Full Show Podcast: 08 February 2025

Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from News Talks EDB. The only place for the big names,
the big issues, the big controversies and the big conversations.
It's all on Weekend Sport with Jason Vine on your
home of Sport News Talks ed B.

Speaker 2 (00:30):
I like you a good afternoon. Welcome in. See the
Saturday edition of Weekend Sport on News Talks EDB for
February eight, middle of a long weekend for many. Hope
it's going well. If that's you and you've decided to
hit the road, using yesterday as a bit of a
bridge between white tonguey day and the weekend. Weather pretty
good up and down the country. Can't find a lot

(00:52):
of rain actually on the met Services map of New Zealand,
but down south and the McCargo a bit over on
the west coast of the South Island summer Antoport. Otherwise
pretty good everywhere. I'm Jason Pinechow, Producer Andy McDonald. We're
here talking sport with you until three o'clock this afternoon.
Super Rugby Pacific is now less than a week away.
This time next week we'll have the first couple of

(01:14):
games in the books. Tomorrow on the show, all six
New Zealand based Super Rugby head coaches are with us
across the show Tomorrow. Vern Kotta, tana Umanga, Clayton McMillan,
Clark Laidlaw, Rob Penny and Jamie Joseph will all be
on the show to preview their respective seasons. So that's tomorrow,

(01:38):
looking forward to checking in with each of the New
Zealand based franchises. Today we go to the top Super
Rugby Pacific CEO Jack Mesley, standing by the chat to
us shortly how is he feeling about the season ahead,
his first in the role. A bit about Super Rugby Fantasy,
which launched yesterday ends what does the future of this

(01:58):
competition look like both in the short and medium terms?
Jack Mesley along shortly meantime confirmation this week that Joe
Schmidt will step down as Wallaby's coach as planned, but
he's tagged a few months on at the end. He'll
take Australia through the Lions to this year and the
Rugby Championship that follows, but that will be it. This

(02:21):
last game will be against the All Blacks, actually the
last Rugby Championship game in early October. Former Wallabies coach
John Connolly joins us on that who are the candidates
to replace him? And coming in as they will midway
through a Rugby World Cup cycle, is there enough runway
for them to get the team ready for the home
World Cup in twenty twenty seven. John Connolly actually faced

(02:44):
a similar situation when he took over the Wallabies at
the beginning of two thousand and six going into the
two thousand and seven Rugby World Cup, so he's perfectly
placed to answer that question and who might take over?
I've got a couple of ideas. I wouldn't be at
all surprised if another key we ends up at the
helm of the Wallabies. I'm sure you'll have some ideas
too when we chat to John Connolly after one other

(03:04):
matters around today, ALGP hits Sydney Harbor this afternoon, the
third event of the season. Blackfoil's flight controller Leo Takahashi
is on the show just after two as New Zealand
look to bounce back from the disappointment of missing their
home final at sale gp Auckland three weeks ago, and
as we're approaching the start of a new Super Rugby

(03:27):
season and in fact the starts of the new NRL
and AFL seasons in this part of the world. What
is the perfect recipe forgetting your pre season right? How
do you structure it? What are the things you need
to put into it? How much on field? How much
off field? How much is about building a base and
just running your team into the ground, which seems to
be the trend across a number of codes. Coaching guru

(03:49):
Wayne Goldsmith on that Adam Peacock along with his regular
rap of Australian sport as well Live Sport this afternoon
while the iconic Coast to Coast is on. We've been
hearing about it all morning in our sports news bulletins
will bring you hourly reports with Brian Ashby on the
Coast to Coast Final Super Rugby preseason game, Formula one

(04:09):
Pacific and the Chiefs this afternoon. They meet from two
o'clock in Pooka Coe. Will keep you across any scoring
action there after two and Halliburton Johnston Shield Cricket. This
is our women's domestic fifty over competition games to keep
an eye on in New Plymouth and Auckland and also
in Wellington. Please jump aboard the show If you would

(04:30):
like to get involved at any time, the number is
eight hundred and eighty ten eighty. A free phone nine
two nine two for your text. Messages and emails can
be sent to Jason at newstalkzb dot co dot Nz.
Coming up twelve past midday.

Speaker 1 (04:43):
Breaking down the Hail Mary's and the Elempic fails. Weekend
Sport with Jason yin news Talk ZENB.

Speaker 2 (04:52):
Super Rugby Pacific now less than a week away.

Speaker 3 (04:55):
Blues look to regather, they kick it, they kick it backwards.
It's gonna go over the line.

Speaker 4 (05:00):
Blues hate.

Speaker 5 (05:00):
I love to hear these words again.

Speaker 4 (05:03):
The Blues I Super Rugby.

Speaker 3 (05:05):
Capid first time in twenty one years. Data blocks the
teams send to the final forty one ten.

Speaker 2 (05:13):
Yeah, that was last year. Can the Blues go back
to back? I guess we can have a more of
a chat about that. Tomorrow. Opening game is Friday Nights,
so less than a week away. The Crusaders up against
the Hurricanes in christ Church. Super Rugby CEO Jack Mesley
is with us on Weekend Sport. Jack thanks for joining
us one week out from the start of Super Rugby
Pacific for twenty twenty five, your first season as CEO

(05:37):
was about to begin. How are you feeling about six
days out from the new season.

Speaker 6 (05:42):
I'm well, firstly, very excited. I can't wait for it
to kick off, really keen to see it in operation
and work through a week to week cycle. It's been
a great offseason and I think we've achieved a lot
to set twenty twenty five up for success.

Speaker 2 (05:59):
All right, let's talk about a couple of your initiatives.
Fantasy Super Rugby Pacific has been launched. How much engaged
are you hoping to achieve through this?

Speaker 6 (06:10):
Yeah, I mean I think you know, we think it's
an essential tool and we're hoping for a lot of engagement.
I think we've had some really great responses to our
expressions of interest, which we've been capturing over the little
the last few weeks and then going live today. I
haven't seen the latest numbers, but you know, we're expecting

(06:33):
a huge number of people to get engaged with it.

Speaker 2 (06:36):
How bigger body of work has this been?

Speaker 6 (06:40):
Yeah, listen, it is. It's a It is a big lift,
and I threw it at the team pretty late, so
I have been a little apologetic about the lateness in
which it's a arrived to fans, and that was probably,
you know, due to us making the call late. And
it's been a great, a great combined effort. You know,

(07:02):
players involved, you know, the Union's involved, and clearly our
teams working centrally. But you know, so it's great to
see it live. As you and I've been chatting off there.
It's up and I've been having a really good play
with it today and you know, I'm having a lot

(07:23):
of fun.

Speaker 2 (07:23):
Yeah, I have been to swapping players in and out, trying
to find the best combination. Are you developing an app
for Fantasy Super Rugby?

Speaker 6 (07:33):
Yeah, I mean this is our this is our play
this year. It doesn't have an app. But gamification more
broadly is going to continue to be an important thing
for the competition and things like apps and you know,
features and benefits that people are already talking about that
they would like to see in the competition and in
the fantasy game. We'll look at all of those things

(07:55):
into the future and look to see how we can
just find more ways and those ways becoming easier for
fans to engage.

Speaker 2 (08:03):
And just before we move on, was it always something
that was front of mind for you, Jack when you
came and you said you obviously threw it at your
team a bit late, but was it something you were
always quite keen to have and play for twenty twenty five.

Speaker 6 (08:15):
Yeah, I think pretty early on we uncovered a few
things that we really wanted to focus on. Gamification appeal
to a younger audience was one of the really key ones,
and the other one is we're really keen for fans
to you know, get more involved and learn more about
the other teams in the competition. We're eleven team competition.

(08:37):
We've got clubs from all around the Pacific, and we
want a Crusaders to fan to know more about some
of the great players that are playing for the Reds,
for example, so that when the Reds come down to
Christchurch to play, those fans are ready to engage with
another match. So you know, part of this is all
about just giving people more things to have fun with

(08:59):
and play with and talk to their mates about. Beneath that,
there's a little bit of strategy about how we're increasing
the nul and appeal of the other clubs that exist
within the competition.

Speaker 2 (09:10):
All right, so let's look a bit wider.

Speaker 7 (09:13):
Now.

Speaker 2 (09:14):
Your KPIs, if we can call them, that always hate
using those phrase like that in a sporting sense, but
you know what I mean, how much are the success
of your role is going to be judged on attendance
at games and viewers tuning in?

Speaker 6 (09:27):
Yeah, absolutely they will be My KPIs attendance, audience, digital
engagement as well becoming more and more and more important.
And then you know, longer lead time goals. Is that
those sort of metrics then drive commercial outcomes, So then
dollars dollars comes into it on a longer lead time basis.

(09:51):
So that's how I will be judged by the board
and ultimately, you know, that's what we want success to
be for the competition. And you know, twenty twenty four
was a great year. We saw all of those measures
go green on the traffic light system, and so we're
coming off last year with some momentum and we really
want to really want to keep that going.

Speaker 2 (10:12):
When you talk about engagement with fans and with casual
observers as well, we've seen the past week the power
of off field or in this case, off court narratives
within the NBA and the trade which add the entire
world talking how do you establish similar narratives and similar
interest inside Super Rugby.

Speaker 6 (10:32):
Yeah, it's been a powerful time, hasn't it. As we've
seen some of the biggest leagues in the world round
out their transfer windows.

Speaker 8 (10:41):
Yeah.

Speaker 6 (10:41):
I mean we saw it in our off season to
a lesser degree, right, we saw the attention that player movement,
be that Arty's move or even James O'Connor's move, fueled interests.
So you know, our focus right now is to make
sure that we have those rhythms going for our nineteen weeks,
and then what we need to do is extend the

(11:03):
conversation outside those outside those sort of nineteen weeks of
regular season. There is so much that happens in Super
rugby outside the nineteen week season, but you wouldn't know
about it, you know. So how the Crusaders fill their roster,
how they are looking at MPC and bringing people are
all of those things exist in our competition, but largely

(11:25):
are not told. So in the first instance, we need
to make sure we're doing a better job of that
before we look at or what other things that require
more fundamental change, you know, like what we see in
other codes overseas. You know, we need to really make
sure that we're making the most of what we've got first,
because those things are difficult and involved time and a

(11:49):
lot of alignment between a lot of parties.

Speaker 2 (11:51):
Yeah, anddy, but I still would like to talk about them.
Would you like to see greater freedom, for example, of
player movement across the different countries involved in Super Rugby.

Speaker 6 (12:02):
Well, I mean people can do that now right now.
The difficulty is that that then comes with national team
eligibility questions. So yeah, I would like to see more movement,
but to get that change and to ensure that eligibility
comes with that, there's a whole lot involved in that.
We're really lucky that we involved in an international sport

(12:25):
and our competition spans five different countries. That makes some
of the complexities to push into what you're describing a
lot more difficult. But with that comes to benefits, the
fact that we are an international sport. We want our
national teams to do well, and we're an international competition,
which creates a lot of benefits as well.

Speaker 2 (12:47):
Do you think you have the ability to drive their change?
It seems so obvious. I know a lot of our
listeners will be on the phone straight after they've been
listening to you, Jack saying you know what, why shouldn't
Will Jordan play for the Reds and still be eligible
for the All Blacks. Do you believe you have the
ability to drive that change with New Zealand Rugby and
Rugby Australia.

Speaker 6 (13:05):
Well, ultimately, if talking about governance, no, I don't have
the ability to make that decision clearly as the sharehold
the owners of the competition being New Zealand Rugby and
Rugby Australia, would need to make that competition. What I
can say is from a competition point of view, we
will put all of those things on the table and
look at the pros and cops and benefits of those

(13:27):
things and then recommend that to our owners for them
to then assess, and their assessment will come more broadly.
My focus is the competition. The unions obviously have to
look at that broadly and consider the recommendations that we
put forward at a competition level. You know, in view
of the whole Rugby pyramids that they are managing, so

(13:49):
you know, they've got to do the right thing for
community game. They have to do the right thing for
teams in Black and collectively we're trying to do the
right thing for the competition.

Speaker 2 (13:58):
We're down to eleven teams this year. Would you ideally
like to get back to twelve for twenty twenty six.

Speaker 6 (14:05):
Yeah, there's lots of benefits, you know, in having an
even number of teams. Clearly it brings some efficiency to
the drawer and things like that. But I don't think
we've seen, you know, how good this eleven teen structure
can be, so we'll be looking at it throughout the year.
I don't think there is an obvious, an obvious solution

(14:27):
that is within grasp for a twelve team right now.
But having said that, you know, we're very lucky that
we do have, you know, some longer term opportunities that
we're going to look at as well.

Speaker 2 (14:42):
And I know twenty twenty five is your focus, but
have you thought short in fact more medium term mid
range for example, what's your five year vision for Super Rugby.

Speaker 6 (14:54):
Yeah, I mean, we're not probably going that far out
just yet. You know, our intention and our sort of
you know, three years sort of arizon is making sure
that our competition is the best rugby competition in the world.
And we're going to do that by making sure we've
got the most compelling product on the field that we're
really strengthening our fan engagement offering for fans, and that

(15:18):
we're driving commercial value back back back into our competition
so that we can invest in it and make those
first two kind of things work. In terms of competition design,
we don't have a firm view on those things yet.
In terms of in let's say in twenty twenty eight,
we want the competition to look like X, Y, and Z.

(15:41):
We're setting ourselves up to make sure that we have
a view of expansion into the future, but we also
want to be ready for any opportunities that might come
our way, and so we need to sort of remain
agile and open to opportunities as they present.

Speaker 2 (15:54):
All right, Well, we're just about at the start line
for twenty twenty five Jack, exciting time for you and
your organization and for the teams and fans of Super
Rugby Pacific as well. Appreciate you having a chat to
us on nine. Need to go back and work out
how to get Ardie, Siva Skins, Tutu and Peter Larkeye
into my fantasy team.

Speaker 9 (16:11):
Well, I wish you'd a best of luck with that.

Speaker 6 (16:13):
I was actually you know, I was just trying to
go through the hook as my goodnesses and good hooker.
Is there any advice for me on on on hookers?

Speaker 2 (16:20):
Well, I would have some. Maybe we should take this
offline so that the advice doesn't go far and Vidal
though that might be a good thing.

Speaker 5 (16:27):
Jack.

Speaker 2 (16:27):
Great to Jack, Thanks for taking the time.

