July 12, 2025 • 10 mins
The shift to 6 for Tupou Vaa'i has led to back-to-back strong performances. He made 13 tackles and scored a try last night in the All Blacks win over France.
James McOnie joined Piney to discuss Tupou's performance, and what to make of the Wimbledon final
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport Podcast with Jason Vine
from Newstalk zb.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Sunday afternoons, we chat with James McCarney.
Speaker 3 (00:15):
Hello, mate, kat a Piney, how's it going?
Speaker 2 (00:18):
Very good? Did you enjoy watching two port VI in
the last two Test matches playing the sixth jersey score
tries in both give it the pookhana? Is he the
answer moving forward in that jersey?
Speaker 3 (00:29):
Well, he feels like the answer, but it also means
it's a big shift, isn't it from where the all
Blacks were heading with their loose forwards? Because you know,
like I said last week, he's not a power number
six like at Jerome k and O or even a
Liam Squire. But the thing is he he gives you
that extra bit of work. Create he gives you, you know,
(00:50):
elite mobility, and he's just got an engine that won't quit.
So you notice his support game now that he's been
freed up from Locke is just looking absolutely elite. So yes,
two po Bio at six I think is a really
successful experiment, and you know it's test Rugby agrees with them.
It's just one of those guys, you know, it's a
(01:11):
bit like when Liam Squire made the step up he
looked at home straight away, didn't he?
Speaker 2 (01:17):
Yep, he did. Neither are some players who just are ready,
aren't they? They're just ready Wallace to tt another one
last year. What else caught your eye last night?
Speaker 3 (01:25):
Well, to start with, I couldn't actually take this test
that seriously piney because France fois by four points last weekend.
But Gualtier made so many changes even David Bowie would
struggle to keep up. I mean he made he made
ten to Jane Jazz, but it was really actually twelve
(01:46):
because after Sogby, who was at fullback in the first test,
and Gayeton, who was at center, moved to the wings.
So yeah, it's a great win by the All Blacks.
I thought they were clinical, but clearly Gualtier doesn't care
about winning the series, because you would not do that
after such a great showing from the team in the
first Test.
Speaker 2 (02:03):
I don't know, it didn't it didn't reward it, did
it reward performance at all?
Speaker 3 (02:09):
Yeah, they were so good in that first test. I
just went, this is actually really cool for Guilty. He's
uncovered some gems at the Sogby looks world class at fallback,
and I mean you saw he had a couple of
flashes on the wing, but nothing great last night, so
I just thought he's clearly just doing his own thing,
mixing and matching. There's not the same pressure on the
(02:31):
fred rugby coach as there is of the All Blacks
coach to win, so he can do what whatever he wants.
And I don't doubt there'll be a correction this weekend
in Hamilton, so I think coming away with a win
would still be a feather of his cap, but it's
not the same pressure and I didn't even feel that
last night because it was a bit disjointed. Although we
(02:51):
can say baby in Holland, yes, massive asset and what
a great first two tests. You probably won't you go
a long way to find a better start to All
Black's career. And then Camroy guard just owning things at halfback.
He looks so elite now that you know there's no
doubt he is the starting nine. Moving moving forward.
Speaker 2 (03:14):
For a while indeed, or let's move to other matters.
The Carlos al Karez Janick sinner rivalry has its latest
chapter tonight at Wimbledon. Remember these guys had a five
and a half hour final at roll In Garol's not
that long ago. I don't think Sinner's ever won Wimbledon.
I don't think he's ever made the final. Al KaAZ
has won the last two. A big good game, though,
(03:35):
shouldn't it.
Speaker 3 (03:36):
Yeah, I'm sort of picking Sinner to win this. I
just feel like he's you know, they're both heading towards
the peak of their powers. But the way that he
got rid of Djokovic in the semi finals, this is Sinner.
He's sort of built really like a grasscourt player more
than al Karaz, just a bit longer and you know,
(03:59):
covers the court that way he I mean, I haven't
seen enough of his volley game to say, okay, he's
definitely got what it takes to put away those easy points.
