November 9, 2025 • 18 mins
On Sports Fix with Jason Pine for 10th November 2025, Damien McKenzie proved to be the hero the All Blacks needed as they were pushed to the brink by Scotland. Longtime rugby coach and commentator Sam Ward joined Piney to discuss McKenzie's impact and whether his best position is off the bench.
Piney is in awe of the spectacle that was the A-League New Zealand derby, and all the drama that surrounded it.
Plus, Elijah Fa'afiu joins the people's chamber to recap a big win from the Kiwis to secure the Pacific Championships title.
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Speaker 1 (00:09):
You're listening to a podcast from News Talks ed B
follow this and our wide range of podcasts now on iHeartRadio.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
This is Sportsfix.
Speaker 1 (00:19):
Howard by News Talk said, be.
Speaker 3 (00:20):
Hello there and welcome into the latest edition of the
Sports Fixed podcast. At the start of a brand new week.
It is Monday, November the tenth. I'm Jason Pine here
in association with G. J. Gardner Holmes, New Zealand's most
trusted home build up. What a weekend of sport it
was going to kick it around in the chamber with
a larger far for you, in particular of the All
Blacks and the Keyweeks with their victory of a tour
(00:42):
some or last night, speaking of the All Blacks, did
Damien McKenzie basically win us that game single handed? Or
if not single handed then certainly with a high degree
of influence. And what is the best role for Damian
mackenzie moving forward? Is it that twenty three Jersey or
is he still an option to start test matches for US.
(01:03):
Longtime rugby coach, commentator and analyst Sam Ward is on
the podcast eight I've got a few thoughts on Saturday
Night's incredible A League derby and the latestanceforced news too,
so let's get into it. In other news, Let's get
things underway with a look at some of the big
sports stories around today. McLaren's Lando Norris has completed a
(01:26):
dominant Formula One weekend in Brazil. It's a seventh win
and twenty twenty five for the championship leader.
Speaker 4 (01:33):
Coo extends his lead out in front Londo Norris.
Speaker 3 (01:36):
When's the Southland for free and he won it from
pole over Mercedes, Kimmi Antonelli and Red Bulls Max for
Staff and New Zealand had eased to a sixty three
forty one victory over Scotland and Glasgow to begin their
Northern Netball Tour. In the absence of rest and shooter
Grace Weki, Martine Salmon shot thirty three goals from thirty
(01:56):
seven attempts.
Speaker 1 (01:57):
Seven part of the girls.
Speaker 5 (01:59):
We just went out there and did our best, but
I think we can lift it to a whole other level.
Speaker 4 (02:03):
Yeah, lots of mistakes.
Speaker 3 (02:04):
The second test is on Wednesday morning, also against Scotland
and glass Go and Manchester City have moved to second
on the Premier League Football Ladder with a three nil
home win over Liverpool to mark manager Pep Guardiola's one
thousandth match in charge of the side.
Speaker 4 (02:19):
Such quick fees.
Speaker 2 (02:20):
First, it's incredible for charity to Joe.
Speaker 1 (02:27):
Manchester City three Liverpool. Now dissecting the sporting agenda, it's
Sportsfix with Jason Vine.
Speaker 3 (02:38):
You're listening to the Sports Fixed podcast. A dazzling performance
from Damien mackenzie has been a huge factor in getting
the All Blacks home against Scotland at Murrayfield. A booming
fifty to twenty two, a physics defying try and a
late fifty meter penalty helping the All Blacks win twenty
five seventeen in Edinburgh yesterday. So as twenty three the
best number to have on his back, Let's bring in
(03:01):
longtime rugby coach, commentator and analyst Sam Ward. Sam first
of all, should anything Damien McKenzie does surprise us anymore.
Speaker 2 (03:10):
Absolutely not. I think what he's done is established himself
as one of the kings of unstructured rugby, which is
exciting because that's generally where tries get scored.
Speaker 3 (03:20):
So in that case then is his best use that
impact role. He's becoming an increasingly appealing proposition there coming
off and playing unstructured which obviously happens later in games.
Do you think that's his best use for the All Blacks.
Speaker 2 (03:36):
I think the luxury is that he can play in
that front line if bonent's out the back, and Boding
can play in the front line with mackenzie at the back.
But that can also I suppose chop and change a
little bit as well, depending on the game and depending
on where the space is. So for me, I think
especially this weekend against a team like England, it's going
to be a very high pressure, high attritional game. It's
(03:58):
going to have to all that's going to have to
work to break things down and to create that space.
And when they do, I think that's when you inject mckensey's.
Speaker 3 (04:05):
Do you think he's still an option, a strong option
given the right opposition and the right set of circumstances
to start test matches?
