On Sports Fix with D'Arcy Waldegrave for 16th December 2025, the Big Bash T20 league has got underway this week and our very own T20 batsman Tim Seifert bashed his way to a 102 of 56 for his side the Melbourne Renegades last night over the Brisbane Heat. Tim joined D'Arcy to discuss, as well as D'Arcy asking for his thoughts on the future of T20 debate in New Zealand.
D'Arcy shares his thoughts on it costing New Zealanders $25,000 to follow the All Whites at next year's FIFA World Cup.
And D'Arcy and NZ Herald sports journalist Ben Francis discuss the latest in the World Darts Championship, including Jonny Tata's success in the first round as well as whether the English will put up a fight in the third Ashes test that begins tomorrow.
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Speaker 1 (00:09):
You're listening to a podcast from News Talks. Ed be
follow this and our wide range of podcasts now on iHeartRadio.
This is Sportsfix Howard by News Talks.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
It'd be well on end of the Sports Fix podcast.
And my name is Dustin Walter Grave. This is the
last Fix on a Tuesday for twenty twenty five. It
is the sixteenth of December of twenty twenty five and
coming out all you need to know in the wonderful
white little sport and a few bite size pieces. We'll
be talking to a man who tare Australia apart well
(00:43):
big bash anyway. Tim Seifett went insane, smashed a ton
at the time of his life. We'll find out what
he was thinking, how that worked out this. Tim Seifett
joins the podcast. I'll be shutting off with the mouth
about the ridiculous prices to follow the all whites around
the World Cup. That is madness. But it is in
(01:04):
America predominantly the home of the brave, the land of
the free, or brought you if you possibly can that
opinion still to come and joining me in the chamber.
Ben Francis is a journalist in sport for News Talk
ZB and the news in a herald we got to
talk about the darts and the lack of fight from
the English cricket team. That's our master plan and thanks
(01:26):
very much JJ Gardner Holmes, he is OLL's most trusted
home builder for joining us in the production of this podcast.
Right Live's do it in other news and in some
recorded mutterings from sport related folks. Today we have look out,
look up, look after yourself, be relentlessly positive, find good
(01:48):
in everything. Eighty five wickets overseas, four it jars, pertel
none at home? Will he get picked for tomorrow's third Test?
Will he get any polls? Attitude wins right. I always
always believe as an opportunity. It's just a matter of
kind of concerning the work and to help their opportunity
for ins as at time, fortunately get their opportunities in
(02:10):
front of the now. Johnny Tata mess it up to
the hockey at the World Darts Championships a lot on
a Ali Pelly, But Johnny be good, nervous, sure back.
Speaker 3 (02:22):
A little bit in the first set sort of when
he got the first league because I must have doubled
second leg, I must have doubled again, and yeah, a
little bit of nerves kicked in and when I got
my leg finally the third leg, they just sort of
started disappearing a bit.
Speaker 2 (02:34):
Well it's good though. A Johnny became the sick key
we to win a match at the World Darts Championships,
and an Englishman has been rolled into a rugby park
to oversee Canterbury's defense of their MPC title. Alex Robertson
spent four years as an assistant and he's now casting
on his hard made some nice bed because I'm out approaching,
(02:58):
trying to hope my craft.
Speaker 3 (02:59):
It's not easy, but I'm grateful that's kind of for
me the opportunity to, I guess, reward all those hours
of sex plat.
Speaker 2 (03:06):
Some sport, some chat, some of the inside or something.
Speaker 1 (03:11):
Use it's Sportsfix with.
Speaker 2 (03:15):
Which I now I'm Sports Fix podcast by Tim si Fer.
He smashed a ton and the big best last night
for the Melbourne Renegade. He joins us now to celebrate. Tim,
welcome in. You're seeing it like a pumpkin. Bro Oh.
Speaker 4 (03:31):
You know it's yeah, it's always nice getting one hundred
and the t twenty, but the main thing is winning
the game. And you know a good way to start
off the tournament and you know, get some good energy
in the team and some confident going forward.
Speaker 2 (03:43):
Great way for you to come back as well after
that that finger you felt nothing there because you break
your finger just before the T twenty series against the
West Indies, so you had to set that one out.
So how much frustration was in there when you walk
down there with a bat game? You will not hold
me down?
Speaker 4 (04:00):
Yeah, yeah, it never never good getting injured. You know,
there was six weeks ago now, and you know I'm
not underdone coming into this tournament and I only trained
for a week basically, but you know, I've played a
lot of cricket over the last five months, so it's
not like I wasn't coming off any cricket. But you know,
sometimes as a player, just that confidence within the injury
(04:23):
and you know wanting to get you know, the full
confidence back.
Speaker 5 (04:28):
But yeah, it was great to get a couple out
in the middle. Figure, right, You've.
Speaker 2 (04:33):
Had a wonderful last few years. Have just come into
your home. Is that maturity? Is that understanding your own game?
Is it the fact you like traveling all around the
world and being a what do they call them? T
twenty gorilla? Selling your services everywhere.
Speaker 5 (04:49):
Yeah, I think it's a bit of everything, to be honest.
Speaker 4 (04:51):
You know, you've played a lot of cricket around the
world and in all different conditions.
