August 23, 2024 • 43 mins
D'Arcy Waldegrave returns to recap an exciting week in the world of sports! Highlights for tonight include:
Greg 'Brandy' Alexander - On Shaun Johnson's final game
Talkback
Chris Lendrum - NZR Rugby GM of Professional Rugby & Performance
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Darcy Waldegrave
from News Talk ZEDB.
Speaker 2 (00:32):
Greetings, greetings, greetings, Happy Friday one and all. My nome
is Darcy Autograph. This is Sports Talk. We roll through
the eight we talk about sport six and a half
after seven twenty third of August twenty twenty four. That's
where at I'll keep you up today. Up to date
Tanapa taking on Hawks Bay as felt the Shield Challenge
going on at the moment. Zips AP up to two
(00:53):
minutes so far. Coming up on this evenings show, Greg
Brandy Alexander joins us shortly play me for My Warrior
for Orange Advisor, general all around, goodfella, great rooster, talking
about GEORGN Johnson and the legacy he leaves. It's his
(01:17):
last game in front of the faithful, and after a
number of seasons of playing terribly, people turn up. They
are faithful, aren't they? This time It's been a sold
out season. The team hasn't turned up to the party,
but that does not detract from the influence that Shawn
Johnson has had on the game of rugby league and
(01:38):
on the Warriors throughout his career. It's say and a
a baby at home the last time at Mount Smart
and Greed joins us to talk about that, and then
we'll get your calls as well. I want you to
spread some love. Oh go away for crying out loud
of all the people to ring me at this time
of the night. I'm going to tell you who it was,
(02:01):
my parole officer. No, it wasn't, It wasn't.
Speaker 1 (02:06):
It wasn't.
Speaker 2 (02:07):
They stopped harassing me years ago. Eight minutes after seven,
Chris Lendum also joins the program, and he's in a
rugby g email Professional Rugby and Performance, still picking away
at what on earth happened with a razor a v
ARANGI we've had the official store, we've had the line.
Everyone seems to be accepting that. Just ask him a
few more questions around what on earth actually happened? How
(02:27):
did you cover it? And why didn't Leo McDonald say anything?
Why is he run off? Why wasn't he on the
official press release? And it smells to me, but Chris
Lenje joins us. Dispray some perfume so it doesn't stink anymore.
That's coming up, but we'll have your calls as well.
As I said before, the telephone rudely attacks me and
(02:49):
we'll take your calls on Sean Johnson, the fact that
he's had your memories of Sean. He's not dead, he's
just like you know, retiring your memories of Sean and
the influence has had on the game of rugby league.
But before we do that, let's do this today. As
I said, great links Seawn Johnson or plays final Hayming
game tonight is the last take on the Dogs and
(03:11):
the season's penultimate game. The star halfback has been praised
by a man who knows what the dizzying heights of
top top half backplay actually means. Here's Stacy Jones.
Speaker 3 (03:24):
We're going to be sending off a legend of our
game and Sean what he's done for the club, what
he's done for the game. You know, there's been lots
of little kids running around that are grand men now
that have played the game because.
Speaker 2 (03:35):
Of sure Ozzie Grand Prix racer Danna Ricardo believes Kiwi
almost if one hot hu Liam Lawson deserves a drive
in the Motorsports Premi Yere category from a let's say
a place of competitive respect.
Speaker 4 (03:48):
I think he does deserve one. So if he's in
the in the sport next year. I think that's a
good thing.
Speaker 2 (03:54):
You won't think, man, if he takes your seat. Kimmi
or Apoi is back back in black. The mid quarter
has been named in the Silver Ferns Tiny Jennison squad.
After two years in the Weeds, my mind.
Speaker 5 (04:06):
Has changed over the last few years.
Speaker 2 (04:07):
We are just kind of went back to trying to
play people for fun and yeah, just focusing really on
that and connecting with teammates and yeah, kind of the
riches took care of itself and all whites passed down.
Baisley has named a strong side to compete against the
Mexico and the USA next month. Deser though it does
sling the X around, It's tough. It's disappointing for the players.
(04:30):
You know, he's just moved to Auckland and you know,
having to speak to him and you leave him out
was tough. When we're leaving players out like Max and
Grievesy and Bill to Ilma. You know, it's good for
us and that's sports today. Johnson steps straight support on
the inside, decides against Chris Johnson, comes Greg Brandy, Alexander
(04:58):
joining us on the program. As we look at the
life and times of Sean Johnson. Greg, Welcome to the show.
It's the end of an era, isn't it. Shawn john
has been so much to the Warriors. Indeed the key
is but predominantly the wars He's been their name for
a long long time.
Speaker 6 (05:15):
He has and ARSI over the what is it fourteen years?
Fifteen years that he's been playing. Now, we've had many
chats about Sewn Johnson, most of them really good. You know,
they've They've got a period in his career there where
he left the Warriors went to the Sharks. We were
wondering whether we'd see the best of him again, and
(05:37):
I had my I certainly had my doubts, but last
year was so enjoyable to watch what he what he
was able to do for the Warriors last year, and
he was he was the main reason they ran top
four and he's and he's probably the main reason why
they're having the season they are this year, because yeah,
to take him, to remove him out of the scene,
(05:59):
and injury and lack of motivation, whatever it is, he
just hasn't been the same this year and last year
was I'm glad we got to see Sean Johnson play
the sort of footy he did last year. Because I'm
out of all these highlight seasons, I'm putting last year down.
Now he's to his best. I think we saw the
(06:20):
best of Sewn Johnson because we saw as Sean Johnson
that we hadn't seen the previous twelve years. We saw
someone that cared more about the result rather than just
his individual four and how he played. I think, you know,
Sean could walk off the field with a loss to
the Warriors, but if he played well, you know, he
(06:42):
did his job. But last year it was a little
bit different. And he's been a legend. Well he is
a legend. He's a legend of New Zealand rugby league.
Speaker 2 (06:51):
Mercurial up and down. This is the thing about Sean Johnson.
You ever quite sure which Sean Johnson is going to
turn up? You almost suspect greed that he didn't know either.
Speaker 6 (06:59):
Yeah, yes, yes, and no. But there comes a you know,
it's pretty high price tag that and what you were
expected to do every game when you are as talented
as Sean Johnson, and sometimes it just doesn't work. You know,
sometimes there's games where things just don't open up and
things don't happen. But in terms of ability, skill, grace,
(07:25):
you know, at times, toughness, you know through he had
all of those in in bits and pieces throughout his career.
But I'll always remember Sean Johnson as someone that made
things look not easier. But everyone else can. You know,
there's players, and there's been great ball players, are great
movers that have been able to create space for themselves
(07:46):
and for their for their men and for their support
players and put them through holes. And but no one
did it, and no one looked as good as Sean
Johnson doing it.
Speaker 3 (07:55):
He was just he was.
Speaker 6 (07:58):
It was artistry, it was it was choreographed brilliance and
he was such a He's been such a treat to
watch over the years.
Speaker 2 (08:08):
He was throwing Greg Alexander into it reasonably early. He
came with big tickets from his time playing club football
and from playing tut rugby as well, so he always
had the tag on him and it took him a while,
maybe just to get comfortable with their position. Maybe it's
a little too early to get in him. What do
they say, if you're good enough, you're old enough, right.
Speaker 6 (08:28):
Yeah, you know. And he starred for the for the
Warriors in the under twenties, you know, so there we was.
There was high expectations on Sean when he came in.
And you know, and I've spoken about this recently on
Fox Sports where you know, Darlie Cherry Evans. They played
each other last week. They made their to Booze in
the same season, went to the Grand went to the
(08:49):
Grand Final against each other. So you know, where does
Seoran you know, I guess you know where does Sean
rank in the in the hierarchy of number sevens? You know?
And Stacey who I played with to play and watched
him as a as a youngster when he first came
on in the scene in ninety five. I remember saying
(09:09):
back then, Stace's one of the best, one of the
best juniors I've ever seen coming to grade. And he
just continued to play like that for his whole career.
Stacy and Shawn's similar. Although He's had probably more downs
than Stace. It's not as consistent, but you can't deny
what he's done. And big games too, like who could
(09:30):
forget was it the World Cup of I can't remember
what year it was, but Sean Johnson in big games
against Australia has delivered and that's you know, that's certainly
another tick against Seawn's name was.
Speaker 2 (09:45):
That winning won the Golden Boot? Was that that season?
