January 31, 2025 • 39 mins
D’Arcy Waldegrave returned to wrap today's sporting news. Highlights for tonight include:
Debbie Sorensen - Moana Pasifika CEO
Dan Hooker - UFC Lightweight fighter
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Dancy Waldergrave
from News Talk ZEDB.
Speaker 2 (00:41):
Yeah you ain't there. Wel come on, man sports still here?
He still is it. It's a Friday night, it's the
last day of January twenty twenty five. I it's the
thirty first coming up seven minutes after eight, well not ye,
about an hour away from that, seven minutes after seven.
And on today's program we're going to be talking with
Dan the Hangman hook is, the number six ranked you
(01:07):
lightweight fighter. You know, a fight coming up against Justin Gage,
and I minisged to convince him to having a yarn
with me, not only about that, but about Israel and
his upcoming non title fight, because let's face it, that's
what it is. It's got the scrap coming up, but
(01:28):
it's not on pay per view, and how is he
prepared for that? What does this mean to not only Israel,
but to City Kickboxing itself. We'll talk to mister Dan
Hangman Hooker later on the piece, but first out, we're
going to be talking a bit of Moana pussy Fica,
the CEO, the co CEO, because he's got two CEO jobs.
(01:51):
Her name is DeBie Sorenson, Yes, of the Sorenson clan.
She joins us shortly to talk about, among other things,
her call that well Mawana Passivika could within five years
won a title in Super Rugby Pacific. It's pretty an
outstanding call, and of course the effect around the new recruit,
(02:13):
mister Ardie Savia and what exactly he brings to their program.
After that, we're going to take your calls on the
one I pussyfig what are the chance of them morning
a title within the next five years? Is that realistic?
Is that pipe dreams? And if Ardie sav can play
the way Ardie Sava does, would he make a substantial difference.
(02:36):
We'll find out from you on O eighte hundred and
eighty ten eighty later on and the peace. But before
we go anywhere near that, let's get nice and close.
Speaker 3 (02:44):
To this for today and.
Speaker 2 (02:50):
In sports today, the reigning Super Rugby Pacific champions, well,
they beat up the locals thirty five nineteen in a
front of a crowd three times the population of the
little Canterbury settlement Kerwee where the game was set. Was
assistant coach Jason o'heller and absolutely reveled in it. I
(03:11):
thought it was awesome.
Speaker 3 (03:12):
That was fantastic.
Speaker 4 (03:13):
I was really surprised to callity the ground when we
turned up on this beautiful day.
Speaker 3 (03:17):
So I think the more of this we.
Speaker 4 (03:18):
Can do, the bit.
Speaker 3 (03:19):
I thought it was fantastic, loved.
Speaker 2 (03:20):
That pugilis to me and mol two has been hospitalized
with pneumonia among other afflictions after returning from her world
title shot in England. Here she describes the experience.
Speaker 5 (03:32):
My coach was a bit concerned that he almost pulled
me out, but I refused and I told him that
I didn't come here for nothing.
Speaker 3 (03:38):
I'm not pulling out of a fight. And it was
very tough. I just I was breaking, but still trying
to hold it together.
Speaker 2 (03:45):
Aukland, thefc's Tommy Smith has provided a reason behind his
team's A league success so far and their uncanny ability
to swipe games at the absolute death. The preseason was
the hardest I've ever had across my career, so I
think that's probably got a lot to do with it,
and obviously a testament to the Lias and his staff
(04:06):
as to fit we actually are. And Rory McElroy has
dropped an ace in the pro am at Pebble Beach.
Speaker 3 (04:13):
On one twelve down the hill. That's not a good
line that I'm believable.
Speaker 2 (04:24):
That wrong, It's believable. You saw it with your own eyes.
And that's sport today. Ten past seven on a Friday night.
This is news talk, said bes at sports talk is
story foighting around around. Debbie Sorenson and Moana Pussyficker CEO
with some pretty brave calls, are on the start of
(04:46):
their season, not only not only getting to the finals
coming up at the end of this season, but maybe
within five years actually taking the title full stop. She
joins us now to talk about that and Moana Pussyfiker
in general. Debbie Sorenson, evening, Mate, good evening, does he
You've been in news today planning the team has been
(05:08):
in pre seasons today as well. She's been a pretty
big day for the club, for the franchise. What if
you want to call it? I suppose we'll set things off,
Debbie Sorenson, Who are you? Where did you come from?
Speaker 3 (05:20):
What are you doing there?
Speaker 5 (05:21):
Indeed I asked myself that question most days. Darcy. It's
funny how life works out, isn't it.
Speaker 6 (05:28):
So?
Speaker 5 (05:29):
I have grown up in a rugby league family who
play at the highest level.
Speaker 2 (05:35):
I see you are one of those Sorensons. I was
going to go along that right. Well, that's that's quite
a name to carry, isn't it, Debbie.
Speaker 5 (05:43):
Yes, yes, But you know, living and breathing and growing
up for the elite sportsman transfers well into the rugby context.
And so even though I don't have a deep rugby knowledge,
I certainly have a knowledge of how to look after
premium athletes, of what competition looks like, and of the
(06:07):
values that work well to support high performing teams.
Speaker 2 (06:12):
Along with that, Debbie Sorenson, the CEO of Moeland PACIFICA,
you've got someone who's right at the top of their
game in Ardie Sava, the off signing, the off season
signing so far of this club's very short career. I
don't think it's possible to underestimate what Ardie brings to
(06:35):
the program. And you've covered a lot of that already
with your other colleagues the other branches here. Anything else
you've noticed with Ardie Savia since he has turned up
that maybe you guys didn't bring into account.
Speaker 5 (06:46):
I think that we had underestimated the effect and the
influence across the whole club, in all areas of the club,
so not just in the rugby squad. We knew that
that would make a difference, you know, we knew that
he would lift performance, that it makes everyone else step
(07:09):
up their game and do better, but also in other
areas of the club. So for example, you know, he
is a consummate professional. He is very experienced in social
media and dealing with the media, and he also has
an incredibly good commercial brain around what might work and
what might not. Along with that, he's calm, he's professional,
(07:33):
and he's a really decent bloke. Might I say so,
you know, I just feel incredibly grateful that he's made
that choice to come to us. It signals to everyone
else that he has confidence in the club, that we're
not a fly by night deal. And he says explicitly
that he comes because he's able to bring his authentic self.
(07:56):
He can play football with his brother, which has been
a lifelong dream, but also he can you know, really
really fly fish and what he's doing.
Speaker 2 (08:08):
The relationship between your club and en Z are because
predominantly Mona Pacifica is about bringing talent through for Tonga
and somewhat not for New Zealand. So when the club
starts picking up players like Artie Savia and has helped
(08:29):
for like does that create any tension? Is it something
that New Zealand Rugby necessarily happy with.
Speaker 5 (08:37):
I think that there's always tension and it's right to
have tension between the Super Rugby Club and New Zealand Rugby.
You know, we're quite unique and that we are a
charitable trust and we're not owned by New Zealand Rugby.
The other franchises certainly are and have a lot of influence.
I might say that New Zealand Rugby has been incredibly
supportive of the franchise starting and have you know, we
(09:01):
have very strong relationships with them. We're very excited about
the New New Zealand Rugby board and in particular having
Kevin mere Lamu and Karen Rungey as you know, what
we would see as our representatives on that board, you know,
who are both incredibly experienced governors and able to really
(09:23):
bring skills and talent to that job. So we feel that,
you know, we all have a role to play. New
Zealand Rugby needs to run New Zealand Rugby. We're a franchise.
We need to play really good football and together as
an ecosystem, all the clubs New Zealand Rugby, Australian Rugby
the drawer. We all have a part to play to
(09:44):
make Super Rugby competition successful.
Speaker 2 (09:47):
Very attractive proposition. Now that you've got the likes of
SRVA involved in the side, do you have any restrictions
around who you can attract the play or who can
of their own volition come and knock on your door,
because there I expect will be a number of pacificer
players that would be interested that maybe have been a
bit hesitant, but now the door appears to be open.
(10:10):
Are you working in an area where you actually can
only employ so many players in so many positions? Who've
got I suppose connections with the All Blacks in New Zealand.
Speaker 5 (10:21):
Rugby indeed, and so under our license agreement we are
only able to secure x number of All Blacks. If
we put that aside, we you know, we have a
limited envelope for player recruitment and player payment, and of
course we're talking about All Blacks which are at the
(10:42):
premium level. So you know, just like any other team,
you can only have so many stars in it. And
there is certainly some interest being shown as soon as
Ardie had signed the contractor moved. We've been contacted by
agents that previously really weren't that interested in the franchise.
