June 26, 2025 • 19 mins
On Sports Fix with Jason Pine and D'Arcy Waldegrave for 26th June 2025, Horowhenua Kapiti Rugby Football Union have taken the drastic step of cancelling all of their club rugby games this weekend after a referee was abused last week. College Sport Wellington have followed suit by deferring all Kapiti Coast Secondary School Rugby games this weekend. Executive Director of College Sport Wellington, Bryan Dickinson, joined the podcast to discuss what led to this decision and what changes they hope to see.
D'Arcy berates NZR for being idle while one of it's smallest unions take the lead in the stand against referees abuse.
And the lads are in the chamber to discuss Moana Pasifika's financial struggles.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:09):
You're listening to a podcast from News Talks EDB. Follow
this and our wide range of podcasts now on iHeartRadio.
This is Sportsfix Howard by News Talks EDB.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Hello there, and welcome into the Sports Fix podcast for Thursday,
June twenty sixth, in association with GJ. Gardner Holmes, New
Zealand's most trusted home builder. We're back together again.
Speaker 3 (00:31):
I'm Jason Pine, I'm ar c Waldgrave. It's a familiar voice.
I think I've heard you on the radio.
Speaker 2 (00:36):
Yes, I too, recognize your dulcet tones. We're here to
talk some sport and some rather meaty issues to get
stuck into today, and perhaps the kind of issues that
we wish wouldn't rear. Their ugly head referee abuse, professional
sports teams in financial trouble and such like, rather than
(00:58):
shoot our shot here in the intro.
Speaker 3 (01:01):
So it's so uplifting, thanks Piney, But we have to
address these things because it's right there in front of us,
and you can't turn run away, now, can.
Speaker 4 (01:09):
You end zet up?
Speaker 2 (01:10):
No, it's not the right thing to do. So without
any further ado, We're not running away. Let's walk towards it.
Let's get into it.
Speaker 3 (01:19):
Yeah, I don't know. I don't like walking towards pressure,
like running at it and tackling it. So let's get
a monk's out and our guest coming up incidentally, Brian Dickenson.
He's the College Sport of Wellington executive director. Around the situation,
just so you know, Jason Pine right now, let's get
into it.
Speaker 2 (01:38):
In other news, let's get underway with a look at
the big sports stories around today, or some of them.
Differing accounts from the school rugby match which has led
to the postponement of an entire weekend's fixtures in Hoder
for to a Carpandy Union TV executive Corey Kennett made
the decision after the abuse of a referee at last
Saturday's game between Carpety College and Marna College.
Speaker 5 (02:00):
The abuse was from multiple layers, to the point that
at the end of the game, good public individuals, we're
so concer learned about the referee safety that he was
escorted to his car.
Speaker 2 (02:12):
But a talkback caller to zed B Simon was at
the game and claimed a different version of events.
Speaker 3 (02:18):
Approach went to shack down the referee tand and to
say her look good game.
Speaker 4 (02:21):
Tough call.
Speaker 3 (02:22):
And the referee actually touched down coaching the face, he
lashed out and then it all blew up from there.
Speaker 2 (02:27):
Sixty six test sugatapayer selby record is unlikely to make
herself available for the Silver Ferns this year. The Gold
Attacks been in strong form for the Tactics in the
A and Z Premiership, but it hasn't played for New
Zealand since the twenty twenty three World Cup. I spent
eight years in the Ferns environment and as much as
I loved it, I think it's time probably.
Speaker 5 (02:44):
Just to let those the ukils come through.
Speaker 1 (02:46):
There's so much talent coming through, especially in the goal
attack position.
Speaker 2 (02:49):
And Autand City FC general manager Gordon Watson is touting
their one all draw with Boker Juniors at the Feeder
Club World Cup as one of the greatest results in
the club say history.
Speaker 6 (02:58):
It's not a win, but I'd put it to you
this way, if you got into the ring with Muhammad
Ali and you came out of it and you didn't lose,
and you didn't win, you'd still be pretty happy. That
comparison is not agreeing to pudding.
Speaker 1 (03:09):
At all, dissecting the sporting agenda. It's Sportsfix with Jason
Vine and Darcy Waldgrave.
Speaker 3 (03:18):
It's warm Welcome into Sports Fixed podcast. Now to Brian Dickinson. You,
of course are the executive director of College Sport, Wellington.
You've issued a release earlier today saying you stand in
for support of the referees and with the recent decision
made by Hoofana Company Rugby Football Union to defer all
those rugby matches. So in support of this decision, the
(03:41):
secondary schools on the Company Coast have collectively agreed to
defer their schedule rugby fixtures as well. So is this
on your watch? Is this something they decided through you
or something they kind of had to do because of
what happened up at the Company Coast game.
