July 7, 2025 • 20 mins
On Sports Fix with Jason Pine for 7th July 2025, The All Blacks struggled to a win against France in their opening test of the year. Piney catches up with All Blacks halfback Cam Roigard to recap the match and discuss their box kick strategy, which has come under a lot of scrutiny.
Piney makes the case for Dunedin to have test rugby every year.
Plus, the People's Chamber returns with Elijah Fa'afiu - and they unpack the success of the Junior Tall Blacks.
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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 a new weekend.
Speaker 3 (00:23):
Welcome into a fresh episode of the Sports Fix podcast
in association with GJ. Gardner Homes New Zealand's most trusted
home builder. My name is Jason Pine. It's great to
be here with you on the Sports Fix Podcast.
Speaker 2 (00:36):
Today.
Speaker 3 (00:37):
Our guest Cam Royguard all Blacks halfback after Test one
and ahead of Tests two in this French series. What
did he make of Saturday under the Roof and what
is there to work on at sky Stadium this coming weekend.
Cam Royguard is our guest on the Sports Fix Podcast.
Elijah feelers back and back into the People's Chamber as
we kick around a couple of rugby and other topics
(01:01):
and the latest in sports news as well.
Speaker 2 (01:02):
So let's get into it. In other news, let's.
Speaker 3 (01:09):
Get underway with some of the big sports stories around today,
starting at the latest indie car race in Ohio. It's
a twenty first straight season within a victory.
Speaker 4 (01:19):
For start.
Speaker 2 (01:22):
Brilliant wins.
Speaker 3 (01:23):
Gottison capitalizing on a blunder from series leader and teammate
Alex Plau to claim.
Speaker 2 (01:28):
Victory by zero point four to two of.
Speaker 3 (01:30):
A second and shortly afterwards at the latest NASCAR events,
Sane Van Gisbergen does own the streets of Chicago.
Speaker 2 (01:39):
He delivers once again, Oh yeah, buddy, we can't save your.
Speaker 3 (01:44):
Event, Van gisberg and securing a second win from three
attempts at the venue in a race which featured six
yellow flag cautioned periods and a red flag for a
race stoppage after a multi car pile up, and defending
champion Carlos Elcarez, Taylor Fritz and also Cam Norri through
to the Wimbledon Men's singles quarterfinals. Nori endured a five
(02:06):
center with Nicholas Jerry and racing the lawn when he won.
Speaker 4 (02:10):
I've never fell to the point in a match, and
I think it was just how tough it was to
get there, you know, I was playing unreal, knocking on
the door, and then the third said, yeah, it was
a nice moment.
Speaker 1 (02:22):
Dissecting the sporting agenda, It's sports X with Jason Pine.
Speaker 2 (02:28):
This is the Sports Fix podcast.
Speaker 3 (02:30):
The All Blacks have negotiated their first Test assignment of
twenty twenty five thirty one twenty seven win over France
under the roof in Dunedin on Saturday night certainly a
bit to work on as they contemplate Tests two against
the same opponent in Wellington this coming Saturday night. Today,
you had the chance to catch up with All Blacks
(02:50):
half back Cam Roygard in Afterton first of all for
his reflections on Test one.
Speaker 2 (02:56):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (02:56):
Good, I guess we did.
Speaker 4 (02:58):
You know.
Speaker 5 (02:58):
I guess the challenge with playing your first test of
the year is you know that, I guess collectively, how
are you going to click together? With not much time
to prepare and then obviously the uncedity of what the
French are going to throw at us, as they'll have
you know, special plays and special moves and all that
sort of stuff. So yeah, it's been good to get
there one under the bout and get the result. I
(03:20):
feel like we've got our big rocks right and obviously
plenty of things to work on still, which I think
is obviously always going to be a given at this
stage of where we're at in the season for us.
But yeah, overall, pretty pretty heavy.
Speaker 3 (03:33):
Did the French surprise you in any way? Or did
they come with what you expected they would come with.
Speaker 5 (03:39):
Yeah, I think no, I don't think there was too
many surprises in terms of what they're going to turn up. Like,
you know, they play with lots of passion, lots of
lots of pride, and then there are a team that's
then going to go away and I guess unfortunately for us,
we sort of played into their hands a little bit
with you know, giving them a lot of turnover ball
and sort of letting them off the hop and we
felt like they were about to crack, which is exactly
(04:02):
how they enjoy playing. And you know the last time
we played them with it was the exact same thing happened.
So you know, we know that we can sort of
keep creating opportunities like we were on the weekend, but
be able to finish them a bit more ruthless in
that space, then you will be being a good spot.
Speaker 3 (04:18):
Can you just come talk us through the kick strategy,
particularly box kicking, and what it is that your part
in that is looking to achieve and then what you
need from others as part of the aerial game.
Speaker 5 (04:29):
Yeah. I know a lot of people don't like it
when they think that we're just kicking them all away.
Speaker 2 (04:33):
But it's all.