Speaker 2 (04:14):
Yeah? Absolutely. I mean I think if the Oblicks identify
opportunities to I suppose get the game unstructured and I
suppose exploit space early in the game, then by all means,
but if they can't see you, I suppose the gaps
that they might see against other oppositions, then potentially he's
better off the bench.
Speaker 3 (04:35):
Playing unstructured rugby is obviously a superpower because it brings
with it a high degree of, you know, of the
opposition not being able to tell you what you're going
to do. Is there a chance of overplaying that sam being,
you know, being so unstructured that your own team don't
know what you're going to do.
Speaker 2 (04:52):
Yeah, I think it's pretty important to have a structure
to your unstructured and I know that might make a
few people to go cross eyed. But so for example,
you look at NPC rugby and I'd say a good
seventy plus percent of those tries come from unstructured footy,
from turnover plays. As you go higher up the levels
is obvious less opportunities and much more pressure. So when
it comes to test match you have to work really
(05:13):
hard to create unstructured opportunities. So I do think he
can start games. But I think right now the form
he's in and the way that the All Blacks are
playing the game, injecting him later in the piece is
proving obviously really effective.
Speaker 4 (05:28):
Can you coach what he does?
Speaker 2 (05:31):
I think there might be parameters, and I think that
would be some pretty consistent conversations with the All Blacks
coaching staff, but also I think if you can find
a way to create opportunities for your team to give
him the ball in space, I think he's got a
little bit of magic about him, as we saw with
that try yesterday.
Speaker 3 (05:52):
I guess I'm also asking, is you know, can you
train to be like that or is it just something
that comes with instinct, something that is in somebody's DNA.
They've always grown up, They've been the guy who's the
best touch player for example. You know, growing up, is
that something that you can acquire or is it really
just intrinsic.
Speaker 2 (06:11):
I think he's always had that back obviously with his
early highlights back in cross college days. He always had
that flare and that natural speed, the speed of feet
and the strength. And I think I suppose going through NPC,
going through Super Rugby, the amount of scenarios and games
that you play where you get opportunities to utilize those
(06:31):
skill sets is obviously what's pushed them into that all
Blacks frame. And I believe that all Blacks will have
parameters around how they use it, and they'll have an
understanding around when he needs to stick to that structure
and when he needs when he can pull trigger and
light it up.
Speaker 3 (06:47):
How difficult sam is that to set those parameters without
fencing a talent in.
Speaker 2 (06:54):
That's a million dollar question. But to be fair, based
on the form on the weekend, and I suppose the
momentum that the All Blacks enjoyed later in that game,
it sounds like they might have a few things put
together in a few I suppose agreements that have everyone
on the same page, which will be important, especially against England.
Speaker 3 (07:13):
When it comes to the Chiefs. Obviously, he's too good
a player to have coming off the bench. He's played well,
he split his time. Really, he's played a lot of ten,
a lot of fifteen. Where do you think he is
best in a starting role.
Speaker 2 (07:29):
He's got a bit of magic about him in both
Obviously watching him, watching him come into the line from
fallback is really exciting. But at the same time, if
he's got a big forward pack in front of him
and he can spot opportunities to release that ball at
the back and attack that space with a speed, then
he's very very effective. And I think the way that
(07:50):
the Chiefs play, and I think the way that the
Aublet's playing, he's got license to be in the backfield
and in the front field, so obviously close to the
line where he can put people off balance and break
that line. He's obviously very effective. But when his team
has worked through the middle created that space, he sharn
how electric he is out on the edges as well.
Speaker 4 (08:11):
It's the dual playmaker thing, the ten to fifteen dual
playmaker still a rugby trend or not?
Speaker 2 (08:17):
Yeah, I believe so. I believe so. Generally you might
find your midfielders out towards the edge a little bit more.
You've got your tens and your fifteens playing in behind
the forwards. Through the middle of the park. There's a
whole bunch of different attacking shapes that teams are playing
to make sure that they can utilize that space. But
whether teams want to best down the edges or best
through the middle, there's a lot of variation. So that's
(08:39):
why he's always touching the ball, because they need him
in and around that ball to make those key decisions.
Speaker 3 (08:45):
Really interesting analysis. Sam, thanks so much for joining us.
Sam Ward rugby coach and analyst on the sports Fix podcast.
Speaker 4 (08:52):
Sportsfix Saturday Night.
Speaker 3 (08:53):
In the Capitol saw the first New Zealand derby in
the A League. This season and what an occasion. It was,
high drama, energy, terrific sporting theater, Auckland FC winning their
fourth straight New Zealand Derby the Wellington Phoenix.
