November 21, 2024 • 9 mins
Three newcomers feature in the All Blacks Sevens squad to take part in the World Series season-opener in Dubai next week.
Waikato youngster Oli Mathis - just a year our of secondary school and with a season of NPC rugby for Waikato under his belt - debuts alongside North Harbour's Sofai Maka and Sevens Development graduate Joey Taumateine.
LISTEN ABOVE
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Dancy Wildergrave
from News Talks.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
It'd be sevens is the topic now and we're joined
by a man who knows, oh a couple of things
about the world of seven so good and Titchens it
joins us Titch Welcome to the show. Three players set
to debut for the All Black seven side. First up,
how are you yeah good?
Speaker 3 (00:27):
Thanks? Duci?
Speaker 4 (00:27):
Yeah no, no, very good and probably exciting to see
the first round of the world series starting up in
a couple of weekends time and studying in Dubai and
South Africa.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
Three debutantes have been named in this side for this series,
and it's quite funny when you look through the team
and you know some of the old heads are just
not there anymore. It's it's quite bizarre. But looking at
the new guys, that's what we're here for. Joey Tomatina,
he's got history with the build up. You've got us
so Fi Marker who comes with well a lot of
(01:00):
crops around what he can do. And of course Olie
mathis the name on everybody's lips with what he did
and in the MPC. Can you tell us much about
these three characters.
Speaker 4 (01:09):
Gordon, Well, I've heard so much about Ernie Mathis obviously
as being a loose forward and then for Whitecaddow in
the Im Cup and you know he was obviously playing
out on the wing, so he's very very quick. And
I was at one of their trainings just recently and
I was watching him and you know, he does look
he's very descend If he looks quick and he can
(01:29):
play in both positions, then he'll certainly say seven would
be great for his development, no question there. And also
a supply marker who's a fullback coming through the Auckland
system as well, and he's got a very very good
skill set.
Speaker 3 (01:44):
And the other one you said, Jaden Keel and you.
Speaker 4 (01:46):
Know there's a lot of talk about him and I
think he plaid for Rreba Bush and he's from the
manor of Two and that's where Tomassi's from as well.
Speaker 3 (01:54):
And sometimes if you do your scouting and you're out.
Speaker 4 (01:57):
There looking, there is the odd player that sometimes can
slip through the net. But you know he's done a
lot of work. And Tamussy knows a good seventh player
when he sees them, and I'd be very surprised if
they don't perform, but it's an ideal time and probably
if I had I.
Speaker 3 (02:12):
Suppose it's not so much a criticism.
Speaker 4 (02:14):
But when the Scott Curries and you know, and Sam
Dixon's and.
Speaker 3 (02:19):
Those guys were still involved with the.
Speaker 4 (02:20):
Team, I think that's when we needed to bring these
new players to Jaden Killing's and that through so to
get learn off them. But they're no longer part of
the team now, you know, And so I suppose it's done.
Colliers still there and Tony mcnung shue and Lewis Orman
I suppose oh there as well.
Speaker 3 (02:38):
But for a young player to develop.
Speaker 4 (02:40):
And to become a very good seventh player, it's so
good to have the Curries and the Dixons there to
help them along.
Speaker 2 (02:47):
What about Joey tom Ting name because he has been around,
He's played for the under eighteen seven side development seven,
so out of Wesley College, he's really he's part of
the conveyor belt. That's got to be heartened to see
that players that have been you know, looked after, are
actually now developing moving to that to the bigger team.
Speaker 4 (03:09):
Oh yeah, no question, And I'm excited as anyone to
see them play and to step up to that level,
and I mean there's a certainly it looks a very
strong site considering you know, you've got guys like a
Rock and Sola who's not there is out through injury.
Reagan where also I think is out injured as well.
But it's great when you can still look at guys
(03:31):
like Joe Webber, he's out there as well, even Johnny
Malea who was there when I was there, Narahee mcgavy
black as another certainly another guy with a lot.
Speaker 3 (03:42):
Of seven's experience.
Speaker 4 (03:44):
Now, I think it's a very well balanced site which
is going to give those new younger players a real
opportunity to stand up and be counted.
Speaker 3 (03:51):
You know, they'll.
Speaker 4 (03:52):
Gradually build themselves into that and do what as a
great gentleman to start with?
Speaker 2 (03:57):
What last year didn't get the cookies? What do you
think needs to change, if anything, as far as attempting
to pick up the main prize this time around, Gordon.
Speaker 4 (04:09):
Well, we've seen the development of a lot of the
other countries now they've crept up on us and it's
not all about I mean, Fiji's got a lot to
prove this year. They had probably their worst year in
many many seasons last year and so a lot of
those players have got a lot to prove in Fiji
as a country, as we know, that's their game and
summer's not there anymore, you know. So in South Africa
(04:31):
had a probably a lean year as well, but then
they tipped us out at the Olympics, so you know,
it's it'll be tough. I mean, it's anyone's game really
going into the tournament. You can't just stand back and say, well,
it's going to be New Zealand Fiji in the final.
