August 4, 2025 • 20 mins
On Sports Fix with Jason Pine for 4 August 2025, All Blacks assistant coach Scott Hansen joins the podcast to discuss the All Blacks squad for the Rugby Championship. He shares insight in to some selections, including Finlay Christie's return as injury cover, plus new caps for Simon Parker, Tevita Mafileo, Kyle Preston and Leroy Carter debut.
Newstalk ZB sport journalist Elijah Fa'afiu joins to discuss the Warriors' loss to the Dolphins and what is needed as they face the top 4 Bulldogs this weekend. Plus the team review the first round of Bunnings NPC Rugby.
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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 (00:20):
Hello there, Welcome to a new week and to a
fresh episode of the Sports Fix podcast and association with G. J.
Gardner Holmes, New Zealand's most trusted homebuilder. It's Monday, August
the fourth. I'm Jason Pine. Great to have you listening
in on the day that the Rugby Championship squad was
named by the All Blacks head coaches and a couple
(00:41):
of inclusions who are in line for a debut, A
couple of players, in fact, more than a couple who
have come in as injury cover and some returning from
injury as well having missed the series against France.
Speaker 3 (00:54):
Scott Hanson, assistant coach.
Speaker 2 (00:55):
Of the All Blacks or one of is joining us
on the Sports Fix podcast today to give us some
insight into their selection decisions. Elijah who pops into the
chamber with this thoughts on that and the Warrior Are
the stumbles now terminal? Ar the Warriors about.
Speaker 3 (01:12):
To fall out of the top four? And the latest
and sports news coming your way? Too, so let's get
into it.
Speaker 2 (01:18):
In other news, let's get underway with the big sports
stories or some of them from to daily and Lawson
has more points in Formula One, this time at the
Hungarian Grand Prix. The key we driver has crossed the
line eighth in Hungary, backing up the same result last
week in Belgium. At the front of the field, Lando
Norris claiming the race win from his McLaren teammatee Oscar
(01:40):
p Stree McLaren.
Speaker 4 (01:42):
TV in nineteen sixty six.
Speaker 3 (01:44):
Here in twenty twenty five, it is.
Speaker 4 (01:45):
When number two hundred for the McLaren team and it's
big tree for Lando Norris.
Speaker 1 (01:51):
Hair and hungry ask at Pastree come Turks a pretty second.
Speaker 2 (01:55):
The fifth and final cricketest between England and India at
the Oval in London will go into its final day.
England three hundred and thirty nine for six in their
second innings when bad light stop play late on day four.
Speaker 5 (02:08):
All yeah, well, let's us hope fingers crossed, toes crossed,
everything cross that this is just a momentary interruption.
Speaker 2 (02:23):
It was not a momentary interruption. They come back on
day five. England needs thirty five more runs to wrap
the series three one, India need four wickets to square
it up at two a piece, although England tail under
Chris Wolkes has his arm in a sling and he
may not bat. And the Chiefs have confirmed the sighting
of outside back Kirra and tone Boyfilal on a two
(02:43):
year deal.
Speaker 4 (02:44):
Way through my winer season, got a couple of phone
calls and one being the.
Speaker 6 (02:50):
Chiefs and.
Speaker 4 (02:53):
It was like enough they were felt pretty interested in
and and yeah, just kind of went from the.
Speaker 1 (03:00):
News obinion it's sports fixed with Jason Vine.
Speaker 2 (03:06):
Half bacs want to talk half back with you today
because over the weekends the All Blacks halfback concerns had
a new chapter with the revealing yesterday of the news
that cam Rougard has suffered a suspected stress fracture and
will miss at least the Argentinian leg of the Rugby Championship. This,
(03:27):
of course off the back of the news earlier on
this year that Noah Hotham has a high ankle spray
that he suffered during his first Test of the year
against France in Hamilton. So of the three Rugby Championship
halfbacks Royguard, Hotham and Cortez Ratima only Latima remains as
an option for the Argentina Tests in the Rugby Championship.
(03:50):
So everybody yesterday put their selector's hats on and thought, right,
who are the other two who were jumping on the
plane with Cortez Ortima to go to Argentina. I think
most people had Finlay Christi in their mix. Yes, he's
fallen out of favor with the All Black Selectors and
hasn't played in a Black jersey since the England Tests
at the start of twenty twenty four, but what he
(04:12):
does bring is experience and in times of I was
going to say crisis, that's probably taking a bit too far,
but in times of need, experience is a very valuable commodity.
