June 6, 2025 • 18 mins
On Sports Fix with D'Arcy Waldegrave and Jason Pine for Friday June 6 2025.
The Black Caps new coach has been announced. Former Proteus white ball boss, former Otago, Central Districts and NZA taskmaster Rob Walter has been handed the role. D’Arcy has a yarn with the new kid on the block.
Jason climbs into the Super Rugby Pacific qualifiers - some epic encounters ahead, regardless of your understanding around the draw.
In the Chamber, Piney and D’Arc chew some fat around the new coach, the weirdly successful Wahs season (so far) and a taste of V8 petrol too.
Big thanks to GJ Gardner Homes – New Zealand's most trusted home builder.
Get 'Sports Fix' every weekday afternoon on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.
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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 ed B
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 be hello there and welcome into the back end
of the traditional working weekend.
Speaker 4 (00:24):
To the front to end of an exciting sporting weekend.
Speaker 3 (00:26):
So this is the Sports Fix podcast for Friday, June
the sixth, an association with GJ. Gardner Homes New Zealand's
most trusted home builder.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
I'm Jason Pine.
Speaker 5 (00:34):
Alongside my good mates, I'm the least trusted sports cast
in the country, which is a lovely bit of irony.
My name is Darcy Watergrow. I love the way you
always mentioned Now, Jason, that's the.
Speaker 2 (00:44):
End of the traditional working week.
Speaker 5 (00:46):
Once I once I had to go at you about that,
you've never forgotten.
Speaker 2 (00:50):
I love your memory, mate, Well done. No idea.
Speaker 3 (00:53):
I don't like to I don't like to alienate those
who don't work the Monday to Friday. However, Friday, I
think is a time to look ahead to a weekend,
but also to look ahead over the next what.
Speaker 4 (01:03):
The four years at a new Black Cats cricket coach.
Speaker 2 (01:06):
Yeah, I'm going to be talking to him shortly.
Speaker 5 (01:09):
His name is Rob Walter and he's had plenty of
experience here in New Zealand, across the vaults, across Central District.
Even New Zealand A has worked for so I think
this is a what's a fantastic result, but I haven't
listened to the interview and see do you think?
Speaker 2 (01:24):
All right?
Speaker 3 (01:24):
I'll do that and then maybe we can kick around
some thoughts of our own. There's super rugby to look
forward to, some supercars over in Perth, and the Warriors
to lunch to unpack.
Speaker 2 (01:32):
Let's get into it.
Speaker 3 (01:34):
In other news, Let's get underway with some of the
big sports stories floating around today.
Speaker 4 (01:40):
Starting at Golf's Canadian Open.
Speaker 2 (01:42):
Pretty pipe for the New Zealander Ryan Fox right behind
us at eighteen.
Speaker 4 (01:49):
You can see this just planted a light more tramp
and it's now Yeah.
Speaker 3 (01:52):
Late surge has lifted Ryan Fox, who an opening round
four under pass sixty six in Canada. Golden Points has
decided the opening match of round fourteen in leagues NRL.
Speaker 4 (02:04):
GEN and five and Chase Flitcher hut tomsul that's a
fact to the castle.
Speaker 3 (02:14):
Yeah, Kaylen Ponger's match winning try completed Newcastle's biggest comeback
victory in eighteen years, beating Manly twenty six twenty two
and Egish Beyon. TeX's twenty six match French Open winning
streak has come to an end, ousted in three sets
by Arena Sablenca in the semifinals, Sabolenca getting set for
a meeting with Coco Golf in Sunday's final.
Speaker 6 (02:35):
I'm super happy with the win today and betting eager
and the longer us since it's just something undelievable and
something I'm super proud of, and yeah, just happy to
get through this difficult bunch us and a Vidion.
Speaker 7 (02:49):
It's Sports Fix with Jason Vine and Dussy LORDE Grave.
Speaker 3 (02:54):
Super Rugby Pacific Finals time, which means Super Rugby Pacific
Finals prediction time here on the Sports Fix podcast. Always
fraught with danger when you try to pick results in
the competition as tight as this one. It seems as
though the first two matches, though Tonight Crusaders Reds and
tomorrow Chiefs Blues, are very much in favor of the
(03:15):
home sides. Let's start in christ Church tonight, where apparently
it's going to be bitterly cold. I think the high
today in christ Church was seven degrees. The high was seven.
I just can't see a scenario under which the Reds
go to christ Church and beat the Crusaders tonight. It
just seems highly unlikely. The Crusaders, off the back of
(03:35):
a twenty twenty four, which they are now happy to
consign to the far reaches of the rear view mirror,
have been very, very good this season. The red slock,
they have played well, but I can't see them winning
that tonight. So let's put the Crusaders into the semifinals
next week tomorrow. Chiefs Blues, see, this is a really
interesting game. In fact, I think the Chiefs, if you
(03:58):
ask them, would rather play the Reds than the Blues,
even though the Blues finished sixth. The Blues their title
defense now rests on them winning three straight games, probably
in fact, definitely all away from home.
Speaker 4 (04:10):
But they are hanging in there.