But Sinner is, you know, he's on the rise. I
can see why the tennis bosses didn't give him a
tough drugs band because tennis needs him. You know, Tennis
(04:21):
needs Sinners more than they need Saints, and so that's
why he's there. But al Karez, that's it's a great
rivalry already, it just needs probably one or two more.
You know, it's thereas okay, but you know, maybe a
couple more so they can get another Big four going.
But did you see the women's final pinting?
Speaker 2 (04:38):
Yeah, double bagel. How would you go?
Speaker 3 (04:41):
Honestly, fifty seven minutes, you pay your your tickets, you
have your strawberries and crean, they're barely finished their pims
and you're out the door. That is brutal. Look, I
just think, I mean, Sublenka will be kicking yourself for
losing the semi final, but I think that her temperament
is costing her what should be dominance right now. But
(05:04):
Donald's spheer tech, Who's Who's just a champion player? And im
proves it again.
Speaker 2 (05:09):
Yeah, Amanda anisim Ova the unfortunate recipient of the six
love six love in the in the women's final. We'll
look forward to the men's tonight. Hey, the Warriors play
West Tigers this afternoon. This feels like quite an important
match to me off the back of well, the bye,
but then two defeats before that.
Speaker 3 (05:25):
Yeah, and you know it's it's a banana skin game.
It's a real kind of like because the Tigers are
a Batlan team and not on the table, you'd say
we should beat them all all day, every single week.
But the really reality is is that you know, Benji
will have them motivated. They've got you know, I think
corrousales back today. Have you seen the team Piney, I
(05:46):
don't know, but that makes that makes a big difference
to them. And so I just think we need to
be quite patient with what with having the new half
back there with Tanner Boyd and and just you know,
give them a chance. But look, it's it's not too
bad conditions here. So look, I think there's there's every
chance the Warriors can get back on track. It's been
(06:07):
an awkward a few bie weeks with two losses and
two buyers. It's just Origin just gets in the way.
He doesn't it, But it's just the way the league
is structured. And so now hopefully we can get some
confidence back in the team.
Speaker 2 (06:22):
Upper Side Chorus is back for the West Tigers, so
you'll see him out on go Meetia this evening or
this afternoon when it becomes the evening. I'm looking forward
seeing how Tanner Boyd goes. I haven't ever seen him play,
but I want to see him play today.
Speaker 3 (06:35):
Yeah exactly. I mean, Tanner Boyd is the one who
really pushes them so hard. That. I think even if
you ask where he he'd say that he'd love to
pick him. He just had him in a space with
Luke Metcalf playing that well. So the reason why they
signed him is they wanted him to be their number seven.
But it's I think it's Chanelle Harris de Vita. His
emergence as a as a force again has pretty much
(06:58):
changed all their plans because Tanner Boyd when they signed
him from Gold Coast last year, was going to be
the number seven.
Speaker 2 (07:05):
Hey, the Black Keps are going to be playing shortly
as well. They're over in Zimbabwe, aren't there? No, Yeah, Zimbabwe.
They are for this tri series again Zimbabwe and South Africa.
These games are eleven o'clock at night, which is a
little bit unfriendly in terms of viewing them. But there's
a couple of new faces to look out for.
Speaker 3 (07:23):
Yeah, that's the thing that's kind of interesting, that Zimbabwe series.
And who sang the song Zimbabwe? Was it Tony Child's.
I think I don't know that song.
Speaker 2 (07:31):
That's about the first Niche reference, the first Niche reference
you've given me that I haven't picked up on. I'll check, yeah,
but keep talking.
Speaker 3 (07:38):
And it's Tony child. The thing you know, stop your
fussing was another big song as well. But yes, you
definitely had a song called Zimbabwe. If you can find it, Andy,
you will be a legend if you can. But look, yeah,
the interesting thing is Michael Bracewell and Kan Williams are
not playing in the Tests. That's just I think they've
got Well Cane's on a special deal where he can
(07:59):
just pick and choose, and fair enough he's got to
that point and Michael Bracewell's been allowed to go and
play in the one hundred over and there one. But
it does say to me that we are devaluing Test
matches quite a lot. And okay, it's only Zimbabwe, but
if you think that it is the pinnacle of the sport,
we should be somehow prioritizing it or pushing for a
(08:20):
better schedule. So it's a terrible drawer. If you're a
Test match cricketer this year, you're just pretty much twiddling thumbs.
