July 2, 2024 • 9 mins
Former Kiwis Coach Sir Graham Lowe joined D'Arcy Waldegrave to discuss the success of Te Maire Martin at halfback and what that means for Shaun Johnson.
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Darcy Waldegrave
from news Talk zed be Its one.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Welcome to Sir Graham Lowe as we take a look
at rugby league and after the weekend with the Wars.
Welcome to the program. We're going to focus on the
number seven jump up. What a performance for to Mighty Martin.
What does this mean for Sean Johnson?
Speaker 3 (00:28):
Oh well, I'm not sure what it means for Sean.
Sewan does, but the main thing is what it means
for the coach for Andrew Webster, because he's shown the
confidence to give to Murray Martin that opportunity and obviously
built him up at Murray Martin's a heck of a
player anyhow. I mean, he's already an international player with
(00:49):
a lot of talent. But I think the coach has
pulled the right string and I suppose what happens with
Sean now it's just up to Sean and the coach
because Shawn's still a fantastic player, possibly on his best day,
the best player of the club's got you know, I
don't think anyone should forget that.
Speaker 2 (01:08):
And he's had an injury, he's had a cloud hanging
over him, so you could be you get understand why
he's not been at his absolute best. So this is
not a criticism of Sean that's like, hey, we've got
another guy who can step into your boots, would be
crazy not to use them.
Speaker 3 (01:25):
Absolutely, and I mean playing with the injuries that he
has done just shows the character and the courage of
the man and the willingness of what he's prepared to
put himself through for the club and for his team.
So you know, while he we made not have seen
the sparkle in recent times, he's been prepared to put
(01:45):
his body through a lot a lot. But many who
criticize and would probably whinin have to go to the
doctor if they've got a drinking paper clips stuck under
the fingernail. I've got no idea what it's like playing
with the injuries some of these players play with.
Speaker 2 (02:01):
He attracts so much, doesn't he is it because he's
just been so good and when he doesn't hit those levels,
people get a bit their noses out of joint.
Speaker 3 (02:09):
Grahame, I think that is a bit of as he
is just an exceptional player, one that a generational type
player that you just see come along every now and
then and so when you're going good, it's easy for
he's easy for people to point out and say it's
because he's going you know, he's a fantastic player. And
(02:30):
then if the team doesn't perform for whatever reason, he
seems to attract the criticism. And unfortunately that's just the
nature of sport.
Speaker 2 (02:37):
When too, Mighty Martin, who is young ish in his career,
what is he is in late twenties, he looks like
he is possibly the future once Sewn Johnson hangs up
his boots. But that transfer of position, I from the
older guy to the newer guy. How important is it
that Sewn Johnson is fully engaged in that process because
(02:58):
I've heard and I know that Sewn still spends a
lot of time at practice. He's not hiding in the rehab.
He's really involved with this team. The handover, the transfer
of power should be good.
Speaker 3 (03:11):
No player of any sport worth his salt is going
to happily hand over his position to someone else coming through.
You know, players hide broken limbs, so they hire, They
hide all sorts of injuries so they don't get isolated
out and maybe lose the spot to a younger player
coming through. So Sean. Sean is a hardened he's now
(03:34):
a hardened professional player, and I think anybody would underestimate
Sawan Johnson at their own peril, I think because he's
still got plenty to offer. And while to Murray Martins,
I'm a fan of as he's always have been. He's
been a really good player. When he first came on
the scene as an international for the Kiwis, just as
a young kid. Really, I mean, he stood out and
(03:55):
he just showed he had that class. And as he's
got a bit more older and experience now he's not
out of position, you know. In the number seven jersey
for the Warriors, he looks fantastic in fact. But the
thing is the coach will the coach Andrew Webster will
be having long conversations with Sean and really it's what's
in Sewan's mind and what's what the coach has got
(04:17):
in his plans for the future, and that's that's how
the decision will be made.
Speaker 2 (04:22):
How do players hide broken bones? Graham Low, that's a
still stunning statement.
Speaker 3 (04:28):
They do, don't worry about that. They'll they'll hide any
sort of it. If they see someone on the horizon,
it's going to try and take their place. They'll they'll
put them themselves through all sorts of ang andy just
to try and hide pain that would hold most people
for eck of a long time.