Speaker 3 (04:13):
And when there is a battle of the Bombays, you
know that both of these teams really just go to
a different level. Form momentum don't mean anything. Having said
all of that, I've been so impressed with the Chiefs
this season, and with Clayton McMillan leaving and the emotion
that's wrapped around that and the players they're getting back
(04:34):
in the strength and depth they have across all positions.
It just feels as though it's the Chiefs for me.
So Crusaders Chiefs, which means the Brumbies Hurricanes game is
effectively a dead rubber, with both teams knowing under this
new format that they will be going through to the semis. However,
what you are playing for, I think anyway, is to
(04:54):
avoid the Chiefs at semi.
Speaker 4 (04:55):
Final time, because it feels to me as though the.
Speaker 3 (04:58):
Longer you can avoid the Chiefs, the better it will
be for your aspirations. They are, without a doubt the
favorites for Super Rugby this year, so anyone who says
well and the Hurricanes will just go through the motions
tomorrow night, I kind of think that you're battling to
avoid the Chiefs. That's the reason you're playing that game
tomorrow night. That's not saying that the Crusaders away will
(05:18):
be easy in a semi final either, but yeah, that's
my take on it. So Crusaders and Chiefs to go through.
I've got the Hurricanes beating the Brumbies, which means our
semis will be Chiefs, Brumbies, Crusaders, Hurricanes.
Speaker 4 (05:32):
But then again, it could be.
Speaker 2 (05:34):
Anything dissecting the sporting agenda.
Speaker 7 (05:38):
It's Sports Fix with Jason Vine and Darcy Waldgrave.
Speaker 2 (05:42):
And as well.
Speaker 5 (05:42):
Welcome now to the brand new coach of the black
Caps across all three formats. It was announced today. His
name is Rob Walter and he joins us now.
Speaker 8 (05:53):
Good I rob he Usney, how yott.
Speaker 5 (05:55):
I'm thinking, what a massive week for New Zealand cricket.
So much has happened and the cherry on the top
is a brand new all formats.
Speaker 2 (06:03):
Coach and that's you, Rob Walter. First up? How long
have you known?
Speaker 6 (06:07):
For?
Speaker 2 (06:08):
How long have you been holding your mouth and holding
your tongue?
Speaker 9 (06:13):
Just a couple of days. That hasn't been too high obviously,
very I think. So I'm happy that it's now official
and at least can tell a few people.
Speaker 2 (06:24):
Have you brought your own shoes?
Speaker 8 (06:26):
Have bod moone shoes?
Speaker 5 (06:27):
Well? As opposed to trying to fit in the big
ones that Stead's leaving, probably bringing your own ones has
a better idea, right Yeah?
Speaker 9 (06:33):
No, no, those are big shoes to fils and you're
not going to try to do that, I think Steady
is massively, massively successful. He's left the team in in
a great position, so very privileged you have taken on
from them, but yeah, no doubt that they are big
shoes to film.
Speaker 5 (06:50):
South Africans represent again New Zealand a long history end
cricket across the board. You've been coaching the national side,
but you've had a lot of experience with New Zealand.
You coach the vaults, what five years have been involved
central districts. I think you get a bit of a
crack with New Zealand A as well, so you unders
stay in the landscape.
Speaker 9 (07:10):
Yeah, I feel very sort of connected to the system,
having spent a long time in it, as you said,
you know, with the Tiger and then and then CD
and then take in New Zealand A to India.
Speaker 8 (07:22):
So I'm certainly been.
Speaker 9 (07:24):
A part of it for for a long period of time.
Obviously more recently been able to get some international experience,
which which again a great privilege, so to be able
to bring it back having still been connected to, you know,
to the players along the way and living in New Zealand,
you you never sort of become disconnected, always watching and
seeing what's going on. But I suppose having an appreciation
(07:45):
for for how cricket works in New Zealand is the positive.
Speaker 5 (07:48):
Markedly different from the rest of the world war from
your experience from India, from South Africa. What seats New
Zealand apart.
Speaker 9 (07:55):
Look obviously you know, certainly not the same player numbers
or financial resources, but in some respects.
Speaker 8 (08:03):
Are smaller, a smaller group and a smaller pool.
Speaker 9 (08:06):
You know, makes things tight, It allows you to move
on things a bit quicker. And certainly you know this
idea of a collective that can achieve results together is
very strong here. I don't think everyone understands that everyone
has to be pulling in the same direction and buying into.
Speaker 8 (08:24):
The same vision in order for success to happen.
Speaker 9 (08:27):
And that's you know, they can take a long timeime
to achieve in other environments.
Speaker 8 (08:31):
I think that's the starting point. That's awesome.
Speaker 5 (08:33):
What do you have philosophy vice when it comes to
coaching teams at all different formats? Do you set with
what's seeing you have success before? Are you flexible available
to change? How do you start this job wrong?
Speaker 9 (08:47):
I think first of all is you know, giving yourself
some time to observe because as you said, they are
a big shoots full that that success doesn't happen by mistake.
