May 21, 2025 • 19 mins
On Sports Fix with D'Arcy Waldegrave for Wednesday 21st May 2025 - Braydon Ennor is settling back into pro rugby. The Crusader and former All Black midfielder (and he could be back in black) talks of two injury-plagued years and his journey back the game he used to love.
D’Arcy gets on the soap box about the proliferation of Darwin Award sports. All manner of violence for money. Is it really that bad? Dumb and dumber right? You can’t protect people from themselves, so why bother?
In the Chamber is Elliott Smith, ZB rugby editor and commentator, picking through the Super Rugby Pacific referee confessional - and is it OK that another Moana Pasifika player is leaving, as we understand?
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:09):
You're listening to a podcast from News Talks EDB. Follow
this and our wide range of podcasts now on iHeartRadio.
This is Sportsfix Howard By.
Speaker 2 (00:19):
News Talks It be Welcome on into the Fixed podcast.
Here we go again. My name is Darcy Waldgrave. This
is your podcast for all of the short shout shots
of sport that you need of an afternoon. Coming up
on today's podcast today, of course, being Wednesday to twenty
first of May twenty twenty five, We're going to talk
a bit of Crusaders Rugby. Braden Enor joins us. He's
(00:41):
been back a couple of weeks. How much fun is
he having joining us? And the chamber is Elliott Smith,
mister Rugby here at News Talk ZB as we take
a wee look at some rugby stories floating around, including
referee decision that went wrong and what now for Kyron?
And I've got some opinions around Dan Hooker and his
(01:04):
latest venture, yet another game, if you will, based on
collision sport, based on combat sport that kind of is
or isn't sport. That's all to come here on a
Sports Fixed podcast. Thanks so much as always to DJ
Gardner Holmes New Zealand's most trusted home builder for coming
(01:25):
to the party with us. Do you guys have a
wonderful podcast and let's do it? In other news, on
some verbals, here are some loose lips sinking sports. Karen Tomorrow,
follow the winger allegedly fleeing from Mowana Pasofiga to join
(01:46):
up with the Jeeves, reflected on his hat trick, historyonics
and the win over the Blues over the weekend. He
focused on that by telling the world how good Artie
Savia is smart move.
Speaker 3 (01:59):
If you do leave the different chasers and stuff that
you don't want to see for the loose sport. But yeah,
I think as a leader was really playing the world
right now.
Speaker 2 (02:11):
Novak Djokovic is still threatening to continue his merry rop
through the tennis. Graham slams the sting to be thirty
eight year olders, pointing to the red clay of Paris
as he tries to recover from his recent first round
knockout clay court skids. That's why I'm here, That's why
I'm playing Geneva Tournament because I'm trying to do well.
Speaker 1 (02:34):
I'm trying to win more trophies. I'm trying to build
my form for Roland Garris.
Speaker 2 (02:39):
And former war and now Bronco Reecee Walsh has proved
again that A is very young and B he hasn't
learned much about life in this spotlight as an n
r L superstar having a life with my mate. Obviously
you know we don't support violence and stuff like that,
but yeah, this is not a good good look for
(03:02):
myself and or other your Tommy friends. If you're going
to goof off, mate, don't stick it on social what
power slap? Run it straight? I shouldn't say that. And
there are some gum flapping sports stars for your entertainment
news and Adian.
Speaker 1 (03:18):
It's Sportsfix with Dancy Valdegrave.
Speaker 2 (03:23):
There's a cracking film from back in the day which
I'm sure you're familiar with. It's called Dumb and Dumber.
It's a quote first, it's laugh a minute stuff. That's
five slapping cinema. I'm a massive fan. And now we've
got dumb and dumber in the so called sporting circle.
You've seen power slap, two full grown men or woman
(03:46):
slapping each other in the face, undefended. Dumb and Dumber,
you've got run it straight. We're too massive or maybe
not so massive. Individuals accelerate at each other flat out
to see who comes off second best, dumb and dumber.
Here's the latest one. This has been put together by
(04:07):
Dan Hooker of you UFC fame, and it's being supported
by israel A Dussna, who's world famous for the UFC.
It's been called straight out thuggery, but there's a lot
of money on the line and people are free to
make that choice. The tournament is called King of the
Streets and the president of New Zealand's Boxing Coaches Association
(04:31):
thinks it's a bad idea. They're basically fighting each other
in an attempt to win fifty thousand dollars. He calls
it straight out thuggery. Look, something I wouldn't indulge in.
Given half a chance, I'd race a motor car, and
the way I drive, I've got just a bigger chance
of doing some serious damage to myself. If I went mountaineering,
(04:53):
good chance I'd fall off the side of a hill.
There are a number of other exploit sports pastimes, leaders
of time, activities that we indulge in that could end
up causing us untold injury, but we do it anyway. Look,
the chances of getting hurt, and these ones are greatly increased.