Speaker 6 (16:30):
Thanks very much.

Speaker 10 (16:30):
Talk to you soon.

Speaker 2 (16:31):
Yep, talk soon, Jack. Thanks indeed, Jack Measley, CEO of
Super Rugby Pacific, lost to pick up on there from
Jack Oh eight hundred and eighty ten eighty if you
would like to make comment on anything you heard there.
There doesn't seem to me to be any good reason
anymore for New Zealand players not to be able to
play across all teams in Super Rugby without affecting their

(16:56):
All Blacks eligibility. As I said to Jack, then why
shouldn't Will Jordan play for the Reds. Why shouldn't Wallace
a Titi play for the Warrators? Why shouldn't Rico Yuani
play for the Force without affecting their eligibility for the
All Blacks. They're still playing in Super Rugby, They're still

(17:16):
under the eyes every week of the All Blacks coaches. Yes,
they're one step removed if they're in Australia. But they're
still week to week front and center so that the
All Blacks coaches can keep tabs on them, and they're
strengthening the sides they're going to, you would have to say,
and therefore increasing the overall competitiveness of the competition and

(17:41):
therefore interest in Super Rugby. It just feels like the
logical first step in what would be a cautious move
into the brave new world of loosening the rules ever
so slightly. It might be the only step that's ever taken,
or at least is taken for a while, because we've

(18:03):
got to this point without any loosening of those restrictions.
But what is actually stopping it from happening. Why shouldn't
New Zealand players be allowed to play for other Super
Rugby teams outside of New Zealand and remain eligible for
the All Blacks. I'm missing something, Like I say, I'm

(18:24):
still a fan of having to be playing here to
play for the All Blacks. I'm still a fan of that.
I know not everybody is, but I still like that
idea because it does guarantee a very strong Super Rugby competition.
But having them go into one of the Australian sides,
or even to the Fiji and Dreuer Mowana Pacifica. I

(18:44):
think the rule with Mona Pacifica is three can go
in there where no Ardi Savira has gone there this year?
Would you be a fan of that?

Speaker 11 (18:54):
Oh?

Speaker 2 (18:54):
Eight hundred and eighty ten eighty? And are you ready
for Super Rugby? Already had a couple of Texan middle
of summer and we're talking rugby.

Speaker 4 (19:02):
We are.

Speaker 2 (19:05):
But it's been this way for a while, hasn't it?
Even when Super Rugby started in nineteen ninety six the
first games were the first weekend in March. It's been
creeping backwards. I know it has. It's been creeping backwards,
and this is early, but I am ready for it.
I'm ready for Super Rugby. I'm ready to watch my

(19:26):
Hurricanes against the Crusaders. I'm ready to watch a rematch
of last year the Blues against the Chiefs. I'm ready
for that. And I'm even more ready for it, oddly enough,
because there's no international red ball cricket. Normally around about
this time would be awaiting the arrival of a team

(19:47):
for some test matches, some white ball games as well,
but some test matches but no international red ball cricket
to be seen. The black Caps are about to start
the Champions Trophy. That's all going to happen in the
middle of the night for us. So it's pretty much
clear air for Super Rugby at the moment. So I'm
ready for it, are you? Or have you found yourself

(20:10):
still in summer mode and the thought of settling down
in front of the TV or going along to a
game in February? Is that something that you're just not
entertaining and you'll pack it up after three or four
rounds once we get to you know, maybe to Easter,
when's east of the year, sort of late April, isn't it.
See it's quite a way away. Oh, eight hundred and

(20:31):
eighty ten eighty, Paul says, it's the middle of February.
Most people have spent the long weekend at the beach
enjoying the sun. Rugby shouldn't start this early. And I
believe it's a factor and it's declining popularity. See Paul,
I don't believe that. I think the sense I get
is people are ready to watch it.

Speaker 4 (20:51):
I get.

Speaker 2 (20:53):
I mean I stand to be corrected here or deeply mistaken,
but I get the fact that the view and I
get the feeling that the viewer numbers next week when
the Hurricanes visit the Crusaders, when the Blues host the
Chiefs will be very high, very very high next Friday
and Saturday night. Toddy, you're ready for Super Rugby.

Speaker 12 (21:16):
Look, I actually was the first time caller last weekend
about the football and this is becoming a bit of
a habit.

Speaker 13 (21:22):
I love it, No, for.

Speaker 6 (21:23):
Sure, for sure.

Speaker 12 (21:24):
Look, can you name any other competition of the like
around the world that says, if you play for another
club outside the country, we're not going to let you
play for our national team. I think we're shooting ourselves
in the foot. Because players want to also make as
much of the opportunity to earn while they're playing and

(21:44):
loving their sport and have different options and other teams.

Speaker 2 (21:50):
They can do that, Todd. They can, they can, they can.
They can earn as much as they like. Sorry, they
can earn as much as they like. They can go
wherever they want and take whatever paypacket is on offer.
That as the rules currently stand. If you do that,
if you chase the money, chase the opportunities, then the
door is closed on your all Blacks ambitions.

Speaker 12 (22:09):
But that's what I'm saying. Why is that the case?
Because number one, look, if they were allowed to do that,
it would increase opportunities and spaces for those up and
coming players, and I think it could really encourage the
sport on those lower levels down that they're contending now
for positions that are open. Number one, But also, if
you're trying to make a living for your family and

(22:31):
you love your sport, why can't you have the opportunity
to go and do that and still be eligible to
come back and play for your country. Every other competition
I think in the world allows you to do that.

Speaker 13 (22:43):
I just think that's crazy.

Speaker 2 (22:45):
Yeah, I mean, and the reason is, and I know
you know this, Todd, the reason is Super rugby. If
you open the door to players being able to play
wherever they like and still be eligible for the All Blacks,
the great fear is what that would do to Super
rugby in terms of gutting the competition of its best players.
I take your point about young players coming through and

(23:06):
seeing positions open for them which perhaps weren't open before,
But I think it would be natural that the strength
of Super Rugby would decrease if you open the door
in the way that you're suggesting. Look, I don't think
they'll do it, but I can totally see your argument.
I think this would a This would be a good
first step. Say okay, well we're not going to let

(23:27):
you go to Japan or the UK, but if you
want to go to Australia, go and play over there
and or or yeah, I think that would that would
be a good cautious first step.

Speaker 12 (23:36):
Yeah, a compromise and see how it goes. Some people
might might say it's it's the slippery slope.

Speaker 6 (23:42):
You've opened the door.

Speaker 12 (23:43):
No, I think you've got parameters and let let's let's
let it happen. And I'd say, once again, I think
you would get a lot more New Zealand players that
we haven't heard about. We would get to see them
and get to know about them, and that would be actually,
I think good for selection for the national team in
the end.

Speaker 6 (24:00):
At the end of the day, you.

Speaker 2 (24:01):
Know, good Man Todd, I'm glad you found this new
talkback habit. I expect you to continue it across the year.

Speaker 6 (24:06):
Next next Saturday, waking on it.

Speaker 2 (24:10):
You're welcome any time, my friend. Thanks for calling in.
You're welcome to eight hundred eighty ten eighty nine two
ninety two is the text you've had pointed out to me.
Netball has the same rule here, or has this person's
put the same stupid rule. That's why, that's why Grayson
Wikier won't be able to play for the Silver Ferns
this year, because she's opted for a contract in Australia

(24:31):
and so therefore, and I know they're working away in
the background to try and change this, but yeah, as
the rule stand, she is not eligible for the Silver Ferns.
We all know the situation around the All Black. Yes
we do. I just like I said, I feel as
though you don't lose anything by opening up the super
rugby borders, if you like, by saying in competition you

(24:54):
can play for anybody. Look, I mean, Will Jordan might
not want to play for the Reds. I'm sure he'd
probably rather play for the Crusaders. I'm sure Wallaceatiti would
rather play for the Chiefs than play for the Warratars
when he's fit again. Look, but Bart, if we hover
above this competition and say right, we need to keep
it evolving, We need to keep generating interest, we need

(25:15):
to keep making sure that teams are competitive and it's
not just the Darby's we're tuning in for. That is
one way. Peter says. It'll also be great to see
Australian players coming back the other way playing for New
Zealand sides. Peter, I agree it would be Dave says agree.
Piney might even might even up the comp of it.

(25:36):
I think it would, Dave. I really think it would.
Mark says. How can Ardie play for Morena Pacifica and
still play for the All Blacks? You might I think
that that is allowed under the rules of their entry
into Super Rugby. Presumably they're based here. There is a
special arrangement around more on A Pacifica. I think more

(25:56):
on A Pacifica and I need to check this, but
I heard during the week that they can have three
players in their squad who are All Blacks eligible if
you like. So yeah, so Artie, I mean, Artie wouldn't
have gone to more Onna Pacifica if he wasn't able
to carry on playing for the All Blacks. I think
that's a fact. Much as he's talked about how much
it means to him to go to that franchise, to

(26:19):
you know, to continue to find connection with where he's
come from, and look, he's had a huge impact there
and I'm looking forward to chatting tomorrow with Tana Umanga
about that. If he wasn't eligible for the All Blacks,
he wouldn't have gone to Morener Pacifica. It's as simple
as that, he wouldn't have because he still wants to
be in All Black twenty six away from one. Term
hold there with you right after this, oh, eight hundred

(26:40):
and eighty ten eighty spear line, if you'd like to
jump aboard.

Speaker 10 (26:42):
It's more than just a game. Weekends for it.

Speaker 1 (26:46):
With Jason Vine and TJ Garnomes, New Zealand's most trusted
home builder, News Dogs, there'd be.

Speaker 2 (26:52):
Twenty three away from one. Just before we get back
to the phone, just on the more on A Pacifica thing. Yeah,
I just checked in with a very close friend and
good colleague of mine, Alex Powell, who tells me that yes,
under current rules, more Onea Pacifica are allowed to have
up to three New Zealand Rugby contracted players on their books.
They are they don't officially fall under New Zealand Rugby's

(27:13):
catchment and their primary objective, of course, is to produce
players to represent Tonga and Manu Samoa rather than the
All Blacks, but they are allowed up to three at
the moment. Ardie Savia is the first to go and
what according to Alex in the article he wrote in
the New Zealand Herald this week, there are many more
who are interested. Hello Tim Jason, how are you great? Tim?

Speaker 4 (27:40):
Hey?

Speaker 9 (27:40):
Listen, I don't know. I'm not a huge rugby follower.
I'll save this up front and take it later on.
But I have a light interest and I largely agree
with most of the things the All Wack organization does.
And I think is I think the sacrifice. It's probably

(28:09):
word that if you want to play for the or
Wax put aside your own uh you know, your quest
some money mm hmm till later, you know. Easy for
me to say, but what do you want? It's like
what do you want more? You know? And they want guys.

(28:31):
They want guys that are there who want to be there.
And if you want to be there, you'll make you'll
you'll handle it. Whatever it is. You just deal with
it and then you can have an end along the way.
If you're that good, you get a bit of advertising money.
And this and that, and you know, but it's got

(28:52):
to be country first or yes.

Speaker 2 (28:56):
And so that is the foundation upon which New Zealand
Rugby based their rules. You know, they know they can't
they can't they here, Yeah, yeah, no, And they can't
compete with the big money overseas. There's no way that
a player here in New Zealand can earn or not
all of them anyway, can earn more here than they
can overseas. So the one, well, the main reason or

(29:18):
the main carrot to keeping them here is an all
Blacks jersey. That is, that is the thing that will
keep them here. And you're right, tim You're right, And
that's the trend. Now you stay, you play for the
All Blacks, you earn pretty good money here, you plan
a good competition, and then when it's time, there is

(29:38):
still time at the back end of your career to
go somewhere else to pick up some good money. As
countless All Blacks have and will continue to do.

Speaker 9 (29:48):
Try it as a next All Black. You don't get
a better reverence than that.

Speaker 2 (29:52):
That's dead right. That is a great thing that on
your CV.

Speaker 9 (29:55):
Yeah, that's the best thing you can possibly get. And
everything that goes with that and you know, I mean,
it's that's just the way I say it. They like
to say, I'm not a huge rugby follower, and some
you know, I think people will disagree with my point
of view. It's not really founded in a whole lot
of sex. But are simplifying a write down be loyal.

Speaker 2 (30:21):
Fest in many ways, Tom, Yeah, and any ways else
will come. Yeah in many ways, Tim, It's a it's
a more valuable viewpoint given the fact you don't have
this deep vested interest in it. And sometimes people who
do can get a little bit emotional about these things.
I think your little way removed viewpoint is extremely valid
and there's a lot to be said for loyalty. And again,

(30:45):
you know, this is the whole foundation of the New
Zealand rugby professional model. They know that the biggest carrot
they have, the only carrot they have, really is that
black jersey. Because a player, I'll pick out a hypothetical example.
Duplessis an example. He could earn three times as much

(31:08):
playing in Japan as he does for the Hurricanes, but
dupluscretly if he wants to be an All Black and
will stay to try and fulfill that dream. Now, whether
or not he fulfills that dream. He will probably at
some stage later in his career go overseas where the
money is better, and no one would blame him for that.

(31:30):
But at the moment, the carrot of the all black
jersey is real for him. That is the reason he's staying,
because if it was just about money, he would be gone.
So I'm great to chat. Thanks indeed for your call.

Speaker 4 (31:43):
Suare what Hi?

Speaker 11 (31:46):
Yeah?

Speaker 13 (31:46):
You go?

Speaker 14 (31:46):
Jason. You've mentioned about the Moana situation with three Yeah,
and that's presumably because they're based in Auckland and they're
seen to be part of the New Zealand catchment. Can
you refer now to Drua because for example, someone like
sever Reese might decide that he'd like to play for
the Drew, but that might rule him out. Would you

(32:09):
like to comment on that. Are they seen as being
equivalent to another Australian team.

Speaker 2 (32:14):
I think under the rules they are Sherwood, but I
don't think they should be given what you've just said.
I'd love to see Seba receplay for Fiji. You know,
the Minor Pacific is almost a bit of a halfway house. Really,
it's not. They're not the same as the Crusaders and
the Chiefs, but they're not the same as the Warratars
and the Reds. They're halfway. You can have three. I
don't know, how would you feel about about three also

(32:36):
being allowed to play for the drawer?

