Full Show Podcast: 13 April 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 to discuss the
biggest fource issues on and afterfield.

Speaker 2 (00:19):
It's all on Weekend.

Speaker 1 (00:20):
Ford with Jason Vane on your home of Sport New
TALKSB Killer.

Speaker 3 (00:27):
Hello, welcome in. This is Weekend Sport on News Talks
AB for Sunday, April thirteen. Happy birthday to our rising
tracks to are Sam Ruth sixteen today celebrating by running
in a big race in the United States. Legendary New
Zealand driver Possum Born also born on this date in
nineteen fifty sixty, passed away far too young in two

(00:48):
thousand and three. I'm Jason Pine. Bevan Dua is show producer.
We're talking sport with you until three. Heaps on, heaps
and heaps on to review, to preview, to talk about,
to discuss, to dissect. If you like the Masters. At Augusta,
Rory McElroy roaring into contention for what would be his

(01:10):
first green jacket. A stunning third round at the Masters.
For the second day in succession, he has shot six
under to go to twelve under for the tournament. He
leads Bryson Dischambeau by two shots, with Corey Connors a
further two shots back in outright third. The incredible thing
about Rory McElroy's round today was he became the first

(01:32):
man in history to shoot six consecutive threes on the
first six holes. Now, the first six holes at Augusta
are a par four, a par five, a par four,
a par three, a par four, a par three, so
you have to shoot birdie, eagle, birdie par birdie par

(01:53):
and he did first bloke ever to do it. Rory
McElroy is in a very good position. Can he close
it out? Gray Magars from Augusta this hour leader justin Rose,
by the way karting are three over seventy five to
drop down to five under, seven shots off the base.
So I want to talk to graym Agars about how

(02:14):
far back you have to be to be out of
contention and who might still be in contention. I've given
you the top three. There's a couple of golfers on
six under Rose and a few others, including Jason Day
on five under. Is that too far back? Seven shots
to make up on the final day at Augusta. We'll
discuss that this hour. Also here from Rory McElroy some

(02:34):
of his post round thoughts. First up today, though hosting
the Rugby World Cup, we've done it twice, of course,
nineteen eighty seven, twenty eleven. Is it about time we
gave it another? Crack Lockton twenty twenty seven Australia twenty
thirty one In the United States, twenty thirty five is
up for grabs and the bidding process yet to open,

(02:57):
but reports are that World Rugby want to have the
twenty thirty five tournament back in Europe, and it sounds like,
oddly enough, Spain might be the front runners. South Africa
kind of seems more appropriate to me for twenty thirty five,
given it'll be what's that thirty years, thirty years, forty years,

(03:19):
forty years since they hosted the historic nineteen ninety five tournament,
and their government keen to support that bid. But do
we need to have our hat in the ring now
for twenty thirty nine. I know it seems like an
awfully long way away, fourteen years away, but is this
something that you would like to see. One of the

(03:41):
biggest hitters in our successful bid to get the twenty
eleven tournament here was former Prime Minister Helen Clark. She
is along shortly to outline how it was done in
twenty eleven, whether it might be possible again. I'm keen
to get your views on this. I really am Could
we should? We would we bid again for the Rugby
World Cup. Are the matters around today? Heaps to cover
off supercars towport. Three keywis, as you heard in our

(04:03):
sports news have earned places in this afternoons top ten shootout.
That's the third race of the weekend in toepset to
go around ten to one. Ryan Wood, Andre Heimgartner and
Matt Payne fourth, fifth and sixth respectively in qualifying for
the top ten shootout the sixty one lapper from around
three o'clock this afternoon. Former five times Supercars champion are

(04:24):
now motorsport commentator and analyst Mark scaithe with us just
after two o'clock. The Warrior is back in action this
afternoon four o'clock they take on the Storm in Melbourne.
Erin Clark with us in the occasion of his one
hundredth NRL match this afternoon. Super Rugby Round nine in
the books. Wins yesterday for the Blues over Miner Pacific
at the Highlanders over the Fiji and Drew are going
to get reaction from both of those games. And the

(04:46):
Blues are super rugby opicky champions, going to review that
with their coach Willie Walker. Wellington Phoenix women in must
win territory and the Women's A League going to cover
that off for you. If we get time, we'll get
inside the Wellington Phoenix and Auckland FC men's camps as well.
James mcconey is along in his regular slot around one
forty five this afternoon. We invite you to join us

(05:08):
if you so choose. It's easy, oh eight hundred eighty
ten eighty. We'll get you through on the phones nine
two ninety two. For text messages, emails them to me
Jason at NEWSTALKSEB dot co dot nz. Coming up twelve
past midday one.

Speaker 1 (05:22):
Crutch Hold engaged Weekend Sport with Jason Time and GJ.
Gunn Homes New Zealand's most trusted obilder News Talk to Baby.

Speaker 3 (05:31):
So the race is on to host the twenty thirty
five Rugby World Cup. A report last week from the
Times stated that Saudi Arabia, KUTA and the UAE we're
preparing a joint bid to host rugby showpiece events in
twenty thirty five, with the next two tournaments already locked
in Australia in twenty twenty seven the United States in
twenty thirty one. World Rugby apparently and reportedly are keen

(05:54):
though for the tournament to go back to Europe in
twenty thirty five. Spain has thrown its hat in the
ring and now seems to have pole position, according to
some reports. Japan and Italy are also in the conversation.
Should New Zealand be looking at hosting again or certainly
bidding for the right to host the Rugby World Cup again?
And how likely would it be that any bid would

(06:16):
be successful. Former Prime Minister Helen Clark played an integral
role in New Zealand's successful bid to bring the twenty
eleven Rugby World Cup to New Zealand. She was Prime
Minister at the time the bids were planned and submitted,
and spoke in passionate and persuasive support of the bid
at the final presentation to what was then the ib

(06:36):
NOW World Rugby in Dublin in November of two thousand
and five. Helen Clark is with US on Weekend Sport Helen,
thank you for your time. How much weight did the
strong backing from your government for the twenty eleven bid
carry when it came to the final decision?

Speaker 4 (06:52):
Do you think the strong backing from the government was
absolutely pivotal. I had Triva mall ardis Minister's sport. He
had me organized, everyone organized to be making representations. I
remember hosting I think key representatives of the International Rugby
Board at Premiere House to dinner. We had a charm

(07:12):
offensive of massive proportions. And then there was that momentous
occasion in Dublin at the end of two thousand and
five when the decision was being made, and I went
with Pine Tree Needs tama Umanga and Jock Hobbs or
Legends of rugby, and we went and presented to the IARB.
And I remember getting on the plane and flying off

(07:34):
to a meeting in Korea and the news came through
that we'd won. We were so elated. It could not
have been done without government support.

Speaker 3 (07:42):
What a delegation to Dublin. It was so In other words,
it's not possible to host events of this size without
significant government backing and investment. That's basically the long and
the short.

Speaker 4 (07:54):
Of it, the long and the short of it, and
also just the diplomatic support, the engagement. I do think
that governments need to have in their mind a framing
of a major event strategy. We benefit from these strategies.
You know, Rugby World Cup, I think, is that the
third most watched international sporting event. The exposure for New
Zealand is huge, so it's to our advantage as you know.

(08:19):
Also patron of Emirates team New Zealand have been a
great champion of the America's Cup and what hosting that
has done for us over the years and said, you know,
not to see it back in Auckland again, but we
need to be thinking of these events beyond incredible sporting occasions,
to how we project our country. What's our image? You know,

(08:39):
a little country of five point two million people in
the bottom of South Pacific, we can be right off
the radar. We have to make our luck, and making
our luck is about getting into the headlines. And we
get into the headlines with major events like Rugby World Cup.

Speaker 3 (08:54):
Well, as you know, we haven't been able to get
the America's Cup back here, not for the meantime anyway.
What's your general view on whether you think there is
an appetite in the current government to support a future
bird for the Rugby World Couple, any any major sporting event.

Speaker 4 (09:09):
Well, obviously they weren't prepared to step up enough for
the Emirates team New Zealand and the hosting of the
of the yachting America's Cup, so that's a problem. But
you know, I probably rugby has a greater appeal to
those around the cabinet table perhaps than the yachting bid,

(09:30):
so let's look at it through those eyes. We also
know that with the rating for America's Cup it's in
Auckland Harbor or just outside it. But with Rugby World
Cup you get the games spread throughout New Zealand. I
remember our government investing in the planes park at Natia
to bring that up to stand it. You know, it
grows across the country, so that also spreads the economic

(09:55):
benefits quite well. It will bring tourists, you know, it
will bring money, it will bring visibility. It will enable
us to showcase who and what we are and what
we represent our innovations. So my appeal would be to
any government deliberating on this look at it as a
major economic opportunity.

Speaker 3 (10:16):
Then of course you have to convince World Rugby as
you did as part of the delegation in two thousand
and five, and that that is I understand it played
heavily on New Zealand's place in rugby history. Would the
same argument be as compelling today, I think so?

Speaker 4 (10:31):
You know, look, the All Blacks are a great team,
they've sat up at the top or near the top
of world rugby for a long time, and a great
country committed to the sport obviously as absolutely within its
rights to assert its place as a host of the Cup.
People have had great experiences here That last Rugby World

(10:52):
Cup phenomenal for New Zealand. So we shouldn't hide our
light under a bushel as the old thing goes. Get
out there, the proud rugby identity of New Zealand, what
we've contributed the game, the standards we've set globe for it.
We are a perfect host.

Speaker 3 (11:09):
And clearly there has to be an economic return and
there is with things like you know, tourism obviously and
people coming to New Zealand. Is there also an emotional
pitch to be ad here about the positive impact an
event like this as on the country as a whole.
The rosy glow we get from hosting.

Speaker 4 (11:25):
Oh, absolutely terrific feel good factor because if you get
the Rugby World Cup here, you're going to have people
from around the participating countries coming. They're going to be
hiring their camp event, They're going to be touring up
and down New Zealand, They're going to be filling the cafes.
We need this sort of boost at the moment right
We've never got back to where we were pre pandemic

(11:46):
with our tourism. So I think it would be a
huge boost to regional New Zealand to have these crowds
coming through the games, as I said, will be dispersed
a huge feel good factor if we winn't. Even more
so just hosting the event as a big.

Speaker 3 (12:02):
High just to finish you've given goodness only knows how
many in your time. Was that one of your favorites
to the IRB at the back end of two thousand
and five, considering what it led.

Speaker 4 (12:14):
To absolutely, and you know we poured over that speech.
We you know, it wasn't just you know, Helen Clark
deciding what she'd gone say in Dublin. Every word was pitched,
you know, with the rugby and everybody. You know, there
was no surprise on what Helen was going to say.
I kept to absolutely the pitch that we had and yeah,

(12:35):
pitch perfect. I think we can say we all were
pitched perfect, from pine Tree to Jock, Hobbs to Tarma
and what a tragedy. You know two of those pine
Tree and Jock are.

Speaker 5 (12:46):
No longer with us.

Speaker 4 (12:47):
But you know there'll be other greats now to step
forward and you know, take their place and making a
good pitch.

Speaker 3 (12:53):
Yeah, let's hope they have the same where with all
to do it and the same result as well. Helen,
thank you for joining us on said Be today. I
really appreciate your time.

Speaker 4 (13:01):
Thanks Hellin.

Speaker 3 (13:02):
Thanks by name, that's Helen Clark, former Prime minister. Of course,
your chance to react, Oh, eight hundred and eighty ten
eighty should we be bidding to host the Rugby World
Cup again? And how likely do you think it would
be that we would be successful in any bid? For me?
Let's start with the concept. Let's start with the concept.
A no brainer. We have to at least have the ambition,

(13:25):
don't we. We're a rugby country. Yes, I know, We're
a lot different from eighty seven and twenty eleven, but
we are still a rugby country. Twenty eleven was a
huge success, a brilliant tournament. Why couldn't we have that again?
I know what you're saying. I can hear you. The
big sticking point money always It cost one hundred and

(13:46):
eight million dollars New Zealand dollars and twenty eleven to
bring the Cup here. That number has now more than doubled.
France paid two hundred and seventy five million New Zealand
dollars to host the last one, now for twenty twenty seven.
As I understand that the Australian government has committed to
funding operationational and delivery costs and they've entered into a

(14:08):
new joint venture model with World Rugby ahead to twenty
thirty one, the US reckon hosting that tournament and the
twenty thirty three Women's World Cup, which have also been
awarded hosting rights too, is going to cost about five
hundred million US for those two. So we're talking big, big,
big numbers, which may well rule us out, but hosting

(14:32):
does bring with it a significant boost to a nation's
economy through tourism, increased spending, visit a numbers, job creation,
and it has that positive social impact as well. I
know that you look at these economic impact reports, and
we've talked about this with regard to Barcelona hosting the
America's Cup and any kind of economic impact report, and

(14:52):
you have to look at those reports with a degree
of pessimism, a degree of you know, they often are
a boosted, aren't they, because that's what the you know,
those who vide the economic impact report want to be true.
And I know there'll be a lot of yeah, but yeah,

(15:12):
but yeah, but yeah. But can we perhaps mount a
bit of a solutions based argument here? Can we perhaps
look at what it might take and whether it might
be possible. We can't be utterly rose tinted and ignore
some of the facts, obviously, but can we perhaps look
at the possibility of doing it? Oh, eight hundred and

(15:34):
eighty ten, eight years and number nine two ninety two,
If you would like to send a text, let's get
a bit of conversation going around this. Hello, Pete, yeah, going,
do you think.

Speaker 6 (15:43):
You just get back out Allen Clark as the Prime
minister again? At least at least it's got a bit
of a positive outlook, you know, as as far as
I'm just seeing. It's like whether where he's talking about
the rugby walked up, he the America's couple whatever, it
brings people here, and Chris Glassy he sort of contradicts himself.
He says, oh, get people here, we need them, we

(16:03):
need money and all that. Then he says the opposite.
You don't have the money, but sometimes you've got to
spear made to mate Maney, do.

Speaker 3 (16:09):
You know, look, Pete, that's a yeah the guy. I'll
always be on board that that particular cliche. And look,
of course, any dollar spent on things like bringing big
events to New Zealand is a dollar that can't be
spent on the likes of health, education, social welfare and
such like. Of course we all understand that. But you know,
on a show like this, which is a sporting show,

(16:30):
I feel as though we should be lobbying and campaigning
to get big events here, particularly big sporting events, particularly
the Rugby World Cup.