I think you've got a few teams now that are
certainly going to put their hand up and challenge them.
And even someone like Kenya that's come out of the
(04:52):
Challenger Series that they've qualified back into the World Series
and they had a very young side in the Challenger
Series because I was at a couple of those tournaments
and they look potentially very very good. So it's going
to be competitive, and I think going into the first
two tournaments it could be anyone's tournament.
Speaker 2 (05:09):
I got Argentina floating around as well, making an annoyance,
and that'll be after what happened last year. Earlier this year,
they'll be they'll be wanting to ten and around when
it looks all of good sevens is it's still basically
the same game is It's still a matter of having
a huge engine and being as fit as the next guy,
but more so running, passing. It's the same kind of
(05:32):
game than you were overseeing it.
Speaker 3 (05:35):
Well, the world Rugby are trying to change the rules to.
Speaker 4 (05:39):
Make it even more exciting, and I hope they and
we trialed those new rules when I was in vote
for the involved in the Challenger series last year and
there was a tournament in Hong Kong where you know,
you won't be able to go to line out, so
it'll always be about free kicks and moving the balls
so you won't have scrums, you know, because now they
slow the game down to perhaps to suit the players
(06:01):
that are not as fit to stay in the game
a little a little bit longer when you're playing the
stronger sides or the sides. So I hope they bring
in these new rules to sevens because that will make
it really exciting.
Speaker 3 (06:12):
So you'll see a lot more free kicks, you'll.
Speaker 4 (06:14):
See a lot more moves and which will challenge a
lot of the teams defensively and it'll be better for
attack and you won't have as many lineouts. Perhaps in
the game of sevens. We never used to. It was
all about three kicks years ago. But we were a
lot fitter than Darcy.
Speaker 3 (06:29):
Now. I heard you.
Speaker 2 (06:30):
Once when you said about they're not so fit teams.
That still grind you, doesn't it. It's still right at
the very top of the tree for you intentions.
Speaker 4 (06:39):
Oh so frustrating mate, when you're a coach and you've
got a very fit side and condition to the levels
you need to be and teams get a penalty and
they kick for sixty meters for a.
Speaker 3 (06:48):
Line out, and they slow the game right down.
Speaker 4 (06:51):
Then they decide to introduce a sub or then they
call a pet. We'll have a scrum, you know, and
really frustrating. And I could see that. And because seven minutes.
We used to play ten minute finals then and now
it's seven minutes and seven minutes.
Speaker 3 (07:05):
Goes very very quickly.
Speaker 4 (07:06):
So you know you wanted to be a spectator sport,
a spectators game, it's an Olympic sport.
Speaker 3 (07:11):
Then I think you've got.
Speaker 4 (07:12):
To give more to the audience that are out there
to watch this exciting game, which it can be.
Speaker 2 (07:17):
And finally, Gordon great to see DJ Forbes. He's going
to be inducted into the Rugby Hall of Fame. Great
reward for a massive man and a number of respects,
including his beard in and around seven. He's had a
crazy old career. This is deserved.
Speaker 3 (07:36):
Oh yeah, you're so well deserved.
Speaker 4 (07:38):
I mean, such a great ambassador of the game of
sevens and obviously played a number of seasons for me
and win income games and a World Series championships as
my captain, and commands a huge amount of respect and
still does keeps himself still very very fat, And I
mean it couldn't have gone to a better guy and
(07:59):
certainly well deserved. And I'd send your like to congratuated
mine ere if I can as well.
Speaker 2 (08:04):
Yeah, And I think when you look at d J. Forbes,
he's one of the most humble, simple men, but a
guy that everybody, everybody wants to be involved with because
he's just such an an honest and upfront human being.
That's the kind of player you want to deal with.
Speaker 4 (08:20):
Oh yeah, he was so inspirational as a captain. You
would never have got a player that worked as hard.
Speaker 3 (08:25):
As he did.
Speaker 4 (08:26):
And he was incredible, and he was a very very
good leader and you want your.
Speaker 3 (08:31):
Your men like that to lead from the front.
Speaker 4 (08:33):
And he soon he did that and enhanced see such
a you know, a world figure now and wherever he goes,
as as as a top top seventh player and again
deserve leg I would you know that, you know, I
suppose that getting into that world Hall of Fame.
Speaker 3 (08:49):
I think it's just tremendous for DJ.
Speaker 2 (08:51):
So good intentions. Always great to catch up and I'm
sure we'll talk again when the series gets up and underway,
and let's hope they're stronger and faster, morely fitter than
everybody else. Good on your Gordon, Thanks for your time.
