June 3, 2025 • 21 mins
On Sports Fix with D'Arcy Waldegrave for Tuesday June 3 2025, New Zealand cricket’s top 20 contracted players were named today. Gloveman Mitch Hay, thought to be the future of international ‘keeping for the Black Caps, joins us to talk life as card carrying member of the leading players in the game in New Zealand
D’Arcy isn’t concerned about the absence of Mitch Barnett for the Warriors, it’s a team game right? He’s just one man. Is he wrong? D’Arc that is, not Mitch.
In the Chamber is Newstalk ZB sport journo and the voice of rugby Elliott Smith. What of this new fangled rebel rugby competition R360? Who’s behind it, will it get foothold? Elliott and D’Arcy touch on the NZC contracts too.
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Speaker 1 (00:09):
You're listening to a podcast from News Talks. It 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 we come on into today's edition of the
Sports Fix. We've had a wonderful long weekend, chuckerd full
of sport. Here's a short week starting off on Tuesday,
the third of June twenty twenty five. I'm Darcy Watergrave
and lined up for you in this edition of The Fix.
We'll be joined by Mitch Hey Canobury cricketer and gloveman
(00:42):
who I think leaned up being the Test keeper and
the T twenty keeper and the one day international keeper.
He's signed a central contract for Cricket New Zealand which
we'll keep him here. I've got some opinion based around
Mitch Barnett and what kind of loss he is to
the Warriors for the rest of the season. Elliott Smith,
our Director of Rugby, our voice of Rugby News Talks.
(01:05):
Heb joins us in the chamber as we disc a
couple of the big sports stories of the day. That's
our intent, that's our intent. So in association with JJ
Gardner Holmes, New Zealand's most trusted home builder. Let's get
stuck in. In other news, here are some vocal snipes
(01:25):
around the sporting state of play today. The quarter finalists
for the Big Clay Dance have been found from the
French Open. Craig Gabriel reports Janixido has put in another
clinical performance and in doing so has beaten Andre Rubler
from the quarters.
Speaker 4 (01:40):
Who will fairs Alexander Bublin, who enjoyed the most satisfying
experience of his career his first quarter final at a major,
upsetting Jack Draper Alexander zvere One in takes on Novak Djokovic,
who beat Cam Norri and is now the oldest man
since nineteen seventy one to make the French quarters.
Speaker 3 (01:57):
Look Up, Look Out, Look to the future. Mawana Pacifika's
dream that Super Rugby Pacific run has ground to a halt,
but the seeds have been sown for a bigger, better
boom in twenty twenty six. As assistant coach Stephen Jones,
the expectation on those plays will be to kick on.
Speaker 5 (02:14):
They've had the experience, they had some learnings. We know
how to grow those players, you know, and how to
challenge them. And keep keeping an upskill in them and
I'll be the expectation is a good foundation in place.
Speaker 3 (02:25):
Let's brunnit's busted up. ACL has put them out of
the rest of the NRL season. Maria's club CEO Cameron
George as happy though with the support his co captain
will be given.
Speaker 6 (02:37):
We have a lot of people around by the side
of origin in the club that are very responsible and
you know, very professional in what they do. So at
the end of the day, this is you know, something's
just happened in rugby league and we understand that.
Speaker 3 (02:49):
And just because is mex forst stepping being a whisty
oh John sat like stepping into the side of George
Russell and he only kind of said sorry. That's some
sporting vocal snippets for the day for you.
Speaker 2 (03:07):
It's sports fixed.
Speaker 3 (03:08):
With Mitch Barnette is out for the rest of the season,
inspirational co captain, state of origin player who performed so
so well, a man that has led this Warrior's side
to the almost uncharted territory of nine and three. So
(03:28):
what does that say about the rest of the Warriors season.
I'd like to think it will make no difference. The
question Here is what have the rest of the men
learned under the tutelage of Mitch Barnett, not only this year,
but last year as well. The reality of any contact
sport is injury. It's going to happen more than it
(03:50):
isn't going to happen. If the team weren't prepared for this,
more pity them. But I think they would have known
that they were going to lose one of their heavy
hitters throughout the season. One maybe two, maybe three, maybe
four seasons have been wrecked by injury before, especially with
the Warriors. This is only one guy. No, you can't
(04:11):
replace the inspiration he brings. You can't replace what he
brings to the park. But this is not a one
man game. This is a team game, and as they
always talk up, it is about man up the next
man standing. Who else is there that can make a
name for themselves in the absence of their great co captain. Well,
(04:33):
the question will only be answered by the young players
coming through. Have they been provided the proper tools to
develop in the space they've given to develop so they
can step into the breach when a guy like Barnett
is no longer available. I don't have much of a
doubt that they will the psychological damage that this will
do to the team. We can only but wait and
(04:55):
see the ability of this side to stick in, to
stick in with gret to get through the pain and
the stress of a close run a finished which is
something they've done right the way through this. And is
it just Mitchell Barnett that is that man or has
the rest of the team picked up some of that
(05:15):
DNA to help make up for the fact that he
will not be here for the rest of the season.
A speedy recovery, mister Barnett. Wishing you the best, looking
forward to seeing you in twenty twenty six.
Speaker 2 (05:28):
Dissecting the sporting agenda, It's Sportsfix with Darcy Waldegrave.