Speaker 5 (04:56):
You've played with some of the best cricketers in the
world as well that you that you learn off. So
I think it's a bit of everything.
Speaker 4 (05:03):
And you know, I still want to you know, push
for Black Caps selection and in.
Speaker 5 (05:08):
One day cricket as well with the One Day World.
Speaker 4 (05:11):
Cup coming up, so I definitely haven't pigeoned myself pigeonholed
myself in a T twenty position, but yeah, I think
it's all helped, you know, playing around the world and
having to compete.
Speaker 2 (05:23):
So you're still available, you still want to play. There
Any contact with New Zealand Cricket about where they see
you at and what they require from you.
Speaker 4 (05:32):
Yeah, I think just at the moment, you know, our
focus is the Tea twenty World Cup, so there hasn't
been much chat from a.
Speaker 5 (05:39):
One day point of view.
Speaker 4 (05:40):
You know, I've only played a handful of games, so
the main focus is the Tea twenty World Cup coming
up and obviously the Indian series as well in January,
so that's just the big focus at the moment is
the T twenty World Cup.
Speaker 2 (05:56):
And you're in like Flynn, you believe you're going to
be representing there two tim.
Speaker 5 (06:02):
Yeah, you'd hope.
Speaker 4 (06:03):
So you know, I just said, had a good last
few a few years and the momentum going into the
World Cup, So yeah, Rob has been a great the
last few months that he's been involved.
Speaker 5 (06:18):
So yeah, it's an exciting time ahead.
Speaker 2 (06:21):
And you're a batsman not a bowler, and you must
be loving that because it's cursed to be a bowler
and you're seeing at the moment they're just dropping like flies.
It's crazy, isn't it. You be watching from a far game,
was it happening over there?
Speaker 5 (06:33):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (06:34):
No, I fight a bowld I'd probably definitely be in
that list as well.
Speaker 5 (06:38):
But yeah, look, it's.
Speaker 4 (06:40):
The nature of the game and unfortunate that a few
lads have got injured all at once, but you know,
it shows that the stocks that we have. It's also
a great sign. You never want to get injured and
you feel sorry for the players that are injured, but
at the same time, it's it's giving some opportunity to
some younger guys or guys that have been pushing their
(07:01):
mark for a long period of time, and it's only
a positive thing for when news in cricket with the depth.
Speaker 5 (07:06):
That we have.
Speaker 2 (07:07):
Second the year of a two year contract with the Renegades,
Now you decided that you weren't going to have a
domestic contract, so it didn't play for northern districts and retrospect.
Was that a good idea? Was that a good move
for yourself, for your family, for everything.
Speaker 5 (07:24):
Yeah, I think I wouldn't have changed it, to be honest.
Speaker 4 (07:28):
I think that's helped myself as a player keep on
developing and hopefully scoring runs all around the world.
Speaker 5 (07:35):
So yeah, and I haven't looked back.
Speaker 4 (07:37):
I think it's if anything, it's helped me push forward.
And yeah, this is my last year of this contract.
Whatever happens next year, we'll cross that bridge. But yeah,
it's a great team to be involved in the Renegades
and excited to start the way we have and hopefully
it's a positive campaign.
Speaker 2 (07:58):
Have you been drawn into the Do we go to
the Big Bass? Do we advance the Super Smash? Do
we go to a private league? Because there's quite a
lot of there's quite a rucker's going on here with
the team. Twenty in New Zealand. Have you got any
thoughts on that?
Speaker 4 (08:11):
Yeah, I think New Zealan New Zealand has to have
a franchise tournament. You know, the world is moving forward
and to I think compete, to keep competing in the
international cricket I think it's definitely a thing that New
Zealand cricket have to have.
Speaker 5 (08:31):
Yeah, you look at you look.
Speaker 4 (08:32):
At all the big nations around the world they have
some kind of franchise tournament.
Speaker 2 (08:40):
And what about your colleagues, the guys you play with,
is that a general feeling around the camp might expect
it might be a little bit split. Everyone's got their
own ideas a little bit. Do you think there's a
there's a bit of momentum going towards something like that
from what you know.
Speaker 4 (08:56):
Yeah, look, guy, I haven't talked to everyone personally, but
the guys that I have, you know, it's all encouraged
and it's quite a positive chat around the playing group.
Speaker 5 (09:07):
Is that we on a franchise tournament within New Zealand.
Speaker 1 (09:14):
Dissecting the sporting agenda, it's Sportsfix with Darcy Waldegrave.
Speaker 2 (09:20):
So you'd like to follow the All Whites on their
adventure through the upcoming FIFA World Cup. You can. You
just have to be rich, well prepared, and a tad
on the lucky side. Quoted in the Weekend on Jason
Pine's Fantastic Weekend Sports Show twenty five thousand dollars to
(09:41):
follow the all whites around. You got flights, you got accommodation,
You've got ticket prices. The list goes on, and of course,
as it was touched on in Jason's program, the situation
is being amplified somewhat by the fact that FIFA and
America are price gouging everybody. They're in a position that
they can it is their tournament is at their hotels.