(11:03):
So we would expect to see more movement next year,
and we would expect to be able to negotiate and
have those conversations with New Zealand Rugby and just see
how far we go.
Speaker 2 (11:14):
Debbie Sorrenson joins the CEO of Mawana PUSIFICKEA. You said
X number, what's the X.
Speaker 5 (11:20):
Equal at the moment?
Speaker 3 (11:22):
It's three?
Speaker 2 (11:23):
And that level is current playing all blacks, all blacks
were worth there and playing current playing all blacks, that's
the limit you've got there as well. I'd ask the
names that have been coming towards you from the agents,
but I suggest you probably won't tell me. No good
things do though, come to those who ask, what about
the position you've taken where you hope to be a
(11:46):
ben semis Are this year and within five years win
the championship itself. You take the Highns for example, they've
been there since day one, the one once, they're pretty
high expectations. What do you base those on?
Speaker 4 (11:58):
Debbie?
Speaker 5 (11:59):
First of all, we can see how the team has
lifted in terms of performance. This is only our fourth year.
Second our squad is a much more experienced squad in
some cases, and if I give the example the young
garden Baship young man was interviewed by The Herald a
couple of weeks ago and he said very clearly that
(12:21):
he felt that the team, the squad was a champion
winning squad and totally, you know, un unkind of influenced
by anyone else. And so we have all the potential.
We look at our coaching staff and they are excellent.
And as we watched the team today, they are playing
at a different standard already given that this is a
(12:43):
preseason trial game, and so we can see that we're
on an upward trajectory. And you know, it's not beyond
the realm of possibility that we would be playing finals
foot e, because that's what's so fantastic about rugby is
that it's unpredictable.
Speaker 2 (13:00):
They talked deb about putting a fan at the scene
of the room, and it is all about the fan.
That's essentially why you are there. Engaging the wider Auckland community,
not just the pacifica community. A key part of what
you're doing proposals. How do you look to do that,
because I'd suggest that playing up north in Auburny is
(13:22):
probably not great. Maybe you should be I don't know,
down in Poky Cohe So talk to us through about that.
How you engage the fans where your fan base actually is.
Speaker 5 (13:32):
Yes, that's exactly right, Darcy. What I have to say
is that our fan base is pretty diverse. I think,
you know, there's an assumption that our fan base is
all Pacific, which in Auckland is a considerable number of people.
You know, it's about nearly three hundred thousand people Pacific
people live in Auckland. However, if we use the example
(13:54):
of the North Shore, we have done lots of work
in our community program in schools and with businesses, and
we have been welcomed by the North Shore Business Association
and the community. And we see that today today we
would have had about one thousand people there. The game
wasn't ticketed, it wasn't advertised at all, and these were
(14:17):
people that just rolled up and it was a very
diverse crowd who turned up. So I think it is
about winning hearts and minds. You know, we are very
lucky to be able to work at North Harbor because
the facilities that they have are fantastic. We're lucky to
train alongside fa Auckland because we can share you know,
(14:41):
lessons and journeys and information with each other and do
so very willingly. You know, both teams are actually in
the gym at the same time very often. It would
be ideal for us if we had a high performance base,
you know, further south across the bridge, but there is
not a high performance facility anywhere south of the bridge,
which is quite shocking when you think about it in
(15:03):
terms of infrastructure. So, you know, in the long term
that is something I think that needs to be resolved
about where will our home be. But in the short
to medium term we here at North Harbor and we
feel very lucky to be able to have their facility.
Speaker 1 (15:21):
DMO, we've got the breakdown on Sports Talk d News Talk.
Speaker 2 (15:29):
I was Debbie Sorenson. She's the CEO of Muwana PACIFICA
currently until they can find someone else because she's also
running the other part of Pacific Health. Quite difficult for
her to run the whole lot which is in there.
She chattered to us around her thoughts about where it
is likely to end out like they keep thinking about
(15:51):
the Highlanders who had all the support in the world
from New Zealand rugby, the hamstrung hath limitations or ham
strung with limitations around who they could select or can
be part of their team. How many titles have they
won over how many years the different teams, different erors, granted,
but that does not all go well for Mowana. And
(16:13):
I think that most I'd like to think, look, bring
up and tell me I'm wrong. I one hundred and
eighty ten eighty most people would like to see this
team do well, this brand new essentially, this upstart of
a team. It's been created in Auckland. I think we
do wish them all. We wish them the best, want
to see this pacifica style rugby, this entertaining style of rugby,
(16:34):
this joyful rugby. But they've been they've been set up
to fail. I can't not think that there are a
number of reasons around that. And Debbie Sirence and cuts
a very impressive figure. No doubt they've got some wonderful players.
We all know the call of the ardy save and
(16:55):
what he brings, but they've not been given the tools
to do what Debbie Sorenson thinks they might be able
to would chief they just haven't got the equipment And
I don't know if it's a blot on end z Are.
(17:18):
It's a blot on Super Rugby for accepting them into
the competition, a blot on the organization itself, the structure
of the organization, the funding of the organization. I don't
think you can pass blame to any one particular issue.
(17:41):
It's a group of problems that the team has which
makes it. As much as I'd like to see them
do well, I can't see it. Can you give me
a reason? Can you see one pussy figure? If not
winning a title within five years, but challenging for finals
(18:05):
football on a regulars I think it's the best they
can hope for. I really do achieve that. Maybe that's
as good as it's going to get. They're only allowed
three all blacks. The heighted is have won one title.
I think it as many all blacks as they can find.
In fact, they got a gang of them. They still
(18:26):
couldn't win it, so they've been hamstrung there. I think
the setup of the team.
Speaker 3 (18:32):
Was pretty fast.
Speaker 2 (18:35):
It was done fairly sharpestly, and with that an identity
was forced it upon them. They didn't really know who
they were, They didn't know where they were going to play.
There's are very shaky foundations for any professional sports team
and they're still unsure about who they are.
Speaker 3 (18:56):
What DeBie said it.
Speaker 2 (18:56):
They're up on the North Shore and they appreciate they've
got the training facilities, but they can't go anywhere else.
How do you set up a team for success when
your parameters are so floppy. Ardie sav will make a difference,
but he is one player, It's all he is, and
(19:20):
it can be as inspirational extraordinary as wanting to be.
One player won't drag this team up and they ain't
allowed three all blacks. I can't see it going anywhere.
Support base where home ground don't. I don't want to
be negative, but I have to be because evidently this
does not look good O eight one hundred eighty ten eighty. Realistically,
(19:46):
Mawana Pussifakers success is a title within five years. But
for me, if they can challenge for the playoffs, that's
probably all they're going to get. Do you do you
agree with me?
Speaker 5 (19:59):
Am?
Speaker 3 (19:59):
I right with this?
Speaker 2 (20:00):
This bit means is a bit punched down?
Speaker 3 (20:02):
Here? Is this just right.
Speaker 2 (20:03):
This is just the nature of the beast, that is
super rug Moe, Pussyficker lines or open. Oh eight hundred
eighty ten eighty you can text nineteen nineteen, said b
zaid beast and a text charge does apply. Love t
voice though, No. Eight hundred eighty ten eighty.
Speaker 3 (20:19):
This is news Talks B.
Speaker 1 (20:30):
Forget the riffs call. You make the call on eight
hundred and eighty eighty Sports Talk on your home of
sport News Talks It Balks it.
Speaker 4 (20:40):
Nine.
Speaker 2 (20:41):
There's News Talks It B and Darcy. This is the
Sports Talks that will come down the hangman Hawker reviewing
Israel Dulcin this next fight and of course talking about
his own scrap coming up in about five weeks time.
Before that, though, we go on to Moana Pussyfiker and
where they sit. Sean joins us, Good evening.
Speaker 6 (21:03):
Mate, how are you very well?
Speaker 2 (21:04):
What's on your mind? Well?
Speaker 6 (21:07):
I just one hundred percent agree with you. They need
their own home base, and personally I think it needs
to be in South Auckland and the New Zealand Rugby Union.
Before they start this team, they need to give them
a home and I personally think that home should have
been in proper Coe's they should have pulled the money
into infrastructure there.
Speaker 2 (21:27):
So what I'm saying, and this is not a nasty punchdown,
you agree with the fact that they've been almost set
up to fail because they haven't been given the tools
required from the geek go. It's been cobbled right from
the start.