Speaker 3 (05:34):
And it's Will and Welcome to the Sports Fix podcast
to match. Hey, can it be Godman has just picked
himself far by a contract one of these twenty centrally
contracted players, Denis Ellen Cricket good a Metch. Big day
for you. You finally managed to get your name amongst
the top twenty central contracted cricket players in the country.
I'd suggest that's a huge relief and you'd give yourself
(05:56):
a bit of a pad on the back as well, which, yeah.
Speaker 7 (05:59):
And it's been a very exciting day to have a
publicly announced and yeah, obviously just spoke to be a
part of the twenty crickets named on the list, So yeah,
in a very special day's out.
Speaker 3 (06:07):
Now did you find out and how long have you
had to keep your gob shut for?
Speaker 7 (06:12):
Yeah? I found out a couple of weeks ago, I guess.
So it's been you know, a couple of weeks for
your sort of just tell close family. But yeah, that's
nice to have it fully out in the public now.
And you know, I have to worry about what I
say too much.
Speaker 3 (06:23):
So in essence, so what does this mean for you?
And that's a terrible thing to say here that's all
the time. So how do you feel? What does it mean?
But technically what does that actually mean? Having this contract?
Speaker 7 (06:33):
Yeah, I guess it's just sort of first of all,
bit of a sign of confidence from the selectors. I
guess that there might be, you know, might be in
the future plans to play more for the for the
black Cats, which is hugely exciting. And the other big
thing I guess is just been contracted for the full
twelve month twelve months of the year rather than just
the seven and a half as a domestic contractor player.
So yeah, and that's pretty pretty exciting, to be honest,
(06:54):
to be a full time professional cricketer.
Speaker 3 (06:55):
So when you're any part time, you're doing seven months,
you have to put a lemonade stand upside the front
of your house. How do you get by?
Speaker 7 (07:03):
Yeah? I guess I've probably been lucky enough to have
a bit of cricket on throughout the the winter, so
I haven't had to pick up another job, which has
been nice. But yeah, some guys definitely, yeah, have part
time jobs or jobs they go to in the winter.
And I've previously worked part time in the winter, but
last couple of years have been lucky enough to be
able to just play the full year round.
Speaker 3 (07:25):
You look at the amount of players that aren't essentially
contracted match and this has been happening quite a lot
of recent times. Normally players that are slightly longer in
the twoth or ones that can make a bit more
coin for those domestic T twenty leagues. So there a
way is that team takeson never been there for you?
(07:46):
Where does this sit as far as that going into the.
Speaker 7 (07:48):
Future, Yeah, I guess for me It's always been a
dream to play for New Zealand and play for the
black Caps, so I guess that a lure hasn't really
been too much of me. I guess I've just been
excited to be able to deburn a couple of formats
for the black Caps so far, and it's been a
real dream to wear the Ferns. So for me, that's
been the main goal, and haven't really put so much
thought into in team thing.
Speaker 3 (08:08):
Asked, really, no guarantees around this, What does it guarantee?
Just paypack it every month?
Speaker 7 (08:13):
Right, yeah, paypack it every month for twelve months, So yeah,
that's the main thing. And being able to Yeah, I
guess being a professional crecker for twelve months is pretty exciting.
Speaker 3 (08:22):
Where do they put you in the rank of twenty?
Do they tell you?
Speaker 7 (08:27):
Yeah, you get an individual rank for each format and
an overall rank which is done off a points system.
But yeah, it's all sort of confidential and oh come on,
yeah yeah, yeah.
Speaker 3 (08:39):
Well people know how much you're earning. Everyone's like, oh, yeah,
we'll nudge you up for around next time. But got great,
great news for you and the security of that future
i'd expect knowing how you play and talking to a
few occasions now that you don't have continuity stress in
your game. It's not about what's happening and can you
(09:01):
put food on the table. You're very much in your present,
but there might be some part of games a slight
bit of easing off of pressure on not.
Speaker 7 (09:10):
Nah, I think it's yeah, like you said, you know,
live day to day and try stay in the president
And I guess that for me. It's cool, you know,
getting the contract and stuff, but it doesn't sort of
guarantee you know, you're going to play for the black
Caps more or anything. So I guess it's just a
case of continuing doing what I'm doing and keep trying
to get better and hopefully can you know, play some
play a lot more for the black Caps and keep
(09:30):
trying to contribute to to winning games for them.
Speaker 3 (09:32):
Yeah, and well you've got to do it for Canterbury
as well. Of course. It's not forget where you you know,
where it all started.
Speaker 7 (09:38):
Match Yeah, absolutely, yeah, I know if that's the that's
the first job. To keep keep doing what I can
do for for Canterbury and keep enjoying that stuff. The
X It's a lot of fun and got a great
group of guys there who have had a lot of success,
so it's always good, good fun.
Speaker 3 (09:52):
Any idea who the new head coach is going to
be across any of the formats you kind of maybe
leaned on them and said, I'm still here.
Speaker 7 (10:00):
Nah, I've got no idea, absolutely no idea. So yeah,
I'm just finding out the news. Anyone else does, so yeah, No,
I'm not sure.
Speaker 3 (10:08):
So expectations much when when a contract comes of this,
you're plainly availability. Is there anything else tagged to signing
this contract?
Speaker 7 (10:19):
I guess the main one has just been available during
the soup smash window, so that's the that's the main thing.