Speaker 4 (03:59):
Yeah, I mean, ultimately the schools have made that decision.
We agree with it, in support that decision. But it's
always good to get to a position where schools are
making the big decisions and taking on themselves. But no,
that was certainly sitting with the schools.
Speaker 3 (04:14):
So why just the Kapiti Coast area and Amarna College
were a part of this, But why just that particular region?
How many schools does this actually affect? Brian?
Speaker 4 (04:24):
Yeah, that was the bit that we have been grappling
with today. So our competition we've got forty two secondary
schools in our region, covering Wellington and Horror Finer Cavity,
and we do have a couple of schools that come
into our competition as well, and really trying to figure
out how do we support the referees and Horror fenaic
(04:49):
Cavity's decision, but drawing a circle around you know what,
what what is ifecd what's not? So we feel that's
the right. We feel like it's fallen in the right
place with the Horror find A Keviety schools supporting the decision.
Marnacola College obviously because it was involved the incident on
the weekend, but the other secondary school sport will go
(05:13):
ahead of Rugby will go ahead on the weekend.
Speaker 3 (05:16):
What engagement have you had with Wellington Rugby around this,
because plainly you're looking at college sport only. You can't
go any further. Do you need their backing? Do you
need ends ours backing to make a call like this?
Speaker 4 (05:30):
Brian, No, we don't need specifically their backing, but certainly
we've been keeping Rolling and Rugby in the loop. I mean,
even even they were affected where there's junior Horror Fenway
Cavity teams that they're playing a combined regional competition. Now
those clubs on the coast junior club's made the call
(05:51):
to stand their teams down this weekend, So essentially there
was secondary schools on the coast have made the same decision.
Speaker 3 (05:59):
Do thedn't still have any effects long term because the
whole idea behind what if you know a carpet you
have been doing is to try and put a line
under this end bowlding. And we're not going to do
this anymore, and this is maybe the only way we
can actually shake people out of their funk to listen
to us. Do you think this will work? Is this
going to have any effects what you're doing this weekend?
Speaker 4 (06:21):
Hopefully, I'm sure everyone Corey included hopes that this is
a one off. It sends the right signal to be
able to pull leads on the sidelines. Can't guarantee that,
but hopefully that is the case.
Speaker 3 (06:35):
I suppose it comes down to when you look at
all these school kids, well, how many schoolkids are going
to be affected over this weekend and the last weekend
before the holidays. A couple of one hundred ie Presumingly
they'll be upset, but their parents and caregivers will be going, hey,
hold on, this is not right, and maybe that pushes
them into action sidelines and they go, no, we're not
going to put up with us anymore. I mean, that's
(06:56):
the idea, isn't it.
Speaker 4 (06:59):
It is. I've been across those Catholic schools in Man.
Now We've got six secondary school teams that had games
this schedule this weekend. I'm conscious that some of those teams,
for one reason, they haven't actually played for the last
two or three weeks because of weather or what not.
So this is a pretty bit of pill to swallow
for some of those schools or teams that weren't involved
(07:19):
in this, that essentially won't have a game for a
month or so until we come back in term three. Yeah,
I mean, I mean, let's not you know, this is
a small number of spectators that are not behaving in
the proper way. We don't want to cast all spectors.
(07:43):
Are secutators on the sideline are acting untoward, but you know, yeah,
we've got to just see in the right signals.
Speaker 3 (07:50):
You say, so, you say spectators, Brian. From from what
I can get it, was a coaching staff, the referees
as opposed to sideline spectators. It's all very muddled and
foggy because none of us are there. But to the
best of your knowledge, what actually occurred there.
Speaker 4 (08:08):
Yeah, I'll supper out in two is shoes and one
thing I should say is Horror fen Or a company
because this game happened in there in their PU area.
They take the lead. It's their judicial process. We're here
to support that exactly like we words if this had
happened and way from Rugby's region. So two things happen
on the weekend within the game. One is around the
(08:29):
sideline behavior, you know, poor language and getting stuck into
the referee, and the other one is around an instant
between the coach and the referee. If separate the two
things out the coach referee side of things, that'll go
through a hearing with Horror f Capody. That hearing hasn't
(08:50):
been held yet, and so we'll respect that process and
both sides can put their put in the case forward
and Horror Feneral Cavity can work their way through it.
As far as just the straight sideline behavior, that's essentially
the principal reason why those those games have been called
off this weekend that supports vaccines.