Speaker 6 (16:40):
I think, so it's our main sort of our mains.
Oh yeah, I shouldn't say, like the Nerothans Cup, that's
probably not our main and the auto rugby is our
number one sport in New Zealand. So you know, let's
challenge it. You know, if you can hold here, why not?
It's it creates so much employment and get there, get
to our name on the map around the world. You know,

(17:01):
why would you not encourage it? Okay, what you just
said before with France or cost us what they asked
two hundred and senty five million, I say, it's a
lot of money. I know it is. But the end
of the day is I think of all the billions
we're spending on roads and all that which we need.
But sometimes you got a look, you can look, you
got a little bit, you go think a little bit
positive too. If we can promote our country, isn't isn't

(17:22):
that a good opportunity?

Speaker 7 (17:23):
Pete?

Speaker 3 (17:24):
It is? And I love the way you're thinking, mate,
I love the way you're thinking. That's the attitude. Look,
we can't be rose tinted, we can't be naive and
all of this. We can't just say yeah, let's do it,
let's throw all this money at it. But why can't
we Why can't we mount a case at least for
bringing it back here? Good to tet to your Pete?
Another Pete, Hello, Peter.

Speaker 8 (17:43):
Greeting, Well, nine billion extra for defense and we haven't
got anything for sport, so we're a defensive country rather
than a sporting nation. I never knew about that. And
seventy seven billion. I think it was reading recently on
how much the pandemic costs. It's interesting what you can

(18:05):
afford and what you can't have for And I thought
you were going to say to hell and Clark, how
passionate she was at speed to go to a certain
rugby gram from Timbory to christ.

Speaker 3 (18:17):
Yes, I want to. I didn't want to break over
those old coles Peter. I'm I'm not sure what response
I would have got had I done so.

Speaker 8 (18:27):
Yes, well, she certainly was interested in sport. And I
believe this leadership of coalition is sort of cutting, and
you know, I think the fumbling, I think they're not
really sure what they are. And of course a year
and a half's time there's an election, but I just

(18:47):
don't you know, when people have their cost of living crisis,
everyone gets very scared politically to spend more money and
charge more tax. And I just think, you know, we're
actually going to be a lot better by the time,
you know, CHRISTI upgrades are open and that's not far away.

(19:08):
And then how long is Auckland for their upgrade.

Speaker 3 (19:11):
No, it's a very good question, Peter, I don't know
the answer to that. And someone said it also it
might get us a new stadium in Auckland. Look, I
think we can say that is not happening. I think
we can safely assume that that is not happening in Auckland,
much as people will say, Hey, an event like this
might actually finally get that stadium built in Auckland. Can
you honestly say that in your lifetime you are going
to see a new stadium in Auckland. I don't think

(19:31):
we're going to Eden Park obviously has been green lighted
for an upgrade. We don't even know what that means.
But let's go back to what we have been talking
about here, and that is just at least the ambition,
at least the intent to bring big events here. Rugby
World Cup is a big event and it would benefit
us in a lot of ways. Yes, it would cost

(19:53):
a lot of money. It would cost a lot of money,
But it feels to me as though we have to
have some sort of positive intent around these sorts of things.
America's Cup, you know, we had a window in which
to perhaps get that here, didn't happen. We're back here
as it was. Didn't happen SOLGP. Look I haven't heard

(20:16):
the latest on that, but they're looking at a five
year deal to bring sou GP to Walkland. A good
annual event, Rugby World Cup, you know, an iconic, iconic
event for us, probably more than any other country in
the world, maybe with the exception of South Africa. Why
can't we just find a way at least have the discussion.
Twelve twenty seven oh eight hundred eighty ten eighty nine

(20:39):
two nine to two one. Text back with more of
your calls after.

Speaker 1 (20:41):
This The tough Questions Off the Turf Weekend Sport with
Jason Kyne and GJ. Gunerholmes, New Zealand's most trusted home
builder News Bang.

Speaker 3 (20:52):
On twelve thirty talking Rugby World Cup to New Zealand.
Could we should? We? Would we? Rah Weddy? Thank you
for holding Helloo.

Speaker 9 (21:00):
Man, you got a really distinctive voice, say of that lady,
Helen mother, Helen Kleint. Yeah, this is funny. Hey hey,
Rugby World Cup.

Speaker 10 (21:11):
It was forty years ago.

Speaker 9 (21:14):
Well, no, that's what I was rumor. I was so
lucky twenty eleven. I was so lucky to host the
Welsh rugby team on my grandfather's property in Lake Talfo. Brilliant, right,
and we had Jackobs there sign the trees had a
whole lot of dignitis conjections. I didn't know that nothing

(21:35):
but his grandfather, but he was founder of Grassroot Rugby.
Yeah after more, who's.

Speaker 10 (21:45):
Yeah.

Speaker 9 (21:45):
So of course we can do anything here in New Zealand.
We can host any of bid.

Speaker 11 (21:51):
We can do a lot.

Speaker 9 (21:52):
We have so many connections and organizations and corporations. It
can happen overnight. We have a coat of arms that
stands up to the whole world.

Speaker 12 (22:01):
Nothing's too big for us.

Speaker 9 (22:03):
Just he's just kind of work together, focus on Yep.

Speaker 3 (22:07):
No, I've got to get to some other calls. But
you're no, You're so right. The can do attitude is
something that you know that I don't want to get.
I don't want to get too kind of wishy washy
about this. It's easy. Yes we should get it, Yes
we should. You know, just do it, Just do it.
You know we can do. We can do. But we
at least have to have the ambition to wrap a

(22:27):
bit of structure around thinking about this, because if we
if we say, look, you know what, we'll never again
host it. Then we'll never again host it. Why can't
we at least open the discussion a patahama hallo mate.

Speaker 13 (22:44):
Hey bro, how are you very good?

Speaker 3 (22:48):
Oh just as we had your padahamma, your phone cut off?
Come back to me, mate, come back to me, Mark Hi, Hey, piney.

Speaker 14 (22:56):
Yeah.

Speaker 11 (22:56):
I can't believe Grant Dalton thought that going back to
the people who he screwed over enough for more money
this time. When he screwed them last time after they
gave him money and left the country with the cup,
you know, the chances of them giving them money again
we're pretty slim. But you know, going forward, I think
we're really running low on sporting events. We're not like

(23:18):
this cricket season was pretty miserable. We're sort of getting
like Pakistan who can't play. No one else wants to
play as well because it's not financially viable. But you know,
I think across the board, with government funding, it needs
to be an even playing field. You know, like movies
get paid hundreds of millions of dollars to get you know,
minecraft movies made in New zeal You know, why why

(23:39):
can't they give money just to sporting groups that you
might have some spirulous claim to, you know, raising economic
fortunes for the country because without the government, without stoves. Yes, sorry,
sorry Bunny, can't you go?

Speaker 10 (23:53):
No?

Speaker 3 (23:53):
No, no, no, Mark, you carry on, you were in
full flight. I was just I was just saying, I
think Rugby world I think Rugby World Cup is something
that we There's no confusion here about what it is.
We all know what the Rugby World Cup is. I think,
you know, the vast majority of us, and certainly I
would hope the vast majority of people listening to this
show would understand the benefit both financial and emotional, if

(24:18):
you like, of having it here. I just seem to me,
I just saw the story during the week about Spain
and Cutta and Saudi Arabia and others looking at it,
and I thought, why not, why can't we?

Speaker 11 (24:30):
Well, you see where all these events are going, can't
you the Middle East where all the money is buying
up all these supporting events, because they can. But I mean,
the Raggay World Cup's not going to come here without
big government support as hell, I'm said. And it's but
to me, you know, going forward, if we are going
to have these events. The government needs to have a
policy of how, you know, it needs to be an

(24:51):
open policy about how people go about getting these events here,
you know. And I think that's the point. And what
I'd like to see is the women's and the men's
Rugby World played at the same time. I think it
would be a great idea.

Speaker 3 (25:05):
Interesting. Thanks Mark, I appreciate your your time. Yeah, I
I wonder whether one would get diluted. I wonder whether
the you know, potentially the Women's Rugby World Cup might
be diluted by being at the same time as the means.
But as I've often said on the show, nothing should
be off the table. A pat Ohama, I've got your back.
I probably cut you off, mate, Sorry.

Speaker 13 (25:25):
No, no, no, no, all good. I'm not surprised to do that, Piney.

Speaker 9 (25:29):
So look, we have.

Speaker 13 (25:32):
Nailed these pinnacle events recently. Right after the debarkle of
O three, everyone was nervous whether we get twenty eleven.
We nailed that. The country got behind it. We're a
rugby nation, you know, Pami for Romania. Georgia was full
to the gatals, but so we will get behind it.

Speaker 15 (25:49):
We nailed the Woman's.

Speaker 10 (25:50):
Rugby World Cup.

Speaker 13 (25:51):
We nailed the FIFA World Cup. That was you know,
who would have thought this country would get behind woman's football.
I was surprised, and I just know it's something we
can should, can definitely go after and we've got a
track records, so I think that's we can do it.
But we've got to be tactical as far as I'm concerned.

(26:13):
If they want to go back to Europe in twenty
thirty five, is the twenty thirty five Yeah, I don't
know if we should bother, but you know South Africa
probably do again. So you just got to pick your
moment when it's your time again. And you know, we
go against the Saudiast, we won't. We won't compete. You

(26:33):
know how that goes. It's happened in other sports, so we.

Speaker 8 (26:37):
Can do it again.

Speaker 13 (26:38):
But it just might be twenty years ago. And again,
as Auntie Helen said, we need you know, we need
some good vibes in the country would get behind it.
Just get just well out Richie in DC and you know,
do their passion player all over again. But na, na,
I love these pinnacle events of this country and we
should definitely not give up on them.

Speaker 3 (27:00):
Good Man of Padahama, Yeah, yeah, I think twenty thirty
five might be. As I say, you're That's why I
thought twenty thirty nine might be the one. I'd actually
like to see it go back to South Africa at
some point as well as I'm sure you would. You know,
ninety ninety five seems lawfully long time since they hosted,
and they are such a proud nation with so many
great venues. You know whether twenty thirty five is right

(27:21):
for them or twenty thirty nine. But I just yeah,
at the risk of repeating myself, I just think it's
just something we have to have on our radar rather
than say, you know what, we're never going to do
it again. Why not? Why not? Why not? Indeed, a
right good to jet to you mate, take another call.
We've got to get to Augusta soon. With Grahame A Gars, Peter.

Speaker 16 (27:40):
Hi Hi Jason very quickly. Has somebody calculated the amount
of GST that the World Cup would bring into New
Zealand for the New Zealand government to compare with how
much they have we're being asked for.

Speaker 3 (27:57):
I'm sure that someone would do that if there was
an economic viability report done into it. Look, Peter, I
know what you're driving at and look the economic benefit
of having visitor numbers, of having you know, accommodation providers, restaurants,
those sorts of people, retailers with the GST, etc. Yeah,
of course it's going to have an economic benefit. It's
just whether it's big enough that the government will commit

(28:18):
what would likely have to be you know, well over
one hundred million and probably more to get it here.

Speaker 16 (28:26):
Yeah, but what Yeah, I'd like to know what the
real figure is what the GST would be bring in,
both for preparation and for the tourist that comes in.

Speaker 3 (28:36):
I'm sure that that will be looked at, Peter, if
we do go down this track. Look, this isn't based
on anything other than, as I say, a conversation I
was having during the week with a few people around
here when I saw that twenty thirty five was in
the news in terms of who would host. And you know,
it may well be that it never comes back. It

(28:59):
may well be, but I think that'd be a great shame.
And from the tenor of the conversations we've had this
afternoon with the callers and all of these tech so
I've got here which I haven't been able to get to
I think the general feeling is, yes, give it a crack.
What is that to lose? What is there to lose?
And look, bidding for twenty thirty five not open yet.

(29:19):
So twenty two thousand and five was when we successfully
got hosting rights for twenty eleven, So it's a six years.
So you'd imagine that that hosting rights for the twenty
thirty five tournament would open in the next couple of years,
or at least that ask for expressions of interest. Twenty
thirty nine is an awfully long way away, But why
can't you do a bit of groundwork, Why can't you
do a bit of schmoozing around some tables. You know,

(29:43):
we'll see twenty one to one. Let's take a break
when we come back off to Augusta and we wrap
the third round of the Masters.

Speaker 1 (29:49):
The biggest season sports are on Weekend.

Speaker 2 (29:52):
Sports with Jason Pain and GJ.

Speaker 1 (29:54):
Junnerhomes New Zealand's most trusted home builder News doorgs they'd.

Speaker 3 (29:58):
Be eighteen to one. Rory McElroy is roared into contention
from maiden green jacket a stunning third round at the
Masters in Augusta. A second straight six hundred par round
of sixty six. He's twelve under through three rounds, leading
Bryson Di Chambeau by two shots. Corey Connors another two
shots back, Overnight leader Justin Rose cutting a three over
seventy five to drop to five under for the tournament,

(30:20):
seven shots off the pace in a type for six
and Rory McElroy also became the first goal forever to
shoot threes on the first six holes at Augusta three birdies,
an eagle and two pars. Grahame Agars was watching on
as per usual, pretty remarkable stuff from Rory McElroy. Graham,
what did you make of those first six holes in
his third round?

Speaker 12 (30:42):
Well, Jason, I've been doing this for a long time
and I thought I'd seen everything, but never have I
seen six threes. He goes birdie, eagle, birdie, par, birdie
and goes five under, and he serves five holes and
then as one more three on the six just to
make the card look clean. So I sit next to

(31:04):
the Irish broadcaster for our radio and television and he
has just gone. I met that poor guy, and he
looks at me and says, this can't keep going, And
I said I had to break it to you, But
I have a hot air balloon theory that everything that
goes up eventually comes down, and it did. Rory, you know,

(31:26):
had a slumpy dropped two shots, one at eight and
one at ten, and it looked like he was going
to be struggling again on the back nine, but then
he birdies thirteen, played it very sensibly, and then eagles
fifteen with one of the best iron approaches I've ever
seen to that green. This is the same guy, of course,
who double bogeit in the first round, and he's back

(31:49):
on track shoot sixty six as you said, twelve under.
So the decade long search for the only Grand Slam
title that has eluded him is back on after so
many disappointing happenings at Augusta National over the years. So
I think I know my buddy next to me and

(32:09):
the other broadcast booth, the Irish guy's got his fingers crossed.
But I've got a feeling about ninety percent of people
at Augusta National want to get Rory across the line
and just what he see what he can do after
getting all that pressure off him.

Speaker 3 (32:24):
Apart from the obvious of shooting low on the final day,
what must he do well tomorrow to close this out.