But there is because Kyle Jamieson is his partner's expecting
their first baby. He's out and there's a young guy
called Matt Fisher, a young fast bowler from the Northern
From Northern districts has come in Waikato boy. I think
(08:41):
his dad's a lawyer in tokot Or so just yeah,
he's He's come through from the grass roots.
Speaker 2 (08:49):
I love it. I think he's quite quick. I think
they like how you know you guys come in. They
so this blokes quite quick. I think he's one of
the quicker ones going around domestic cricket. Matt Fisher looking
forward to seeing how quick he actually is exactly.
Speaker 3 (09:01):
Talkota is one of the greatest sporting counts in history.
I think you can trace a lot of like legends
you don't even realize it from Talk All Bernie Fraser,
Maria Too, tire Keiven, the Alamu Walton Little you know.
The list goes on, obviously, the ones like Kuake Cooper,
Richard Cahowey and Joey Marnho. But is there a bit
of cricketer. Is Matt Fisher going to be Talk's first
(09:23):
black cat. We'll wait and see. I mean, I haven't
done the research for you just today, but I'm just
sort of riffing here.
Speaker 2 (09:29):
Piney good on Talk, Good on Talk, I found Zimbabwe.
I'll play a couple of a couple of bars to
take us out with Sellow why not here it is
from Tony Childs. Hey, we'll see We'll see you next Sunday.
Speaker 3 (09:40):
Yes, sounds good, poney, look.
Speaker 2 (09:42):
Forward to it, mate. James mcconey with Tony Childs en Zimbabwe.
Although this feels like it's kind a very long intro. Yeah,
I on bored with that, already bored with that song already.
It's certainly not Stop Your Fussing by Tony Charles is it?
Speaker 1 (09:58):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine. Listen live
to News Talk zed B weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on I Radio
You're listening to the Weekend Sport Podcast with Jason Vine
from Newstalk zb.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Sunday afternoons, we chat with James McCarney.
Speaker 3 (00:15):
Hello, mate, kat a Piney, how's it going?
Speaker 2 (00:18):
Very good? Did you enjoy watching two port VI in
the last two Test matches playing the sixth jersey score
tries in both give it the pookhana? Is he the
answer moving forward in that jersey?
Speaker 3 (00:29):
Well, he feels like the answer, but it also means
it's a big shift, isn't it from where the all
Blacks were heading with their loose forwards? Because you know,
like I said last week, he's not a power number
six like at Jerome k and O or even a
Liam Squire. But the thing is he he gives you
that extra bit of work. Create he gives you, you know,
(00:50):
elite mobility, and he's just got an engine that won't quit.
So you notice his support game now that he's been
freed up from Locke is just looking absolutely elite. So yes,
two po Bio at six I think is a really
successful experiment, and you know it's test Rugby agrees with them.
It's just one of those guys, you know, it's a
(01:11):
bit like when Liam Squire made the step up he
looked at home straight away, didn't he?
Speaker 2 (01:17):
Yep, he did. Neither are some players who just are ready,
aren't they? They're just ready Wallace to tt another one
last year. What else caught your eye last night?
Speaker 3 (01:25):
Well, to start with, I couldn't actually take this test
that seriously piney because France fois by four points last weekend.
But Gualtier made so many changes even David Bowie would
struggle to keep up. I mean he made he made
ten to Jane Jazz, but it was really actually twelve
(01:46):
because after Sogby, who was at fullback in the first test,
and Gayeton, who was at center, moved to the wings.
So yeah, it's a great win by the All Blacks.
I thought they were clinical, but clearly Gualtier doesn't care
about winning the series, because you would not do that
after such a great showing from the team in the
first Test.