Speaker 14 (32:39):
Yeah? Well, I mean, I don't know whether the Fijians
would necessarily want to cut down on their own people's opportunities.
That might be a downside to it, but I'm sure
there are some very fine New Zealand based players who
who would ramp into the drawer and would be seen
as wonderful assets.

Speaker 2 (32:59):
I agree with Sherwood. I totally agree with you, and
I mean that again is the is a half step
towards what I was just talking about before, which is
opening the super rugby borders, if you can call them that,
and allowing any number of players from anywhere to play
for any team. You know, why shouldn't you know, three
or four Australians or New Zealanders go and play for

(33:20):
the Drewer. Artie Savia's impact and this won't surprise you
on my Wina Pacifica's rugby team already has been significant.
You hear so much anecdotal stuff any media that's been
done by anybody out of Winer. Pacifica in the last
two or three weeks has contained glowing references for Artie

(33:43):
Savia's impact in that side. Seventeen away from one, got
to get another breakaway back with more of your calls
after this the lines have been filling up. Well keep
them moping THO eight hundred and eighty ten eighty back
in a moment.

Speaker 1 (33:56):
The tough Questions off the turf Weekends for It with
Jason Paine and GJ. Gunnerholmes, New Zealand's most trusted home builder.

Speaker 10 (34:04):
News Dog.

Speaker 2 (34:06):
Daryl says, hey, Piney, can the Highland just get three
all blacks? Please perform Pacifica Dust Daryl, nice one, Look
I reckon estate me in Holland eligible this year. You've
got another one coming there Ethan de Group flaff for Catavias.
There isn't it. There are others. We'd love to see
more all blacks coming out of Highlanders country, wouldn't you.

(34:27):
I think that'd be great. Forty third edition of the
Coast to Coast is ongoing. It's the longest day today.
Last we heard, defending champion Hamish Elliott had a healthy
four and a half minute lead heading into the kayaking stage.
Our commentator, journalist, coverer of the Coast to Coast extraordinary,
Brian Ashby joins us Hamosh Elliott. To your knowledge, still

(34:47):
in the lead.

Speaker 15 (34:47):
Gash Yeah, we haven't been able to get a split
from truly down the river at the stage. It's those
are other parts of the country. The white Magnieri board.
You can't just pull up beside the river and to
see them past. There are no roads here. We're here
and it's light in the deck blocks of the of
the Southern Elm. So get that's the best of our knowledge.

(35:07):
Of course, interesting last year we expected that hay Mass
might have been sort of all hauled in a little
bit on the kayak. That wasn't the case. He helds
very very well. He's recently won include the Classic, but
there are some very well credential kayak is behind of
Alex Hunt in second place. Has been coached by Gordon Walker.
I think everyone listenings he to Gordon Walker, not just

(35:29):
for his coaching of Brob Lisa Carrington, but also multiple
winner of the Coast to Coast, so you know he's
kayaking for echance. He's book very very.

Speaker 16 (35:37):
Hard and it's finishing brother around last year Sam Clark
in third place.

Speaker 15 (35:42):
Sam probably historically the best of him as as a paddler.
So you know with the slow flow the river is
very very low, they're going to be out here a
little bit walker. Who will that help the most? Arguably
Sam Clark, the book payer.

Speaker 2 (35:59):
I wouldn't be rushing to the TV all right. So
the women's com Debbie Lynch, it was a narrowly she
had over more to make on or just brought six
seconds out of the Mountain run. Five time defending champ
Simone Maya there as well. Is that still likely to
be the top three?

Speaker 15 (36:16):
Well, Lena Rush is not too far behind Simone Maya
as well. When they we've got off the bikes to
go into the river fifteen cape bike between the mountain
run and then the paddled out by mc canery cords,
the gap had closed. Shaw Didlin's come in. She's She's
a very diminutive little antley, very good runner. Finished seventh

(36:41):
and the thirty four eighth group at the bill.

Speaker 16 (36:44):
Tipney point three half iron Man Champs last month in
December at least in top fort. But her strength is
the run. We've talked about it with my co commentator
dck Brunt and Weaver. The feeling is that she's peddling
a really slow boat.

Speaker 15 (37:00):
Not for strength.

Speaker 16 (37:01):
Were Am McDonald's we didn't know much about.

Speaker 15 (37:04):
Were A McDonald a very good runner.

Speaker 16 (37:06):
We would expect to heard of mat Simone historically gets
strong as the day goes on, and we were to
do with concerns with her with regards to some foot
issues that she has injuries. The body is sort of
starting to give up the ghost. The feeling was that
that she was thereabouts coming off the mountain run. It's

(37:27):
who are race to lose? That's exactly how it's played out.
She is thereabouts. Elena RuSHA looking really good too. My
tick is Maya Usha first and second at this point all.

Speaker 2 (37:37):
I guess we'll check them with you in an hour
or so. Brian Ashby is covering the forty third coast
to coast for us here on news Talks. Here'd be
ten to one. Back to the lines, Shanksy, thanks for
holding mate, mate.

Speaker 17 (37:51):
Oh yeah, look, I think no brainer would be, you know,
expanding the ELEXHILLI the all blacks through you know, through
the rest of the second right now, I think that
needs to be done to sort of rejuven APUs competition.
But you sort of touch on it before, which I
think it should be the you know, your I guess

(38:12):
mid to long term goal would be having it open
up to include you know, one or two Japanese teams
and then you know, with the ability of you know,
All Blacks to be able to go and cash in
there and still be able to play for the All Blacks.
I think that would be you know awesome to you know,
still be able to watch them, keep them in our

(38:33):
competition and have them really increase their earnings potential, you know,
and then it would really add something to the competition
of those teams as well. You know, we're able to
offer book money and coach players from the world and
just had some truly you know, I'm not sure I
had japan Fields. It was you know, these real sort

(38:54):
of international barbarian style teams, but you know how that
managed that. But I think it would be you know
awesome if you just had a couple of teams up
there that were really stacked with super stars that would
be playing our super rugby teams and also be able
to keep a couple of our really real headline players
that want to capitalize on their earnings potential, but still

(39:17):
played for the Blacks Jersey and be involved. And you
know what's our premiere competition?

Speaker 2 (39:22):
Yeah, good man, shacks y good points well made in
Boden Barra. I think you probably picked up on this.
Made a similar point during the week when he was
up for Blues media. You know, he said, look, our
future in this competition should involve a couple of Japanese sides.
He's urging New Zealand rugby to relax the eligibility rules
and similar fashion to what we've been talking about, allowing

(39:44):
an open border tournament so that all blacks could play
in Australia and down the track. Also maybe in Japan
as well, provided they entered Super Rugby. We were there
with the sun Wolves, weren't we, you know, a wee
while ago. I think Japanese rugby has moved on a
heck of a lot since then. What wou would Japanese
rugby be interested in taking two or three of their

(40:05):
best sides out of their competition and having them play
Super Rugby. I doubt it, but there must be the
basis for a negotiation or a conversation anyway. Good to chat, Yes, Shanksy,
Thanks mate. Seven to one, U s talksb.

Speaker 1 (40:20):
When it's down to the line, you made a call.
On eight eighty Weekend Sport with Jason Hine News Talks, hev.

Speaker 2 (40:28):
Mark says, come up, Pony, cut to the chase. Give
us your hot tips for Fantasy Rugby. Who's your number ten?
I love it, Mark, I've gone with Damien McKenzie, although
I can change that right up until the start, and
of course you can change it every week. This is
fantasy super Rugby where you pick players and their on
field performances earn you points and you build a score
and you can brag to your mates. I see fifty

(40:51):
one percent of players so far have chosen Damien McKenzie
as their first five. Next most popular boat in Barrett
and then it's a gap back to the rest. So
it's McKenzie who's the popular choice. I've put them in
at the moment, Mark begining to know who you've got.
After one o'clock across the Tasman we go who is
going to replace Joe Schmitt's.

Speaker 1 (41:15):
The only place to discuss the biggest sports issues on
and after fields.

Speaker 10 (41:20):
It's all on Weekend Sport with Jason Hide. On your
home of Sport, New York.

Speaker 2 (41:27):
One O seven. Welcome into the show. This is Weekend
Sport until three. I'm Jason Pine, Andy McDonald here too.
Joe Schmidt will step down as Wallaby's coach at the
end of the Rugby Championship. More on that shortly from
one of his predecessors, John Connolly. Not just about Joe
Schmitt stepping down, but who the candidates to replace him

(41:48):
might be and whoever gets the job, will they have
enough time between when they take over and when Australia
hosts the Rugby World Cup in twenty twenty seven to
get the team in tiptop shake to win the thing.
Before we get to that, a bit of live sport
to update you on. Just a word on the Warriors
last night too. They, as you've heard in our watch
news this morning, had a pre season game last night,

(42:10):
the NRL's Pre Season Challenge, a twelve all draw with Cronulla. Unfortunately,
Delan y Tenneys Lesniak an early casualty. He injured his
wrist landing awkwardly when he was challenging for a high ball.
Not knowing whether the injury will impact his involvement in
the season, opener, which is of course in Las Vegas.

(42:31):
Other players to feature included Jet Clary, younger brother of
Penrith ace Nathan Clary. He came on with twenty minutes
to go and in fact his dad was there. Ivan Clary,
four time NROL Premiership winning coach with the Penrith Panthers,
was there to watch Jet Clary make his Warrior's debut

(42:51):
alongside longtime Panthers prop James Fisher Harris, who came through
the match unscathed, which was good news. Well, we might
forget the chance play some postmatch reaction from the Warriors
at some stage in the next couple of hours. An
hour from now or just under an hour from now
final pre season Super Rugby match for the Chiefs and

(43:13):
Malwana Pacifica. They are going to go head to head
as I'm saying, about an hour from now in Pooka Coe,
so their final pre season outing next in fact not
next week, tomorrow, tomorrow. All six Super Rugby head coaches
who are in New Zealand based er on the show
with us, so we'll get inside all six Super Rugby

(43:33):
camps tomorrow and cricket, which seems a bit more seasonal
looking at the window here and Wellington cracking day down
at the base in the Wellington Blaze elected to bat
first against Canterbury one thirty seven for nine. This is
the Hallybird and Jostin Shield. The women's fifty over comp
Wellington Blaze one thirty seven for nine in the forty
first over so battling a bit there at Pookakuda Park
in New Plymouth, Northern won the toss and sent Central in.

(43:56):
They're two nineteen for six in the fortieth over and
up at Eden Parks Outer oval Or from on the
toss decided to bat their one sixty six for seven
in the forty third I against the Otago Sparks. We
will keep you up to date with scores across the
afternoon Ike.

Speaker 11 (44:11):
It's out for Jorgansen, Max Jorvison, Max Jarginson.

Speaker 4 (44:15):
No they didn't.

Speaker 15 (44:17):
Oh my goodness me.

Speaker 4 (44:19):
Oh, it's unbelievable.

Speaker 13 (44:22):
It's one of the greatest moments in Wallaby's history and
it belongs to Jorginson.

Speaker 4 (44:31):
They have stunned England.

Speaker 2 (44:33):
The highlights of last year for the Wallabies was the
win over England at Twickenham. Joe Shmitt it has been
announced this week will step down as Wallaby's coach at
the end of the Rugby Championship. Now he was initially
contracted until the end of the mid year Lions tour,
but has opted to extend by three months. In a statement,

(44:53):
Joshmitt outlined the importance of spending time with his family,
who have remained here in New Zealand. So his last
game in charge will be on the fourth of October
against the All Blacks in Perth. Let's bring in formal
All Ofby's coach John Connolly, who took over the team
in two thousand and six and took them through to
the two thousand and seven Rugby World Cup. Firstly, John,

(45:15):
that good afternoon. We're surprised when you heard this news
that Joe Schmitt will step away after the Rugby Championship
this year.

Speaker 8 (45:24):
Well, I probably didn't expect anything, but we always knew
that was on the cards, and I think you heard
the Australian wun were aware that was a likelihood and
they've got some plans in place to replace him. But
on the surface, it doesn't appear to be any standout,
standout candiate, so it'll be interesting where they go to

(45:47):
from here.

Speaker 2 (45:47):
Yeah, I want to get to the candidates in a minute.
But do you think do you think when they hired
Joe Schmitt Rugby Australia thought maybe they'd be able to
convince him to stay on, that he'd love it so
much that he'd stay.

Speaker 9 (46:00):
Yeah.

Speaker 8 (46:00):
I think they obviously be the case, and he was
happy to get on board. They as the outlined his
press statement, jammy priority and we all understand that he
left island for the same reasons. Put his cow back
in the water here and I think it's very keen
to get back in New Zealand, which I understand.

Speaker 2 (46:22):
Indeed, so whoever takes over, we'll have two years in
charge before the twenty twenty seven Rugby World Cup in Australia.
Is that long enough?

Speaker 18 (46:32):
I think so.

Speaker 8 (46:33):
It's a fairly stable team at the moment. I mean
they're thereabout were still only we won lesson to say,
our games this year. Then we shall see a distinct
improvement from the Envye Jones years. Distinct improvement and I'm
hoping they would build on that. Yes, I think the
new coacher comes in will probably pick up the same

(46:54):
players and hopefully they're healthy and I'll keep improving. And
it's becoming an older side. Now they've not a pervod
of experience, so we're hopeful.

Speaker 2 (47:03):
When you took over worth even less than two years,
just before the two thousand and seven Rugby World Cup, John,
where did you place your focus in a truncated time
frame like that.

Speaker 8 (47:15):
Well, the first thing you look at is teams have
been successful in World Cups. I've had a lot of experience,
the team work together. We never had that with when
I took over. We had seven or eight or nine
very experienced clients, the Mortlocks, the Ghetto's predicaments and sharps,
but we also had a real gap from the inexperienced players.

(47:36):
And it's such a huge occasion it can be very
over bearing on some young pliers and we found that
towards the end. I thought we got through our quarter final,
kicked the goal at the end of the thing, you
may well have gone all the way, but especially that
New Zealand have been knocked out, which made a bit

(47:57):
easier for blood everyone. But I mean, yeah, I think
the other steps in will we take you over an
experience side and a fairly happy, happy side. Joe had
a couple of years Ben is it down very nicely?
People that come in. But I said, I just said,
do you heard the text? Your next step is the

(48:19):
big one. He's going to take over, So they'll be
they'll be in that process. Now there's no huge horn,
but they have to get it right. They really have
to get it right.

Speaker 2 (48:32):
All right, let's get to that.