Speaker 6 (09:48):
Eh? I think he won the Golden Boot twenty fourteen,
but yeah, I'd have to check that, but yeah, I
just know that Sewn Johnson it has has had some
enormous games against Australia, you know, and if you can
deliver against the Australians, you know that that puts you
right up there. But as for someone that brought joy,
(10:10):
and I'm sure Sean would say that himself, that he
entertained people. That's that's what he was. He was an
entertainer but with a great ability. And I'm just so
happy that what we saw last year was you know
what what we what we were probably hoping that we
got from Sean Johnson, but boy to do it and
(10:34):
should have won the Dally. And you know, he was
consistently the best player in the competition last year. Calen
stole it from him with ten great performances and you
can't deny Kaleen, but Sean was the best player from
from start to finish last year and that would have
capped off what was a marvelous season for the Warriors
and for Sean, but not to be But that takes
(10:56):
nothing away from what he's been able to achieve.
Speaker 2 (10:58):
The timing wise, you've experienced this. All players have the
decision to retire, and when do you make that call?
How do you go through that pro what does it
rely on?
Speaker 6 (11:08):
You're just being honest with yourself and knowing whether you
can you can put in another one hundred percent through
an off season and you can get yourself ready for
games mentally. You know, I think Sean, even though he's
his body's sort of failed him at different times over
the last few years. You know, I'm assuming, and I
didn't read the story about him, you know, possibly wanting
(11:32):
to go around again and the Warriors offering him a deal,
and then it struck him that he really you didn't.
Speaker 4 (11:37):
Have it in him.
Speaker 6 (11:38):
So it is a light bulb moment. Eventually you might
be thinking about it, but something happens and it just
clicks and you go, I haven't got it in me anymore.
From me, Darcy, it was just the ability to get
myself up for a game mentally, get when normally you
you know, for most of your career you don't have to.
(11:58):
You're just ready to go. It becomes a chore when
you have to really work hard at getting yourself ready
for a game and you can't do that forever. That
wears pretty thin quickly, and then you realize that it
is over tonight.
Speaker 2 (12:15):
He furnishes off in front of a home crowd. No,
there's nothing on the line. The eight is not achievable
for them up against the team the Bulldogs that are
still striving for a top four position. Will it be
a fair and tale finished? Do you think the sold
out crowd? Do you think that people might drive them
to something else because Adam phinil Blake's leaving's role? Jaz
Tavanger too. It's a real fair well, isn't it?
Speaker 6 (12:35):
It is? It is emotion can only take you so far.
That seems to disappear if you if you're not willing
to push hard and do the things that you need
to do to win a game. That emotion surrounding individuals
can disappear pretty quickly. And I hope it doesn't because
it makes a hell of a difference between winning and losing.
(12:57):
I remember my last game, or what was to be
my last game at Penrith Stadium. We beat Canberra and
I couldn't imagine feeling this same and farewelling everyone and
walking around the ground and shaking hands with fans and
getting photos. I couldn't imagine doing it if we lost,
(13:18):
because they're still part of me that really desperately wanted
to win football games. So I hope, for Sean's sake,
they I hope they win, and I hope it is
and that would really cap off a big night. But
they're going to be tough to beat. The dogs. They
have been on the rise for the last month and
(13:38):
a half, so they're very confident. They're hitting hard, their
defense is good, their attacks improved over last month and
a half to us. So if the Warriors aren't willing
to really go with them Friday minutes, it's going to
be a real challenge. But you never know what that
emotion can bring. If they all believe that they can
win the game.
Speaker 2 (13:56):
Well, we find out. It kicks off tonight, eight o'clock
at Mount Smart and I'd say, after this, you've better
watch your back, mate. I'd say, Sean Johnson's going to
becoming to your role and maybe even mine. Mate. He
got a career in the media ahead of him. I'm
sure Hey, Brandy, as always, mate, thanks very much for
your time.
Speaker 6 (14:14):
Thanks mate.
Speaker 1 (14:15):
The right call is your call on eight hundred eighty
Sports Talk Call on your home of sports used Talk Zibby.
Speaker 2 (14:26):
It's six nil the tunning far over the Magpies of
forteen minutes. God, God, go there turning far. That's a
bit of Anphilly shield for you. Look, that was Greg Alexander,
former Warrior, wonderful speaker, great pundit on the game. Always
good to catch up with him, talking about Shawn Johnson,
what he leaves, why he left, and that fascinating the
(14:48):
decision process that athletes go around before they leave, what
they go through. Can imagine that, Imagine standing in Mirrowai
looking up at that sand and going, not again, I
don't run up here. I'm done. That'd be enough to
put most people off. He's made the decision. He made
it at the right time. That's a question for you.
(15:09):
One hundred and eighty, ten eighty. It will be very
difficult for Seawn Johnson to walk from the role at
the end of twenty twenty three. Too much was promised
in the future, too much so close to the Dali
m a really good team with a new coach, Newish
coach that turned up and worked as magic. And understand
(15:33):
why Sean said, you know what, I'm going to go
around again this time. Maybe he repeated that oft heard
mantra this is our year and I want to be
a part of it, and then blame the guy for
doing it right. I think the start of the season,
everybody had energy for this side and what they could do,
and led by a refreshed Sean Johnson who promised to
(15:54):
deliver something to Warriors fans desire, almost unhealthily. So I
get why he stayed. Sadly he leaves at the end
of one of the worst years for the war Warriors.
It's just a sad truth. That's what it is. I
don't think you can dress it up any other way.
They may or may not give something Shawn Johnson to
(16:17):
smile about Jess de Vunga and know a bloke is
what blake as well way by winning this evening, I
wouldn't think so. As Greg Alexander said, emotion can only
take you so far. Question to league fan. Look, you
might have be in the car at the moment, driving
out your wait to mount smart. I hope you are
drive carefully and we wander listen to it on your
(16:39):
headphones all at home waiting for it to start. Sewn
Johnson has he been the biggest influence that he's said
in rugby league in the Warriors. If you look back
down to one individual throughout the years, is it Sean Johnson?
Is that his legacy? He's been the star of the Warriors.
(17:00):
How will you remember him? What stands out to you
about what Seawn Johnson was to the club was to you?
It was to rugby league here in New Zealand, lines
are open. Oh eight hundred eighty ten eighty, your calls
coming up shortly. I'd say he is not the biggest
influence on the New Zealand rugby league. He might be
(17:22):
of this generation, not the biggest influence on the Warriors.
Maybe of this generation he is. I don't think anyone's
going to come close to Stacy Jones. That's what I think.
What do you think? O? Eight one hundred eighty ten eighty,
give it a whirl. Love to hear from here as
(17:42):
the New Stalks he'd be. You're on sports Talk. Oh
the ten a Fire have scored again. It's nine mil
after eighteen minutes, getting that ten half.
Speaker 4 (18:04):
Now under the comment.
Speaker 1 (18:08):
Hell need for the TMO. We've got the breakdown on
Sports Talk call eight hundred, Lady News Talk said, big.
Speaker 2 (18:18):
Step the lic councling the area.
Speaker 4 (18:26):
When the fence scrambling holding him up, I can go.
Speaker 3 (18:31):
Again over the line, try hawksbye, take it over.
Speaker 2 (18:39):
Pressure turns into a dry.
Speaker 7 (18:42):
Stand up and.
Speaker 2 (18:45):
Change.
Speaker 6 (18:46):
You can step on the LU records counster.
Speaker 2 (18:50):
Excuse me, mister puffers up struck Bard seven plays nine
Hawks Bay on the comeback. Twenty two minutes gone in
that that shielded challenge twenty seven after seven Sports here
on Newstorg ZB. Talk to me about Shawn Johnson. It's
(19:11):
the last game at home tonight at go Media Mount
Smart Shawn Johnson Stadium running her names for it of course,
to celebrate Trevor. What do you think of him or
you're a big fan of the game, what does he
mean to you?
Speaker 7 (19:27):
You know, I just want to say dark. You know,
Shawn's been fantastic for rugby League and the Warriors, and
he's brought a lot of young kids that do it.
He's been the pun up boy and you know, of
course his strength was to me anyway, his strength was
more his off the cup plays like his running in
his side stepping and anything. I think that was missing
from Sean's game to make him like one of the
(19:50):
real all times greater ability to control a close game,
you know, doing the right thing at the right time.
I mean, it's a little bit, it's a little bit
how to understand. But there were a few there are
quite a few games where Sean would you know, we're
in front by eight, but Sean thought we were down
by eight, and he wasn't there to shut the game
(20:10):
off and control it. And you know, I'm thinking people
like Cooper Klonk and I know there's a great player,
Jonathan Thurston, their ability if your team was in front
by eight, you know, with ten minutes ago, you would
never leaved.
Speaker 2 (20:25):
To direct the game at those key moments when you
were already winning. Like, I can't think back enough over
the time he's played two moments where he was and
he wasn't. He must have a better memory than me.
I'm looking at overall memories. But that to you is
that he just never quite could click when it really counted.