But the thing here is we can't tell people what
(05:14):
to do. The only people who are getting hurt by
this are them. You make that choice for money, you're
more than welcome. What about ACC, I hear you scream. Well,
ACC covers for all manner of idiocy in the New
Zealand public. Everything you could imagine Kiwis do and Kiwis
(05:34):
get covered for. Look, it's not ideal. I'm sure we'd
rather this didn't happen, but it is a free country.
People have freedom of choice. I just think they should
change the name. Instead of King of the Streets or
power Slab or run it straight, they should just call
it live and free. It's the Darwin Awards. I think
(05:56):
they may have been.
Speaker 1 (05:57):
Taken dissecting the sporting agenda. It's Sportsfix with Darcy Waldgrave.
Speaker 2 (06:04):
And it's a hearty welcome now to the Sports Fixed podcast.
To Midfield from the Crusaders formally from the All Blacks.
Braiden and good a Braiden, Good evening, Braiden. Today you're going,
I'm very well, what about yourself? You guys still pulsing
and bumping after what happened last week against the Waratars.
That was convincing. They say the score cut actually flattered
(06:25):
the Warratars in the end because maybe took your foot
off the pedal a wee bit. But all around, a
lot to like about that.
Speaker 3 (06:31):
Yeah, it's good, good running rugby. Probably. I think we
did pretty well with the heavy, heavier track, but like
you said that for the last twenty months we could
clean up a bit more and really put them away.
Speaker 2 (06:41):
What aspect of that do you think is that I've
been identified by Rob Penny any particular area that is
more concerned about than the others.
Speaker 3 (06:49):
Oh, discipline. The back half of the game has always
been last couple of weeks been trending has been been
pretty poor. So obviously cleaning that up, and we felt
pretty confident defending in their half. So just getting the
ball down there and making them, making them attack out
of their half, tough to score tries from their long
so making them work for it a bit more.
Speaker 2 (07:10):
Just taking some territory off with the boot and stick
them down in the corner and say good luck. Yeah, exactly.
The discipline areas is this fatigue based? What causes that,
what triggers that? For things to fall away in the
last twenty odd Yeah.
Speaker 3 (07:25):
I think the main one we're getting done for is
not rolling away. So that's just the detail and and
our tackle tackler second tackler coming into the double shoulder.
First off, you want to be dominant, you're landing on top,
get up and move through. But when you sort of
miss that hit, you end up behind the ball and
you're having to roll away. So just that quick change
of mindset if you haven't won the hit, then those
(07:47):
quick urgent movements to get get up and out of
there for the nine gets there and milks it.
Speaker 2 (07:52):
And yeah, you don't want in the opposition kind of
leaning all over you because they're not going to do
that anyway, are they because they'll get pained too, So
you kind of have to be quite instant, doesn't it. Which,
let's face it, Brad has helped the game extraordinarily. It's
got so much more rhythm and flow.
Speaker 3 (08:05):
Now, Yeah, exactly all and play as much higher and
hopefully it's a lot more exciting for those watching at home.
Speaker 2 (08:11):
I'm excited and loving what's going on in the back
line with the Crusaders. How comfortable are you in there? Brain?
Because mate, You've had a dog of a time over
the last couple of years, but you're back and you're playing.
It looks like there's care free as you've ever been.
Speaker 3 (08:23):
Yeah. I guess having a bit of time off the
park or I have in the last couple of years
sort of gives you time to think and just sort
of almost help me find that love of the game again,
coming back in and just enjoying every moment while playing
with this team and poison insight and out of me.
So yeah, looking forward to it getting some more minutes
and apart as far.
Speaker 2 (08:38):
As falling back in love for the game again, how
much of that was self doubt that you get back
to the self that you know once you've gone through
that injury. Did that smear you were taught it was
that a shadow on you?
Speaker 3 (08:50):
I'm not sure if it's self doubt. Obviously in the
early stages, especially after that knee twenty twenty three, just
for the World Cup, that was where I sort of
sell out of love of the gamer. But obviously pretty disappointing,
terrible time to have it, so you tend to take
a couple of months just to sort of well wallow
and self pity and then then you start to feel
a bit more like yourself when you knee start sitting down,
(09:11):
you start to run again and start building that confidence back.
And I think coming back is just gaining those little
positives every week. You take a little positive out of it,
out of each training, whether it's you had a top
speed again, or you're you're feeling a bit better stepping,
or you're nailing a few more passes and reading the
game a bit better, and you just, yeah, you build
those consecutively throughout throughout your return to when you come
(09:33):
back on the park, you feel rare and you go when.
Speaker 2 (09:35):
I said self doubt more hoping that your body will
hold together and your knee and your limbs have got
the strength. It's kind of doubt in your physicality and
how way you of heal, because that won't go away, surely,
not for a while.