Speaker 3 (09:08):
Pot of a Carpany. Rugby Union have done exactly what
zed Are should have done years ago. They've drawn a
line in the sand around abuse of referees, and they
have stood up and actioned that line in the sand
by postponing all club rugby over the coming weekend because
(09:31):
of abuse on the sidelines. Not just the rippers, not
the seniors, everybody. They have made a stand and they
should be commended. I know from the numerous texts and
emails I've received here in the studio that this has
been wholeheartedly embraced by the rugby community. No one wants
(09:51):
abuse from the sidelines. These guys and girls who referee,
they are getting paid. They do it out of their
love for the game, and their reward is to get
abused on the sideline by a couple of idiots. So
z Are I have released a statement they fully support
Hotophon Company, Rugby Union and so on and so forth.
(10:13):
And we've really got to stamp out the scourge of
the game with abusive referees. And it's our game and
we've got to really learn to love it and stop it.
I don't want to hear your thoughts and prayers statements.
I don't I want some leadership. Why is a PU
like Hotophona Carpety. Have them to stand up and lead
(10:34):
from the front. They're a tiny union. N z are
need to do something. Nzet are need to carry this weight,
to shoulder this burden and pronounce an edict right across
the game that says any misbehavior directed towards referees on
the sideline of every game will immediately result in the
(10:56):
postponement of all of the games in the next round
for the concerned union.
Speaker 4 (11:02):
Do it.
Speaker 3 (11:02):
Show some leadership, show some strength. You're supposed to be
running this game, not tiny provincial unions who have had enough.
Your responsibility, your game, your problem, your decision.
Speaker 4 (11:18):
Do it.
Speaker 1 (11:19):
The Chamber is now in session.
Speaker 2 (11:21):
On Sportsfax, into the Chamber we go to kick around
a few sporting issues. Look, I found myself nodding my
head at your opinion piece regarding the referee abuse in
New Zealand Rugby's next step, So we can leave that
off to one side as having been discussed now. The
other rugby issue floating around today is Liam Napier's story
(11:42):
in The Herald this morning regarding Mowana Pacifica and the
fact that there may be some stormy financial waters ahead
for Maana Pacifica, which is doubly disappointing. It's disappointing anyway,
but given the season they've just completed and how much
excitement they gave us, this is troubling, dusk troubling, difficult.
Speaker 3 (12:01):
To unravel more than anything about where the money's come from,
how it's been applied. Is there any conf lecks of
interest within the organization, because you've got people who have
got dual roles across the company that actually bought my
one a Pacificer at the war as well. How that
works out. So to actually unrevel ravel, excuse me and
(12:23):
pull this apart, that's going to be where the interest
is because at the moment it's all out there. And
you add to that, of course, not only is it
the directed or misdirected funds, and I'm not going to
say which way it is because I don't know you,
it's the fact that Sky are dropping their money, the
world rugby are dropping their money, Jersey sponsorships are going
down the gurgler as well. I'd say a perfect storm,
(12:46):
but I don't think anyone at Pacificer would think it's
perfect at all.
Speaker 2 (12:50):
No good summary, good summary, and it does take a
bit of time to unravel and explain, and we would
direct you to Liam Nape's excellent piece in the in
the heraudience at Herald dot co dot inseed. But you've
nailed it, does It's not just this. All professional sports
teams are having to look at their revenue and you've
nailed them. Sponsorship, broadcast, you know, government or World Rugby Assistance,
(13:14):
New Zealand Rugby Assistance. Everybody's got to tighten their belt. Look,
we know that Mwana Pacific are you know, laid off
fifteen players shortly after the season ended, not not really
starting players, but clearly guys on their roster they couldn't
afford to keep paying. It's, you know what your hope
is that it doesn't come to a point where what
we saw and the season just gone can't be repeated
(13:36):
because of because of the balance sheet. Because what they
were doing on the field and the excitement they were
they were providing us in the stands and on our
screens was fantastic.
Speaker 3 (13:46):
It was being the operative word pinty. Because of course
Tomorrow Flower has disappeared, and now Savia has gone over
to what are they sabbatical? It's the word they use.
It won't be the word I use. I've got something
much rude of it. Anyway, So they've lost a couple
of their big guns and as you mentioned, pretty much
the entire team. I don't know who's responsible for this,
(14:07):
and I don't know who needs to prop up or
support because we know that Pasifaker rugby is very very important,
but on the widest scale of the widest stage, how
important is for New Zealand rugby? Does this need to
be taken under the arms of ends at our full stop,
not just a bit of a token gesture, but actually
(14:29):
take this over? Or is that just another super team
that we can't afford it. I just don't know.