Speaker 5 (04:34):
Around, you know, for us pressure cycles and how we
can put pressure back on them, whether it's through gaining territory,
because if they do get the ball back, we're defending
on the halfway or in their half, which I guess
takes the pressure of us a little bit, or if
we do get it back, you know, that immediately puts
the pressure straight back on them as we're into our
counter attack opportunities. So yeah, I guess it's a little
(04:57):
bit of an element of trying to control the game,
and it probably can get a bit stale for people
watching it home that don't quite understand it or don't
know why we're doing it. But you can see in
both size that there's a lot of kicking on the
weekend because we are trying to control that either the
territory or you know, put the forced mistakes through through
our kicking game. And you know it's gonna be a
(05:19):
big challenge this weekend. Obviously not under a roof, so
the kicks aren't going to be perfect. It's gonna be
swirling all over the place if it's anything like it
has been this year, So it's gonna be an exciting challenge,
and yeah, I think it's gonna be a big part
to win in the schame on the weekend.
Speaker 3 (05:32):
So when you were lining up a box kick, I
was presumably you're going for elevation more than distance, so
that you give your guys the chance to get under it.
Is it a it's quite a science. It's something I've
seen you work on at Captain Drums. Do you work
closely on.
Speaker 5 (05:46):
That, Yeah, definitely. It's probably a skill set that's probably
a little bit underrated in my opinion. You know, people
probably don't know how hard it is. And with the
rules around the time of the ruck and you're not
allowed anyone to stand in front of you.
Speaker 2 (06:00):
For protection, so there's a lot more.
Speaker 5 (06:03):
Pressure on the box kicker now and because they obviously
trying to speed the game up, which is all good.
So yeah, there's definitely quite a big skill set involved
with the executing a good box skick. And the difference
between a good box stick and a bad box kick
can either be the location or where it lands. And
if that's the length, if it's thirty meters, it's too long,
and if it's you know, twenty meters in or you know,
eighteen meters and it's too short. So yeah, it's definitely
(06:26):
something that we work as nine is pretty hard at
because so we can because it is a big part
of our game and if we can nail it, then yeah,
we're doing the right things to sort of getting in
control of the game.
Speaker 3 (06:36):
Let's move to something that people do start cheering about
and atually sniping going from the base of the ruck.
And you went in this first half on the weekend
and set Jordy up for a try that was eventually
ruled out. But in those moments when you are decision
making and split seconds, what are the pictures you're seeing?
Speaker 5 (06:50):
Yeah, I guess around a few things around body language
from the opposition. You know that we're that the French
team is a team that's probably set peace dominant, and
if we can go deep in the phase count sort
of fatigue them, then I guess those opportunities can open up.
And you, like you say, or sort of a little
bit unfortunate with the that try getting overalled. But I
(07:11):
think the way that we're trying to play sort of
suits the way I want to play, because if we
get quick rucks where the defense isn't set, then there's
opportunities to sort of poke out and have a look.
And if it means that it's a mismatch on a
prop or you know, someone that's not quite ready, then yeah,
that suits me perfectly.
Speaker 3 (07:28):
And similar situation was the tap penalty that you took
in the second half. I think I saw Cody Taylor thing, I,
we're going to take a shot at goal, but then
off your went and almost got there. So in those moments,
you feel you've got the responsibility, you're able to make
those decisions.
Speaker 5 (07:41):
Yeah, I think collectively we sort of felt that they
were in a position they're a little bit vulnerable, and
I guess that fatigue and was setting in and they're
about to crack, and it was I was thinking it,
and then I was sort of looking across, and then
Scooter was sort of telling me to go, so I
was like, oh, well, I'm not gonna ask twice. So
and then as it sort of worked out, probably yeah,
I didn't really have a plan as to what I
(08:02):
was going to do, but it obviously yeah, worked out
up until we got turned over. But I guess, yeah,
having the confidence collectively to we have our you know,
systems instructions and stuff, but being able to play what's
in front of us and if we get an opportunity
to be able to take the Yeah, that's what we're
about as.
Speaker 3 (08:18):
Well, your eleventh test, but you're first at home. All
your ten previous tests have been off. Sure, So how
different was the week and how special was the week?
Speaker 5 (08:27):
Yeah? I loved it.
Speaker 6 (08:28):
It was.
Speaker 5 (08:28):
Yeah, probably a long time coming in terms of playing
in front of you know, while playing in New Zealand,
in front of our fans and friends and family and whatnot.
So it was cool to finally get that one, I
guess out of the way. But yeah, enjoyed the enjoyed
the build up. Our fans are great, you know, they're
so passionate, so loud, and although you know, they travel
(08:50):
really well as well, you know, like at the World
Cup obviously we had plenty of New Zealand support. But yeah,
it's just different at home, you know, playing in a
stadium with unfamiliar playing with you know, with faces that
I see in the crowd that you know have been
supporting me, you know since day one, and stuff like
that's pretty cool. So yeah, really looking forward to this
(09:10):
weekend as well, if age an opportunity. Obviously, playing Wellington
which would be cool. You never played here in the
all Black jerseys, so yeah, yeah, just so excited to
hopefully another opportunity this weekend and ear rips in our country.