So you tick that box by bringing in Finlay Christie
and then it was a matter of which of the
others around the place might get the third spot. There
were a few people talking about Xavier Row at the Chiefs,
(04:35):
who has provided a really nice one two punch with
Ratama during the Super Rugby campaign for Lour Fuckatava with
the All Black Selectors. Go back to that well and
bring in another experience player, and one with a bit
of a point of difference. Even Sam Knock at the
Blues had people who were keen to see him involved,
but at the end of the day it was Kyle
(04:55):
Preston who has got the knot. After an excellent season
with Wellington in the NPC last year which led to
a championship for the Wellington Lions, and then with the
Crusaders in Super Rugby this year, coming off the bench
and providing an excellent finish to the Super Rugby Final
and getting his team across the line. In fact, he
won his club rugby competition as well with Wellington Club
(05:19):
Old Boys University last year. So it's club rugby champion,
NBC champion and Super Rugby champion for Kyle Preston and
today he's becoming All Black. Look he might not get
on the field over in Argentina. The selectors might decide
it's Datima and Christy who they want to wear nine
and twenty one. But you can't play if you're not
(05:39):
on the plane, and Kyle Preston is on the plane.
Speaker 1 (05:43):
Dissecting the sporting agenda. It's Sportsfix with Jason Vine.
Speaker 2 (05:48):
You're listening to the Sports Fix podcast. The All Black
selector Scott Robertson head coach and his assistants Jason Ryan,
Scott Hanson and Jason Holland have named their squad for
the Rugby Championship plenty two unpack here.
Speaker 3 (06:02):
So it's a.
Speaker 2 (06:02):
Pleasure to welcome in to Sports Fix. Scott Hanson, assistant
coach of the All Blacks. Always an exciting day when
you name it All Black squad, Scott. Even though this
isn't the first one of the year, it's still won
for a big challenge ahead in the Rugby Championship.
Speaker 3 (06:14):
I can ask you first of all about a couple
of players.
Speaker 2 (06:16):
Coming back in who couldn't take part against France, and
that's to mighty Williams and Wallace Atiti.
Speaker 3 (06:21):
How good to have them coming back in.
Speaker 6 (06:23):
You get that funny it is personally it is an
exciting day when you get the privilege to announce the
All Backs squad for our next campaign. I will also mate,
we still ring all those involved, so whether it be
a body Barrett who's playing there at one hundred and
fortieth tests or someone achieving their first in the line.
(06:45):
So it's a great opportunity to call those people and
to congratulate them for those boys that are coming back in. Yeah,
they've done well so had some injuries during Super and
the like, but just to get back through our medical
staff and prepare themselves to be available for this campaign's
great for us.
Speaker 2 (07:04):
We heard the news yesterday that Cam Roygard is nursing
a stress for actual lect. Hope that he's not too
long out of the squad obviously, Noah hopam with his
high ankle sprain as well. You've got cortez Altima there
and you've brought in Finlay Christie and experienced half back
and Kyle Preston Debuton. Can you talk us through the
thought process there?
Speaker 6 (07:23):
Yeah, well, it's exactly that we have the opportunity to
call and finlant your office is a tremendous amount of experience.
We've had our eyes on him right through Super back
end of the Blues was very influenced around his game.
And then you had Kyle who's gone down to the Crusaders,
(07:45):
who started the year really well with them, took an
injury during the year, but came back well by the end,
in particular a test match moment when he came on
against the Chiefs in the final and they gave us
a lot of confidence around where he is in his
game and if you signing for us to continue to
grow our nine stock. Obviously disappointed for the boys that
aren't here with us, however, opportunities to see Finley and
(08:11):
culprit them back in our environment.
Speaker 2 (08:13):
Another very popular inclusion in your squad for the first
time as Chiefs lose forward Simon Parker. I think you
and I spoke about how impressed you've been with him
right across the Super season, just at the end he
stuffer that injury which kept him out. How pleased are
you to be able to include Simon Parker and the
All Blacks for the first time.
Speaker 6 (08:30):
Yeah, they have Simon coming. The offers the ability to
play six and eight. He's a big man and test
matches require that. So there's also obviously room for the smaller,
more dynamic loose forward. By what he gives us is
a good mixture around our loose forwards, the ability to
cover six and eight, and we need to. We now
(08:51):
have the capacity to throw out some big men that
will carry hard get to the game line. It gives
our mixes in the squad a really good flavor.
Speaker 3 (09:00):
Yeah, and you mentioned it there.
Speaker 2 (09:02):
There is still room clearly for the dynamic, smaller loose
forward touple. I said, God if he's a great example
of that. But as Simon Parker, the kind of big
body that you feel you're going to need in these
upcoming physical tests against Argentina and South Africa in particular.
Speaker 6 (09:17):
Yeah, Well, first and foremost, just giving him the opportunity
and putting the jersey on him, getting him within the environment,
and then it's for him to decide how that looks
around his performances. We just want to give him the
opportunity as a big man. We feel we can use
him well within our game plan. So excited to have him.
Speaker 3 (09:38):
In for sure.
Speaker 2 (09:39):
Ricco Yowani he's listed as an outside back. Is he
now off the table as far as the midfield conversation
is concerned or not?
Speaker 6 (09:48):
No, I don't believe.
Speaker 5 (09:49):
So.
Speaker 6 (09:49):
We know Reco has paid a lot of tests at center.
We know that he's a quality center. It just where
we are at the moment. We know that he can
cover center, but we just see him on the wind
at stages this year, we may see him in the
thirteen jersey. We're very lucky with his experience. He's an
absolute competitor. He's getting his frame and his game back
(10:11):
into the wingers role. We're excited for the team around that.