Speaker 7 (20:43):
Yeah, that's right. And of course he had his really
good years when he was great, But I think his
real fee was the ability. I mean, the best thing
I'd say is like, you know, would you want Stacy
controlling the last twenty minutes of a chess match or
a big game for the Warriors controlling the plays? Would
you rather have Stacy? Would you rather have Sean? I
know a lot of people would say Sean, But for me,
(21:05):
a player like state was he would do the right
job and the real job to win ninety nine percent
of those games. But look good on Sean. He's been fantastic.
It sounds like he's done well for himself. He's worked hard.
You know, he found it difficult when he was away
from New Zealand. There was pleased to come back to
New Zealand. I've got nothing but absolute praise for him.
(21:27):
I'm not down on him. But that was just one
thing I think was missing from Sean's to make him
a real, real super great was his ability to close
the game down and make the right call in a
really tight situation.
Speaker 2 (21:41):
So he didn't elicit calm and you when it really
counted at the end. And you mean about that because
Stacy Jones the kind of character when he plays, I
think Stacey's got this. He didn't get a sense of
that oh, what's going to happen now? And look the
numbers wise, I don't know, there might be some stamt
geek out there who can let us know what it was.
But when Stacey had the ball when it really counted,
you like, I think this is going to be okay.
(22:02):
Whereas when Sean had a ball already count I was like, Oh,
what's going to happen now, which is exciting?
Speaker 7 (22:08):
Yeah, and that's okay. And and you know that's the
way Sean played the game. I'm locked down on him.
But that's that's just what I see. That would make
Suan just one of the super great pump I mightst
say about Greg Ail is under what a fantastic guy
that has ever since he's been you know, on on
the media with rugby league. He's just a loving carrying
(22:31):
just a great knowledge of ball of rugby league, singer
code stuff.
Speaker 2 (22:36):
But he's he's super friendly. And the thing is a
trigevor about him is he's always if he can, he's
always too keen to come on the wireless and talk code.
He loves the game and he loves talking to the
people back here in.
Speaker 7 (22:47):
Yeah, you know, because you know he's he he would
tell you rugby league has been He owns his whole
life to rugby league. If it wasn't for rugby league,
you know, he didn't like he probably wouldn't be sure
where he was. And I just get he's one of
these guys that really, just really he appreciates the position
(23:08):
he's in working in the media, in the life he
chat from rugby league. I think that's what makes them
so great.
Speaker 2 (23:13):
And the beasting about him is he doesn't like this
because you didn't take too any nick hits like most
of them did. The top like Brandy, big fan of his,
for sure, tal Hi, how are you?
Speaker 4 (23:24):
Oh good, good, good.
Speaker 2 (23:26):
Sewn Johnson? What does that say to you? Hey, Sewn Johnson? Wait,
what does this mean to you? What does he mean
to you? What's his legacy?
Speaker 5 (23:36):
I mean he's a good player. Honestly, I cannot deny
he's a good player. Are they named in the stadium
after him with the night's game?
Speaker 2 (23:51):
Ck just for today the Shawn Johnson Stadium?
Speaker 5 (23:53):
Oh my god, I'll tell you what. They never they
They never did it with Sunny Bye. He was an
up and coming good dear and he.
Speaker 2 (24:07):
Died in tragic circumstances it's a huge amount of respect
around for him, but he didn't play out a mad, long,
crazy career like sure, right, So with all due respect
to the to the Fifano, that's probably a different story.
I mean, did they name the Simon Mannering Stadium when
he retired because like the amount of times he won
Player of the Year, fantastic.
Speaker 5 (24:27):
Player exactly, why what are they doing with john.
Speaker 2 (24:33):
Fan favorite fans love him and you can't deny that.
And he sees box office people want to come along
to watch and play because he does things that make
the crowd stand up, and you can't deny that.
Speaker 5 (24:47):
No, people don't want to go and see him. They
want to go and see the team.
Speaker 2 (24:56):
But that's an interesting philosophy to will be interested in
other people out there think the same way as actually
sometimes him, sometimes the team. Because I know enough people
that go on Sean Johnson because they love what the
guy does, massive fans of what he brings to the fans.
Speaker 5 (25:11):
But it's not but it's not the whole stadium case
to see Sean. It's it's it's oh God, how can
I put it? I'm gonna put it.
Speaker 2 (25:24):
Warriors fans first, Johnson fans second. But still Johnson fans,
are you just uncomfortable the fact they changed the name.
Speaker 5 (25:34):
But he he doesn't put the he doesn't put the
the the people on the seat. It's the team that
do it. I mean, you've got all the other players.
You know what gets me is you now if a
team wins one week, they think, oh, we'll put the
(25:57):
same team next week. And and I'll tell you, edw
you're listening with it, you're playing it whole different teams.
You can have a whole new group of players for
the Warriors.
Speaker 2 (26:12):
But till you're not a coach. These are coaches, they're
paid professionals. That's what they do. They assemble groups of
players to play teams. And yes it's a completely different opposition.
But you've got to have consistency problem some coaches have,
and it may have been a situation with webs of
this year as some of the returning players simply didn't
(26:37):
do what they should have done and the shadow of
what the new guys did when they turned up, and
there could be some key lack of key appointments throughout
the year that really hobbled this site because trust was
given to returning players and that trust was not repaid.
The young guys blew the place up and they weren't
(26:58):
rewarded with continued selection. Were they? That could have been
the key to the season. Probably an unpopular opinion, but hey,
I'm not in this job to be loved. Twenty five
minutes to eight Sports Talk on News Talks EB sixteen
fourteen now North and over Hawks Bay. Ten minutes to
go on the first half of that Shield Challenge. Of
course he's an MPC match as well. My name's Darcy Waldgrave.
(27:19):
Still to come on with the program, Chris Lenjum, he's
on Rugby and GM of Professional Rugby and Performance As
we're still scratching our head over the Arraangi Verse razor affair.
We don't just been I can't do this anymore. Apparently
they've been not bickering. They've been discussing it for a
few weeks. We'll see yesterday and push comes to shove.
(27:42):
There is one coach, there is one boss, and there's
an argument and no one's going to shift. There's only
one winner, and that was Scott Robinson. Lenjam joins us shortly.
They're on News Talks EB. We're joined now by Chris
(28:16):
Lendram a general manager of Professional Rugby and Performance from
in Z Chris, Welcome to the show. Jeez, he's been
a busy twenty four hours or so for you, hasn't.
Speaker 4 (28:26):
It, sure, Darcy? Yeah, never a dull day in rugby mate.
Speaker 2 (28:29):
If you know, yeah, well, I would say this's dull.
I would say surprising more than anything else. There's a
lot of people scratching the head going we don't quite
know where this has come from. It's been bubbling under
for a wife. Just on that. There's nothing more to come.
You guys aren't suppressing anything, are you. This is purely
what you say, It.
Speaker 4 (28:47):
Is absolutely yep. No, We've been very transparent about what's
happened with Razor and Leon and nothing else to come.
Speaker 2 (28:59):
I thought to myself when I read the press release,
it was a red flag to me that there was
no quote from Leon McDonald. There was nothing attribute to
him about normally say look, you know, I've enjoyed my time.
I wish you the best for South Africa. He was
very noticeable in his absence on that release. Can you
tell us why that was the case for us?
Speaker 4 (29:18):
Leon's taking a break? He yeah, just wasn't considered that
something that was necessary at time yesterday. Again, there's nothing
hidden going on here, Darcy, but I do understand that
yesterday's news would have come as a big surprise to
a lot of people. You know, to make a change
(29:41):
in the All Blacks coaching group part way through a
test season is never plan a But what you have
here is two coaches who just have genuine differences in
approach to coaching, different philosophies around the way the game
is played now. And I guess under the intensity of
(30:05):
test prep operation over the first few weeks of the
season that had become clear to both of them that
it just wasn't clicking. And as I said yesterday with media,
I'm really proud of them both that they've made a
brave and decisive call to part ways now best interest
(30:29):
of the team at heart.
Speaker 2 (30:30):
And it's always been in a case if it did
break down to this degree, Razor wasn't going anywhere because
he's the coach. There was never an argument around that space,
was there? He there? I suppose ceded to what Leon
was after or sorry, Leon, You've got to go.
Speaker 4 (30:45):
Is that the base of it, Well, that's never really
a question. I mean, I think that the first thing
to say is overall where really content with the direction
of the team under Raiser. I know, you know they
had by their own standards, players and coaches and management.
They were frustrated by their performance and Wellington a couple
(31:08):
of weeks ago against Argentina. But in all other regards,
I think the team's trending really positively. All of us
across the country, all All Blacks fans have recognized us
as a new coaching group. There's new players in the group,
there's new player leadership. There's just a lot of newness
(31:29):
around the environment and it takes a little while for
everybody to bed in. I think we saw some huge
positives in the English series, and you know, it's not
a performance related issue at all that we're talking about.