And I guess availability for guys who who potentially can
play legs. But for me, yeah, my my priority is
just in New Zealand and trying to play as much
as they can for the for the black Caps. So yeah,
not too much worries of availability there.
Speaker 3 (10:39):
What about all the frilly stuff around the outside. You
don't need to get a contract. Do you get you know,
a new bat sponsor? Do they send you a nice
shiny pair of shoes? Do you get free fast feed
on that? Is there anything else just besides the money?
Speaker 7 (10:52):
I already get pretty well looked after by Graynickeles and
and Essex. So yeah, no, no real, no real shiny
shoes or maybe you know, maybe a new bat from
Granicles be nice, but nothing, nothing, nothing to extreme really.
Speaker 2 (11:06):
The chamber is now in Sish on Sportsfax.
Speaker 3 (11:10):
The chamber doors are opening and darkening the doors as
mister Elliot Smith. Is it a fair way to describe you, Elliott?
I'll take it, thank you very much. Ali, of course,
is one of our many reporters for News Talk ZB
and the voice of rugby right the way throughout New Zealand,
which is convenient considering what I'm about to talk about.
I don't hear much from Mike Tindall. He's kind of
(11:31):
got out of the gossip pages, but now he's right
back front and center. R three sixty. It's not a
corner at Suzuka. Sounds like it. But what is this
tell us about it?
Speaker 1 (11:42):
Yeah?
Speaker 8 (11:42):
This is the Mike Tindallough's a part of the royal
family now and he's bump Prince Andrew off the news pages,
which is probably a good often newspaper you even know
the royal family, Yeah, big news R three sixty. He's
behind it so too is one of the lawyers behind
Live Golf and the breakaway there and also some other
(12:05):
events that he's been a part of. And then they've
got another person who's also been involved with a bath
rugby club. So there's some nouse there in the mix.
And they claim to have signed up players. I'm not
sure on what understanding or what purposes have been signed
up for, but they claim that they've got Premier League
owners keen on buying teams or staken teams, Formula one owners,
NFL team owners.
Speaker 3 (12:25):
So they're pulling out all the big names to try
and hit this yeah through, aren't they sing? All these big, wealthy,
rich franchise owners are involved.
Speaker 8 (12:35):
Exactly, and that in theory would provide some security to
players that these aren't fly by nighters, Allen Stanford types.
There are people with some money and some backing behind
them that can sustain, you know, periods of having to
fun teams for a number of seasons. I guess the
question is where does it fall into the rugby landscape
and will it actually get off the ground.
Speaker 3 (12:55):
Well, you've just gone through their corporate standard line there,
but let's just start stripping the back. Wait for a start,
what actually is it? What are they trying to do?
Speaker 8 (13:04):
So it's eight men's teams in the first season and
four women's teams and a bit like Formula one or
the Sevens. They're going to play at what they're calling
high profile cities and stadiums around the globe, so you
know Tottenham hotspurath Stadium in London's we mentioned the New
Camp and Barcelona has also been mentioned a number of
others in the mix as well, and basically play franchise
(13:27):
games against each other in two windows each year. They
believe it can sit alongside the rest of the rugby
calendar as it stands, including international rugby, which they're avowed
to release players.
Speaker 3 (13:38):
For, so it's like an IPL.
Speaker 8 (13:42):
Yeah, so you could have the Denvers Sprockets in the
who else, Barcelona, Super Kings and goodness knows what else.
So that's essentially the theory. There's a lot left on
the table as to unanswered questions as to who's actually
keen on this and why they believe it's going to
(14:03):
be a bankroll and we can see the top players
in the world as it is play international rugby. What's
the appeal and having them go across franchise and play
for venues or cities they don't have any relationship to.
But you could put the same thing on cricket and
look what crickets turned into. So I'm not saying it's
not going to happen, but I think there's a lot
of water to go into the bridge.
Speaker 3 (14:21):
And standing in the background larger than life as World
Rugby going oh really, oh really? Because I suppose rebel leagues,
if you will have a team did to get traction before,
it's never worked. That's not going to happen. Yeah, it was.
Speaker 8 (14:38):
A rapid Rugby I think it was called or something
else that's had a good as well. The story tends
to come around every few years. This is probably the
firnest to some sort of idea as to who's behind
it and what's actually happening. We've had quite some time.
But again World Rugby would need to approve it if
they want to play under World Rugby rules. They mean
they could have a breakaway format by World Rugby and
(15:00):
s much of the IP and rugby and everything like that.
Speaker 3 (15:03):
Well rugby as well, because I'll be pinching some of
our players to be frank, you can't just.
Speaker 8 (15:08):
Set it up and go here's our rugby league. You
would need World Rugby needs to vote it in a council.
You need a country to back it and take it
to World Rugby Council. So I mean you could do
it independently, but then players wouldn't be eligible to play
for their countries. And they're talking about this being a
big carrot as being you know, one of the things
that players can do and still play for their country.
(15:30):
So a lot of orders to go under the bridge.
Yet if I was a betting man, and occasionally i am,
I would be very surprised as that it actually happened.
Speaker 3 (15:36):
I actually don't think there's a bridge yet, but they've started,
They've got a couple of the main structures in to see.
I don't think it's going to happen either. But one
thing I like about this is just putting a rocket
up world rugby and the more that happens the better,
because they are glacial like.