Speaker 3 (09:50):
I think I think I'm pretty good at just leaving
it behind. It's almost like a goldfish memory. You just
it is what it is. On back playing now, get
stuck in, try not to think about it too much,
and because if you start thinking like that, then you're
only going to be scared going in contact, scared going
a full spread and that's just no good for you.
So I hope it looks like I'm coming back with
(10:13):
the whole lot of confidence and because that's what that's
how I feel stone, so really looking forward to it.
Speaker 2 (10:17):
With time out of the game and then coming back again,
have you made any major adjustment around what you do
from an observational point of view? I've been watching for
so long? Is that lifted what you do? The ability
to change with the times?
Speaker 3 (10:32):
I feel like we've been out and watching a lot more.
It's actually helped my sort of vision of the game.
And then watching things unfold and pieds up players all
those sorts of things obviously comes with a bit more
experience as well, but compared to my younger years. But
center these days with Russian defenses can leave but a
backfield space or disjointed attack defense line. So reading all
(10:54):
those sorts of players, and defensively as well, picking off players.
Speaker 2 (10:57):
And Mitchell Drummond he's been around for as long as
Noah one hundred and fifty this weekend? How good?
Speaker 3 (11:05):
Yeah, he's an absolute legend of the Red and Black.
You know, it seems like he's been here as long
as I've been alive. But actually was pretty similar in age.
But yeah, he's I'm looking forward to getting them out
there and I'm playing with them again one hundred and fifties.
There's no easy task. There's only a few few men
and super rugby that have ever hut that milestone, so
(11:25):
really looking forward to it.
Speaker 1 (11:26):
The chamber is now in session on Sports Fix.
Speaker 2 (11:30):
Having the chamber door Elliott Smith. It's our rugby editor
and commentator. What a surprise, he said, lying through his teeth.
Very well, thank you, great to have you, and always
a lot of rugby to talk about. We'll cut up
with a couple of those things. Our first up the
muwea pussy faker winger who can score tries like his
(11:51):
no tomorrow, who might be going to the Chiefs. Now
this is not confirmed yet, but normally Gregor Paul has
got reasonable oil.
Speaker 4 (12:01):
He does and I would suspect it's as good as done.
Not a surprise because it had been mentioned a few
months ago that he had all blacks ambitions with the
way that the rules have changed in recent times in
world rugby, and remembering he's still very very young. He's
only twenty two years old. Played at the twenty three
World Cup for Tonga also a wee wit have sevens
before then, but not a lot of game time for Tonga.
(12:23):
And boy, if you're a nineteen year old, if you
were tapped on the shoulder and said, hey, do you
want to go to a Rugby World Cup, whoever the
country is, if you're eligible, you're probably not saying no.
But he's Mulbra born, he's Mulbile raised, and so I
kind of feel that there are extenuating circumstances here. Yes,
obviously he signed with more on a PACIFICA and you
don't want that franchise to be decimated and used as
(12:46):
basically a prepping ground for other super rugby teams. But
I feel like he is a player that is a
New Zealander and has been New Zealand raised. So wanting
to chase that All Blacks jeuwsey and leave I think
is probably the right thing, and to be honest, it's
probably better than trying to play for Muana while you're
an All Black. So he's going to leave that opportunity
(13:06):
and jersey up to someone else.
Speaker 2 (13:07):
Now. A couple of weeks ago and I was convinced
he's going to go to the Crusaders because it was
Tasman kinnection, which does make sense. But whether you go
to the Crusaders or the Canes or the Chiefs doesn't mean.
Speaker 4 (13:17):
It doesn't The Crusader's got a winger that scored five
tries and he barely get in the twenty three, so
I don't think they need another winger. But look, he
would have had players after sorry, teams after him, because
he's an a quality player has showed as much of the season.
He's been good for Tasman last couple of years in
the UNPC as well, so I think it's probably the
right move for him and looks in a wide and
(13:38):
mo water context. You don't want this to become the norm,
but you look at what they're doing for holistically for
rugby and also giving you know, the likes of Miracle Fire,
lungy opportunities. Who's represented some more continues to represent some more.
I think they've just got to just gonna have to
lump it sometimes when it comes to the sort of thing, well.
Speaker 2 (13:56):
The couple of being packed already, haven't they We've lost
Levia down and then Tape now or of course too,
does that mean well.
Speaker 4 (14:05):
They also want to chase all black ambitions. That makes
perfect it does, yeah, so yeah, I think if they're
leaving the franchise, that opens up the doors for someone
else to come on who he does want to play
for for the Pacific Nations some more. And Tom obviously
Artie Saviga has gone the other way and gone I'm
still going to represent the All Blacks while going in
and taking the number seven jersey and bullying other teams
(14:26):
and having an incredible season. So you know, you can't
have Artie coming in and then get angry when other
players go out. I don't think.