It's just two coaches that didn't quite click.
Speaker 2 (31:49):
Gem of professional rugby and performers from India. Chris Lendram
joined us. Chris, there's a suggestion that possibly due diligence,
wasn't really done properly this for this to arise so
early in the season, surely you think these characters who'd
known each other that's a long time, have been involved before,
way back in the Crusaders days. Would know, there might
(32:11):
be some tumult there. You'd see what I'm aiming at there.
It seems surprising that it only turned up now as
opposed to when they are actually employing Leon.
Speaker 4 (32:21):
As I said, I can understand people's surprise. And Razor
and Leon have known each other for a very long time,
as you point out, Darci, from playing days at the
Crusaders through coaching. I think what's happened here, at least
in part, is they haven't coached together for a period
of time and they're both head coached highly successfully. You know,
(32:45):
Leon led a real turnaround and the fortunes of the Blues.
He's been our All Blacks fifteen head coach. Obviously worked
at Tasman as well, very successfully, you know, and everybody
knows what Ras has achieved at the Crusaders, unparalleled success.
(33:06):
So it has been six or seven years since they've
worked together. And when you lead programs, you and you
lead programs separate from one another, it's possible that you've
views diverge a bit in terms of how to play
the game, your philosophy around the game, and I think
(33:28):
that's what's happened here. So everybody went in with the
best of intention that was obviously always designed to work.
I don't think this has been disruptive at all for
the team and the work it's got through in the
first part of the season. As I said before, it
just hasn't quite clicked, and I think it's a really
decisive move to call that now.
Speaker 2 (33:51):
Strange that they couldn't make it work right, But obviously
you've been not two or three weeks talking about this,
so there would be movement on both sides, but it
is odd that they couldn't get close to an agreement.
Has to work out like this, But were they that
poles apart with it?
Speaker 4 (34:05):
Chris, You've got to look ahead a bit here, Darcy.
We're five games into the twenty twenty four season. But
the ultimate prize of this whole coaching group and playing
group are shooting for is to climb the mountain and
be best in the world again, and that gets decided
(34:26):
in October November twenty twenty seven. It's a long time.
And whilst an element of friction is necessary in high
performance environments and needs to be challenged amongst a coaching group,
for example, challenge by deeers and tactics methodologies, you know
(34:48):
too much friction can hold a team back. And these
guys are both experienced coaches. They've been in groups where
there's been good friction, and there's been in groups where,
over time friction of impacted teams a little bit more negatively,
and they know what they're looking for. They can they
(35:10):
can see that, and as I said, just over the
last few weeks, that's that's what's become a parent of
both of them.
Speaker 2 (35:18):
Crystal Linderman's been well kept out of the limelight, which
is pretty good for end Z are to be fair
that no one actually saw this coming. So it was
basically what it was yourself, it was Raser, it was Angy.
What about the other assistant coaches, any other involvement from
within the team? I believe the players had nothing to
do with the hair. They are informed afterwards. But how
deeply amongst the staff did you guys dig to try
(35:39):
and work through a solution.
Speaker 4 (35:43):
Look, those these sorts of issues you you kind of
want to keep to a need to know baseless, right,
I mean? And I said this yesterday, Darthy. We debrief
at the end of every All Blacks campaign. So we
debriefed at the end of the Steinlager series which was
(36:04):
the two tests against England and Feature and as I
said that, the team's trending really well. There's no issues
being feedback from players. For example, around the coaching group,
the feedback was overwhelmingly positive in terms of the quality
and detail of coaching in the group. So we're really
(36:25):
pleased with that. It's yeah, I mean you don't in
the end. These are employment situations, aren't they, And just
like it would be for you, God forbid that you
ended up in a in a situation with a sort
of clash of styles. But yeah, I mean it was.
(36:47):
It was held tightly and we're happy with that because
you know, both Scott and Leon are really key employees
of ours and that's what their rights are done and dusted.
Speaker 2 (36:59):
Now it's out. Obviously he's away hiding. There's there's no
way we can get hold of him. What's actually doing there?
How's his hited and how's rasor how these go? Because
it's playing out something on. This can't be good for
the mental health, can it.
Speaker 4 (37:10):
Chris Well, I think it's left too long. That's that's correct, right,
And that's why I say again, I think you know,
they've made a really brave and decisive call here. Leon's
taking a break. It's not plan a for anybody for
this to have happened. So this is a changeing plan
(37:30):
for him. He will quickly think about what comes next
for him. He's a superb coach. He was in high
demand internationally before the All Backs coaching group was appointed
under Scott and I fully expect he will be in
high demand again and equally in New Zealand. He will
(37:54):
be extremely welcome back into our coaching system as and
when he wants to do that raises good. You know,
it's good to have this clear before the team heads
away to South Africa. They've got a huge, huge test,
(38:15):
two tests coming up in South Africa. You know, I
think it's the all Black stream to go to Alice
Park and and play the spring box and win, and
they'll all have clear heads and everyone's right and behind
them to do that.
Speaker 2 (38:32):
Aware of any immediate plans of Leon, has it been
expressed at all as far as coaching is concerned.
Speaker 4 (38:38):
No, it's a question for Leon really, I'm you know,
I'm not. We've been focused on just working through these
discussions and in this process with him and when he's
ready to make some announcements about what he wants to
do next. He'll make them, but I wouldn't expect them
(39:01):
anytime soon, does it.
Speaker 2 (39:02):
And finally, Chris Linjaman, thanks so much for joining us.
How to take you to negotiate the payout and the
severance of the contracts. I'm presuming it was a long time.
There would have been a bit of head butting around that, surely.
Speaker 4 (39:16):
So you've been in this game long enough to know that.
I can't answer questions about employment issues, my friend, But look,
you know you, just like you say, you look after
your people as they're entitled to be looked after. And
you know that's that's really all we can say.
Speaker 2 (39:38):
Yeah, I knew, absolutely, but you know the deal, Chris.
Good things come to those who ask. They always have
a crack, don't you hate Chris? Thanks so much for
joining us here. Real pleasure to talk to you. Let's
hope now it's eyes forward, reversion mirrors are broken off
and we can concentrate on what will be a tremendous
tour of the Republic. Again, thanks for your time and
your availability. Hugely appreciated.
Speaker 4 (40:00):
All good to be, always good to talk forget the
riffs call you make a call.
Speaker 1 (40:07):
Sports Talking on your home of sports News Talks.
Speaker 2 (40:10):
It's eight minutes to eight half time Hawks Bay twenty
six at Northend at sixteen escaping a little bit defending
their log of wood. Got some texts for you coming
up next. If you want to climb on and please
do cost standards text charge nineteen nineteen z b z B.
That's the way to contact me. You're coming up next
(40:32):
via the text line. Here a news talk Z Blacky
ky or something day. John Johnson about to roll on
(40:54):
into the eponymous stadium player's last game at home. Here
is Stacy Jones talking about the young fella.
Speaker 3 (41:03):
Oh look in my eyes, he's he's right up there
with Simon mannoring what he's done for the game, purely
because the position he plays, you know of admired sewn,
you know what he's had to deal with and that,
you know, like the pressure that he's been under. You
look back at what he's done for the game and
(41:24):
how many people have become involved in the game because
of Sure. Yeah, and Shawn's an emotional guy in person too,
So yeah, let's hope that Shawn gets a really good
sign off and the boys can get get a win
fro him.
Speaker 2 (41:40):
I think we all would like that fairy tale ish end.
I say, esh, because the season has been regrettable. It's
four minutes away from That's Sports Talk for another Friday night.
Tomorrow morning, All Sports Breakfast between seven and nine. Scattered
around the motto, Jason pine has the afternoon Fun and
(42:02):
Game between twelve and three. It's Week in Sport with Piney.
A couple of text for you Sports Fixed podcasts as well.
We're all your good podcasts have found checked that one out.
I dare see how many ways you need to tell
you nothing to see here? You're flogging a dead a horse.
At the end of the day, it's none of your business.
It's kind of a job. That's what you do, right.
(42:22):
You talk to people about things and try and ascertain
what actually went on. Because when I don't ask questions
and I'm not doing my job right, then I get
endless complaints about it.
Speaker 1 (42:30):
Carol.
Speaker 2 (42:30):
When definitely at my SK's career, I remember the amazing
stretch over thirteen fifteen, the wires look like genuine contenders,
but that ankle breaking, that ankle, I can't help but
think that affected his running game and pace that and
I don't think you're wrong. Thanks for listening, one and all.
(42:50):
I'll catch you again tomorrow morning, but on the wider
program from seven to eight Sports Talk on Tuesday, and
he does. Thanks for producing, Thanks for your ears, thanks
for your text thanks for your calls.
Speaker 6 (43:02):
Sill up for wires.