Speaker 4 (09:09):
But this one was very different.
Speaker 3 (09:11):
He looked back to last year's derby's a tight kg
affair in the first one, decided by a couple of
late goals including a goalkeeping mistake. The second one up
at Auckland was a terrific game which Auckland FC won
two to one, and then of course the six to
one victory in the third one. What transpired on Saturday
night was quite extraordinary. After twenty eight seconds Auckland FC
(09:32):
broke Wellington's high line and opened the scoring very very
early on through Sam Cosgrove, their big English striker. Then
Nigerian striker Ephineirsee scored one of the goals of the
season already for Wellington Phoenix from outside the area, curling
it into the top corner to equalize for the Phoenix,
and then just before halftime Auckland went ahead again very
(09:54):
similar story. Jesse Randall the star of the night, actually
breaking the high line, sprinting away and setting up a
second for Cosgrove. In the second half, the red cards appeared.
Dan Hall sent off for denying Corbyn piper and obvious
goal scoring opportunity early in the second half, so Auckland
f C are down to ten and then with ten
(10:14):
minutes to go, Logan Rogerson with a rash challenge also
saw him see read so for the last ten minutes
plus and added ten minutes to the end.
Speaker 4 (10:25):
Auckland f C were.
Speaker 3 (10:26):
Down to nine nine v eleven. It was charge of
the light Brigade for the Wellington Phoenix. But try as
they might and hard as they banged on Auckland FC's door,
every single attack was repelled and when the final whistle
went it was Auckland FC who reclaimed retained bragging rights
(10:46):
and won their fourth derby in a row. It's only
been going for four its rations, but already A League's
New Zealand derby is appointment viewing and Saturday night was
the latest installment of that.
Speaker 1 (11:00):
The Chamber is now in session on Sportsfax.
Speaker 3 (11:05):
You're listening to the sports Fix podcast and you're joining
us now inside the People's Chamber on a Monday, always
joined by Elijah Farfield, who I guess is fresh.
Speaker 4 (11:15):
I'll ask you the question, are you fresh?
Speaker 3 (11:17):
From a weekend of sports viewing and did you think
the All Blacks were going to.
Speaker 4 (11:20):
Lose to Scotland?
Speaker 5 (11:22):
Good ay, piney, Yes, I am very fresh and well.
I guess I knew I figured the All Backs would win.
I do feel bad for Scotland given that they've come
so close over the last few meetings they've had with
New Zealand, but the All Backs they just managed to
find a way to win. And yeah, I do feel.
Speaker 4 (11:42):
Bad for Scotland.
Speaker 5 (11:43):
That was an amazing atmosphere and Murrayfield, particularly in that
second half when they made that comeback from seventeen zil downs.
So yeah, it was a great contest and the All
Blacks just managed to I guess the way they dug
themselves put themselves in the hole, they managed to find
their way out of it, which is amazing.
Speaker 3 (12:01):
I think of all the teams we play, Scotland are
probably the one I would mind losing to least. They
seem like pretty good buggers, don't they. You know, we
don't want to lose to Australia, South Africa, England for
goodness sake, Ireland, but I reckon if Scotland had beaten
us yesterday, yes we would have been disappointed, and I'm
sure there would have been a lot of examination of
the All Blacks.
Speaker 4 (12:21):
But I kind of like the Scottish people.
Speaker 3 (12:24):
And they must be endlessly frustrated, Elijah that they can't get.
Speaker 4 (12:28):
Across the line.
Speaker 3 (12:29):
They had a great chance yesterday seventeen all and the
third of the yellow cards puts US down to ten
men between minutes sixty and seventy.
Speaker 4 (12:39):
They had a great chance to win that game they did.
Speaker 5 (12:42):
I mean, I'm like you, Piney, I like the Scottish people.
Maybe not so much the bagpipes. They're a little bit
that the sound of them, you know, yeah, irks me
a little bit. So I guess in that first half
was great that the bagpipes were silenced, But I will
say their style of play. Finn Russell is amazing player
to watch, probably one of my favorite players actually to
watch in World rugby and watching him battle on one
(13:03):
leg trying to steer this team around the park. Some
key players who who stepped up in that fight back. Yeah,
I honestly would have been proud of Scotland had been
and had toppled the All Blacks. So it's disappointing and
frustrating for the Scottish fans. But one day it will happen.
Speaker 3 (13:21):
One day, Oh look, I'm sure it will. I mean,
it took a long time for Ireland to beat us.