Speaker 2 (04:45):
Wouldn't call to Mighty Martin. A young player, but he's
what five six years younger than Sean Johnson, so young
compared to him in his headspace, having a guy like
Sean Johnson around that may well find himself back in
that seven jersey. How does that work for a player
like that, knowing there's someone breathing down his shoulder, good,
(05:06):
bad and different.
Speaker 3 (05:08):
I think it all depends what the philosophy of the
club is. And it seems to me that Andrew Webster
would have set a philosophy in that club where where
he is, he is the boss. He will make a
decision on who is no one's got a mortgage on
the jersey anywhere at all, and he will make a
decision on who he thinks is right for the job
(05:28):
at that particular time. And some players can cope with
that philosophy and some can't. But that's how I think
that That's how it seems to me that that Andrew
Webster has set that philosophy in the club, which I
think is a fantastic philosophy, And so then if a
player gets stood down or not played a particular week,
(05:49):
or sat on the beach or whatever it might be,
they can cope with it emotionally, okay. And Sean Sean
is a tough experience player, as is Tomorrow's that he is,
He's not a youngster. He's an experienced hardpack you know,
experience ANRL player, so he will be able to cope.
But the whole thing, in my mind, depends on the
philosophy that the coach, Andrew Webbs, that has laid in place,
(06:13):
and that the whole club will be operating on.
Speaker 2 (06:16):
And of course, Sir Graham Law, we can't forget that
Metcalf's got to come back from injury. And we've got
a character called Harris Tavita floating around too. So trying
to put all those players into two positions incredibly difficult
for Andrew Webster. But what a great difficulty to face.
Speaker 3 (06:33):
Well, it's fantastic. You better have have more players than
you need than the other way around. And again, the
whole thing is made easy if the philosophy, If the
philosophy of the club is in place, and it's a
philosophy that treats everybody the same. No one, no one
thinks they've got you know, owns a position. There are
(06:53):
any guardians of the position while they've got it, and
they've got to be on their best game. They've got
to be up to their best and that I'm sure
that's how it's operating out there at the Warriors at
the moment.
Speaker 2 (07:03):
It's been said that when you get to maighty and
sean and this saying lineup and a six and seven,
sometimes they overplay their own hands and maybe step on
the other guy's toes. How difficult is it for a
seven to go play six and vice versa in that
halves pairing. What's the process like for these players to
actually transfer their skills out of number.
Speaker 3 (07:25):
I don't think it's any issue at all. I think
the media make a big thing of it at times.
But these guys are footballer is that's you know, it
doesn't matter where you get put on. You're a footballer
and that means you're at football, not on the left
hands the field or the right side of the field,
or on your goal on or the other goal on.
You're a footballer when you step across the line and
wherever you need it, that's where you play. And when
(07:48):
you start getting knitty and pick it, you know, some
commentators will say, well, seven's guiding the team. Others will
say six is guiding the team. And it's just it's
just it's just I think noise that's going on. I
don't take any notice for it all. And I don't
think the players do what.
Speaker 2 (08:03):
You don't take any notice of the media. Gee, lowey,
what have we done to you?
Speaker 3 (08:08):
No? No, I do take notice at the media. Don't
worry about that. But I'm saying this is just a
media thing. It's a big it's a big thing in
the media. If someone changes jumper, well, you know, I
think you know. Football is a football is the number
on the back is just a number that says this week,
this is where they're playing.
Speaker 2 (08:23):
Can you see a time? And they're not too dis
int future once Sean gets over as injury that that
will be a comfortable combination, the six and seven of
both Tim Mighty and Sean.
Speaker 3 (08:32):
I think they'd be outstanding. I think they'd be It's
an outstanding combination the pair of them, and I think
they compliment, compliment one another. Perfectly. They've both got good
kicking games. They both can read the game. Sean Sean
hasn't maybe got the pace that he had a couple
of years ago, but he's still quick between the ears
(08:53):
and that's the main thing. And in that position, I mean, look,
I look at it from the opposition's point of view,
the opposition would probably much rather have Sean Edward Sean
Johnson sitting on the sideline and not up the field.
Speaker 2 (09:07):
And on that uplifting note to Graham Low will let
you get on with your with your day. Thanks so
much for your time.
Speaker 3 (09:12):
You go well Gonidas, Thanks very much mate.