But still with Rique, he's he's still a center that
we trust and we know we can put there for quiet.
Speaker 2 (10:22):
Leroy Carter is another one I wanted to ask you
about again. Probably you know they're or thereabouts. When the
squad for the French series was named, he missed out there.
He's in his injury cover for Caleb Clark. What do
you like about Leroy Carter?
Speaker 6 (10:37):
Influence around the ball, Jase. So he's one of those
players that during a game you hear his name mentioned often.
He's around the ball and he makes things happen around it.
He's decisive with his carry, he can be physical because
of his sevens background, very good at the breakdown. You
look at international rugby and the effort that's put out
(10:59):
and the wide breakdowns to slow our ball down from
the opposition. So his strength out there to one maintained
position and to be disrupted on the other side. He
came and trained with us in the Hamilton week and
basically ripped up the bits during the week so that
just as all that coaches, we walked off the field
(11:21):
and sort of gave each other the little whire around. Yep,
you may be ready to go, so we're excited to
get him in hit a ball of energy physical for
a small man. There are the areas that he needs
to grow in his game, but we've begun them for
all the good books for sure.
Speaker 2 (11:38):
Yeah, and I guess these guys are listed as injury cover,
but well I guess, as Christian Leo Willie showed us
in the French series, just because you're named in that capacity,
it doesn't mean you can't play test matches. You're expecting
that everybody whose name is read out, either in a
full time capacity or his injury cover, I could play
test rugby before you.
Speaker 3 (11:57):
Over the next little.
Speaker 6 (11:58):
While, we're expecting to prepare them all to play test
match rugby. It's a tough competition, this one. So each
week the focus for us is bull cohesion and get
us our strongest team ready. So the keep it for
us as coaches is promoting the environment. Anyone's working hard
(12:18):
to compete and be available for selection for sure. Now
whether or not everyone is selected, well let's just test
footy and that's for us what's best for the team
that week.
Speaker 2 (12:27):
Thanks so much for your time, Scott, really appreciate your
insight and giving us your time here on the Sports
Fox podcast. That is Scott Henson, All Blacks assistant coach.
Speaker 1 (12:35):
The Chamber is now in session on sports Fix on
the Sports Fox podcast let us Pop inside the Chamber
Monday is the People's Chamber.
Speaker 2 (12:44):
Elijah joins us. I just heard from Scott Hanson, assistant
coach of the All Blacks. Elijah, anything in particular catch
your eye when the All Black Squad hit our in
box around midday today.
Speaker 4 (12:55):
Yeah, I think the big one is the inclusion of
Simon Parker. He's a name that's been floating around the
last few weeks and I think based on the skill
set that he has and I guess the comments that
Scott Robinson said in his conference, he's someone who's that's
always been on the raidar probably would have been picked
for the series against France had he not been injured
(13:16):
with that ankle issue at the back end of Super Rugby,
but he got some minutes over the weekend for the
Tunny Fi. Now he's in the All Black squad, so
I'm excited to see what he can do, particularly given
you know there's still questions around that blindside flanker role
at the number six jersey, so possibly Simon Parker is
the answer, so that is probably the answer there. So
that's probably something that stuck up.
Speaker 2 (13:36):
For Yeah, it did for me as well, and particularly
given the fact I know it's only the way it's
written down, but Tov is still listed as a lock
in this squad. But I get the feeling, having experimented
with him at number six in the first two tests
against France, they almost have to invest again, don't they
inn to Borvai at least for the first test, to say, okay,
(13:57):
are you our guy to wear the six jersey against
South Africa when they come to New Zealand in September?
Would you expect that Tov you would wear six in
the first Argentinian test?
Speaker 3 (14:07):
At least I think so.
Speaker 4 (14:09):
They've already dipped their toe in twice a couple of times,
so why not go all in if you're going to
go with this experiment, And I think it helps in
terms of having that versatility where if Tupoy isn't the
option at number six unless you have someone there that
can cover the six, and obviously we know what he
can do it at Locke. But now with the edition
of Simon Parker. You know, Peter Lackaye now comes in
(14:31):
as well. We'll sort of see how Scott Robinson plays
around off that loose forward position. But yeah, I would
give to Provia another shot to the six.
Speaker 2 (14:38):
Our half back depth ha has been tested, Elijah. We
know that Noah Hotham's out with that high ankle sprain,
and yesterday news that Cam Royguard will miss at least
the first couple of tests anyway, So Cortez will out
to menage there joined by Finlay Christi and Kyle Preston.
What do you make of that trio as the Nines
for Argentina anyway?
Speaker 4 (14:58):
Yeah, I think Finlay Christie's inclusion was sort of expected
given I mean he was a late scratch during the
Tasman game yesterday, and I think in terms of Kyle Preston,
he's one that's fresh as well, Competcy Christie who has
been in that allbacks environment. So I like the mix
there that Scott Robinson's gone with, and I probably would
have gone with Kyle Preston looking at I guess the
(15:20):
other halfbacks we have around the country behind Finlay, So yeah,
it's a great testament to the work Kyle Preston's done.