(10:05):
They can do what they want. And because it's theggest
game in the world, the most popular game in the world,
everybody wants a part of it, so supply and demand.
And if there's any place that capitalism works a treatment,
especially in this day and age, over there, it's the
United States of America. I feel for your average football
(10:26):
fan who can't afford to get within kewy of any
of these games, push gumes to shove. If you ain't rich,
you can't go, But at least you've got the telly
and that's what most people are going to be doing.
It's a harsh reality of sport in this day and age.
It is essentially for the wealthy and nobody else. None
(10:47):
of these games are people's games. They're all corporate games.
And when you look at the disgraceful amount of World
Finals that have been played on the Middle East currently,
you'd understand that money doesn't talk. It's screens with a
loudhailer and the biggest PA system you have ever seen,
money money, money catching.
Speaker 1 (11:10):
The Chamber is now in session on Sports Fix.
Speaker 2 (11:14):
Time to roll into the chamber now it's coming to
the end of the working year. Ben Francis hasn't stopped
working though he's joins US now New Zealand Herald's sports
writer and sometimes broadcaster here on the Fixed being Francis,
how are you mad?
Speaker 6 (11:28):
I'm wonderful, Darcy. I always love getting the email when
it says it's time for you to appear in the chamber,
and I always have to come over and just verify
that it's not a scam email or anything like that,
because I don't want to fall to those.
Speaker 2 (11:39):
But it's a privilege to be here and you didn't
mind about apparently the host is prone to biting people.
It wasn't an issue.
Speaker 6 (11:46):
I sipped over that, but distrusted at what happened. But
we're here. It hasn't happened yet, which is great.
Speaker 2 (11:52):
Ben Francis is a lovely man. He's got a small
problem in his life. It's called arrows and an ochy
aka darts. The World Champs are on. He's someone I
can communicate with over the weekend when I go, oh,
my lord, to just see that, and indeed I did
before we get to the unfortunate events of the table
upper cutter, and that was quite the shot. Just first up,
(12:13):
how's this rolling for you so far? The big news
besides the brutality of the furniture is Johnny Tatta the keiw.
Speaker 6 (12:21):
Yeah, that's right, you know, Johnny getting a win for
New Zealand up on the stage and his debut as well,
one of twenty eight players making his debut this year.
Speaker 2 (12:28):
Fantastic and he stop twenty eight.
Speaker 6 (12:31):
Twenty eight. Well that's what happens when you're going to
expand on expanded field. So twenty eight, one of twenty
eight debutie.
Speaker 2 (12:36):
And they've all got to qualify to get through there.
Speaker 6 (12:38):
Yeah, so there's all different means to qualify and things
like that. For a player like Johnny, you've got to
go through the local systems and stuff. There's lots of
international qualifiers as well, expanding to different areas and things
like that as well. So with the expanded field, you know,
they've added a player for Argent and Tina who Johnny
might play in the next round. I think there's a
Kenyon in there as well, a few new you know,
young up and comers.
Speaker 2 (12:58):
It's genuinely global. There's a World Championship. It's not like
just they trilled the pubs of London said they go
and they will go and grab a couple of duchies
as well.
Speaker 6 (13:05):
No, exactly. I think there's there's well over thirty countries
represented at the World Champs so obviously you know England, Dutchman,
Scotsman are the most represented. But no, it's really gone
global and you know, even places like Africa, there's an
academy set up for some of those countries and things,
and they're developing pathways and systems to get in and
a sport.
Speaker 2 (13:25):
Yeah, I you don't have to change your shoes, which
is why some people argue it's not a sport. You
don't have to change your shoes. It's not a sport.
But we don't go into that Tarta. Just a couple
of words on him. Great success, quite rare to for
his cylinders to get the job done or at least
win a game.
Speaker 6 (13:42):
Yeah, fifteenth key we to play on the stage six
to get a win. First time since about twenty eighteen,
twenty nineteen and roughly around there. I can't exactly remember
the exact time, but you know, he found himself in
a bit of trouble early against the player that as
a former European champion, a seeded player. But once Johnny
kind of found his rhythm, got his first leg on
the board, the nerves really settled. I managed to talk
(14:03):
to him immediately after the game, and he was he
was very happy with his performance. Had probably extend the
hotels a bit longer than he was anticipating as well, Darcy.
But look, those things happen sometimes and it just makes
the whole story a lot better.
Speaker 2 (14:15):
Let's go into the other story, which is unfortunate because
this character had issues last year when he got knocked
out first doors, he cried. He's got some emotional problems
maybe what anxiety he was talking about. It so not
stable and he lost and beat a table up the
Scotsman Cameron Mensies. There you go.
Speaker 6 (14:36):
Yeah, he's had a couple of family issues in the
last couple of years, so last year I think his
dad was in hospital at the time and no one
knew about it. But I think this kind of really
highlights one the pressure of elite sport in terms of
being able to perform under the pressure, but also the
ability to kind of keep composed under.
Speaker 5 (14:53):
The pressure as well.
Speaker 6 (14:54):
Because the crowd were relatively pretty good during the match.