Speaker 4 (48:33):
Then.

Speaker 2 (48:34):
I presume he hasn't texted you back, and even if
he has, you probably wouldn't tell us what he said.
But in your mind, are the strongest candidates to take
over from Joe Shmand at the back end of the
Rugby Championship.

Speaker 8 (48:45):
Well, there's no standout. I mean the pore super rugby
coaches here. Least Kiss maybe hasn't got a huge amount
of runs on the board. A wild coach struggled with
Leicester big time last year. We'll see how he goes
with you. So Whales Steven Arkham will he mentioned, But

(49:08):
there's no standing out create whatsoever and what the structure
his coach team? Look at. Jase Smith came into it
when the age was he was an experienced international coach
and that is a real advantage at the moment. Whoever
steps up, they won't go back to Michael Checkham, would
be no chance. I believe or not. The plan person

(49:31):
that I feel sorry for that still goes to play
is David Greeny. I thought he was treated very badly
and he had a lot of injuries cauught up with.
I don't know if he ever come back and went
very close to the All Blacks and a couple of
games one point beaten by France. Over the conversation there

(49:52):
in New Zealand. Jamie Joseph someone who I ever met,
I've always thought I really rate his teams very highly.
They would be the two outside Australia, and I wouldn't
Ryan o'garaz would have any chance. But someone with a
lot of experience is important ready and Joseph definitely ticked

(50:16):
those boxes. We're in Australia. I'm just not sure none
of them have got any great forwards a board.

Speaker 2 (50:25):
As you said then, John, they wouldn't go back to
Michael Checker.

Speaker 10 (50:29):
Why is that?

Speaker 8 (50:31):
Yeah, I think the terms that he left weren't you
know it was. It wasn't a happy separation, but luqually
check likes to do things his way and I think
in terms of selections and selection party assistant coaches, Yeah,
I just I would be very surprised. I let background
that rook. I mean, I know that sounds funny where

(50:53):
you suggested ready maybe a possibility, but I'd be surprised,
I think to have the bikel check the route.

Speaker 2 (51:02):
Yeah, that was a very different parting of the ways,
wasn't it with Davini And I think you're right. I
think even over on the side of the Tasman John,
we all we all sort of scratched our heads a
bit about the removal of Dave Rennie and the and
the incoming Eddie Jones, and we all know how that
worked out. Would Dave Rennie entertain a conversation with Daniel
Herbert about about coming back in.

Speaker 13 (51:23):
I don't know.

Speaker 8 (51:24):
I would hope he would. A lot of a lot
of Australians are really disappointed how that happened, and I'm
on record when they put it early it was going
to be a disaster for day one and David had
to overcome a lot of difficulties aside that was struggling
a bit, a tremendous about a lot of injuries, and
he did a pretty good job and was very popular

(51:44):
with the player. So I would I would definitely if
I was wearing in Australian Roubia. I picked up the phone,
I would and I'd pick up the phone to Jamie Joseph.
That's only me personally. I don't think there's any other
overseas people that have the runs on the board that
you could support and coaching national team. He's not a

(52:07):
one man job, having the best assistance, the best selection panel,
and you've got to do your share of work on
the field as well. We have gone down the road
at times in Australia the coach didn't do as much
as you should have done the field. He's more of
a manager. So the area you have got a lot
of work to do to get the right person, what

(52:29):
that structure looks like.

Speaker 2 (52:31):
And just to circle back to Jo Shmitt to finish,
you've you've talked about the way he's coached this side.
He'll hand a team over at the back end of
this year. They're still a big year of rugby hedge
on of course, but the Lions tour and the Rugby Championship.
But do you think they'll have He'll have advanced the
Wallabies judgment from from what he took over.

Speaker 8 (52:50):
I think so, but on the results it may not
appear so.

Speaker 19 (52:54):
But I think.

Speaker 8 (52:57):
The team appears to be far set, more settled, and
there's a betit of elif back of the Australian rugby
and probably just appointment for its leading. So yeah, I
think he's done a pretty good job and Australia have
got a tremendously idea. The plan the Lions three times,
the All Blacks in the spring box a couple of times.

(53:19):
It doesn't get much harder, So I'm kind of I
wish it possibly had stepped aside at the Lions to
it after that, and then someone else came in and
did the work and then took them on the tour
at the end of the year. That would have been that.
I can also understand the other option finished his job
here in Australia and then the new person comes in

(53:41):
and takes over. So the transition has to be smooth.
In selections, it has to be smooth and how they're
playing the game, so said the Australia run the Union.
You know, the appointment of the it was a disaster.
They got put a lot of thought into who they
bring in and what type of structure that that looks like,

(54:03):
and so they've got a bit of work to do.

Speaker 2 (54:06):
You've provided us with some terrific inside John. Thanks so
much for joining us. We'll watch with interest from this
side of the Tasman but really appreciate your time this afternoon.

Speaker 8 (54:14):
R It's a pressure now.

Speaker 2 (54:15):
Thanks for joining us, John, John Connolly there knuckles as
they used to call them, a former Wallaby's coach talking
a lot of sense as per usual. Are your chanced
to react to what you heard there from John Connolly? Oh,
eight hundred and eighty ten eighty. This wasn't a surprise,
was it when it was revealed in the last couple
of days that Joe Schmidt would step down from the
Wallaby's coaching position. He was supposed to. I think according

(54:39):
to the original time frame, let Rugby Australia know by
the end of December what his plans were. He's held
off for a month or so and that has probably
been because they've been talking about this extension that he
will go through the lines to and now which he
was always contracted to and will now tag on the
Rugby Championship as well, which I guess gives Rugby Australia

(55:01):
a bit more time to come up with a successor
gets Joe Schmidt a bit more time to developed these
players with some tough test matches and the Rugby Championship
against the All Black South Africa and Argentina. But he's
always said this was a temporary thing. His family still
back here in New Zealand and he wasn't prepared to
put them through two more years of him being largely absent,

(55:24):
and probably not willing to put himself through it either,
being absent from his own family for that long. It's
the right call, family first always, as I said to John,
then I think Rugby Australia probably signed Joe Schmidt up
and secretly hoped that he would just love it so
much and get the bug back that he had when

(55:45):
he was coaching Ireland and then part of the All Blacks,
that he changed his mind and stay that he would
love it so much that he couldn't turn down the
opportunity of taking the Wallabies to the Rugby World Cup
on home soil in a couple of years. But he
stood firm and as I said, I think it's the
right call. He's given them three more months, his last

(56:06):
game in charge October fourth against New Zealand and Perth. Now,
regardless of what happens this year and there is a
lot of rugby ahead those Lions Test and the Rugby Championship.
Josht will likely leave the Wallabies in a much better
place than he found them. That is a low bar,
a very low bar, because they were an absolute basket
case when he took over after the departure of Eddie Jones.

(56:29):
There's no need to relitigate all of that. Anything would
have been an improvement on the shambles that was his
coaching tenure. And while he hasn't won everybody over, he
certainly righted the ship, hasn't he He's righted the ship.
So now we ask who's going to take over? The candidates,
as John Connolly outlined them locally, you look at the

(56:52):
super rugby coaches Les Kiss at the Reds, Stephen Larkham
at the Brumbies, Dan McCalla at the Waratahs also but
to mail around and again John mentioned these names Michael Checker,
although he didn't think that would happen. Davennie was an
interesting one. I don't think I ever thought that Dave
Rennie would even pick up the phone anymore to Rugby
Australia after what they did to him, the way he

(57:15):
was so unceremoniously dumped and so shabbily treated when Rugby
Australia were desperately chasing after Eddie Jones to bring him back,
and as I say, we all know how that turned out.
But maybe Dave Rennie would would pick up the phone
and have a conversation, conversation. I think he would be
a popular choice. I think they liked him for the

(57:36):
most part during his time there. I think he was
starting to show signs of improvement with the team. The
results might not necessarily have shown that, but I think
internally things were improving under Dave Rennie. He's a bloody
good coach. The dark horse for me though, the dark
horse for me, the guy i'd be having a conversation

(57:57):
with if I was Phil war or Daniel Herbert's chair,
whoever makes these conversions, you know, these phone calls, I'd
be picking up the phone to Leon McDonald, no longer
part of the all black setup in the market for
a job, you presume. I don't think he's been picked
up by anybody. I couldn't find any evidence of a
new role for Leon McDonald anywhere. I might be wrong,

(58:21):
you might be able to correct me, but I don't
think he's got a gig at the moment. Deep knowledge
of rugby in this part of the world, deep knowledge
of New Zealand rugby and specifically the All Blacks environment,
he'd be able to take a lot of intel into
the Wallabies camp about the best ways to deconstruct the
All Blacks. Why not follow one keywi with another. Imagine

(58:45):
Razor against Leon for the bleeders Low Cup in twenty
twenty six. I'd love to see it. Oh eight hundred
and eighty ten eighty nine two ninety two for your
text messages, your suggestions and if you're Leon McDonald, how
would you go singing Advance Australia fair ahead of a
Test match instead of God Defend New Zealand eight hundred

(59:07):
eighty ten to eighty one twenty five Back with your
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(59:28):
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(59:51):
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Speaker 1 (01:00:07):
The biggest seams in sports are on Weekend Sports with
Jason Pain and GJ Gunnomes, New Zealand's.

Speaker 10 (01:00:14):
Most trusted home builder News Dogs.

Speaker 2 (01:00:16):
There'd be one talking the success of the Joe Schmidt
as Wallaby's rugby coach. I mean, I think for us,
and we say this a lot, it's important for us
that Australia are strong and under Joe Schmidt. They started
to show a bit of revival after the absolute debarcle
that was Eddie Jones's last tenure there. I think we

(01:00:38):
want every year for the Bledisloe Cup to be a contest.
I still don't want to lose it, but I want
it to be a contest. I want there to be
jeopardy around Bledisloe Cup matches, around all blacks Wallaby's test matches. Yes,
there have been some close test matches, but how long
are we at the Bledisloe two thousand and three was

(01:00:59):
it when we got it? I mean we're approaching quarter
of a century territory year since the Wallabies last had it.
Nobody's ever posted on social media great to see the
Wallabies when the bled a slow Cup because it predates that.
Facebook didn't turn up until about what six easy choice,

(01:01:21):
says jackx Leon McDonald. And by the way, I wouldn't
want to get tackled on the hard summer grounds here.
It's always the way, isn't it. With the early early
season start to Super Rugby, with the with the ground
still being so hard and the weather still being so hot,
I'm sure they water it. David Campiece, he says this
one he's got an opinion, so let's see if he

(01:01:42):
can do better. I don't think David campeas he has
any interest at all in coaching the Wallabies. I go
Stephen Larkham, says Blake. He took the Brumbies to the
Super Rugby semis. I know they really like Stephen Larkham
over there as a future perhaps head coach. Maybe he's
part of the setup, has been part of the setup
in the past. Is he ready to take on the
job full time? Not sure, Nicholas says Bolt. Combination. Here

(01:02:05):
you go John Mitchell, Brad Thorne and Leon McDonald. Wow
three key weis although brad Thorne's both as his dual
nationality John Mitchell, brad Thorne, Leon McDonald And could Warren
Gatlan be inopson by then as well well if he
keeps on going the same way he is with Wales.
I don't know that it held onto that job for

(01:02:27):
too much longer, but yeah, And the international coaching experience
is a really interesting part of this. When there was
the recruitment process for Scott Robertson, that was always the
big question mark about his lack of international coaching experience,
The fact he hadn't coached anybody internationally and coached the

(01:02:50):
Crusaders with immense success for so so long, but hadn't
ever done it with an international team and the different
dynamic that comes with that. And I think Scott Robertson
learns a lot about that last year, not having his
players every week, not being able to just write off
a loss as part of a fourteen game regular season

(01:03:13):
and saying, no, that's okay, We'll take that loss because
we'll win again next week. Can't do that with the
All Blacks. So maybe international experience is important. Maybe that's
why there is the reluctance around Dan McCalla and Stephen
Larkham and less Kiss, and why there would probably be
reluctance around Leo McDonald as well, because while he's had

(01:03:36):
assistant coach experience with the All Blacks, it wasn't for
a long time, was it? When did he knock it
on the head after I think before they even went
to South Africa last year? Was that four or five
test matches before he parted ways Ronan O'Gara. O'Gara rather
I see is interested. I see it being reported in

(01:03:57):
the Sydney Morning Herald that he's thrown his hat into
the ring. He's at LaRochelle currently. He was with the
Crusaders of course for a while Ronan Are He says
he's interested. Phil war has said he wants to ensure
that the Wallabies progress that was being made under Joe

(01:04:18):
Schmidt is continued and his insight will be valuable in
assessing prospective coaches for wall says we need to keep
the same level of progression that we see in the
Wallaby's environment right now, and I think that's been largely
driven by the culture that's been created by both Joe
and his coaching team. He also says that if the

(01:04:43):
best candidate to continue that trajectory is an overseas candidate,
then we will be making the right choice for the
players development. So yeah, I think we know that Rugby
Australia don't have any problem with an overseas coach. I've
had plenty, haven't they, Robbie Deans, Dave Rennie, Joe Schmidt.

(01:05:07):
It's it's not even a thing for them anymore. It'd
still be a thing for us.

Speaker 10 (01:05:12):
I think.

Speaker 2 (01:05:13):
I think I think we'd still I think we'd still
balk at the idea of a non new Zealand All
Blacks coach Mars says, forget about the Wallabies, get Joe
Schmitt back into the All Blacks frame.

Speaker 13 (01:05:28):
Yeah.

Speaker 2 (01:05:28):
I don't know whether that'll happen either, Maus. It just
doesn't feel like that is a natural fit with Scott
Robertson and the Bleat zone needs to be the best
of three games. While we're on the subjects, is this
one with the holder having home advantage in games one
and three? Well, we do have. We have had not
every year, but we have had three game Bledisloe Cup series.

(01:05:53):
Often it's the Rugby Championship and then you tag one
on which can be in Australia, can be in New Zealand,
can be somethingly completely different. So we have had three
game series. We don't this year, do we. We don't
have a three game series this year from just the
two and the Rugby Championship. It does give a lot
of advantage to the holder, doesn't it. When you know

(01:06:13):
you've got to lose, you know you've got to lose
at you know, away and at home. And for the
All Blacks, I mean we hardly ever lose at home,
especially not to Australia. So yeah, i'd like to see
a three games led USOW Cup.