Speaker 7 (21:41):
Well, I wouldn't say that that's the case. I just think, Hey,
this team's going to be there for the future. Why
don't we throw some resources at it. Give them a home.
You look at how well the Blues play at home,
the Hurricanes pla at home. If you create a fortress
at home, this team could probably go all the way
and you bring that community in behind it. And let's
be honest, most of the PACIFICA bases around South Auckland.
(22:05):
Why don't put money into the infrastruction book of Cohei.
They've got the perfect EMPTI center there. That field just
need a bit of an uplift.
Speaker 2 (22:14):
Well, that's that's what I mean about a foundation set
for a team. It's like, right, we're going to have
this team, but we need to know where they are
and we are going to build it so they will come.
And that starts you off on that solid base, the
base of that paramid. They haven't had that, so right
from the get go, they don't know where they are
or who they are.
Speaker 6 (22:34):
If I'm coming out of high school at the moment,
I'm thinking to myself, what regions have the best high
performance units? You know, when where's they're going to be.
And you look at the Blues of Alexander Park, the Crusaders,
what they've gone down there. You know, Moana want to
be competing at that top tend I've got to have
a high performance unit somewhere, and preferably somewhere close to
(22:55):
their family, so these guys aren't having to travel so far,
their families around the area, their communities around the area,
and then they can really connect with the area. You know,
I was listening to the CEO previous talking about how
great their businesses over the shore have been, but the
businesses around South Auckland.
Speaker 7 (23:14):
Having a team out here would be even more accepting,
I'd say, mate.
Speaker 2 (23:19):
And I'm not going to say no, I'm not that
I live in that area. I'd like to hear from
people down there. There must be reasons why that didn't happen.
Might it didn't occur? Was it just because they needed
the team in there so fast. No one wanted to
stamp up the cash because it's been peacefl That doesn't
work for anybody. I feel for them, you know, Trevor,
(23:41):
do see how you made very well? What's on your mind?
Speaker 4 (23:44):
No, I just listen to what that lady said, and
i'd sort of basically have got the feeling that you've got.
There's just I think there's too many things against them.
And you know, we know that it's very hard to
win a sporting competition that's spread over, you know, a
couple of months and lots of other injuries coming in
(24:04):
and travel and pitch players of family problem. So it's
extremely difficult for any team to ruin any professional competition.
And I just think there's too many things against them.
I mean I just scrolled through their players and what
due respect. Of course, I don't know every rugby player,
but I look through their squad and I look at
other squads, and you think it's going to be very
(24:26):
hard for them. When you mentioned the Islands winning one,
I remember the Hurricanes. We had a champion team for
about ten years old. No, no, yeah, that's what I'm saying.
But we had a good team, but we only won one,
That's what I'm saying. And the one we and we
even lost when the Highlanders one there one we lost
to them. It's very hard to win a competition, and
(24:46):
I just think there's too many things. Yeah, I agree
with you, Darcy. Year we only won one. We're really
underchieved with the teams that we've had because it's very
hard to win, you know, a sporting competition over a
length of time and that. But I just want to
say something, and you know you're you know, I don't
feel bad about you seeing a bit negative about things
because I think when you're having discussion about things and
(25:09):
it's negative, well it just has to be. If you
think that's the situation. That lady that is the CEO
at the moment when she comes across, she comes across
as a very lovely lady. But you know, I know
she can only say certain things, but love won the
competition already. The way she's thinking and what she's saying,
that's fine, that's the way it comes across. But me
(25:31):
and you can see over that or and we can see,
well it's not as straightforward as she thinks. And I
just want to say I think their biggest problem is Tana. Now,
Tanna was a legendary Pacific Island rugby player who was fantastic.
He considered it from being a wing to a world
class center, first Pacific Island guy, captain the All Blacks.
(25:54):
But Tana's coaching record is poor. And you know you're
watching RL and other sporting confetence for a long time. Unfortunately,
some players just don't make good coaches. And I just
think Tanner is. I mean, Tanna basically got the sack
from the Blues. Now, he would have had all the backing,
(26:15):
all the money, there'll be nothing Tarna wanted that he
didn't get from the Blues to make that team work.
But he was put off and he come across as
a real champion about it. He was sweet, he'll run
the bottles, Yeah, he'll assistant coaching that. But you know,
Tana started coaching in France, wasn't too successfully, had a
little bit of a luckdown a county, not luck, sorry,
(26:37):
little bit of success. Yeah. But I just think Tanner
is just not a little bit like Stephen Kearney, you know,
coming to a sporting competition week out over a very
long length of time. Poor ol Steven just for some reason,
it just didn't work for.
Speaker 2 (26:52):
Him, And not everybody just because in Triva as always
thanks for your call. No, not everybody transfers skills as
a player to the coaching box. John kerlan' is a
classic example. Didn't work for him. But also full time
professional career coaches doesn't work for them either. It's a
very hard job. It's extraordinarily difficult to get it right.
(27:15):
And maybe tim Umonger isn't the bill an end or
of coaches, but when he's dealing with the problems that
he's got and the structure of the side difficult for
the guy. You go back to touch on what Trevis said. There,
you've got Wellington, You've got the Hurricanes have You've got
access to a lot of brilliant players, a lot of
(27:36):
brilliant all black players, a lot of players that have
come through the systems in Wellington that played for the
lines and played well, good coaches in play, so wonderful
home ground, all the facilities. What have they done?
Speaker 3 (27:48):
One title?
Speaker 2 (27:50):
Even seber rugby is a little harder back in those days.
A number of teams involved in that from all over
the shop. It's not an easy thing, but you can't
fault Debbie Sorenson for her attitude because if someone is
leading from the front and they're concentrating on why it
won't work, it won't. She's got to have her shoulders
(28:12):
back and her head up. You got to say we
can do this, and these are the reasons why. Because
if she doesn't, dereliction of duty. Can't do that. I
just feel, I don't feel. I know that they haven't
been given the tools they need to succeed. You're allowed
three all blacks in this competition and that's it. Right away.
(28:38):
They're in trouble, a non home base, a team cobbled
together in a real hurry, not enough financing, doesn't look good.
I hope I'm wrong, and I'll just leave you with
this quick text.
Speaker 3 (28:54):
Mate.
Speaker 2 (28:54):
You write them off so quickly, and there's the problem.
Mess Super Rugby need to give them better chance of success.
If they make it an even playing field, they can
do well. You know, there's definitely a fan base that
wants one to do well. I'm a Crusaders fan, I've
been since day one, but old back Mawama this year.
But I think it's only I can write them off.
I think it's fair that might put a fire up
(29:16):
the backside of some of these players. It's a long,
tough competition. You can't do it on the back of
one superstar player from a position of a nomad doesn't work.
Eight sports Dog is Newstalks. Eb Let's talk a bit
of island. Say around the corner. We got waiting for
(29:38):
us on the physio's table. It's the danned Hangman Hooker
talking himself and Israel Adusa. This is Newstalks, eb.
Speaker 6 (29:51):
I've been breaking my back.
Speaker 8 (29:55):
Lucky rastle Oh shoots talk from Hooker, what a fight?
Speaker 9 (30:14):
Tan Hooker of a tous camera show the distance in
front of the ahtoric masses.
Speaker 3 (30:18):
Here at kirk add back cart.
Speaker 2 (30:20):
What's for the college?
Speaker 3 (30:21):
Hush?
Speaker 9 (30:22):
What it on?
Speaker 3 (30:23):
What hurt for the winner? Bys put.
Speaker 8 (30:34):
My transmedition.
Speaker 2 (30:38):
And that hang man is going to join us now
from the physios bench, looking down the barrel of another scrap.
About five weeks time, Gaechie is going to be his target.
Talk from now about that and also about a stable
mountain Israel. He's fighting this weekend. There's a little paper
(31:00):
view Jemmy wants to ask. Mister Hooker joins us now,
welcome mate, how well.
Speaker 3 (31:09):
I'm very good. What about yourself?
Speaker 2 (31:11):
What you're about five weeks away from gatcha. This is
a huge fight for you. There's a lot on the line,
and I'm presuming her in great health.
Speaker 9 (31:18):
I'm tired from all the training. They pay me to train,
not to fight.
Speaker 2 (31:24):
The training, though hugely necessary. You say you're tired, it's
something you're used to. What's changed in your training that's
exhausted you so much?
Speaker 9 (31:33):
Now, I'm always tired now, I've been over the last
fifteen years.
Speaker 3 (31:37):
It's something you get used to it.
Speaker 2 (31:41):
What have you been specifically working on ahead of this?
What you've got five weeks before you disappear off state
side for it? Is there really a particular target or
a particular method you've been using.