The team environment has to be strong. The players have
to be strong and qualified and have a skill set
that stands up at international level. So first being very
(09:08):
appreciative of that and appreciative of what has brought success already.
And then and then understanding even though I have obviously
the ideas in my head of what might be some
areas to improve them, just really giving myself time to
walk in the shoes, as you said, and and get a.
Speaker 8 (09:25):
Sense of what is required from me.
Speaker 9 (09:28):
Ultimately, I don't see the need for massive change because
why would you do that?
Speaker 8 (09:33):
For me, it's it's how will the team evolve?
Speaker 9 (09:36):
Will I assist the team in evolving and growing because
the game evolves quickly and the game grows, and we
need to Yeah, we need to be on power with
that or ahead of it ideally, So just understanding what
that is and then my role in it, you know, Ultimately,
if you're talking about a basic philosophy, I just really
want to create the best environment for the players to
play and that they feel that they can produce their
(09:58):
best cricket for New Zealand, and that I'm providing the
platform for that to happen, along with my staff. So
I think if we can do that, you know, the
six will continue. Hopefully they will also see players grow
and the game growing.
Speaker 8 (10:12):
The game in New Zealand will happened as a result
of that as well.
Speaker 5 (10:15):
Arguably that's what Stead did to he turned up. He
didn't change anything. He just adjusted and carried on in
the background, and it worked particularly well.
Speaker 2 (10:24):
Not a lot needed to be tweaked, if you will.
Speaker 5 (10:27):
What about you as a coach and how you go
about your business?
Speaker 2 (10:32):
Are you a shouter, a mumbler, a mutterer?
Speaker 5 (10:35):
Are you a guy that wants to take the lead?
Speaker 2 (10:38):
You stand in the spotlight?
Speaker 5 (10:39):
How would you describe yourself as part of that environment?
Speaker 9 (10:41):
Rob, I think you know, giving the environment what the
environment needs. You know, that's the first part of leadership.
So again, as I said, understanding what that is. I'm
a I'm a cricket tragic, There's no doubt about that.
So you know, I love the game, Love observing the game,
Love love trying to understand what strategy is going to
(11:02):
be required in order to, you know, to be successful.
But I suppose you know, very special civically, you know,
relational at heart, understand the importance of relationships, Understand you
know the role of influence of a coach and you
know to respect that. Yeah, and you know, to find
(11:23):
a way to really enjoy the journey is critical. And
the international game of cricket already has a lot of
pressure on it.
Speaker 8 (11:30):
The game of cricket is, as we know, inconsistent by nature.
Speaker 9 (11:33):
So finding a way for for everyone to really enjoy
the journey that they are, especially the next three and
a half years, and all the possibilities and opportunities that
in front that are in front of the team, that
the players are really excited by, that not not sort
of overhaord, but but want to run towards them.
Speaker 7 (11:50):
The Chamber is now in session on Sportsfex.
Speaker 3 (11:55):
End of the Chamber, we go interesting to hear the
thoughts of Rob Walter, who I think was a fairly
predictable selection as new Black Caps cricket coach. It must
be interesting for him to come into an environment where
I think been going pretty well. This ain't a dumpsterfire,
you know, this isn't a mister fix it job.
Speaker 4 (12:13):
So how will he best approach this gig?
Speaker 5 (12:15):
If he has any idea about what he's doing, and
I suspect he does. He will look to the previous
coach and look to what the previous coach did when
he came in and who he took the reins from.
Did Gary Stead change.
Speaker 2 (12:30):
A great deal? Did he overreact? Did he know? He didn't?
Speaker 5 (12:34):
He said, this is working, how can I bring this
lift this for But he didn't make any big, crazy decisions.
He just carried on tapping into the same vein of
form and strength of the team already have. The team
is there and I don't think he needs to mess
with it much and I don't think he will.
Speaker 2 (12:51):
No.
Speaker 3 (12:52):
I tend to agree, and I think that was probably
the criticism that was aimed at Gary Stead the most
often was that he was too conservative, he didn't change enough.
I think there was a clamor for whenever a you know,
a new flash kit on the block came through and
scored a bunch of runs at domestic level or got
some wicket, there was a clamor to get them into
the black Caps team. I think Gary Stead did a
(13:12):
pretty good job of, you know, of just keeping to
his own knitting and saying this is how I perceive
this cricket team will be successful and it isn't about
chopping and changing all the time and giving players the
comfort of knowing that they weren't one innings away from
being dropped.
Speaker 5 (13:29):
Well, that was very important part of his structure. It's
pretty hard to get in, boyince youre and it's very
hard to get out. And some criticism around as well,
maybe you went a little too long with some players,
maybe you cut.
Speaker 2 (13:40):
Some players a little short.
Speaker 5 (13:42):
But I think this is a bit nitpicky because the
results he's had, as we talked about before, across his tenure,
have been remarkable. You simply don't get these results on
a regular base across all formats of cricket over.
Speaker 2 (13:57):
That amount of time unless you know what you're doing.
Speaker 5 (13:59):
Look, you're going to have bad days, you're going to
have bad test matches, you're going to have bad series.