Speaker 2 (14:35):
I think I don't know the answer, And as you're
saying it, I'm thinking, what do I think? What is
the right thing to do? I think what we would
all love is for more one of Pacifica to continue
to exist in super rugby and to grow and to
thrive and to continue to excite us, but also provide
a pathway through to Tonga and some more for the
international players you know who have the ability to represent
(14:59):
those countries. But yeah, I mean you compare it to
the Fiji and Dreuer, who are based in Fiji have
a number of on island sponsors. Their merchandise, merchandise some
sales are very very high in fact as I understand,
at the best in the comp But Myna Pacific I
can't exist in Tonga or some more. It's just not
feasible for them. They have to exist in New Zealand.
So no, no does Maybe New Zealand Rugby does have
(15:20):
to take some sort of responsibility or certainly offer something
because they are a tenant of our land. I don't
know whether even that is the right way to describe it.
Speaker 3 (15:29):
Why But then you look at the other teams that
are flailing a little, the likes of the hundreds, and
they go, well, what are you doing? You know we're
in trouble down here, anyway, help us out. We're in
one of the starting teams here. And what you're just
going to start looking after these Johnny cum lately who
really are feeding their players into two separate national teams.
It's a very difficult thing to untangle, but you know
(15:52):
they've got a while to do it, right superseason doesn't
start to when does it start this year? December? Sorry,
Mark Nate February March early anyway, so a lot of
time to work it out. And I would say all
of the key participants are going to active some serious
sit downs and eyeballing of each other's as too, because
(16:14):
for the greater good, for the greater good of rugby,
we kind of need this to happen and to exist.
Speaker 2 (16:19):
We certainly do. We certainly do. Just to finish, let's
finish on a positive note with regard to Super Rugby
because the numbers are out in terms of viewership. Two
million viewed the Super Rugby Final across the pay channel
Sky Sport and Frederware and Sky Open. Most watched Super
Rugby finals since twenty sixteen. Nine of the top ten
viewed games across the season when New Zealand Derby's, which
(16:40):
is hardly a surprise. But look, I you know, that
feels right to me that there was an uplift in
viewership and that people were excited to tune in in
particular to the games between the New Zealand sites.
Speaker 3 (16:53):
And why was that? And I tell you right now,
because the best players in New Zealand Rugby appeared regularly
on a weekly basis, and they weren't sat down, and
they did get rotated, and they weren't given necessary rest
because they had an arduous end of year tour and
the like I mean, they adjusted. But I think you'll
agree with this one here. We didn't look each week
to go, Okay, who's been rested, who's been sat down,
(17:15):
who's coming through? This didn't exist. We had the best
players in New Zealand playing pretty much every week, and
that's what people want, right.
Speaker 2 (17:22):
Indeed, indeed, we'll look at the look at the all
black starting center, whether you agree or not. Rico Yuani
is the all Black starting center and he played every game.
He started every game, and he wasn't the only one,
as you say, Das the big names played almost every
week and weren't forced at any stage to sit out,
which I think we can all agree as an excellent dan.
Speaker 3 (17:45):
How much that came from Razer though after he'd has
spent quite a while juggling all of his players because
they had to sit down and have rescy minute. Then, kids, guys,
we got to stop. This is rubbish. This is our
this is our this is our shot window, right, this
is our national shot window. Why don't we make it
look great as opposed to kicking it in and pinching
the props out of the front.
Speaker 2 (18:05):
Well, it certainly did the job as far as the
viewers were concerned. That is us in the chamber.
Speaker 3 (18:09):
Today, beating of X.
Speaker 1 (18:11):
We've got just the ticket. It's Sports Fix power by
News Talks.
Speaker 2 (18:15):
IVY, and that is us on the Sports Fix podcast
for today. It's a great pleasure to bring you to
Sports Fix every weekday. We appreciate you listening, and we
especially appreciate those of you dous who have subscribed to
sport for our Sports Fix and get the next episode
automatically in their feed.
Speaker 3 (18:30):
Yeah, and also tell the mates and tell their family
and tell everybody else to do the same thing. More
tracks we've got, the more likelihood it is that will
carry on doing this on a week daily basis. And
of course if you'd like to join on in you
can on Sports Talk between seven and eight pm Monday
to Friday on News Talk zb Pine. It's got Monday,
(18:50):
I've got Tuesday through Friday, and then of course you
pull the big shift, don't you come up on the weekend.
Speaker 2 (18:57):
Well, I'm not sure that it's gargantuan, but let's let's
call it. Let's call it significant. It's weekend sport midday
until three, Saturday and Sunday.