I've just finished watching it, but just before we've come
and chatted him. It wasn't really towards the end when
Charlie Manby, who's one of these young up and coming
superstar kids, really looked like he was going to win,
where the crowd really started getting on on Cameron Menzi's
But there was a period where he Cameron Menzies had
(15:16):
a square to try to level up the match. He
miscounted in away and then on his next throw, what
so you got your throwing line? It's really I'm trying
to describe it whilst doing it to you got your
throwing line. His last start he threw when he sort
over the line already, so the referee said that doesn't count.
His next go he busts the score and the camera
(15:36):
actually cut away from it. He actually punched the table
after he had that misthrow, and then it happened again
as we know after the game, where he uppercuted the table,
but before doing that, he didn't shake the referee's hand
or anything. They have the pyrotechnics which come up and exploded.
He went down, he put his hand over covering the pyrotechnic,
and then he punched the table. The referee on the stage,
(15:57):
of course, said just get off, and he was greeted
by Matt Porter, the PDC chief executive, who was a
very big lad I will point out, and obviously had
a few words. But I think there's a bit more
to it as well in terms of just that pressure,
and I think the crowd it's kind of like getting
bullied at school, right. I think when the crowd know
(16:18):
that you, it doesn't take much a.
Speaker 2 (16:19):
Little bit of smell it.
Speaker 6 (16:21):
They can smell it, and they when they know, they
will get on your back, and it's very hard. We've
had players like go and Price. There were about two
three years where all he did he would just say
hello to someone and he'd get booed, you know, but
he's really that's.
Speaker 2 (16:33):
My main job of interviewed and talked about that. He
didn't want to.
Speaker 6 (16:37):
Yeah, it didn't last very long the conversation exactly. And
I think that's the thing that how pressure affects people
in different ways. And I think that that really highlighted it.
But obviously a few things going on there which does
make it a bit more difficult.
Speaker 2 (16:49):
Just a quick word of one, two, three, four five
why they playing as well, which is it's good. It's
only a matter of time before more and more dominance there.
But still early doors.
Speaker 6 (17:00):
Yeah, exactly. Fallon Sharricks still to come up. You know,
made headlines a few years ago for being that first
woman to win. I think I see to you last
week as well. Bo Greaves, who's by far the best
woman's player, three time women's World champion, She's still would
have come as well. She's playing on one of the
last first round games against Darryl Gurney. I think that
will be a really really good match up. The crowd
would definitely be on her side. I could guarantee you
(17:21):
that much. She's got a talk hard for the next
two years, so we're going to be seeing a lot
more of her off on the stage.
Speaker 2 (17:26):
Excellent morning's all gone over the Christmas break. It is fantastic.
Love the World Dutch Championship. Hey, just a quick word
on another favorite summer sport, which is cricket. But we
don't have a boxing day test, but the Australians have
got one. The English probably won't turn up. I'm not
really expecting them to turn up tomorrow either. What I
like about this is Piers Morgan is a He predicted
(17:48):
five nil to the English. Haha. Are they even there?
Speaker 6 (17:52):
Oh well, I guess for the sake of the boxing
nough test, you want them to be there. They really
better get up in Adelaide. I think everyone's praying for that.
But look, I find that's difficult. I find and it
sounds really bad to say and kind of criticize professional sportsman,
But the way I've kind of looked at it, in
their attitude towards it. There were the opportunities to play
the pink wall warm up test. Of course they didn't
(18:14):
take that. They're like, nah, we'll take a break and
I can kind of get having a bit of a
break can help, but you only played a two day
test literally heading into that one, so it's kind of
like maybe the extra cricket would help. I kind of
feel like they've got this attitude of let's just get
this done and over with. We want to lose or whatever,
we get paid the same, We'll just go play golf.
And it sounds really bad to say that. That's kind
the kind of vibe I get. I really get that vibe.
Speaker 2 (18:36):
Maybe bad, but it's probably true and we'll know more
at the end of this test one about what three
days time, the way things are going. I hate to
say that, but I did. Ben Francis. Always a pleasure
of a very merry Christmas. It's been mindful getting to
know you over that on and Eve and how long
you've been here for being of course, I joined n
ZD ME New Zell and here news Talk ZB what
(18:56):
the last year started this?
Speaker 6 (18:57):
I say it right, I actually full time and April
officially in the last year year.
Speaker 2 (19:01):
Yah, I've got a mind like a steel trap. My
memory knows no bounds. Thanks mister Francis.
Speaker 1 (19:07):
All got Darcy, Hi, Hi needing a vix We've got
just the ticket. It's Sports Fix powered by News Talks IVY.
Speaker 2 (19:14):
Thanks very much for joining us. So on Tuesday, the
sixteenth of December twenty twenty five, that was the Sports
Fix podcast. I'm Darcy water Grave. If you like what
you heard, subscribe. It'll automatically drop into your inbox on
a week daily basis, except over the Christmas breakcause we're
at home watching darts. And tell your friends, tell your
family see if they want to get engaged as well.
(19:36):
If you like what you heard but you had something
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It's called Sports Talk. It is from Monday to Friday,
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pm Saturday, and at Sunday it's Weekend Sport. We're both
(19:59):
love for you to join us in both of those
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And thanks again GJ. Gardner Holmes, Zealand's most trusted home
builder for your engagement in this podcast. You go well
get you tomorrow.