Speaker 12 (32:33):
Well, you know, this guy faced so many challenges over
the years, and you know, he's had highs and he's
had lows, and he's finally learning not to go too
high on the highs and too low on the lows.
And he proved that, you know, after that first round
where he looked like he was going to go gang

(32:53):
buses and then makes two double bogies in the last
four holes coming in and we all thought, oh my gosh,
it's happened again. And we waited with great interest to
see what would happen when he came back for the
next round, and he was okay. He works with Bob Roteller,
who's one of the better known sports psychologists, who was
giving him the same advice and the specific advice he

(33:17):
came gave him after that disappointing finish to that opening
round was don't try and get all the birdies back
at once, just you've got three rounds to do it.
Just take your time. And it worked. I mean in
the second round, I think he only made one birdie
on the front nine and then cut loose on the
back nine, finished up with a sixty six, and then

(33:38):
again today, he did it the other way around. But
he wasn't pushing it, you know, he was just taking
it as it comes. And as he said afterwards, he
said that he played three perfect shots on the first hole,
three perfect shots on the second, and three perfect shots
on the third, and he knew he was going to
have a good day, but he didn't let himself get

(33:59):
ahead of himself and you know, kept his feet on
the ground. So tomorrow, two shots, I guess against d Chambeau.
That's going to bring back all memories of Pinehurst and
the US Open last year where Rory missed the three
foot and Deschamba came from behind to win that thing.

(34:20):
So we're going to have that mental anguish. We're going
to have the ten year search for the elusive final
fourth Grand Slam title, and we're going to have the
Shambo who can match Rory off the tee, can match
him for crowd appeal and spectacular shots and is quietly

(34:42):
ready for this battle, knowing that the last time they
went had to head he won it. So if Rory
gets this thing tomorrow, it's fair to say that he's
really going to earn it.

Speaker 3 (34:52):
So McIlroy twelve under d chambou ten under Connor's eight under.
Then it's a group of players on six and five under.
That's too far back, isn't it grime If you're below
Connor's at eight under, No one's making a charge to
make up sex or seven shots, are they?

Speaker 14 (35:09):
No?

Speaker 12 (35:09):
I don't see. I think it's two men raised tomorrow
to be honest with him. You know, these two guys,
these two guys are thoroughbt. I mean, Rory when he's
on is the most magnificent golfer in the world, without
a question. I mean he's a bit like Roger Federer
when he was on, you know, it was just pretty
to watch. And Bryson is well, I don't know he

(35:33):
describe him, but he's everything all the other golfers are not.
You know, he uses wacky clubs that he builds himself.
He's got an old square to square swing that goes back,
you know, originated seventy years ago. The lost on the
clubs are all kind of strange. They're not like a
normal set of clubs, and he just plays a different way.

(35:57):
They used to call him the Professor when he was
on the PJ too, before he bailed and went to
live for a big check and he analyzes everything like
like a mathematician. He's got all these numbers and calculations
in his head and somehow he makes it work. And
this is the first year that he's figured out how

(36:19):
to play Augusta National. In previous years the course has
just eat these lunch because he just tried to overpower it.
Now he's actually playing it and using the weapons he
has effectively. If there's one thing that gives McElroy a
little bit of hope tomorrow, I think is that Bryson
has been getting up and down a lot, and his

(36:41):
short game so far as held up. And you remember
at Pinehurst it was an unbelievable bunker shot from short
of the final green that he put to about three
feet that earned him that win. And he's been playing
some most magnificent bunker shots and chip shots around the green.
So you know, ODDSI, you can't maintain that over four rounds.

(37:04):
And as I say, if there is a Advani theois,
it might be that for mackel.

Speaker 3 (37:10):
Just a word on justin rose overnight letter. As I say,
three over seventy five to drop down to five under.
He's been around for a while because the twentieth Masters
start top twenty five and eleven of the last fourteen
runner up to Speeth in twenty fifteen, Garcia in twenty seventeen.
What happened to Justin Rose overnight or in the third round.

Speaker 12 (37:29):
Well, he's forty four, that's what happened to him. It's
just not easy, No, it's not. I mean he's lost
a little bit of length of t which means he
has to work harder going into the greens. He knows it.
He's actually lead or be tired of being tied for
the lead of a round at the Masters six times,

(37:51):
which is the equal record. So he's been in contention
a lot. That might be the first round, to eg round,
third round or whatever. But you know, so he knows
what he's doing. But he's got the young guns, and
it's hard to hold the young guns down over four
four rounds, particularly on course like a Gusta, which is
just so demanding with the placement of your shots off

(38:12):
the tee on the green and then you're putting. So
I think it just got to him. I wasn't knocking him,
but I didn't think that he would be able to
maintain that rage over four rounds. He may still play
well tomorrow and you know, have a sniff. He's a
quality player. He's want to major before the US something,
so he knows what he's doing. But you know he's

(38:35):
the passing generation, shall we say, and the Shamba and
Rory are the coming one, even though Rory is now
in his mid thirties.

Speaker 3 (38:46):
Well, just back to Rory to finish. Then what what
do you have to shoot tomorrow? Par won't be enough?
Will it? One under? Two under? Will that be enough?

Speaker 12 (38:54):
I picked fourteen under at the start of the week,
and I think maybe fifteen under will win it. Fourteen
under maybe a playoffs. You never know, It just depends
on the conditions tomorrow. The forecast is good. The green's
are going to be a little firmer and harder because

(39:15):
there's no rain in the forecast, so they're going to
be a little more difficult. I guess the National usually
sets up some pins that will allow low scoring.

Speaker 15 (39:26):
That gives the.

Speaker 12 (39:27):
Guys a chance, you know, to make an eagles or birdies.
So it's going to be a shootout for sure. But
you know, I think fifteen under might winner.

Speaker 3 (39:41):
Always great to get your an elisis crime? Hope you
and your Irish friend from RTE. Have a great day
tomorrows does Rory McElroy. Thanks for your time as always
this afternoon.

Speaker 12 (39:50):
Yeah, that guy's going to be a nervous wreck by
the end of the week.

Speaker 3 (39:54):
I think you're probably right. Thanks Graham Gray Magas from Augusta,
where Rory McElroy has a two shot lead after three
rounds from Bryce and d Chambeau. Corey Connor's outright third
at eight and seven and a half away from one.
The top ten shootout is underway at Toppall. We'll keep
eyes on that for you back in the moment on Weekend.

Speaker 1 (40:11):
Sport, the scoop from the track, fields and the court
on your home of sport, Weekend Sport with Jason vine
Us talks eNB.

Speaker 3 (40:21):
Coming up four to one. After our news at one o'clock,
we're back into weekend Sport and a good delve into
Super Rugby. Everybody's played eight games now we're able to
sort of make a genuine assessment of where everybody is
after eight matches with six to go, so no buys
sort of throwing things out in terms of some teams
having played more than others, and you look at the

(40:44):
table and it is just so tighter. I mean, good
luck trying to predict the final shape of it. There
are still four Australian sides. All four Australian sides, Brumby's Reds,
Waratah's Force are taking up places three, four, five and
six at the moment. The Crusader's on top after their
win on Friday night. The Chiefs, after their loss later
on that same evening, down to second. The Blues had

(41:06):
a win yesterday, beat me onea PACIFICA. They'll be pleased.
The Highlanders had a win yesterday they beat the Vegan
Andrew Fijian and Drew. They'll be pleased. We'll talk about
both of those games after one o'clock. After two we
are in Towport with Mark scaife and Supercars. We won't
forget the Warriors. Well, I cover off their game against
the Storm as well this afternoon.

Speaker 1 (41:25):
The only plays for the big names, the big issues,
the big controversies and.

Speaker 2 (41:33):
The big conversations.

Speaker 1 (41:35):
It's all on Weekend Sport with Jason Vain on your
home of Sport News Talks.

Speaker 15 (41:40):
It'd be.

Speaker 3 (41:42):
Welcome into Weekend Sport one oh seven. I'm Jason Pine.
Bevin Dua is show producer Today, we're with you until three.
Supercars the Top ten shootout is currently on in tow Port.
Will bring you the final results once that all is
all done and dusted. The sixty one lap of this
afternoon goes just after three. Mark Scaithe in an hour

(42:03):
or soap, five times Supercars champion, times winner of Bathhurst
these days a motorsport commentator and analyst is going to
break it all down for us just after two, the
top ten shootout that is, and then preview the big
race this afternoon in Toeport. Great news as well, wasn't
it this week that Royal Poona is well almost guaranteed

(42:23):
to get the second leg of the Supercars New Zealand
based anyway from next year. So Topaul this year, Toport
and Luiapoona by the sounds of things next year. Excellent news.
Rugby that was going to be our focus this hour,
with the Highlanders beating the Fiji and drew last night
under the roof in Dunedin needed it too, a four
game losing streak snapped by the win over the Drawl

(42:45):
last night and the Blues getting up against Mowana pacifica
Super Rugby opicky final as well. We'll cover that off
before we close the show with the Blues going back
to back and beating Mata Tu in a thrilling final
last night at eden Park. But we start with the
Men and the Blues. They won back to back matches
for the first time in twenty twenty five, beating More

(43:06):
pacifica thirty six seventeen at Eden Park yesterday, all the.

Speaker 17 (43:09):
Way left hand side, Bote and Bear kick and chose Bone, Bear,
regallus Bone and Bear of the try, great vision vote and.

Speaker 3 (43:15):
Bearn Yeah, Rugby editor Elliot Smith, that's his voice. He
called the game for us and he joins us.

Speaker 4 (43:20):
Now.

Speaker 3 (43:20):
I know it's a small sample size and a bit
of a low bar, Elliott, but was this the Blues
best performance of twenty twenty five?

Speaker 2 (43:27):
I think it was Piney.

Speaker 17 (43:29):
They reverted to type almost from twenty twenty four and
just played direct and rolled their sleeves up. The Fords
went to work, which is what led them to the
title last year, and Zan got the job done. Didn't
allow Majana pacifica a bit of a look and we've
become conditioned to Mawana being a second half team and
finding that kick in the second spell, but the Blues

(43:50):
just suffocated them and didn't allow them to plan in
the right areas of the ground, didn't allow them any
ball really in the first spell of his two thirds
possession that the Blues had after forty minutes. So they
just denied Mawana any chance to get a foothold in
the game and played, as I said, more direct and
with a bit more intent than they've probably played all seasons.

(44:12):
So I think it has to be their best win
so far of twenty twenty five.

Speaker 3 (44:16):
So they used the blueprint that was so successful for
them last season. Have they been trying to do that anyway,
but just not doing it as well? Is that what's
been happening this year?

Speaker 17 (44:25):
I think so absolutely. I think they added a little
bit to the game, trying to play perhaps slightly more
expansively than what we saw last year. But in the
last few weeks have gone a little bit more direct
as the results haven't come their way and it just
hasn't clicked. They've had a number of injuries, of course,
and now they've got some of their first choice players
back out on the park, those players that help them

(44:46):
to that title last year, you know, Boden Barrett didn't
play last year, but he's still now getting his head
into that game planned at the Blues one to play
Hoskins and two they missed some game time through suspension,
Golden pap Elite has been injured. Some other of their fords,
Rockettelli Ekland have all been injured at certain points. So
you're getting the band back together at this point of

(45:07):
the season. And the band knows the tune they wanted
to play, and it was a very successful one last
year in the way they wanted to play. So I
think we're seeing, you know that the pieces come together
for the Blues, only you know the seat the first
time they got back to back wins so far this year,
but it feels like there's getting a semblance of the
game plan that they want to play in twenty twenty five.

Speaker 3 (45:29):
So the Blues led twenty four to five at halftime,
which seems like a decent lead. How acutely aware would
they have been, though, of Mowana's ability to mount a
comeback as they have in recent games.

Speaker 17 (45:41):
Very much so, I think, and with the power that
Mowana had on the bench. Tom Savage, who's usually their
first choice Locke was coming off the bench Patrick Pallagrini,
who's been in such great touch for Murana since making
his debut coming off the bench as well. It almost
felt like they were adding more firepower to what has
already been a strong bench for them this season. But

(46:02):
the first I thought ten fifteen minutes after the halftime
break were really crucial and just not allowing Mowana to
get a roll on. In that second spell, we saw
the Blues just hold on to possession in that first
ten minutes, deny them and then the clock becomes an
enemy for Mwana Pacifica and they just couldn't get really

(46:24):
out of their twenty two. Anytime they had the ball.
The Blues were able to diffuse it with poor exits.
The set piece of the Blues worked really really well
last night if you line out steels throughout the course
of the game, and Mowana just looked clunky compared to
the way they're played in recent weeks as well. So
I thought, in terms of sticking to a game plan

(46:44):
and nullifying the opposition's game plan, that was probably as
good as you'll get from the Blues in terms of
what we have come to expect from both the Blues
this season and Wanda Pacifica. They flipped it on their heads.

Speaker 3 (46:57):
You mentioned Boden Barrett before back from a hand injury
and had a big say for the second straight game.
Are the Blues just a better side with him in
the ten jersey?

Speaker 17 (47:06):
I think they are in a style they want to play,
and his ability to get them around the park. I
think he is, you know, clearly of the best first
five in the country, I think at the moment, and
you know, season out in Japan getting back into the
Blues environment and playing super rugby. Had that hand injury,

(47:27):
of course, it's noticeable, you know, compared to the game
against the Crusaders where he wasn't there and they had
about fifteen injuries in the ends. Just the difference that
he makes to this Blues team and his tactical kicking,
just the way pulls the strings in the back line.
He is playing really really good football for them this season.
A couple of weeks ago, obviously against the Hurricanes for

(47:50):
penalty goals, done it the last time he would have
kecked four penalty goals in a match. Boden Barrett. But
he's becoming adaptable, I think in the way that he's
playing with his Blues style, but also the way that
he wants to play in this environment as well. So
I think he suits the way the Blues want to play.
I think they're a better team with him in the mix.
And you know, at this point in the season, they're

(48:12):
not completely out of the playoff mix by any stretch
of the imagination, and if he stays fit, you know,
it's a big part of potentially they're run into the
playoffs as well.

Speaker 3 (48:20):
Back to back wins. Then, since the buye and the
buy came off the back of that loss to the
Crusaders at Eden Park that both you and you and
I were at, and we've talked a lot, you and
I about how poor the Blues were that night, do
you think that performance would have compelled some pretty deep
self examination in the Blues camp.

Speaker 15 (48:39):
I believe so. Yeah.

Speaker 17 (48:41):
I'm of the understanding that when they came back after
that buye and he got a few players back, they
had some pretty tough conversations and Monday when they got
back into camp around the team and the way that
they wanted to play this season. They obviously have a
next man up mentality, but fifteen injuries is tricky for
any team to deal with, but what they turned out
against the Crusaders was really disappointing in any Super rug

(49:05):
big year where you know, coming off a championship year,
bit when the Crusaders are in their pomp, you know
that's one of the marquee games of Super Rugby and
an old rivalry and the Blues just didn't really turn
up that night, apart from perhaps the first five minutes
and the last ten or so when the game was done.
So there's been some honest conversations and cams are reverted

(49:25):
to what worked from them last season. They've got some
troops back and they're looking a little bit better for it,
and you know, winning breed's confidence. A couple of wins
under the belt, they head to crist Etch next week
on Good Friday with a few more players fit that
weren't near last time and look to turn the tables
on now the top of the table side and Super Uguy.
The Crusaders just want.