Speaker 8 (15:54):
In their development, absolutely, and that's one of the reasons
why I think if you have the concept that is
proven or proof of concept similar to those or whether
it's sounding money, whatever it might be, that could actually
help sort out some of the issues in the game.
As you say that the rocket up under the proverbial
could help figure out some of these rule changes. And
if if Saudi are going to go, we're going to
(16:15):
make it simpler. We're going to strip away this and
that and various other things. You might end up with
a simpler game.
Speaker 7 (16:21):
That's scary.
Speaker 3 (16:22):
It's a scary thing. But you say that the lawyer
involved as oliv so that of course is Saudis. But
this we've been waiting for them to turn up.
Speaker 8 (16:29):
Right, well, we have been. I'm not sure what connection
to the Saudis where they do have anything. There's here.
They clearly got some good tastes and lawyers, and this
lawyer is probably clipping the ticket on both. So well,
we'll wait and see what happens. But it's something else
for the world of rugby to juggle with, just as
it stands on the precipice of some really big changes,
the World Nations Championship from next year, the Tour of Format,
(16:50):
various other things in the offering for World rugby. More
change on the way.
Speaker 3 (16:54):
Need someone to light a fire under there. Cricket the
top twenty cricketers per contract because you can't call them
the top twenty cricketers New Zealand because how many of
them won't sign like eight, nine, ten of them, So
it's the best of the rey.
Speaker 8 (17:08):
So I struggle to see the points of these contracts anymore.
In all honestly, I guess it does give New Zealand
cricket some protection and ensuring that they got players that
are contracted to them and therefore available for their competitions.
But in the world of cricket, and we've just come
off a topic on rugby that it could change very
very quickly. Cricket's changed and changing still very very quickly.
(17:30):
And when you have a number of players that are
not committing to New Zealand Central contracts, it makes you
wonder what the value of a New Zealand Central contract is. Yes,
it's the retainer for some of these players and that's
the key, and it gives them some security. I don't
think it gives New Zealand cricket a lot of security
in all honesty, because you know, players could get the
offer from various other leagues and basically take the money
(17:52):
and walk with.
Speaker 3 (17:52):
We've got to start somewhere, do they have to? They
can't just suddenly turn up at ipl after playing for
ricket and roll coals as well.
Speaker 8 (17:59):
Oh yes, but that day's probably coming when they're chock
it on tipsock and someone slug sixty six off twenty
balls and all of a sudden there are superstars. So
it's something using cricket probably has to keep going with.
But I do wonder about the relevance of it in
a modern day cricketing society out of pathways.
Speaker 3 (18:16):
Though it's good for the people coming through they know
if they are good enough, but what to the stage
they can actually.
Speaker 8 (18:21):
The money and a meaningless one day series against Bangladesh
or go on tour Zimbabwe in the middle of the
year and gates series that no one want to remember
and profile.
Speaker 3 (18:31):
Profile they're getting profile, right.
Speaker 8 (18:34):
Yeah, I don't work for the cricket I think you
up to rock in a hard place. And this again
speaks to you know, the world rugby issue we talked
about for the International Cricket Council needing some balls to
go and say this is the international window. We saw
the Players Union come out with something earlier in the
year around it being met by crickets at the ICC
by the sound of it. So until there are international
(18:56):
windows in cricket where the top players have to be
released or there are no domestic T twenty comps and
from Timbuktu to the Garza Strip or wherever it might be,
then the contracts kind they've held no meaning because you've
got twenty players there that, yes there contracted to New
Zealand creer Y Sty'll get a retainer and some money
and various things and all that and the access to
(19:16):
gyms and whatever else it means. But the cricket in
the world formata moments standing on the precipice and they
need to figure out what this game actually means and
where it's going. And I think, you know, good on
the players that are getting contracted today, but I'm just
not sure what the relevance a meaning it has anymore.
Speaker 3 (19:30):
So many of them aren't there, but the ones coming through, Wow,
they can eat and that's good. It's going wrong with
a pay check, absolutely, a couple of players missing out
and judging for what you all said probably doesn't matter,
but that there's no lease Sodi, he hasn't got the contract.
Speaker 8 (19:43):
These kind of well, yeah, it feels like a little
will weird one given how much white ball cricket there
is still to come and how much of a role
he's played. Obviously, the waiting still plays a big role
in that he's not really a test player unless you
go into the subcontinent and need to fill the battery
with so rough on him. But probably loses that waiting
(20:03):
a little bit because he's not really a test player.
So and maybe the time has come just to look
at a few different options. But he's never let you
down really each SODIU in limited overs cricket, that's for certain.
Speaker 3 (20:12):
And on that we'll let you out of here. Thanks
very much as always, Elliot Smith's sports news journalist for
News talkszb our voice of rugby too. You look after yourself.
Speaker 8 (20:20):
Being a pleasure.
Speaker 2 (20:22):
This is Sportsfix, your daily dose of sports news, how
and by News Talks abb.
Speaker 3 (20:28):
Well. Thanks very much for listening to the Sports Fixed
daily podcast. My name's Darcy Watergrove. Been a pleasure, Being
a joy always is. Let's hope you can join us
all again tomorrow and need right the way through the
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(20:50):
from sport that you can actually talk back with. We've
got Sports Talk to cover you off there as well.
That's between seven and eight pm Monday to Friday. Piney
on Monday, I've got the rest of the week, and
then Piney has all weekend twelve through three, Saturday and
Sunday in weekend Sport. And again, as always, thanks to GJ.
