The All Blacks have named a strong line-up for their final test of the year against Italy in Turin on Sunday.
The side is looking to finish the year on a high, as they aim to bounce back from last week’s 30-29 loss to France in Paris – in what will also be the last games in black for Sam Cane and TJ Perenara.
A-League newbies Auckland FC are back in action after three weeks of rest, as they travel to Sydney for their first game in Australia against Macarthur FC.
The Black Knights – who have won all three games this season – had a bye week, followed by another week off with international football.
Weekend Sport host Jason Pine joined Heather du Plessis-Allan.
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Episode Transcript
Jason Pine Weekend Sport hosters with us right now, Piney.
Speaker 2 (00:02):
Hello, Hello, Heather, honey.
Speaker 1 (00:04):
Are you surprised by how strong the squad is that's
been named to play Italy?
Speaker 2 (00:07):
Yep, I am. I am surprised by it. I thought, man, well,
I actually don't mind it in the obviously raisers saying look,
I'm not here to muck about. We are going to
get our best foot forward against Italy and rarely put
them to the sword. I wonder whither whether if they'd
beaten France last weekend and had England Island France, win, win,
(00:30):
win in consecutive weeks, whether this might have been a
different squad. The fact that they lost last week, albeit narrowly.
I wonder whether they said, nop, we're going to make
sure that the last test of the year is one
that we can to hang our hats on. And they've
put out it's about as strong as squad as they
could have put out.
Speaker 1 (00:45):
Right. Yes, it's not necessarily about winning and securing the win.
It's about getting the maximum amount of maximum numbers on
that board.
Speaker 2 (00:52):
Yeah, I think the win is almost inevitable, isn't it.
Sixteen games between these two sixteen wins for the All Blacks.
The average winning margin across all that time is fury
nine points. So look, I think we all accept that
the All Blacks will win this one comfortably. But yeah,
they could really go to town. I think what we're
all looking forward to seeing and hoping to see is
a cohesive performance. I'm not sure that there's been an
eighty minute performance all year by the All Blacks, and
(01:13):
that's not necessarily unusual. But yeah, the fact that he's
put out his strongest side would suggest that he's very,
very keen racer to finish twenty twenty four.
Speaker 1 (01:21):
And a high. Ethan's back, isn't he?
Speaker 2 (01:23):
He is back? Good to see him back.
Speaker 1 (01:26):
No, he's not necessarily back because he's being a good
good boy will fit. It's because tom Ty Williams is injured,
isn't it.
Speaker 2 (01:32):
Look I'm not really, I'm not really in possession of
all of the facts. I don't think to make a
judgment on that if.
Speaker 1 (01:39):
Us are, because that looks like they're not telling.
Speaker 2 (01:41):
Us what's up. I don't know.
Speaker 1 (01:43):
We'll find out is injured, isn't he.
Speaker 2 (01:46):
Well he's not the twenty three, so yes, I think
he is. He was listed your neck injury.
Speaker 1 (01:50):
Yeah, yeah, okay, so last game for Sam Caine, last
game for TJ, is it right?
Speaker 2 (01:55):
Yep? That's right. So ye can will start TJ off
the bench, that'll be it. Thel right off unto the
sunset or to Japan and that'll be it. So I
guess there's that as far as the All Blacks have
to play for as well to send those two often.
Speaker 1 (02:06):
Style poney Auckland FCA fourth game? Can they make it
four from four?
Speaker 2 (02:11):
Yeah? Your favorite sporting team of the year, Heather. They've
started well. They've had a quirk of the draw they
had after they beat Wellington and the derby they had
to buy. Then there was the international break, so by
the time they play MacArthur on Sunday, they wouldn't have
played for three weeks. First time they've had to travel
across to Australia. But look, I mean, momentum is a
wonderful thing, even if it's broken up by a bit
of a break. I'd back them to go over there
(02:32):
and continue along the way that they have been. They're
a good football team. They've proven that in the first
three weeks. So yeah, I wouldn't be at all surprised
if on Sunday night, we're talking about Auckland back at
the top of the table. Four wins from four good stuff.
Speaker 1 (02:43):
Hey Pony, thank you. Enjoy your weekend. That's Jason Pine,
weekend sport host.
Speaker 2 (02:48):
For more from Heather Duplessy Allen Drave, Listen live to
news Talks it'd be from four pm weekdays, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio.
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