Speaker 3 (49:47):
To look at the draw that the Blues have had.
Their New Zealand Derby's have been really front loaded this season. Elliott,
you talk about the Crusaders this week, so that'll be
nine games, eight of their first nine against the other
New Zealand sides including Mowana Pacifica. They're remaining five games.
Red's force drewer Mowana Pacifica Warritas. The draw has been
a bit up on the Blues, isn't it.

Speaker 17 (50:08):
It has been. It's a tough one for them and
they've had to navigate that with a number of injuries
a lot of the derby's but as you say, they've
had the Chiefs twice, they've had the Crusaders once and
twice after this week in the Hurricanes as well, so
they do have what your term is an easier run home.
They do have to go play the Reds in Britain.

(50:30):
A lot of Pacificate on the other side of the
bridge will be a tricky prospect as well. But they've
got some games there where I think certainly they can
target and go we can get on a little bit
of a roll here and get ourselves into the Plobs.
It might be the home advantages perhaps beyond them now
in the Ploves, but they're you know, really only a

(50:50):
win and you know win outside the pluoffs when you
look at the table and they can really find their
momentum as they head in. So it's been a tricky
front half of the season. Then Cod has used golfing analogy.
You know that the front nine was pretty tough, but
they're on the back nine now and they have picked
up a couple of shots and you know they'll need

(51:11):
to head for home and channel Rory mcelroyl up this
morning in the third round and the Masters and flush
the first round which was terrible for Rory, and come
back strong in the second and third.

Speaker 3 (51:21):
Yeah, that's a good analogy. Just to finish, you look
at the table. Everybody's played eight games now, so we
can make a genuine comparison with without Buyers etc. Four
Australian sides, all four Australian sides in the top six.
Brumby's third reads fourth warretas fifth force sixth. When is
it time to actually say right, there are probably going

(51:42):
to be too or three in the top six.

Speaker 17 (51:46):
Look, I think the table will still have some movement
over the coming week. So we mentioned the Blues draw there.
They should win a few of those games. On the
face of it, they should win those games. If we're
judging previous results and judging previous seasons, the Blues should
be good enough. But we're also judging it against this
season where anyone can be anyone and it's very very

(52:08):
hard to predict. We thought that the Brumbies when last
night in a very good performance, I thought against the
Reds and I think there's still going to be some
teams beating up on each other. So I think there's
a little bit of change coming to the table over
the next few weeks. No one's really run away and
put themselves as the runaway leaders. We saw the Chiefs

(52:29):
obviously lose on Friday Night as well, so it's really
congested and that means in the closing weeks of the
season that every wind is going to mean more and
it is going to change that table a little bit further. So, look,
I think there'll be probably two teams from Australia, if
not three, in the playoffs. The kerew we sides have
lift themselves a bit of work to do, but there

(52:49):
are wins to come and points still on the table
that could shake up this table. So look, I think
right until that final round where there's some interesting matchups,
we're going to be looking at this table and it
could change very dramatically over the closing weeks of the season.

Speaker 3 (53:03):
Yeah, which is what we've always wanted. Elliott, thanks so much,
great call Las night on the Blues Wina pacifica game.
Thanks for your time this afternoon. That's our rugby editor
and lead commentator, Elliott Smith. So round nine is in
the box. Everybody's played eight games and it is a
very very tight table with as Elliott just said, the
potential for it to change a lot in the six

(53:26):
remaining games. Crusaders twenty eight, Chiefs twenty seven, Brumby's twenty three,
Reds twenty three, Warata's twenty one Force twenty that's the
top six at the moment. The Highland is seventeen, Hurricanes
sixteen Blues sixteen, Moina Pacific of fifteen and really the
only team you'd have to think who are out of
top six contention the Fijian draw with just the seven points.

(53:50):
So who are super rugby favorites? Is it the Crusaders
after a dreadful twenty twenty four? Does there win over
the Hurricanes on Friday night give you confidence that they
are in fact super rugby favorites? Is it still the Chiefs?

(54:11):
It is for me, I've still got the Chiefs as
favorites despite their loss to the Waratars the other night.
I still think they are Super Rugby favorites. And then
you look at these Australian sites and I think over here,
rightly or wrongly, we do not give the Australian sides
enough credit. But the table doesn't lie. The Brumbies, the Reds,

(54:33):
the Waratars and the Force are all in the top six.
The Highlanders, the Hurricanes and the Blues are not. I
don't think it's going to end up that way, but
I wonder whether this year is the year that what
we've always said we want it is going to come true,
that we have a genuine Australian force when it comes

(54:54):
to the super rugby sides, not just the Force, but
the others as well. If you know what I mean,
what do you make of it all? Eight hundred and
eighty ten eighty let's talk to them right. We want
to get inside the Highlanders camp at some stage soon
with Dermody their assistant coach. They finally won a game
after four straight losses. Pretty crucial win for the Highlanders
last night. But they do have a very very tough

(55:15):
running Chiefs Crusaders more Wona Pacifica Hurricanes Crusaders again. Chiefs again.
So the Highlanders still have to pay the Chiefs home
and away and the Crusaders home and away, plus the
Hurricanes and more Onana pacifica that is a tough running
for them. So have they actually left their run too late?
After these losses to the likes of the Reds and

(55:35):
the Brumbies and the Force. In fact, they've lost to
all the Australian sides, the lost of the Waratahs, lost
to the Reds, lost to the Brumbies, lost to the Force.
So the Highlanders haven't been able to unpick the lock
of the Australian sites. Have they left their run too late?

Speaker 15 (55:51):
Oh?

Speaker 3 (55:51):
Eight hundred and eighty ten eighty nine, two ninety two.
If you'd like to send a text on Super Rugby,
we'll open it up. How are you feeling? Tell us
about the team that you've got skinning Hurricanes fans? How
are you feeling? I just wonder about the Hurricanes, you know,
very good last year. They're my team, so I'm clearly biased,
but I don't know They're gonna have to get a

(56:12):
riggle on at some point. They've got a tougher way
trip now the Force and then the Brumbies. They hardly ever,
win in Canberra, then back home for Chiefs, Highlanders, Reads
and more Waa Pacifica to finish see the Blues. I
think they will benefit from a slightly easier on the
face of things anyway, running after the Crusaders on Friday
nightdown in christ Church. They don't have any more New

(56:34):
Zealand derbies if we don't count more Wida Pacifica as
a New Zealand team. They don't have to play any
of the other New Zealand teams in the last five games,
so maybe that'll be enough to loot them up into
into top six contention. Let's talk some rugby. Oh eight
hundred and eighty ten eighty nine two, nine to two
on text Back in a moment on Weekend Sport.

Speaker 1 (56:53):
The Voice of Sport on your Home of Sport Weekend
Sport with Jason Vain and GJ Gunnoos, New Zealand's most
trusted home builder News Talks, HEV.

Speaker 3 (57:03):
News Talks B one twenty five. We'll get you inside
the Highlanders camp shortly after their win over the Fijian
drewa last night and Dunedin taking some calls so on
Super Rugby Hio Chris.

Speaker 18 (57:15):
Talking about this Super season. This is, yeah, obviously the
best season we've had for years, and I think it's
down to the condensation of the Australian side when they
got rid of the Rebels, a lot of their players
that went into the four teams that are more competitive,
which is made for a greater competition than the TV statistics.

(57:38):
Haven't lied about that either.

Speaker 3 (57:40):
Now certainly, I think, yeah, the talent being spread across
across four rather than five franchises certainly has made a difference,
and I guess it it proves correct those who thought
that that Australia wasn't deep enough in terms of its
talent to sustain five teams. But they've got four quality teams.
I already thought the force would have dropped off by now, Chris,

(58:02):
but they haven't, so I mean good on them.

Speaker 7 (58:06):
Said.

Speaker 18 (58:08):
Look, when the Australian rugby was at its strongest, they
only had three teams the Brumby's, Warrior Cars and Reds
when Super twelve first came about, and that was the
sort of the high days of the Wallaby rugby. But
I can see that the Australian rugby is developing and
I think they're actually going to give the Irish. British
and Irish Lions a little bit of a go this

(58:31):
year compared to thinking about it two years ago. I
was going to go three nil. The poems of white
the British will white them. But I think the developing
quite nicely now and I think they might be a
bit of a problem come the next World Cup.

Speaker 3 (58:46):
Do you think, also, Chris, that this might be the
same thing happening in reverse and that there are a
lot of players who are thinking to themselves, I've got
a once in a career opportunity here to play against
the British and Irish Lions and put my best foot
forward to be in an Australian side at a home
Rugby World Cup in a couple of years. So that
has lifted the performance of pretty much every Australian player

(59:10):
in super rugby.

Speaker 18 (59:12):
Yeah you can.

Speaker 10 (59:13):
You can see it this year.

Speaker 18 (59:16):
They've come out of the wood work and they are
literally just giving it a go. The Australian sides in
the last sort of ten years they haven't performed well,
but they have lifted. So we better be on our
you know, don't just think that the Blader Slow Cup
is ours. We need to be watching them, and yeah,

(59:39):
this is going to be some good rugby in the
next two or three years.

Speaker 10 (59:41):
So I assure you.

Speaker 3 (59:42):
I agree, Yeah, don't sleep on the wall of es.
In other words, Chris, you did right. I mean, you
make a great point about the first of all, the
fewer teams and the wider, sorry, the narrower spread of talent.
That's obviously always going to happen. But you still got
to integrate those players into your side and play consistently well.
The other thing, you know, talked about it a lot

(01:00:02):
on the show, just the week to week Jeopardy, see
the war Tars beating the Chiefs the other night, and
we spoke about this a little bit on the show yesterday,
but the fact that they are such a different team
at home than they are away. But the fact remains
they were absolutely humbled by the Hurricanes in Wellington to
the tune of fifty seven twelve. I think the final

(01:00:25):
score was certainly the Hurricanes put fifty on them. Then
Maana Pacifica beat the Waratars, who had a very healthy
half time lead but couldn't hold on to it. But
then next thing you know, they're across back home in
Sydney and beating the Chiefs the competition favorites, so there
is that jeopardy there the Force. Now the Force interest me.

(01:00:46):
They had the buye this weekend. Their running is quite tough.
They have the Hurricanes coming to town next Saturday, then
they visit the Chiefs, then they play the Blues away welcome.
The Brumbies go to Fiji and have the war Retars
to finish. It feels to me as though that might
not be exactly the run home the Force need if

(01:01:10):
they are to feature in the Super Rugby playoff. So
I can see them, I can see them dropping out.
But then I thought that a couple of weeks ago
and they're continuing to play well, so maybe it won't
be that. After all, the Wallabies are going to be
good this year, says this text that backline running is
coming on. I can see it. The All Blacks need
to be on their game to beat Australia this year. Look,

(01:01:31):
I think we can all agree that is the case.
Of course we all. I think we all, as All
Blacks fans still think that the All Blacks will win
the Blittersloe Cup. I think we just almost by default
think that. But again, just like Super Rugby, don't we
want Australia to be strong, don't. We want to go
back to those days of not knowing from one Bledisloe

(01:01:52):
Cup Test to the next whether we were going to
win it or not. The late nineties and into the
two thousands, where yes, there was a lot of heartbreak,
of course there was. We had our hearts broken a
lot by late, late tries and late kicks. I mean
John Eels in two thousand, so to ty kef who's

(01:02:13):
late try. Matt Burke with a late try to deny
us are winning the Bledisloe Cup. There were a lot
of a lot of games between I want to say
kind of nineteen a w in rugby went professional really
from nineteen ninety six on until two thousand and three
when it was the last time Australia had it. In
those sort of six or seven years, the Bledislow Cup

(01:02:34):
Test matches were absolutely the highlight of the rugby year
and you did not know from one game to the
next home or away who was going to win each
of those games. I want to get back to that.
And if you look at Super Rugby this year, you
have to say there must be a lot more optimism
around Wallaby's rugby circles than there has been previously. Now

(01:02:57):
all they have to do is find a permanent coach.
Joe Schmidt obviously has committed to the Lions Tour and
now the Rugby Championship. But I've heard nothing you might
have on on an appointment of a permanent coach anywhere
in our future. Les Kiss seems to be the man.
Kiss is the name on everyone's lips, not to put

(01:03:20):
too much of a pun on it, but he seems
to be the one, doesn't he. But at some stags
they're probably gonna have to make that official. Maybe there
is no hurry, Maybe they just get the Lions Tour
and the Rugby Championship out of the way first. The Highlanders.
They've snapped a four game losing streak beating the Fiji
and drew a forty three to twenty in Dunedin, climbing
up to seventh on the Super Rugby Ladder.

Speaker 19 (01:03:41):
Sam Gilbert gets a head of steam up goes right
to ruta by the Buki did because the little goostep
beckinsy Gilbert Gilbert, I'll get the.

Speaker 20 (01:03:49):
Try of the Highland. I'll finish this one with a
try behind the post underneath the bar Sam Gilbert scores.

Speaker 3 (01:03:56):
And the Highland is forty three Fiji and drew a twenty.
Let's bring in the Highlander's assistant coach, Clark Deermoty. Thanks
for your time, Clark. Did this feel like a must
win game the Highlanders?

Speaker 7 (01:04:08):
Oh?

Speaker 15 (01:04:08):
I think it was important for our confidence as the group.

Speaker 21 (01:04:10):
Well, I think we've been pretty close in every game
so far this season, and to get into the position
in the game where it got tied again and not
and not let.

Speaker 15 (01:04:18):
It slip was important for our group.

Speaker 21 (01:04:21):
So obviously heading into some big derby games coming up.

Speaker 3 (01:04:25):
The losses in your last four games, as you say,
we're all by single figure margins. Was there any frustration
building that you couldn't chalk up an elusive win before
last night.

Speaker 7 (01:04:36):
Oh?

Speaker 15 (01:04:36):
I don't know if it was frustration.

Speaker 21 (01:04:37):
I think it was I guess the young group we've
got so learning how to close those games out or
get in front of those games. We had plenty of
opportunities in those games to be able to do that,
but we just end up overplaying. And last night it
was pleasing to see the boys stuck to the game
plan and we're able to finish off.

Speaker 3 (01:04:57):
Yeah, apart from that obviously the game plan and finishing well.
What else was most pleasing about the performance last night
from a coaching group point of view, I think.