Speaker 3 (09:24):
That is Cam Roy guard All Blacks halfback of course,
on the Sports Fix podcast Sportsfix. Having just returned from Dunedin,
where I enjoyed immensely the experience of being there for
test weekend. There is probably a little bit of recency
bias and what I'm about to say, but I'm sure
that when the recency bias wears off, I will still
(09:46):
feel the same way. Dunedin needs to continue to host
All Blacks test matches every year. This seems like a
no brainer. But of course we know that up the
road in christ Church, a brand spanking new stadium is
set to open in twenty twenty six, and I can
tell you the fine folk in Dunedin are a little
bit worried about what that might mean as far as
(10:09):
they're hosting of test matches. They get the feeling that
perhaps there might be a case of one or the
other when it comes to the assignment of test matches,
And of course, with christ Church being brand new and
having been denied big tests ever since the earthquakes in
twenty eleven that they will get the favoritism when it
comes to the allocation of test matches and Dunedin might
(10:31):
miss out. For me, if you're going to play test
matches in July in New Zealand's you play them under
a roof, and there are two stadia that fit that bill,
christ Church and Dunedin. I feel as though they must
both host test matches in July in New Zealand, then
you assign the others elsewhere. Of course, Eden Park is
(10:54):
going to continue to host one and probably two big
test matches every year, but as the number of home
tests shrinks to what we're hearing might only be four
next year and maybe about that number in the years
to follow. I feel if anybody's going to drop off
the test hosting rankings, it's Wellington. Dunedin is a far
(11:17):
superior viewing venue. It's a lot warmer with the roof on.
The only thing that might count against it is the
amount of accommodation available in the region, and that again
has tongues wagging in the South. But I think to myself,
there was a sold out crowd there on Saturday night,
as there normally is for tests in Dunedin and they
all stay somewhere. So for me, as I say, it's
(11:41):
a no brainer. Do not take test matches away from Dunedin,
play them under the roof there, play them under the
roof in christ Church and then let the others battle
out for the right to host the others.
Speaker 2 (11:52):
The Chamber is now in session on Sportsfax.
Speaker 3 (11:58):
This is the sports Fix podcast and into the Chamber
we go. And the Chamber on a Monday has been
a bit berefed in the last three or four weeks
because the self styled Peace People's Chamber has not been
in session due to the absence of Elijah Farfield, who
is now back from globe trotting and gallivanting around Europe.
Speaker 2 (12:18):
How was it mate?
Speaker 6 (12:20):
It was an amazing pioneer. It's great to be back,
but I'd rather be enjoying the sun right now rather
than you know, the chill back here at home. But
it's great to be home. But I loved my time
over in Europe. I did about eight countries and sixteen
days with KENTUCKI so passed through France as well. I
wasn't sure what the vibe was like, knowing that they've
got a rugby team over in New Zealand at the moment.
(12:41):
But it's great to be home and I love my travels.
But yeah, great to be in the chamber with you.
Speaker 2 (12:46):
Good stuff.
Speaker 3 (12:47):
Well, great to have you back in the chamber. We've
missed you, as have the audience. Well, let's talk about
the All Blacks against France first Test on Saturday night
under the roof and duned and a lot lot of
dissection of this game has gone on over the last
forty eight hours or so, so let's look ahead. I
guess what do you reckon will be the main focus
points for Scott Robertson, his coaching staff and the playing
(13:08):
group ahead of taste too on Saturday night.
Speaker 6 (13:10):
Yeah, I think there's a few work ons, but I
think that's to be expected given we've just come off
the first Test and some of those early season jitters
or rusts hopefully behind the team now. I think some
of it's around execution and limiting the number of turnovers
and dropped balls. I think the All Blacks had sixteen
turnovers compared to France's six, and some of those were
at the breakdown. I think France did very well at
(13:32):
the breakdown, so Scott Robinson will definitely be nailing that
point this week. And I think the other thing is
the work under the high ball. I think France's kicking
game they did really well to put the All Blacks
under pressure, and you know, things like those high ball
contests they can really shift the momentum of games, and
luckily for the All Blacks that it didn't shift the
momentum too much. But France did well to you know,
(13:55):
really affect the All Blacks in that area. So I
think those are a couple of areas I think the
All Blacks will look to work on for the second
Test in Wellington.
Speaker 3 (14:02):
Flying back into Wellington yesterday from Dunedin, it just occurred
to me there's no roof on skyte There's a roof
on full side bar, and that makes kicking, I guess,
a bit more predictable as far as the result you
expect when you put a kick up in Wellington, as
we know, the breeze can swirl around sky Stadium. So
(14:23):
whether that has a detrimental effect to what France are
trying to achieve or whether in fact it adds to
the confusion and a lottery that is the high ball.
Look I expect France to continue to kick on Saturday
and I'm not sure what you think, but very different conditions.