Speaker 1 (09:15):
For more from Sports Talk, listen live to News Talks
it'd be from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast
on iHeartRadio.
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Darcy Waldegrave
from news Talk zed be Its one.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Welcome to Sir Graham Lowe as we take a look
at rugby league and after the weekend with the Wars.
Welcome to the program. We're going to focus on the
number seven jump up. What a performance for to Mighty Martin.
What does this mean for Sean Johnson?
Speaker 3 (00:28):
Oh well, I'm not sure what it means for Sean.
Sewan does, but the main thing is what it means
for the coach for Andrew Webster, because he's shown the
confidence to give to Murray Martin that opportunity and obviously
built him up at Murray Martin's a heck of a
player anyhow. I mean, he's already an international player with
(00:49):
a lot of talent. But I think the coach has
pulled the right string and I suppose what happens with
Sean now it's just up to Sean and the coach
because Shawn's still a fantastic player, possibly on his best day,
the best player of the club's got you know, I
don't think anyone should forget that.
Speaker 2 (01:08):
And he's had an injury, he's had a cloud hanging
over him, so you could be you get understand why
he's not been at his absolute best. So this is
not a criticism of Sean that's like, hey, we've got
another guy who can step into your boots, would be
crazy not to use them.
Speaker 3 (01:25):
Absolutely, and I mean playing with the injuries that he
has done just shows the character and the courage of
the man and the willingness of what he's prepared to
put himself through for the club and for his team.
So you know, while he we made not have seen
the sparkle in recent times, he's been prepared to put
(01:45):
his body through a lot a lot. But many who
criticize and would probably whinin have to go to the
doctor if they've got a drinking paper clips stuck under
the fingernail. I've got no idea what it's like playing
with the injuries some of these players play with.
Speaker 2 (02:01):
He attracts so much, doesn't he is it because he's
just been so good and when he doesn't hit those levels,
people get a bit their noses out of joint.
Speaker 3 (02:09):
Grahame, I think that is a bit of as he
is just an exceptional player, one that a generational type
player that you just see come along every now and
then and so when you're going good, it's easy for
he's easy for people to point out and say it's
because he's going you know, he's a fantastic player. And
(02:30):
then if the team doesn't perform for whatever reason, he
seems to attract the criticism. And unfortunately that's just the
nature of sport.
Speaker 2 (02:37):
When too, Mighty Martin, who is young ish in his career,
what is he is in late twenties, he looks like
he is possibly the future once Sewn Johnson hangs up
his boots. But that transfer of position, I from the
older guy to the newer guy. How important is it
that Sewn Johnson is fully engaged in that process because
(02:58):
I've heard and I know that Sewn still spends a
lot of time at practice. He's not hiding in the rehab.
He's really involved with this team. The handover, the transfer
of power should be good.
Speaker 3 (03:11):
No player of any sport worth his salt is going
to happily hand over his position to someone else coming through.
You know, players hide broken limbs, so they hire, They
hide all sorts of injuries so they don't get isolated
out and maybe lose the spot to a younger player
coming through. So Sean. Sean is a hardened he's now
(03:34):
a hardened professional player, and I think anybody would underestimate
Sawan Johnson at their own peril, I think because he's
still got plenty to offer. And while to Murray Martins,
I'm a fan of as he's always have been. He's
been a really good player. When he first came on
the scene as an international for the Kiwis, just as
a young kid. Really, I mean, he stood out and
(03:55):
he just showed he had that class. And as he's
got a bit more older and experience now he's not
out of position, you know. In the number seven jersey
for the Warriors, he looks fantastic in fact. But the
thing is the coach will the coach Andrew Webster will
be having long conversations with Sean and really it's what's
in Sewan's mind and what's what the coach has got
(04:17):
in his plans for the future, and that's that's how
the decision will be made.
Speaker 2 (04:22):
How do players hide broken bones? Graham Low, that's a
still stunning statement.
Speaker 3 (04:28):
They do, don't worry about that. They'll they'll hide any
sort of it. If they see someone on the horizon,
it's going to try and take their place. They'll they'll
put them themselves through all sorts of ang andy just
to try and hide pain that would hold most people
for eck of a long time.