Now they do it pretty much every other time we
played them. It took a long time for Argentina to
beat us, and they've done that three or four times
since they finally broke their ducks. So you're right at
some stage they will beat us, you know. But yesterday
I'm sure they'll think of that as an opportunity lost. Now,
just before we leave the rugby, Caleb Clark had to
(13:42):
come off with the head knock and he'll have the
twelve day mandatory stand down. I was just thinking before
we came into the chamber about left wing options and
for the first half dozen tests, the Eericho Yowani played
there SEVERI said, one test there. Then Leroy Carter came
in for one test that was the one I think
at Wellington where they lost horribly to South Africa. Then
he flicked over to the right and then it was
(14:03):
Clark fighting Nuku Clark Clark, what do you reckon they'll
do at left wing on Sunday against England? Do you
think they'll move Leicester back onto the left wing. Is
Rieko Yowani in for a recall? There will Carter go
back to left wing?
Speaker 1 (14:19):
Wo?
Speaker 4 (14:20):
Do you think where's eleven?
Speaker 5 (14:21):
Yeah, there's a bit of a backline puzzle to solve
here as a results of Caler Clark's injury. I personally
think that they'll move Leicester to the wing one of
the wings, and Leroy Carter will assume the other wing spot.
And that means for the midfield, do you bring in
a Billy Proctor who has played alongside Jordy Barrett for
(14:42):
the majority of the international season before he was I
guess moved on for the likes of Tupaia and Leicester
Finger and Nuku, So that's probably what I would go with,
although I am tempted to keep that midfield combo of
Quinn and Leicester together because they have been playing well
together and they showed on the weekend that they can
cooperate together. So yeah, I guess a lot of key
(15:04):
decisions that will be made, but that is personally what
I would do with Caleer Clark out now.
Speaker 3 (15:08):
I think I would probably do the same. Be very
interesting to see how they cut and slice it and
the all Blacks. That team will be out later in
the week. Now you talked about I guess some mild
concern about losing to Scotland yesterday when the Kiwis were
fourteen points to six down at halftime against TAAs some
More in the Pacific Nations Championship Rugby League final last night,
(15:30):
were you sniffing an upset there? Were you thinking toa
some More, we're going to beat us for the first time.
Speaker 5 (15:36):
I was still nervous at halftime, Pint. I guess my salmonside,
which is all of it, was both nervous and excited.
But yeah, I think the Kiwi showed in that second half.
That was probably one of the best performances I've seen
from the Kiwis in a while, probably well, actually not
since a couple of years ago when they trounced the
Kangaroo's thirty zero. That's probably what that second half performance
(15:57):
reminded me of. But again, I guess like Scotland and
their inability to beat the All Blacks some More have
never been in the Kiwis and that was definitely their
best opportunity in sin to do so. And I guess
another great way to in the Pacific championships competition with
the way the passion of the fans and the players.
(16:17):
You could see that both pregame, during the game, post
game like an amazing contest and amazing competition throughout.
Speaker 3 (16:24):
And it's great that the that the you know, the
players play, you know, they don't have to do they
they don't have to play for the Kiwis, they don't
have to play for some more. But it shows in
Tong is the same that when these NRL players do
decide to where their national colors, as many of them
have in the last three or four weeks in this
in this championship, it makes for some terrific rugby league.
I just wish that final had been in Auckland, you know,
(16:46):
you know we saw the color and the vibe when
they met these two teams in round one and then
at Eden Park when Tong have played New Zealand. I
know the reasons they have it in Australia, and yes
there was a women's final as well, but what an
occasion it might have been at Eden Park yesterday if
it had been the key was against some more in
a in a stadium like.
Speaker 5 (17:05):
That, Yeah, and the scenes that you see in the
crowd the colors, the red Sea or the blue sea,
whatever the color, thea it is the vocal support that
you see from these fans. You don't see that in
many other sports. And rugby league the way that these
top tier players have opted to bypass New Zealand and
Australia for the likes of salmon and tongue has elevated
(17:28):
the game in recent years. And maybe have a World
Cup coming next year and the Rugby League World Cup,
and that is going to be really exciting. A lot
of top contenders now with some more tongue in New Zealand,
Australia and England as well, So I'm really looking forward
to that. And international rugby league is just taking a
huge step each day.
Speaker 3 (17:48):
Yeah, it was a nice way to finish the rugby league, Yeah,
that's for sure. And that's a nice way to finish
the People's Chamber. On the Sports Fix podcast, thanks for
stopping and there's always Elijah.
Speaker 5 (17:57):
No worries.
Speaker 4 (17:57):
Thank you, Bini.
Speaker 1 (17:59):
This is sports Fix, You're daily dose of sports news,
twent by news talks, Evy.