Speaker 3 (19:06):
See tomorrow at US. He's the heavy lifting, don't you
forget it.
Speaker 1 (19:10):
For more from News Talk st B, listen live on
air or online, and keep our shows with you wherever
you go with our podcasts on iHeartRadio
You're listening to a podcast from News Talks EDB. Follow
this and our wide range of podcasts now on iHeartRadio.
This is Sportsfix Howard by News Talks EDB.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Hello there, and welcome into the Sports Fix podcast for Thursday,
June twenty sixth, in association with GJ. Gardner Holmes, New
Zealand's most trusted home builder. We're back together again.
Speaker 3 (00:31):
I'm Jason Pine, I'm ar c Waldgrave. It's a familiar voice.
I think I've heard you on the radio.
Speaker 2 (00:36):
Yes, I too, recognize your dulcet tones. We're here to
talk some sport and some rather meaty issues to get
stuck into today, and perhaps the kind of issues that
we wish wouldn't rear. Their ugly head referee abuse, professional
sports teams in financial trouble and such like, rather than
(00:58):
shoot our shot here in the intro.
Speaker 3 (01:01):
So it's so uplifting, thanks Piney, But we have to
address these things because it's right there in front of us,
and you can't turn run away, now, can.
Speaker 4 (01:09):
You end zet up?
Speaker 2 (01:10):
No, it's not the right thing to do. So without
any further ado, We're not running away. Let's walk towards it.
Let's get into it.
Speaker 3 (01:19):
Yeah, I don't know. I don't like walking towards pressure,
like running at it and tackling it. So let's get
a monk's out and our guest coming up incidentally, Brian Dickenson.
He's the College Sport of Wellington executive director. Around the situation,
just so you know, Jason Pine right now, let's get
into it.
Speaker 2 (01:38):
In other news, let's get underway with a look at
the big sports stories around today, or some of them.
Differing accounts from the school rugby match which has led
to the postponement of an entire weekend's fixtures in Hoder
for to a Carpandy Union TV executive Corey Kennett made
the decision after the abuse of a referee at last
Saturday's game between Carpety College and Marna College.
Speaker 5 (02:00):
The abuse was from multiple layers, to the point that
at the end of the game, good public individuals, we're
so concer learned about the referee safety that he was
escorted to his car.
Speaker 2 (02:12):
But a talkback caller to zed B Simon was at
the game and claimed a different version of events.
Speaker 3 (02:18):
Approach went to shack down the referee tand and to
say her look good game.
Speaker 4 (02:21):
Tough call.
Speaker 3 (02:22):
And the referee actually touched down coaching the face, he
lashed out and then it all blew up from there.
Speaker 2 (02:27):
Sixty six test sugatapayer selby record is unlikely to make
herself available for the Silver Ferns this year. The Gold
Attacks been in strong form for the Tactics in the
A and Z Premiership, but it hasn't played for New
Zealand since the twenty twenty three World Cup. I spent
eight years in the Ferns environment and as much as
I loved it, I think it's time probably.
Speaker 5 (02:44):
Just to let those the ukils come through.
Speaker 1 (02:46):
There's so much talent coming through, especially in the goal
attack position.
Speaker 2 (02:49):
And Autand City FC general manager Gordon Watson is touting
their one all draw with Boker Juniors at the Feeder
Club World Cup as one of the greatest results in
the club say history.
Speaker 6 (02:58):
It's not a win, but I'd put it to you
this way, if you got into the ring with Muhammad
Ali and you came out of it and you didn't lose,
and you didn't win, you'd still be pretty happy. That
comparison is not agreeing to pudding.
Speaker 1 (03:09):
At all, dissecting the sporting agenda. It's Sportsfix with Jason
Vine and Darcy Waldgrave.
Speaker 3 (03:18):
It's warm Welcome into Sports Fixed podcast. Now to Brian Dickinson. You,
of course are the executive director of College Sport, Wellington.
You've issued a release earlier today saying you stand in
for support of the referees and with the recent decision
made by Hoofana Company Rugby Football Union to defer all
those rugby matches. So in support of this decision, the
(03:41):
secondary schools on the Company Coast have collectively agreed to
defer their schedule rugby fixtures as well. So is this
on your watch? Is this something they decided through you
or something they kind of had to do because of
what happened up at the Company Coast game.
Speaker 4 (03:59):
Yeah, I mean, ultimately the schools have made that decision.
We agree with it, in support that decision. But it's
always good to get to a position where schools are
making the big decisions and taking on themselves. But no,
that was certainly sitting with the schools.