Gardner Holmes News Old's most trusted home builder. That's been
(21:13):
the Sports Fixed podcast for the third of June twenty
twenty five EPI Tuesday.
Speaker 1 (21:20):
For more from news Talks at b listen live on
air or online, and keep our shows with you wherever
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You're listening to a podcast from News Talks. It 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 we come on into today's edition of the
Sports Fix. We've had a wonderful long weekend, chuckerd full
of sport. Here's a short week starting off on Tuesday,
the third of June twenty twenty five. I'm Darcy Watergrave
and lined up for you in this edition of The Fix.
We'll be joined by Mitch Hey Canobury cricketer and gloveman
(00:42):
who I think leaned up being the Test keeper and
the T twenty keeper and the one day international keeper.
He's signed a central contract for Cricket New Zealand which
we'll keep him here. I've got some opinion based around
Mitch Barnett and what kind of loss he is to
the Warriors for the rest of the season. Elliott Smith,
our Director of Rugby, our voice of Rugby News Talks.
(01:05):
Heb joins us in the chamber as we disc a
couple of the big sports stories of the day. That's
our intent, that's our intent. So in association with JJ
Gardner Holmes, New Zealand's most trusted home builder. Let's get
stuck in. In other news, here are some vocal snipes
(01:25):
around the sporting state of play today. The quarter finalists
for the Big Clay Dance have been found from the
French Open. Craig Gabriel reports Janixido has put in another
clinical performance and in doing so has beaten Andre Rubler
from the quarters.
Speaker 4 (01:40):
Who will fairs Alexander Bublin, who enjoyed the most satisfying
experience of his career his first quarter final at a major,
upsetting Jack Draper Alexander zvere One in takes on Novak Djokovic,
who beat Cam Norri and is now the oldest man
since nineteen seventy one to make the French quarters.
Speaker 3 (01:57):
Look Up, Look Out, Look to the future. Mawana Pacifika's
dream that Super Rugby Pacific run has ground to a halt,
but the seeds have been sown for a bigger, better
boom in twenty twenty six. As assistant coach Stephen Jones,
the expectation on those plays will be to kick on.
Speaker 5 (02:14):
They've had the experience, they had some learnings. We know
how to grow those players, you know, and how to
challenge them. And keep keeping an upskill in them and
I'll be the expectation is a good foundation in place.
Speaker 3 (02:25):
Let's brunnit's busted up. ACL has put them out of
the rest of the NRL season. Maria's club CEO Cameron
George as happy though with the support his co captain
will be given.
Speaker 6 (02:37):
We have a lot of people around by the side
of origin in the club that are very responsible and
you know, very professional in what they do. So at
the end of the day, this is you know, something's
just happened in rugby league and we understand that.
Speaker 3 (02:49):
And just because is mex forst stepping being a whisty
oh John sat like stepping into the side of George
Russell and he only kind of said sorry. That's some
sporting vocal snippets for the day for you.
Speaker 2 (03:07):
It's sports fixed.
Speaker 3 (03:08):
With Mitch Barnette is out for the rest of the season,
inspirational co captain, state of origin player who performed so
so well, a man that has led this Warrior's side
to the almost uncharted territory of nine and three. So
(03:28):
what does that say about the rest of the Warriors season.
I'd like to think it will make no difference. The
question Here is what have the rest of the men
learned under the tutelage of Mitch Barnett, not only this year,
but last year as well. The reality of any contact
sport is injury. It's going to happen more than it
(03:50):
isn't going to happen. If the team weren't prepared for this,
more pity them. But I think they would have known
that they were going to lose one of their heavy
hitters throughout the season. One maybe two, maybe three, maybe
four seasons have been wrecked by injury before, especially with
the Warriors. This is only one guy. No, you can't
(04:11):
replace the inspiration he brings. You can't replace what he
brings to the park. But this is not a one
man game. This is a team game, and as they
always talk up, it is about man up the next
man standing. Who else is there that can make a
name for themselves in the absence of their great co captain. Well,
(04:33):
the question will only be answered by the young players
coming through. Have they been provided the proper tools to
develop in the space they've given to develop so they
can step into the breach when a guy like Barnett
is no longer available. I don't have much of a
doubt that they will the psychological damage that this will
do to the team. We can only but wait and
(04:55):
see the ability of this side to stick in, to
stick in with gret to get through the pain and
the stress of a close run a finished which is
something they've done right the way through this. And is
it just Mitchell Barnett that is that man or has
the rest of the team picked up some of that
(05:15):
DNA to help make up for the fact that he
will not be here for the rest of the season.
A speedy recovery, mister Barnett. Wishing you the best, looking
forward to seeing you in twenty twenty six.
Speaker 2 (05:28):
Dissecting the sporting agenda, It's Sportsfix with Darcy Waldegrave.
Speaker 3 (05:34):
And it's Will and Welcome to the Sports Fix podcast
to match. Hey, can it be Godman has just picked
himself far by a contract one of these twenty centrally
contracted players, Denis Ellen Cricket good a Metch. Big day
for you. You finally managed to get your name amongst
the top twenty central contracted cricket players in the country.
I'd suggest that's a huge relief and you'd give yourself
(05:56):
a bit of a pad on the back as well, which, yeah.