Speaker 2 (14:35):
What was your superlative that you used for ARTI when
you're they were everywhere, It's like, wow, who's got something? Noise?
Speaker 4 (14:42):
What freakish? Wasn't it? And look, we've become used to
seeing him turning performances, but that was as good as
I've seen. The terms are just about dominating a team,
almost single handling. I mean that the nicest possible. We
are the other fourteen players, including the bloke we just
talked about who scored, but it was the Ardie Show
and he turned in and you know, if he can
(15:04):
replicate that form, we know how good he's been an
international level. But boy, he seems to be getting elements
to his game, which is incredible for a player that
is already, you know, right at the top of his
game and one of the best in the world.
Speaker 2 (15:14):
I laughed like a dream And at the end of
the game as I turnover and he stood up with
the ball, Artie Sally go a figure and he's bringing
everybody out else up with him. He could have made
it even better if he had to convince the refereeing
staff to allow the try to stand. They've since come
out Super Rugby Pacific and said, whoops, we blew it.
(15:35):
And you when you watched that, what were your initial reactions?
I thought, well, he's out, but you've gone way too far.
But you can't do that. Do we learn nothing from
the World Cup final? Changed?
Speaker 4 (15:46):
We have changed it around again and so this is
so confusing for fans and they need to make it
a lot more clearer how they can intervene and use
the TMO.
Speaker 2 (15:55):
But the referee doesn't know that says a lot.
Speaker 4 (15:58):
That's right, and it was foot and touch missed by
the touch jarge and Ben o'keef on his side of
the park. And then obviously he was the one saying
later that it was in protocol and they could make
the adjudication based on it, but it felt like of
the four player full referees, including the referee in the
TMO box, it felt like none of them had a
real grasp on the protocol and that is worrying when
(16:19):
you've got four very very good referees who have all
referees at super rugby and above international level. Jordan Way
was on the other touch of memory service right and
he's refereed internationally. So when the game is too complex
for international referees, what are we doing here? And so
it needs to be tidied up. They've changed it again
this year so basically it's two phases for say a
(16:40):
knock on or things like that.
Speaker 5 (16:42):
So you can go back two phases if it's a
side or yes, some things like that, but the start
of the passenger playoff there's say, is an infringement, foul
play penalty things like that, so they've changed it that.
Speaker 4 (16:55):
And because it went in touch to the ball, went
over the other to the Blues again then went back,
that complicated at somewhat and it is probably a very
one off scenario because it shouldn't have been a mistouch
in the first place should have been arm up, so
it was needlessly complicated.
Speaker 2 (17:09):
And when they got the ball again though, and then
Malana pinched the ball off the blues, surely it starts
all over again.
Speaker 4 (17:15):
Oh exactly. Yeah, yeah, that's why I think is but
it just needs it needs to be completely tidied up,
and they've made it more complicated and Nadi so there
was you know one two three is holding up the
three fingers going back three phases. Well that was probably
a hangover from the World Cup Final in twenty twenty
three when obviously they ruled out in all blacks try
that night there. So let's say about that the better.
(17:36):
But it shows that, you know, the beast player in
the world doesn't understand the rules. The referees don't understand
the rules, so what exactly are we doing here with
the TMO.
Speaker 2 (17:44):
I'll give them this though, they've come out and see
year we blew it. We made a mistake. We've got
to get but hopefully that triggers something and the laws
that make it easy because if they don't understand, if
the commentator who does this for a job doesn't understand, problem,
that they've done something. I believe in super Rugby BET's
year the last couple of years, they've actually made it
easier to understand and they've got clear stuff around the breakdown.
(18:07):
They gave flows a lot more than it did. It's
much more respectful in the proofers what we've seen the.
Speaker 4 (18:13):
Last content of the game. It was a cracking game.
I mean, Milana if that try had been allowed, probably
would have got a bonus point and that would have
been big in the context of the season as well.
So yeah, I mean they've made a mistake. That's all
we can ask to put the hand up and said
they've got it wrong. I suppose that's what you can
hope for once you do make a mistake, is that
you own it.
Speaker 2 (18:33):
Shall we waste any time on sunny? Bill Williams and
Paul Gillip I've got to go, Darcy so cool, all right,
thanks very much for joining us in the chamber. Elliott Smith,
catchy again, so and you go, well, yes, this is.
Speaker 1 (18:42):
Sports Fix, your daily does of sports news, how and
by news talks, and.
Speaker 2 (18:49):
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(19:10):
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(19:34):
thanks for joining us and we'll catch you again tomorrow
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Speaker 1 (19:38):
Get in for more from News Talk ZEDB. Listen live
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You're listening to a podcast from News Talks EDB. Follow
this and our wide range of podcasts now on iHeartRadio.