Speaker 9 (31:50):
Oh, it's a fairly straightforward fight in terms of style.
It is a style that I'm really comfortable with, an
orthodox striker, heavy hands. Yeah, it's a fight that I like.
It's not someone that's going to grab a hold of
me and make it make it boring. It's going to
be a fun fight. Yeah, it's a bit of fireworks
(32:11):
for the fans.
Speaker 2 (32:13):
He's said that it's going to be a blood bath.
Just engago, right, do you think do you reckon? I
know you love stuff like that, It's partially why you fight.
Speaker 9 (32:21):
But I anticipate getting directly in the ambulance and going
to the hospital. Yes, I will, not, I will. I'm
not ignorant of the fact that that's probably the strongest possibility.
Speaker 2 (32:33):
You build a career around that. You don't mind taking
one do? It doesn't seem to bother you. It's almost
like you first for it.
Speaker 3 (32:39):
Oh, you just.
Speaker 9 (32:41):
Very like I have a realistic view of the sport.
It's not it's not cricket. You're not going to go
out there and pretend like it's all roses and you're
not going to get hurt even when you win. And
when you when you're win in the sport at the
highest level, this skill set to so even he matched
(33:02):
that we just push, We push each other to the
absolute limits.
Speaker 2 (33:06):
What's it like after the fight, once you've engaged in
all that, Does it get any easier to recover?
Speaker 3 (33:11):
Do you get used to it? I think you do.
Speaker 9 (33:13):
Your body kind of harder through it, you know. I
do tend to recover quite well from all the bangs
and scrapes and knocks. But yeah, oh, at the end
of the day. If you get injured, it's a bit
of time off, but a holiday time.
Speaker 2 (33:28):
With no training.
Speaker 3 (33:29):
You'd love that, love it, love it. Mate, you've got.
Speaker 2 (33:33):
This fight coming up after your last fight, you'd be
feeling reasonably confident about where you set right now on
the grand scale of the UFC. What he's setting six
lightweight at the moment coming against third So please enough
with your progression.
Speaker 3 (33:49):
Yeah, or three fight win streak.
Speaker 9 (33:51):
You get a win here over one of the biggest
names in the division in a five round contest on
a huge paper view card, it's going to put you
in one of two guys that are in the running
for the title contention. So it's you know, this could
be last fight for before fighting for a belt potentially.
Speaker 2 (34:12):
How's the lightweight division looking keenly contested?
Speaker 9 (34:15):
Yeah, it's stacked at the top. It's always it's always busy.
We're lucky that we've got two belts in our WEK class.
We've got the BMF title and undisputed titles. So yeah,
nothing's promised in this game. But you know the UFC
have eluded that. You get the win here and you'll
be fighting for one of those titles.
Speaker 2 (34:34):
Got to ask you've been flashing your ink since you
suddenly covered yourself. You got anything new on yourself? Have you?
Speaker 3 (34:40):
I haven't been injured.
Speaker 2 (34:42):
No, no ink, mate, I'm talking about I'm talking about I.
Speaker 3 (34:44):
Know, I know, I haven't. I haven't been injured. I
only get Taddy's when when I hurt myself.
Speaker 2 (34:50):
Okay, let's hope you get no ink for quite some time. Yeah,
stable mats fighting over the weekend. It's the return of Israel.
Where does he sit right now? He've been doing a
bit of work with him, but a time with him.
How's his headspace? How's his body? Because he's got a
new S and C trainer too, a bit of change there.
Speaker 9 (35:07):
Yeah, Bill down, the Olympic Constitute's for taking care of
him this time. And yeah, like the last few years
he's been the last few fights, he's been carter, but
a bit of muscle that's you know, weighted him down,
got a bit more power. But now he's you know,
leaned out because at the end of the day, he
is a volume striker and when he when he gets
on a guy's face and he puts a volume on them,
(35:30):
that's where he tends to have his best. So I
think it's just going to be as well of all
coming back.
Speaker 2 (35:36):
And I'd say he's got a lot to prove. He's
walked away the number of straps who know who he is.
But being on a fight night, not being on pay
per view, that's got a sting a wee bit surely.
Speaker 9 (35:47):
Oh not with the Soudi's line in your pocket. So
I don't think it's I don't think it's going to
hurt too much.
Speaker 2 (35:53):
What about your own state, because it's interesting he said
he was carrying a bit and he's a volume striker,
so that's where his power, that's where his money is earned. Yourself,
how much do you fluctuate around what your best condition is?
Speaker 1 (36:06):
Oh?
Speaker 3 (36:06):
Lots too heavy?
Speaker 9 (36:07):
No, I actually get a bit heavier when I start
training and lifting weights, So I don't really touch him
outside of training camp really, so no, I don't.
Speaker 3 (36:19):
I don't. I don't fox to eat too much. What
about your diet?
Speaker 2 (36:22):
How's that change? Because a number of fighters, when their
diet change along with S and C, their body shape changes,
the stamina and the like as well. How keenly do
you keep and look at that? And the same with Israel?
Speaker 9 (36:33):
Oh, as he's been on as he's moved you know,
as well, has got a chef for following the nutrition
plan living with them, so he's getting all his meals.
Speaker 3 (36:43):
He's ticking all the boxes. Me to lose weight, I go,
I switch.
Speaker 9 (36:48):
I switched from Big Max to cheeseburgers and that'll bring
my weak down.
Speaker 2 (36:54):
Joined by Dan Looker, he's on the table right now
getting massage. He's joining us talk about his fight plenty
Israel as well. Let's look at Israel. Do you think
any can beat Strickland and Drickist We were going it's
still within.
Speaker 9 (37:07):
Him, Oh, definitely. Like you can look at the took
as fight like he was doing. Yeah, he always doing
really well to you or not, But I'd say, I'd
say this is his opportunity to prove it, to prove
that he belongs to He's fighting a hungry young contender.
I feel like he gets his hand raised here and
he'll be fighting. He'll be back fighting for that belt
(37:29):
before the end of the year.
Speaker 2 (37:30):
Well, what do you know about him?
Speaker 3 (37:31):
Evolve?
Speaker 2 (37:32):
What does he bring?
Speaker 3 (37:33):
Not a thing?
Speaker 9 (37:34):
Mate, I've never seen the copper throw a punch.
Speaker 3 (37:38):
I couldn't tell you what is your color is? Wow?
Speaker 9 (37:40):
But he's going to get But he's going to get whooped,
that's all I know.
Speaker 2 (37:44):
I know you've got a massive fan base over here.
It probably expands around the world too, And he's going
to ask the question you probably get asked every half
an hour. When are we going to get a UFC
event here in New Zealand? Come on, when are they
going to give us some love?
Speaker 3 (37:57):
Yeah? They got I think they got one more.
Speaker 9 (37:59):
They've got to get through in New South Wales and
they've got to get another one. They've got to knock
out in Perth Ptent City Leader this year and then hopefully,
hopefully fingers across twenty twenty six, we bring one back
to New Zella.
Speaker 2 (38:15):
Wow, And I mean it's fingers cross and it's hopefully.
But the discussions are around You've been pestering Dana.
Speaker 3 (38:21):
Not with the amount of tax I have to play
over here, I have not.
Speaker 2 (38:25):
Ye, you're very good at belt like I suppose, whittling
it down to the important stuff as well, and I
do like that. Hey, one last thing, what about the
rest of your stable mates? How's city kickboxing going? How's
it developing?
Speaker 3 (38:37):
Oh, it's gonna be a busy year. He's got on fighting.
Speaker 9 (38:41):
And then Carlos Olberg's got a title eliminator against the
number one contender in March as well. Then kai Ka
France will we fight. I think he's fighting for the
belt in his next fight, so yeah, potentially we could
have well that's four different guys in the title contention.
Speaker 3 (39:00):
We could bringing four titles.
Speaker 9 (39:02):
Back to New Zella and by the end of twenty
twenty five, that's pretty exciting.
Speaker 2 (39:05):
In tax regardless. Maybe you get to defend those back
in your backyard and we can all gun take a look,
Maybe whip a hat round so people can cover your text.
Speaker 3 (39:14):
But yeah, they're chippins, Chippins and on that, we'll get
out of here.
Speaker 2 (39:19):
Good on you, Thanks very much. Hey man Hooker, go well,
look after yourself, keep firing those cheeseburgers down and we
look forward to seeing you in about five weeks time.
Speaker 9 (39:27):
He's Dusty.
Speaker 3 (39:28):
Thank you mate.