Speaker 2 (02:03):
I don't know, it didn't it didn't reward it, did
it reward performance at all?
Speaker 3 (02:09):
Yeah, they were so good in that first test. I
just went, this is actually really cool for Guilty. He's
uncovered some gems at the Sogby looks world class at fallback,
and I mean you saw he had a couple of
flashes on the wing, but nothing great last night, so
I just thought he's clearly just doing his own thing,
mixing and matching. There's not the same pressure on the
(02:31):
fred rugby coach as there is of the All Blacks
coach to win, so he can do what whatever he wants.
And I don't doubt there'll be a correction this weekend
in Hamilton, so I think coming away with a win
would still be a feather of his cap, but it's
not the same pressure and I didn't even feel that
last night because it was a bit disjointed. Although we
(02:51):
can say baby in Holland, yes, massive asset and what
a great first two tests. You probably won't you go
a long way to find a better start to All
Black's career. And then Camroy guard just owning things at halfback.
He looks so elite now that you know there's no
doubt he is the starting nine. Moving moving forward.
Speaker 2 (03:14):
For a while indeed, or let's move to other matters.
The Carlos al Karez Janick sinner rivalry has its latest
chapter tonight at Wimbledon. Remember these guys had a five
and a half hour final at roll In Garol's not
that long ago. I don't think Sinner's ever won Wimbledon.
I don't think he's ever made the final. Al KaAZ
has won the last two. A big good game, though,
(03:35):
shouldn't it.
Speaker 3 (03:36):
Yeah, I'm sort of picking Sinner to win this. I
just feel like he's you know, they're both heading towards
the peak of their powers. But the way that he
got rid of Djokovic in the semi finals, this is Sinner.
He's sort of built really like a grasscourt player more
than al Karaz, just a bit longer and you know,
(03:59):
covers the court that way he I mean, I haven't
seen enough of his volley game to say, okay, he's
definitely got what it takes to put away those easy points.
But Sinner is, you know, he's on the rise. I
can see why the tennis bosses didn't give him a
tough drugs band because tennis needs him. You know, Tennis
(04:21):
needs Sinners more than they need Saints, and so that's
why he's there. But al Karez, that's it's a great
rivalry already, it just needs probably one or two more.
You know, it's thereas okay, but you know, maybe a
couple more so they can get another Big four going.
But did you see the women's final pinting?
Speaker 2 (04:38):
Yeah, double bagel. How would you go?
Speaker 3 (04:41):
Honestly, fifty seven minutes, you pay your your tickets, you
have your strawberries and crean, they're barely finished their pims
and you're out the door. That is brutal. Look, I
just think, I mean, Sublenka will be kicking yourself for
losing the semi final, but I think that her temperament
is costing her what should be dominance right now. But
(05:04):
Donald's spheer tech, Who's Who's just a champion player? And im
proves it again.
Speaker 2 (05:09):
Yeah, Amanda anisim Ova the unfortunate recipient of the six
love six love in the in the women's final. We'll
look forward to the men's tonight. Hey, the Warriors play
West Tigers this afternoon. This feels like quite an important
match to me off the back of well, the bye,
but then two defeats before that.
Speaker 3 (05:25):
Yeah, and you know it's it's a banana skin game.
It's a real kind of like because the Tigers are
a Batlan team and not on the table, you'd say
we should beat them all all day, every single week.
But the really reality is is that you know, Benji
will have them motivated. They've got you know, I think
corrousales back today. Have you seen the team Piney, I
(05:46):
don't know, but that makes that makes a big difference
to them. And so I just think we need to
be quite patient with what with having the new half
back there with Tanner Boyd and and just you know,
give them a chance. But look, it's it's not too
bad conditions here. So look, I think there's there's every
chance the Warriors can get back on track. It's been
(06:07):
an awkward a few bie weeks with two losses and
two buyers. It's just Origin just gets in the way.
He doesn't it, But it's just the way the league
is structured. And so now hopefully we can get some
confidence back in the team.