This is Sportsfix Howard By.
Speaker 2 (00:19):
News Talks It be Welcome on into the Fixed podcast.
Here we go again. My name is Darcy Waldgrave. This
is your podcast for all of the short shout shots
of sport that you need of an afternoon. Coming up
on today's podcast today, of course, being Wednesday to twenty
first of May twenty twenty five, We're going to talk
a bit of Crusaders Rugby. Braden Enor joins us. He's
(00:41):
been back a couple of weeks. How much fun is
he having joining us? And the chamber is Elliott Smith,
mister Rugby here at News Talk ZB as we take
a wee look at some rugby stories floating around, including
referee decision that went wrong and what now for Kyron?
And I've got some opinions around Dan Hooker and his
(01:04):
latest venture, yet another game, if you will, based on
collision sport, based on combat sport that kind of is
or isn't sport. That's all to come here on a
Sports Fixed podcast. Thanks so much as always to DJ
Gardner Holmes New Zealand's most trusted home builder for coming
(01:25):
to the party with us. Do you guys have a
wonderful podcast and let's do it? In other news, on
some verbals, here are some loose lips sinking sports. Karen Tomorrow,
follow the winger allegedly fleeing from Mowana Pasofiga to join
(01:46):
up with the Jeeves, reflected on his hat trick, historyonics
and the win over the Blues over the weekend. He
focused on that by telling the world how good Artie
Savia is smart move.
Speaker 3 (01:59):
If you do leave the different chasers and stuff that
you don't want to see for the loose sport. But yeah,
I think as a leader was really playing the world
right now.
Speaker 2 (02:11):
Novak Djokovic is still threatening to continue his merry rop
through the tennis. Graham slams the sting to be thirty
eight year olders, pointing to the red clay of Paris
as he tries to recover from his recent first round
knockout clay court skids. That's why I'm here, That's why
I'm playing Geneva Tournament because I'm trying to do well.
Speaker 1 (02:34):
I'm trying to win more trophies. I'm trying to build
my form for Roland Garris.
Speaker 2 (02:39):
And former war and now Bronco Reecee Walsh has proved
again that A is very young and B he hasn't
learned much about life in this spotlight as an n
r L superstar having a life with my mate. Obviously
you know we don't support violence and stuff like that,
but yeah, this is not a good good look for
(03:02):
myself and or other your Tommy friends. If you're going
to goof off, mate, don't stick it on social what
power slap? Run it straight? I shouldn't say that. And
there are some gum flapping sports stars for your entertainment
news and Adian.
Speaker 1 (03:18):
It's Sportsfix with Dancy Valdegrave.
Speaker 2 (03:23):
There's a cracking film from back in the day which
I'm sure you're familiar with. It's called Dumb and Dumber.
It's a quote first, it's laugh a minute stuff. That's
five slapping cinema. I'm a massive fan. And now we've
got dumb and dumber in the so called sporting circle.
You've seen power slap, two full grown men or woman
(03:46):
slapping each other in the face, undefended. Dumb and Dumber,
you've got run it straight. We're too massive or maybe
not so massive. Individuals accelerate at each other flat out
to see who comes off second best, dumb and dumber.
Here's the latest one. This has been put together by
(04:07):
Dan Hooker of you UFC fame, and it's being supported
by israel A Dussna, who's world famous for the UFC.
It's been called straight out thuggery, but there's a lot
of money on the line and people are free to
make that choice. The tournament is called King of the
Streets and the president of New Zealand's Boxing Coaches Association
(04:31):
thinks it's a bad idea. They're basically fighting each other
in an attempt to win fifty thousand dollars. He calls
it straight out thuggery. Look, something I wouldn't indulge in.
Given half a chance, I'd race a motor car, and
the way I drive, I've got just a bigger chance
of doing some serious damage to myself. If I went mountaineering,
(04:53):
good chance I'd fall off the side of a hill.
There are a number of other exploit sports pastimes, leaders
of time, activities that we indulge in that could end
up causing us untold injury, but we do it anyway. Look,
the chances of getting hurt, and these ones are greatly increased.
But the thing here is we can't tell people what
(05:14):
to do. The only people who are getting hurt by
this are them. You make that choice for money, you're
more than welcome. What about ACC, I hear you scream. Well,
ACC covers for all manner of idiocy in the New
Zealand public. Everything you could imagine Kiwis do and Kiwis
(05:34):
get covered for. Look, it's not ideal. I'm sure we'd
rather this didn't happen, but it is a free country.
People have freedom of choice. I just think they should
change the name. Instead of King of the Streets or
power Slab or run it straight, they should just call
it live and free. It's the Darwin Awards. I think
(05:56):
they may have been.