You know his work with Willington has worked with the
Crusaders and Super Rugby. He's been very impressive. So a
great reward for Kyle Preston.
Speaker 2 (15:34):
Yep, I totally agree to be interesting to see how
that plays out. So a couple of tests and Argentina
in this and now I guess once they get home
we find out where the cavalry is. As far as
those who have been named but are injured at the moment,
to Mighty Williams is going to Argentina. Tyrell Lomax is not.
Neither is Luke Jacobson, cam roy Gard now a hopem
or Caleb Clark. So I guess those are the players
(15:56):
who we might see once they get home. Warriors, Elijah,
the Warriors. I think we spoke last week about the
pack closing in, and that happened again over the weekend.
I think this weekend it'll be the first time that
the Warriors are actually in danger of dropping out of
the top four for a very long time. Is this
(16:16):
just another stumble towards the finish line, the last gasp
defeat by the Dolphins.
Speaker 4 (16:22):
Yeah, you would hope not. If you're a Warriors fan,
but the pack behind them is coming and the Panthers
are hot right now. They escaped narrowly over the weekend
against the Titans. That was an exciting game, but the
Panthers pulled through one eight in a row, and now
they're just one point behind the Warriors. And now you've
got the Broncos and the Sharks who did their jobs
and now they are only one win, two points behind
(16:42):
the Warriors. So the Warriors that the margin for ERA
is very small or I mean maybe there is no
margin for ERA at this point for for them if
they're going to remain in the top four. And it
all starts this weekend against the Bulldogs, who are the
only team in the top eight that they have left
this season. The Bulldogs are coming off for lost against
the Tigers. It's over in Sydney, so it's going to
be a tough trip for the Warriors. Yeah, five games left,
(17:04):
and the Warriors that they're going to have to sort
of run the gorton here if they're going to remain in.
Speaker 2 (17:09):
The top four in their favor, though it is still
in their own hands right They're one point ahead of
the Panthers with five games each to go, so it
is still in their hands. And look, the Bulldogs game
just shapes as enormous, doesn't it. I had to point
it out to me though as well. Though, with the
pack chasing like they are the Panthers, you mentioned the
Broncos and the Sharks, it's possible actually that the Warriors
(17:29):
could finish the weekend in seventh place.
Speaker 3 (17:33):
I know it's tight, but goodness me, yeah.
Speaker 4 (17:35):
It's very dangerous territory for the Warriors. And again I
guess the margin of error is non existent anymore. They
pretty much have to win out. But it all focuses,
it all starts this week with the Bulldogs and focusing
on that game. I will say, given that I am
a keen observer of the Bulldogs, that wet weather does
not favor the Bulldogs as shown in that game of
(17:56):
the Tigers. So if you're the Warriors, maybe you hope
that there's a bit of rain, maybe I'm monsoon that
shows up in Sydney and that might be the Warrior's
best chance of tipping over the Dogs.
Speaker 2 (18:05):
Say that absolutely, I've forgot now who you're in PC
allegiance lies with?
Speaker 3 (18:09):
Who does your MPC allegiance lie with?
Speaker 1 (18:11):
Well?
Speaker 4 (18:12):
By the fault I'm born and bred in Auckland, so
I guess it is Auckland. But we haven't done too
well over the last few seasons, so I've sort of
stayed quiet in that area.
Speaker 3 (18:21):
I was gonna say you could shift to North.
Speaker 2 (18:23):
Harbor, but that won't do you much good either, unfortunately,
given the results of the weekend. Although having said that,
Mike Wellington continue their rather poor record at Jerry Collins
Stadium going down to Canterbury, I was impressed, I must
say with Bay of Plenty yesterday Tasman, you know they're
stacked and I think they were TA B favorites before
the weekend. They were well and truly beaten by the Steamers.
Speaker 4 (18:45):
Yeah, and I think all the talk was around Tasman
and particularly that that back line that they had obviously
before Finley Christy was a late scratch. But with Bay
of Plenty, they're a team that has a lot of cohesion,
that there's a lot of members and that squad who
have been together the last few seasons. I think that
really showed over the weekend against against Tasman, and obviously
that there were finalists last year in NBC, so they're
(19:07):
definitely a top team to beats and very impressive and
very impressive as well with Hawk's Bay who are now
currently top of the Tablehiff, they're crushing wind Over Counties
money co at home. So yeah, a lot of great
action that happened over the NPC and my pick was
personally the White Cutter or Auckland game. That was a
great way to open the season. Leamas Opuwanga for more
black screen that game winning try coming back from double
(19:29):
digit deficits. Yeah, that was probably my pickbook some great
action over the weekend.
Speaker 2 (19:34):
There was watched on and many of these venues by
very good crowds as well. Elijah, I think that's us
wrapping the weekend in the chamber today.