Speaker 2 (06:22):
Upper Side Chorus is back for the West Tigers, so
you'll see him out on go Meetia this evening or
this afternoon when it becomes the evening. I'm looking forward
seeing how Tanner Boyd goes. I haven't ever seen him play,
but I want to see him play today.
Speaker 3 (06:35):
Yeah exactly. I mean, Tanner Boyd is the one who
really pushes them so hard. That. I think even if
you ask where he he'd say that he'd love to
pick him. He just had him in a space with
Luke Metcalf playing that well. So the reason why they
signed him is they wanted him to be their number seven.
But it's I think it's Chanelle Harris de Vita. His
emergence as a as a force again has pretty much
(06:58):
changed all their plans because Tanner Boyd when they signed
him from Gold Coast last year, was going to be
the number seven.
Speaker 2 (07:05):
Hey, the Black Keps are going to be playing shortly
as well. They're over in Zimbabwe, aren't there? No, Yeah, Zimbabwe.
They are for this tri series again Zimbabwe and South Africa.
These games are eleven o'clock at night, which is a
little bit unfriendly in terms of viewing them. But there's
a couple of new faces to look out for.
Speaker 3 (07:23):
Yeah, that's the thing that's kind of interesting, that Zimbabwe series.
And who sang the song Zimbabwe? Was it Tony Child's.
I think I don't know that song.
Speaker 2 (07:31):
That's about the first Niche reference, the first Niche reference
you've given me that I haven't picked up on. I'll check, yeah,
but keep talking.
Speaker 3 (07:38):
And it's Tony child. The thing you know, stop your
fussing was another big song as well. But yes, you
definitely had a song called Zimbabwe. If you can find it, Andy,
you will be a legend if you can. But look, yeah,
the interesting thing is Michael Bracewell and Kan Williams are
not playing in the Tests. That's just I think they've
got Well Cane's on a special deal where he can
(07:59):
just pick and choose, and fair enough he's got to
that point and Michael Bracewell's been allowed to go and
play in the one hundred over and there one. But
it does say to me that we are devaluing Test
matches quite a lot. And okay, it's only Zimbabwe, but
if you think that it is the pinnacle of the sport,
we should be somehow prioritizing it or pushing for a
(08:20):
better schedule. So it's a terrible drawer. If you're a
Test match cricketer this year, you're just pretty much twiddling thumbs.
But there is because Kyle Jamieson is his partner's expecting
their first baby. He's out and there's a young guy
called Matt Fisher, a young fast bowler from the Northern
From Northern districts has come in Waikato boy. I think
(08:41):
his dad's a lawyer in tokot Or so just yeah,
he's He's come through from the grass roots.
Speaker 2 (08:49):
I love it. I think he's quite quick. I think
they like how you know you guys come in. They
so this blokes quite quick. I think he's one of
the quicker ones going around domestic cricket. Matt Fisher looking
forward to seeing how quick he actually is exactly.
Speaker 3 (09:01):
Talkota is one of the greatest sporting counts in history.
I think you can trace a lot of like legends
you don't even realize it from Talk All Bernie Fraser,
Maria Too, tire Keiven, the Alamu Walton Little you know.
The list goes on, obviously, the ones like Kuake Cooper,
Richard Cahowey and Joey Marnho. But is there a bit
of cricketer. Is Matt Fisher going to be Talk's first
(09:23):
black cat. We'll wait and see. I mean, I haven't
done the research for you just today, but I'm just
sort of riffing here.
Speaker 2 (09:29):
Piney good on Talk, Good on Talk, I found Zimbabwe.
I'll play a couple of a couple of bars to
take us out with Sellow why not here it is
from Tony Childs. Hey, we'll see We'll see you next Sunday.
Speaker 3 (09:40):
Yes, sounds good, poney, look.
Speaker 2 (09:42):
Forward to it, mate. James mcconey with Tony Childs en Zimbabwe.
Although this feels like it's kind a very long intro. Yeah,
I on bored with that, already bored with that song already.
It's certainly not Stop Your Fussing by Tony Charles is it?
Speaker 1 (09:58):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine. Listen live
to News Talk zed B weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on I Radio
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