March 12, 2025 • 9 mins
A cloud of disappointment hangs over tonight's season-opener in basketball's New Zealand NBL between the Hawkes Bay Hawk's and newcomers the Indian Panthers.
The South-Auckland based Panthers are without eight players who either remain overseas for a national team training camp - or are facing visa issues.
To fill the gaps - the side's pulling in an unknown cast of Kiwis on short notice.
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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 Duncie Wildergrave
from News Talks.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
I'd be good evening, jud Flavel, Hey, how's it going
going good? Probably not as busy as you are. Got
quite a lot on your plate, sells NBL the season
gets under way tonight. Are not only high performance director
around the Canterbury Rams, the team that you coach to
consecutive championships, are also the head coach of the Tool Blacks.
Speaker 3 (00:32):
Busy man, Yeah, a little busy.
Speaker 4 (00:36):
You know, I got a full wardrobe with both sets
of those uniforms that you just talked about. But no,
it's basketball at the end of the day, and it's
basketball in New Zealand. So yeah, happy that I have
these roles and can impact or influence or help wherever
I can.
Speaker 2 (00:53):
Playing it works for you if you're examining, taking a
look at it from that ground level through the Canterbury Rams.
As the tool Blacks coach, you get a real idea
of feel for what's going on in that competition. But
tell as well ideas say.
Speaker 4 (01:08):
Yeah, it has been good, you know, Like I came
back from Australia three years ago and I was away
for three years and it's quickly.
Speaker 3 (01:18):
It's amazing how quickly these youngsters come up because a
lot of guys, like I guess my roles in.
Speaker 4 (01:25):
The past for being with the Breakers and the national teams,
you really know everybody coming through the ranks. And then
when I came back, you know what, like it really
gave me a good chance just to get up the
speed with with who's who. And obviously a lot of
those guys that I got to work with with the Canterbury.
Speaker 3 (01:43):
Region and the Rams. So yeah, you know, glad that
I've put in.
Speaker 4 (01:49):
I guess some of that some of that worked there
and able to see the growth and development of these
players and to the point where some of them are
now being caught up into our talkback squad.
Speaker 2 (01:59):
It can be difficult to keep your nose out of things.
We've got well, Quinn Clinton now was running the cutter
for the cannab Rams. He's the new head coach, your
high performance, it's your team. They've won two consecutive championships.
How easy is it going to be for you to
keep your hands away from it?
Speaker 4 (02:15):
Jud Oh yeah, I wasn't sure, like you know how
that would be when when it sort of I guess
when you come to the practices and things like that.
But you know, if I'm really honest, it's something that
I guess.
Speaker 3 (02:32):
I mean, I care a lot about the.
Speaker 4 (02:33):
RAMS and in the organization and what they've done for
me and my family has been amazing. And Quinn is
something someone that you know, we had, I guess ear
marked as somebody that would would be looking at to
take over once I left. And you know, once once
the talkbox role was, once they came about, I think
the time was right. And look, he's he's a he's
(02:58):
a great coach, he's one he's young, would be one
of the youngest, if not the youngest that that's been
a head coach of the new Zeally NB old team,
but bright future. And my role was just to really
help out where I can with him. And the fortunate
thing and obviously the advantage is he's been part of
the last two championships as a player and as an.
Speaker 3 (03:18):
Assistant coach, so you know, he knows what's what.
Speaker 4 (03:20):
He's not trying to reinvent the world, you know, but
he'll find his voice and he'll know he'll get comfortable
in the shoes and the rest of us will you know,
I guess support and jump on board.
Speaker 2 (03:33):
It starts tonight, runs through to mid July. Packed schedule,
this ball almost every night throughout the week. Number of
teams engaged there and I suppose we look at the
rise and rise of basketball, this is a part of it.
The way this competition has been run managed. When you
look at the Rapid League for example, it's really charging.
(03:55):
Ford must be wonderful to be a part of this progression,
being as here a man who's been involved in basketball,
well pretty much your whole life.
Speaker 4 (04:01):
Jud It's it's really cool just to see, you know.
I think the NBL is really a great showcase for
our basketball in this country and for our our youngsters
that are coming through. You know, we've got more and
more players and now playing internationally, which is fantastic. And
(04:21):
they all started, you know, all our guys started in
the New Zealand NBL, So this is a great nurturing
ground and fostering our talent and they'll be superstars one day.