Speaker 7 (05:59):
And it's been a very exciting day to have a
publicly announced and yeah, obviously just spoke to be a
part of the twenty crickets named on the list, So yeah,
in a very special day's out.
Speaker 3 (06:07):
Now did you find out and how long have you
had to keep your gob shut for?
Speaker 7 (06:12):
Yeah? I found out a couple of weeks ago, I guess.
So it's been you know, a couple of weeks for
your sort of just tell close family. But yeah, that's
nice to have it fully out in the public now.
And you know, I have to worry about what I
say too much.
Speaker 3 (06:23):
So in essence, so what does this mean for you?
And that's a terrible thing to say here that's all
the time. So how do you feel? What does it mean?
But technically what does that actually mean? Having this contract?
Speaker 7 (06:33):
Yeah, I guess it's just sort of first of all,
bit of a sign of confidence from the selectors. I
guess that there might be, you know, might be in
the future plans to play more for the for the
black Cats, which is hugely exciting. And the other big
thing I guess is just been contracted for the full
twelve month twelve months of the year rather than just
the seven and a half as a domestic contractor player.
So yeah, and that's pretty pretty exciting, to be honest,
(06:54):
to be a full time professional cricketer.
Speaker 3 (06:55):
So when you're any part time, you're doing seven months,
you have to put a lemonade stand upside the front
of your house. How do you get by?
Speaker 7 (07:03):
Yeah? I guess I've probably been lucky enough to have
a bit of cricket on throughout the the winter, so
I haven't had to pick up another job, which has
been nice. But yeah, some guys definitely, yeah, have part
time jobs or jobs they go to in the winter.
And I've previously worked part time in the winter, but
last couple of years have been lucky enough to be
able to just play the full year round.
Speaker 3 (07:25):
You look at the amount of players that aren't essentially
contracted match and this has been happening quite a lot
of recent times. Normally players that are slightly longer in
the twoth or ones that can make a bit more
coin for those domestic T twenty leagues. So there a
way is that team takeson never been there for you?
(07:46):
Where does this sit as far as that going into the.
Speaker 7 (07:48):
Future, Yeah, I guess for me It's always been a
dream to play for New Zealand and play for the
black Caps, so I guess that a lure hasn't really
been too much of me. I guess I've just been
excited to be able to deburn a couple of formats
for the black Caps so far, and it's been a
real dream to wear the Ferns. So for me, that's
been the main goal, and haven't really put so much
thought into in team thing.
Speaker 3 (08:08):
Asked, really, no guarantees around this, What does it guarantee?
Just paypack it every month?
Speaker 7 (08:13):
Right, yeah, paypack it every month for twelve months, So yeah,
that's the main thing. And being able to Yeah, I
guess being a professional crecker for twelve months is pretty exciting.
Speaker 3 (08:22):
Where do they put you in the rank of twenty?
Do they tell you?
Speaker 7 (08:27):
Yeah, you get an individual rank for each format and
an overall rank which is done off a points system.
But yeah, it's all sort of confidential and oh come on,
yeah yeah, yeah.
Speaker 3 (08:39):
Well people know how much you're earning. Everyone's like, oh, yeah,
we'll nudge you up for around next time. But got great,
great news for you and the security of that future
i'd expect knowing how you play and talking to a
few occasions now that you don't have continuity stress in
your game. It's not about what's happening and can you
(09:01):
put food on the table. You're very much in your present,
but there might be some part of games a slight
bit of easing off of pressure on not.
Speaker 7 (09:10):
Nah, I think it's yeah, like you said, you know,
live day to day and try stay in the president
And I guess that for me. It's cool, you know,
getting the contract and stuff, but it doesn't sort of
guarantee you know, you're going to play for the black
Caps more or anything. So I guess it's just a
case of continuing doing what I'm doing and keep trying
to get better and hopefully can you know, play some
play a lot more for the black Caps and keep
(09:30):
trying to contribute to to winning games for them.
Speaker 3 (09:32):
Yeah, and well you've got to do it for Canterbury
as well. Of course. It's not forget where you you know,
where it all started.
Speaker 7 (09:38):
Match Yeah, absolutely, yeah, I know if that's the that's
the first job. To keep keep doing what I can
do for for Canterbury and keep enjoying that stuff. The
X It's a lot of fun and got a great
group of guys there who have had a lot of success,
so it's always good, good fun.
Speaker 3 (09:52):
Any idea who the new head coach is going to
be across any of the formats you kind of maybe
leaned on them and said, I'm still here.
Speaker 7 (10:00):
Nah, I've got no idea, absolutely no idea. So yeah,
I'm just finding out the news. Anyone else does, so yeah, No,
I'm not sure.
Speaker 3 (10:08):
So expectations much when when a contract comes of this,
you're plainly availability. Is there anything else tagged to signing
this contract?
Speaker 7 (10:19):
I guess the main one has just been available during
the soup smash window, so that's the that's the main thing.
And I guess availability for guys who who potentially can
play legs. But for me, yeah, my my priority is
just in New Zealand and trying to play as much
as they can for the for the black Caps. So yeah,
not too much worries of availability there.
Speaker 3 (10:39):
What about all the frilly stuff around the outside. You
don't need to get a contract. Do you get you know,
a new bat sponsor? Do they send you a nice
shiny pair of shoes? Do you get free fast feed
on that? Is there anything else just besides the money?