Speaker 2 (43:04):
Oh yeah.
Speaker 1 (43:12):
For more from Sports Talk, listen live to News Talks
at B from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast
on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Darcy Waldegrave
from News Talk ZEDB.
Speaker 2 (00:32):
Greetings, greetings, greetings, Happy Friday one and all. My nome
is Darcy Autograph. This is Sports Talk. We roll through
the eight we talk about sport six and a half
after seven twenty third of August twenty twenty four. That's
where at I'll keep you up today. Up to date
Tanapa taking on Hawks Bay as felt the Shield Challenge
going on at the moment. Zips AP up to two
(00:53):
minutes so far. Coming up on this evenings show, Greg
Brandy Alexander joins us shortly play me for My Warrior
for Orange Advisor, general all around, goodfella, great rooster, talking
about GEORGN Johnson and the legacy he leaves. It's his
(01:17):
last game in front of the faithful, and after a
number of seasons of playing terribly, people turn up. They
are faithful, aren't they? This time It's been a sold
out season. The team hasn't turned up to the party,
but that does not detract from the influence that Shawn
Johnson has had on the game of rugby league and
(01:38):
on the Warriors throughout his career. It's say and a
a baby at home the last time at Mount Smart
and Greed joins us to talk about that, and then
we'll get your calls as well. I want you to
spread some love. Oh go away for crying out loud
of all the people to ring me at this time
of the night. I'm going to tell you who it was,
(02:01):
my parole officer. No, it wasn't, It wasn't.
Speaker 1 (02:06):
It wasn't.
Speaker 2 (02:07):
They stopped harassing me years ago. Eight minutes after seven,
Chris Lendum also joins the program, and he's in a
rugby g email Professional Rugby and Performance, still picking away
at what on earth happened with a razor a v
ARANGI we've had the official store, we've had the line.
Everyone seems to be accepting that. Just ask him a
few more questions around what on earth actually happened? How
(02:27):
did you cover it? And why didn't Leo McDonald say anything?
Why is he run off? Why wasn't he on the
official press release? And it smells to me, but Chris
Lenje joins us. Dispray some perfume so it doesn't stink anymore.
That's coming up, but we'll have your calls as well.
As I said before, the telephone rudely attacks me and
(02:49):
we'll take your calls on Sean Johnson, the fact that
he's had your memories of Sean. He's not dead, he's
just like you know, retiring your memories of Sean and
the influence has had on the game of rugby league.
But before we do that, let's do this today. As
I said, great links Seawn Johnson or plays final Hayming
game tonight is the last take on the Dogs and
(03:11):
the season's penultimate game. The star halfback has been praised
by a man who knows what the dizzying heights of
top top half backplay actually means. Here's Stacy Jones.
Speaker 3 (03:24):
We're going to be sending off a legend of our
game and Sean what he's done for the club, what
he's done for the game. You know, there's been lots
of little kids running around that are grand men now
that have played the game because.
Speaker 2 (03:35):
Of sure Ozzie Grand Prix racer Danna Ricardo believes Kiwi
almost if one hot hu Liam Lawson deserves a drive
in the Motorsports Premi Yere category from a let's say
a place of competitive respect.
Speaker 4 (03:48):
I think he does deserve one. So if he's in
the in the sport next year. I think that's a
good thing.
Speaker 2 (03:54):
You won't think, man, if he takes your seat. Kimmi
or Apoi is back back in black. The mid quarter
has been named in the Silver Ferns Tiny Jennison squad.
After two years in the Weeds, my mind.
Speaker 5 (04:06):
Has changed over the last few years.
Speaker 2 (04:07):
We are just kind of went back to trying to
play people for fun and yeah, just focusing really on
that and connecting with teammates and yeah, kind of the
riches took care of itself and all whites passed down.
Baisley has named a strong side to compete against the
Mexico and the USA next month. Deser though it does
sling the X around, It's tough. It's disappointing for the players.
(04:30):
You know, he's just moved to Auckland and you know,
having to speak to him and you leave him out
was tough. When we're leaving players out like Max and
Grievesy and Bill to Ilma. You know, it's good for
us and that's sports today. Johnson steps straight support on
the inside, decides against Chris Johnson, comes Greg Brandy, Alexander
(04:58):
joining us on the program. As we look at the
life and times of Sean Johnson. Greg, Welcome to the show.
It's the end of an era, isn't it. Shawn john
has been so much to the Warriors. Indeed the key
is but predominantly the wars He's been their name for
a long long time.
Speaker 6 (05:15):
He has and ARSI over the what is it fourteen years?
Fifteen years that he's been playing. Now, we've had many
chats about Sewn Johnson, most of them really good. You know,
they've They've got a period in his career there where
he left the Warriors went to the Sharks. We were
wondering whether we'd see the best of him again, and
(05:37):
I had my I certainly had my doubts, but last
year was so enjoyable to watch what he what he
was able to do for the Warriors last year, and
he was he was the main reason they ran top
four and he's and he's probably the main reason why
they're having the season they are this year, because yeah,
to take him, to remove him out of the scene,
(05:59):
and injury and lack of motivation, whatever it is, he
just hasn't been the same this year and last year
was I'm glad we got to see Sean Johnson play
the sort of footy he did last year. Because I'm
out of all these highlight seasons, I'm putting last year down.
Now he's to his best. I think we saw the
(06:20):
best of Sewn Johnson because we saw as Sean Johnson
that we hadn't seen the previous twelve years. We saw
someone that cared more about the result rather than just
his individual four and how he played. I think, you know,
Sean could walk off the field with a loss to
the Warriors, but if he played well, you know, he
(06:42):
did his job. But last year it was a little
bit different. And he's been a legend. Well he is
a legend. He's a legend of New Zealand rugby league.
Speaker 2 (06:51):
Mercurial up and down. This is the thing about Sean Johnson.
You ever quite sure which Sean Johnson is going to
turn up? You almost suspect greed that he didn't know either.
Speaker 6 (06:59):
Yeah, yes, yes, and no. But there comes a you know,
it's pretty high price tag that and what you were
expected to do every game when you are as talented
as Sean Johnson, and sometimes it just doesn't work. You know,
sometimes there's games where things just don't open up and
things don't happen. But in terms of ability, skill, grace,
(07:25):
you know, at times, toughness, you know through he had
all of those in in bits and pieces throughout his career.
But I'll always remember Sean Johnson as someone that made
things look not easier. But everyone else can. You know,
there's players, and there's been great ball players, are great
movers that have been able to create space for themselves
(07:46):
and for their for their men and for their support
players and put them through holes. And but no one
did it, and no one looked as good as Sean
Johnson doing it.
Speaker 3 (07:55):
He was just he was.
Speaker 6 (07:58):
It was artistry, it was it was choreographed brilliance and
he was such a He's been such a treat to
watch over the years.
Speaker 2 (08:08):
He was throwing Greg Alexander into it reasonably early. He
came with big tickets from his time playing club football
and from playing tut rugby as well, so he always
had the tag on him and it took him a while,
maybe just to get comfortable with their position. Maybe it's
a little too early to get in him. What do
they say, if you're good enough, you're old enough, right.
Speaker 6 (08:28):
Yeah, you know. And he starred for the for the
Warriors in the under twenties, you know, so there we was.
There was high expectations on Sean when he came in.
And you know, and I've spoken about this recently on
Fox Sports where you know, Darlie Cherry Evans. They played
each other last week. They made their to Booze in
the same season, went to the Grand went to the
(08:49):
Grand Final against each other. So you know, where does
Seoran you know, I guess you know where does Sean
rank in the in the hierarchy of number sevens? You know?
And Stacey who I played with to play and watched
him as a as a youngster when he first came
on in the scene in ninety five. I remember saying
(09:09):
back then, Stace's one of the best, one of the
best juniors I've ever seen coming to grade. And he
just continued to play like that for his whole career.
Stacy and Shawn's similar. Although He's had probably more downs
than Stace. It's not as consistent, but you can't deny
what he's done. And big games too, like who could
(09:30):
forget was it the World Cup of I can't remember
what year it was, but Sean Johnson in big games
against Australia has delivered and that's you know, that's certainly
another tick against Seawn's name was.
Speaker 2 (09:45):
That winning won the Golden Boot? Was that that season?
Speaker 6 (09:48):
Eh? I think he won the Golden Boot twenty fourteen,
but yeah, I'd have to check that, but yeah, I
just know that Sewn Johnson it has has had some
enormous games against Australia, you know, and if you can
deliver against the Australians, you know that that puts you
right up there. But as for someone that brought joy,
(10:10):
and I'm sure Sean would say that himself, that he
entertained people. That's that's what he was. He was an
entertainer but with a great ability. And I'm just so
happy that what we saw last year was you know
what what we what we were probably hoping that we
got from Sean Johnson, but boy to do it and
(10:34):
should have won the Dally. And you know, he was
consistently the best player in the competition last year. Calen
stole it from him with ten great performances and you
can't deny Kaleen, but Sean was the best player from
from start to finish last year and that would have
capped off what was a marvelous season for the Warriors
and for Sean, but not to be But that takes
(10:56):
nothing away from what he's been able to achieve.