Speaker 3 (18:06):
And that blows the final whistle on the Sports Fix
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(18:28):
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Speaker 1 (18:30):
For more from News talk edb listen live on air
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You're listening to a podcast from News Talks ed B
follow this and our wide range of podcasts now on iHeartRadio.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
This is Sportsfix.
Speaker 1 (00:19):
Howard by News Talk said, be.
Speaker 3 (00:20):
Hello there and welcome into the latest edition of the
Sports Fixed podcast. At the start of a brand new week.
It is Monday, November the tenth. I'm Jason Pine here
in association with G. J. Gardner Holmes, New Zealand's most
trusted home build up. What a weekend of sport it
was going to kick it around in the chamber with
a larger far for you, in particular of the All
Blacks and the Keyweeks with their victory of a tour
(00:42):
some or last night, speaking of the All Blacks, did
Damien McKenzie basically win us that game single handed? Or
if not single handed then certainly with a high degree
of influence. And what is the best role for Damian
mackenzie moving forward? Is it that twenty three Jersey or
is he still an option to start test matches for US.
(01:03):
Longtime rugby coach, commentator and analyst Sam Ward is on
the podcast eight I've got a few thoughts on Saturday
Night's incredible A League derby and the latestanceforced news too,
so let's get into it. In other news, Let's get
things underway with a look at some of the big
sports stories around today. McLaren's Lando Norris has completed a
(01:26):
dominant Formula One weekend in Brazil. It's a seventh win
and twenty twenty five for the championship leader.
Speaker 4 (01:33):
Coo extends his lead out in front Londo Norris.
Speaker 3 (01:36):
When's the Southland for free and he won it from
pole over Mercedes, Kimmi Antonelli and Red Bulls Max for
Staff and New Zealand had eased to a sixty three
forty one victory over Scotland and Glasgow to begin their
Northern Netball Tour. In the absence of rest and shooter
Grace Weki, Martine Salmon shot thirty three goals from thirty
(01:56):
seven attempts.
Speaker 1 (01:57):
Seven part of the girls.
Speaker 5 (01:59):
We just went out there and did our best, but
I think we can lift it to a whole other level.
Speaker 4 (02:03):
Yeah, lots of mistakes.
Speaker 3 (02:04):
The second test is on Wednesday morning, also against Scotland
and glass Go and Manchester City have moved to second
on the Premier League Football Ladder with a three nil
home win over Liverpool to mark manager Pep Guardiola's one
thousandth match in charge of the side.
Speaker 4 (02:19):
Such quick fees.
Speaker 2 (02:20):
First, it's incredible for charity to Joe.
Speaker 1 (02:27):
Manchester City three Liverpool. Now dissecting the sporting agenda, it's
Sportsfix with Jason Vine.
Speaker 3 (02:38):
You're listening to the Sports Fixed podcast. A dazzling performance
from Damien mackenzie has been a huge factor in getting
the All Blacks home against Scotland at Murrayfield. A booming
fifty to twenty two, a physics defying try and a
late fifty meter penalty helping the All Blacks win twenty
five seventeen in Edinburgh yesterday. So as twenty three the
best number to have on his back, Let's bring in
(03:01):
longtime rugby coach, commentator and analyst Sam Ward. Sam first
of all, should anything Damien McKenzie does surprise us anymore.
Speaker 2 (03:10):
Absolutely not. I think what he's done is established himself
as one of the kings of unstructured rugby, which is
exciting because that's generally where tries get scored.
Speaker 3 (03:20):
So in that case then is his best use that
impact role. He's becoming an increasingly appealing proposition there coming
off and playing unstructured which obviously happens later in games.
Do you think that's his best use for the All Blacks.
Speaker 2 (03:36):
I think the luxury is that he can play in
that front line if bonent's out the back, and Boding
can play in the front line with mackenzie at the back.
But that can also I suppose chop and change a
little bit as well, depending on the game and depending
on where the space is. So for me, I think
especially this weekend against a team like England, it's going
to be a very high pressure, high attritional game. It's
(03:58):
going to have to all that's going to have to
work to break things down and to create that space.
And when they do, I think that's when you inject mckensey's.
Speaker 3 (04:05):
Do you think he's still an option, a strong option
given the right opposition and the right set of circumstances
to start test matches?
Speaker 2 (04:14):
Yeah? Absolutely. I mean I think if the Oblicks identify
opportunities to I suppose get the game unstructured and I
suppose exploit space early in the game, then by all means,
but if they can't see you, I suppose the gaps
that they might see against other oppositions, then potentially he's
better off the bench.
Speaker 3 (04:35):
Playing unstructured rugby is obviously a superpower because it brings
with it a high degree of, you know, of the
opposition not being able to tell you what you're going
to do. Is there a chance of overplaying that sam being,
you know, being so unstructured that your own team don't
know what you're going to do.