Speaker 3 (09:03):
Cheers Darcy. Thank you for more from sport Talk.
Speaker 1 (09:06):
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 Dancy Wildergrave
from News Talks.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
It'd be sevens is the topic now and we're joined
by a man who knows, oh a couple of things
about the world of seven so good and Titchens it
joins us Titch Welcome to the show. Three players set
to debut for the All Black seven side. First up,
how are you yeah good?
Speaker 3 (00:27):
Thanks? Duci?
Speaker 4 (00:27):
Yeah no, no, very good and probably exciting to see
the first round of the world series starting up in
a couple of weekends time and studying in Dubai and
South Africa.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
Three debutantes have been named in this side for this series,
and it's quite funny when you look through the team
and you know some of the old heads are just
not there anymore. It's it's quite bizarre. But looking at
the new guys, that's what we're here for. Joey Tomatina,
he's got history with the build up. You've got us
so Fi Marker who comes with well a lot of
(01:00):
crops around what he can do. And of course Olie
mathis the name on everybody's lips with what he did
and in the MPC. Can you tell us much about
these three characters.
Speaker 4 (01:09):
Gordon, Well, I've heard so much about Ernie Mathis obviously
as being a loose forward and then for Whitecaddow in
the Im Cup and you know he was obviously playing
out on the wing, so he's very very quick. And
I was at one of their trainings just recently and
I was watching him and you know, he does look
he's very descend If he looks quick and he can
(01:29):
play in both positions, then he'll certainly say seven would
be great for his development, no question there. And also
a supply marker who's a fullback coming through the Auckland
system as well, and he's got a very very good
skill set.
Speaker 3 (01:44):
And the other one you said, Jaden Keel and you.
Speaker 4 (01:46):
Know there's a lot of talk about him and I
think he plaid for Rreba Bush and he's from the
manor of Two and that's where Tomassi's from as well.
Speaker 3 (01:54):
And sometimes if you do your scouting and you're out.
Speaker 4 (01:57):
There looking, there is the odd player that sometimes can
slip through the net. But you know he's done a
lot of work. And Tamussy knows a good seventh player
when he sees them, and I'd be very surprised if
they don't perform, but it's an ideal time and probably
if I had I.
Speaker 3 (02:12):
Suppose it's not so much a criticism.
Speaker 4 (02:14):
But when the Scott Curries and you know, and Sam
Dixon's and.
Speaker 3 (02:19):
Those guys were still involved with the.
Speaker 4 (02:20):
Team, I think that's when we needed to bring these
new players to Jaden Killing's and that through so to
get learn off them. But they're no longer part of
the team now, you know, And so I suppose it's done.
Colliers still there and Tony mcnung shue and Lewis Orman
I suppose oh there as well.
Speaker 3 (02:38):
But for a young player to develop.
Speaker 4 (02:40):
And to become a very good seventh player, it's so
good to have the Curries and the Dixons there to
help them along.
Speaker 2 (02:47):
What about Joey tom Ting name because he has been around,
He's played for the under eighteen seven side development seven,
so out of Wesley College, he's really he's part of
the conveyor belt. That's got to be heartened to see
that players that have been you know, looked after, are
actually now developing moving to that to the bigger team.
Speaker 4 (03:09):
Oh yeah, no question, And I'm excited as anyone to
see them play and to step up to that level,
and I mean there's a certainly it looks a very
strong site considering you know, you've got guys like a
Rock and Sola who's not there is out through injury.
Reagan where also I think is out injured as well.
But it's great when you can still look at guys
(03:31):
like Joe Webber, he's out there as well, even Johnny
Malea who was there when I was there, Narahee mcgavy
black as another certainly another guy with a lot.
Speaker 3 (03:42):
Of seven's experience.
Speaker 4 (03:44):
Now, I think it's a very well balanced site which
is going to give those new younger players a real
opportunity to stand up and be counted.
Speaker 3 (03:51):
You know, they'll.
Speaker 4 (03:52):
Gradually build themselves into that and do what as a
great gentleman to start with?
Speaker 2 (03:57):
What last year didn't get the cookies? What do you
think needs to change, if anything, as far as attempting
to pick up the main prize this time around, Gordon.
Speaker 4 (04:09):
Well, we've seen the development of a lot of the
other countries now they've crept up on us and it's
not all about I mean, Fiji's got a lot to
prove this year. They had probably their worst year in
many many seasons last year and so a lot of
those players have got a lot to prove in Fiji
as a country, as we know, that's their game and
summer's not there anymore, you know. So in South Africa
(04:31):
had a probably a lean year as well, but then
they tipped us out at the Olympics, so you know,
it's it'll be tough. I mean, it's anyone's game really
going into the tournament. You can't just stand back and say, well,
it's going to be New Zealand Fiji in the final.