Speaker 6 (14:39):
I think so as well. And hopefully France have done
their research around Wellington and they understand that there is
quite a breeze. It's very windy, gustly area city, so
hopefully they take advantage of that from from their point
of view. And I think the All Blacks understand that
France will be looking to, you know, look to impact
the game in that area, So the All Blacks will
(15:00):
have to do what they can to limit that and
we'll see with some of the changes they make how
they look to work around that.
Speaker 4 (15:08):
Well.
Speaker 3 (15:08):
Speaking of changes, one will definitely be needed for the
All Black starting fifteen Seva Reese. Very unfortunate for him
less than a minute gone and he went off having
taken a heavy knock to their head the first tackle
I think he attempted, so he's out. What would you
be doing there, Elijah? Would you go with what they
went to on Saturday night, Will Jordan to the wing
(15:29):
and Damien McKenzie at full back from the start or
would you be tempted to have Will Jordan in the
fifteen jersey and think of somebody else on the right wing.
Speaker 6 (15:39):
Yeah, it's interesting because I think, given we've just come
off the first test, I don't think there's any need
to make wholesale changes. You want to see some continuity,
And obviously Scott Robinson was trying to go for something
when he initially named Damien McKenzie on the bench. He
was hoping he could add a bit of a spark
or some energy in the latter stages of the game. Unfortunately,
Severy Reese's injury brought mackenzie on earlier than it anticipated.
(16:03):
I would actually bring that Damien mackenzie off the bench
and have Jordan a full fullback. That would mean what
happens with the wings. I would try and keep Rico
Jouanne on the wing for another week, sort of see
how he goes on the left wing, and then I
would probably bring someone like and Moni Nadawa on the
right wing, given that that's probably more of his specialist side.
(16:24):
I think Caleb Clark is more of a left wing,
so that's probably the changes I would go with.
Speaker 3 (16:29):
Yeah, the only other option, well, the other option if
he leaves will Jordan at fallback is Rubin Love onto
the right wing again. He's more of a natural fallback
and in this year has been a first five but
has great utility value. And I guess Rubin Love was
in the squad to begin with, where Emmoni Nadawa was
there as injury cover. But as in the case of
Christian Leo Willy the other night, he was injury cover
(16:50):
to start with, and there he was starting in the
number eight jersey. The other one is at Locke and
with the leadership Scott Barrett, we're told today has had scans.
They'll let us know tomorrow the results of those scans.
I get the feeling he won't play on Saturday night, Elijah,
So is it two viey back into Locke or would
you leave him at six and bring Paddy Toopson.
Speaker 6 (17:12):
I would leave tu Po at six, give him another week. Again,
we've just come off the first test. I think Raisin
needs a bit more of a simple size to sort
of see whether the experiments he's he's trying are working
or not. So I'd leave to p A at six
and bring Patrick Twey Plot two in if for some
reason Tupo has moved back into the second row, does
that mean sum of Penny female comes in at six,
(17:34):
so I'm given he was the loose forward cover at
the weekend, so yeah, but ideally I'd go Vy at
six and two pilot two and it's in for Barrett.
Speaker 2 (17:43):
All right.
Speaker 3 (17:43):
The team named officially on Thursday, just before we exit
the chamber of the Junior Tall Blacks this morning. Coming
fourth at the Under nineteen Basketball World Championship, they lost
the third and fourth place playoff narrowly to Slovenia ninety
one eighty seven, but even to finish fourth off the
back of our under seventeens, many of who have backed
(18:03):
up into this under nineteen side, also finishing fourth last year,
but of a golden generation of young basketball is coming
through at the moment, you get the feeling.
Speaker 6 (18:11):
Yeah, for sure, this is i'd say a generational crop
of talent we've got in New Zealand, and it's a
great step in the right direction when we're talking about
the future of basketball in this country. I think a
lot of factors have played into the success of these
younger guys. I think the work that the New Zealand NBL,
introducing the Rapid League and having some of these younger
players play alongside professionals and against professionals out in the
(18:33):
court as well as help their development and help accelerate that.
And you know, a lot of these young guys, I'm
excited to see what the future holds for them, Guys
like Oscar Goodman and Julius Halafanua who are going to
be at a big American colleges. I think they're at
Michigan and Georgetown respectively. Hayden Jones and Jackson Ball I
think are both going to Wisconsin, where I think Kirk
Penny as a coach. There so a nice Kiwi connection there.
(18:54):
And I'm excited to see what those young players do
over in Stateside, and I'm excited to see where the
future goes for here. But an amazing result and hopefully
one day we get a team that can eventually get
on that podium and capture a third placing. But fourth
in the world is an amazing feet.
Speaker 3 (19:11):
Absolutely it is back to back fourth places in the
under seventeens and in the nineteens. This group of players
could well be a golden generation in the years to come.
Great to have you back in the People's Chamber, Elijah.
Let's do it again next Monday, for sure. Thank you.
Speaker 2 (19:25):
Pine Needing a VEX, We've gone just the ticket. It's
Sports Fix powered by News Talks.
Speaker 3 (19:31):
VV and that's us on the Sports Fix podcast for today.