Speaker 2 (04:52):
Yeah, I think it's pretty important to have a structure
to your unstructured and I know that might make a
few people to go cross eyed. But so for example,
you look at NPC rugby and I'd say a good
seventy plus percent of those tries come from unstructured footy,
from turnover plays. As you go higher up the levels
is obvious less opportunities and much more pressure. So when
it comes to test match you have to work really
(05:13):
hard to create unstructured opportunities. So I do think he
can start games. But I think right now the form
he's in and the way that the All Blacks are
playing the game, injecting him later in the piece is
proving obviously really effective.
Speaker 4 (05:28):
Can you coach what he does?
Speaker 2 (05:31):
I think there might be parameters, and I think that
would be some pretty consistent conversations with the All Blacks
coaching staff, but also I think if you can find
a way to create opportunities for your team to give
him the ball in space, I think he's got a
little bit of magic about him, as we saw with
that try yesterday.
Speaker 3 (05:52):
I guess I'm also asking, is you know, can you
train to be like that or is it just something
that comes with instinct, something that is in somebody's DNA.
They've always grown up, They've been the guy who's the
best touch player for example. You know, growing up, is
that something that you can acquire or is it really
just intrinsic.
Speaker 2 (06:11):
I think he's always had that back obviously with his
early highlights back in cross college days. He always had
that flare and that natural speed, the speed of feet
and the strength. And I think I suppose going through NPC,
going through Super Rugby, the amount of scenarios and games
that you play where you get opportunities to utilize those
(06:31):
skill sets is obviously what's pushed them into that all
Blacks frame. And I believe that all Blacks will have
parameters around how they use it, and they'll have an
understanding around when he needs to stick to that structure
and when he needs when he can pull trigger and
light it up.
Speaker 3 (06:47):
How difficult sam is that to set those parameters without
fencing a talent in.
Speaker 2 (06:54):
That's a million dollar question. But to be fair, based
on the form on the weekend, and I suppose the
momentum that the All Blacks enjoyed later in that game,
it sounds like they might have a few things put
together in a few I suppose agreements that have everyone
on the same page, which will be important, especially against England.
Speaker 3 (07:13):
When it comes to the Chiefs. Obviously, he's too good
a player to have coming off the bench. He's played well,
he split his time. Really, he's played a lot of ten,
a lot of fifteen. Where do you think he is
best in a starting role.
Speaker 2 (07:29):
He's got a bit of magic about him in both
Obviously watching him, watching him come into the line from
fallback is really exciting. But at the same time, if
he's got a big forward pack in front of him
and he can spot opportunities to release that ball at
the back and attack that space with a speed, then
he's very very effective. And I think the way that
(07:50):
the Chiefs play, and I think the way that the
Aublet's playing, he's got license to be in the backfield
and in the front field, so obviously close to the
line where he can put people off balance and break
that line. He's obviously very effective. But when his team
has worked through the middle created that space, he sharn
how electric he is out on the edges as well.
Speaker 4 (08:11):
It's the dual playmaker thing, the ten to fifteen dual
playmaker still a rugby trend or not?
Speaker 2 (08:17):
Yeah, I believe so. I believe so. Generally you might
find your midfielders out towards the edge a little bit more.
You've got your tens and your fifteens playing in behind
the forwards. Through the middle of the park. There's a
whole bunch of different attacking shapes that teams are playing
to make sure that they can utilize that space. But
whether teams want to best down the edges or best
through the middle, there's a lot of variation. So that's
(08:39):
why he's always touching the ball, because they need him
in and around that ball to make those key decisions.
Speaker 3 (08:45):
Really interesting analysis. Sam, thanks so much for joining us.
Sam Ward rugby coach and analyst on the sports Fix podcast.
Speaker 4 (08:52):
Sportsfix Saturday Night.
Speaker 3 (08:53):
In the Capitol saw the first New Zealand derby in
the A League. This season and what an occasion. It was,
high drama, energy, terrific sporting theater, Auckland FC winning their
fourth straight New Zealand Derby the Wellington Phoenix.
Speaker 4 (09:09):
But this one was very different.
Speaker 3 (09:11):
He looked back to last year's derby's a tight kg
affair in the first one, decided by a couple of
late goals including a goalkeeping mistake. The second one up
at Auckland was a terrific game which Auckland FC won
two to one, and then of course the six to
one victory in the third one. What transpired on Saturday
night was quite extraordinary. After twenty eight seconds Auckland FC
(09:32):
broke Wellington's high line and opened the scoring very very
early on through Sam Cosgrove, their big English striker. Then
Nigerian striker Ephineirsee scored one of the goals of the
season already for Wellington Phoenix from outside the area, curling
it into the top corner to equalize for the Phoenix,
and then just before halftime Auckland went ahead again very
(09:54):
similar story. Jesse Randall the star of the night, actually
breaking the high line, sprinting away and setting up a
second for Cosgrove. In the second half, the red cards appeared.