Speaker 1 (05:57):
Taken dissecting the sporting agenda. It's Sportsfix with Darcy Waldgrave.
Speaker 2 (06:04):
And it's a hearty welcome now to the Sports Fixed podcast.
To Midfield from the Crusaders formally from the All Blacks.
Braiden and good a Braiden, Good evening, Braiden. Today you're going,
I'm very well, what about yourself? You guys still pulsing
and bumping after what happened last week against the Waratars.
That was convincing. They say the score cut actually flattered
(06:25):
the Warratars in the end because maybe took your foot
off the pedal a wee bit. But all around, a
lot to like about that.
Speaker 3 (06:31):
Yeah, it's good, good running rugby. Probably. I think we
did pretty well with the heavy, heavier track, but like
you said that for the last twenty months we could
clean up a bit more and really put them away.
Speaker 2 (06:41):
What aspect of that do you think is that I've
been identified by Rob Penny any particular area that is
more concerned about than the others.
Speaker 3 (06:49):
Oh, discipline. The back half of the game has always
been last couple of weeks been trending has been been
pretty poor. So obviously cleaning that up, and we felt
pretty confident defending in their half. So just getting the
ball down there and making them, making them attack out
of their half, tough to score tries from their long
so making them work for it a bit more.
Speaker 2 (07:10):
Just taking some territory off with the boot and stick
them down in the corner and say good luck. Yeah, exactly.
The discipline areas is this fatigue based? What causes that,
what triggers that? For things to fall away in the
last twenty odd Yeah.
Speaker 3 (07:25):
I think the main one we're getting done for is
not rolling away. So that's just the detail and and
our tackle tackler second tackler coming into the double shoulder.
First off, you want to be dominant, you're landing on top,
get up and move through. But when you sort of
miss that hit, you end up behind the ball and
you're having to roll away. So just that quick change
of mindset if you haven't won the hit, then those
(07:47):
quick urgent movements to get get up and out of
there for the nine gets there and milks it.
Speaker 2 (07:52):
And yeah, you don't want in the opposition kind of
leaning all over you because they're not going to do
that anyway, are they because they'll get pained too, So
you kind of have to be quite instant, doesn't it. Which,
let's face it, Brad has helped the game extraordinarily. It's
got so much more rhythm and flow.
Speaker 3 (08:05):
Now, Yeah, exactly all and play as much higher and
hopefully it's a lot more exciting for those watching at home.
Speaker 2 (08:11):
I'm excited and loving what's going on in the back
line with the Crusaders. How comfortable are you in there? Brain?
Because mate, You've had a dog of a time over
the last couple of years, but you're back and you're playing.
It looks like there's care free as you've ever been.
Speaker 3 (08:23):
Yeah. I guess having a bit of time off the
park or I have in the last couple of years
sort of gives you time to think and just sort
of almost help me find that love of the game again,
coming back in and just enjoying every moment while playing
with this team and poison insight and out of me.
So yeah, looking forward to it getting some more minutes
and apart as far.
Speaker 2 (08:38):
As falling back in love for the game again, how
much of that was self doubt that you get back
to the self that you know once you've gone through
that injury. Did that smear you were taught it was
that a shadow on you?
Speaker 3 (08:50):
I'm not sure if it's self doubt. Obviously in the
early stages, especially after that knee twenty twenty three, just
for the World Cup, that was where I sort of
sell out of love of the gamer. But obviously pretty disappointing,
terrible time to have it, so you tend to take
a couple of months just to sort of well wallow
and self pity and then then you start to feel
a bit more like yourself when you knee start sitting down,
(09:11):
you start to run again and start building that confidence back.
And I think coming back is just gaining those little
positives every week. You take a little positive out of it,
out of each training, whether it's you had a top
speed again, or you're you're feeling a bit better stepping,
or you're nailing a few more passes and reading the
game a bit better, and you just, yeah, you build
those consecutively throughout throughout your return to when you come
(09:33):
back on the park, you feel rare and you go when.
Speaker 2 (09:35):
I said self doubt more hoping that your body will
hold together and your knee and your limbs have got
the strength. It's kind of doubt in your physicality and
how way you of heal, because that won't go away, surely,
not for a while.
Speaker 3 (09:50):
I think I think I'm pretty good at just leaving
it behind. It's almost like a goldfish memory. You just
it is what it is. On back playing now, get
stuck in, try not to think about it too much,
and because if you start thinking like that, then you're
only going to be scared going in contact, scared going
a full spread and that's just no good for you.
So I hope it looks like I'm coming back with
(10:13):
the whole lot of confidence and because that's what that's
how I feel stone, so really looking forward to it.
Speaker 2 (10:17):
With time out of the game and then coming back again,
have you made any major adjustment around what you do
from an observational point of view? I've been watching for
so long? Is that lifted what you do? The ability
to change with the times?