Speaker 1 (39:31):
For more from Sports Talk, listen live to News Talks.
It'd be from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast
on iHeartRadio.
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Dancy Waldergrave
from News Talk ZEDB.
Speaker 2 (00:41):
Yeah you ain't there. Wel come on, man sports still here?
He still is it. It's a Friday night, it's the
last day of January twenty twenty five. I it's the
thirty first coming up seven minutes after eight, well not ye,
about an hour away from that, seven minutes after seven.
And on today's program we're going to be talking with
Dan the Hangman hook is, the number six ranked you
(01:07):
lightweight fighter. You know, a fight coming up against Justin Gage,
and I minisged to convince him to having a yarn
with me, not only about that, but about Israel and
his upcoming non title fight, because let's face it, that's
what it is. It's got the scrap coming up, but
(01:28):
it's not on pay per view, and how is he
prepared for that? What does this mean to not only Israel,
but to City Kickboxing itself. We'll talk to mister Dan
Hangman Hooker later on the piece, but first out, we're
going to be talking a bit of Moana pussy Fica,
the CEO, the co CEO, because he's got two CEO jobs.
(01:51):
Her name is DeBie Sorenson, Yes, of the Sorenson clan.
She joins us shortly to talk about, among other things,
her call that well Mawana Passivika could within five years
won a title in Super Rugby Pacific. It's pretty an
outstanding call, and of course the effect around the new recruit,
(02:13):
mister Ardie Savia and what exactly he brings to their program.
After that, we're going to take your calls on the
one I pussyfig what are the chance of them morning
a title within the next five years? Is that realistic?
Is that pipe dreams? And if Ardie sav can play
the way Ardie Sava does, would he make a substantial difference.
(02:36):
We'll find out from you on O eighte hundred and
eighty ten eighty later on and the peace. But before
we go anywhere near that, let's get nice and close.
Speaker 3 (02:44):
To this for today and.
Speaker 2 (02:50):
In sports today, the reigning Super Rugby Pacific champions, well,
they beat up the locals thirty five nineteen in a
front of a crowd three times the population of the
little Canterbury settlement Kerwee where the game was set. Was
assistant coach Jason o'heller and absolutely reveled in it. I
(03:11):
thought it was awesome.
Speaker 3 (03:12):
That was fantastic.
Speaker 4 (03:13):
I was really surprised to callity the ground when we
turned up on this beautiful day.
Speaker 3 (03:17):
So I think the more of this we.
Speaker 4 (03:18):
Can do, the bit.
Speaker 3 (03:19):
I thought it was fantastic, loved.
Speaker 2 (03:20):
That pugilis to me and mol two has been hospitalized
with pneumonia among other afflictions after returning from her world
title shot in England. Here she describes the experience.
Speaker 5 (03:32):
My coach was a bit concerned that he almost pulled
me out, but I refused and I told him that
I didn't come here for nothing.
Speaker 3 (03:38):
I'm not pulling out of a fight. And it was
very tough. I just I was breaking, but still trying
to hold it together.
Speaker 2 (03:45):
Aukland, thefc's Tommy Smith has provided a reason behind his
team's A league success so far and their uncanny ability
to swipe games at the absolute death. The preseason was
the hardest I've ever had across my career, so I
think that's probably got a lot to do with it,
and obviously a testament to the Lias and his staff
(04:06):
as to fit we actually are. And Rory McElroy has
dropped an ace in the pro am at Pebble Beach.
Speaker 3 (04:13):
On one twelve down the hill. That's not a good
line that I'm believable.
Speaker 2 (04:24):
That wrong, It's believable. You saw it with your own eyes.
And that's sport today. Ten past seven on a Friday night.
This is news talk, said bes at sports talk is
story foighting around around. Debbie Sorenson and Moana Pussyficker CEO
with some pretty brave calls, are on the start of
(04:46):
their season, not only not only getting to the finals
coming up at the end of this season, but maybe
within five years actually taking the title full stop. She
joins us now to talk about that and Moana Pussyfiker
in general. Debbie Sorenson, evening, Mate, good evening, does he
You've been in news today planning the team has been
(05:08):
in pre seasons today as well. She's been a pretty
big day for the club, for the franchise. What if
you want to call it? I suppose we'll set things off,
Debbie Sorenson, Who are you? Where did you come from?
Speaker 3 (05:20):
What are you doing there?
Speaker 5 (05:21):
Indeed I asked myself that question most days. Darcy. It's
funny how life works out, isn't it.
Speaker 6 (05:28):
So?
Speaker 5 (05:29):
I have grown up in a rugby league family who
play at the highest level.
Speaker 2 (05:35):
I see you are one of those Sorensons. I was
going to go along that right. Well, that's that's quite
a name to carry, isn't it, Debbie.
Speaker 5 (05:43):
Yes, yes, But you know, living and breathing and growing
up for the elite sportsman transfers well into the rugby context.
And so even though I don't have a deep rugby knowledge,
I certainly have a knowledge of how to look after
premium athletes, of what competition looks like, and of the
(06:07):
values that work well to support high performing teams.
Speaker 2 (06:12):
Along with that, Debbie Sorenson, the CEO of Moeland PACIFICA,
you've got someone who's right at the top of their
game in Ardie Sava, the off signing, the off season
signing so far of this club's very short career. I
don't think it's possible to underestimate what Ardie brings to
(06:35):
the program. And you've covered a lot of that already
with your other colleagues the other branches here. Anything else
you've noticed with Ardie Savia since he has turned up
that maybe you guys didn't bring into account.
Speaker 5 (06:46):
I think that we had underestimated the effect and the
influence across the whole club, in all areas of the club,
so not just in the rugby squad. We knew that
that would make a difference, you know, we knew that
he would lift performance, that it makes everyone else step
(07:09):
up their game and do better, but also in other
areas of the club. So for example, you know, he
is a consummate professional. He is very experienced in social
media and dealing with the media, and he also has
an incredibly good commercial brain around what might work and
what might not. Along with that, he's calm, he's professional,
(07:33):
and he's a really decent bloke. Might I say so,
you know, I just feel incredibly grateful that he's made
that choice to come to us. It signals to everyone
else that he has confidence in the club, that we're
not a fly by night deal. And he says explicitly
that he comes because he's able to bring his authentic self.
(07:56):
He can play football with his brother, which has been
a lifelong dream, but also he can you know, really
really fly fish and what he's doing.
Speaker 2 (08:08):
The relationship between your club and en Z are because
predominantly Mona Pacifica is about bringing talent through for Tonga
and somewhat not for New Zealand. So when the club
starts picking up players like Artie Savia and has helped
(08:29):
for like does that create any tension? Is it something
that New Zealand Rugby necessarily happy with.
Speaker 5 (08:37):
I think that there's always tension and it's right to
have tension between the Super Rugby Club and New Zealand Rugby.
You know, we're quite unique and that we are a
charitable trust and we're not owned by New Zealand Rugby.
The other franchises certainly are and have a lot of influence.
I might say that New Zealand Rugby has been incredibly
supportive of the franchise starting and have you know, we
(09:01):
have very strong relationships with them. We're very excited about
the New New Zealand Rugby board and in particular having
Kevin mere Lamu and Karen Rungey as you know, what
we would see as our representatives on that board, you know,
who are both incredibly experienced governors and able to really
(09:23):
bring skills and talent to that job. So we feel that,
you know, we all have a role to play. New
Zealand Rugby needs to run New Zealand Rugby. We're a franchise.
We need to play really good football and together as
an ecosystem, all the clubs New Zealand Rugby, Australian Rugby
the drawer. We all have a part to play to
(09:44):
make Super Rugby competition successful.
Speaker 2 (09:47):
Very attractive proposition. Now that you've got the likes of
SRVA involved in the side, do you have any restrictions
around who you can attract the play or who can
of their own volition come and knock on your door,
because there I expect will be a number of pacificer
players that would be interested that maybe have been a
bit hesitant, but now the door appears to be open.
(10:10):
Are you working in an area where you actually can
only employ so many players in so many positions? Who've
got I suppose connections with the All Blacks in New Zealand.
Speaker 5 (10:21):
Rugby indeed, and so under our license agreement we are
only able to secure x number of All Blacks. If
we put that aside, we you know, we have a
limited envelope for player recruitment and player payment, and of
course we're talking about All Blacks which are at the
(10:42):
premium level. So you know, just like any other team,
you can only have so many stars in it. And
there is certainly some interest being shown as soon as
Ardie had signed the contractor moved. We've been contacted by
agents that previously really weren't that interested in the franchise.