Speaker 3 (19:40):
Let's clear out and do it again next Monday. Sounds good.
Thank you, Bindon.
Speaker 1 (19:44):
This is sports Fix, your daily does of sports news
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Speaker 2 (19:51):
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Speaker 3 (20:04):
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This is Sportsfix Howard by News Talks EDB.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Hello there, Welcome to a new week and to a
fresh episode of the Sports Fix podcast and association with G. J.
Gardner Holmes, New Zealand's most trusted homebuilder. It's Monday, August
the fourth. I'm Jason Pine. Great to have you listening
in on the day that the Rugby Championship squad was
named by the All Blacks head coaches and a couple
(00:41):
of inclusions who are in line for a debut, A
couple of players, in fact, more than a couple who
have come in as injury cover and some returning from
injury as well having missed the series against France.
Speaker 3 (00:54):
Scott Hanson, assistant coach.
Speaker 2 (00:55):
Of the All Blacks or one of is joining us
on the Sports Fix podcast today to give us some
insight into their selection decisions. Elijah who pops into the
chamber with this thoughts on that and the Warrior Are
the stumbles now terminal? Ar the Warriors about.
Speaker 3 (01:12):
To fall out of the top four? And the latest
and sports news coming your way? Too, so let's get
into it.
Speaker 2 (01:18):
In other news, let's get underway with the big sports
stories or some of them from to daily and Lawson
has more points in Formula One, this time at the
Hungarian Grand Prix. The key we driver has crossed the
line eighth in Hungary, backing up the same result last
week in Belgium. At the front of the field, Lando
Norris claiming the race win from his McLaren teammatee Oscar
(01:40):
p Stree McLaren.
Speaker 4 (01:42):
TV in nineteen sixty six.
Speaker 3 (01:44):
Here in twenty twenty five, it is.
Speaker 4 (01:45):
When number two hundred for the McLaren team and it's
big tree for Lando Norris.
Speaker 1 (01:51):
Hair and hungry ask at Pastree come Turks a pretty second.
Speaker 2 (01:55):
The fifth and final cricketest between England and India at
the Oval in London will go into its final day.
England three hundred and thirty nine for six in their
second innings when bad light stop play late on day four.
Speaker 5 (02:08):
All yeah, well, let's us hope fingers crossed, toes crossed,
everything cross that this is just a momentary interruption.
Speaker 2 (02:23):
It was not a momentary interruption. They come back on
day five. England needs thirty five more runs to wrap
the series three one, India need four wickets to square
it up at two a piece, although England tail under
Chris Wolkes has his arm in a sling and he
may not bat. And the Chiefs have confirmed the sighting
of outside back Kirra and tone Boyfilal on a two
(02:43):
year deal.
Speaker 4 (02:44):
Way through my winer season, got a couple of phone
calls and one being the.
Speaker 6 (02:50):
Chiefs and.
Speaker 4 (02:53):
It was like enough they were felt pretty interested in
and and yeah, just kind of went from the.
Speaker 1 (03:00):
News obinion it's sports fixed with Jason Vine.
Speaker 2 (03:06):
Half bacs want to talk half back with you today
because over the weekends the All Blacks halfback concerns had
a new chapter with the revealing yesterday of the news
that cam Rougard has suffered a suspected stress fracture and
will miss at least the Argentinian leg of the Rugby Championship. This,
(03:27):
of course off the back of the news earlier on
this year that Noah Hotham has a high ankle spray
that he suffered during his first Test of the year
against France in Hamilton. So of the three Rugby Championship
halfbacks Royguard, Hotham and Cortez Ratima only Latima remains as
an option for the Argentina Tests in the Rugby Championship.
(03:50):
So everybody yesterday put their selector's hats on and thought, right,
who are the other two who were jumping on the
plane with Cortez Ortima to go to Argentina. I think
most people had Finlay Christi in their mix. Yes, he's
fallen out of favor with the All Black Selectors and
hasn't played in a Black jersey since the England Tests
at the start of twenty twenty four, but what he
(04:12):
does bring is experience and in times of I was
going to say crisis, that's probably taking a bit too far,
but in times of need, experience is a very valuable commodity.
So you tick that box by bringing in Finlay Christie
and then it was a matter of which of the
others around the place might get the third spot. There
were a few people talking about Xavier Row at the Chiefs,
(04:35):
who has provided a really nice one two punch with
Ratama during the Super Rugby campaign for Lour Fuckatava with
the All Black Selectors. Go back to that well and
bring in another experience player, and one with a bit
of a point of difference. Even Sam Knock at the
Blues had people who were keen to see him involved,
but at the end of the day it was Kyle
(04:55):
Preston who has got the knot. After an excellent season
with Wellington in the NPC last year which led to
a championship for the Wellington Lions, and then with the
Crusaders in Super Rugby this year, coming off the bench
and providing an excellent finish to the Super Rugby Final
and getting his team across the line. In fact, he
won his club rugby competition as well with Wellington Club
(05:19):
Old Boys University last year. So it's club rugby champion,
NBC champion and Super Rugby champion for Kyle Preston and
today he's becoming All Black. Look he might not get
on the field over in Argentina. The selectors might decide
it's Datima and Christy who they want to wear nine
and twenty one. But you can't play if you're not
(05:39):
on the plane, and Kyle Preston is on the plane.