Speaker 1 (20:16):
For more from News Talk st B. Listen live on
air or online, and keep our shows with you wherever
you go with our podcasts on iHeartRadio
You're listening to a podcast from News Talks. Ed be
follow this and our wide range of podcasts now on iHeartRadio.
This is Sportsfix Howard by News Talks.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
It'd be well on end of the Sports Fix podcast.
And my name is Dustin Walter Grave. This is the
last Fix on a Tuesday for twenty twenty five. It
is the sixteenth of December of twenty twenty five and
coming out all you need to know in the wonderful
white little sport and a few bite size pieces. We'll
be talking to a man who tare Australia apart well
(00:43):
big bash anyway. Tim Seifett went insane, smashed a ton
at the time of his life. We'll find out what
he was thinking, how that worked out this. Tim Seifett
joins the podcast. I'll be shutting off with the mouth
about the ridiculous prices to follow the all whites around
the World Cup. That is madness. But it is in
(01:04):
America predominantly the home of the brave, the land of
the free, or brought you if you possibly can that
opinion still to come and joining me in the chamber.
Ben Francis is a journalist in sport for News Talk
ZB and the news in a herald we got to
talk about the darts and the lack of fight from
the English cricket team. That's our master plan and thanks
(01:26):
very much JJ Gardner Holmes, he is OLL's most trusted
home builder for joining us in the production of this podcast.
Right Live's do it in other news and in some
recorded mutterings from sport related folks. Today we have look out,
look up, look after yourself, be relentlessly positive, find good
(01:48):
in everything. Eighty five wickets overseas, four it jars, pertel
none at home? Will he get picked for tomorrow's third Test?
Will he get any polls? Attitude wins right. I always
always believe as an opportunity. It's just a matter of
kind of concerning the work and to help their opportunity
for ins as at time, fortunately get their opportunities in
(02:10):
front of the now. Johnny Tata mess it up to
the hockey at the World Darts Championships a lot on
a Ali Pelly, But Johnny be good, nervous, sure back.
Speaker 3 (02:22):
A little bit in the first set sort of when
he got the first league because I must have doubled
second leg, I must have doubled again, and yeah, a
little bit of nerves kicked in and when I got
my leg finally the third leg, they just sort of
started disappearing a bit.
Speaker 2 (02:34):
Well it's good though. A Johnny became the sick key
we to win a match at the World Darts Championships,
and an Englishman has been rolled into a rugby park
to oversee Canterbury's defense of their MPC title. Alex Robertson
spent four years as an assistant and he's now casting
on his hard made some nice bed because I'm out approaching,
(02:58):
trying to hope my craft.
Speaker 3 (02:59):
It's not easy, but I'm grateful that's kind of for
me the opportunity to, I guess, reward all those hours
of sex plat.
Speaker 2 (03:06):
Some sport, some chat, some of the inside or something.
Speaker 1 (03:11):
Use it's Sportsfix with.
Speaker 2 (03:15):
Which I now I'm Sports Fix podcast by Tim si Fer.
He smashed a ton and the big best last night
for the Melbourne Renegade. He joins us now to celebrate. Tim,
welcome in. You're seeing it like a pumpkin. Bro Oh.
Speaker 4 (03:31):
You know it's yeah, it's always nice getting one hundred
and the t twenty, but the main thing is winning
the game. And you know a good way to start
off the tournament and you know, get some good energy
in the team and some confident going forward.
Speaker 2 (03:43):
Great way for you to come back as well after
that that finger you felt nothing there because you break
your finger just before the T twenty series against the
West Indies, so you had to set that one out.
So how much frustration was in there when you walk
down there with a bat game? You will not hold
me down?
Speaker 4 (04:00):
Yeah, yeah, it never never good getting injured. You know,
there was six weeks ago now, and you know I'm
not underdone coming into this tournament and I only trained
for a week basically, but you know, I've played a
lot of cricket over the last five months, so it's
not like I wasn't coming off any cricket. But you know,
sometimes as a player, just that confidence within the injury
(04:23):
and you know wanting to get you know, the full
confidence back.
Speaker 5 (04:28):
But yeah, it was great to get a couple out
in the middle. Figure, right, You've.
Speaker 2 (04:33):
Had a wonderful last few years. Have just come into
your home. Is that maturity? Is that understanding your own game?
Is it the fact you like traveling all around the
world and being a what do they call them? T
twenty gorilla? Selling your services everywhere.
Speaker 5 (04:49):
Yeah, I think it's a bit of everything, to be honest.
Speaker 4 (04:51):
You know, you've played a lot of cricket around the
world and in all different conditions.
Speaker 5 (04:56):
You've played with some of the best cricketers in the
world as well that you that you learn off. So
I think it's a bit of everything.
Speaker 4 (05:03):
And you know, I still want to you know, push
for Black Caps selection and in.
Speaker 5 (05:08):
One day cricket as well with the One Day World.
Speaker 4 (05:11):
Cup coming up, so I definitely haven't pigeoned myself pigeonholed
myself in a T twenty position, but yeah, I think
it's all helped, you know, playing around the world and
having to compete.