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(19:52):
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Speaker 1 (19:58):
For more from News Talks EDB, listen live on air
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You're listening to a podcast from News Talks EDB. Follow
this and our wide range of podcasts now on iHeartRadio.
This is Sportsfix Howard by News Talks EDB.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Hello there and welcome into a new weekend.
Speaker 3 (00:23):
Welcome into a fresh episode of the Sports Fix podcast
in association with GJ. Gardner Homes New Zealand's most trusted
home builder. My name is Jason Pine. It's great to
be here with you on the Sports Fix Podcast.
Speaker 2 (00:36):
Today.
Speaker 3 (00:37):
Our guest Cam Royguard all Blacks halfback after Test one
and ahead of Tests two in this French series. What
did he make of Saturday under the Roof and what
is there to work on at sky Stadium this coming weekend.
Cam Royguard is our guest on the Sports Fix Podcast.
Elijah feelers back and back into the People's Chamber as
we kick around a couple of rugby and other topics
(01:01):
and the latest in sports news as well.
Speaker 2 (01:02):
So let's get into it. In other news, let's.
Speaker 3 (01:09):
Get underway with some of the big sports stories around today,
starting at the latest indie car race in Ohio. It's
a twenty first straight season within a victory.
Speaker 4 (01:19):
For start.
Speaker 2 (01:22):
Brilliant wins.
Speaker 3 (01:23):
Gottison capitalizing on a blunder from series leader and teammate
Alex Plau to claim.
Speaker 2 (01:28):
Victory by zero point four to two of.
Speaker 3 (01:30):
A second and shortly afterwards at the latest NASCAR events,
Sane Van Gisbergen does own the streets of Chicago.
Speaker 2 (01:39):
He delivers once again, Oh yeah, buddy, we can't save your.
Speaker 3 (01:44):
Event, Van gisberg and securing a second win from three
attempts at the venue in a race which featured six
yellow flag cautioned periods and a red flag for a
race stoppage after a multi car pile up, and defending
champion Carlos Elcarez, Taylor Fritz and also Cam Norri through
to the Wimbledon Men's singles quarterfinals. Nori endured a five
(02:06):
center with Nicholas Jerry and racing the lawn when he won.
Speaker 4 (02:10):
I've never fell to the point in a match, and
I think it was just how tough it was to
get there, you know, I was playing unreal, knocking on
the door, and then the third said, yeah, it was
a nice moment.
Speaker 1 (02:22):
Dissecting the sporting agenda, It's sports X with Jason Pine.
Speaker 2 (02:28):
This is the Sports Fix podcast.
Speaker 3 (02:30):
The All Blacks have negotiated their first Test assignment of
twenty twenty five thirty one twenty seven win over France
under the roof in Dunedin on Saturday night certainly a
bit to work on as they contemplate Tests two against
the same opponent in Wellington this coming Saturday night. Today,
you had the chance to catch up with All Blacks
(02:50):
half back Cam Roygard in Afterton first of all for
his reflections on Test one.
Speaker 2 (02:56):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (02:56):
Good, I guess we did.
Speaker 4 (02:58):
You know.
Speaker 5 (02:58):
I guess the challenge with playing your first test of
the year is you know that, I guess collectively, how
are you going to click together? With not much time
to prepare and then obviously the uncedity of what the
French are going to throw at us, as they'll have
you know, special plays and special moves and all that
sort of stuff. So yeah, it's been good to get
there one under the bout and get the result. I
(03:20):
feel like we've got our big rocks right and obviously
plenty of things to work on still, which I think
is obviously always going to be a given at this
stage of where we're at in the season for us.
But yeah, overall, pretty pretty heavy.
Speaker 3 (03:33):
Did the French surprise you in any way? Or did
they come with what you expected they would come with.
Speaker 5 (03:39):
Yeah, I think no, I don't think there was too
many surprises in terms of what they're going to turn up. Like,
you know, they play with lots of passion, lots of
lots of pride, and then there are a team that's
then going to go away and I guess unfortunately for us,
we sort of played into their hands a little bit
with you know, giving them a lot of turnover ball
and sort of letting them off the hop and we
felt like they were about to crack, which is exactly
(04:02):
how they enjoy playing. And you know the last time
we played them with it was the exact same thing happened.
So you know, we know that we can sort of
keep creating opportunities like we were on the weekend, but
be able to finish them a bit more ruthless in
that space, then you will be being a good spot.
Speaker 3 (04:18):
Can you just come talk us through the kick strategy,
particularly box kicking, and what it is that your part
in that is looking to achieve and then what you
need from others as part of the aerial game.
Speaker 5 (04:29):
Yeah. I know a lot of people don't like it
when they think that we're just kicking them all away.
Speaker 2 (04:33):
But it's all.