Dan Hall sent off for denying Corbyn piper and obvious
goal scoring opportunity early in the second half, so Auckland
f C are down to ten and then with ten
(10:14):
minutes to go, Logan Rogerson with a rash challenge also
saw him see read so for the last ten minutes
plus and added ten minutes to the end.
Speaker 4 (10:25):
Auckland f C were.
Speaker 3 (10:26):
Down to nine nine v eleven. It was charge of
the light Brigade for the Wellington Phoenix. But try as
they might and hard as they banged on Auckland FC's door,
every single attack was repelled and when the final whistle
went it was Auckland FC who reclaimed retained bragging rights
(10:46):
and won their fourth derby in a row. It's only
been going for four its rations, but already A League's
New Zealand derby is appointment viewing and Saturday night was
the latest installment of that.
Speaker 1 (11:00):
The Chamber is now in session on Sportsfax.
Speaker 3 (11:05):
You're listening to the sports Fix podcast and you're joining
us now inside the People's Chamber on a Monday, always
joined by Elijah Farfield, who I guess is fresh.
Speaker 4 (11:15):
I'll ask you the question, are you fresh?
Speaker 3 (11:17):
From a weekend of sports viewing and did you think
the All Blacks were going to.
Speaker 4 (11:20):
Lose to Scotland?
Speaker 5 (11:22):
Good ay, piney, Yes, I am very fresh and well.
I guess I knew I figured the All Backs would win.
I do feel bad for Scotland given that they've come
so close over the last few meetings they've had with
New Zealand, but the All Backs they just managed to
find a way to win. And yeah, I do feel.
Speaker 4 (11:42):
Bad for Scotland.
Speaker 5 (11:43):
That was an amazing atmosphere and Murrayfield, particularly in that
second half when they made that comeback from seventeen zil downs.
So yeah, it was a great contest and the All
Blacks just managed to I guess the way they dug
themselves put themselves in the hole, they managed to find
their way out of it, which is amazing.
Speaker 3 (12:01):
I think of all the teams we play, Scotland are
probably the one I would mind losing to least. They
seem like pretty good buggers, don't they. You know, we
don't want to lose to Australia, South Africa, England for
goodness sake, Ireland, but I reckon if Scotland had beaten
us yesterday, yes we would have been disappointed, and I'm
sure there would have been a lot of examination of
the All Blacks.
Speaker 4 (12:21):
But I kind of like the Scottish people.
Speaker 3 (12:24):
And they must be endlessly frustrated, Elijah that they can't get.
Speaker 4 (12:28):
Across the line.
Speaker 3 (12:29):
They had a great chance yesterday seventeen all and the
third of the yellow cards puts US down to ten
men between minutes sixty and seventy.
Speaker 4 (12:39):
They had a great chance to win that game they did.
Speaker 5 (12:42):
I mean, I'm like you, Piney, I like the Scottish people.
Maybe not so much the bagpipes. They're a little bit
that the sound of them, you know, yeah, irks me
a little bit. So I guess in that first half
was great that the bagpipes were silenced, But I will
say their style of play. Finn Russell is amazing player
to watch, probably one of my favorite players actually to
watch in World rugby and watching him battle on one
(13:03):
leg trying to steer this team around the park. Some
key players who who stepped up in that fight back. Yeah,
I honestly would have been proud of Scotland had been
and had toppled the All Blacks. So it's disappointing and
frustrating for the Scottish fans. But one day it will happen.
Speaker 3 (13:21):
One day, Oh look, I'm sure it will. I mean,
it took a long time for Ireland to beat us.
Now they do it pretty much every other time we
played them. It took a long time for Argentina to
beat us, and they've done that three or four times
since they finally broke their ducks. So you're right at
some stage they will beat us, you know. But yesterday
I'm sure they'll think of that as an opportunity lost. Now,
just before we leave the rugby, Caleb Clark had to
(13:42):
come off with the head knock and he'll have the
twelve day mandatory stand down. I was just thinking before
we came into the chamber about left wing options and
for the first half dozen tests, the Eericho Yowani played
there SEVERI said, one test there. Then Leroy Carter came
in for one test that was the one I think
at Wellington where they lost horribly to South Africa. Then
he flicked over to the right and then it was
(14:03):
Clark fighting Nuku Clark Clark, what do you reckon they'll
do at left wing on Sunday against England? Do you
think they'll move Leicester back onto the left wing. Is
Rieko Yowani in for a recall? There will Carter go
back to left wing?