Speaker 1 (05:43):
Dissecting the sporting agenda. It's Sportsfix with Jason Vine.
Speaker 2 (05:48):
You're listening to the Sports Fix podcast. The All Black
selector Scott Robertson head coach and his assistants Jason Ryan,
Scott Hanson and Jason Holland have named their squad for
the Rugby Championship plenty two unpack here.
Speaker 3 (06:02):
So it's a.
Speaker 2 (06:02):
Pleasure to welcome in to Sports Fix. Scott Hanson, assistant
coach of the All Blacks. Always an exciting day when
you name it All Black squad, Scott. Even though this
isn't the first one of the year, it's still won
for a big challenge ahead in the Rugby Championship.
Speaker 3 (06:14):
I can ask you first of all about a couple
of players.
Speaker 2 (06:16):
Coming back in who couldn't take part against France, and
that's to mighty Williams and Wallace Atiti.
Speaker 3 (06:21):
How good to have them coming back in.
Speaker 6 (06:23):
You get that funny it is personally it is an
exciting day when you get the privilege to announce the
All Backs squad for our next campaign. I will also mate,
we still ring all those involved, so whether it be
a body Barrett who's playing there at one hundred and
fortieth tests or someone achieving their first in the line.
(06:45):
So it's a great opportunity to call those people and
to congratulate them for those boys that are coming back in. Yeah,
they've done well so had some injuries during Super and
the like, but just to get back through our medical
staff and prepare themselves to be available for this campaign's
great for us.
Speaker 2 (07:04):
We heard the news yesterday that Cam Roygard is nursing
a stress for actual lect. Hope that he's not too
long out of the squad obviously, Noah hopam with his
high ankle sprain as well. You've got cortez Altima there
and you've brought in Finlay Christie and experienced half back
and Kyle Preston Debuton. Can you talk us through the
thought process there?
Speaker 6 (07:23):
Yeah, well, it's exactly that we have the opportunity to
call and finlant your office is a tremendous amount of experience.
We've had our eyes on him right through Super back
end of the Blues was very influenced around his game.
And then you had Kyle who's gone down to the Crusaders,
(07:45):
who started the year really well with them, took an
injury during the year, but came back well by the end,
in particular a test match moment when he came on
against the Chiefs in the final and they gave us
a lot of confidence around where he is in his
game and if you signing for us to continue to
grow our nine stock. Obviously disappointed for the boys that
aren't here with us, however, opportunities to see Finley and
(08:11):
culprit them back in our environment.
Speaker 2 (08:13):
Another very popular inclusion in your squad for the first
time as Chiefs lose forward Simon Parker. I think you
and I spoke about how impressed you've been with him
right across the Super season, just at the end he
stuffer that injury which kept him out. How pleased are
you to be able to include Simon Parker and the
All Blacks for the first time.
Speaker 6 (08:30):
Yeah, they have Simon coming. The offers the ability to
play six and eight. He's a big man and test
matches require that. So there's also obviously room for the smaller,
more dynamic loose forward. By what he gives us is
a good mixture around our loose forwards, the ability to
cover six and eight, and we need to. We now
(08:51):
have the capacity to throw out some big men that
will carry hard get to the game line. It gives
our mixes in the squad a really good flavor.
Speaker 3 (09:00):
Yeah, and you mentioned it there.
Speaker 2 (09:02):
There is still room clearly for the dynamic, smaller loose
forward touple. I said, God if he's a great example
of that. But as Simon Parker, the kind of big
body that you feel you're going to need in these
upcoming physical tests against Argentina and South Africa in particular.
Speaker 6 (09:17):
Yeah, Well, first and foremost, just giving him the opportunity
and putting the jersey on him, getting him within the environment,
and then it's for him to decide how that looks
around his performances. We just want to give him the
opportunity as a big man. We feel we can use
him well within our game plan. So excited to have him.
Speaker 3 (09:38):
In for sure.
Speaker 2 (09:39):
Ricco Yowani he's listed as an outside back. Is he
now off the table as far as the midfield conversation
is concerned or not?
Speaker 6 (09:48):
No, I don't believe.
Speaker 5 (09:49):
So.
Speaker 6 (09:49):
We know Reco has paid a lot of tests at center.
We know that he's a quality center. It just where
we are at the moment. We know that he can
cover center, but we just see him on the wind
at stages this year, we may see him in the
thirteen jersey. We're very lucky with his experience. He's an
absolute competitor. He's getting his frame and his game back
(10:11):
into the wingers role. We're excited for the team around that.
But still with Rique, he's he's still a center that
we trust and we know we can put there for quiet.
Speaker 2 (10:22):
Leroy Carter is another one I wanted to ask you
about again. Probably you know they're or thereabouts. When the
squad for the French series was named, he missed out there.