It's going to happen. But by and large, look at
the results. You can't argue against that.
Speaker 4 (14:08):
Right, No, you can't. You cannot.
Speaker 3 (14:10):
And I think Gary Steed's legacy is fairly secure based
just on the results really, but other bits and pieces
as well. Hey, Perth, supercars, Well where supercars?
Speaker 2 (14:21):
What is supercars?
Speaker 4 (14:22):
At the moment. That's a silly question to ask.
Speaker 3 (14:25):
I know, we know what supercars is, but is it
getting cut through.
Speaker 4 (14:28):
At the moment in motorsports circles.
Speaker 2 (14:30):
I'm not entirely sure. I think that they're healthy.
Speaker 5 (14:33):
In days of his years back when New Zealanders were dominating,
people engage with a lot more than we're talking to
Shane Van Gusberg and the Scott McLaughlin and the like
as well.
Speaker 2 (14:43):
It's changed a weebit this year.
Speaker 5 (14:44):
We've got we've got five key involved and there's a
couple doing particularly well and one of the acts he's
doing so well he appeared on the Mike Hosking Breakfast.
That says a lot about how well Matthew Payne is
doing right now. Okay, if he gets on the Hosk
that's obviously working. He's having a great time of it.
The interest for me this year is the final series
(15:06):
and the way they determine a winner. It's changed immensely
and I'm not going to dive deep into this. Still
closer to the time that you've got to finish in
the top ten and then like NASCAR, they have a
not not a shootout, but they've got a different format
of how they managed to work out.
Speaker 2 (15:23):
Who the overall whinever is.
Speaker 5 (15:24):
So I think as that starts to bed in, there
will be more interest. And of course next year there's
two races in New Zealand, so it has to it
has to bed in further, you'd think.
Speaker 3 (15:34):
Yep, looking forward to it and looking forward to those
two races here in New Zealand's well. Quick word on
the wars They take on the Sharks tomorrow night. The
Sharks were going along fairly nicely until they got hammered
by the Roosters last time out. No Mitch Barnett for
the rest of the season for the Warriors. They bounce
back from that loss to the Raiders with and at
times hectic thirty six thirty went over the rabbit Os
(15:56):
last time out.
Speaker 4 (15:56):
How do your fancy they'll go against the Sharks?
Speaker 2 (15:58):
I have no idea. Do you.
Speaker 4 (16:02):
Do as I would say the words I.
Speaker 3 (16:04):
Was thinking, I'm going to us Darcy's probably doesn't know well,
I think.
Speaker 2 (16:09):
So we've got near the top of the table. What
are we looking at? Six ft t something similar.
Speaker 5 (16:12):
To that, and are at home with the Sharks, so
all bets are off. I think the loss of Mitch
Barnett is big, but if that has a massive effect
on the nature of the team and what they're doing, well,
that's terrible. I don't see that happening. I think he's yeah,
(16:32):
he's important, but you cannot.
Speaker 2 (16:34):
Build a team around one guy.
Speaker 5 (16:37):
Not on the NRL, they're too easily injured out of
the game, going to whatever. So my expectations are that
they're in the fight through the whole game. Whether that
fight slows down in the last twenty minutes and they
scare me stupid on the couch, I don't care as
long as they're there or thereabouts and they don't get.
Speaker 2 (16:58):
Blown off the part. Because this is something I'm sure
you've enjoyed this time as well.
Speaker 5 (17:03):
Is this team are always in the fight. I mean
this a couple of times. They haven't been bid in
general at the point at the end, and as fans,
that's what we want, right we.
Speaker 3 (17:11):
Do we do, We love we love it when they're
winning the tite ones, which, as we've said a lot
this year on the podcast, they didn't always do in
twenty twenty four.
Speaker 4 (17:20):
Our time is up in the chamber.
Speaker 7 (17:22):
This is Sportsfix, your daily does of sports news, how
and by news Talks EB.
Speaker 3 (17:29):
And our time is up on the Sports Fix podcast
for today. Our thanks to GJ. Gardner Homes, New Zealand's
most trusted home builder, for sponsoring the podcast, and our
great thanks to you for listening in, for downloading, for subscribing,
for giving us, you know, fifteen to twenty minutes of
your very valuable time.
Speaker 4 (17:44):
We really appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (17:45):
Friends, Romans, countryman, lemme who he is?
Speaker 5 (17:48):
So it comes down to, isn't it sorry to gain
oh okaic and you like that? Hey, if you really
like to just subscribe that way, it'll tune up in
your own box on a weekdaily basis. Tell you friends,
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on Monday, I've got the rest of the week and
of course Piney on Saturday it's your time to shine.
Speaker 3 (18:11):
And Sunday indeed, and then Sunday as well, twelve to
three Saturday, let's not discriminate again Sunday twelve to three
on Sunday as well.
Speaker 4 (18:19):
Our week is falling.
Speaker 3 (18:20):
Apart, The podcast is falling apart. We're out of here,
darselsc next week.
Speaker 2 (18:25):
But you are not.