I think you've got a few teams now that are
certainly going to put their hand up and challenge them.
And even someone like Kenya that's come out of the
(04:52):
Challenger Series that they've qualified back into the World Series
and they had a very young side in the Challenger
Series because I was at a couple of those tournaments
and they look potentially very very good. So it's going
to be competitive, and I think going into the first
two tournaments it could be anyone's tournament.
Speaker 2 (05:09):
I got Argentina floating around as well, making an annoyance,
and that'll be after what happened last year. Earlier this year,
they'll be they'll be wanting to ten and around when
it looks all of good sevens is it's still basically
the same game is It's still a matter of having
a huge engine and being as fit as the next guy,
but more so running, passing. It's the same kind of
(05:32):
game than you were overseeing it.
Speaker 3 (05:35):
Well, the world Rugby are trying to change the rules to.
Speaker 4 (05:39):
Make it even more exciting, and I hope they and
we trialed those new rules when I was in vote
for the involved in the Challenger series last year and
there was a tournament in Hong Kong where you know,
you won't be able to go to line out, so
it'll always be about free kicks and moving the balls
so you won't have scrums, you know, because now they
slow the game down to perhaps to suit the players
(06:01):
that are not as fit to stay in the game
a little a little bit longer when you're playing the
stronger sides or the sides. So I hope they bring
in these new rules to sevens because that will make
it really exciting.
Speaker 3 (06:12):
So you'll see a lot more free kicks, you'll.
Speaker 4 (06:14):
See a lot more moves and which will challenge a
lot of the teams defensively and it'll be better for
attack and you won't have as many lineouts. Perhaps in
the game of sevens. We never used to. It was
all about three kicks years ago. But we were a
lot fitter than Darcy.
Speaker 3 (06:29):
Now. I heard you.
Speaker 2 (06:30):
Once when you said about they're not so fit teams.
That still grind you, doesn't it. It's still right at
the very top of the tree for you intentions.
Speaker 4 (06:39):
Oh so frustrating mate, when you're a coach and you've
got a very fit side and condition to the levels
you need to be and teams get a penalty and
they kick for sixty meters for a.
Speaker 3 (06:48):
Line out, and they slow the game right down.
Speaker 4 (06:51):
Then they decide to introduce a sub or then they
call a pet. We'll have a scrum, you know, and
really frustrating. And I could see that. And because seven minutes.
We used to play ten minute finals then and now
it's seven minutes and seven minutes.
Speaker 3 (07:05):
Goes very very quickly.
Speaker 4 (07:06):
So you know you wanted to be a spectator sport,
a spectators game, it's an Olympic sport.
Speaker 3 (07:11):
Then I think you've got.
Speaker 4 (07:12):
To give more to the audience that are out there
to watch this exciting game, which it can be.
Speaker 2 (07:17):
And finally, Gordon great to see DJ Forbes. He's going
to be inducted into the Rugby Hall of Fame. Great
reward for a massive man and a number of respects,
including his beard in and around seven. He's had a
crazy old career. This is deserved.
Speaker 3 (07:36):
Oh yeah, you're so well deserved.
Speaker 4 (07:38):
I mean, such a great ambassador of the game of
sevens and obviously played a number of seasons for me
and win income games and a World Series championships as
my captain, and commands a huge amount of respect and
still does keeps himself still very very fat, And I
mean it couldn't have gone to a better guy and
(07:59):
certainly well deserved. And I'd send your like to congratuated
mine ere if I can as well.
Speaker 2 (08:04):
Yeah, And I think when you look at d J. Forbes,
he's one of the most humble, simple men, but a
guy that everybody, everybody wants to be involved with because
he's just such an an honest and upfront human being.
That's the kind of player you want to deal with.
Speaker 4 (08:20):
Oh yeah, he was so inspirational as a captain. You
would never have got a player that worked as hard.
Speaker 3 (08:25):
As he did.
Speaker 4 (08:26):
And he was incredible, and he was a very very
good leader and you want your.
Speaker 3 (08:31):
Your men like that to lead from the front.
Speaker 4 (08:33):
And he soon he did that and enhanced see such
a you know, a world figure now and wherever he goes,
as as as a top top seventh player and again
deserve leg I would you know that, you know, I
suppose that getting into that world Hall of Fame.
Speaker 3 (08:49):
I think it's just tremendous for DJ.
Speaker 2 (08:51):
So good intentions. Always great to catch up and I'm
sure we'll talk again when the series gets up and underway,
and let's hope they're stronger and faster, morely fitter than
everybody else. Good on your Gordon, Thanks for your time.
Speaker 3 (09:03):
Cheers Darcy. Thank you for more from sport Talk.
Speaker 1 (09:06):
Listen live to News Talks it'd be from seven pm weekdays,
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com