise,
not that he's gone yet, but he's had awful bad luck.
Speaker 7 (16:27):
Yeah, there are so many things that he's just not
out of control over like getting two red flags when
you need to set a qualifying lap.
Speaker 3 (16:32):
You know, that's that's crap.
Speaker 7 (16:34):
Getting it where his battery loses power in Miami, you
know that's that's not on him getting it in Bahrain
where his DRS breaks and he loses milliseconds on the
straight and that's what cost him out. You know, Like
you just feel for the way. You can hear it
when he speaks at the moment that he is just
desperate for something to go his way, and then that's
cut off by the fact his teammates absolutely flying at
the moment and it just doesn't look good. Like so
(16:56):
much of the narrative is how poor is laws and
was like, no, how good is Haja?
Speaker 3 (17:00):
Like that's really well he talked about this. He's got
were not world champion, it's close. He's got some pace there, guy,
he really does. And you mentioned before we're talking three
way race now for that second Red Bull seat next year.
Speaker 7 (17:13):
I don't know if it will be three way because
I mean, I at the moment, I think it's Hajar
or Bust. I don't think Sonoda's going to stay, and
I don't think Lawson is currently doing enough. I mean,
the great thing with F one is recency biased, and
we know the end of the season when you get
tracks like Austin, you get tracks like Brazil, you get
the Middle Eastern tracks like Katara, and those are tracks
where Liam Lawson has actually done really well on. So
(17:36):
if he does the last four or five races and
absolutely drives it like he stole it, then I don't
think there's any reason why he can't get back into
the conversation. But he just needs something to start going
his way.
Speaker 3 (17:46):
Let's move on to another sport. If you will, look,
if Gallon and Sonny Bill Williams we're doing the face
slap competition or the run it's straight, I'll probably be
more interested. Is this relevant this fight or not?
Speaker 7 (18:01):
What year is it? It feels like we've been talking
about this for so long now, Gallon VSBW, Where are
you on it?
Speaker 3 (18:09):
Are they going to be out there on these Zimmer frames?
I that's horrible. I shouldn't say it. I was never
a fan of Gallon, but I got to talk to
him a couple of times and I found him really
engaging in really interesting Sonny Bill, Yeah, are we bit
of loof? But that's cool. It's not what I think.
It doesn't matter as far as the fighting. You got
to back Gallon for this one, because I'll go back.
(18:30):
I'll go back to Michael Luck back in the day
saying to me about time in the gym for the warriors.
He goes, Oh, mate, you're all me just looking for
beach muscles. None of them is strong. And if you
look at these two guys, Gallon's strong, Sony's got beach muscles?
Is that unfair?
Speaker 7 (18:46):
I don't know, Like you look at the fighters who Paul,
I can't believe we're actually talking about this.
Speaker 3 (18:52):
Do you look it over with you?
Speaker 7 (18:53):
If you look at the fights Gallons has had and
then the people he's fought, it does make for a
bit better reading in terms of like just athletes than
what Sonny Bull has done. Like you see Sonny Bell's
fights a yes to just be against a fat block.
Gallon's fighting goes so at least look good. Like I'm
not gonna refess to be some sort of boxing expert,
but I mean, you got to get behind Sunny Bell
for this.
Speaker 3 (19:12):
Surely, Oh, I'll support him. I think Alon you'll probably win,
and I think I definitely won't buy it. And that
is how we end the chamber. Alex Pearl, thanks for
your time, Thanks.
Speaker 7 (19:22):
Having me much.
Speaker 2 (19:23):
This is Sportsfix, your daily dose of sports news powered
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Speaker 3 (19:31):
Sign sealed and delivered. That's the Sports Fix podcast for
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(19:52):
news Talks AIRB on Monday evening seven to eight pm.
I've got a Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and then on
Saturday it is Weeke in Sport with Jason Pine between
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of those platforms. Hey, thanks very much, GJ. Gardner Holmes
(20:14):
for your continued support. You are the most trusted home
builder and you're a very good colleague here on the
Sports Fix on News Talk z B.
Speaker 1 (20:25):
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