Speaker 5 (18:26):
In congratulations for winning another radio award, mate, super well deserved.
You're waving the flag strongly and proudly for News Talk
SEDB and Sports Talk and the effects good Man.
Speaker 4 (18:39):
Very kind. Thank you Dussy.
Speaker 1 (18:41):
For more from News Talk SEDB, listen live on air
or online, and keep our shows with you wherever you
go with our podcast on iHeartRadio.
You're listening to a podcast from News Talks ed B
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 be hello there and welcome into the back end
of the traditional working weekend.
Speaker 4 (00:24):
To the front to end of an exciting sporting weekend.
Speaker 3 (00:26):
So this is the Sports Fix podcast for Friday, June
the sixth, an association with GJ. Gardner Homes New Zealand's
most trusted home builder.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
I'm Jason Pine.
Speaker 5 (00:34):
Alongside my good mates, I'm the least trusted sports cast
in the country, which is a lovely bit of irony.
My name is Darcy Watergrow. I love the way you
always mentioned Now, Jason, that's the.
Speaker 2 (00:44):
End of the traditional working week.
Speaker 5 (00:46):
Once I once I had to go at you about that,
you've never forgotten.
Speaker 2 (00:50):
I love your memory, mate, Well done. No idea.
Speaker 3 (00:53):
I don't like to I don't like to alienate those
who don't work the Monday to Friday. However, Friday, I
think is a time to look ahead to a weekend,
but also to look ahead over the next what.
Speaker 4 (01:03):
The four years at a new Black Cats cricket coach.
Speaker 2 (01:06):
Yeah, I'm going to be talking to him shortly.
Speaker 5 (01:09):
His name is Rob Walter and he's had plenty of
experience here in New Zealand, across the vaults, across Central District.
Even New Zealand A has worked for so I think
this is a what's a fantastic result, but I haven't
listened to the interview and see do you think?
Speaker 2 (01:24):
All right?
Speaker 3 (01:24):
I'll do that and then maybe we can kick around
some thoughts of our own. There's super rugby to look
forward to, some supercars over in Perth, and the Warriors
to lunch to unpack.
Speaker 2 (01:32):
Let's get into it.
Speaker 3 (01:34):
In other news, Let's get underway with some of the
big sports stories floating around today.
Speaker 4 (01:40):
Starting at Golf's Canadian Open.
Speaker 2 (01:42):
Pretty pipe for the New Zealander Ryan Fox right behind
us at eighteen.
Speaker 4 (01:49):
You can see this just planted a light more tramp
and it's now Yeah.
Speaker 3 (01:52):
Late surge has lifted Ryan Fox, who an opening round
four under pass sixty six in Canada. Golden Points has
decided the opening match of round fourteen in leagues NRL.
Speaker 4 (02:04):
GEN and five and Chase Flitcher hut tomsul that's a
fact to the castle.
Speaker 3 (02:14):
Yeah, Kaylen Ponger's match winning try completed Newcastle's biggest comeback
victory in eighteen years, beating Manly twenty six twenty two
and Egish Beyon. TeX's twenty six match French Open winning
streak has come to an end, ousted in three sets
by Arena Sablenca in the semifinals, Sabolenca getting set for
a meeting with Coco Golf in Sunday's final.
Speaker 6 (02:35):
I'm super happy with the win today and betting eager
and the longer us since it's just something undelievable and
something I'm super proud of, and yeah, just happy to
get through this difficult bunch us and a Vidion.
Speaker 7 (02:49):
It's Sports Fix with Jason Vine and Dussy LORDE Grave.
Speaker 3 (02:54):
Super Rugby Pacific Finals time, which means Super Rugby Pacific
Finals prediction time here on the Sports Fix podcast. Always
fraught with danger when you try to pick results in
the competition as tight as this one. It seems as
though the first two matches, though Tonight Crusaders Reds and
tomorrow Chiefs Blues, are very much in favor of the
(03:15):
home sides. Let's start in christ Church tonight, where apparently
it's going to be bitterly cold. I think the high
today in christ Church was seven degrees. The high was seven.
I just can't see a scenario under which the Reds
go to christ Church and beat the Crusaders tonight. It
just seems highly unlikely. The Crusaders, off the back of
(03:35):
a twenty twenty four, which they are now happy to
consign to the far reaches of the rear view mirror,
have been very, very good this season. The red slock,
they have played well, but I can't see them winning
that tonight. So let's put the Crusaders into the semifinals
next week tomorrow. Chiefs Blues, see, this is a really
interesting game. In fact, I think the Chiefs, if you
(03:58):
ask them, would rather play the Reds than the Blues,
even though the Blues finished sixth. The Blues their title
defense now rests on them winning three straight games, probably
in fact, definitely all away from home.
Speaker 4 (04:10):
But they are hanging in there.
Speaker 3 (04:13):
And when there is a battle of the Bombays, you
know that both of these teams really just go to
a different level. Form momentum don't mean anything. Having said
all of that, I've been so impressed with the Chiefs
this season, and with Clayton McMillan leaving and the emotion
that's wrapped around that and the players they're getting back
(04:34):
in the strength and depth they have across all positions.