(11:03):
So we would expect to see more movement next year,
and we would expect to be able to negotiate and
have those conversations with New Zealand Rugby and just see
how far we go.
Speaker 2 (11:14):
Debbie Sorrenson joins the CEO of Mawana PUSIFICKEA. You said
X number, what's the X.
Speaker 5 (11:20):
Equal at the moment?
Speaker 3 (11:22):
It's three?
Speaker 2 (11:23):
And that level is current playing all blacks, all blacks
were worth there and playing current playing all blacks, that's
the limit you've got there as well. I'd ask the
names that have been coming towards you from the agents,
but I suggest you probably won't tell me. No good
things do though, come to those who ask, what about
the position you've taken where you hope to be a
(11:46):
ben semis Are this year and within five years win
the championship itself. You take the Highns for example, they've
been there since day one, the one once, they're pretty
high expectations. What do you base those on?
Speaker 4 (11:58):
Debbie?
Speaker 5 (11:59):
First of all, we can see how the team has
lifted in terms of performance. This is only our fourth year.
Second our squad is a much more experienced squad in
some cases, and if I give the example the young
garden Baship young man was interviewed by The Herald a
couple of weeks ago and he said very clearly that
(12:21):
he felt that the team, the squad was a champion
winning squad and totally, you know, un unkind of influenced
by anyone else. And so we have all the potential.
We look at our coaching staff and they are excellent.
And as we watched the team today, they are playing
at a different standard already given that this is a
(12:43):
preseason trial game, and so we can see that we're
on an upward trajectory. And you know, it's not beyond
the realm of possibility that we would be playing finals
foot e, because that's what's so fantastic about rugby is
that it's unpredictable.
Speaker 2 (13:00):
They talked deb about putting a fan at the scene
of the room, and it is all about the fan.
That's essentially why you are there. Engaging the wider Auckland community,
not just the pacifica community. A key part of what
you're doing proposals. How do you look to do that,
because I'd suggest that playing up north in Auburny is
(13:22):
probably not great. Maybe you should be I don't know,
down in Poky Cohe So talk to us through about that.
How you engage the fans where your fan base actually is.
Speaker 5 (13:32):
Yes, that's exactly right, Darcy. What I have to say
is that our fan base is pretty diverse. I think,
you know, there's an assumption that our fan base is
all Pacific, which in Auckland is a considerable number of people.
You know, it's about nearly three hundred thousand people Pacific
people live in Auckland. However, if we use the example
(13:54):
of the North Shore, we have done lots of work
in our community program in schools and with businesses, and
we have been welcomed by the North Shore Business Association
and the community. And we see that today today we
would have had about one thousand people there. The game
wasn't ticketed, it wasn't advertised at all, and these were
(14:17):
people that just rolled up and it was a very
diverse crowd who turned up. So I think it is
about winning hearts and minds. You know, we are very
lucky to be able to work at North Harbor because
the facilities that they have are fantastic. We're lucky to
train alongside fa Auckland because we can share you know,
(14:41):
lessons and journeys and information with each other and do
so very willingly. You know, both teams are actually in
the gym at the same time very often. It would
be ideal for us if we had a high performance base,
you know, further south across the bridge, but there is
not a high performance facility anywhere south of the bridge,
which is quite shocking when you think about it in
(15:03):
terms of infrastructure. So, you know, in the long term
that is something I think that needs to be resolved
about where will our home be. But in the short
to medium term we here at North Harbor and we
feel very lucky to be able to have their facility.
Speaker 1 (15:21):
DMO, we've got the breakdown on Sports Talk d News Talk.
Speaker 2 (15:29):
I was Debbie Sorenson. She's the CEO of Muwana PACIFICA
currently until they can find someone else because she's also
running the other part of Pacific Health. Quite difficult for
her to run the whole lot which is in there.
She chattered to us around her thoughts about where it
is likely to end out like they keep thinking about
(15:51):
the Highlanders who had all the support in the world
from New Zealand rugby, the hamstrung hath limitations or ham
strung with limitations around who they could select or can
be part of their team. How many titles have they
won over how many years the different teams, different erors, granted,
but that does not all go well for Mowana. And
(16:13):
I think that most I'd like to think, look, bring
up and tell me I'm wrong. I one hundred and
eighty ten eighty most people would like to see this
team do well, this brand new essentially, this upstart of
a team. It's been created in Auckland. I think we
do wish them all. We wish them the best, want
to see this pacifica style rugby, this entertaining style of rugby,
(16:34):
this joyful rugby. But they've been they've been set up
to fail. I can't not think that there are a
number of reasons around that. And Debbie Sirence and cuts
a very impressive figure. No doubt they've got some wonderful players.
We all know the call of the ardy save and
(16:55):
what he brings, but they've not been given the tools
to do what Debbie Sorenson thinks they might be able
to would chief they just haven't got the equipment And
I don't know if it's a blot on end z Are.
(17:18):
It's a blot on Super Rugby for accepting them into
the competition, a blot on the organization itself, the structure
of the organization, the funding of the organization. I don't
think you can pass blame to any one particular issue.
(17:41):
It's a group of problems that the team has which
makes it. As much as I'd like to see them
do well, I can't see it. Can you give me
a reason? Can you see one pussy figure? If not
winning a title within five years, but challenging for finals
(18:05):
football on a regulars I think it's the best they
can hope for. I really do achieve that. Maybe that's
as good as it's going to get. They're only allowed
three all blacks. The heighted is have won one title.
I think it as many all blacks as they can find.
In fact, they got a gang of them. They still
(18:26):
couldn't win it, so they've been hamstrung there. I think
the setup of the team.
Speaker 3 (18:32):
Was pretty fast.
Speaker 2 (18:35):
It was done fairly sharpestly, and with that an identity
was forced it upon them. They didn't really know who
they were, They didn't know where they were going to play.
There's are very shaky foundations for any professional sports team
and they're still unsure about who they are.
Speaker 3 (18:56):
What DeBie said it.
Speaker 2 (18:56):
They're up on the North Shore and they appreciate they've
got the training facilities, but they can't go anywhere else.
How do you set up a team for success when
your parameters are so floppy. Ardie sav will make a difference,
but he is one player, It's all he is, and
(19:20):
it can be as inspirational extraordinary as wanting to be.
One player won't drag this team up and they ain't
allowed three all blacks. I can't see it going anywhere.
Support base where home ground don't. I don't want to
be negative, but I have to be because evidently this
does not look good O eight one hundred eighty ten eighty. Realistically,
(19:46):
Mawana Pussifakers success is a title within five years. But
for me, if they can challenge for the playoffs, that's
probably all they're going to get. Do you do you
agree with me?
Speaker 5 (19:59):
Am?
Speaker 3 (19:59):
I right with this?
Speaker 2 (20:00):
This bit means is a bit punched down?
Speaker 3 (20:02):
Here? Is this just right.
Speaker 2 (20:03):
This is just the nature of the beast, that is
super rug Moe, Pussyficker lines or open. Oh eight hundred
eighty ten eighty you can text nineteen nineteen, said b
zaid beast and a text charge does apply. Love t
voice though, No. Eight hundred eighty ten eighty.
Speaker 3 (20:19):
This is news Talks B.
Speaker 1 (20:30):
Forget the riffs call. You make the call on eight
hundred and eighty eighty Sports Talk on your home of
sport News Talks It Balks it.
Speaker 4 (20:40):
Nine.
Speaker 2 (20:41):
There's News Talks It B and Darcy. This is the
Sports Talks that will come down the hangman Hawker reviewing
Israel Dulcin this next fight and of course talking about
his own scrap coming up in about five weeks time.
Before that, though, we go on to Moana Pussyfiker and
where they sit. Sean joins us, Good evening.
Speaker 6 (21:03):
Mate, how are you very well?
Speaker 2 (21:04):
What's on your mind? Well?
Speaker 6 (21:07):
I just one hundred percent agree with you. They need
their own home base, and personally I think it needs
to be in South Auckland and the New Zealand Rugby Union.
Before they start this team, they need to give them
a home and I personally think that home should have
been in proper Coe's they should have pulled the money
into infrastructure there.
Speaker 2 (21:27):
So what I'm saying, and this is not a nasty punchdown,
you agree with the fact that they've been almost set
up to fail because they haven't been given the tools
required from the geek go. It's been cobbled right from
the start.
Speaker 7 (21:41):
Well, I wouldn't say that that's the case. I just think, Hey,
this team's going to be there for the future. Why
don't we throw some resources at it. Give them a home.