Speaker 2 (05:23):
So you're still available, you still want to play. There
Any contact with New Zealand Cricket about where they see
you at and what they require from you.
Speaker 4 (05:32):
Yeah, I think just at the moment, you know, our
focus is the Tea twenty World Cup, so there hasn't
been much chat from a.
Speaker 5 (05:39):
One day point of view.
Speaker 4 (05:40):
You know, I've only played a handful of games, so
the main focus is the Tea twenty World Cup coming
up and obviously the Indian series as well in January,
so that's just the big focus at the moment is
the T twenty World Cup.
Speaker 2 (05:56):
And you're in like Flynn, you believe you're going to
be representing there two tim.
Speaker 5 (06:02):
Yeah, you'd hope.
Speaker 4 (06:03):
So you know, I just said, had a good last
few a few years and the momentum going into the
World Cup, So yeah, Rob has been a great the
last few months that he's been involved.
Speaker 5 (06:18):
So yeah, it's an exciting time ahead.
Speaker 2 (06:21):
And you're a batsman not a bowler, and you must
be loving that because it's cursed to be a bowler
and you're seeing at the moment they're just dropping like flies.
It's crazy, isn't it. You be watching from a far game,
was it happening over there?
Speaker 5 (06:33):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (06:34):
No, I fight a bowld I'd probably definitely be in
that list as well.
Speaker 5 (06:38):
But yeah, look, it's.
Speaker 4 (06:40):
The nature of the game and unfortunate that a few
lads have got injured all at once, but you know,
it shows that the stocks that we have. It's also
a great sign. You never want to get injured and
you feel sorry for the players that are injured, but
at the same time, it's it's giving some opportunity to
some younger guys or guys that have been pushing their
(07:01):
mark for a long period of time, and it's only
a positive thing for when news in cricket with the depth.
Speaker 5 (07:06):
That we have.
Speaker 2 (07:07):
Second the year of a two year contract with the Renegades,
Now you decided that you weren't going to have a
domestic contract, so it didn't play for northern districts and retrospect.
Was that a good idea? Was that a good move
for yourself, for your family, for everything.
Speaker 5 (07:24):
Yeah, I think I wouldn't have changed it, to be honest.
Speaker 4 (07:28):
I think that's helped myself as a player keep on
developing and hopefully scoring runs all around the world.
Speaker 5 (07:35):
So yeah, and I haven't looked back.
Speaker 4 (07:37):
I think it's if anything, it's helped me push forward.
And yeah, this is my last year of this contract.
Whatever happens next year, we'll cross that bridge. But yeah,
it's a great team to be involved in the Renegades
and excited to start the way we have and hopefully
it's a positive campaign.
Speaker 2 (07:58):
Have you been drawn into the Do we go to
the Big Bass? Do we advance the Super Smash? Do
we go to a private league? Because there's quite a
lot of there's quite a rucker's going on here with
the team. Twenty in New Zealand. Have you got any
thoughts on that?
Speaker 4 (08:11):
Yeah, I think New Zealan New Zealand has to have
a franchise tournament. You know, the world is moving forward
and to I think compete, to keep competing in the
international cricket I think it's definitely a thing that New
Zealand cricket have to have.
Speaker 5 (08:31):
Yeah, you look at you look.
Speaker 4 (08:32):
At all the big nations around the world they have
some kind of franchise tournament.
Speaker 2 (08:40):
And what about your colleagues, the guys you play with,
is that a general feeling around the camp might expect
it might be a little bit split. Everyone's got their
own ideas a little bit. Do you think there's a
there's a bit of momentum going towards something like that
from what you know.
Speaker 4 (08:56):
Yeah, look, guy, I haven't talked to everyone personally, but
the guys that I have, you know, it's all encouraged
and it's quite a positive chat around the playing group.
Speaker 5 (09:07):
Is that we on a franchise tournament within New Zealand.
Speaker 1 (09:14):
Dissecting the sporting agenda, it's Sportsfix with Darcy Waldegrave.
Speaker 2 (09:20):
So you'd like to follow the All Whites on their
adventure through the upcoming FIFA World Cup. You can. You
just have to be rich, well prepared, and a tad
on the lucky side. Quoted in the Weekend on Jason
Pine's Fantastic Weekend Sports Show twenty five thousand dollars to
(09:41):
follow the all whites around. You got flights, you got accommodation,
You've got ticket prices. The list goes on, and of course,
as it was touched on in Jason's program, the situation
is being amplified somewhat by the fact that FIFA and
America are price gouging everybody. They're in a position that
they can it is their tournament is at their hotels.
(10:05):
They can do what they want. And because it's theggest
game in the world, the most popular game in the world,
everybody wants a part of it, so supply and demand.
And if there's any place that capitalism works a treatment,
especially in this day and age, over there, it's the
United States of America. I feel for your average football
(10:26):
fan who can't afford to get within kewy of any
of these games, push gumes to shove. If you ain't rich,
you can't go, But at least you've got the telly
and that's what most people are going to be doing.
It's a harsh reality of sport in this day and age.
It is essentially for the wealthy and nobody else. None
(10:47):
of these games are people's games. They're all corporate games.