Speaker 2 (10:58):
The timing wise, you've experienced this. All players have the
decision to retire, and when do you make that call?
How do you go through that pro what does it
rely on?
Speaker 6 (11:08):
You're just being honest with yourself and knowing whether you
can you can put in another one hundred percent through
an off season and you can get yourself ready for
games mentally. You know, I think Sean, even though he's
his body's sort of failed him at different times over
the last few years. You know, I'm assuming, and I
didn't read the story about him, you know, possibly wanting
(11:32):
to go around again and the Warriors offering him a deal,
and then it struck him that he really you didn't.
Speaker 4 (11:37):
Have it in him.
Speaker 6 (11:38):
So it is a light bulb moment. Eventually you might
be thinking about it, but something happens and it just
clicks and you go, I haven't got it in me anymore.
From me, Darcy, it was just the ability to get
myself up for a game mentally, get when normally you
you know, for most of your career you don't have to.
(11:58):
You're just ready to go. It becomes a chore when
you have to really work hard at getting yourself ready
for a game and you can't do that forever. That
wears pretty thin quickly, and then you realize that it
is over tonight.
Speaker 2 (12:15):
He furnishes off in front of a home crowd. No,
there's nothing on the line. The eight is not achievable
for them up against the team the Bulldogs that are
still striving for a top four position. Will it be
a fair and tale finished? Do you think the sold
out crowd? Do you think that people might drive them
to something else because Adam phinil Blake's leaving's role? Jaz
Tavanger too. It's a real fair well, isn't it?
Speaker 6 (12:35):
It is? It is emotion can only take you so far.
That seems to disappear if you if you're not willing
to push hard and do the things that you need
to do to win a game. That emotion surrounding individuals
can disappear pretty quickly. And I hope it doesn't because
it makes a hell of a difference between winning and losing.
(12:57):
I remember my last game, or what was to be
my last game at Penrith Stadium. We beat Canberra and
I couldn't imagine feeling this same and farewelling everyone and
walking around the ground and shaking hands with fans and
getting photos. I couldn't imagine doing it if we lost,
(13:18):
because they're still part of me that really desperately wanted
to win football games. So I hope, for Sean's sake,
they I hope they win, and I hope it is
and that would really cap off a big night. But
they're going to be tough to beat. The dogs. They
have been on the rise for the last month and
(13:38):
a half, so they're very confident. They're hitting hard, their
defense is good, their attacks improved over last month and
a half to us. So if the Warriors aren't willing
to really go with them Friday minutes, it's going to
be a real challenge. But you never know what that
emotion can bring. If they all believe that they can
win the game.
Speaker 2 (13:56):
Well, we find out. It kicks off tonight, eight o'clock
at Mount Smart and I'd say, after this, you've better
watch your back, mate. I'd say, Sean Johnson's going to
becoming to your role and maybe even mine. Mate. He
got a career in the media ahead of him. I'm
sure Hey, Brandy, as always, mate, thanks very much for
your time.
Speaker 6 (14:14):
Thanks mate.
Speaker 1 (14:15):
The right call is your call on eight hundred eighty
Sports Talk Call on your home of sports used Talk Zibby.
Speaker 2 (14:26):
It's six nil the tunning far over the Magpies of
forteen minutes. God, God, go there turning far. That's a
bit of Anphilly shield for you. Look, that was Greg Alexander,
former Warrior, wonderful speaker, great pundit on the game. Always
good to catch up with him, talking about Shawn Johnson,
what he leaves, why he left, and that fascinating the
(14:48):
decision process that athletes go around before they leave, what
they go through. Can imagine that, Imagine standing in Mirrowai
looking up at that sand and going, not again, I
don't run up here. I'm done. That'd be enough to
put most people off. He's made the decision. He made
it at the right time. That's a question for you.
(15:09):
One hundred and eighty, ten eighty. It will be very
difficult for Seawn Johnson to walk from the role at
the end of twenty twenty three. Too much was promised
in the future, too much so close to the Dali
m a really good team with a new coach, Newish
coach that turned up and worked as magic. And understand
(15:33):
why Sean said, you know what, I'm going to go
around again this time. Maybe he repeated that oft heard
mantra this is our year and I want to be
a part of it, and then blame the guy for
doing it right. I think the start of the season,
everybody had energy for this side and what they could do,
and led by a refreshed Sean Johnson who promised to
(15:54):
deliver something to Warriors fans desire, almost unhealthily. So I
get why he stayed. Sadly he leaves at the end
of one of the worst years for the war Warriors.
It's just a sad truth. That's what it is. I
don't think you can dress it up any other way.
They may or may not give something Shawn Johnson to
(16:17):
smile about Jess de Vunga and know a bloke is
what blake as well way by winning this evening, I
wouldn't think so. As Greg Alexander said, emotion can only
take you so far. Question to league fan. Look, you
might have be in the car at the moment, driving
out your wait to mount smart. I hope you are
drive carefully and we wander listen to it on your
(16:39):
headphones all at home waiting for it to start. Sewn
Johnson has he been the biggest influence that he's said
in rugby league in the Warriors. If you look back
down to one individual throughout the years, is it Sean Johnson?
Is that his legacy? He's been the star of the Warriors.
(17:00):
How will you remember him? What stands out to you
about what Seawn Johnson was to the club was to you?
It was to rugby league here in New Zealand, lines
are open. Oh eight hundred eighty ten eighty, your calls
coming up shortly. I'd say he is not the biggest
influence on the New Zealand rugby league. He might be
(17:22):
of this generation, not the biggest influence on the Warriors.
Maybe of this generation he is. I don't think anyone's
going to come close to Stacy Jones. That's what I think.
What do you think? O? Eight one hundred eighty ten eighty,
give it a whirl. Love to hear from here as
(17:42):
the New Stalks he'd be. You're on sports Talk. Oh
the ten a Fire have scored again. It's nine mil
after eighteen minutes, getting that ten half.
Speaker 4 (18:04):
Now under the comment.
Speaker 1 (18:08):
Hell need for the TMO. We've got the breakdown on
Sports Talk call eight hundred, Lady News Talk said, big.
Speaker 2 (18:18):
Step the lic councling the area.
Speaker 4 (18:26):
When the fence scrambling holding him up, I can go.
Speaker 3 (18:31):
Again over the line, try hawksbye, take it over.
Speaker 2 (18:39):
Pressure turns into a dry.
Speaker 7 (18:42):
Stand up and.
Speaker 2 (18:45):
Change.
Speaker 6 (18:46):
You can step on the LU records counster.
Speaker 2 (18:50):
Excuse me, mister puffers up struck Bard seven plays nine
Hawks Bay on the comeback. Twenty two minutes gone in
that that shielded challenge twenty seven after seven Sports here
on Newstorg ZB. Talk to me about Shawn Johnson. It's
(19:11):
the last game at home tonight at go Media Mount
Smart Shawn Johnson Stadium running her names for it of course,
to celebrate Trevor. What do you think of him or
you're a big fan of the game, what does he
mean to you?
Speaker 7 (19:27):
You know, I just want to say dark. You know,
Shawn's been fantastic for rugby League and the Warriors, and
he's brought a lot of young kids that do it.
He's been the pun up boy and you know, of
course his strength was to me anyway, his strength was
more his off the cup plays like his running in
his side stepping and anything. I think that was missing
from Sean's game to make him like one of the
(19:50):
real all times greater ability to control a close game,
you know, doing the right thing at the right time.
I mean, it's a little bit, it's a little bit
how to understand. But there were a few there are
quite a few games where Sean would you know, we're
in front by eight, but Sean thought we were down
by eight, and he wasn't there to shut the game
(20:10):
off and control it. And you know, I'm thinking people
like Cooper Klonk and I know there's a great player,
Jonathan Thurston, their ability if your team was in front
by eight, you know, with ten minutes ago, you would
never leaved.
Speaker 2 (20:25):
To direct the game at those key moments when you
were already winning. Like, I can't think back enough over
the time he's played two moments where he was and
he wasn't. He must have a better memory than me.
I'm looking at overall memories. But that to you is
that he just never quite could click when it really counted.
Speaker 7 (20:43):
Yeah, that's right. And of course he had his really
good years when he was great, But I think his
real fee was the ability. I mean, the best thing
I'd say is like, you know, would you want Stacy
controlling the last twenty minutes of a chess match or
a big game for the Warriors controlling the plays? Would
you rather have Stacy? Would you rather have Sean? I
know a lot of people would say Sean, But for me,
(21:05):
a player like state was he would do the right
job and the real job to win ninety nine percent
of those games. But look good on Sean. He's been fantastic.