He's in his injury cover for Caleb Clark. What do
you like about Leroy Carter?
Speaker 6 (10:37):
Influence around the ball, Jase. So he's one of those
players that during a game you hear his name mentioned often.
He's around the ball and he makes things happen around it.
He's decisive with his carry, he can be physical because
of his sevens background, very good at the breakdown. You
look at international rugby and the effort that's put out
(10:59):
and the wide breakdowns to slow our ball down from
the opposition. So his strength out there to one maintained
position and to be disrupted on the other side. He
came and trained with us in the Hamilton week and
basically ripped up the bits during the week so that
just as all that coaches, we walked off the field
(11:21):
and sort of gave each other the little whire around. Yep,
you may be ready to go, so we're excited to
get him in hit a ball of energy physical for
a small man. There are the areas that he needs
to grow in his game, but we've begun them for
all the good books for sure.
Speaker 2 (11:38):
Yeah, and I guess these guys are listed as injury cover,
but well I guess, as Christian Leo Willie showed us
in the French series, just because you're named in that capacity,
it doesn't mean you can't play test matches. You're expecting
that everybody whose name is read out, either in a
full time capacity or his injury cover, I could play
test rugby before you.
Speaker 3 (11:57):
Over the next little.
Speaker 6 (11:58):
While, we're expecting to prepare them all to play test
match rugby. It's a tough competition, this one. So each
week the focus for us is bull cohesion and get
us our strongest team ready. So the keep it for
us as coaches is promoting the environment. Anyone's working hard
(12:18):
to compete and be available for selection for sure. Now
whether or not everyone is selected, well let's just test
footy and that's for us what's best for the team
that week.
Speaker 2 (12:27):
Thanks so much for your time, Scott, really appreciate your
insight and giving us your time here on the Sports
Fox podcast. That is Scott Henson, All Blacks assistant coach.
Speaker 1 (12:35):
The Chamber is now in session on sports Fix on
the Sports Fox podcast let us Pop inside the Chamber
Monday is the People's Chamber.
Speaker 2 (12:44):
Elijah joins us. I just heard from Scott Hanson, assistant
coach of the All Blacks. Elijah, anything in particular catch
your eye when the All Black Squad hit our in
box around midday today.
Speaker 4 (12:55):
Yeah, I think the big one is the inclusion of
Simon Parker. He's a name that's been floating around the
last few weeks and I think based on the skill
set that he has and I guess the comments that
Scott Robinson said in his conference, he's someone who's that's
always been on the raidar probably would have been picked
for the series against France had he not been injured
(13:16):
with that ankle issue at the back end of Super Rugby,
but he got some minutes over the weekend for the
Tunny Fi. Now he's in the All Black squad, so
I'm excited to see what he can do, particularly given
you know there's still questions around that blindside flanker role
at the number six jersey, so possibly Simon Parker is
the answer, so that is probably the answer there. So
that's probably something that stuck up.
Speaker 2 (13:36):
For Yeah, it did for me as well, and particularly
given the fact I know it's only the way it's
written down, but Tov is still listed as a lock
in this squad. But I get the feeling, having experimented
with him at number six in the first two tests
against France, they almost have to invest again, don't they
inn to Borvai at least for the first test, to say, okay,
(13:57):
are you our guy to wear the six jersey against
South Africa when they come to New Zealand in September?
Would you expect that Tov you would wear six in
the first Argentinian test?
Speaker 3 (14:07):
At least I think so.
Speaker 4 (14:09):
They've already dipped their toe in twice a couple of times,
so why not go all in if you're going to
go with this experiment, And I think it helps in
terms of having that versatility where if Tupoy isn't the
option at number six unless you have someone there that
can cover the six, and obviously we know what he
can do it at Locke. But now with the edition
of Simon Parker. You know, Peter Lackaye now comes in
(14:31):
as well. We'll sort of see how Scott Robinson plays
around off that loose forward position. But yeah, I would
give to Provia another shot to the six.
Speaker 2 (14:38):
Our half back depth ha has been tested, Elijah. We
know that Noah Hotham's out with that high ankle sprain,
and yesterday news that Cam Royguard will miss at least
the first couple of tests anyway, So Cortez will out
to menage there joined by Finlay Christi and Kyle Preston.
What do you make of that trio as the Nines
for Argentina anyway?
Speaker 4 (14:58):
Yeah, I think Finlay Christie's inclusion was sort of expected
given I mean he was a late scratch during the
Tasman game yesterday, and I think in terms of Kyle Preston,
he's one that's fresh as well, Competcy Christie who has
been in that allbacks environment. So I like the mix
there that Scott Robinson's gone with, and I probably would
have gone with Kyle Preston looking at I guess the
(15:20):
other halfbacks we have around the country behind Finlay, So yeah,
it's a great testament to the work Kyle Preston's done.
You know his work with Willington has worked with the
Crusaders and Super Rugby. He's been very impressive. So a
great reward for Kyle Preston.