Speaker 15 (01:05:08):
Well, getting you know, sort of four or five.

Speaker 21 (01:05:10):
Boys back in the team that have been out for
a long time, and they all added as well. So
we had Olie Hague played eighty minutes, so that you're renting,
they were big shifts from those boys. Having their experience
back in that pack is really important. Phillour came on,
had a good game, cam miller, Jacob Ratum, Tavuku Nikins

(01:05:31):
as well, So it's pleasing for the squad go to
have a competition of those spots going forward.

Speaker 14 (01:05:38):
Yeah.

Speaker 3 (01:05:38):
I want to ask you about a couple of those
players in a moment, but just on the game. You
led at halftime, then twenty four to eight after forty
six minutes they closed it up. Did you let things
get a little loose from the first ten to twelve
minutes of the second half almost played into the hands
of the drawer a little bit.

Speaker 21 (01:05:54):
Yeah, I think so. I think when you have a
kicking game, if you're not accurate around that first couple
of tackles, they allow, you know, allowed them to get
those offloads in. That's their game and they're breat dangerous
when that gets going, So that gave him a lot
of energy, and like I said before, it's pleasing to
be able to get those back in front and then

(01:06:15):
double to put them away.

Speaker 15 (01:06:16):
So that's an area of growth for the team.

Speaker 3 (01:06:18):
Yeah, the bench impact was terrific, wasn't it. Nineteen unuanced
points in the last twenty minutes, three tries all to
your bench players. You're getting good value out of your
full twenty three. Well you did last night.

Speaker 15 (01:06:31):
Yeah.

Speaker 21 (01:06:31):
Yeah, and again I think it's seving guys coming on
that have been playing a lot of rugby and being
able to start those boys that haven't had a lot
of minutes. I think it's allowed the group to freshen
up a bit, as I was so hopefully that competition
the squad carries us through the season.

Speaker 3 (01:06:49):
The return of fall back Jacob up to make Tavuki Nipkins,
as you mentioned his first appearance in twenty twenty five
off the back of that nick injury he suffered, played
a hand in three tries, pulled off a crucial intercept
which led to a change in momentum in the second half.
How big is it having him back?

Speaker 21 (01:07:06):
Yeah, I know he's great for the group, and as
horrific as his injury was, he's been pretty positive throughout
the whole rehead process. So he's been missed the group
since Christmas time, so everyone's seen the progress he's been making,
and you know he's already driven to get back and
that sort of I guess that inspires.

Speaker 15 (01:07:24):
The group around him as well to see how motivated
he is and then to.

Speaker 21 (01:07:27):
Be able to get back and do what he did
last night was hugely impressive.

Speaker 3 (01:07:31):
Another one of your leaders, co captain Hughrenton, you mentioned
him as well, got eighty minutes out of him. He's
missed the last five games. How big is he t
your playing group?

Speaker 15 (01:07:42):
Yeah?

Speaker 21 (01:07:42):
I think having a young team as we have the
leadership and I guess the calmness he brings to the
group has been missed and I think this probably plays
a part in the and what we just talked about
around being close in games and not being able to
get in front. So I know he had a big
influence with Jim last night on the group around when

(01:08:03):
it started getting tight in the messaging they were giving
the boys and.

Speaker 3 (01:08:06):
At the other end of the experienced scale Tana Yella
for in the morning on Super Rugby debut, a couple
of tries in twelve minutes, including one with his first touch.
He must be thinking this Super Rugby business is easy.

Speaker 21 (01:08:19):
Yeah, I reckon. I guess that's his job to take
those opportunities. And he outside of the tries he scored off,
he chase, kicked and got in the air and put
pressure and that.

Speaker 15 (01:08:30):
Was that was all he asked of him.

Speaker 21 (01:08:31):
So I think that was just a bonus for him
to be able to grab a couple of tries, but
hopefully keeps doing it.

Speaker 3 (01:08:38):
Set peace. You happy enough with that, Clark, You're.

Speaker 15 (01:08:42):
Not too bad.

Speaker 21 (01:08:42):
I've we've got a wee bit clunky there at the start.
I think we had some new combinations playing, so once
he got into the game, we're able to get them
all going and used it to sort of close the
game out towards the end, which was which was cool
to see as well.

Speaker 3 (01:08:58):
You got pretty tough running, haven't you. Six New Zealand
Derbies in your last six matches, Chiefs Cruise, Pacific, Hurricanes,
Crusaders again and Chiefs again. It's it's a pretty tough
running you God, How will you approach that challenge.

Speaker 21 (01:09:16):
I think game at a time. I think we've sort
of proven that in this season we've been at a
game that's been able to test anyone. So I think
it's focusing on that and then making sure that now
we've got that, the boys back in the squad and
having a pretty competitive squad across the group is using

(01:09:37):
it wisely, and you're taking each games at a time
and starting for the Chiefs this week.

Speaker 3 (01:09:42):
Do you think last night might become something of a
blueprint for you, you know, a market that you can
refer back to over the next six weeks and say
that's that's how we want to play.

Speaker 15 (01:09:53):
No, I think so.

Speaker 21 (01:09:54):
I think obviously different opposition coming up. Fijian draw a player,
different style what the Chiefs do, so we'll have to
tweak the game plan a week, but it'll be I
think it's a bit of a shot in the arm
for the boys around being able to finish things and
being able to execute in the twenty two and that
sort of stuff at that Wendy games in any game

(01:10:16):
of rugby.

Speaker 15 (01:10:17):
So yeah, that's gonna be a good challenge. Well, I
know the boys are up for it.

Speaker 3 (01:10:22):
Do you feel like a top six side.

Speaker 15 (01:10:26):
Well, i'd like to think so. I think.

Speaker 21 (01:10:29):
So we got there last year and I feel like
we're a better team this year. I think we're playing
a better style and playing better rugby. But like I said,
we just dropped a couple of games that potentially sort
of put a few more points up.

Speaker 3 (01:10:43):
The good crowd last night again always seems loud down
there under the roof another good crowd for you.

Speaker 21 (01:10:49):
Yeah, yeah, it was pretty loud and that sort of
paid apart in a couple of the botch ups in
the line out the boys that it was pretty loud,
but it was the same as last year. The Fijian
community came out in full force and supporting their team
and our team and.

Speaker 15 (01:11:06):
It was a pretty loud crowd which was cool to see.

Speaker 3 (01:11:10):
Yep, good occasion for you. Congrats on the win last night, Clark,
all the best as you planned for a big game
against the Chiefs this week and then on towards the
end of the regular season. Appreciate you taking them time
for a chat mate. No thank you, no thank you, Clark.
Clark Deermody, their assistant coach of the Heighlanders after they
went over the drawer last night, under the roof four right.
Just updating you from Topaul Brodi Kisteki has held onto

(01:11:31):
pole position for this afternoon's third Supercars race after recording
the fastest time in the top ten shootout. He pipped
compatriot Anton depasqually, with Kiwi Ryan Wood set to start
from third on the grid. The other kiwis Matt Payne
and Andre Heimgartner qualified sixth and eighth respectively. The sixty
one lapper goes at five pass three this afternoon. Just

(01:11:52):
after our two o'clock news, we'll have Mark Scaife on
the show. He's there in topor as a motorsport commentator,
five times Supercars champion. Of course, he's won bathtist six times.
He knows his why around a supercar. I can tell
you that he's going to join us after two o'clock.
Next up, though our regular catch up on a Sunday
with James mconey. He's next on Weekend.

Speaker 1 (01:12:11):
Sport, The Big Issues on and After Fields Call eighty
ten eighty Weekend Sport with Jason.

Speaker 2 (01:12:19):
Paine and GJ.

Speaker 1 (01:12:20):
Gunnerhomes New Zealand's most trusted home builder News Talk to.

Speaker 3 (01:12:24):
Baby seventeen to two on a Sunday afternoon. We always
get the pleasure of the company of James mcconey.

Speaker 10 (01:12:29):
Hello, mate, how are you Poney. Great to be on
the show once again.

Speaker 3 (01:12:34):
Great have you on the show considering the fact this
is your regular flot it has been for some time.
It's good to have you with us as always. He
have you been watching the golf at Augusta?

Speaker 10 (01:12:45):
I have the masters. I mean, look at the boiler
suits worn by the caddies, the flowers, the patrons that
allowed cell phones, the history. It's just incredible. And now
the matchup between Rory mclroy and bryceon the Shambo, it's
all set up, Pony.

Speaker 3 (01:13:04):
Ye're going to be box office, isn't it. Do you
get the feeling that the vast majority of people want
Rory McElroy to win.

Speaker 15 (01:13:12):
Yeah, I think so.

Speaker 10 (01:13:14):
He made a little sneaky tour trip to New Zealand
over the summer. Rory a small fella. He's a wee man,
slight man against the Chambeau with all his big muscles
and big energy, and he's kind of a, you know,
the new poster child of American golf, you know, and
with his weird cutting style. But I think for Rory McLaury.

(01:13:37):
It's all about the career Grand Slam, which is where
you've got to win all four, not in the same year.
No one's really done that. I think Tiger had a
Tiger Slam where he held them all at the same time,
but we didn't win them all in the same calendar year.
So yeah, Rory's got he needs the masters to complete
the set, and he really after an underwhelming first round,

(01:13:58):
he's been brilliant. There was a couple of moments there
that you would have seen the eagle, but it's really
set up by did Shambo's part fifteen meters forty eight
feet in the American terms, fifteen meters off the sort
of the apron of the green on the eighteenth that
cut the lead to two. That is pure drama in

(01:14:19):
theater and it makes it so mouth ordering for tomorrow
it does.

Speaker 3 (01:14:24):
Yeah for the neutral You're so right because Bryston d
chambou what he picked up three shots on his last
four holes, didn't He birdied fifteen, sixteen, and then as
you said, he burnied eighteen as well. I think if
he'd been say four or five shots back, that may
well have been too much to make up two shots,
though it doesn't seem like a lot, does.

Speaker 10 (01:14:42):
It, No, and they appear together. It's perfect.

Speaker 13 (01:14:46):
You actually need that.

Speaker 10 (01:14:47):
Really, you need something like that on the final day
with somebody breathing down Rory's neck, and they will make
it all the more sweeter if he gets it. I
don't know if Donald Trump's turning up, but he is
mates with the Shambo, but Rory famously he has played
with come before, but after COVID he thought Trump was
such an idiot just decline to play with him now,

(01:15:08):
So it would be quite awkward to see if he
won and Trump was there and how he had react
because I think even when he was picking, and when
he deliberately ignored Rory McClory in his form coming into it,
even after he had the incredible second round, Trump was
picking anybody else because of the snap.

Speaker 3 (01:15:27):
Anyone got Rory all right? Tomorrow We'll watch with interest
McElroy and d Chambau battling it out on the final
day at Augusta. Hey, who do you reckon our Super
Rugby favorites? Everyone's played eight games now, who are favorites?

Speaker 10 (01:15:41):
I think the Crusaders are the favorites. I think they
look to be a team that if they peak they
have and get there, let's just say their full compliment
of players out there, that they would look the strongest
as well on paper. So look, they've done really you
know more, Nanu at hooker filling in for Cody Taylor

(01:16:03):
has been exceptional, and I think takem that has had
that turning point season for him running the cutter at ten.
Any number of half back seemed to be able to
do the job. I'm almost miss Kyle Preston now, don't
you you know? He was so electric there for winning
Field and for Noah Hotham. So look, I think on
paper it's the Crusaders. Yourself, Piny, I.

Speaker 3 (01:16:25):
Kind of still think the Chiefs are you know, I yeah, yeah,
I take what you're saying about the Crusaders, But I've
sort of been saying the Chiefs all along. And look,
I think when they play the Crusaders in about a
month or so, we'll get a pretty good gauge with
only a couple of games to go until the finals.
At that point, I just still think they have the

(01:16:47):
strongest squad. It's an odd thing to say when you
look at the Crusaders roster, but yeah, it's still the
Chiefs for me.

Speaker 10 (01:16:55):
Yeah, well, I mean, obviously my love for the Chiefs
will never die. But I was watching them against the
Warratahs and the wheels that came off of they lacked
a little bit of direction. Even Joseph Suerley, he did
slap the ball down and it should have been a
penalty at the end. I don't think the Chiefs really
had many answers they have. They had twenty four phases
and didn't even threaten and they were still pottering around

(01:17:18):
out by the twenty two. And normally a team in
position well by just by sort of being at the
door that often will make its way to the tryline.
So there's definitely things to work on for the Chiefs
at the moment. They've got to sort things out. I mean, look,
watching Boden Barrett run the cutter for the Blues last night,
you can't discount them, I think, you know, I think

(01:17:40):
we've talked about this pony, but been a team in
a state of flux. You know, Mark Kala could be leaving.
Sounds like he's leaving Taylor Clark probably once they have
a sabbatical and get away from this court case. All
those things. But then when they got it together yesterday
and just started to boss the game, they looked imperious.
So maybe the Blues could steak one with their nice

(01:18:02):
you know, sort of back nine as everyone's talking about
for them are pretty kind or to finish the round
robin just.

Speaker 3 (01:18:08):
Before we move from super right, could could the Could
the Brumbies or the Reds win it? I feel like
they could make the final. Do you think the Brumbies
or the Reds could win it? Because it's likely I
guess to be away from home.

Speaker 10 (01:18:20):
Yeah, possibly the Brumbis. I mean it's I mean, yeah,
they could. They could, There's there's no doubt. I mean
what the Warritars could you know if they go they
if they played like they did last night and played
with that sort of intensity and you watch Joseph su
Earlie improving the whole time that they do look like
they're a team that could beat anyone and that's probably

(01:18:42):
the best thing about the competition. But he just the
word as well on wine in pacifica Patrick Pellegreen. He
has been outstanding for them at ten. Why do you
rest your tin? I mean it's not that hard for
first five to play minutes it's not like they're bashing
heads against and bodies like a forward. And to rest
them in that game yesterday just seemed a little bit

(01:19:03):
crazy than me playing.

Speaker 3 (01:19:04):
Yeah, very odd decision of very odd one. I'd have
him running the cutter basically every day he was available.
But you know in Tana they trust. So let's see
what happens from here on. Hey, just before we leave rugby.
Good Opeki final? Last night, wasn't it?

Speaker 4 (01:19:19):
Well?