It just feels as though it's the Chiefs for me.
So Crusaders Chiefs, which means the Brumbies Hurricanes game is
effectively a dead rubber, with both teams knowing under this
new format that they will be going through to the semis. However,
what you are playing for, I think anyway, is to
(04:54):
avoid the Chiefs at semi.
Speaker 4 (04:55):
Final time, because it feels to me as though the.
Speaker 3 (04:58):
Longer you can avoid the Chiefs, the better it will
be for your aspirations. They are, without a doubt the
favorites for Super Rugby this year, so anyone who says
well and the Hurricanes will just go through the motions
tomorrow night, I kind of think that you're battling to
avoid the Chiefs. That's the reason you're playing that game
tomorrow night. That's not saying that the Crusaders away will
(05:18):
be easy in a semi final either, but yeah, that's
my take on it. So Crusaders and Chiefs to go through.
I've got the Hurricanes beating the Brumbies, which means our
semis will be Chiefs, Brumbies, Crusaders, Hurricanes.
Speaker 4 (05:32):
But then again, it could be.
Speaker 2 (05:34):
Anything dissecting the sporting agenda.
Speaker 7 (05:38):
It's Sports Fix with Jason Vine and Darcy Waldgrave.
Speaker 2 (05:42):
And as well.
Speaker 5 (05:42):
Welcome now to the brand new coach of the black
Caps across all three formats. It was announced today. His
name is Rob Walter and he joins us now.
Speaker 8 (05:53):
Good I rob he Usney, how yott.
Speaker 5 (05:55):
I'm thinking, what a massive week for New Zealand cricket.
So much has happened and the cherry on the top
is a brand new all formats.
Speaker 2 (06:03):
Coach and that's you, Rob Walter. First up? How long
have you known?
Speaker 6 (06:07):
For?
Speaker 2 (06:08):
How long have you been holding your mouth and holding
your tongue?
Speaker 9 (06:13):
Just a couple of days. That hasn't been too high obviously,
very I think. So I'm happy that it's now official
and at least can tell a few people.
Speaker 2 (06:24):
Have you brought your own shoes?
Speaker 8 (06:26):
Have bod moone shoes?
Speaker 5 (06:27):
Well? As opposed to trying to fit in the big
ones that Stead's leaving, probably bringing your own ones has
a better idea, right Yeah?
Speaker 9 (06:33):
No, no, those are big shoes to fils and you're
not going to try to do that, I think Steady
is massively, massively successful. He's left the team in in
a great position, so very privileged you have taken on
from them, but yeah, no doubt that they are big
shoes to film.
Speaker 5 (06:50):
South Africans represent again New Zealand a long history end
cricket across the board. You've been coaching the national side,
but you've had a lot of experience with New Zealand.
You coach the vaults, what five years have been involved
central districts. I think you get a bit of a
crack with New Zealand A as well, so you unders
stay in the landscape.
Speaker 9 (07:10):
Yeah, I feel very sort of connected to the system,
having spent a long time in it, as you said,
you know, with the Tiger and then and then CD
and then take in New Zealand A to India.
Speaker 8 (07:22):
So I'm certainly been.
Speaker 9 (07:24):
A part of it for for a long period of time.
Obviously more recently been able to get some international experience,
which which again a great privilege, so to be able
to bring it back having still been connected to, you know,
to the players along the way and living in New Zealand,
you you never sort of become disconnected, always watching and
seeing what's going on. But I suppose having an appreciation
(07:45):
for for how cricket works in New Zealand is the positive.
Speaker 5 (07:48):
Markedly different from the rest of the world war from
your experience from India, from South Africa. What seats New
Zealand apart.
Speaker 9 (07:55):
Look obviously you know, certainly not the same player numbers
or financial resources, but in some respects.
Speaker 8 (08:03):
Are smaller, a smaller group and a smaller pool.
Speaker 9 (08:06):
You know, makes things tight, It allows you to move
on things a bit quicker. And certainly you know this
idea of a collective that can achieve results together is
very strong here. I don't think everyone understands that everyone
has to be pulling in the same direction and buying into.
Speaker 8 (08:24):
The same vision in order for success to happen.
Speaker 9 (08:27):
And that's you know, they can take a long timeime
to achieve in other environments.
Speaker 8 (08:31):
I think that's the starting point. That's awesome.
Speaker 5 (08:33):
What do you have philosophy vice when it comes to
coaching teams at all different formats? Do you set with
what's seeing you have success before? Are you flexible available
to change? How do you start this job wrong?
Speaker 9 (08:47):
I think first of all is you know, giving yourself
some time to observe because as you said, they are
a big shoots full that that success doesn't happen by mistake.
The team environment has to be strong. The players have
to be strong and qualified and have a skill set
that stands up at international level. So first being very
(09:08):
appreciative of that and appreciative of what has brought success already.
And then and then understanding even though I have obviously
the ideas in my head of what might be some
areas to improve them, just really giving myself time to
walk in the shoes, as you said, and and get a.