And when you look at the disgraceful amount of World
Finals that have been played on the Middle East currently,
you'd understand that money doesn't talk. It's screens with a
loudhailer and the biggest PA system you have ever seen,
money money, money catching.
Speaker 1 (11:10):
The Chamber is now in session on Sports Fix.
Speaker 2 (11:14):
Time to roll into the chamber now it's coming to
the end of the working year. Ben Francis hasn't stopped
working though he's joins US now New Zealand Herald's sports
writer and sometimes broadcaster here on the Fixed being Francis,
how are you mad?
Speaker 6 (11:28):
I'm wonderful, Darcy. I always love getting the email when
it says it's time for you to appear in the chamber,
and I always have to come over and just verify
that it's not a scam email or anything like that,
because I don't want to fall to those.
Speaker 2 (11:39):
But it's a privilege to be here and you didn't
mind about apparently the host is prone to biting people.
It wasn't an issue.
Speaker 6 (11:46):
I sipped over that, but distrusted at what happened. But
we're here. It hasn't happened yet, which is great.
Speaker 2 (11:52):
Ben Francis is a lovely man. He's got a small
problem in his life. It's called arrows and an ochy
aka darts. The World Champs are on. He's someone I
can communicate with over the weekend when I go, oh,
my lord, to just see that, and indeed I did
before we get to the unfortunate events of the table
upper cutter, and that was quite the shot. Just first up,
(12:13):
how's this rolling for you so far? The big news
besides the brutality of the furniture is Johnny Tatta the keiw.
Speaker 6 (12:21):
Yeah, that's right, you know, Johnny getting a win for
New Zealand up on the stage and his debut as well,
one of twenty eight players making his debut this year.
Speaker 2 (12:28):
Fantastic and he stop twenty eight.
Speaker 6 (12:31):
Twenty eight. Well that's what happens when you're going to
expand on expanded field. So twenty eight, one of twenty
eight debutie.
Speaker 2 (12:36):
And they've all got to qualify to get through there.
Speaker 6 (12:38):
Yeah, so there's all different means to qualify and things
like that. For a player like Johnny, you've got to
go through the local systems and stuff. There's lots of
international qualifiers as well, expanding to different areas and things
like that as well. So with the expanded field, you know,
they've added a player for Argent and Tina who Johnny
might play in the next round. I think there's a
Kenyon in there as well, a few new you know,
young up and comers.
Speaker 2 (12:58):
It's genuinely global. There's a World Championship. It's not like
just they trilled the pubs of London said they go
and they will go and grab a couple of duchies
as well.
Speaker 6 (13:05):
No, exactly. I think there's there's well over thirty countries
represented at the World Champs so obviously you know England, Dutchman,
Scotsman are the most represented. But no, it's really gone
global and you know, even places like Africa, there's an
academy set up for some of those countries and things,
and they're developing pathways and systems to get in and
a sport.
Speaker 2 (13:25):
Yeah, I you don't have to change your shoes, which
is why some people argue it's not a sport. You
don't have to change your shoes. It's not a sport.
But we don't go into that Tarta. Just a couple
of words on him. Great success, quite rare to for
his cylinders to get the job done or at least
win a game.
Speaker 6 (13:42):
Yeah, fifteenth key we to play on the stage six
to get a win. First time since about twenty eighteen,
twenty nineteen and roughly around there. I can't exactly remember
the exact time, but you know, he found himself in
a bit of trouble early against the player that as
a former European champion, a seeded player. But once Johnny
kind of found his rhythm, got his first leg on
the board, the nerves really settled. I managed to talk
(14:03):
to him immediately after the game, and he was he
was very happy with his performance. Had probably extend the
hotels a bit longer than he was anticipating as well, Darcy.
But look, those things happen sometimes and it just makes
the whole story a lot better.
Speaker 2 (14:15):
Let's go into the other story, which is unfortunate because
this character had issues last year when he got knocked
out first doors, he cried. He's got some emotional problems
maybe what anxiety he was talking about. It so not
stable and he lost and beat a table up the
Scotsman Cameron Mensies. There you go.
Speaker 6 (14:36):
Yeah, he's had a couple of family issues in the
last couple of years, so last year I think his
dad was in hospital at the time and no one
knew about it. But I think this kind of really
highlights one the pressure of elite sport in terms of
being able to perform under the pressure, but also the
ability to kind of keep composed under.
Speaker 5 (14:53):
The pressure as well.
Speaker 6 (14:54):
Because the crowd were relatively pretty good during the match.
I've just finished watching it, but just before we've come
and chatted him. It wasn't really towards the end when
Charlie Manby, who's one of these young up and coming
superstar kids, really looked like he was going to win,
where the crowd really started getting on on Cameron Menzi's
But there was a period where he Cameron Menzies had
(15:16):
a square to try to level up the match. He
miscounted in away and then on his next throw, what
so you got your throwing line? It's really I'm trying
to describe it whilst doing it to you got your
throwing line. His last start he threw when he sort
over the line already, so the referee said that doesn't count.