Speaker 4 (01:06:26):
Serias.

Speaker 2 (01:06:26):
I don't think you get too many arguments from a
lot of people. We'll get you a coast to coast
update in a moment. The Warriors, meantime, last night had
their first official preseason game as part of the NRL's
Preseason Challenge in Sydney. They had a twelve all draw
with Crenella. I didn't watch the game.

Speaker 4 (01:06:44):
You might have.

Speaker 2 (01:06:45):
I've done a bit of reading about it this morning.
Sounds like it was a fairly rugged encounter. Twelve all
is actually low scoring for pre season, isn't it. You
kind of get the feeling that preseason games are often
not necessarily defense optional, but not as defensively rigid and
solid as the regular season games. At twelve all tells
the tale of a fairly tight defense effort from both sides.

(01:07:08):
No Toaho Harris anymore, of course, No Sean Johnson. Mitch
Barnett I think was kept in last night. They haven't
announced the official captain of the team yet, have they?
But I think Mitch Barnett might have led them out
last night. Here are some of his thoughts afterwards.

Speaker 20 (01:07:24):
Looked a little dicey in the opening ten minutes, you're
splattered in blood and off to get a.

Speaker 18 (01:07:28):
Little bit of treatment.

Speaker 20 (01:07:30):
You've got stitches everywhere already.

Speaker 18 (01:07:31):
It's a rough opening to the year for you.

Speaker 11 (01:07:34):
Well, there goes me modeling creating that was gone a
long time ago. But it's Yeah, obviously it was a
bit rusty early on.

Speaker 5 (01:07:41):
I think we were just a bit jumpy and the sorry.

Speaker 11 (01:07:43):
The Tampa was there, so but yeah, there's plenty to
build on there. And yeah, like it was a rusty
hit out and hopefully I don't get as many stitches
this year.

Speaker 7 (01:07:53):
Just tell me about the physicality, because you guys have
been going at this since before Christmas. I only really
compete against each other. You get out there in the
first count of tackles, you got stitches, you got blood
going everywhere. Was a physicality right up there to start
this contest.

Speaker 11 (01:08:06):
Yeah, lot, the intent was cood. I just think we're
a bit loose and it's sort a bit too nice
on the ground. We just sort of weren't putting our
weight through them. So but we'll learn from that. I mean,
you know, you don't really know how you're going, so
you get out and tackle other people.

Speaker 5 (01:08:20):
When you tackle on your own teammates.

Speaker 11 (01:08:21):
It sort of gets a bit repetitive, so we know
what we can work on now, and yeah, we've got
another troil next weegain.

Speaker 2 (01:08:27):
That is the voice of Mitch Barnett. Charnce nikol Klukstar
started in the number one Jersey. How did he come
through last night? What were his thoughts about it?

Speaker 4 (01:08:35):
Chance?

Speaker 21 (01:08:35):
A bit of a sloppy performance, but that's wild Aorgroy.
How did you feel about the Warriors first hit out
of season twenty twenty five.

Speaker 5 (01:08:41):
Yeah, something to build off. We weren't happy with the start.

Speaker 22 (01:08:45):
Obviously, it's something that we can fix up, and it's
ev you fix up. But there's a good base there
and we're building.

Speaker 4 (01:08:51):
How does it feel at this Warriors organization?

Speaker 21 (01:08:53):
Obviously a lot of store wats in the club have
left in Shawn Johnson, Tahu Harris retired in the pre season.

Speaker 4 (01:08:59):
How's it felt without those guys.

Speaker 22 (01:09:01):
Yeah, it's been brand I'm not going to lie, it's
been friend.

Speaker 5 (01:09:03):
They've been the core in the heart of the clop
for a very long time. So he's solely missed.

Speaker 22 (01:09:08):
But I feel like the boys that have come in,
I've done a really good job to try and fill
their shoes and you know, just to Metro first, she's
he's been amazing and the color gold player that he
is and what he's gone on to do in his
own career already, it speaks for all him for itself.

Speaker 5 (01:09:21):
So he's a massive increasion for.

Speaker 21 (01:09:22):
Us and Luke metcalf obviously in the seventh and what
did you make of him steering the ship around?

Speaker 4 (01:09:27):
Filling in that jersey of Shawanton.

Speaker 22 (01:09:29):
He's been under study of Shan for a very long
time now and he did a good job tonight. He's
building out his confidence, building those combinations and he's seen
things and I think as a half, he's only going
to get better and better. So big things in score
for big Luky Metcalfter Ferrari and yeah, I can't wait
to see him grow.

Speaker 21 (01:09:45):
And what about for you, obviously, a little bit of
ice on the leg, how you're feeling? Will we see
you next week or will be Vegas next time we
see you?

Speaker 22 (01:09:51):
I know you'll see me Vegas, You'll see me next week,
So it's that's just precaution, that's all good. Cramping played
a little bit longer than I thought I was playing tonight,
and that's good weather here at Sydney, so a bit
more soul, but more for Drew Sandl.

Speaker 5 (01:10:04):
And we're good to go.

Speaker 2 (01:10:05):
That is Chance Nicol Klukstar who started in the Fallbacks
Jersey last night. So there is one more preseason game
for the Warriors. It's in Hamilton. Yeah, Hamilton, next Saturday. Yeah,
next Saturday, a week today against the Storm in Hamilton.
And then the season starts two weeks after that, and
as we know, the Warriors will start the season in Vegas.

(01:10:29):
It's incredible imagine saying that sentence a few years ago
that the Warriors will start the NRL season in Vegas.
But here we are. That's what they'll do. They'll be
there against the Raiders. That game is actually one o'clock
in the afternoon New Zealand time on Saturday, No Sunday,
March the second, So we'll.

Speaker 4 (01:10:46):
Be on the air.

Speaker 2 (01:10:47):
We'll be on the air on weekend for keeping an
eye on what the Warriors that earned against the Raiders
in Las Vegas. Terrific, looking forward to seeing how they go.
One word here on the Knicks Wallaby's coach from Andrew Cotter.
Vern Cotter. He's been an international coach, isn't he coached
Fiji Super Rugby winning coach with the Blues. I've got

(01:11:12):
Vern Codder on the radio tomorrow. You know what, Andrew,
I'll ask him. I'll ask him tomorrow any interest Vern
in coaching the Wallabies. I've written it down. I promise
you I will ask him that question tomorrow twenty to two.
We'll take a break, come back and cross the Tests
and catch up with our Australian correspondent and a peacock.

Speaker 10 (01:11:30):
Don't get caught offside Weekend Sports with Jason Payne and GJ.

Speaker 1 (01:11:36):
Guvnerhomes New Zealand's most trusted home builder News Dogs.

Speaker 2 (01:11:40):
MB seventeen to two. Let's get you across the Tasman
Our Australian correspondent Adam Peacock standing by. You've got your
golfer nice and early. You're all unencumbered. You can chat
to us.

Speaker 9 (01:11:51):
All done, Pinney, All done.

Speaker 23 (01:11:52):
It was a warm day here, very very warm, YEA
glad to be out of the afternoon sun.

Speaker 2 (01:11:58):
All right, well, thanks for taking our call. A couple
of issues to unpack. Let's start with Test cricket. Australia
are currently in Sha where they're doing the business against
a pretty portal ink inside by the looks of it.
But Sam Constance, I'm interested in how this played out.
We know he had a couple of whirlwind tests against
India earlier in the summer, selected in the squad for

(01:12:19):
the tour of Sri Lanka, but didn't make the side
for the first Test, and and now he's come back home,
has he.

Speaker 23 (01:12:25):
Yeah, so I think it was a matchup thing. They
thought Travis Head is better to open over there, and
they couldn't really drop Kowaja because he's good against spin.
And it was solidified by the two hundred and thirty
odd he made in the first game, so I can
see why they took him. But you know, talking to

(01:12:46):
a few people behind the scenes, they say, well, this
is actually really good tour to go on, even if
he doesn't play, just to see what the standard's like
on tour, no pressure on him to perform. And then
once it was realized he wasn't going to play in
that second Test, come back home because you need red
ball cricket and to sit there and tril Anka on
his ars and not play as opposed to come back
and playing a high pressure shield game is much better

(01:13:09):
for his development and with a view to the World
Test Championship in the middle of the year and you're
probably playing the West Indies in the three three Test
tour that we've got in the middle of the year
as well. So yeah, it was a tough call tough
selection corps. But given the way that we've batted on
this tour so far, it's hard to say that the
selectors have got it wrong.

Speaker 5 (01:13:26):
Yeah.

Speaker 2 (01:13:26):
Indeed, Well I went by on an things in two
hundred and forty two runs in the first Test in
Gaul six fifty four for six declared. It's a pretty
decent first innings. And here we are in the second Test,
also in Gaul three point thirty for three, with both
Kerrey and Smith unbeaten on three figures overnight against Srilanks
two fifty seven. It's very one side at this one, Adam,

(01:13:47):
isn't it?

Speaker 23 (01:13:49):
Yeah? Surprisingly so, I actually think this wicket that apparently
they were going to trick up, it looks pretty benign
in terms of how you can bat on it. And
Smith is in such good form at the moment. He's
now join Alan Border and Steve Woar as the only
big run scorer is in Australian Test cricket history for
the men to have as many away Test hundreds as

(01:14:13):
home Test hundreds. Alan Border actually had more away than home.
That's how good he was, especially in an a dormant
era for Australian cricket. But Steve Smith is just wherever
he is and if he's in any kind of form,
he's going to score runs. And he's done it again.

Speaker 2 (01:14:25):
Let's go to Sam Kerr. Now you know what a
wonderful player she's been for Australia off the field. She's
so on the field. She's been off the field for
a bit with an injury, but she's also in the
week past been in court. She is on trial for
causing racially aggravated harassment to a policeman during an incident
in London in January of twenty twenty three. Can you

(01:14:48):
give us the broad brush strokes of this and what
the likely outcome is.

Speaker 23 (01:14:52):
Yeah, so it's all in front of magistrate still so
that we're waiting the outcome. But like there's bodycam footage
been released. So they've been in court, herself, her partner,
the police offers are in question, and other people surrounding
the whole incident in question. Look there's a debate over
here mainly surrounding Sam Ker whether or not she has

(01:15:14):
leadership status going forward for the Matilda's. I don't think
there's anyone who says that she should never play Frustrator again,
and that's just frankly draconian. But everyone's awaiting that the
judgment and the full facts to come out in the
Court of Lord to make its judgment. But yeah, there's
a paraoh debate saying, well, is this really captaincy behavior.

Speaker 19 (01:15:33):
If she is found guilty of it, And until that.

Speaker 23 (01:15:37):
Point and we find out if it's guilty or not guilty,
we'll wait and see. But yes, it's not an appetizing
look and might go to explain why Sam over the
past two years, maybe she's been in a stress state
of mind and that's why she's had injury after injury.
She's just not been able to get on the park.
She has that calf injury at the World Cup, barely

(01:15:57):
able to play, scores a wonder goal in the semi final,
but then blows out a knee and she's been missing
for over thirteen fourteen months now, so it's all really
unfortunate for everyone involved. But yeah, just have to wait
for the courts to make their judgment.

Speaker 2 (01:16:11):
Really, what about the court of public opinion, does it?
I mean, she's a darling of Australian sport. Is most
public opinion on her side.

Speaker 23 (01:16:21):
Yeah, it's really split actually, people who you know, it's
down those lines.

Speaker 1 (01:16:25):
Of if you support.

Speaker 23 (01:16:28):
The growth of the Matilda's and also admire of someone
like Sam Kerr. It's like, well, yeah, she felt she
was pushed in that position and you know, felt scared
almost when she was in the police station. Where you've
got people on the other side saying, well, no, she
hasn't behaved to the standard of what you would expect

(01:16:50):
of a captain of any sporting team in this country.
She should be held to account. So yeah, people have
charged off in every direction and making their judgment based
on what they've seen and some evidence presented this week
without probably knowing the full facts of everything that's gone
on in that incident, and awaiting that judgment as well,
which I'm of that ladder opinion that just or chill

(01:17:12):
out and wait for everything to come out and then
maybe make the judgment.

Speaker 2 (01:17:15):
Indeed, another Australian having a challenging time in London, as
Ane Posta Coglu of course, boss of Tottenham Hotspurg, who
find themselves fourteenth in the Premier League. Thanks for starting
to pick up, they had to win in the Europa
League and then a Premier League victory over Brentford, but
a four nill loss to Liverpool in the second leg
of their League Cup semi final in the last couple

(01:17:37):
of days. You know, I don't know what you can
believe as far as what you're hear coming out of
the UK media, But would an Posta Coglu be in
danger of losing his job?

Speaker 21 (01:17:50):
Yeah?

Speaker 23 (01:17:51):
Probably Given the track record of Daniel Levy, the guy
who runs Tottenham Hotsburg, he's probably I wouldn' say his
head's on the chopping bot, but it's a consideration at
the moment. But Spurs have had this problem that they're
just stuck in this whirlpool level pull of mediocrity so
they can't get out, and it looked like Gans was
the one to pull him out and they had a

(01:18:12):
good season last season and looking forward to build for
this season. I think we've mentioned it before. Piney you
just can't get his best team on the park, and
whether or not that's because of the style of playing
the training load that he's given his team, I can
only guess it is, so is there a major adjustment
going to take place there? Otherwise the ultimate adjustment comes
and Ands loses his job. So yeah, it's very much

(01:18:33):
a job in question.

Speaker 6 (01:18:36):
Over here.

Speaker 23 (01:18:37):
Everyone's hoping that he does keep the job because it's
good for Australian football to have someone like him in
a role like that. It kind of helps our reputation.
So we'll wait and see. He's just got to get
through this period and see how the Europa League turns out.
I think you'll be given a bit more time. I
don't think they'll sack him in the next couple of weeks.
Never really know with Daniel Levy, but I think until
the end of the season is probably the most sensible

(01:19:00):
kind of way of looking at it at the moment.
But it's English football and sometimes sensibilities play out the window,
don't they They.

Speaker 2 (01:19:07):
They suddenly Derby tonight too in the A League. Suddeney
FC Western Sydney wonders. I'm not sure this has reached
the heights that it has previously in terms of the
rabid support that used to be around. You're not hitting
along tonight to Aliens.

Speaker 19 (01:19:20):
I am actually I'm going to get along and have
a look.