Speaker 3 (04:14):
So why just the Kapiti Coast area and Amarna College
were a part of this, But why just that particular region?
How many schools does this actually affect? Brian?
Speaker 4 (04:24):
Yeah, that was the bit that we have been grappling
with today. So our competition we've got forty two secondary
schools in our region, covering Wellington and Horror Finer Cavity,
and we do have a couple of schools that come
into our competition as well, and really trying to figure
out how do we support the referees and Horror fenaic
(04:49):
Cavity's decision, but drawing a circle around you know what,
what what is ifecd what's not? So we feel that's
the right. We feel like it's fallen in the right
place with the Horror find A Keviety schools supporting the decision.
Marnacola College obviously because it was involved the incident on
the weekend, but the other secondary school sport will go
(05:13):
ahead of Rugby will go ahead on the weekend.
Speaker 3 (05:16):
What engagement have you had with Wellington Rugby around this,
because plainly you're looking at college sport only. You can't
go any further. Do you need their backing? Do you
need ends ours backing to make a call like this?
Speaker 4 (05:30):
Brian, No, we don't need specifically their backing, but certainly
we've been keeping Rolling and Rugby in the loop. I mean,
even even they were affected where there's junior Horror Fenway
Cavity teams that they're playing a combined regional competition. Now
those clubs on the coast junior club's made the call
(05:51):
to stand their teams down this weekend, So essentially there
was secondary schools on the coast have made the same decision.
Speaker 3 (05:59):
Do thedn't still have any effects long term because the
whole idea behind what if you know a carpet you
have been doing is to try and put a line
under this end bowlding. And we're not going to do
this anymore, and this is maybe the only way we
can actually shake people out of their funk to listen
to us. Do you think this will work? Is this
going to have any effects what you're doing this weekend?
Speaker 4 (06:21):
Hopefully, I'm sure everyone Corey included hopes that this is
a one off. It sends the right signal to be
able to pull leads on the sidelines. Can't guarantee that,
but hopefully that is the case.
Speaker 3 (06:35):
I suppose it comes down to when you look at
all these school kids, well, how many schoolkids are going
to be affected over this weekend and the last weekend
before the holidays. A couple of one hundred ie Presumingly
they'll be upset, but their parents and caregivers will be going, hey,
hold on, this is not right, and maybe that pushes
them into action sidelines and they go, no, we're not
going to put up with us anymore. I mean, that's
(06:56):
the idea, isn't it.
Speaker 4 (06:59):
It is. I've been across those Catholic schools in Man.
Now We've got six secondary school teams that had games
this schedule this weekend. I'm conscious that some of those teams,
for one reason, they haven't actually played for the last
two or three weeks because of weather or what not.
So this is a pretty bit of pill to swallow
for some of those schools or teams that weren't involved
(07:19):
in this, that essentially won't have a game for a
month or so until we come back in term three. Yeah,
I mean, I mean, let's not you know, this is
a small number of spectators that are not behaving in
the proper way. We don't want to cast all spectors.
(07:43):
Are secutators on the sideline are acting untoward, but you know, yeah,
we've got to just see in the right signals.
Speaker 3 (07:50):
You say, so, you say spectators, Brian. From from what
I can get it, was a coaching staff, the referees
as opposed to sideline spectators. It's all very muddled and
foggy because none of us are there. But to the
best of your knowledge, what actually occurred there.
Speaker 4 (08:08):
Yeah, I'll supper out in two is shoes and one
thing I should say is Horror fen Or a company
because this game happened in there in their PU area.
They take the lead. It's their judicial process. We're here
to support that exactly like we words if this had
happened and way from Rugby's region. So two things happen
on the weekend within the game. One is around the
(08:29):
sideline behavior, you know, poor language and getting stuck into
the referee, and the other one is around an instant
between the coach and the referee. If separate the two
things out the coach referee side of things, that'll go
through a hearing with Horror f Capody. That hearing hasn't
(08:50):
been held yet, and so we'll respect that process and
both sides can put their put in the case forward
and Horror Feneral Cavity can work their way through it.
As far as just the straight sideline behavior, that's essentially
the principal reason why those those games have been called
off this weekend that supports vaccines.