Speaker 7 (10:52):
I already get pretty well looked after by Graynickeles and
and Essex. So yeah, no, no real, no real shiny
shoes or maybe you know, maybe a new bat from
Granicles be nice, but nothing, nothing, nothing to extreme really.
Speaker 2 (11:06):
The chamber is now in Sish on Sportsfax.
Speaker 3 (11:10):
The chamber doors are opening and darkening the doors as
mister Elliot Smith. Is it a fair way to describe you, Elliott?
I'll take it, thank you very much. Ali, of course,
is one of our many reporters for News Talk ZB
and the voice of rugby right the way throughout New Zealand,
which is convenient considering what I'm about to talk about.
I don't hear much from Mike Tindall. He's kind of
(11:31):
got out of the gossip pages, but now he's right
back front and center. R three sixty. It's not a
corner at Suzuka. Sounds like it. But what is this
tell us about it?
Speaker 1 (11:42):
Yeah?
Speaker 8 (11:42):
This is the Mike Tindallough's a part of the royal
family now and he's bump Prince Andrew off the news pages,
which is probably a good often newspaper you even know
the royal family, Yeah, big news R three sixty. He's
behind it so too is one of the lawyers behind
Live Golf and the breakaway there and also some other
(12:05):
events that he's been a part of. And then they've
got another person who's also been involved with a bath
rugby club. So there's some nouse there in the mix.
And they claim to have signed up players. I'm not
sure on what understanding or what purposes have been signed
up for, but they claim that they've got Premier League
owners keen on buying teams or staken teams, Formula one owners,
NFL team owners.
Speaker 3 (12:25):
So they're pulling out all the big names to try
and hit this yeah through, aren't they sing? All these big, wealthy,
rich franchise owners are involved.
Speaker 8 (12:35):
Exactly, and that in theory would provide some security to
players that these aren't fly by nighters, Allen Stanford types.
There are people with some money and some backing behind
them that can sustain, you know, periods of having to
fun teams for a number of seasons. I guess the
question is where does it fall into the rugby landscape
and will it actually get off the ground.
Speaker 3 (12:55):
Well, you've just gone through their corporate standard line there,
but let's just start stripping the back. Wait for a start,
what actually is it? What are they trying to do?
Speaker 8 (13:04):
So it's eight men's teams in the first season and
four women's teams and a bit like Formula one or
the Sevens. They're going to play at what they're calling
high profile cities and stadiums around the globe, so you
know Tottenham hotspurath Stadium in London's we mentioned the New
Camp and Barcelona has also been mentioned a number of
others in the mix as well, and basically play franchise
(13:27):
games against each other in two windows each year. They
believe it can sit alongside the rest of the rugby
calendar as it stands, including international rugby, which they're avowed
to release players.
Speaker 3 (13:38):
For, so it's like an IPL.
Speaker 8 (13:42):
Yeah, so you could have the Denvers Sprockets in the
who else, Barcelona, Super Kings and goodness knows what else.
So that's essentially the theory. There's a lot left on
the table as to unanswered questions as to who's actually
keen on this and why they believe it's going to
(14:03):
be a bankroll and we can see the top players
in the world as it is play international rugby. What's
the appeal and having them go across franchise and play
for venues or cities they don't have any relationship to.
But you could put the same thing on cricket and
look what crickets turned into. So I'm not saying it's
not going to happen, but I think there's a lot
of water to go into the bridge.
Speaker 3 (14:21):
And standing in the background larger than life as World
Rugby going oh really, oh really? Because I suppose rebel leagues,
if you will have a team did to get traction before,
it's never worked. That's not going to happen. Yeah, it was.
Speaker 8 (14:38):
A rapid Rugby I think it was called or something
else that's had a good as well. The story tends
to come around every few years. This is probably the
firnest to some sort of idea as to who's behind
it and what's actually happening. We've had quite some time.
But again World Rugby would need to approve it if
they want to play under World Rugby rules. They mean
they could have a breakaway format by World Rugby and
(15:00):
s much of the IP and rugby and everything like that.
Speaker 3 (15:03):
Well rugby as well, because I'll be pinching some of
our players to be frank, you can't just.
Speaker 8 (15:08):
Set it up and go here's our rugby league. You
would need World Rugby needs to vote it in a council.
You need a country to back it and take it
to World Rugby Council. So I mean you could do
it independently, but then players wouldn't be eligible to play
for their countries. And they're talking about this being a
big carrot as being you know, one of the things
that players can do and still play for their country.
(15:30):
So a lot of orders to go under the bridge.
Yet if I was a betting man, and occasionally i am,
I would be very surprised as that it actually happened.
Speaker 3 (15:36):
I actually don't think there's a bridge yet, but they've started,
They've got a couple of the main structures in to see.
I don't think it's going to happen either. But one
thing I like about this is just putting a rocket
up world rugby and the more that happens the better,
because they are glacial like.
Speaker 8 (15:54):
In their development, absolutely, and that's one of the reasons
why I think if you have the concept that is
proven or proof of concept similar to those or whether
it's sounding money, whatever it might be, that could actually
help sort out some of the issues in the game.
As you say that the rocket up under the proverbial
could help figure out some of these rule changes. And
if if Saudi are going to go, we're going to
(16:15):
make it simpler. We're going to strip away this and
that and various other things. You might end up with
a simpler game.
Speaker 7 (16:21):
That's scary.