Speaker 10 (01:19:19):
The Opeki final? You take the three finals they've had
have been exceptional, just all cliffhangers, nail byers. There was
the first one, remember I think it was Tanika Willison
needed a regulation penalty to win it and duffed the
shot and that went to Marta tu Last year the
Blues got up again. These are all one one score victory,

(01:19:40):
they're all basically within touching distance, and last night the
Blues they looked they were like they were going to
lose this one. Marty two had all the possession, banging
on the door and then the incredible intercept and long
range try from Braxton, Sorenson and McGee. Remember the name
the young Blues fallback eighteen years old. But also the

(01:20:03):
Blues using a tactic that I think the male players
so latching onto, which is when players are trying to
go for the line, they were dragging them into the
dead ball area, into the goal and holding them up,
you know, like a sort of Koala bear tackle if
you like, you know, you just dragging them in. Of course,
what the result now isn't a five minute scrub, It's

(01:20:24):
a dropout from the line. So I just find the
women's game. They quick to innovate, and yeah, it was
just an incredible final.

Speaker 3 (01:20:32):
Let's finish with the NRL where the table looks like
it's upside down. Well not with the Eels, but the
Panthers are sixteen of seventeen teams one win from their
first six matches.

Speaker 10 (01:20:43):
Yeah, the only team not to win in Australia. It's
the only team not to win in the Southern Hemisphere.
I mean, this is crazy to see, but I guess
they do get picked off. Every year a star will leave,
so we all know them kick our criton. They all
go Louis the latest, and of course we've got James Fisherharis.

(01:21:04):
So I think five and clear, who is really a
modern day super touch. It's just been a step too far.
But I'm noticing Nathan Cleary just as in himself, and
I think it's because of love pony. I think he
is in love, of course with Matilda striker Mary Fowler,
who plays from Manchester City, and I think Nathan should
just go and be with the one who loves. Just

(01:21:26):
go to Manchester. There are rugby league clubs up there,
plenty of them along that the sixty two, the motorway
between Leeds and Manchester. Anyway, just go and be with
Mary because it's not working out here with Penritt. And
you've done all you can. You've won three in a row,
and I think at some point you've got to do

(01:21:46):
things for love Pony.

Speaker 3 (01:21:48):
Sporting Insight and romantic advice. We get it all with you,
James Dooke. We are on a Sunday thanks a few.

Speaker 10 (01:21:56):
Advice, will you.

Speaker 3 (01:21:58):
I'm sure you'll get plenty. You will get plenty. James
mccony part of our Sunday seventy two new Stalk.

Speaker 1 (01:22:04):
Sib Adilazing every review from every angle in the Sporting World.
Weekend Sport with Jason Paine Call eight hundred and eighty
eight US Talks eNB four.

Speaker 3 (01:22:15):
To two News next to two o'clock, then into the
last hour of Weekend Sport for today. We start in
topal with Mark Scaife as we'll look ahead to the
sixty one lap of this afternoon Brodie Kistiki going to
start on pole Ryan with the best of the kiwis
in third on the grid. Mark Scafe going to preview
that for us. We'll cover off the Super Rugby OPIKI
final with victorious Blues coach Willie Walker. Aaron Clark as

(01:22:38):
well out of the Warriors as they look to win
four in a row, beat the Storm for the first
time in sixteen attempts and it's his one hundredth RL match.

Speaker 1 (01:22:48):
The only place to discuss the biggest sports issues on
and after fields, It's all on Weekend.

Speaker 2 (01:22:54):
Ford with Jason Paine on your home of Sport in.

Speaker 3 (01:22:58):
New York, eNB two o seven. Welcome back into the
show and our left of Weekend Sport for today. Then
the Weekend Collect takes over the Sunday edition hosted by
Tim Beveridge, set to go from three o'clock this afternoon.
Lots to get through though before we can hand over.
Aaron Clark will this afternoon play his one hundredth NRL match,
the majority of those, of course for the Gold Coast Titans.

(01:23:20):
But back at the Warriors now, where, ironically enough, he
played his very first NRL match, just the one that
this afternoon he'll be a big part of the Warrior's side,
looking to win a fourth straight match and a first
over Melbourne Storm. For goodness only knows how long sixteen
games I think I read during the week since they

(01:23:41):
last had to win over the Storm. So eron Clark's
on the show in the next hour Willie walk up
coach of the Blues opicky champion winning side. Last night
we're off to Supercars and Topour shortly we'll cover off
some a league as well if we get the opportunity,
So quite a bit to get through between now and
three o'clock. Your cause and correspondence continue to be welcome
on eight hundred and eighty ten eighty nine two ninety

(01:24:03):
two if you would like to send a text. But
as we always do it around about this time on
weekend sport, let's get you up to date with some
of the things that might have escaped your attention in
case you missed it. Starting in the NRL, where the
upsets continue, the Cowboys beating the rabbit. O's can you do.

Speaker 2 (01:24:19):
Something here on that?

Speaker 22 (01:24:21):
Not in the moment his tablaa on the Purdu and
he's gotta kick that out. I'm then the Sir Sidney
Era and the Cowboys Paistan Jackson Perdu yeses.

Speaker 3 (01:24:32):
Over no problems though for the Raiders putting fifty on
the hapless Paramount Eels shut it away.

Speaker 20 (01:24:38):
To Chris the gregler said it that best.

Speaker 2 (01:24:42):
It's a thrown back to.

Speaker 23 (01:24:43):
The days where Ricky was the half game and there
was and there was Belcher, and there was Clyde and
that was dead drunku that was daily. But the Raiders
are playing with that spirit.

Speaker 3 (01:24:55):
To the A League we go Wellington Phoenix that went
down three to two to Melbourne victory, but did score
an eye catching second goal.

Speaker 19 (01:25:02):
Pains off on Roun barbarous Is once at part post,
stay to the edge for rich Hey, Paulo rich Eye
into the top corner and it's came on in Wellington.

Speaker 24 (01:25:14):
Paula Ritchey give us City Phoenix.

Speaker 19 (01:25:17):
A foothold and sets us up for an exciting last
fifteen minutes.

Speaker 3 (01:25:23):
Auckland FC, meantime of extended their leader at the top
to four points coming from two nil down to draw
two to two with Sydney FC. Sackey the strata again.

Speaker 2 (01:25:32):
The little one too for.

Speaker 23 (01:25:33):
Sakay into the area, drives it across the face of goal.
Debreeze hits it deflected anad grow square midway through the second.

Speaker 3 (01:25:42):
Half and in the Premier League Arsenal have lost ground
on leaders Liverpool, drawing one one with Brentford.

Speaker 20 (01:25:48):
That was Collins is the equalator top ten.

Speaker 2 (01:25:52):
By ye andres up.

Speaker 19 (01:25:54):
He's called at this up swiveling in that sight six
yard box, uses his body really.

Speaker 3 (01:25:59):
Well to spend really good guided finish and Manchester City
up to fourth, coming back from two nil down to
be Crystal Palace five to two Droiner Pfection from to.

Speaker 2 (01:26:13):
Driner Manchester City.

Speaker 1 (01:26:16):
Petting The Voice of Sport, Home of Sport Weekend Sport.

Speaker 2 (01:26:23):
With Jason van News talks invY.

Speaker 3 (01:26:27):
Yes, indeed it is with all sorts going on here
in terms of beds and bits and pieces, but I
think we've got the got the size of it with
our incasion mistic feature going to get you to topor
very shortly. Brodie Castecki has claimed pole position for the
Feature sixty one lap race this afternoon at the top
all round of the VAT Supercars, the last runner in

(01:26:47):
the shootout, His time of one twenty five point seven
oh five two seconds saw him claim pole by point
one sixty seven seven seconds from Antonti Pisqually, who'll join
him on the front right of the grid. Ryan would
the best of the kiwis in third, Fellow kiwis Matt
Payne and Andre Heimgartner sixth and eighth respectively, five time
VAT supercachichampion, six times Bathurst one thousand winner. Now motorsport

(01:27:09):
commentator Mark scafers with us. Mark, thanks for taking time
in a very busy schedule to join us on ZIB.
How strong a favorite is Brodie Kosticki on the evidence
of the top ten.

Speaker 25 (01:27:19):
Shootout, Well, you'd have to say he's going to be
the man to beat starting from poll, but there's a
fair few guys right in behind him there, So Anthon
Deepasquali alongside young Ryan Wood starts right in behind Brody,
so I'm sure all the kiwis will be urging Ryan
to get down to the first corner and be able

(01:27:39):
to be aggressive and hopefully get some reasonable track position
through the field. Obviously, you've got Matt Pain in six
and Heimgartner in eighth for the kiwis. But yeah, I
think Brody's going to take a fair bit of beating.
I mean he made an unforced area yesterday when he
come into the pit. He crashed into the tires on
the right hand side. It did quite a lot of

(01:28:02):
damage he and Chas Moss. It turned on a real
show for us yesterday with a battle.

Speaker 2 (01:28:06):
For the left.

Speaker 25 (01:28:07):
So if he can just get down to the first
corner and stay out of trouble. Remember we've got two
compulsory pit stops today, so there would be a bit
more action in the pits today as well as it
being a longer race in terms of what the tie
does for a longer period of time.

Speaker 3 (01:28:23):
As you say, we'd love a good hometown result. Ryan
just twenty one years old. How do you like Ryan?
What's driving?

Speaker 4 (01:28:30):
Look?

Speaker 25 (01:28:31):
I think he's driving really well. Anytime that you can
outqualify Chas Moss that you've always done a really good job.
He's aggressive, he doesn't look what he's overawed by the occasion.
I was impressed with him here last year in the rain.
He continues to improve. He's a champion in the making.

Speaker 7 (01:28:47):
For sure.

Speaker 3 (01:28:48):
What have you made of the Toepoor track? Do you
like the race track?

Speaker 7 (01:28:53):
I love it.

Speaker 25 (01:28:54):
It's really compact, it's got a really good next up,
slow and fast corners on the racing line. It's got
thirty different surfaces, so on a new tie this weekend,
a lot of the teams have really struggled to make
the car nice on the new surface versus the old surface.
And it's the same for everybody. I mean it means that,
you know, everyone's got to deal with the same thing.

(01:29:14):
So no, I really like it. I think it's reminiscent
of the old Oran Park in Sydney. The cars look
and feel very similar to that. They use a lot
of curb and the cars move around a lot, so
the cars look fantastic.

Speaker 12 (01:29:28):
On this layout.

Speaker 7 (01:29:29):
All right.

Speaker 3 (01:29:30):
Just to finish word that there will be two super
car's legs and New Zealand next year. Christ it's reportedly
being added. Would two legs in New Zealand be a
popular move? Do you think in Australia.

Speaker 25 (01:29:41):
There's been a lot of conjecture about doing this for
a long time. There's a couple of real benefits when
you have two races in New Zealand. You can amortize
the costs across two events, so that makes sense commercially
and economically. I think for New Zealand tourism it would
be a real shot in the arm because that means
that the length of visitations for people coming from Australia
and around the world to come into New Zealand, they're

(01:30:04):
in New Zealand for longer, they get to more of
the beautiful landscape and the beautiful natural features of the country,
and overall it gives us another event which we used
to do too, if you remember it in the older days,
the Nest and Noble five hundred was a race on
the streets of Wellington and then a race up at Koe.
So we used to spend basically a two week period

(01:30:26):
in New Zealand and I think for everybody that's that's
the desired outcome. Let's hope we can make it make
it work.

Speaker 3 (01:30:33):
Let's say so thanks in DPA time mark and O
you're on tight time schedule. Thanks for joining us on
zed B Markscafe, former multiple winner of the v at
Supercas and six time bathist. When are joining us from
Topoi here on news Talk, said B So yeah, just
to confirm the grid for the sixty one lap feature race.

(01:30:53):
Brodie Castecki we'll start from pole Anton deeper squally, we'll
join him on the front row of the grid. Ryan
Wood the best of the Kiwi's in third, with the
fellow New Zealanders Matt Payne sixth and Andre i'm Gardner
eighth in the final race of the weekend in Topore.
Sixty one laps set to go at around five past

(01:31:14):
three this afternoon. It's just on quarter past two. The
Warriors back in action this weekend. They meet the Storm
in Melbourne four o'clock this afternoon. That's New Zealand time.
It's a milestone match for Warriors middle forward Aaron Clark.
He'll play his one hundredth NRL game and he joins
us now. Aaron, congratulations on game number one hundred. It's

(01:31:35):
a bit of a full circle, isn't it. Your very
first one was for the Warriors against the Storm back
in twenty seventeen. That was before you set off on
your NRL adventures. So what do you remember of your
first game in the NRAL. I think you've only got
about six minutes.

Speaker 5 (01:31:52):
Not very much, mate, not very much. I just remember
sitting in the was pissing down that day. I was
sitting out in the rain, full of just waiting, waiting, waiting.
But lucky enough for me. I think a lot of
kids dream of it, whether it was six minutes or
one minute or seventy nine minutes, you know, people dream
of that. That's those things. And I was lucky enough

(01:32:14):
to get a debut hea at home.

Speaker 3 (01:32:17):
And here you are now on the cusp of one
hundred games. Of course, you went off shore, spend time
at Canberra, back to New Zealand and domestic rugby league,
then to the Titans in twenty twenty ninety four games
across five seasons there. How do you reflect back on
your time on the Gold Coast.

Speaker 5 (01:32:35):
Firstly, they gave me opportunity. They kind of took a
gable with me, had a lot of baggage and yeah,
kind of earned a contract there. So pretty grateful for
them for showing a bit of faith in me and
giving this loss at the time kid ninety four rugby

(01:32:57):
league games. Soah, I'm pretty lucky.

Speaker 3 (01:32:59):
I guess it kind of leads to a question about
you now compared to you back when you left the Worries.
I mean, how different a person an applier. Are you
compared to when you left the Warriors like years ago?

Speaker 5 (01:33:11):
I think as a person, mate, that's kind of the
biggest change I've seen in myself. Just having kids kind
of changes your whole perspective and outlook on life. I
was a kid back then when I devid, I think
I was nineteen and kind of didn't realize what I
had at the time. I was young, like I've said

(01:33:33):
a lot of times, arrogant mate, and just thought I
had it all when really had nothing. And then just
I've learned to like a lot of gratitude ay being
grateful for where I am and it can all get
taken away like that. And because I've been through the
hard route, I've kind of taught myself to be grateful

(01:33:53):
for where I am. And you know, now I've got
three kids looking up to me, and you know, you've
got to be the best role model for them, and
I don't want them making the same mistakes either. And yes,
kind of a bit of a full circle, like you said, yeah.

Speaker 3 (01:34:08):
Well, it's a great outlook eron and you've come back
to the Warriors, slipped into the thirteen jersey that Tahou
Harris wore many times before he was in JIT midway
through last season. Have you felt any responsibility to carry
on a legacy of one of the warriors greatest evor mate,
I beck you.

