Jason Pine: Sportstalk host on what we can expect from the Warriors' clash against the Dragons

A key player could be back for the Warriors' next NRL game against the Dragons at Mt Smart on Friday.

Hooker Wayde Egan's been dealing with a shoulder issue, with Freddy Lussick and Sam Healey filling in at dummy-half during their loss to the Bulldogs in Sydney.

Sportstalk host Jason Pine explains what this means for the team's chances of getting back into the top four.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Jason Pine, sports talkhosters of Mayd Piney Heather how Good Grace.
Minutes later, Grace is included in the squad.

Speaker 2 (00:08):
It must have been the quickest ever approval of an
eligibility exemption in the history of sport. You know, as
soon as the rules changed, Grace Wiki got her eligibility
request for an exemption in Look, if there was any
delay at nemt All New Zealand headquarters, I'd be very surprised.
Rub a stamp that get her in the team. And look,
I am very very pleased that this has played out

(00:31):
the way that it has because a year ago when
Grace Wiki said, look, I'm going to go and plan
in Australia because I want to improve myself as a player,
there was no guarantee that she'd be able to play
for New Zealand again unless the eligibility rules were examined
and changed. They have been the Grace Wiki rule, we'll
call it from now on, and good to see that
sanity has prevailed.

Speaker 1 (00:49):
Now. There are rumors right that the likes of Karen
Berger are also going to go over and play over
in Australia and still be selected of the Silver Ferns
are you hearing that kind of thing, I.

Speaker 2 (00:57):
Am yep, and I think it will happen. I think
this opens up the not the floodgates, that's the wrong word,
but it certainly opens the door for others to do
the same. They're not all going to get a gig
over there, Heather. Let's not forget that that's a really
strong competition in Australia with a lot of good Australian players.
But yeah, the likes of Karen Berger maybe a few
others will be looking across there and saying, okay, well,

(01:17):
now I know that playing there doesn't affect myself a
fern's eligibility. I'll have a bit of a closer look
at it. So we'll wait and see how many do
actually make that move.

Speaker 1 (01:25):
Right, So this is the end for the Warriors in
terms of the top four.

Speaker 2 (01:28):
Feels like to a even though they're in one point
outside the top four, the top four at the moment
just feel like the top four. They're playing that way. Raiders, Storm, Bulldogs, Panthers.
The Warriors, much as they are still you know, mathematically,
absolutely a chance, they're just not playing like a top
four team at the moment. Injuries have played their part, obviously,
but three consecutive defeats. The only shred of I guess

(01:52):
or you know, the sliver of hope is that the
teams in the top four all have to play one
another to varying agree so they'll take points off one another.
If the Warriors were able to string a late season
run together and win their last four games, they might
still be a chance. But they're gonna have to play
a heck of a lot bitter than they have been.

Speaker 1 (02:10):
What do you think about the news that's Mighty Martin
has signed again?

Speaker 2 (02:13):
Yeah, I'm pleased. You know, a good player. If you
if you keep a good player at your club, I
think you're happy. He must have been convinced that he
was going to get a decent crack, because at the
start of the season everybody thought Luke Metcalff you know,
might have to wait wait in line behind to Mighty Martin.
He would be given the seven jumper hasn't been, so Yeah,
he must have been convinced by Andrew Webster that his
opportunities would continue to be forthcoming. So yeah, it's a

(02:34):
good piece of business.

Speaker 1 (02:35):
Listen, just really quickly, are you worried at all about
the Super Rugby super Round being played at the New
Stadium and christ it's just like days after they get
handed the keys.

Speaker 2 (02:43):
N I can't wait, I can't wait for it.

Speaker 1 (02:45):
Yeah, your total confidence. This will be okay.

Speaker 2 (02:49):
Are you worried we're gonna have to go out to
Eddington out of that Apollo Project stadium for super Round? Imagine?
Oh sorry, it's not quite ready.

Speaker 1 (02:57):
Yeah, this does happen. Thank you, Piney, every seas she
had to, Jason listened to, chortling away, Jason pine Sports
Stalk Coast. You'll be back at seven this.

Speaker 2 (03:05):
Evening for more from Heather Duplessy Allen Drive. Listen live
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