Speaker 3 (09:08):
Pot of a Carpany. Rugby Union have done exactly what
zed Are should have done years ago. They've drawn a
line in the sand around abuse of referees, and they
have stood up and actioned that line in the sand
by postponing all club rugby over the coming weekend because
(09:31):
of abuse on the sidelines. Not just the rippers, not
the seniors, everybody. They have made a stand and they
should be commended. I know from the numerous texts and
emails I've received here in the studio that this has
been wholeheartedly embraced by the rugby community. No one wants
(09:51):
abuse from the sidelines. These guys and girls who referee,
they are getting paid. They do it out of their
love for the game, and their reward is to get
abused on the sideline by a couple of idiots. So
z Are I have released a statement they fully support
Hotophon Company, Rugby Union and so on and so forth.
(10:13):
And we've really got to stamp out the scourge of
the game with abusive referees. And it's our game and
we've got to really learn to love it and stop it.
I don't want to hear your thoughts and prayers statements.
I don't I want some leadership. Why is a PU
like Hotophona Carpety. Have them to stand up and lead
(10:34):
from the front. They're a tiny union. N z are
need to do something. Nzet are need to carry this weight,
to shoulder this burden and pronounce an edict right across
the game that says any misbehavior directed towards referees on
the sideline of every game will immediately result in the
(10:56):
postponement of all of the games in the next round
for the concerned union.
Speaker 4 (11:02):
Do it.
Speaker 3 (11:02):
Show some leadership, show some strength. You're supposed to be
running this game, not tiny provincial unions who have had enough.
Your responsibility, your game, your problem, your decision.
Speaker 4 (11:18):
Do it.
Speaker 1 (11:19):
The Chamber is now in session.
Speaker 2 (11:21):
On Sportsfax, into the Chamber we go to kick around
a few sporting issues. Look, I found myself nodding my
head at your opinion piece regarding the referee abuse in
New Zealand Rugby's next step, So we can leave that
off to one side as having been discussed now. The
other rugby issue floating around today is Liam Napier's story
(11:42):
in The Herald this morning regarding Mowana Pacifica and the
fact that there may be some stormy financial waters ahead
for Maana Pacifica, which is doubly disappointing. It's disappointing anyway,
but given the season they've just completed and how much
excitement they gave us, this is troubling, dusk troubling, difficult.
Speaker 3 (12:01):
To unravel more than anything about where the money's come from,
how it's been applied. Is there any conf lecks of
interest within the organization, because you've got people who have
got dual roles across the company that actually bought my
one a Pacificer at the war as well. How that
works out. So to actually unrevel ravel, excuse me and
(12:23):
pull this apart, that's going to be where the interest
is because at the moment it's all out there. And
you add to that, of course, not only is it
the directed or misdirected funds, and I'm not going to
say which way it is because I don't know you,
it's the fact that Sky are dropping their money, the
world rugby are dropping their money, Jersey sponsorships are going
down the gurgler as well. I'd say a perfect storm,
(12:46):
but I don't think anyone at Pacificer would think it's
perfect at all.
Speaker 2 (12:50):
No good summary, good summary, and it does take a
bit of time to unravel and explain, and we would
direct you to Liam Nape's excellent piece in the in
the heraudience at Herald dot co dot inseed. But you've
nailed it, does It's not just this. All professional sports
teams are having to look at their revenue and you've
nailed them. Sponsorship, broadcast, you know, government or World Rugby Assistance,
(13:14):
New Zealand Rugby Assistance. Everybody's got to tighten their belt. Look,
we know that Mwana Pacific are you know, laid off
fifteen players shortly after the season ended, not not really
starting players, but clearly guys on their roster they couldn't
afford to keep paying. It's, you know what your hope
is that it doesn't come to a point where what
we saw and the season just gone can't be repeated
(13:36):
because of because of the balance sheet. Because what they
were doing on the field and the excitement they were
they were providing us in the stands and on our
screens was fantastic.
Speaker 3 (13:46):
It was being the operative word pinty. Because of course
Tomorrow Flower has disappeared, and now Savia has gone over
to what are they sabbatical? It's the word they use.
It won't be the word I use. I've got something
much rude of it. Anyway, So they've lost a couple
of their big guns and as you mentioned, pretty much
the entire team. I don't know who's responsible for this,
(14:07):
and I don't know who needs to prop up or
support because we know that Pasifaker rugby is very very important,
but on the widest scale of the widest stage, how
important is for New Zealand rugby? Does this need to
be taken under the arms of ends at our full stop,
not just a bit of a token gesture, but actually
(14:29):
take this over? Or is that just another super team
that we can't afford it. I just don't know.