Speaker 8 (09:25):
Sense of what is required from me.
Speaker 9 (09:28):
Ultimately, I don't see the need for massive change because
why would you do that?
Speaker 8 (09:33):
For me, it's it's how will the team evolve?
Speaker 9 (09:36):
Will I assist the team in evolving and growing because
the game evolves quickly and the game grows, and we
need to Yeah, we need to be on power with
that or ahead of it ideally, So just understanding what
that is and then my role in it, you know, Ultimately,
if you're talking about a basic philosophy, I just really
want to create the best environment for the players to
play and that they feel that they can produce their
(09:58):
best cricket for New Zealand, and that I'm providing the
platform for that to happen, along with my staff. So
I think if we can do that, you know, the
six will continue. Hopefully they will also see players grow
and the game growing.
Speaker 8 (10:12):
The game in New Zealand will happened as a result
of that as well.
Speaker 5 (10:15):
Arguably that's what Stead did to he turned up. He
didn't change anything. He just adjusted and carried on in
the background, and it worked particularly well.
Speaker 2 (10:24):
Not a lot needed to be tweaked, if you will.
Speaker 5 (10:27):
What about you as a coach and how you go
about your business?
Speaker 2 (10:32):
Are you a shouter, a mumbler, a mutterer?
Speaker 5 (10:35):
Are you a guy that wants to take the lead?
Speaker 2 (10:38):
You stand in the spotlight?
Speaker 5 (10:39):
How would you describe yourself as part of that environment?
Speaker 9 (10:41):
Rob, I think you know, giving the environment what the
environment needs. You know, that's the first part of leadership.
So again, as I said, understanding what that is. I'm
a I'm a cricket tragic, There's no doubt about that.
So you know, I love the game, Love observing the game,
Love love trying to understand what strategy is going to
(11:02):
be required in order to, you know, to be successful.
But I suppose you know, very special civically, you know,
relational at heart, understand the importance of relationships, Understand you
know the role of influence of a coach and you
know to respect that. Yeah, and you know, to find
(11:23):
a way to really enjoy the journey is critical. And
the international game of cricket already has a lot of
pressure on it.
Speaker 8 (11:30):
The game of cricket is, as we know, inconsistent by nature.
Speaker 9 (11:33):
So finding a way for for everyone to really enjoy
the journey that they are, especially the next three and
a half years, and all the possibilities and opportunities that
in front that are in front of the team, that
the players are really excited by, that not not sort
of overhaord, but but want to run towards them.
Speaker 7 (11:50):
The Chamber is now in session on Sportsfex.
Speaker 3 (11:55):
End of the Chamber, we go interesting to hear the
thoughts of Rob Walter, who I think was a fairly
predictable selection as new Black Caps cricket coach. It must
be interesting for him to come into an environment where
I think been going pretty well. This ain't a dumpsterfire,
you know, this isn't a mister fix it job.
Speaker 4 (12:13):
So how will he best approach this gig?
Speaker 5 (12:15):
If he has any idea about what he's doing, and
I suspect he does. He will look to the previous
coach and look to what the previous coach did when
he came in and who he took the reins from.
Did Gary Stead change.
Speaker 2 (12:30):
A great deal? Did he overreact? Did he know? He didn't?
Speaker 5 (12:34):
He said, this is working, how can I bring this
lift this for But he didn't make any big, crazy decisions.
He just carried on tapping into the same vein of
form and strength of the team already have. The team
is there and I don't think he needs to mess
with it much and I don't think he will.
Speaker 2 (12:51):
No.
Speaker 3 (12:52):
I tend to agree, and I think that was probably
the criticism that was aimed at Gary Stead the most
often was that he was too conservative, he didn't change enough.
I think there was a clamor for whenever a you know,
a new flash kit on the block came through and
scored a bunch of runs at domestic level or got
some wicket, there was a clamor to get them into
the black Caps team. I think Gary Stead did a
(13:12):
pretty good job of, you know, of just keeping to
his own knitting and saying this is how I perceive
this cricket team will be successful and it isn't about
chopping and changing all the time and giving players the
comfort of knowing that they weren't one innings away from
being dropped.
Speaker 5 (13:29):
Well, that was very important part of his structure. It's
pretty hard to get in, boyince youre and it's very
hard to get out. And some criticism around as well,
maybe you went a little too long with some players,
maybe you cut.
Speaker 2 (13:40):
Some players a little short.
Speaker 5 (13:42):
But I think this is a bit nitpicky because the
results he's had, as we talked about before, across his tenure,
have been remarkable. You simply don't get these results on
a regular base across all formats of cricket over.
Speaker 2 (13:57):
That amount of time unless you know what you're doing.
Speaker 5 (13:59):
Look, you're going to have bad days, you're going to
have bad test matches, you're going to have bad series.
It's going to happen. But by and large, look at
the results. You can't argue against that.
Speaker 4 (14:08):
Right, No, you can't. You cannot.
Speaker 3 (14:10):
And I think Gary Steed's legacy is fairly secure based
just on the results really, but other bits and pieces
as well. Hey, Perth, supercars, Well where supercars?