Speaker 3 (10:32):
I feel like we've been out and watching a lot more.
It's actually helped my sort of vision of the game.
And then watching things unfold and pieds up players all
those sorts of things obviously comes with a bit more
experience as well, but compared to my younger years. But
center these days with Russian defenses can leave but a
backfield space or disjointed attack defense line. So reading all
(10:54):
those sorts of players, and defensively as well, picking off players.
Speaker 2 (10:57):
And Mitchell Drummond he's been around for as long as
Noah one hundred and fifty this weekend? How good?
Speaker 3 (11:05):
Yeah, he's an absolute legend of the Red and Black.
You know, it seems like he's been here as long
as I've been alive. But actually was pretty similar in age.
But yeah, he's I'm looking forward to getting them out
there and I'm playing with them again one hundred and fifties.
There's no easy task. There's only a few few men
and super rugby that have ever hut that milestone, so
(11:25):
really looking forward to it.
Speaker 1 (11:26):
The chamber is now in session on Sports Fix.
Speaker 2 (11:30):
Having the chamber door Elliott Smith. It's our rugby editor
and commentator. What a surprise, he said, lying through his teeth.
Very well, thank you, great to have you, and always
a lot of rugby to talk about. We'll cut up
with a couple of those things. Our first up the
muwea pussy faker winger who can score tries like his
(11:51):
no tomorrow, who might be going to the Chiefs. Now
this is not confirmed yet, but normally Gregor Paul has
got reasonable oil.
Speaker 4 (12:01):
He does and I would suspect it's as good as done.
Not a surprise because it had been mentioned a few
months ago that he had all blacks ambitions with the
way that the rules have changed in recent times in
world rugby, and remembering he's still very very young. He's
only twenty two years old. Played at the twenty three
World Cup for Tonga also a wee wit have sevens
before then, but not a lot of game time for Tonga.
(12:23):
And boy, if you're a nineteen year old, if you
were tapped on the shoulder and said, hey, do you
want to go to a Rugby World Cup, whoever the
country is, if you're eligible, you're probably not saying no.
But he's Mulbra born, he's Mulbile raised, and so I
kind of feel that there are extenuating circumstances here. Yes,
obviously he signed with more on a PACIFICA and you
don't want that franchise to be decimated and used as
(12:46):
basically a prepping ground for other super rugby teams. But
I feel like he is a player that is a
New Zealander and has been New Zealand raised. So wanting
to chase that All Blacks jeuwsey and leave I think
is probably the right thing, and to be honest, it's
probably better than trying to play for Muana while you're
an All Black. So he's going to leave that opportunity
(13:06):
and jersey up to someone else.
Speaker 2 (13:07):
Now. A couple of weeks ago and I was convinced
he's going to go to the Crusaders because it was
Tasman kinnection, which does make sense. But whether you go
to the Crusaders or the Canes or the Chiefs doesn't mean.
Speaker 4 (13:17):
It doesn't The Crusader's got a winger that scored five
tries and he barely get in the twenty three, so
I don't think they need another winger. But look, he
would have had players after sorry, teams after him, because
he's an a quality player has showed as much of the season.
He's been good for Tasman last couple of years in
the UNPC as well, so I think it's probably the
right move for him and looks in a wide and
(13:38):
mo water context. You don't want this to become the norm,
but you look at what they're doing for holistically for
rugby and also giving you know, the likes of Miracle Fire,
lungy opportunities. Who's represented some more continues to represent some more.
I think they've just got to just gonna have to
lump it sometimes when it comes to the sort of thing, well.
Speaker 2 (13:56):
The couple of being packed already, haven't they We've lost
Levia down and then Tape now or of course too,
does that mean well.
Speaker 4 (14:05):
They also want to chase all black ambitions. That makes
perfect it does, yeah, so yeah, I think if they're
leaving the franchise, that opens up the doors for someone
else to come on who he does want to play
for for the Pacific Nations some more. And Tom obviously
Artie Saviga has gone the other way and gone I'm
still going to represent the All Blacks while going in
and taking the number seven jersey and bullying other teams
(14:26):
and having an incredible season. So you know, you can't
have Artie coming in and then get angry when other
players go out. I don't think.
Speaker 2 (14:35):
What was your superlative that you used for ARTI when
you're they were everywhere, It's like, wow, who's got something? Noise?
Speaker 4 (14:42):
What freakish? Wasn't it? And look, we've become used to
seeing him turning performances, but that was as good as
I've seen. The terms are just about dominating a team,
almost single handling. I mean that the nicest possible. We
are the other fourteen players, including the bloke we just
talked about who scored, but it was the Ardie Show
and he turned in and you know, if he can
(15:04):
replicate that form, we know how good he's been an
international level. But boy, he seems to be getting elements
to his game, which is incredible for a player that
is already, you know, right at the top of his
game and one of the best in the world.