Speaker 5 (01:34:26):
Up on that. He probably was one of the greatest
Warriors players. But I'm just trying to it sounds cliched,
but be better every game. I tend to not really
put that pressure on myself or obviously I know I
got a big role to play because I'm not thirteen
middle link to the Hars. But all I can do

(01:34:47):
is control what I can control, and that's preparing well
for game day and putting my best foot foot on
the game when it comes to game day. So I
focus on what I can control me. Then yeah, other
stuff takes care of itself.

Speaker 3 (01:35:00):
Well, it certainly is at the moment. One number that
stands out on your game is your tackle of fish
and say, I mean, you hardly ever missed one. How
much do you pride yourself on that?

Speaker 14 (01:35:12):
Oh?

Speaker 5 (01:35:12):
Man, I think you might have to watch the Roosters
game because I must have tackled that led to the trial.

Speaker 3 (01:35:16):
So well, well, there's one you can have one.

Speaker 15 (01:35:19):
I was the crucial one.

Speaker 5 (01:35:20):
I don't miss many tackles, but I miss one crucial one.

Speaker 3 (01:35:25):
Is there something that you pride yourself?

Speaker 5 (01:35:27):
Ah, yeah, I do, Bro, And I think with games
Fisher Harris coming to the club and Mitch Barnett there,
that's like they pride themselves on our defense, and that's
that's something that i'm and they pushed me to be
better defensively all the time. And I think having fished
there kind of changes my perspective on rugby league. He's

(01:35:48):
kind of taught me the tough, the tough way rugby league,
and that's and that's all defense orientated. And that's like,
defense is hard, Bro, but it listen, is what.

Speaker 10 (01:35:58):
He said to me.

Speaker 5 (01:35:59):
He said, defense is tough, but it once your games
at wins, your Grand Finals at once you listen to that.
So I think having fish the kind of helped me
in that way.

Speaker 4 (01:36:08):
Yeah.

Speaker 3 (01:36:09):
Well, it's certainly been a main feature or a feature
of your last three performances as as a team that
wins over the Sea Eagles, the Roosters and the Tigers
off the back of what was a disappointing start in Vegas.
What else? In the last three games, Erin has been
kind of really key to those three victories.

Speaker 5 (01:36:27):
I think, like you talk about team culture and team
like you put yourself brothers and a team, and I
think we're seeing that bond. Like you look at back
in the games, we're still fighting. Like we're down. I
think the Roosters we were down and mainly sorry not
mainly Tigers, we were down. And to claw back that

(01:36:49):
just comes back to pure I think resilience and wanting
to do it for each other.

Speaker 15 (01:36:55):
Yeah.

Speaker 5 (01:36:56):
Like, and to be honest, we still haven't even hit
our strips. I think we've still got so much to
improve on and hopefully we can slowly work on those
things and it will hopefully work wonders and team performance.

Speaker 3 (01:37:09):
So after the three wins, then the bye of course,
did that come at a slightly inconvenient time given the
momentum you're built or was it Was it a chance
to refresh a little bit?

Speaker 5 (01:37:20):
Yeah, I think it's it's how you look at the
buye or the way you look at it. I think
it was probably you can't control what's putting funny you say.
I think we took it as more of a rest, recovery,
reset and then get ready to go again because it's
got a tough couple of weeks until the next one,

(01:37:40):
so we've got to rest the bodies and to go again.

Speaker 3 (01:37:44):
Melourne, Yeah, fair enough, And just on the Storm. How
formidable and opponents are they.

Speaker 5 (01:37:50):
Mate, They've been the benchmark for obviously, them and Penrith
have been the benchmark of the competition for since I
can remember, probably years, and they just they got key
players all over the park and you can't just you
can't switch off. So defensive, we've got to be ready
and they'll throw the ball around from their own half

(01:38:11):
as good as anyone. Say, we've got to be really
really a gay sit.

Speaker 3 (01:38:15):
I'm not sure if you're a numbers man or not,
but it's been I've read this today. It's been sixteen
games since the Warriors last week, the Storm. But do
you feel like they'll fix you lest because you haven't
actually been here for most.

Speaker 5 (01:38:26):
Of that, No, man, I think I got that same
question today early in the day, and it was my RESPONSI.

Speaker 15 (01:38:33):
Was like the new year.

Speaker 5 (01:38:35):
I think every year a new year, and.

Speaker 12 (01:38:38):
This is a new team.

Speaker 5 (01:38:39):
And I never read into that stuff, and I don't
think anyone does. But I think the team we've got
now is good enough to do the job and I'm
actually looking forward to them, and I'm pretty happy that
one hundred's game fours on.

Speaker 18 (01:38:54):
This game, so yeah, I'm looking forward to it outstanding.

Speaker 3 (01:38:57):
And I know you're only looking at this one, but
have you got a bit of a sneaky ring around
round twenty one late July when you'll come up against
the time. I can even I heard the laugh you
knew I was talking about.

Speaker 10 (01:39:09):
I just hate that it's so far away, mate.

Speaker 15 (01:39:12):
I'm just I wish it was.

Speaker 5 (01:39:13):
I wish it was like next week or something, because
but I still got good relationships with a few of
the boys, so there would be a put of laugh Saturday, definitely.

Speaker 3 (01:39:23):
It's been so good watching you guys since you got
back from Vegas three in a row. Let's hope you
can make it four against the Storm. Congrats on reaching
number one hundred air and hope it's a cracker.

Speaker 5 (01:39:31):
For you there's mate, Thank you very much, and do
your weekend.

Speaker 3 (01:39:34):
You enjoy your weekend as well, erin and hopefully we
can all enjoy you and and your Warriors teammates doing
a number on the Storm this afternoon, four o'clock. That
game is underway. That's New Zealand time. As the Warriors
look to go four in a row. The loss of
the Raiders just seems like a distant memory now, doesn't it.
In Vegas, wins over the Sea Eagles, the Roosters and

(01:39:56):
the Tigers the Storm this afternoon and then the Broncos
so a couple of big assignments, But so too were
the last three games, and the Warriors passed those three.
So who's to say they can't break a long standing
draught of wins against the Melbourne Storm a bit later
on this afternoon to twenty four when we come back,
We're back to rugby and Super Rugby. Opicky the trophy

(01:40:20):
handed out last night to the Blues after a pulsating
and hard fought win over Matatu at Eden Park, Coach
of the Blues, will you walk it with us right
after this?

Speaker 1 (01:40:30):
You be the TMO have your say on eight hundred
and eighty ten eighty Weekends for It with Jason Hin
and GJ. Guvnerholmes, New Zealand's most trusted home builder News
Talks there be.

Speaker 3 (01:40:41):
Two twenty seven on News Talks THEREB and Weekend Sport.
The Blues have made history, the first back to back
Super Rugby o Picky Champions due plus.

Speaker 20 (01:40:50):
C long ball out. It's accepted by Porsha Woodman week climb.
Porsha Woodman. We cliff outside the twenty two. They just
need to get it into touch now. The Blues control it,
burn it. It's a touch and the Blues are the
super Rugby old Picky Champions.

Speaker 3 (01:41:04):
Their early twelve NERL deficit and a late red card
not enough to prevent the Blues from edging Mata to
twenty six nineteen in an excellent final at Eden Park
last night. Blues coach Willie Walker is with us back
to back. Will he congratulations as the second more satisfying
than the first or they both equally satisfying.

Speaker 26 (01:41:25):
I think they're pretty similar in terms of where they rank.
Obviously a different group to the crew we had last year,
but it's still special in the same breath. We worked
really hard for it. The girls work really hard last
night and we were put under pressure early on form
to two, but we stuck in there and we talked

(01:41:46):
about that at half time.

Speaker 7 (01:41:47):
That we had to play through eighty minutes to get
a result and we came out on top.

Speaker 3 (01:41:52):
So yeah, yeah, Matter two did start better, didn't they?
Twelve nearly head after twenty minutes. Any reason for the
slightly slow start from your site.

Speaker 26 (01:42:01):
Now, I think we were starved, born and much too
held onto it for a long period in that first
twenty minutes. So we knew though that if we got
hold of the board and we showed that we had
two scrums I think scored two tries kind of back
to back, and we knew that was going to be
the case. And once we were able to build a

(01:42:21):
few phases and create a few opportunities, yeah, you know,
we kind of pulled away a little bit at the end,
but it still.

Speaker 7 (01:42:30):
Was a little bit too tight from for my king.

Speaker 3 (01:42:33):
I want to get to the closing stages in a moment.
But when you were down and then came back, how
big are your experienced heads out there when you know,
when when cool heads and experience are required, Yeah, huge.

Speaker 7 (01:42:47):
I think.

Speaker 26 (01:42:48):
But it wasn't just our experienced girls that stepped up.
You know, We've got a young girl at the back
of Braxton again share some special moments as well. So
just across the board, just really happy was the way.
Obviously everybody performed and contributed to what was a successful season.

Speaker 3 (01:43:06):
Yea, what a moment for your teenage fullback Braxton Sign
and McGee. Ten minutes to go, she goes to lead
to the field to score a try. She's a pretty
special talented yes she is.

Speaker 26 (01:43:17):
I think we talked last night around generational players. Obviously
we've got a number of those in our team, and
it's quite a cool feeling. But perhaps somebody obviously starting
out her career footing it with the likes of Portial Woodman,
who obviously her accolades speak for themselves. It's a special

(01:43:37):
place to be and I know that these young these
young ladies are really enjoying that opportunity to be alongside
some of the legends.

Speaker 7 (01:43:46):
Of the game.

Speaker 3 (01:43:46):
So how were the emotions as Mutta to attack your
line late on while you were down to fourteen players.

Speaker 26 (01:43:54):
Yeah, she was pretty tense, I think up obviously up
in the box. The we talked about it a half time.
We needed to be disciplined, especially around that breakdown area,
and the girls just study beat showed a lot of
hard and we talked around how if we needed inspiration,
just look around at the circle and the people across

(01:44:14):
from you and and just dig and work hard for
each other.

Speaker 7 (01:44:16):
And that's what they did. Was really awesome to see.

Speaker 3 (01:44:19):
I know you were firm favorites going in, you know,
top qualifiers, home advantage, that sort of thing. But did
you get the challenge you expected from Matatu last night?

Speaker 7 (01:44:28):
Yeah, we definitely did.

Speaker 26 (01:44:29):
We We knew that they were well, they were a
quality side, a number of black fans in there. They
obviously beat us last time around, so we knew we'd
be in for a tough old night and finals for
these a little bit different.

Speaker 7 (01:44:41):
To the rest. So everybody listening the.

Speaker 26 (01:44:44):
Game and we just needed to make sure that we
controlled as much as we could around our own stuff, and.

Speaker 7 (01:44:51):
You know, we got the done of the ball on
the night.

Speaker 3 (01:44:54):
I just want to ask about Carlos Spencer, So who's
obviously part of your coaching group. I saw him cheering
Braxton honors. She was sprinting down the field. A couple
of expletives in there, if our reader's lips correctly as well.
I have you enjoyed having Evan Carlos Spencer is part
of your crew.

Speaker 26 (01:45:09):
I'm obviously very lucky to have somebody else Carlos's experience
and elk and just the way he sees the game,
you know, his vision and his innovation. I think it's
invaluable his experience and you know the girls really thrive
on on that knowledge. Yeah, he gets a little bit

(01:45:31):
tense in the box mate, That's that's for sure. But
well I actually had to get him off the sideline
from last year. He wasn't allowed back down there, so
it's a lot easier to keep control of the box.

Speaker 3 (01:45:41):
That's so good. And of course now you meet the
Warratars on Thursday, the first crossover match between the New
Zealand and Australian champions. How much you're looking forward to
that game?

Speaker 7 (01:45:51):
Yeah, it's huge, I think.

Speaker 26 (01:45:52):
I think the whole idea of it, the opportunity for
the exposure of what potentially openly looks like next year.
If we can you know, involve the Aussies and grow
this competition too to what it needs to be to
be able to continue to improve the game for these
ladies is something special and we're looking forward to it again.

(01:46:14):
It's just a different challenge. We get used to playing
these same teams every year, but to be able to
play against an Australian side who will bring something different,
it's really exciting.

Speaker 3 (01:46:26):
Where is that game being played?

Speaker 7 (01:46:27):
Will he it's going to be at North Other Stadium
seven five five North Other Stadium.

Speaker 3 (01:46:32):
Good stuff will put a ring around that. But you
still managed to have a well you and the team
managed to celebrate a little bit last night, even with
that game coming up Thursday.

Speaker 26 (01:46:39):
Yeah, we had a little b brief and then yeah
we are. I mean we understand that we've got a
bit of work to do before then, but we've you know,
the girls deserve to to celebrate what has been a
really tough season and the main goal was to win

(01:47:00):
the Sopickie Final and you know they deserve or the
opportunity they can to have a couple of quiet lemonades
and reflect on what they've actually achieved.

Speaker 3 (01:47:11):
Absolutely they do, as do you. Congratulations on going back
to back, will he thanks for the chat this afternoon.
All the best against the Warritars on Thursday.

Speaker 7 (01:47:18):
Jeez, thank you very much.

Speaker 3 (01:47:19):
No, thank you, Willie. Will you walk with that coach
of the championship winning Blues Super Rugby opicky side winners
over Mata Too in a tight final last night, twenty
six away from three. I want to get to some
football shortly. Just want to circle back to the golf though,
and the third round at the Masters of Rory McElroy
a six under sixty six. He's gone twelve under at Augusta,

(01:47:43):
so back to back six under pass sixty six rounds.
In the second and third rounds. He leads Bryson D
Chambau by two shots. Corey Connor is another two shots back.
It has set up a really enticing final day with
Rory McElroy and Bryson D. Chambeau going pretty much head
to head for the green jacket. Overnight leader Justin Rose

(01:48:04):
dropped off the pace down to I've und up seven
shots behind Rory McElroy.

Speaker 5 (01:48:10):
I had.

Speaker 3 (01:48:10):
Did Roy McElroy feel about his third round?

Speaker 14 (01:48:14):
Yeah, obviously it was a dream start to to, you know,
to get off to the start that I did, hit
two perfect shots on on one and converted. I felt
like I hit sort of three perfect shots on two,
three perfect shots on three. I just it was a
it was such a great way to start, and you know,

(01:48:38):
just to come out of the blocks like that, I
think as well. You know, from finishing yesterday afternoon to
t and off today, it's quite a long time, and
you know there's a lot of anticipate, anticipation and and
sort of anxious energy that builds up you just want
to get out there and play.

Speaker 3 (01:48:55):
So you know, with all of that, to to go
out and start the way it did was.

Speaker 5 (01:49:00):
It was amazing.

Speaker 14 (01:49:01):
And then I you know, had that little bit of
a wabble around to turn there with the boon it
the mischance on nine and then the three put on ten,
and I thought that the par pot on eleven was
was huge just to to sort of get some momentum back,
and you know, to get through eleven and twelve and
even par u was great and then you know, all

(01:49:21):
I was trying to do then was was take advantage
of the par five's coming in, and you know, thankfully
I was able to do that.