Speaker 23 (01:19:22):
I've got the free date in the calendar after all
the tennis and things, so yeah, I'm actually looking forward
to it. I think it'll be a good game. These
two sides. I don't think they have the capacity to
play disciplined football and shut out the opposition, which means
that anything can happen. I think there's players on both sides.
And yeah, I hopefully we'll get a crowd of over
thirty because anything over thirty thousand early out stadium, it's

(01:19:44):
a fantastic atmosphere. So yeah, it should be a good
night at football for over here. And yeah it's it's
chucking along the A League without any spectacular cut through
if you like, nothing like we've seen in Auckland this season.
But it's kin't okayane developing players.

Speaker 2 (01:20:00):
So that's the ninteen good stuff grade the channels always, Adam,
enjoy the rest of you all weekend and we'll catch
up again next Saturday.

Speaker 14 (01:20:07):
You two.

Speaker 6 (01:20:07):
Thanks, Bonny A good one, mate.

Speaker 2 (01:20:09):
Adam Peacock our Australian corresponding there atti Sydney. He joins
us around this time every Saturday afternoon eight away from
two new stalks, hip.

Speaker 1 (01:20:17):
Me the Scoon from the trash Fields and the Court
on your Home of Lord. The Weekend Sport with Jason
vine Youth TALKSB.

Speaker 4 (01:20:27):
Five to two.

Speaker 2 (01:20:27):
Here's a bolter, says MERV for next coach of the Wallabies,
Tony Brown. I'm sure they would love Tony Brown. They
would love to get Tony Brown. I'm pretty sure he's
contracted with South Africa through to the next Rugby World
Cup and I'm pretty sure he'd stay there. We're Tony
Brown on the show last year late last year, and
we when he was back home for a bit, he
seemed pretty happy in the South African set up. Yeah,

(01:20:52):
I mean down the track maybe, but I don't think
for this World Cup, Sitle. It's a good cycle. It's
a good suggestion though, MERV Chop from the nak. He says,
what about Karen Crowley and Neil Barnes, two great men
from the Naki. They are two great men from the Naki.

Speaker 9 (01:21:06):
Chop.

Speaker 2 (01:21:06):
With Karen Crowley and Neil Barnes on a team up
and coach Australia, they might they might. Yeah, I'm not sure.
I'm not sure we'll find out in due course. Rugby
Australia do have it a time up there sleeve, now,
don't they. They know that they've got until early October
with Joe Schmidt in the driver's seat. However, they want
to get an appointment done, and probably I don't know.

(01:21:28):
I would say get that person in with the Wallabies
during the Lions tour or even the Rugby Championship as
some sort of handover. I think that would make perfect sense,
provided of course, that Joe Shmidt and the new person
could work together. I'm sure they'd be able to. I'm
sure that'd be able to. After two o'clock sale GP

(01:21:49):
man it seems months ago we were in Auckland. There's
only three weeks ago when sale GP Auckland took place.
What a weekend that was. What an event. Can't wait
for it to come back next year, and the year
after and for many years after that. Anyway, it's in
Sydney this weekend for the third event of the season.
Is looking to bounce back from the disappointment of not
even making the final on home waters. So it starts

(01:22:11):
this afternoon at five o'clock. Leo Takahashi flight controller with
the Black Falls right after two.

Speaker 1 (01:22:17):
The only place for the big names, the big issues,
the big controversies and the big conversations. It's all on
Weekend Sport with Jason Vain on your home of Sport
News Talks.

Speaker 2 (01:22:32):
EDB, Hello and welcome into the show. Welcome back to
the show. This is Weekend Sport on News Talks. He'd
be until three. I'm Jason Pine Andy McDonald alongside seven
past two. Very shortly. We're in Sydney for Sale GP,
the third event of the season. This off the back
of the wonderful scenes we saw in Auckland three weeks ago.

(01:22:55):
Wonderful scenes in terms of the event. Not so good
for the Black Foils who didn't make the final. Eleven
boats in the fleet top three into the final, they
didn't make it. They were also very nearly but not quite.
There'll be twelve boats out on Sydney Harbor this afternoon
when action gets underweight in less than three hours five
o'clock a start time. So the French who haven't been

(01:23:18):
on the start line for the first two events of
SALGP twenty twenty four to twenty five will be there
this afternoon. As I understand it, so twelve boats out there,
including the Black Falls as they look to reverse things.
Of course, Tom Slingsby and Australia won salgp Auckland, So
how much would New Zealand like to turn the tables

(01:23:39):
and went on Australian waters Quite a bit, I would imagine.
Leo Takahashi is the new flight controller with the Black Foils,
taking over from Andy Maloney who's gone to the Brazilian syndicate.
Leo Takahashi standing by the chat to us this hour,
and we'll also talk pre season. We've talked about of
rugby today, but there's in a bit of rugby league.
But those seasons are almost here, the Super Rugby season,

(01:24:03):
the NRL season, the AFL season. So in general, what
are the general principles that contribute towards the best possible
pre season you can have? Our coaching guru, Wayne Goldsmith
joins us on. That will also get you back to
the Coast to coast with Brian Ashby tracking the progress
of the Longest Day competitors as they head towards New

(01:24:26):
Brighton Beach. What an event. This is just incredible, Huge
kudos to anybody who gets involved in this. From an
elite point of view, or just a participation point of view.
The hours and hours of commitment it must take. Do
we even get ready for?

Speaker 13 (01:24:41):
It?

Speaker 2 (01:24:42):
Would be something that I think is beyond many of us.
Why can I Why can I hear music that's coming
out of my phone? I could hear a bit of radio.
I could hear some Peter Satra in Chicago?

Speaker 4 (01:25:01):
Is that coming from?

Speaker 2 (01:25:02):
And me and the producers booth thinking I'm playing something.

Speaker 24 (01:25:06):
Godness, it is emmate to our stuff from. We're going
to be number ten on the power rankings. At this rate,
hi will be chief as net might even be quite high. Well,
let's play some music of a different sort. The backing
track there, it is the backing track for in case
you missed it. This is where we catch you up

(01:25:26):
with things that you may well have missed.

Speaker 2 (01:25:29):
A league football last night and the means our horror
show unfortunately for all Whites. Goalkeeper Olie Sail in Golfer
Perth Glory. It's all his side and the mari and
his share the points out west.

Speaker 4 (01:25:41):
You got to take it when it goes your way.
Is he's a strike?

Speaker 10 (01:25:44):
Oh whatt you believe it?

Speaker 11 (01:25:47):
He's been so good tonight, Sail and he's been left
red faced.

Speaker 4 (01:25:53):
It's a horror moment.

Speaker 11 (01:25:56):
He will want the ground to swallow him up and
the Mariners up back level.

Speaker 10 (01:26:01):
Yeah.

Speaker 2 (01:26:01):
Shot from outside the box which should have been comfortably
dealt with, but wasn't. Unfortunate by Ollie Sail won all
between his Perth glory and the Mariners and an Ahlaide
have stayed within touching distance of Auckland's FC at the top.
A home win over Melbourne City comes.

Speaker 10 (01:26:17):
Oh, that's a great header. Held the girl.

Speaker 3 (01:26:21):
Well, he got the light headed, took them up way night,
but on the end of the six yard box hy
night aren't a good one strikes again.

Speaker 5 (01:26:31):
It's been the.

Speaker 6 (01:26:31):
Brightest time to the second half from Adelaide.

Speaker 2 (01:26:34):
In Sri Lanka, unbeaten test centuries for Steve Smith.

Speaker 25 (01:26:38):
He pulls hard, gets plenty of it and it rushes
away before.

Speaker 5 (01:26:45):
A thirty six test.

Speaker 2 (01:26:47):
One hundred and Alex carey, you've shot again.

Speaker 13 (01:26:51):
It is in the gap.

Speaker 25 (01:26:52):
Layer comanded to say saying, and he's goes to a Boulderie,
Alex carry with us if you've shot his favorite stroke
brings up his second hundred.

Speaker 2 (01:27:00):
Here they've put Australa in the box seat of their
second Test against Sri Lanka carry one hundred and thirty
nine not out Steve Smith unbeaten on one hundred and
twenty and Australia after two days three hundred and thirty
for three. They lead by seventy three runs with seven
first innings wickets still in hand. To the Phoenix open

(01:27:20):
a hole in one at the party hole the sixteenth
for Emiliano Grio.

Speaker 4 (01:27:25):
Who else sat?

Speaker 10 (01:27:26):
Note, oh god, I did just do that? A slammed.

Speaker 2 (01:27:39):
And nothing could split the Warriors and the Sharks in
their first preseason NRL hit out of twenty twenty five.

Speaker 4 (01:27:46):
Crowd the most fatal it's been tonight.

Speaker 2 (01:27:49):
Pedrol go first side and run his barn as a hole,
rolled it over the sideline.

Speaker 4 (01:27:55):
The bench is all up. It's a wild day of
musical chairs.

Speaker 16 (01:28:00):
The full type siding sounds, Sharks and Warriors.

Speaker 4 (01:28:06):
Roll bull school line here.

Speaker 10 (01:28:08):
When it's down to the line. You made a call.
On eight eighty Weekend Sport with Jason Hine News Talks.

Speaker 2 (01:28:16):
MV coming up to thirteen sale GP. He hit Sydney
Harbor this weekend for the third event of the season,
Fleet racing, involving all twelve boats today from five and
again tomorrow, followed by the three boat final. This is
the first event since sale GP Auckland three weeks ago.

Speaker 4 (01:28:33):
Here we go, I'm gonna get to do it in
front of the Kiwi fans.

Speaker 26 (01:28:39):
And the Emirates fly time eighty two percent for Tom
Slingsby and the Flying Ruse. As they bring it home
and there's the finish line, the sold out crowd will
bring them home. They'd rather see black balls, but they're
gonna see green and cold as they come to the line.
The Emirates wity moment goes the way of the.

Speaker 2 (01:28:58):
Australians, Yes it does so. After two events, Great Britain
and New Zealand tied on seventeen points, with Australia's winning
Auckland taking them up to third equal place with Spain.
Those two are just one point behind Great Britain and
New Zealand, so tight at the top after two events,
but still a long long way to go. Black Foils
flight controller Leo Tucker actually joins us out of Sydney.

(01:29:21):
Leo before we talk about this weekend and what we
can expect on Sydney Harbor. How do you reflect back
on the Auckland event three weeks ago?

Speaker 18 (01:29:29):
Yeah, it was an awesome event.

Speaker 27 (01:29:31):
I think, you know, for everyone that came and watched
and supported, they could definitely say it was a very
iconic event and another event hopefully that it can be
held every year in Auckland.

Speaker 2 (01:29:42):
What about the Black Foil's efforts there, Leo not making
the final, which I know was a disappointment. How do
you reflect on the weekend on the water?

Speaker 27 (01:29:51):
Yeah, I think there were definitely some points in our
game that definitely went up to standard during the weekend,
and I think, you know, we've kind of definitely regrouped
and made some solid plans to attack it in Sydney
this weekend.

Speaker 18 (01:30:04):
But yeah, we definitely saved the weekend.

Speaker 27 (01:30:07):
To be honest, we were started in very weak positions
and then we kind of you know, showed that we
can make it through back through the fleet and and yeah,
I think, you know, it was a very frustrating result,
but I think, yeah, we sailed very well in terms
of saving the weekend and getting those important points in
the championship.

Speaker 2 (01:30:23):
Peter Berling talked afterwards about some equipment problems which hampered
you across the weekend, particularly on the second day. Can
you unpack that first? Tell us a bit more about
the equipment problems you had.

Speaker 27 (01:30:34):
Yeah, I think it's just, you know, one of those
things where there's so much tech on these boats, so
you can have fails here and there. And on this
particular day we were there was a lot of water
spraying and flying around just with how windy the conditions were.
So there was a couple of issues with the wing,
you know, the big big wing on the on the boat,
and some buttons that weren't you know, working as they

(01:30:57):
should be. So you know, Blair was kind of troubleshooting
those and you know, it's when your equipment's not working
one hundred percent, you can't trust it. It's it is
frustrating and quite scary in those conditions. So I think
we did well to kind of get it fixed on time,
and and yeah, it kind of, you know, definitely made
a little impact on how the structure of the day went.
But yeah, I think, you know, it's with iron those

(01:31:19):
issues out with the with the league and make sure
that we can kind of bounce back when we get
situations like that, and and it's I think it's definitely
for the better.

Speaker 2 (01:31:27):
You mentioned earlier about a couple of the starts which
I know didn't work out the way you would have hoped.
You didn't get yourself into the best possible position for
the start of a couple of the races. Have the
starts been a focus for you ahead of the Sydney event?

Speaker 27 (01:31:40):
Yeah, I mean the start is an ever changing, dynamic procedure.
You know, every venue is different, and in this on
the in the Auckland there was lots of title flow,
a tight course, So yeah, there's a there's a there's
a strategy and and Pete live and and the coach
Sam Meach does a really good job of coming up

(01:32:01):
with a strategy and it's our job.

Speaker 18 (01:32:02):
To execute it well.

Speaker 27 (01:32:03):
And yeah, we we just would on the back foot
and sense And there's definitely Sydney is a very iconic venue.
There's an island right in the middle of the race course,
there's it's a big harbor, and there's a lot of
traffic as well, So we could potentially have a similar
kind of strategy, but I think, yeah, we just have
to refine it.

Speaker 18 (01:32:21):
And now there's twelve votes in the start line, so
it's going.

Speaker 27 (01:32:24):
To be very dynamic and we just have to be
you know, accurate and make sure that we're on the
front foot because the start is just so important.

Speaker 2 (01:32:32):
There was a lot of talk ahead of the Auckland
event and during the event about the tfoils, the new
titanium falls used for the first time in Auckland. Did
you start to get the hang of them? Have you
got the hang of them? Or will that be very
much your work in progress?

Speaker 27 (01:32:45):
Yeah, I think it's with anything with development in a
class and a boat, and you know, these high technology
is going to be a lot of rapid improvement.

Speaker 18 (01:32:55):
So yeah, I mean we've we've kind of reviewed everything
in Sydney.

Speaker 27 (01:32:58):
From definitely haven't We've definitely put a lot of work
into reviewing Sydney and whether that's the start to the tfoils,
all the way were you sell.

Speaker 18 (01:33:06):
The boat and communicate on the boat.