Speaker 2 (15:14):
I laughed like a dream And at the end of
the game as I turnover and he stood up with
the ball, Artie Sally go a figure and he's bringing
everybody out else up with him. He could have made
it even better if he had to convince the refereeing
staff to allow the try to stand. They've since come
out Super Rugby Pacific and said, whoops, we blew it.
(15:35):
And you when you watched that, what were your initial reactions?
I thought, well, he's out, but you've gone way too far.
But you can't do that. Do we learn nothing from
the World Cup final? Changed?
Speaker 4 (15:46):
We have changed it around again and so this is
so confusing for fans and they need to make it
a lot more clearer how they can intervene and use
the TMO.
Speaker 2 (15:55):
But the referee doesn't know that says a lot.
Speaker 4 (15:58):
That's right, and it was foot and touch missed by
the touch jarge and Ben o'keef on his side of
the park. And then obviously he was the one saying
later that it was in protocol and they could make
the adjudication based on it, but it felt like of
the four player full referees, including the referee in the
TMO box, it felt like none of them had a
real grasp on the protocol and that is worrying when
(16:19):
you've got four very very good referees who have all
referees at super rugby and above international level. Jordan Way
was on the other touch of memory service right and
he's refereed internationally. So when the game is too complex
for international referees, what are we doing here? And so
it needs to be tidied up. They've changed it again
this year so basically it's two phases for say a
(16:40):
knock on or things like that.
Speaker 5 (16:42):
So you can go back two phases if it's a
side or yes, some things like that, but the start
of the passenger playoff there's say, is an infringement, foul
play penalty things like that, so they've changed it that.
Speaker 4 (16:55):
And because it went in touch to the ball, went
over the other to the Blues again then went back,
that complicated at somewhat and it is probably a very
one off scenario because it shouldn't have been a mistouch
in the first place should have been arm up, so
it was needlessly complicated.
Speaker 2 (17:09):
And when they got the ball again though, and then
Malana pinched the ball off the blues, surely it starts
all over again.
Speaker 4 (17:15):
Oh exactly. Yeah, yeah, that's why I think is but
it just needs it needs to be completely tidied up,
and they've made it more complicated and Nadi so there
was you know one two three is holding up the
three fingers going back three phases. Well that was probably
a hangover from the World Cup Final in twenty twenty
three when obviously they ruled out in all blacks try
that night there. So let's say about that the better.
(17:36):
But it shows that, you know, the beast player in
the world doesn't understand the rules. The referees don't understand
the rules, so what exactly are we doing here with
the TMO.
Speaker 2 (17:44):
I'll give them this though, they've come out and see
year we blew it. We made a mistake. We've got
to get but hopefully that triggers something and the laws
that make it easy because if they don't understand, if
the commentator who does this for a job doesn't understand, problem,
that they've done something. I believe in super Rugby BET's
year the last couple of years, they've actually made it
easier to understand and they've got clear stuff around the breakdown.
(18:07):
They gave flows a lot more than it did. It's
much more respectful in the proofers what we've seen the.
Speaker 4 (18:13):
Last content of the game. It was a cracking game.
I mean, Milana if that try had been allowed, probably
would have got a bonus point and that would have
been big in the context of the season as well.
So yeah, I mean they've made a mistake. That's all
we can ask to put the hand up and said
they've got it wrong. I suppose that's what you can
hope for once you do make a mistake, is that
you own it.
Speaker 2 (18:33):
Shall we waste any time on sunny? Bill Williams and
Paul Gillip I've got to go, Darcy so cool, all right,
thanks very much for joining us in the chamber. Elliott Smith,
catchy again, so and you go, well, yes, this is.
Speaker 1 (18:42):
Sports Fix, your daily does of sports news, how and
by news talks, and.
Speaker 2 (18:49):
There it is for another day, the Sports Fix Podcast.
Thank you very much for joining us, Thank you for
your ears, for your attention. If you've enjoyed it, you've
got to we thrill, a laugh, We've learned something, Tell
your friends, tell your family, tell you what made to
tell everybody and get them all to subscribe. That way,
this turns up in your on a week daily basis
(19:10):
if you want more sport talk, but stuff you can
actually interact with, while we do that too between seven
and eight pm Monday to Friday on News Talks AEDB
Piney's Got Monday, I've Got Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and
over the weekend it is Jason Pine from twelve midday
till three o'clock Saturday and Sunday on weekend sport. Thanks
again to GJ. Gardner Homes, New Zealand's most trusted home builder. Hey,
(19:34):
thanks for joining us and we'll catch you again tomorrow
here on the Sports Fixed.
Speaker 1 (19:38):
Get in for more from News Talk ZEDB. Listen live
on air or online, and keep our shows with you
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