Speaker 5 (04:34):
Around, you know, for us pressure cycles and how we
can put pressure back on them, whether it's through gaining territory,
because if they do get the ball back, we're defending
on the halfway or in their half, which I guess
takes the pressure of us a little bit, or if
we do get it back, you know, that immediately puts
the pressure straight back on them as we're into our
counter attack opportunities. So yeah, I guess it's a little
(04:57):
bit of an element of trying to control the game,
and it probably can get a bit stale for people
watching it home that don't quite understand it or don't
know why we're doing it. But you can see in
both size that there's a lot of kicking on the
weekend because we are trying to control that either the
territory or you know, put the forced mistakes through through
our kicking game. And you know it's gonna be a
(05:19):
big challenge this weekend. Obviously not under a roof, so
the kicks aren't going to be perfect. It's gonna be
swirling all over the place if it's anything like it
has been this year, So it's gonna be an exciting challenge,
and yeah, I think it's gonna be a big part
to win in the schame on the weekend.
Speaker 3 (05:32):
So when you were lining up a box kick, I
was presumably you're going for elevation more than distance, so
that you give your guys the chance to get under it.
Is it a it's quite a science. It's something I've
seen you work on at Captain Drums. Do you work
closely on.
Speaker 5 (05:46):
That, Yeah, definitely. It's probably a skill set that's probably
a little bit underrated in my opinion. You know, people
probably don't know how hard it is. And with the
rules around the time of the ruck and you're not
allowed anyone to stand in front of you.
Speaker 2 (06:00):
For protection, so there's a lot more.
Speaker 5 (06:03):
Pressure on the box kicker now and because they obviously
trying to speed the game up, which is all good.
So yeah, there's definitely quite a big skill set involved
with the executing a good box skick. And the difference
between a good box stick and a bad box kick
can either be the location or where it lands. And
if that's the length, if it's thirty meters, it's too long,
and if it's you know, twenty meters in or you know,
eighteen meters and it's too short. So yeah, it's definitely
(06:26):
something that we work as nine is pretty hard at
because so we can because it is a big part
of our game and if we can nail it, then yeah,
we're doing the right things to sort of getting in
control of the game.
Speaker 3 (06:36):
Let's move to something that people do start cheering about
and atually sniping going from the base of the ruck.
And you went in this first half on the weekend
and set Jordy up for a try that was eventually
ruled out. But in those moments when you are decision
making and split seconds, what are the pictures you're seeing?
Speaker 5 (06:50):
Yeah, I guess around a few things around body language
from the opposition. You know that we're that the French
team is a team that's probably set peace dominant, and
if we can go deep in the phase count sort
of fatigue them, then I guess those opportunities can open up.
And you, like you say, or sort of a little
bit unfortunate with the that try getting overalled. But I
(07:11):
think the way that we're trying to play sort of
suits the way I want to play, because if we
get quick rucks where the defense isn't set, then there's
opportunities to sort of poke out and have a look.
And if it means that it's a mismatch on a
prop or you know, someone that's not quite ready, then yeah,
that suits me perfectly.
Speaker 3 (07:28):
And similar situation was the tap penalty that you took
in the second half. I think I saw Cody Taylor thing, I,
we're going to take a shot at goal, but then
off your went and almost got there. So in those moments,
you feel you've got the responsibility, you're able to make
those decisions.
Speaker 5 (07:41):
Yeah, I think collectively we sort of felt that they
were in a position they're a little bit vulnerable, and
I guess that fatigue and was setting in and they're
about to crack, and it was I was thinking it,
and then I was sort of looking across, and then
Scooter was sort of telling me to go, so I
was like, oh, well, I'm not gonna ask twice. So
and then as it sort of worked out, probably yeah,
I didn't really have a plan as to what I
(08:02):
was going to do, but it obviously yeah, worked out
up until we got turned over. But I guess, yeah,
having the confidence collectively to we have our you know,
systems instructions and stuff, but being able to play what's
in front of us and if we get an opportunity
to be able to take the Yeah, that's what we're
about as.
Speaker 3 (08:18):
Well, your eleventh test, but you're first at home. All
your ten previous tests have been off. Sure, So how
different was the week and how special was the week?
Speaker 5 (08:27):
Yeah? I loved it.
Speaker 6 (08:28):
It was.
Speaker 5 (08:28):
Yeah, probably a long time coming in terms of playing
in front of you know, while playing in New Zealand,
in front of our fans and friends and family and whatnot.
So it was cool to finally get that one, I
guess out of the way. But yeah, enjoyed the enjoyed
the build up. Our fans are great, you know, they're
so passionate, so loud, and although you know, they travel
(08:50):
really well as well, you know, like at the World
Cup obviously we had plenty of New Zealand support. But yeah,
it's just different at home, you know, playing in a
stadium with unfamiliar playing with you know, with faces that
I see in the crowd that you know have been
supporting me, you know since day one, and stuff like
that's pretty cool. So yeah, really looking forward to this
(09:10):
weekend as well, if age an opportunity. Obviously, playing Wellington
which would be cool. You never played here in the
all Black jerseys, so yeah, yeah, just so excited to
hopefully another opportunity this weekend and ear rips in our country.