You look at how well the Blues play at home,
the Hurricanes pla at home. If you create a fortress
at home, this team could probably go all the way
and you bring that community in behind it. And let's
be honest, most of the PACIFICA bases around South Auckland.
(22:05):
Why don't put money into the infrastruction book of Cohei.
They've got the perfect EMPTI center there. That field just
need a bit of an uplift.
Speaker 2 (22:14):
Well, that's that's what I mean about a foundation set
for a team. It's like, right, we're going to have
this team, but we need to know where they are
and we are going to build it so they will come.
And that starts you off on that solid base, the
base of that paramid. They haven't had that, so right
from the get go, they don't know where they are
or who they are.
Speaker 6 (22:34):
If I'm coming out of high school at the moment,
I'm thinking to myself, what regions have the best high
performance units? You know, when where's they're going to be.
And you look at the Blues of Alexander Park, the Crusaders,
what they've gone down there. You know, Moana want to
be competing at that top tend I've got to have
a high performance unit somewhere, and preferably somewhere close to
(22:55):
their family, so these guys aren't having to travel so far,
their families around the area, their communities around the area,
and then they can really connect with the area. You know,
I was listening to the CEO previous talking about how
great their businesses over the shore have been, but the
businesses around South Auckland.
Speaker 7 (23:14):
Having a team out here would be even more accepting,
I'd say, mate.
Speaker 2 (23:19):
And I'm not going to say no, I'm not that
I live in that area. I'd like to hear from
people down there. There must be reasons why that didn't happen.
Might it didn't occur? Was it just because they needed
the team in there so fast. No one wanted to
stamp up the cash because it's been peacefl That doesn't
work for anybody. I feel for them, you know, Trevor,
(23:41):
do see how you made very well? What's on your mind?
Speaker 4 (23:44):
No, I just listen to what that lady said, and
i'd sort of basically have got the feeling that you've got.
There's just I think there's too many things against them.
And you know, we know that it's very hard to
win a sporting competition that's spread over, you know, a
couple of months and lots of other injuries coming in
(24:04):
and travel and pitch players of family problem. So it's
extremely difficult for any team to ruin any professional competition.
And I just think there's too many things against them.
I mean I just scrolled through their players and what
due respect. Of course, I don't know every rugby player,
but I look through their squad and I look at
other squads, and you think it's going to be very
(24:26):
hard for them. When you mentioned the Islands winning one,
I remember the Hurricanes. We had a champion team for
about ten years old. No, no, yeah, that's what I'm saying.
But we had a good team, but we only won one,
That's what I'm saying. And the one we and we
even lost when the Highlanders one there one we lost
to them. It's very hard to win a competition, and
(24:46):
I just think there's too many things. Yeah, I agree
with you, Darcy. Year we only won one. We're really
underchieved with the teams that we've had because it's very
hard to win, you know, a sporting competition over a
length of time and that. But I just want to
say something, and you know you're you know, I don't
feel bad about you seeing a bit negative about things
because I think when you're having discussion about things and
(25:09):
it's negative, well it just has to be. If you
think that's the situation. That lady that is the CEO
at the moment when she comes across, she comes across
as a very lovely lady. But you know, I know
she can only say certain things, but love won the
competition already. The way she's thinking and what she's saying,
that's fine, that's the way it comes across. But me
(25:31):
and you can see over that or and we can see,
well it's not as straightforward as she thinks. And I
just want to say I think their biggest problem is Tana. Now,
Tanna was a legendary Pacific Island rugby player who was fantastic.
He considered it from being a wing to a world
class center, first Pacific Island guy, captain the All Blacks.
(25:54):
But Tana's coaching record is poor. And you know you're
watching RL and other sporting confetence for a long time. Unfortunately,
some players just don't make good coaches. And I just
think Tanner is. I mean, Tanna basically got the sack
from the Blues. Now, he would have had all the backing,
(26:15):
all the money, there'll be nothing Tarna wanted that he
didn't get from the Blues to make that team work.
But he was put off and he come across as
a real champion about it. He was sweet, he'll run
the bottles, Yeah, he'll assistant coaching that. But you know,
Tana started coaching in France, wasn't too successfully, had a
little bit of a luckdown a county, not luck, sorry,
(26:37):
little bit of success. Yeah. But I just think Tanner
is just not a little bit like Stephen Kearney, you know,
coming to a sporting competition week out over a very
long length of time. Poor ol Steven just for some reason,
it just didn't work for.
Speaker 2 (26:52):
Him, And not everybody just because in Triva as always
thanks for your call. No, not everybody transfers skills as
a player to the coaching box. John kerlan' is a
classic example. Didn't work for him. But also full time
professional career coaches doesn't work for them either. It's a
very hard job. It's extraordinarily difficult to get it right.
(27:15):
And maybe tim Umonger isn't the bill an end or
of coaches, but when he's dealing with the problems that
he's got and the structure of the side difficult for
the guy. You go back to touch on what Trevis said. There,
you've got Wellington, You've got the Hurricanes have You've got
access to a lot of brilliant players, a lot of
(27:36):
brilliant all black players, a lot of players that have
come through the systems in Wellington that played for the
lines and played well, good coaches in play, so wonderful
home ground, all the facilities. What have they done?
Speaker 3 (27:48):
One title?
Speaker 2 (27:50):
Even seber rugby is a little harder back in those days.
A number of teams involved in that from all over
the shop. It's not an easy thing, but you can't
fault Debbie Sorenson for her attitude because if someone is
leading from the front and they're concentrating on why it
won't work, it won't. She's got to have her shoulders
(28:12):
back and her head up. You got to say we
can do this, and these are the reasons why. Because
if she doesn't, dereliction of duty. Can't do that. I
just feel, I don't feel. I know that they haven't
been given the tools they need to succeed. You're allowed
three all blacks in this competition and that's it. Right away.
(28:38):
They're in trouble, a non home base, a team cobbled
together in a real hurry, not enough financing, doesn't look good.
I hope I'm wrong, and I'll just leave you with
this quick text.
Speaker 3 (28:54):
Mate.
Speaker 2 (28:54):
You write them off so quickly, and there's the problem.
Mess Super Rugby need to give them better chance of success.
If they make it an even playing field, they can
do well. You know, there's definitely a fan base that
wants one to do well. I'm a Crusaders fan, I've
been since day one, but old back Mawama this year.
But I think it's only I can write them off.
I think it's fair that might put a fire up
(29:16):
the backside of some of these players. It's a long,
tough competition. You can't do it on the back of
one superstar player from a position of a nomad doesn't work.
Eight sports Dog is Newstalks. Eb Let's talk a bit
of island. Say around the corner. We got waiting for
(29:38):
us on the physio's table. It's the danned Hangman Hooker
talking himself and Israel Adusa. This is Newstalks, eb.
Speaker 6 (29:51):
I've been breaking my back.
Speaker 8 (29:55):
Lucky rastle Oh shoots talk from Hooker, what a fight?
Speaker 9 (30:14):
Tan Hooker of a tous camera show the distance in
front of the ahtoric masses.
Speaker 3 (30:18):
Here at kirk add back cart.
Speaker 2 (30:20):
What's for the college?
Speaker 3 (30:21):
Hush?
Speaker 9 (30:22):
What it on?
Speaker 3 (30:23):
What hurt for the winner? Bys put.
Speaker 8 (30:34):
My transmedition.
Speaker 2 (30:38):
And that hang man is going to join us now
from the physios bench, looking down the barrel of another scrap.
About five weeks time, Gaechie is going to be his target.
Talk from now about that and also about a stable
mountain Israel. He's fighting this weekend. There's a little paper
(31:00):
view Jemmy wants to ask. Mister Hooker joins us now,
welcome mate, how well.
Speaker 3 (31:09):
I'm very good. What about yourself?
Speaker 2 (31:11):
What you're about five weeks away from gatcha. This is
a huge fight for you. There's a lot on the line,
and I'm presuming her in great health.
Speaker 9 (31:18):
I'm tired from all the training. They pay me to train,
not to fight.
Speaker 2 (31:24):
The training, though hugely necessary. You say you're tired, it's
something you're used to. What's changed in your training that's
exhausted you so much?
Speaker 9 (31:33):
Now, I'm always tired now, I've been over the last
fifteen years.
Speaker 3 (31:37):
It's something you get used to it.
Speaker 2 (31:41):
What have you been specifically working on ahead of this?
What you've got five weeks before you disappear off state
side for it? Is there really a particular target or
a particular method you've been using.
Speaker 9 (31:50):
Oh, it's a fairly straightforward fight in terms of style.