It sounds like he's done well for himself. He's worked hard.
You know, he found it difficult when he was away
from New Zealand. There was pleased to come back to
New Zealand. I've got nothing but absolute praise for him.
(21:27):
I'm not down on him. But that was just one
thing I think was missing from Sean's to make him
a real, real super great was his ability to close
the game down and make the right call in a
really tight situation.
Speaker 2 (21:41):
So he didn't elicit calm and you when it really
counted at the end. And you mean about that because
Stacy Jones the kind of character when he plays, I
think Stacey's got this. He didn't get a sense of
that oh, what's going to happen now? And look the
numbers wise, I don't know, there might be some stamt
geek out there who can let us know what it was.
But when Stacey had the ball when it really counted,
you like, I think this is going to be okay.
(22:02):
Whereas when Sean had a ball already count I was like, Oh,
what's going to happen now, which is exciting?
Speaker 7 (22:08):
Yeah, and that's okay. And and you know that's the
way Sean played the game. I'm locked down on him.
But that's that's just what I see. That would make
Suan just one of the super great pump I mightst
say about Greg Ail is under what a fantastic guy
that has ever since he's been you know, on on
the media with rugby league. He's just a loving carrying
(22:31):
just a great knowledge of ball of rugby league, singer
code stuff.
Speaker 2 (22:36):
But he's he's super friendly. And the thing is a
trigevor about him is he's always if he can, he's
always too keen to come on the wireless and talk code.
He loves the game and he loves talking to the
people back here in.
Speaker 7 (22:47):
Yeah, you know, because you know he's he he would
tell you rugby league has been He owns his whole
life to rugby league. If it wasn't for rugby league,
you know, he didn't like he probably wouldn't be sure
where he was. And I just get he's one of
these guys that really, just really he appreciates the position
(23:08):
he's in working in the media, in the life he
chat from rugby league. I think that's what makes them
so great.
Speaker 2 (23:13):
And the beasting about him is he doesn't like this
because you didn't take too any nick hits like most
of them did. The top like Brandy, big fan of his,
for sure, tal Hi, how are you?
Speaker 4 (23:24):
Oh good, good, good.
Speaker 2 (23:26):
Sewn Johnson? What does that say to you? Hey, Sewn Johnson? Wait,
what does this mean to you? What does he mean
to you? What's his legacy?
Speaker 5 (23:36):
I mean he's a good player. Honestly, I cannot deny
he's a good player. Are they named in the stadium
after him with the night's game?
Speaker 2 (23:51):
Ck just for today the Shawn Johnson Stadium?
Speaker 5 (23:53):
Oh my god, I'll tell you what. They never they
They never did it with Sunny Bye. He was an
up and coming good dear and he.
Speaker 2 (24:07):
Died in tragic circumstances it's a huge amount of respect
around for him, but he didn't play out a mad, long,
crazy career like sure, right, So with all due respect
to the to the Fifano, that's probably a different story.
I mean, did they name the Simon Mannering Stadium when
he retired because like the amount of times he won
Player of the Year, fantastic.
Speaker 5 (24:27):
Player exactly, why what are they doing with john.
Speaker 2 (24:33):
Fan favorite fans love him and you can't deny that.
And he sees box office people want to come along
to watch and play because he does things that make
the crowd stand up, and you can't deny that.
Speaker 5 (24:47):
No, people don't want to go and see him. They
want to go and see the team.
Speaker 2 (24:56):
But that's an interesting philosophy to will be interested in
other people out there think the same way as actually
sometimes him, sometimes the team. Because I know enough people
that go on Sean Johnson because they love what the
guy does, massive fans of what he brings to the fans.
Speaker 5 (25:11):
But it's not but it's not the whole stadium case
to see Sean. It's it's it's oh God, how can
I put it? I'm gonna put it.
Speaker 2 (25:24):
Warriors fans first, Johnson fans second. But still Johnson fans,
are you just uncomfortable the fact they changed the name.
Speaker 5 (25:34):
But he he doesn't put the he doesn't put the
the the people on the seat. It's the team that
do it. I mean, you've got all the other players.
You know what gets me is you now if a
team wins one week, they think, oh, we'll put the
(25:57):
same team next week. And and I'll tell you, edw
you're listening with it, you're playing it whole different teams.
You can have a whole new group of players for
the Warriors.
Speaker 2 (26:12):
But till you're not a coach. These are coaches, they're
paid professionals. That's what they do. They assemble groups of
players to play teams. And yes it's a completely different opposition.
But you've got to have consistency problem some coaches have,
and it may have been a situation with webs of
this year as some of the returning players simply didn't
(26:37):
do what they should have done and the shadow of
what the new guys did when they turned up, and
there could be some key lack of key appointments throughout
the year that really hobbled this site because trust was
given to returning players and that trust was not repaid.
The young guys blew the place up and they weren't
(26:58):
rewarded with continued selection. Were they? That could have been
the key to the season. Probably an unpopular opinion, but hey,
I'm not in this job to be loved. Twenty five
minutes to eight Sports Talk on News Talks EB sixteen
fourteen now North and over Hawks Bay. Ten minutes to
go on the first half of that Shield Challenge. Of
course he's an MPC match as well. My name's Darcy Waldgrave.
(27:19):
Still to come on with the program, Chris Lenjum, he's
on Rugby and GM of Professional Rugby and Performance As
we're still scratching our head over the Arraangi Verse razor affair.
We don't just been I can't do this anymore. Apparently
they've been not bickering. They've been discussing it for a
few weeks. We'll see yesterday and push comes to shove.
(27:42):
There is one coach, there is one boss, and there's
an argument and no one's going to shift. There's only
one winner, and that was Scott Robinson. Lenjam joins us shortly.
They're on News Talks EB. We're joined now by Chris
(28:16):
Lendram a general manager of Professional Rugby and Performance from
in Z Chris, Welcome to the show. Jeez, he's been
a busy twenty four hours or so for you, hasn't.
Speaker 4 (28:26):
It, sure, Darcy? Yeah, never a dull day in rugby mate.
Speaker 2 (28:29):
If you know, yeah, well, I would say this's dull.
I would say surprising more than anything else. There's a
lot of people scratching the head going we don't quite
know where this has come from. It's been bubbling under
for a wife. Just on that. There's nothing more to come.
You guys aren't suppressing anything, are you. This is purely
what you say, It.
Speaker 4 (28:47):
Is absolutely yep. No, We've been very transparent about what's
happened with Razor and Leon and nothing else to come.
Speaker 2 (28:59):
I thought to myself when I read the press release,
it was a red flag to me that there was
no quote from Leon McDonald. There was nothing attribute to
him about normally say look, you know, I've enjoyed my time.
I wish you the best for South Africa. He was
very noticeable in his absence on that release. Can you
tell us why that was the case for us?
Speaker 4 (29:18):
Leon's taking a break? He yeah, just wasn't considered that
something that was necessary at time yesterday. Again, there's nothing
hidden going on here, Darcy, but I do understand that
yesterday's news would have come as a big surprise to
a lot of people. You know, to make a change
(29:41):
in the All Blacks coaching group part way through a
test season is never plan a But what you have
here is two coaches who just have genuine differences in
approach to coaching, different philosophies around the way the game
is played now. And I guess under the intensity of
(30:05):
test prep operation over the first few weeks of the
season that had become clear to both of them that
it just wasn't clicking. And as I said yesterday with media,
I'm really proud of them both that they've made a
brave and decisive call to part ways now best interest
(30:29):
of the team at heart.
Speaker 2 (30:30):
And it's always been in a case if it did
break down to this degree, Razor wasn't going anywhere because
he's the coach. There was never an argument around that space,
was there? He there? I suppose ceded to what Leon
was after or sorry, Leon, You've got to go.
Speaker 4 (30:45):
Is that the base of it, Well, that's never really
a question. I mean, I think that the first thing
to say is overall where really content with the direction
of the team under Raiser. I know, you know they
had by their own standards, players and coaches and management.
They were frustrated by their performance and Wellington a couple
(31:08):
of weeks ago against Argentina. But in all other regards,
I think the team's trending really positively. All of us
across the country, all All Blacks fans have recognized us
as a new coaching group. There's new players in the group,
there's new player leadership. There's just a lot of newness
(31:29):
around the environment and it takes a little while for
everybody to bed in. I think we saw some huge
positives in the English series, and you know, it's not
a performance related issue at all that we're talking about.
It's just two coaches that didn't quite click.