Speaker 27 (01:33:07):
We've looked at every little aspect and yeah, we've made
some big changes. So nothing too crazy, but I think, yeah,
the T flails will be a big point between all
the teams again for at least you know, half halfway
through the season.

Speaker 2 (01:33:21):
And as fly controller, obviously a lot of what you
do is based on getting up on the foils and
sailing effectively. Once you're up there, did you notice the difference.
Could you tell the difference between the T foils and
and the L foils which you were using previously.

Speaker 27 (01:33:36):
Yeah, absolutely, Yeah. These these falls are really high aspect.
They made a titanium, they're developed to go faster, so
that adds another new challenge as a flight controller. You're
going faster speeds and when it could go wrong, it
could go wrong, and you know, Orcland was a very
spicy event in that sense, there was a lot of
crashes and these boats are on the limit. So Sydney's

(01:33:59):
definitely one of those events where the wind could come
up and it could be really windy and challenging. So
I think, yeah, Orkham was a good all much for that,
and I think we have to be ready for anything.
Sydney's it could be nice and sunny, or it could
be windy and a couple of clouds and thunderstorms as well.

Speaker 18 (01:34:15):
So I think we're going to be ready for anything.

Speaker 27 (01:34:17):
And these t fours, with all these new added controls
and higher speeds and just new to everyone, I think
it's still going to be a pretty pretty big challenge
for the flight controllers and for all the teams.

Speaker 2 (01:34:29):
So we saw eleven teams out there in Auckland. Unfortunately
France didn't make it to the start line, but they
will be there in Sydney.

Speaker 4 (01:34:35):
All going well.

Speaker 2 (01:34:35):
So twelve boats on the race course eleven was a
lot in Auckland, particularly on the tight race course up there.
How will we go with twelve leo And what is
that like in the heat of the battle when pretty
much ever where you look there's a boat on this course.

Speaker 27 (01:34:51):
Yeah, no, it's hectic and it's I mean what you say, Yeah,
whatever run saw in Auckland, it's it's definitely as hard
as it locks.

Speaker 18 (01:34:58):
And yeah, with another boat, it's going to be tricky as.

Speaker 27 (01:35:00):
Another boats keep high awareness of and the guys and
lived as a really good job of her job and
Pete's job is to keep awareness of all the boats
and where they're replaced, and their job to kind of
jigsaw our way in through and make sure that we,
you know, go through the fleet well and start well. So, yeah,
they're definitely going to have their hands full with another

(01:35:22):
boat in the mix. And for the rest of us
on board, it's all about getting the boat flying and
going fast through the water so those guys can put the.

Speaker 18 (01:35:31):
Boat in a really good position for us to succeed.

Speaker 2 (01:35:33):
And you're new to the Black Foils of course this season,
taking the place of Andy Maloney. So how has that
integration gone for yourself into the team. Are you enjoying
being a part of the Black Falls.

Speaker 18 (01:35:44):
Yeah, no, I love it. It feels like home.

Speaker 27 (01:35:47):
Yeah, everyone's just been so kind and so supportive of
the move and the signing.

Speaker 18 (01:35:52):
So yeah, it's a really cool team to be part of.

Speaker 27 (01:35:54):
And yeah, like I said, it feels like home and
the culture is just like what I'm used to being
in New Zealander.

Speaker 4 (01:36:00):
So no, I love it.

Speaker 18 (01:36:01):
And yeah, I'm just really looking forward to to Sydney.

Speaker 27 (01:36:03):
It's definitely one of my favorite events, just with you know,
the birthplace of sal Dup where it all began, and
then you know I've done for sour GPS here with
Japan and the US and now with the Black Force,
so definitely holds a special place in my heart. So yeah,
looking forward to getting going.

Speaker 2 (01:36:20):
Yeah, well let's finish on this weekend's event. Australia of
course won the Auckland event, they won your home event,
So how keen are you to reverse that in Sydney.

Speaker 27 (01:36:29):
Yeah, Well, I mean it's nothing you know there was
always a good trend Tasman rivalry there, and yeah, like
I really want to just you know, just just start well,
get the boat going well here and as my job
as a flight controler, just fly the boat really well.

Speaker 18 (01:36:43):
It's just the team can.

Speaker 27 (01:36:47):
Use that to kind of place the boat really well
and in a good position.

Speaker 18 (01:36:50):
So it's all I can really do.

Speaker 27 (01:36:51):
But yeah, there's always going to be a rivalry there
and through it through my ears when I was with Japan,
the Hossies were always beating us, and then now it
was really cool opportunity to for us to come over
to Sydney and beat them on their home turf. As
a great opportunity to make statement. So I think we're
all really excited to get the job done here.

Speaker 2 (01:37:10):
Yeah, well we're excited to watch Leo. Thanks for joining
us on race day or Race one day. All the
best on Sydney Harbor this afternoon, Leo Takahashi. There the
flight controller for the Black Foil. So race times three
o'clock local time over there, so five o'clock for us,
So between five and six thirty there's that ninety minute
race window. Same again tomorrow. And you might remember in Auckland.

(01:37:34):
The fact that the race course was so was smaller
than some of the others and conditions were good meant
that they got four races and on day one, and
then a further three fleet races and a final on
day two, so eight races for the price of what
would normally be six in Auckland. Whether they get the
opportunity to do that this afternoon, we wait to see.
There'll be at least three conditions obviously permitting between three

(01:37:58):
and four thirty this afternoon, and then more fleet racing
in the final tomorrow on Sydney Harbor. Will keep you
right up to day across the afternoon and into the
evening and again tomorrow as sal gp hits Sydney. Updating
some other live sport for you. Mowana Pacifica and the
Chiefs involved in their final preseason rugby game before the
season proper starts next weekend. This one's in Pooka Coe.

(01:38:22):
What are we about? Twenty one twenty two minutes in
and the Chiefs lead at seven nil, so pretty low
scoring in the first half of the first half. They're
the Chiefs seven mill ahead of Mowana Pacifica and in
the Halle Burton Johnston Shield. This of course is the
women's fifty over domestic competition at the Basemin Reserve, Canterbury

(01:38:43):
have started their chase for one hundred and forty two
to beat Wellington. They're thirteen without loss. In the fifth
over otago at Eden Park's Outer Oval have started in
their chase for one eighty seven to beat the Auckland Hearts.
They are twelve without loss after the first over, so
fast start there. And we're between innings at Poocker Courda
Park in New Plymouth where the Central Hindes have posted
two hundred and seventy two in their innings. The Northern

(01:39:06):
Districks women about to come out in their chase for
two hundred and seventy three to win that one coming
up twenty four minutes past two. We'll take a break
and then get some advice from our coaching guru, Wayne Goldsmith.
With so many teams and so many competitions in their
preseason mode at the moment, what is the most effective
means of ensuring that your preseason is a good one.

(01:39:30):
We'll talk preseason campaigns, goods and bads, dos and don'ts
with Wayne Goldsmith when we come back.

Speaker 1 (01:39:38):
The Voice of Sport on your home of sport Weekend
Sport with Jason Vane and GJ. Gunner Homes New Zealand's
most trusted home builder.

Speaker 2 (01:39:46):
News Dogs, V News Talks V and Weekend Sport. It's
that time of the year when Super Rugby preseason hits
its final stages. The season, of course, starts next weekend
or on Friday. Actually, NRL and AFL teams getting ready
for the start of their respective seasons in early March.
So what's the best recipe for a successful preseason campaign.

(01:40:09):
Let's bring in our coaching guru, Wayne Goldsmith for the
inside on this. Wain't always good to chat you, thanks
for joining us. As always in general terms, how soon
before a professional season starts should preseason ideally begin?

Speaker 13 (01:40:24):
Well, it's funny and always great to chat to you too,
my friend, that this is a really favorite topic of mind. Look,
we know that in the AFL and the NRL, for example,
the teams who don't make the final series, they're already
back in training while the final series is going on.

(01:40:45):
That's how it really is a year round commitment at
that level. If you're talking junior codes a little bit
different though. I'm a big believer you've got to have
seasonal sport, and I know that's not trendy or comfortable
with a lot of the codes. Who wants you to
play year round soccer or year round cricket or the
year round rugby. I'm a big believer for kids in

(01:41:08):
junior codes that they've got to have an off season,
even if the off season is playing another sport, getting
on their mountain, biking, having some fun, or just chilling
out with their friends. So there's a big difference between
preseason for the pros and preseason for the juniors and
the kids. But it would be fair to say that

(01:41:28):
for the pros it is genuinely a year round commitment now.

Speaker 2 (01:41:32):
But surely in a contact sport like rugby league, like AFL,
like rugby union, the there's the need to rest, to refresh,
to recover, to have some time away from the game,
isn't there?

Speaker 13 (01:41:46):
Well, there is, and there's other applications two pinety like,
for example, very very common that the surgical wards of Sydney, Melbourne,
Brisbane and all the major capitals are full of rugby,
Rugby League and AFL players on the Monday morning after
their last game. Of course, if I'm the head coach.

(01:42:08):
I want my players to get their surgeries done so
they're trimming their shoulder or the knee of whatever they
have to have done. I want those minor injuries fixed
as soon as possible to give us maximum possible lead
in for doing rehab and having them ready to come
back at full speed exactly when I need them. So

(01:42:28):
for some players, they're almost fourth to have downtime because
they're having surgery or they're having a break. I think
the thing we always forget they made is is the
mental side is. You know, footy players play because they
love it, and they love it because they're playing a
game with their mates. That's incredibly important. But man, you
just try being a professional player and having a camera

(01:42:51):
in your face every time you go to a plad
or being in the constant pressure of media assessment, the
pressure of having to perform in rugby's case in New Zealand,
in Australia, maybe in South Africa and England at the
end of the year, that takes a mental and emotional toll.
I think the reason they've got to have a off
season of some kind is to get that mental and

(01:43:14):
emotional refreshment.

Speaker 2 (01:43:16):
So what do you do get back into preseason whenever
that might be How much of preseason initially anyway, is
about building an aerobic base.

Speaker 13 (01:43:27):
Yeah, and look, this is the million dollar or the
one hundreds of million dollar question. I think with all
the players that we've got running around at this time
of the year, the model has been usually those first
two or three weeks relatively gentle, easing back in with
the reintroduction of some skills work, maybe doing some easy

(01:43:50):
running and gently coming back into it, and then progressively
improve it an increasing intensity, making things a bit longer,
more introducing contact, which has got to be managed very
carefully because they've got a huge season of contact, all
those things that take into a count with the aim
to have them what we would call job ready on

(01:44:10):
the first day of the first round. Now, this is
where I think it gets really fascinating, because for some
clubs they have in all the codes. Some clubs they're
off season is almost lish. It's it's I mean, I
have seriously been only fairly recently to NRL pre season.

(01:44:31):
We players throwing up training in full heat, wrestling then running,
then wrestling, then running, and I've seen some incredible things
and in some ways that element of the physical preparation
is at a greater demand without the contact than you'd
see in a game. So some teams really pride themselves

(01:44:54):
on the intensity and the quality and the level of
off season and preseason training. Others tend to be a
bit more cautious. And I think this is the game
that your play as a head coach is do I
get the players in absolute condition ready to go on
game one, or do we hold back a little bit

(01:45:15):
and allow some game fitness to evolve over the first
three or five rounds. I don't know. The competitions are
so tough pointy that and the points that you know
a winner is worth the same in round one as
it is in round twenty five. I don't know that
you can actually take time to build into game fitness anymore.

Speaker 2 (01:45:33):
So basically what you're saying is is that you need
to be firing on all cylinders in round one of
the new season.

Speaker 13 (01:45:41):
Yeah, and I think the competitions they're deliberately shaped, aren't
they to make competitions harder and tougher. There's no easy
games in the NRL at the moment. It's become a
very tight competition. The level of quality of games in
all the codes has become that there's no uncertainty of
outcome in far more games, there's no really dominant two

(01:46:05):
or three, four or five teams. Is there's a reality
equality and a lot of the codes, and I think
because of that, you can't afford to drop points. But
then that's again that's the game, isn't it. That's the
challenge is if I, for example, had a team and
we'd had a pork season last year the year before,
we're down around the bottom, you would more than likely

(01:46:28):
and this happens quite often, and I would imagine, saye
for Paramatta with Jason Ryles, they would have done it.
Maybe Benji Marshall in the NRL the teams that have
really struggled, having an outstanding physical preparation is not a
guaranteed way, but it's a highly likely way to improve
your performance for the following year. But there's the problem

(01:46:49):
is that if you invest in this massive training load
in the off season, really intense, really focused preparation in
the preseason, and you might have a blindingly good first
five games, you might lose an x seven because they're
so injured and so top because you've just got it
wrong and but one of the great things in all

(01:47:10):
the codes is the introduction of sports science of physiologists
and strength and conditioning professionals and physiotherapists sports med staff
who are a monitoring training load constantly to try and
find what's the right balance so that we can win
games but not be overstretched or overloaded.

Speaker 2 (01:47:32):
What a balance to strike off the training paddock. Often
a new season brings new players to a team, new
members of coaching staffs. How much of a preseason campaign
should be focused on integrating new faces into your setup?

Speaker 19 (01:47:48):
Yeah, really good.

Speaker 13 (01:47:49):
Question, A really good question for the teams and the
senior coaches who've got a culter so Craig Bellamy for
example on Melbourne in the NRL, and for teams where
they've got to set culture and experienced coach and a
group that's been together. The incoming players incoming staff generally

(01:48:09):
have to learn quickly to fit into that system. So
you know, you're the Brisbane Lines in the AFL Chris Farton,
highly experienced, very experienced staff. If you were going into
that environment, the premiers, you'd have to fit into the
Brisbane Lines way of doing things. That would be the
expectation in some other clubs, if you've been brought in

(01:48:33):
as a marque player or as a new coach with
a high level of skill in a particular the expectation
would be you fit into the culture, you build some
friendships and connections that you've been recruited specifically to make
an impact, and there's an expectation that you'll not just
fit in maybe socially and culturally, but technically and tactically

(01:48:55):
and from a performance you're expected to shake things up.
You're expected to come in and be a bit of
a disruptor and try to make a difference, because that's
why they paid you to come in. If you're not
coming in and shaking it up and making a difference
to a team that's battled, well why would I have
recruited you. So yeah, it depends, I think on where
the team is at. The team's got a very set

(01:49:17):
culture and you you and I've talked about culture previously
that you know. I remember having a brief drop in
with the Crusaders a long time ago and they use
the term a Crusaders type of player and it was
a wonderful phrase. And I know Geelong you've used the
same term. The bulldogs use the same term. Is they said,
we go looking we recruit crusaders, or we recruit bulldogs,

(01:49:40):
or recruit gaps. We recruit people, coaches, athletes, staff who
are our kind of people because we know our culture
is right, and we know that they'll come in, they'll
fit in, and they'll make us richer and a little
bit better. In some other places where they're less certain
of what they stand for and who they are, they've
got to target people who can make them better and

(01:50:01):
almost give them the opportunity to be disruptive and make
things different because what they're doing. You know, what's that
old great phrase about the definition of insanity is doing
the same thing and expecting a different result. So, yeah,
what you expect from players and coaches depends very much
on your culture and.