Speaker 2 (04:45):
Wouldn't call to Mighty Martin. A young player, but he's
what five six years younger than Sean Johnson, so young
compared to him in his headspace, having a guy like
Sean Johnson around that may well find himself back in
that seven jersey. How does that work for a player
like that, knowing there's someone breathing down his shoulder, good,
(05:06):
bad and different.
Speaker 3 (05:08):
I think it all depends what the philosophy of the
club is. And it seems to me that Andrew Webster
would have set a philosophy in that club where where
he is, he is the boss. He will make a
decision on who is no one's got a mortgage on
the jersey anywhere at all, and he will make a
decision on who he thinks is right for the job
(05:28):
at that particular time. And some players can cope with
that philosophy and some can't. But that's how I think
that That's how it seems to me that that Andrew
Webster has set that philosophy in the club, which I
think is a fantastic philosophy, And so then if a
player gets stood down or not played a particular week,
(05:49):
or sat on the beach or whatever it might be,
they can cope with it emotionally, okay. And Sean Sean
is a tough experience player, as is Tomorrow's that he is,
He's not a youngster. He's an experienced hardpack you know,
experience ANRL player, so he will be able to cope.
But the whole thing, in my mind, depends on the
philosophy that the coach, Andrew Webbs, that has laid in place,
(06:13):
and that the whole club will be operating on.
Speaker 2 (06:16):
And of course, Sir Graham Law, we can't forget that
Metcalf's got to come back from injury. And we've got
a character called Harris Tavita floating around too. So trying
to put all those players into two positions incredibly difficult
for Andrew Webster. But what a great difficulty to face.
Speaker 3 (06:33):
Well, it's fantastic. You better have have more players than
you need than the other way around. And again, the
whole thing is made easy if the philosophy, If the
philosophy of the club is in place, and it's a
philosophy that treats everybody the same. No one, no one
thinks they've got you know, owns a position. There are
(06:53):
any guardians of the position while they've got it, and
they've got to be on their best game. They've got
to be up to their best and that I'm sure
that's how it's operating out there at the Warriors at
the moment.
Speaker 2 (07:03):
It's been said that when you get to maighty and
sean and this saying lineup and a six and seven,
sometimes they overplay their own hands and maybe step on
the other guy's toes. How difficult is it for a
seven to go play six and vice versa in that
halves pairing. What's the process like for these players to
actually transfer their skills out of number.
Speaker 3 (07:25):
I don't think it's any issue at all. I think
the media make a big thing of it at times.
But these guys are footballer is that's you know, it
doesn't matter where you get put on. You're a footballer
and that means you're at football, not on the left
hands the field or the right side of the field,
or on your goal on or the other goal on.
You're a footballer when you step across the line and
wherever you need it, that's where you play. And when
(07:48):
you start getting knitty and pick it, you know, some
commentators will say, well, seven's guiding the team. Others will
say six is guiding the team. And it's just it's
just it's just I think noise that's going on. I
don't take any notice for it all. And I don't
think the players do what.
Speaker 2 (08:03):
You don't take any notice of the media. Gee, lowey,
what have we done to you?
Speaker 3 (08:08):
No? No, I do take notice at the media. Don't
worry about that. But I'm saying this is just a
media thing. It's a big it's a big thing in
the media. If someone changes jumper, well, you know, I
think you know. Football is a football is the number
on the back is just a number that says this week,
this is where they're playing.
Speaker 2 (08:23):
Can you see a time? And they're not too dis
int future once Sean gets over as injury that that
will be a comfortable combination, the six and seven of
both Tim Mighty and Sean.
Speaker 3 (08:32):
I think they'd be outstanding. I think they'd be It's
an outstanding combination the pair of them, and I think
they compliment, compliment one another. Perfectly. They've both got good
kicking games. They both can read the game. Sean Sean
hasn't maybe got the pace that he had a couple
of years ago, but he's still quick between the ears
(08:53):
and that's the main thing. And in that position, I mean, look,
I look at it from the opposition's point of view,
the opposition would probably much rather have Sean Edward Sean
Johnson sitting on the sideline and not up the field.
Speaker 2 (09:07):
And on that uplifting note to Graham Low will let
you get on with your with your day. Thanks so
much for your time.
Speaker 3 (09:12):
You go well Gonidas, Thanks very much mate.
Speaker 1 (09:15):
For more from Sports Talk, listen live to News Talks
it'd be from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast
on iHeartRadio.
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