Speaker 1 (14:19):
Wo?
Speaker 4 (14:20):
Do you think where's eleven?
Speaker 5 (14:21):
Yeah, there's a bit of a backline puzzle to solve
here as a results of Caler Clark's injury. I personally
think that they'll move Leicester to the wing one of
the wings, and Leroy Carter will assume the other wing spot.
And that means for the midfield, do you bring in
a Billy Proctor who has played alongside Jordy Barrett for
(14:42):
the majority of the international season before he was I
guess moved on for the likes of Tupaia and Leicester
Finger and Nuku, So that's probably what I would go with,
although I am tempted to keep that midfield combo of
Quinn and Leicester together because they have been playing well
together and they showed on the weekend that they can
cooperate together. So yeah, I guess a lot of key
(15:04):
decisions that will be made, but that is personally what
I would do with Caleer Clark out now.
Speaker 3 (15:08):
I think I would probably do the same. Be very
interesting to see how they cut and slice it and
the all Blacks. That team will be out later in
the week. Now you talked about I guess some mild
concern about losing to Scotland yesterday when the Kiwis were
fourteen points to six down at halftime against TAAs some
More in the Pacific Nations Championship Rugby League final last night,
(15:30):
were you sniffing an upset there? Were you thinking toa
some More, we're going to beat us for the first time.
Speaker 5 (15:36):
I was still nervous at halftime, Pint. I guess my salmonside,
which is all of it, was both nervous and excited.
But yeah, I think the Kiwi showed in that second half.
That was probably one of the best performances I've seen
from the Kiwis in a while, probably well, actually not
since a couple of years ago when they trounced the
Kangaroo's thirty zero. That's probably what that second half performance
(15:57):
reminded me of. But again, I guess like Scotland and
their inability to beat the All Blacks some More have
never been in the Kiwis and that was definitely their
best opportunity in sin to do so. And I guess
another great way to in the Pacific championships competition with
the way the passion of the fans and the players.
(16:17):
You could see that both pregame, during the game, post
game like an amazing contest and amazing competition throughout.
Speaker 3 (16:24):
And it's great that the that the you know, the
players play, you know, they don't have to do they
they don't have to play for the Kiwis, they don't
have to play for some more. But it shows in
Tong is the same that when these NRL players do
decide to where their national colors, as many of them
have in the last three or four weeks in this
in this championship, it makes for some terrific rugby league.
I just wish that final had been in Auckland, you know,
(16:46):
you know we saw the color and the vibe when
they met these two teams in round one and then
at Eden Park when Tong have played New Zealand. I
know the reasons they have it in Australia, and yes
there was a women's final as well, but what an
occasion it might have been at Eden Park yesterday if
it had been the key was against some more in
a in a stadium like.
Speaker 5 (17:05):
That, Yeah, and the scenes that you see in the
crowd the colors, the red Sea or the blue sea,
whatever the color, thea it is the vocal support that
you see from these fans. You don't see that in
many other sports. And rugby league the way that these
top tier players have opted to bypass New Zealand and
Australia for the likes of salmon and tongue has elevated
(17:28):
the game in recent years. And maybe have a World
Cup coming next year and the Rugby League World Cup,
and that is going to be really exciting. A lot
of top contenders now with some more tongue in New Zealand,
Australia and England as well, So I'm really looking forward
to that. And international rugby league is just taking a
huge step each day.
Speaker 3 (17:48):
Yeah, it was a nice way to finish the rugby league, Yeah,
that's for sure. And that's a nice way to finish
the People's Chamber. On the Sports Fix podcast, thanks for
stopping and there's always Elijah.
Speaker 5 (17:57):
No worries.
Speaker 4 (17:57):
Thank you, Bini.
Speaker 1 (17:59):
This is sports Fix, You're daily dose of sports news,
twent by news talks, Evy.
Speaker 3 (18:06):
And that blows the final whistle on the Sports Fix
podcast for today. Thank you so much for tuning in
for downloading, for listening and for subscribing. Subscribers to Sports Folks,
we'll find a fresh episode dropping into their podcast feed
and around about the same time tomorrow and every day
Monday through Friday. And for more from News TALKSZBB Sport,
check out Sports Talk weeknights between seven and eight and
on the weekends weekend Sport midday till three Saturday, and
(18:28):
again on Sunday.
Speaker 1 (18:30):
For more from News talk edb listen live on air
or online, and keep our shows with you wherever you
go with our podcasts on iHeartRadio
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