Speaker 2 (01:50:21):
Where the team the moment just to finish. If preseason
doesn't go to plan and you reach round one and
the team is not job ready, is not where you
want them to be. Is there a time in season
to make up for lost ground that you didn't achieve preseason?

Speaker 13 (01:50:41):
I think there is, But there's got to be great
communication between the coaching staff, the players and the support team.
The strength conditioning, the performance analysts of physios. Everyone's got
to be on the same board and be talking about
it openly, because if there's an issue, it needs to
be identified quickly and addressed with a degree of urgency.

(01:51:05):
Having said that, they play, it's really important. So if
you've sold the players the idea that the playing style
or the type of game we're going to play this
year is going to be really successful, our system will work,
and you get to round one and you're losing. You say,
so once we've got it wrong, we're changing everything. It
confuses the players, and if they lose faith in you

(01:51:26):
as a coach, when they lose faith in their system,
then you could be headed for an absolute disaster. So
I often say to coaches and staff, you've got to
have a what if process for game one? What if
we win and we dominate? All right, what's week two
look like? What's week three look like? If we go okay,

(01:51:48):
what do we do and the first week is a disaster?
What we do so that, if you're like, their response
to what's happening in game one has got to be
planned so that even if it's a complete failure, that
there's a calm, cool systematic process to turning it around.
I often say to coaches remembers that players can smell

(01:52:10):
fear very quickly, and if they sense that, you've had
them training October, November, December, January, getting them to believe
in you and believe in the system, and then you
dump it all out the door after one loss, Well
they go away on a minute. Maybe these guys don't
know what they're doing and it's every man for himself
or every woman for themselves. So yeah, you've got to

(01:52:32):
have what happens in round one really up the round five.
I think you've got to have a plan for how
you will respond to wind loss or draw.

Speaker 2 (01:52:41):
Brilliant and so it as always from you, Wayne, Thanks
as always for joining us across New Zealand with your expertise.

Speaker 13 (01:52:48):
Always an absolute pleasure, my friend. I'm back in the
beautiful Shaky Aisles in a few weeks. I'm down in
Tarrona doing some work in Bay a plenty. If anyone's
down that way, please come up and say hello.

Speaker 2 (01:52:59):
I'm sure you will get quite a few people doing
just that. Wayne, Thanks indeed as always for your time.
Wayne Goldsmith, regular part of can Sport across the year
find out more about Wayne and the work he does,
and read some of his articles at WG coaching dot Com.

Speaker 1 (01:53:14):
The Big Issues on and Arthur Fields call Oh eight
hundred eighty ten eighty Weekends Forward with Jason Pain and GJ. Gunnerholmes.
New Zealand's was Trusted Homemilder News Talks at BB.

Speaker 2 (01:53:26):
Two forty three. The forty third edition of The Coast
to Coast carries on today Brian Ashby's our man on course.
I think we find your wood stock an hour or
so before the end of the kayak stage, gash what's
the latest you can tell us?

Speaker 19 (01:53:39):
Yeah, that's so good about I think it's about fifteen
K's down to Gordons Bridge from here and a two
minutes ago a new race leader came through in the
form of Tasmania's Alex Hunt. Alex the five times on
the podium. He's never won it, desperately wants and he's
got ahead of last years when a Haemus Elliott about
a minute twenty between them, So a bit of a
change around. Looking upstream at the moment and San Clark

(01:54:02):
was last information we had in third place, knew he
was moving up. Hearing a little bit of scuttle butt
out there that perhaps Ryan Kisanoski is making a bit
of a move in the boat as well. So until
we eyeball them, we won't know. But a new race
leader at the moment, in the form of Alex Hunt
and Hamus Elliott. Well, you know, look, Hunts last year

(01:54:23):
set the stage record on that ride to New Brighton Beach,
so he's going to be pretty hard to haul in
now that he's got his nose in front. That strange
things can happen, mechanicals and all sorts of Waird things
happen and these types of races. So fingers crossed for
Alex Hunt in terms of the women, unfortunately, and no
fresh information from there. We're always on a bit of

(01:54:44):
an information hole when we're covering the river stage simply
because it is just so isolated, all right.

Speaker 2 (01:54:49):
And once they do get out of the river, what
then lies ahead of them? Gash, what's next for them
between when they get out and when they cross the
finish line at New Brighton.

Speaker 19 (01:54:58):
Beach, seventy k's of south Ere Road across the Cannery
Plains into an easterly wind. Just to make your long
day really miserable, just miserable a long time on the
river with the low flow and yet the easterly wind.
So often it's just saying, oh, you're not going to
get the hit wind today, you get the head wind.

(01:55:19):
And it sounds as though that's what they're copping out
there cerily, the two day competitors anyway, that have already finished,
that's what they're copping out on the course there at
the moment. So Alex Hunt last year just just absolutely
blitzed this this finally against did Like said Ben Phillips
further back, that the difficulty was they just couldn't make
ground on on Hamus Elliott last year was a tail wind,

(01:55:43):
a blockhead wind would have kept them out there a
little bit longer. Maybe they could have caught him up,
But it was Hamus Elliott's day and he did it
in style. At the moment, the way we're shaping up,
it could just be revenge finally a maiden title for
Alex Hunt.

Speaker 2 (01:55:56):
Yeah. So if he gets on the bike first, how
how close would Hamas Elliot have to be to him
to have a chance of catching him on that bike?

Speaker 19 (01:56:05):
Last year I think he was about six He made
up six minutes on that final bike leg Alex Hunt,
but couldn't real haymuson. So six minutes difference in the
and the speed between those two last year, so that
that's substantial. Can you know it? Can Hamish turn that around? Well,
you know it remains to be seen. But bear in
mind that that Alex is coached by Gordon Walker. Now

(01:56:28):
we we know Gordon a is a very good multi
sport coach, very good kayak coach. Well, a lot of
people don't know. He was actually in the New Zealand
cycling squad in his youth as well in age group cyclings.
He's very good cycling coats too, and so that's you know,
that's a real strength for Alex Alex Hunt and will
be hard to haul in. While we've been chatting, no

(01:56:49):
sign of third place coming through. So the scrap clearly
for the top spot on the podium is down to
these these two Alex, Alex Hunt and the defending champion.

Speaker 2 (01:57:00):
Loving your coverage, Brian, Thanks so much, Brian Ashby on
the forty third Coast to Coast. You can hear full
coverage incidentally on our special Coast to Coast channel on
iHeart Radio or if you're in the christ Church or
Canterbury area. You can listen in on ten seventeen am
wallf wall coverage of the Coast to Coast, so the
last two or three hours of it are available for

(01:57:20):
you ten to seventeen am.

Speaker 4 (01:57:22):
That is on your.

Speaker 2 (01:57:24):
Traditional radio or via iHeartRadio. Just get onto the app
and search up Coast to Coast and you will find it.
One of the finishes in the last few minutes in
the two day event, the three person two day event
was Richie mccaugh former All Black's captain. Of course, he's
just finished the two day three person event. He's been

(01:57:45):
competing with Nathan Cohen and James Howard.

Speaker 4 (01:57:49):
Very own.

Speaker 2 (01:57:49):
Leslie Murdoch caught up with Richie mccaughr on the finish
line to offer her congratulations.

Speaker 5 (01:57:54):
Thank you.

Speaker 25 (01:57:54):
Yeah, I was the heck god Easterley coming into town there.

Speaker 5 (01:57:58):
But that was good fun and was just talking to
the girls.

Speaker 20 (01:58:00):
Caught me and Emily who have taken out the two
day individual. They was giving you big reps.

Speaker 25 (01:58:06):
Didn't realize where they were finding out for that, so yeah,
I know, it was awesome writing with them. They were
real strong riding, so it was good fun.

Speaker 20 (01:58:13):
I mean, you had such a big background there and
endurance racing. Where does this sit for you?

Speaker 5 (01:58:21):
Obviously you put this in the calendar.

Speaker 25 (01:58:23):
That keeps you motivated to keep fitting all that and
I think it's the social side as much as the race,
and I love you know, the atmosphere.

Speaker 5 (01:58:30):
But you know you still go and leave everything out there.

Speaker 25 (01:58:32):
Obviously only did the biking this time, but you still
even at the tank on that last ride.

Speaker 20 (01:58:37):
Oh absolutely, that least to leave was there was a toughie, right, Yeah.

Speaker 25 (01:58:40):
The first fifteen cases on my own, I was gott
me a long way in the town and this is
the case.

Speaker 5 (01:58:44):
But managed to pick up a couple so that was good.

Speaker 20 (01:58:47):
And of course God's only now know that that's back
in place.

Speaker 5 (01:58:49):
That's pretty cool. Yeah, very excited by that.

Speaker 25 (01:58:52):
There's been quite a lot of work over the last
five months to get to the point to say we're
we're ready to go. So yeah, it's one of the
events I.

Speaker 5 (01:59:01):
Got a huge amount out of. And you know, just
the comments I've had the.

Speaker 25 (01:59:06):
Last days about how good it is to be back
up and runnings hopefully bodes well.

Speaker 20 (01:59:10):
I mean, you're a great inspiration for people to see
you here. The big secret, of course, people are looking
at your phy zeke and thinking, wow.

Speaker 5 (01:59:16):
You're so trum. What is the secret hard work? Yeah?

Speaker 25 (01:59:21):
I think I just try and do something most days,
and it doesn't necessarily need to be lining up exactly.

Speaker 5 (01:59:27):
For a race.

Speaker 25 (01:59:28):
It's just keeping fit and then race comes along you
can just tweak a leave it.

Speaker 5 (01:59:32):
And I guess when you build a base, you know,
you know.

Speaker 25 (01:59:35):
You can get through without embarrassing yourself, which is all
I'm after these days.

Speaker 20 (01:59:38):
In the team scenario, it's a great feel, right, I mean,
this is what we're getting.

Speaker 2 (01:59:42):
The vibe is just so good here.

Speaker 25 (01:59:44):
Yeah, we were lucky to get the start line, to
be fair. Were originally Nathan and I meant to do
the ten number hit us our end call. So we
managed a while ago to get to the three man team.
I was meant to run, so I've just been running
training and then I tweaked the calf about two weeks ago,
so run bliker had.

Speaker 5 (02:00:01):
To do the run. So lucky to make the finish line.

Speaker 2 (02:00:05):
So how did you get hold of James Howard?

Speaker 5 (02:00:06):
They hi he was going to help us out anyway
as a sport.

Speaker 25 (02:00:10):
Crew, I said ages ago and when Nathan couldn't run
before I was before it was too late.

Speaker 5 (02:00:17):
We've changed to do a team. So yeah, but he did.
He followed the.

Speaker 25 (02:00:22):
Turn down under about a few weeks ago, done, messes
miles on the bike and then has to run.

Speaker 5 (02:00:27):
So we did a pretty good job yesterday. Fantastic, isn't it.

Speaker 2 (02:00:31):
I mean you think you are the dream team.

Speaker 25 (02:00:33):
It's good fun and there's we sort of say we're
not competitive as Sentner's that gone that start line, the
old competitive juices come out. So that's what's all about
this what I enjoy about, you know, training and racing
these guys.

Speaker 20 (02:00:48):
We ever see gym or here would we.

Speaker 25 (02:00:50):
Reckon as we as we itched there that might need
to be scratched so.

Speaker 4 (02:00:54):
You never know.

Speaker 2 (02:00:55):
That is Richie McCall with our very own Leslie murdock
having just finished the two day three man event. He
heard all about the changes they had to make to
get it completed and wonderful to see it done. Great
work from Leslie murdock to chat to Richie McCall there.
As I say, if you want wall to wall coverage
of the Coast to Coast just go to iHeartRadio and

(02:01:15):
look up Coast to Coast and you will find it there.
Nine Away from three News Talks.

Speaker 1 (02:01:20):
EDB analyzing every view from every angle in the sporting
world weekends for it with Jason Ye.

Speaker 10 (02:01:27):
They call eight hundred and eighty and eighty US.

Speaker 2 (02:01:29):
Talks Envy six away from three. That's pretty much us
all weekend sport for today. Tim Beverage ready to take
over for the weekend Collective Saturday edition after three. Just
a reminder that tomorrow on the show, between midday and three,
we will have all six New Zealand based Super Rugby
head coaches sprinkled across the afternoon. Vern Cotta, Jamie Joseph,
Rob Penny Clark, laid Lord, Tana Umanga and Clayton McMillan

(02:01:52):
all on the show tomorrow as they look ahead to
their Super Rugby campaigns for twenty twenty five. Thanks for
listening this afternoon. Who's thanks to Ny McDonald for producing
the show. Was always what is our exit song? Today?
And all as motion as I wanted to play the
song you were playing earlier. I don't even know what
it was.

Speaker 4 (02:02:08):
What was a pony?

Speaker 2 (02:02:09):
It was a bit of Glory of Love by Peter Satira.
I think fantastic.

Speaker 4 (02:02:13):
Don't even know what that is.

Speaker 24 (02:02:15):
No, the waste Management open in Phoenix is on Piney
and it's the party of of all the gold golfing world.

Speaker 4 (02:02:21):
So I've got Miley Cyrus's party in the Yui Seda
to throw a tribute to that.

Speaker 2 (02:02:27):
All right, why not?

Speaker 18 (02:02:28):
Why not?

Speaker 2 (02:02:30):
Let's play it out. We'll see them at Midday Life
and out.

Speaker 10 (02:02:58):
The For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine.

Speaker 1 (02:03:57):
Listen live to news talks it be weekends from midday
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.

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