Speaker 3 (16:22):
It's a scary thing. But you say that the lawyer
involved as oliv so that of course is Saudis. But
this we've been waiting for them to turn up.
Speaker 8 (16:29):
Right, well, we have been. I'm not sure what connection
to the Saudis where they do have anything. There's here.
They clearly got some good tastes and lawyers, and this
lawyer is probably clipping the ticket on both. So well,
we'll wait and see what happens. But it's something else
for the world of rugby to juggle with, just as
it stands on the precipice of some really big changes,
the World Nations Championship from next year, the Tour of Format,
(16:50):
various other things in the offering for World rugby. More
change on the way.
Speaker 3 (16:54):
Need someone to light a fire under there. Cricket the
top twenty cricketers per contract because you can't call them
the top twenty cricketers New Zealand because how many of
them won't sign like eight, nine, ten of them, So
it's the best of the rey.
Speaker 8 (17:08):
So I struggle to see the points of these contracts anymore.
In all honestly, I guess it does give New Zealand
cricket some protection and ensuring that they got players that
are contracted to them and therefore available for their competitions.
But in the world of cricket, and we've just come
off a topic on rugby that it could change very
very quickly. Cricket's changed and changing still very very quickly.
(17:30):
And when you have a number of players that are
not committing to New Zealand Central contracts, it makes you
wonder what the value of a New Zealand Central contract is. Yes,
it's the retainer for some of these players and that's
the key, and it gives them some security. I don't
think it gives New Zealand cricket a lot of security
in all honesty, because you know, players could get the
offer from various other leagues and basically take the money
(17:52):
and walk with.
Speaker 3 (17:52):
We've got to start somewhere, do they have to? They
can't just suddenly turn up at ipl after playing for
ricket and roll coals as well.
Speaker 8 (17:59):
Oh yes, but that day's probably coming when they're chock
it on tipsock and someone slug sixty six off twenty
balls and all of a sudden there are superstars. So
it's something using cricket probably has to keep going with.
But I do wonder about the relevance of it in
a modern day cricketing society out of pathways.
Speaker 3 (18:16):
Though it's good for the people coming through they know
if they are good enough, but what to the stage
they can actually.
Speaker 8 (18:21):
The money and a meaningless one day series against Bangladesh
or go on tour Zimbabwe in the middle of the
year and gates series that no one want to remember
and profile.
Speaker 3 (18:31):
Profile they're getting profile, right.
Speaker 8 (18:34):
Yeah, I don't work for the cricket I think you
up to rock in a hard place. And this again
speaks to you know, the world rugby issue we talked
about for the International Cricket Council needing some balls to
go and say this is the international window. We saw
the Players Union come out with something earlier in the
year around it being met by crickets at the ICC
by the sound of it. So until there are international
(18:56):
windows in cricket where the top players have to be
released or there are no domestic T twenty comps and
from Timbuktu to the Garza Strip or wherever it might be,
then the contracts kind they've held no meaning because you've
got twenty players there that, yes there contracted to New
Zealand creer Y Sty'll get a retainer and some money
and various things and all that and the access to
(19:16):
gyms and whatever else it means. But the cricket in
the world formata moments standing on the precipice and they
need to figure out what this game actually means and
where it's going. And I think, you know, good on
the players that are getting contracted today, but I'm just
not sure what the relevance a meaning it has anymore.
Speaker 3 (19:30):
So many of them aren't there, but the ones coming through, Wow,
they can eat and that's good. It's going wrong with
a pay check, absolutely, a couple of players missing out
and judging for what you all said probably doesn't matter,
but that there's no lease Sodi, he hasn't got the contract.
Speaker 8 (19:43):
These kind of well, yeah, it feels like a little
will weird one given how much white ball cricket there
is still to come and how much of a role
he's played. Obviously, the waiting still plays a big role
in that he's not really a test player unless you
go into the subcontinent and need to fill the battery
with so rough on him. But probably loses that waiting
(20:03):
a little bit because he's not really a test player.
So and maybe the time has come just to look
at a few different options. But he's never let you
down really each SODIU in limited overs cricket, that's for certain.
Speaker 3 (20:12):
And on that we'll let you out of here. Thanks
very much as always, Elliot Smith's sports news journalist for
News talkszb our voice of rugby too. You look after yourself.
Speaker 8 (20:20):
Being a pleasure.
Speaker 2 (20:22):
This is Sportsfix, your daily dose of sports news, how
and by News Talks abb.
Speaker 3 (20:28):
Well. Thanks very much for listening to the Sports Fixed
daily podcast. My name's Darcy Watergrove. Been a pleasure, Being
a joy always is. Let's hope you can join us
all again tomorrow and need right the way through the
week and it's okay, you don't have to remember. Just
subscribe and this will come straight into your inbox on
a week daily basis. If you want to hear more
(20:50):
from sport that you can actually talk back with. We've
got Sports Talk to cover you off there as well.
That's between seven and eight pm Monday to Friday. Piney
on Monday, I've got the rest of the week, and
then Piney has all weekend twelve through three, Saturday and
Sunday in weekend Sport. And again, as always, thanks to GJ.
Gardner Holmes News Old's most trusted home builder. That's been
(21:13):
the Sports Fixed podcast for the third of June twenty
twenty five EPI Tuesday.
Speaker 1 (21:20):
For more from news Talks at b listen live on
air or online, and keep our shows with you wherever
you go with our podcasts on Iartradio
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