Speaker 3 (01:49:28):
So that's Roy talking about the round in general. How
does it feel to Rory McElroy to have the crowd
behind him in such big numbers.

Speaker 14 (01:49:35):
Yeah, look, it's it's amazing to have the support. You know,
these these patrons and these galleries are are a pleasure
to play in front of each and every year we
come back. You know, they're they're some of the most knowledgeable,
you know golf patrons, respectators that that we play in
front of. And yeah, look it's a it's a pleasure

(01:49:57):
to play in front of them and to have that
atmosphere and to have that support. And you know, tomorrow
and that final grip is going to be it's going
to be ill little a little rity and a little loud,
you know, And I'm just gonna have to, you know,
settle in and you know, really try to you know,
keep myself on my own little bubble and and keep

(01:50:17):
my head done. And you know, sort of approached tomorrow
with the the CM attitude that I you know that
I've that I've tried to approach the last three days with.

Speaker 3 (01:50:26):
So what is that process? What process does Rory mcawroy
go through tonight and in preparation for the full round tomorrow?

Speaker 14 (01:50:33):
Yeah, I think I still have to remind myself that
there's a long way to go, just like I said yesterday,
you know, eighteen holes, I just as much as anyone
else know what can happen on the final day here.
So you know, I've I've got a lot of experience.
I you know, I came in there, I come in
here talking about being the most complete version of myself

(01:50:54):
as a golfer, and you know, I just have to
keep reminding myself of that and remind myself that no
matter what situation or scenario I find myself in tomorrow,
I'll be able to handle it.

Speaker 3 (01:51:06):
From Rory McElroy, a question about his incredible start to
his third round, which had him go three three three
three three three. He shot threes on the first six holes.
Was he purposefully being aggressive at the start of his
round today?

Speaker 14 (01:51:22):
Yeah, I was fast on the range, you know, That's
what I'm talking about, even like that anxious energy that
build up. You know, I was probably three or four
miles in hour faster on the range than I have
been all week, which is nice. So I didn't know.
I didn't have to worry about the bunker on one
or on two if I you know, just made a
good swing. So it wasn't really about being aggressive. It

(01:51:45):
was just, you know, it was making good, committed swings
and annoying that if I did that that, you know,
I could set myself up on you know, those first
few holes.

Speaker 3 (01:51:55):
That's Rory McElroy, leader of the Masters at Augusta through
three rounds, after a sixty six in his third round
today to go to twelve under for the tournament, a
two shot lead from Bryson d Chambeau, who came home
very strongly with three birdies in his last four holes
to move to ten under for the tournament, so just

(01:52:15):
two shots back. The Canadian Corey Conners is alone in
third place. He had a two hunder par round today
of seventy and is eight under for the tournament. Then
a couple of players on six hundred, Patrick Reid from
the United States alongside the Swedish player Ludwig a Berg,
and then you're down to the players on five under,

(01:52:36):
including Jason Day, Scotti Scheffler, Shane Lowry and Justin Rose.
Fairly well credentialed quartet there at five under the card.
You just wonder whether perhaps they've left themselves with just
a bit too much to do to catch more. Rory
McElroy at twelve under through his three rounds. We'll have
a lot of coverage of this as part of our

(01:52:57):
news talk ZEBI Sports bulletins tomorrow morning here on z
B twenty one to three. When we come back, want
to finish up the show with a bit of football
preview the Wellington Phoenix women's must win game this afternoon
against Canberra and looking back at the Phoenix men and
Auckland FC men's results from yesterday football When we come
back on Weekend Sport.

Speaker 2 (01:53:18):
It's more than just a game.

Speaker 1 (01:53:20):
Weekend Sport with Jason Vine and GJ Garnomes, New Zealand's
most trusted home builder News Talks.

Speaker 3 (01:53:27):
V News Talks have been Weekend Sports seventeen away from
the three. You want to finish the show today with
some football, looking back at the Wellington Phoenix men and
Auckland FC men's games from yesterday. Shortly, but let's look
ahead to this afternoon's game for the Wellington Phoenix women. Now,
this is a very simple equation. They must win this
game to stay in Top six contention ahead of their

(01:53:50):
final match of the season next weekend. They're up against
Canberra United. I'm not going to bother going through the
table for you, just suffice to say it is a
must win game. If the Phoenix do not win this
game this afternoon, they will not have any chance of
making the Top six. So it's as simple as that.
I caught up with Phoenix midfielder Alyssa Winem during the

(01:54:11):
week to see how the build up has been towards
such a big match for the team.

Speaker 27 (01:54:16):
Yeah, it's been really good. I guess with the international break,
we've kind of had two weeks leading up to it,
so we've been focusing on them since the start of
last week. So it's been really good. I think the
girls are super focused and it's nice to have Fleam
and I are back. But yeah, we played against the
reserves and the weekend and they played as Canbra and
we had a really good result.

Speaker 2 (01:54:34):
So let's hope we can do that again.

Speaker 3 (01:54:37):
Just on Annelie and and and I being away and
then not getting the chance to play any games. What
have they said about the experience of being away and
then having those games taken away from them.

Speaker 27 (01:54:47):
Yeah, I think they've both kind of said it was
a pretty crappy experience for them, traveling all that way
and then no games, and I think they only trained
twice and then they came back and it just wasn't
a great experience. But we're grateful to have them back
earlier because they were supposed to meet us over so
it's nice we had them today and then tomorrow and
we fly to more Smaster have them this week.

Speaker 3 (01:55:07):
Nice all right, So Canberra, see it was a long
time ago since you played them at home. I think
it's been Natalie's doground on the pitch. How do you
assess their threats and how how do you assess your
ability to get the result you need on the weekend?

Speaker 27 (01:55:20):
Yeah, I think we played them round two and we
kind of dominated that game but just fell short one. Now,
so that was a really tough loss we had to take.
We reflected from that. We literally dominated the whole game.
I think they have a lot of threats up top.
They're a very direct team, so they just go straight
and behind, but they're very good at what they do.
So we've been working hard on that and how to

(01:55:41):
stop that and then how we can kind of attack
against that, and it's been looking good at training.

Speaker 3 (01:55:47):
Awesome, So goals obviously are needed. This weekend hasn't been
the best couple of games for goal scoring. Have you
worked specifically on the attacking third.

Speaker 27 (01:55:56):
Yeah, I think that was kind of the point, playing
our reserve team as well, just to kind of get
that confidence so out, just take that break, just breathe.
And we had like a number of different goal scorers
across that game, so that was good for the confidence.
And now they're kind of like flowing and that training
and everything seems to be flowing well in.

Speaker 3 (01:56:13):
A very consistent season for you. You've played pretty much
every game, a lot of them from the start. How
do you sort of assess what you are at the
moment in terms of if you can pee yourself to
last season or even the season before.

Speaker 27 (01:56:23):
Yeah, I think I've developed a lot, both on and
off the pitch. I kind of say that every time,
but I think I've probably matured a lot. I'm very
grateful for the time that I do get. I've started
obviously a lot of games this season. I think Tenths
has put a lot of trust into me, So I'm
very grateful for that, and I think the more I
play with confidence, the better I am. And Yeah, each

(01:56:44):
time I've been on the pitch, like, that's what I've
been trying to do, Just bring what I bring and
just be different and creative. And I think I'm happy
with how I've done this season.

Speaker 3 (01:56:53):
Cool And how much would it mean to be able
to bring to get the result on the weekend and
then have the final game of the season at home
is to Sunday with a chance to make the playoffs
for the first time.

Speaker 27 (01:57:02):
Yeah, I think since I've been here from the start,
like it's like so important and it kind of means
the world to us. So I think we've been really
dedicating the season to just making the top six no
matter what, and now that unfortunately it's kind of done
to like the last of wire, everyone's just like putting
in a big shift to really dedicate ourselves to this
big game and hopefully when we play Western at home,

(01:57:24):
I think it's a big show and everyone will be
there and it'll be so cool and we get the
win in top six.

Speaker 3 (01:57:30):
That was really weird that it's a list of winm
ahead of their game against Canberra United this afternoon five o'clock.
Must win. If they do, they keep their top six
hopes alive heading into their final regular season game. Let's
got to the men. Auckland FC are top of the
A League mens they have been for a while. A
too two draw with Sydney FC yesterday in Sydney has

(01:57:50):
them four points ahead of Melbourne City. Western United are
six points behind Auckland, but they have a game in
hand which they play later on today. So to to
two yesterday Auckland FC were two kneeled down, So to
come back to two to and get a point was
was credible for them. How did coach Steve Coriker evaluate

(01:58:12):
the performance overall? First of all, tough game.

Speaker 24 (01:58:15):
I was very entertaining his game as well. Obviously they
scored two really good Goalscai obviously dangerous from distance, which
we warned the players about. But yeah, they started really well.
But I think we fought back, showed great courage, great
character from the boys as well to keep going till

(01:58:38):
the end, and you know, we got back into the game.
And I think in the end, I think we should
have won the game. With Nadar's opportunity and Jake had
an opportunity Brimmer as well, really good ones to finish
the game off and to win it. But still happy
in the end with a point where we were to
Niel down, but three points would have been a lot better.

Speaker 3 (01:58:59):
How happy was Steve Coricker though, with his side coming
back from too nil down to get a point.

Speaker 24 (01:59:04):
Yeah, no, I'm really proud of it, to be honest
with you, I think they never gave up. They had
belief that they would they would get back into the game.
We believed that halftime as well we could win the game,
and we changed things accordingly to do that. We wanted
to get a little bit further forward with our wing
We changed the system. We got our wing backs higher
and I think it changed the game for us.

Speaker 3 (01:59:25):
The occasion for Steve Coricker was a return to the
club that he won premierships and championships with as a
player and as a coach. So how was Steve Coricker's
emotions going back to Sydney FC for the first time
as an opposition coach.

Speaker 24 (01:59:40):
It was a very strange feeling when I first got here. Yeah,
I don't know really, it was the first time. You
don't know what to expect when you come back. I
like that you said, I've been here for so long.
I gave everything to the club. You know, I was
here a long time as a player coach, so you

(02:00:01):
know I've.

Speaker 3 (02:00:01):
Done my bit.

Speaker 24 (02:00:03):
Now we will see my focuses on Auckland and win
in the premiership.

Speaker 3 (02:00:07):
And does Steve Kyriker believe that the Premier's plate is
still there for the taking despite the fact that they've
had a number of draws recently.

Speaker 24 (02:00:15):
Yeah, we've picked up a lot of drawers of late.
But also that shows we're hard to beat because I
think it's twelve games now that we haven't been beaten
for and you know almost here when they went to
Neil up. But the boys fought back, like we said,
and it's amazing that they that they did that. And yeah,
we just keep going, you know, three games to go.
Now we're four points clear of City. We see what

(02:00:37):
the game happens tomorrow with Western Sydney and Western United. Yeah,
we just keep fine till the end. Obviously games are
running out, so if we can keep our our points
in front, we've got a good chance.

Speaker 3 (02:00:51):
That is Steve Kyriker. After Auckland FC's two to a
draw with Sydney. The Wellington Phoenix yesterday at home went
down three two to Melbourne victory, so officially now they
cannot make the top six. I went to the postmatch
press conference and us G and Colo tally about a
player who impreached me yesterday and has the entire season.
That's Corbyn Piper. And I asked Gianclo Ataliana what he

(02:01:13):
saw in Corbyn Piper before he signed him and what
sort of development he's seen from him this season.

Speaker 28 (02:01:20):
I think we were in the market for a not
a concert player, but a player that had potential that
we could work with, and I probably looked at him
more as a utility player, someone that could fill in.
He had a lot of good defensive abilities, a natural
inclination to defend, which is very hard to teach. It's instinctial.

(02:01:40):
So when you see players like that, it's like Luke
brook Smith with his attacking. It's got something you can't
teach it. You just got to harness it. The same
with Corpse. But for me, Corpse every week, you know,
gives one hundred percent. That's all I asked for players.
One big thing I've learned this season is you can
be great tactically. You can have the best sessions, you

(02:02:02):
can have all that crap right, it doesn't matter if
you don't have the right mindset, it doesn't Everything fails.
For me, I never questioned his mindset. He gives me
one hundred percent. He's you know, we ask him to
do something, he does like even you know today, he
was still running at the end. He copped two hits
at the end, collisions you know probably you know he's
probably had a concussion or something, but he kept going

(02:02:24):
and he was a danger on Is he the Polish
version that we want now?

Speaker 14 (02:02:29):
Is?

Speaker 28 (02:02:30):
I think he's still got a lot of upside. But
for me, if every player had like that would be
very easy to win games. I think can you coach that, yes, yes,
that's you're then dealing with player expectation, group expectation, how you.

Speaker 15 (02:02:47):
Deliver messages. Yeah, I think it's very coachable.

Speaker 28 (02:02:50):
You know, I've seen some very poor teams win leagues.
For me, the most informat.

Speaker 15 (02:02:56):
And it's no.

Speaker 28 (02:02:56):
Disrespect to Renieri. Well sorry, the utmost respect to Renieri.
But when he took over Lester, no one gave him
a chance. But the mindset he instilled in that team
and incorporator was a very a massive collective togetherness. That's
something that I like to think that we try and
build here.

Speaker 2 (02:03:14):
And I think the togetherness of.

Speaker 28 (02:03:16):
The team is the extra player, it's the extra leg
It's the difference in the long term of winning and losing.

Speaker 2 (02:03:23):
You know, it's understated. Again.

Speaker 28 (02:03:25):
You can have the best players in the world. I've
seen Madrid, you know, have many teams stacked with unbelievable
stars Milan as well, But cohesion the dressing room, there's
not enough. You know, emphasis on the culture can fail
very very quickly. Players do win your games, yes in
the short term, but the group will win you.

Speaker 3 (02:03:42):
The Championships as Gian Callowa Taliano after his side three
two lost to Melbourne victory yesterday seven to three News
Talks V.

Speaker 1 (02:03:50):
When it's down to the line, you make the call
on eight hundred eighty ten eighty Weekend Sport with Jason
Hine News Talks V.

Speaker 3 (02:03:58):
And that is us on Weekend Sport. Huge thanks to
Bevan Due for producing this weekend. Thanks for listening in
to beverage after three exit song today is all about
the Marsters and Augusta, Augusta and Georgia. The devil went
down to Georgia. Last few seconds of that song to
take us out. See Tomorrow night on Sports.

Speaker 2 (02:04:15):
Talk for more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine.

Speaker 1 (02:04:27):
Listen live to News Talk st B weekends from midday,
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio

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