Speaker 2 (15:34):
Yep, I totally agree to be interesting to see how
that plays out. So a couple of tests and Argentina
in this and now I guess once they get home
we find out where the cavalry is. As far as
those who have been named but are injured at the moment,
to Mighty Williams is going to Argentina. Tyrell Lomax is not.
Neither is Luke Jacobson, cam roy Gard now a hopem
or Caleb Clark. So I guess those are the players
(15:56):
who we might see once they get home. Warriors, Elijah,
the Warriors. I think we spoke last week about the
pack closing in, and that happened again over the weekend.
I think this weekend it'll be the first time that
the Warriors are actually in danger of dropping out of
the top four for a very long time. Is this
(16:16):
just another stumble towards the finish line, the last gasp
defeat by the Dolphins.
Speaker 4 (16:22):
Yeah, you would hope not. If you're a Warriors fan,
but the pack behind them is coming and the Panthers
are hot right now. They escaped narrowly over the weekend
against the Titans. That was an exciting game, but the
Panthers pulled through one eight in a row, and now
they're just one point behind the Warriors. And now you've
got the Broncos and the Sharks who did their jobs
and now they are only one win, two points behind
(16:42):
the Warriors. So the Warriors that the margin for ERA
is very small or I mean maybe there is no
margin for ERA at this point for for them if
they're going to remain in the top four. And it
all starts this weekend against the Bulldogs, who are the
only team in the top eight that they have left
this season. The Bulldogs are coming off for lost against
the Tigers. It's over in Sydney, so it's going to
be a tough trip for the Warriors. Yeah, five games left,
(17:04):
and the Warriors that they're going to have to sort
of run the gorton here if they're going to remain in.
Speaker 2 (17:09):
The top four in their favor, though it is still
in their own hands right They're one point ahead of
the Panthers with five games each to go, so it
is still in their hands. And look, the Bulldogs game
just shapes as enormous, doesn't it. I had to point
it out to me though as well. Though, with the
pack chasing like they are the Panthers, you mentioned the
Broncos and the Sharks, it's possible actually that the Warriors
(17:29):
could finish the weekend in seventh place.
Speaker 3 (17:33):
I know it's tight, but goodness me, yeah.
Speaker 4 (17:35):
It's very dangerous territory for the Warriors. And again I
guess the margin of error is non existent anymore. They
pretty much have to win out. But it all focuses,
it all starts this week with the Bulldogs and focusing
on that game. I will say, given that I am
a keen observer of the Bulldogs, that wet weather does
not favor the Bulldogs as shown in that game of
(17:56):
the Tigers. So if you're the Warriors, maybe you hope
that there's a bit of rain, maybe I'm monsoon that
shows up in Sydney and that might be the Warrior's
best chance of tipping over the Dogs.
Speaker 2 (18:05):
Say that absolutely, I've forgot now who you're in PC
allegiance lies with?
Speaker 3 (18:09):
Who does your MPC allegiance lie with?
Speaker 1 (18:11):
Well?
Speaker 4 (18:12):
By the fault I'm born and bred in Auckland, so
I guess it is Auckland. But we haven't done too
well over the last few seasons, so I've sort of
stayed quiet in that area.
Speaker 3 (18:21):
I was gonna say you could shift to North.
Speaker 2 (18:23):
Harbor, but that won't do you much good either, unfortunately,
given the results of the weekend. Although having said that,
Mike Wellington continue their rather poor record at Jerry Collins
Stadium going down to Canterbury, I was impressed, I must
say with Bay of Plenty yesterday Tasman, you know they're
stacked and I think they were TA B favorites before
the weekend. They were well and truly beaten by the Steamers.
Speaker 4 (18:45):
Yeah, and I think all the talk was around Tasman
and particularly that that back line that they had obviously
before Finley Christy was a late scratch. But with Bay
of Plenty, they're a team that has a lot of cohesion,
that there's a lot of members and that squad who
have been together the last few seasons. I think that
really showed over the weekend against against Tasman, and obviously
that there were finalists last year in NBC, so they're
(19:07):
definitely a top team to beats and very impressive and
very impressive as well with Hawk's Bay who are now
currently top of the Tablehiff, they're crushing wind Over Counties
money co at home. So yeah, a lot of great
action that happened over the NPC and my pick was
personally the White Cutter or Auckland game. That was a
great way to open the season. Leamas Opuwanga for more
black screen that game winning try coming back from double
(19:29):
digit deficits. Yeah, that was probably my pickbook some great
action over the weekend.
Speaker 2 (19:34):
There was watched on and many of these venues by
very good crowds as well. Elijah, I think that's us
wrapping the weekend in the chamber today.
Speaker 3 (19:40):
Let's clear out and do it again next Monday. Sounds good.
Thank you, Bindon.
Speaker 1 (19:44):
This is sports Fix, your daily does of sports news
powered by News Talks EBB.
Speaker 2 (19:51):
And that brings to an end this edition of the
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If you are a subscriber to Sports Fix, a new
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Speaker 3 (20:04):
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