Speaker 2 (14:35):
I think I don't know the answer, And as you're
saying it, I'm thinking, what do I think? What is
the right thing to do? I think what we would
all love is for more one of Pacifica to continue
to exist in super rugby and to grow and to
thrive and to continue to excite us, but also provide
a pathway through to Tonga and some more for the
international players you know who have the ability to represent
(14:59):
those countries. But yeah, I mean you compare it to
the Fiji and Dreuer, who are based in Fiji have
a number of on island sponsors. Their merchandise, merchandise some
sales are very very high in fact as I understand,
at the best in the comp But Myna Pacific I
can't exist in Tonga or some more. It's just not
feasible for them. They have to exist in New Zealand.
So no, no does Maybe New Zealand Rugby does have
(15:20):
to take some sort of responsibility or certainly offer something
because they are a tenant of our land. I don't
know whether even that is the right way to describe it.
Speaker 3 (15:29):
Why But then you look at the other teams that
are flailing a little, the likes of the hundreds, and
they go, well, what are you doing? You know we're
in trouble down here, anyway, help us out. We're in
one of the starting teams here. And what you're just
going to start looking after these Johnny cum lately who
really are feeding their players into two separate national teams.
It's a very difficult thing to untangle, but you know
(15:52):
they've got a while to do it, right superseason doesn't
start to when does it start this year? December? Sorry,
Mark Nate February March early anyway, so a lot of
time to work it out. And I would say all
of the key participants are going to active some serious
sit downs and eyeballing of each other's as too, because
(16:14):
for the greater good, for the greater good of rugby,
we kind of need this to happen and to exist.
Speaker 2 (16:19):
We certainly do. We certainly do. Just to finish, let's
finish on a positive note with regard to Super Rugby
because the numbers are out in terms of viewership. Two
million viewed the Super Rugby Final across the pay channel
Sky Sport and Frederware and Sky Open. Most watched Super
Rugby finals since twenty sixteen. Nine of the top ten
viewed games across the season when New Zealand Derby's, which
(16:40):
is hardly a surprise. But look, I you know, that
feels right to me that there was an uplift in
viewership and that people were excited to tune in in
particular to the games between the New Zealand sites.
Speaker 3 (16:53):
And why was that? And I tell you right now,
because the best players in New Zealand Rugby appeared regularly
on a weekly basis, and they weren't sat down, and
they did get rotated, and they weren't given necessary rest
because they had an arduous end of year tour and
the like I mean, they adjusted. But I think you'll
agree with this one here. We didn't look each week
to go, Okay, who's been rested, who's been sat down,
(17:15):
who's coming through? This didn't exist. We had the best
players in New Zealand playing pretty much every week, and
that's what people want, right.
Speaker 2 (17:22):
Indeed, indeed, we'll look at the look at the all
black starting center, whether you agree or not. Rico Yuani
is the all Black starting center and he played every game.
He started every game, and he wasn't the only one,
as you say, Das the big names played almost every
week and weren't forced at any stage to sit out,
which I think we can all agree as an excellent dan.
Speaker 3 (17:45):
How much that came from Razer though after he'd has
spent quite a while juggling all of his players because
they had to sit down and have rescy minute. Then, kids, guys,
we got to stop. This is rubbish. This is our
this is our this is our shot window, right, this
is our national shot window. Why don't we make it
look great as opposed to kicking it in and pinching
the props out of the front.
Speaker 2 (18:05):
Well, it certainly did the job as far as the
viewers were concerned. That is us in the chamber.
Speaker 3 (18:09):
Today, beating of X.
Speaker 1 (18:11):
We've got just the ticket. It's Sports Fix power by
News Talks.
Speaker 2 (18:15):
IVY, and that is us on the Sports Fix podcast
for today. It's a great pleasure to bring you to
Sports Fix every weekday. We appreciate you listening, and we
especially appreciate those of you dous who have subscribed to
sport for our Sports Fix and get the next episode
automatically in their feed.
Speaker 3 (18:30):
Yeah, and also tell the mates and tell their family
and tell everybody else to do the same thing. More
tracks we've got, the more likelihood it is that will
carry on doing this on a week daily basis. And
of course if you'd like to join on in you
can on Sports Talk between seven and eight pm Monday
to Friday on News Talk zb Pine. It's got Monday,
(18:50):
I've got Tuesday through Friday, and then of course you
pull the big shift, don't you come up on the weekend.
Speaker 2 (18:57):
Well, I'm not sure that it's gargantuan, but let's let's
call it. Let's call it significant. It's weekend sport midday
until three, Saturday and Sunday.
Speaker 3 (19:06):
See tomorrow at US. He's the heavy lifting, don't you
forget it.
Speaker 1 (19:10):
For more from News Talk st B, listen live on
air or online, and keep our shows with you wherever
you go with our podcasts on iHeartRadio
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