Speaker 3 (09:24):
That is Cam Roy guard All Blacks halfback of course,
on the Sports Fix podcast Sportsfix. Having just returned from Dunedin,
where I enjoyed immensely the experience of being there for
test weekend. There is probably a little bit of recency
bias and what I'm about to say, but I'm sure
that when the recency bias wears off, I will still
(09:46):
feel the same way. Dunedin needs to continue to host
All Blacks test matches every year. This seems like a
no brainer. But of course we know that up the
road in christ Church, a brand spanking new stadium is
set to open in twenty twenty six, and I can
tell you the fine folk in Dunedin are a little
bit worried about what that might mean as far as
(10:09):
they're hosting of test matches. They get the feeling that
perhaps there might be a case of one or the
other when it comes to the assignment of test matches,
And of course, with christ Church being brand new and
having been denied big tests ever since the earthquakes in
twenty eleven that they will get the favoritism when it
comes to the allocation of test matches and Dunedin might
(10:31):
miss out. For me, if you're going to play test
matches in July in New Zealand's you play them under
a roof, and there are two stadia that fit that bill,
christ Church and Dunedin. I feel as though they must
both host test matches in July in New Zealand, then
you assign the others elsewhere. Of course, Eden Park is
(10:54):
going to continue to host one and probably two big
test matches every year, but as the number of home
tests shrinks to what we're hearing might only be four
next year and maybe about that number in the years
to follow. I feel if anybody's going to drop off
the test hosting rankings, it's Wellington. Dunedin is a far
(11:17):
superior viewing venue. It's a lot warmer with the roof on.
The only thing that might count against it is the
amount of accommodation available in the region, and that again
has tongues wagging in the South. But I think to myself,
there was a sold out crowd there on Saturday night,
as there normally is for tests in Dunedin and they
all stay somewhere. So for me, as I say, it's
(11:41):
a no brainer. Do not take test matches away from Dunedin,
play them under the roof there, play them under the
roof in christ Church and then let the others battle
out for the right to host the others.
Speaker 2 (11:52):
The Chamber is now in session on Sportsfax.
Speaker 3 (11:58):
This is the sports Fix podcast and into the Chamber
we go. And the Chamber on a Monday has been
a bit berefed in the last three or four weeks
because the self styled Peace People's Chamber has not been
in session due to the absence of Elijah Farfield, who
is now back from globe trotting and gallivanting around Europe.
Speaker 2 (12:18):
How was it mate?
Speaker 6 (12:20):
It was an amazing pioneer. It's great to be back,
but I'd rather be enjoying the sun right now rather
than you know, the chill back here at home. But
it's great to be home. But I loved my time
over in Europe. I did about eight countries and sixteen
days with KENTUCKI so passed through France as well. I
wasn't sure what the vibe was like, knowing that they've
got a rugby team over in New Zealand at the moment.
(12:41):
But it's great to be home and I love my travels.
But yeah, great to be in the chamber with you.
Speaker 2 (12:46):
Good stuff.
Speaker 3 (12:47):
Well, great to have you back in the chamber. We've
missed you, as have the audience. Well, let's talk about
the All Blacks against France first Test on Saturday night
under the roof and duned and a lot lot of
dissection of this game has gone on over the last
forty eight hours or so, so let's look ahead. I
guess what do you reckon will be the main focus
points for Scott Robertson, his coaching staff and the playing
(13:08):
group ahead of taste too on Saturday night.
Speaker 6 (13:10):
Yeah, I think there's a few work ons, but I
think that's to be expected given we've just come off
the first Test and some of those early season jitters
or rusts hopefully behind the team now. I think some
of it's around execution and limiting the number of turnovers
and dropped balls. I think the All Blacks had sixteen
turnovers compared to France's six, and some of those were
at the breakdown. I think France did very well at
(13:32):
the breakdown, so Scott Robinson will definitely be nailing that
point this week. And I think the other thing is
the work under the high ball. I think France's kicking
game they did really well to put the All Blacks
under pressure, and you know, things like those high ball
contests they can really shift the momentum of games, and
luckily for the All Blacks that it didn't shift the
momentum too much. But France did well to you know,
(13:55):
really affect the All Blacks in that area. So I
think those are a couple of areas I think the
All Blacks will look to work on for the second
Test in Wellington.
Speaker 3 (14:02):
Flying back into Wellington yesterday from Dunedin, it just occurred
to me there's no roof on skyte There's a roof
on full side bar, and that makes kicking, I guess,
a bit more predictable as far as the result you
expect when you put a kick up in Wellington, as
we know, the breeze can swirl around sky Stadium. So
(14:23):
whether that has a detrimental effect to what France are
trying to achieve or whether in fact it adds to
the confusion and a lottery that is the high ball.
Look I expect France to continue to kick on Saturday
and I'm not sure what you think, but very different conditions.
Speaker 6 (14:39):
I think so as well. And hopefully France have done
their research around Wellington and they understand that there is
quite a breeze. It's very windy, gustly area city, so
hopefully they take advantage of that from from their point
of view. And I think the All Blacks understand that
France will be looking to, you know, look to impact
the game in that area, So the All Blacks will
(15:00):
have to do what they can to limit that and
we'll see with some of the changes they make how
they look to work around that.