His next go he busts the score and the camera
(15:36):
actually cut away from it. He actually punched the table
after he had that misthrow, and then it happened again
as we know after the game, where he uppercuted the table,
but before doing that, he didn't shake the referee's hand
or anything. They have the pyrotechnics which come up and exploded.
He went down, he put his hand over covering the pyrotechnic,
and then he punched the table. The referee on the stage,
(15:57):
of course, said just get off, and he was greeted
by Matt Porter, the PDC chief executive, who was a
very big lad I will point out, and obviously had
a few words. But I think there's a bit more
to it as well in terms of just that pressure,
and I think the crowd it's kind of like getting
bullied at school, right. I think when the crowd know
(16:18):
that you, it doesn't take much a.
Speaker 2 (16:19):
Little bit of smell it.
Speaker 6 (16:21):
They can smell it, and they when they know, they
will get on your back, and it's very hard. We've
had players like go and Price. There were about two
three years where all he did he would just say
hello to someone and he'd get booed, you know, but
he's really that's.
Speaker 2 (16:33):
My main job of interviewed and talked about that. He
didn't want to.
Speaker 6 (16:37):
Yeah, it didn't last very long the conversation exactly. And
I think that's the thing that how pressure affects people
in different ways. And I think that that really highlighted it.
But obviously a few things going on there which does
make it a bit more difficult.
Speaker 2 (16:49):
Just a quick word of one, two, three, four five
why they playing as well, which is it's good. It's
only a matter of time before more and more dominance there.
But still early doors.
Speaker 6 (17:00):
Yeah, exactly. Fallon Sharricks still to come up. You know,
made headlines a few years ago for being that first
woman to win. I think I see to you last
week as well. Bo Greaves, who's by far the best
woman's player, three time women's World champion, She's still would
have come as well. She's playing on one of the
last first round games against Darryl Gurney. I think that
will be a really really good match up. The crowd
would definitely be on her side. I could guarantee you
(17:21):
that much. She's got a talk hard for the next
two years, so we're going to be seeing a lot
more of her off on the stage.
Speaker 2 (17:26):
Excellent morning's all gone over the Christmas break. It is fantastic.
Love the World Dutch Championship. Hey, just a quick word
on another favorite summer sport, which is cricket. But we
don't have a boxing day test, but the Australians have
got one. The English probably won't turn up. I'm not
really expecting them to turn up tomorrow either. What I
like about this is Piers Morgan is a He predicted
(17:48):
five nil to the English. Haha. Are they even there?
Speaker 6 (17:52):
Oh well, I guess for the sake of the boxing
nough test, you want them to be there. They really
better get up in Adelaide. I think everyone's praying for that.
But look, I find that's difficult. I find and it
sounds really bad to say and kind of criticize professional sportsman,
But the way I've kind of looked at it, in
their attitude towards it. There were the opportunities to play
the pink wall warm up test. Of course they didn't
(18:14):
take that. They're like, nah, we'll take a break and
I can kind of get having a bit of a
break can help, but you only played a two day
test literally heading into that one, so it's kind of
like maybe the extra cricket would help. I kind of
feel like they've got this attitude of let's just get
this done and over with. We want to lose or whatever,
we get paid the same, We'll just go play golf.
And it sounds really bad to say that. That's kind
the kind of vibe I get. I really get that vibe.
Speaker 2 (18:36):
Maybe bad, but it's probably true and we'll know more
at the end of this test one about what three
days time, the way things are going. I hate to
say that, but I did. Ben Francis. Always a pleasure
of a very merry Christmas. It's been mindful getting to
know you over that on and Eve and how long
you've been here for being of course, I joined n
ZD ME New Zell and here news Talk ZB what
(18:56):
the last year started this?
Speaker 6 (18:57):
I say it right, I actually full time and April
officially in the last year year.
Speaker 2 (19:01):
Yah, I've got a mind like a steel trap. My
memory knows no bounds. Thanks mister Francis.
Speaker 1 (19:07):
All got Darcy, Hi, Hi needing a vix We've got
just the ticket. It's Sports Fix powered by News Talks IVY.
Speaker 2 (19:14):
Thanks very much for joining us. So on Tuesday, the
sixteenth of December twenty twenty five, that was the Sports
Fix podcast. I'm Darcy water Grave. If you like what
you heard, subscribe. It'll automatically drop into your inbox on
a week daily basis, except over the Christmas breakcause we're
at home watching darts. And tell your friends, tell your
family see if they want to get engaged as well.
(19:36):
If you like what you heard but you had something
to say, we have the facility for you to do that.
It's called Sports Talk. It is from Monday to Friday,
seven to eight pm on News Talk ZBS. Jason Pine's
got the Monday Show, I'm Tuesday through Friday, and then
Jason Pine gets The Big Dance twelve pm to three
pm Saturday, and at Sunday it's Weekend Sport. We're both
(19:59):
love for you to join us in both of those
programs because without you, guys, there's no point in doing this.
And thanks again GJ. Gardner Holmes, Zealand's most trusted home
builder for your engagement in this podcast. You go well
get you tomorrow.
Speaker 1 (20:16):
For more from News Talk st B. Listen live on
air or online, and keep our shows with you wherever
you go with our podcasts on iHeartRadio
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