Speaker 2 (14:21):
What is supercars?
Speaker 4 (14:22):
At the moment. That's a silly question to ask.
Speaker 3 (14:25):
I know, we know what supercars is, but is it
getting cut through.
Speaker 4 (14:28):
At the moment in motorsports circles.
Speaker 2 (14:30):
I'm not entirely sure. I think that they're healthy.
Speaker 5 (14:33):
In days of his years back when New Zealanders were dominating,
people engage with a lot more than we're talking to
Shane Van Gusberg and the Scott McLaughlin and the like
as well.
Speaker 2 (14:43):
It's changed a weebit this year.
Speaker 5 (14:44):
We've got we've got five key involved and there's a
couple doing particularly well and one of the acts he's
doing so well he appeared on the Mike Hosking Breakfast.
That says a lot about how well Matthew Payne is
doing right now. Okay, if he gets on the Hosk
that's obviously working. He's having a great time of it.
The interest for me this year is the final series
(15:06):
and the way they determine a winner. It's changed immensely
and I'm not going to dive deep into this. Still
closer to the time that you've got to finish in
the top ten and then like NASCAR, they have a
not not a shootout, but they've got a different format
of how they managed to work out.
Speaker 2 (15:23):
Who the overall whinever is.
Speaker 5 (15:24):
So I think as that starts to bed in, there
will be more interest. And of course next year there's
two races in New Zealand, so it has to it
has to bed in further, you'd think.
Speaker 3 (15:34):
Yep, looking forward to it and looking forward to those
two races here in New Zealand's well. Quick word on
the wars They take on the Sharks tomorrow night. The
Sharks were going along fairly nicely until they got hammered
by the Roosters last time out. No Mitch Barnett for
the rest of the season for the Warriors. They bounce
back from that loss to the Raiders with and at
times hectic thirty six thirty went over the rabbit Os
(15:56):
last time out.
Speaker 4 (15:56):
How do your fancy they'll go against the Sharks?
Speaker 2 (15:58):
I have no idea. Do you.
Speaker 4 (16:02):
Do as I would say the words I.
Speaker 3 (16:04):
Was thinking, I'm going to us Darcy's probably doesn't know well,
I think.
Speaker 2 (16:09):
So we've got near the top of the table. What
are we looking at? Six ft t something similar.
Speaker 5 (16:12):
To that, and are at home with the Sharks, so
all bets are off. I think the loss of Mitch
Barnett is big, but if that has a massive effect
on the nature of the team and what they're doing, well,
that's terrible. I don't see that happening. I think he's yeah,
(16:32):
he's important, but you cannot.
Speaker 2 (16:34):
Build a team around one guy.
Speaker 5 (16:37):
Not on the NRL, they're too easily injured out of
the game, going to whatever. So my expectations are that
they're in the fight through the whole game. Whether that
fight slows down in the last twenty minutes and they
scare me stupid on the couch, I don't care as
long as they're there or thereabouts and they don't get.
Speaker 2 (16:58):
Blown off the part. Because this is something I'm sure
you've enjoyed this time as well.
Speaker 5 (17:03):
Is this team are always in the fight. I mean
this a couple of times. They haven't been bid in
general at the point at the end, and as fans,
that's what we want, right we.
Speaker 3 (17:11):
Do we do, We love we love it when they're
winning the tite ones, which, as we've said a lot
this year on the podcast, they didn't always do in
twenty twenty four.
Speaker 4 (17:20):
Our time is up in the chamber.
Speaker 7 (17:22):
This is Sportsfix, your daily does of sports news, how
and by news Talks EB.
Speaker 3 (17:29):
And our time is up on the Sports Fix podcast
for today. Our thanks to GJ. Gardner Homes, New Zealand's
most trusted home builder, for sponsoring the podcast, and our
great thanks to you for listening in, for downloading, for subscribing,
for giving us, you know, fifteen to twenty minutes of
your very valuable time.
Speaker 4 (17:44):
We really appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (17:45):
Friends, Romans, countryman, lemme who he is?
Speaker 5 (17:48):
So it comes down to, isn't it sorry to gain
oh okaic and you like that? Hey, if you really
like to just subscribe that way, it'll tune up in
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sports talk, you're after. We have that Monday through Friday,
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of course Piney on Saturday it's your time to shine.
Speaker 3 (18:11):
And Sunday indeed, and then Sunday as well, twelve to
three Saturday, let's not discriminate again Sunday twelve to three
on Sunday as well.
Speaker 4 (18:19):
Our week is falling.
Speaker 3 (18:20):
Apart, The podcast is falling apart. We're out of here,
darselsc next week.
Speaker 2 (18:25):
But you are not.
Speaker 5 (18:26):
In congratulations for winning another radio award, mate, super well deserved.
You're waving the flag strongly and proudly for News Talk
SEDB and Sports Talk and the effects good Man.
Speaker 4 (18:39):
Very kind. Thank you Dussy.
Speaker 1 (18:41):
For more from News Talk SEDB, listen live on air
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