Speaker 2 (31:49):
Gem of professional rugby and performers from India. Chris Lendram
joined us. Chris, there's a suggestion that possibly due diligence,
wasn't really done properly this for this to arise so
early in the season, surely you think these characters who'd
known each other that's a long time, have been involved before,
way back in the Crusaders days. Would know, there might
(32:11):
be some tumult there. You'd see what I'm aiming at there.
It seems surprising that it only turned up now as
opposed to when they are actually employing Leon.
Speaker 4 (32:21):
As I said, I can understand people's surprise. And Razor
and Leon have known each other for a very long time,
as you point out, Darci, from playing days at the
Crusaders through coaching. I think what's happened here, at least
in part, is they haven't coached together for a period
of time and they're both head coached highly successfully. You know,
(32:45):
Leon led a real turnaround and the fortunes of the Blues.
He's been our All Blacks fifteen head coach. Obviously worked
at Tasman as well, very successfully, you know, and everybody
knows what Ras has achieved at the Crusaders, unparalleled success.
(33:06):
So it has been six or seven years since they've
worked together. And when you lead programs, you and you
lead programs separate from one another, it's possible that you've
views diverge a bit in terms of how to play
the game, your philosophy around the game, and I think
(33:28):
that's what's happened here. So everybody went in with the
best of intention that was obviously always designed to work.
I don't think this has been disruptive at all for
the team and the work it's got through in the
first part of the season. As I said before, it
just hasn't quite clicked, and I think it's a really
decisive move to call that now.
Speaker 2 (33:51):
Strange that they couldn't make it work right, But obviously
you've been not two or three weeks talking about this,
so there would be movement on both sides, but it
is odd that they couldn't get close to an agreement.
Has to work out like this, But were they that
poles apart with it?
Speaker 4 (34:05):
Chris, You've got to look ahead a bit here, Darcy.
We're five games into the twenty twenty four season. But
the ultimate prize of this whole coaching group and playing
group are shooting for is to climb the mountain and
be best in the world again, and that gets decided
(34:26):
in October November twenty twenty seven. It's a long time.
And whilst an element of friction is necessary in high
performance environments and needs to be challenged amongst a coaching group,
for example, challenge by deeers and tactics methodologies, you know
(34:48):
too much friction can hold a team back. And these
guys are both experienced coaches. They've been in groups where
there's been good friction, and there's been in groups where,
over time friction of impacted teams a little bit more negatively,
and they know what they're looking for. They can they
(35:10):
can see that, and as I said, just over the
last few weeks, that's that's what's become a parent of
both of them.
Speaker 2 (35:18):
Crystal Linderman's been well kept out of the limelight, which
is pretty good for end Z are to be fair
that no one actually saw this coming. So it was
basically what it was yourself, it was Raser, it was Angy.
What about the other assistant coaches, any other involvement from
within the team? I believe the players had nothing to
do with the hair. They are informed afterwards. But how
deeply amongst the staff did you guys dig to try
(35:39):
and work through a solution.
Speaker 4 (35:43):
Look, those these sorts of issues you you kind of
want to keep to a need to know baseless, right,
I mean? And I said this yesterday, Darthy. We debrief
at the end of every All Blacks campaign. So we
debriefed at the end of the Steinlager series which was
(36:04):
the two tests against England and Feature and as I
said that, the team's trending really well. There's no issues
being feedback from players. For example, around the coaching group,
the feedback was overwhelmingly positive in terms of the quality
and detail of coaching in the group. So we're really
(36:25):
pleased with that. It's yeah, I mean you don't in
the end. These are employment situations, aren't they, And just
like it would be for you, God forbid that you
ended up in a in a situation with a sort
of clash of styles. But yeah, I mean it was.
(36:47):
It was held tightly and we're happy with that because
you know, both Scott and Leon are really key employees
of ours and that's what their rights are done and dusted.
Speaker 2 (36:59):
Now it's out. Obviously he's away hiding. There's there's no
way we can get hold of him. What's actually doing there?
How's his hited and how's rasor how these go? Because
it's playing out something on. This can't be good for
the mental health, can it.
Speaker 4 (37:10):
Chris Well, I think it's left too long. That's that's correct, right,
And that's why I say again, I think you know,
they've made a really brave and decisive call here. Leon's
taking a break. It's not plan a for anybody for
this to have happened. So this is a changeing plan
(37:30):
for him. He will quickly think about what comes next
for him. He's a superb coach. He was in high
demand internationally before the All Backs coaching group was appointed
under Scott and I fully expect he will be in
high demand again and equally in New Zealand. He will
(37:54):
be extremely welcome back into our coaching system as and
when he wants to do that raises good. You know,
it's good to have this clear before the team heads
away to South Africa. They've got a huge, huge test,
(38:15):
two tests coming up in South Africa. You know, I
think it's the all Black stream to go to Alice
Park and and play the spring box and win, and
they'll all have clear heads and everyone's right and behind
them to do that.
Speaker 2 (38:32):
Aware of any immediate plans of Leon, has it been
expressed at all as far as coaching is concerned.
Speaker 4 (38:38):
No, it's a question for Leon really, I'm you know,
I'm not. We've been focused on just working through these
discussions and in this process with him and when he's
ready to make some announcements about what he wants to
do next. He'll make them, but I wouldn't expect them
(39:01):
anytime soon, does it.
Speaker 2 (39:02):
And finally, Chris Linjaman, thanks so much for joining us.
How to take you to negotiate the payout and the
severance of the contracts. I'm presuming it was a long time.
There would have been a bit of head butting around that, surely.
Speaker 4 (39:16):
So you've been in this game long enough to know that.
I can't answer questions about employment issues, my friend, But look,
you know you, just like you say, you look after
your people as they're entitled to be looked after. And
you know that's that's really all we can say.
Speaker 2 (39:38):
Yeah, I knew, absolutely, but you know the deal, Chris.
Good things come to those who ask. They always have
a crack, don't you hate Chris? Thanks so much for
joining us here. Real pleasure to talk to you. Let's
hope now it's eyes forward, reversion mirrors are broken off
and we can concentrate on what will be a tremendous
tour of the Republic. Again, thanks for your time and
your availability. Hugely appreciated.
Speaker 4 (40:00):
All good to be, always good to talk forget the
riffs call you make a call.
Speaker 1 (40:07):
Sports Talking on your home of sports News Talks.
Speaker 2 (40:10):
It's eight minutes to eight half time Hawks Bay twenty
six at Northend at sixteen escaping a little bit defending
their log of wood. Got some texts for you coming
up next. If you want to climb on and please
do cost standards text charge nineteen nineteen z b z B.
That's the way to contact me. You're coming up next
(40:32):
via the text line. Here a news talk Z Blacky
ky or something day. John Johnson about to roll on
(40:54):
into the eponymous stadium player's last game at home. Here
is Stacy Jones talking about the young fella.
Speaker 3 (41:03):
Oh look in my eyes, he's he's right up there
with Simon mannoring what he's done for the game, purely
because the position he plays, you know of admired sewn,
you know what he's had to deal with and that,
you know, like the pressure that he's been under. You
look back at what he's done for the game and
(41:24):
how many people have become involved in the game because
of Sure. Yeah, and Shawn's an emotional guy in person too,
So yeah, let's hope that Shawn gets a really good
sign off and the boys can get get a win
fro him.
Speaker 2 (41:40):
I think we all would like that fairy tale ish end.
I say, esh, because the season has been regrettable. It's
four minutes away from That's Sports Talk for another Friday night.
Tomorrow morning, All Sports Breakfast between seven and nine. Scattered
around the motto, Jason pine has the afternoon Fun and
(42:02):
Game between twelve and three. It's Week in Sport with Piney.
A couple of text for you Sports Fixed podcasts as well.
We're all your good podcasts have found checked that one out.
I dare see how many ways you need to tell
you nothing to see here? You're flogging a dead a horse.
At the end of the day, it's none of your business.
It's kind of a job. That's what you do, right.
(42:22):
You talk to people about things and try and ascertain
what actually went on. Because when I don't ask questions
and I'm not doing my job right, then I get
endless complaints about it.
Speaker 1 (42:30):
Carol.
Speaker 2 (42:30):
When definitely at my SK's career, I remember the amazing
stretch over thirteen fifteen, the wires look like genuine contenders,
but that ankle breaking, that ankle, I can't help but
think that affected his running game and pace that and
I don't think you're wrong. Thanks for listening, one and all.
(42:50):
I'll catch you again tomorrow morning, but on the wider
program from seven to eight Sports Talk on Tuesday, and
he does. Thanks for producing, Thanks for your ears, thanks
for your text thanks for your calls.
Speaker 6 (43:02):
Sill up for wires.
Speaker 2 (43:04):
Oh yeah.
Speaker 1 (43:12):
For more from Sports Talk, listen live to News Talks
at B from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast
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