Speaker 4 (15:08):
Well.
Speaker 3 (15:08):
Speaking of changes, one will definitely be needed for the
All Black starting fifteen Seva Reese. Very unfortunate for him
less than a minute gone and he went off having
taken a heavy knock to their head the first tackle
I think he attempted, so he's out. What would you
be doing there, Elijah? Would you go with what they
went to on Saturday night, Will Jordan to the wing
(15:29):
and Damien McKenzie at full back from the start or
would you be tempted to have Will Jordan in the
fifteen jersey and think of somebody else on the right wing.
Speaker 6 (15:39):
Yeah, it's interesting because I think, given we've just come
off the first test, I don't think there's any need
to make wholesale changes. You want to see some continuity,
And obviously Scott Robinson was trying to go for something
when he initially named Damien McKenzie on the bench. He
was hoping he could add a bit of a spark
or some energy in the latter stages of the game. Unfortunately,
Severy Reese's injury brought mackenzie on earlier than it anticipated.
(16:03):
I would actually bring that Damien mackenzie off the bench
and have Jordan a full fullback. That would mean what
happens with the wings. I would try and keep Rico
Jouanne on the wing for another week, sort of see
how he goes on the left wing, and then I
would probably bring someone like and Moni Nadawa on the
right wing, given that that's probably more of his specialist side.
(16:24):
I think Caleb Clark is more of a left wing,
so that's probably the changes I would go with.
Speaker 3 (16:29):
Yeah, the only other option, well, the other option if
he leaves will Jordan at fallback is Rubin Love onto
the right wing again. He's more of a natural fallback
and in this year has been a first five but
has great utility value. And I guess Rubin Love was
in the squad to begin with, where Emmoni Nadawa was
there as injury cover. But as in the case of
Christian Leo Willy the other night, he was injury cover
(16:50):
to start with, and there he was starting in the
number eight jersey. The other one is at Locke and
with the leadership Scott Barrett, we're told today has had scans.
They'll let us know tomorrow the results of those scans.
I get the feeling he won't play on Saturday night, Elijah,
So is it two viey back into Locke or would
you leave him at six and bring Paddy Toopson.
Speaker 6 (17:12):
I would leave tu Po at six, give him another week. Again,
we've just come off the first test. I think Raisin
needs a bit more of a simple size to sort
of see whether the experiments he's he's trying are working
or not. So I'd leave to p A at six
and bring Patrick Twey Plot two in if for some
reason Tupo has moved back into the second row, does
that mean sum of Penny female comes in at six,
(17:34):
so I'm given he was the loose forward cover at
the weekend, so yeah, but ideally I'd go Vy at
six and two pilot two and it's in for Barrett.
Speaker 2 (17:43):
All right.
Speaker 3 (17:43):
The team named officially on Thursday, just before we exit
the chamber of the Junior Tall Blacks this morning. Coming
fourth at the Under nineteen Basketball World Championship, they lost
the third and fourth place playoff narrowly to Slovenia ninety
one eighty seven, but even to finish fourth off the
back of our under seventeens, many of who have backed
(18:03):
up into this under nineteen side, also finishing fourth last year,
but of a golden generation of young basketball is coming
through at the moment, you get the feeling.
Speaker 6 (18:11):
Yeah, for sure, this is i'd say a generational crop
of talent we've got in New Zealand, and it's a
great step in the right direction when we're talking about
the future of basketball in this country. I think a
lot of factors have played into the success of these
younger guys. I think the work that the New Zealand NBL,
introducing the Rapid League and having some of these younger
players play alongside professionals and against professionals out in the
(18:33):
court as well as help their development and help accelerate that.
And you know, a lot of these young guys, I'm
excited to see what the future holds for them, Guys
like Oscar Goodman and Julius Halafanua who are going to
be at a big American colleges. I think they're at
Michigan and Georgetown respectively. Hayden Jones and Jackson Ball I
think are both going to Wisconsin, where I think Kirk
Penny as a coach. There so a nice Kiwi connection there.
(18:54):
And I'm excited to see what those young players do
over in Stateside, and I'm excited to see where the
future goes for here. But an amazing result and hopefully
one day we get a team that can eventually get
on that podium and capture a third placing. But fourth
in the world is an amazing feet.
Speaker 3 (19:11):
Absolutely it is back to back fourth places in the
under seventeens and in the nineteens. This group of players
could well be a golden generation in the years to come.
Great to have you back in the People's Chamber, Elijah.
Let's do it again next Monday, for sure. Thank you.
Speaker 2 (19:25):
Pine Needing a VEX, We've gone just the ticket. It's
Sports Fix powered by News Talks.
Speaker 3 (19:31):
VV and that's us on the Sports Fix podcast for today.
Thank you so much for tuning in, thank you for downloading,
thank you for subscribing, and if you happen to not
be a subscriber, I'd advised you to become one because
a fresh episode of Sports Folks will appear in your
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(19:52):
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Speaker 1 (19:58):
For more from News Talks EDB, listen live on air
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