It is a style that I'm really comfortable with, an
orthodox striker, heavy hands. Yeah, it's a fight that I like.
It's not someone that's going to grab a hold of
me and make it make it boring. It's going to
be a fun fight. Yeah, it's a bit of fireworks
(32:11):
for the fans.
Speaker 2 (32:13):
He's said that it's going to be a blood bath.
Just engago, right, do you think do you reckon? I
know you love stuff like that, It's partially why you fight.
Speaker 9 (32:21):
But I anticipate getting directly in the ambulance and going
to the hospital. Yes, I will, not, I will. I'm
not ignorant of the fact that that's probably the strongest possibility.
Speaker 2 (32:33):
You build a career around that. You don't mind taking
one do? It doesn't seem to bother you. It's almost
like you first for it.
Speaker 3 (32:39):
Oh, you just.
Speaker 9 (32:41):
Very like I have a realistic view of the sport.
It's not it's not cricket. You're not going to go
out there and pretend like it's all roses and you're
not going to get hurt even when you win. And
when you when you're win in the sport at the
highest level, this skill set to so even he matched
(33:02):
that we just push, We push each other to the
absolute limits.
Speaker 2 (33:06):
What's it like after the fight, once you've engaged in
all that, Does it get any easier to recover?
Speaker 3 (33:11):
Do you get used to it? I think you do.
Speaker 9 (33:13):
Your body kind of harder through it, you know. I
do tend to recover quite well from all the bangs
and scrapes and knocks. But yeah, oh, at the end
of the day. If you get injured, it's a bit
of time off, but a holiday time.
Speaker 2 (33:28):
With no training.
Speaker 3 (33:29):
You'd love that, love it, love it. Mate, you've got.
Speaker 2 (33:33):
This fight coming up after your last fight, you'd be
feeling reasonably confident about where you set right now on
the grand scale of the UFC. What he's setting six
lightweight at the moment coming against third So please enough
with your progression.
Speaker 3 (33:49):
Yeah, or three fight win streak.
Speaker 9 (33:51):
You get a win here over one of the biggest
names in the division in a five round contest on
a huge paper view card, it's going to put you
in one of two guys that are in the running
for the title contention. So it's you know, this could
be last fight for before fighting for a belt potentially.
Speaker 2 (34:12):
How's the lightweight division looking keenly contested?
Speaker 9 (34:15):
Yeah, it's stacked at the top. It's always it's always busy.
We're lucky that we've got two belts in our WEK class.
We've got the BMF title and undisputed titles. So yeah,
nothing's promised in this game. But you know the UFC
have eluded that. You get the win here and you'll
be fighting for one of those titles.
Speaker 2 (34:34):
Got to ask you've been flashing your ink since you
suddenly covered yourself. You got anything new on yourself? Have you?
Speaker 3 (34:40):
I haven't been injured.
Speaker 2 (34:42):
No, no ink, mate, I'm talking about I'm talking about I.
Speaker 3 (34:44):
Know, I know, I haven't. I haven't been injured. I
only get Taddy's when when I hurt myself.
Speaker 2 (34:50):
Okay, let's hope you get no ink for quite some time. Yeah,
stable mats fighting over the weekend. It's the return of Israel.
Where does he sit right now? He've been doing a
bit of work with him, but a time with him.
How's his headspace? How's his body? Because he's got a
new S and C trainer too, a bit of change there.
Speaker 9 (35:07):
Yeah, Bill down, the Olympic Constitute's for taking care of
him this time. And yeah, like the last few years
he's been the last few fights, he's been carter, but
a bit of muscle that's you know, weighted him down,
got a bit more power. But now he's you know,
leaned out because at the end of the day, he
is a volume striker and when he when he gets
on a guy's face and he puts a volume on them,
(35:30):
that's where he tends to have his best. So I
think it's just going to be as well of all
coming back.
Speaker 2 (35:36):
And I'd say he's got a lot to prove. He's
walked away the number of straps who know who he is.
But being on a fight night, not being on pay
per view, that's got a sting a wee bit surely.
Speaker 9 (35:47):
Oh not with the Soudi's line in your pocket. So
I don't think it's I don't think it's going to
hurt too much.
Speaker 2 (35:53):
What about your own state, because it's interesting he said
he was carrying a bit and he's a volume striker,
so that's where his power, that's where his money is earned. Yourself,
how much do you fluctuate around what your best condition is?
Speaker 1 (36:06):
Oh?
Speaker 3 (36:06):
Lots too heavy?
Speaker 9 (36:07):
No, I actually get a bit heavier when I start
training and lifting weights, So I don't really touch him
outside of training camp really, so no, I don't.
Speaker 3 (36:19):
I don't. I don't fox to eat too much. What
about your diet?
Speaker 2 (36:22):
How's that change? Because a number of fighters, when their
diet change along with S and C, their body shape changes,
the stamina and the like as well. How keenly do
you keep and look at that? And the same with Israel?
Speaker 9 (36:33):
Oh, as he's been on as he's moved you know,
as well, has got a chef for following the nutrition
plan living with them, so he's getting all his meals.
Speaker 3 (36:43):
He's ticking all the boxes. Me to lose weight, I go,
I switch.
Speaker 9 (36:48):
I switched from Big Max to cheeseburgers and that'll bring
my weak down.
Speaker 2 (36:54):
Joined by Dan Looker, he's on the table right now
getting massage. He's joining us talk about his fight plenty
Israel as well. Let's look at Israel. Do you think
any can beat Strickland and Drickist We were going it's
still within.
Speaker 9 (37:07):
Him, Oh, definitely. Like you can look at the took
as fight like he was doing. Yeah, he always doing
really well to you or not, But I'd say, I'd
say this is his opportunity to prove it, to prove
that he belongs to He's fighting a hungry young contender.
I feel like he gets his hand raised here and
he'll be fighting. He'll be back fighting for that belt
(37:29):
before the end of the year.
Speaker 2 (37:30):
Well, what do you know about him?
Speaker 3 (37:31):
Evolve?
Speaker 2 (37:32):
What does he bring?
Speaker 3 (37:33):
Not a thing?
Speaker 9 (37:34):
Mate, I've never seen the copper throw a punch.
Speaker 3 (37:38):
I couldn't tell you what is your color is? Wow?
Speaker 9 (37:40):
But he's going to get But he's going to get whooped,
that's all I know.
Speaker 2 (37:44):
I know you've got a massive fan base over here.
It probably expands around the world too, And he's going
to ask the question you probably get asked every half
an hour. When are we going to get a UFC
event here in New Zealand? Come on, when are they
going to give us some love?
Speaker 3 (37:57):
Yeah? They got I think they got one more.
Speaker 9 (37:59):
They've got to get through in New South Wales and
they've got to get another one. They've got to knock
out in Perth Ptent City Leader this year and then hopefully,
hopefully fingers across twenty twenty six, we bring one back
to New Zella.
Speaker 2 (38:15):
Wow, And I mean it's fingers cross and it's hopefully.
But the discussions are around You've been pestering Dana.
Speaker 3 (38:21):
Not with the amount of tax I have to play
over here, I have not.
Speaker 2 (38:25):
Ye, you're very good at belt like I suppose, whittling
it down to the important stuff as well, and I
do like that. Hey, one last thing, what about the
rest of your stable mates? How's city kickboxing going? How's
it developing?
Speaker 3 (38:37):
Oh, it's gonna be a busy year. He's got on fighting.
Speaker 9 (38:41):
And then Carlos Olberg's got a title eliminator against the
number one contender in March as well. Then kai Ka
France will we fight. I think he's fighting for the
belt in his next fight, so yeah, potentially we could
have well that's four different guys in the title contention.
Speaker 3 (39:00):
We could bringing four titles.
Speaker 9 (39:02):
Back to New Zella and by the end of twenty
twenty five, that's pretty exciting.
Speaker 2 (39:05):
In tax regardless. Maybe you get to defend those back
in your backyard and we can all gun take a look,
Maybe whip a hat round so people can cover your text.
Speaker 3 (39:14):
But yeah, they're chippins, Chippins and on that, we'll get
out of here.
Speaker 2 (39:19):
Good on you, Thanks very much. Hey man Hooker, go well,
look after yourself, keep firing those cheeseburgers down and we
look forward to seeing you in about five weeks time.
Speaker 9 (39:27):
He's Dusty.
Speaker 3 (39:28):
Thank you mate.
Speaker 1 (39:31):
For more from Sports Talk, listen live to News Talks.
It'd be from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast
on iHeartRadio.
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