And you know, we'll have more and more players that
are playing in the Australian NBL or over in Japan
or internationally Europe or the States. So it's in a
(04:43):
good shape. It's in good shape. We've got I think,
you know, this year, I guess a lot of players,
a lot of goociting talent coming through. Jackson Ball, who's
playing for Hawks Bay, you know, just sixteen years old,
made his turback stab in February. I expect big things
from him. Card hawpoy up in Totonga. You know, I
(05:08):
was gonna say Phil James, but his son Hayden Jones Nelson,
and then you know our own here can agree with
Thomas Isaac as well. So yeah, really those are names
of the of the future, and but I expect big
things from those guys and many more.
Speaker 2 (05:25):
Wouldn't surprise me at all if the reefed and kid
put his sand shoes on and start playing again. Judd,
what about your own year looking ahead with the tool Blacks,
with this talent that you've got to farm through, your
expectations around how this competition is going to transfer to
the international scene.
Speaker 4 (05:45):
Yeah, so I guess we've got a good mix of
you know, I just talked about those youngsters, but we've
still got a lot of experience and guys that have
been part of the tool Box for a very long time,
and and very good players in this league still playing
in the New Zealand And bl so you know it's
it's going to prep these younger guys, I guess for
these things, these opportunities that lie ahead and the Tour Blacks.
(06:09):
You know, we want to, as I said before, sort
of fast track our development even more so we've taken
some of those youngsters and probably put them into the
Tour Blacks you know a little earlier than what they
probably expected initially, but you know it's part of the
big plan of continuing to grow and expand our depth
and I think we will we will see the same
(06:32):
model I guess that we've been going to where we've
got a lot of experience, but in a good mixture
of youth coming through. We've got this series in May
that coming up at the three Test series against Australia,
which is going to be you know, you know, it's
like when New Zealand plays Australia in any sport, So
it's going to be you know, that's right in the
middle of our NBL season. So for me getting around
(06:53):
the country and watching games and you know, it's fantastic.
You know, we're going to be in a great seat
to be able to put together hopefully a great.
Speaker 2 (07:02):
Competitive team and finally real shame about the Indian Ans
what's happened there. Would have been great to see them,
but for various reasons out of their control, they presume
are they going to have a pretty poorly cobbled together
side to start. It's not ideal for the NBL, but
you've got to feel for them, mayor Yeah.
Speaker 4 (07:23):
Look, I think there's been some unforeseen circumstances that have
come in and.
Speaker 3 (07:27):
Play and things out of the control of the league.
Speaker 4 (07:29):
So you know, anytime I guess you go and expand
like this and you bring in a you know, such
a good concept, but just you know, probably caught off
guard a little bit. But look, I think they've really
recovered well actually like the way that they've got to
wait a period of time before they get their local
(07:50):
contingent coming down here. But in the meantime, you know,
they've found I guess a group of guys here in
New Zealand, a lot of Kiwis that are going to
fill in and just to help out for the first
couple of games, I believe, But you know, like we've
seen it with a lot of New Zealand nb OL
teams that are what you're going to see in the
first two or three games is not going to be
(08:11):
the same team that you're going to see at the
last round.
Speaker 3 (08:15):
You know, just ourselves Cannabury Rams, we've got.
Speaker 4 (08:19):
Three imports you get to arrive and they're likely to
miss like the first three games, and know a couple
of them will will miss even more so, I think
a lot of teams are going to be in the
same situation with their roster configuration and people getting in late.
But yeah, the team, I think just due to those circumstances,
they it'll be a look at.
Speaker 3 (08:39):
Different looking squad Initially.
Speaker 2 (08:41):
You're not going to win any competition in the first
couple of weeks of that, there is no doubt. Judged
Flavel tool Blacks coach type performance director from the two
times Champions, I love saying that the Canterbury Rams, thanks
very much for joining us, make you look after yourself,
enjoy the opening weekend.
Speaker 3 (08:57):
Cheers.
Speaker 1 (08:57):
Thank you 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 Duncie Wildergrave
from News Talks.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
I'd be good evening, jud Flavel, Hey, how's it going
going good? Probably not as busy as you are. Got
quite a lot on your plate, sells NBL the season
gets under way tonight. Are not only high performance director
around the Canterbury Rams, the team that you coach to
consecutive championships, are also the head coach of the Tool Blacks.
Speaker 3 (00:32):
Busy man, Yeah, a little busy.
Speaker 4 (00:36):
You know, I got a full wardrobe with both sets
of those uniforms that you just talked about. But no,
it's basketball at the end of the day, and it's
basketball in New Zealand. So yeah, happy that I have
these roles and can impact or influence or help wherever
I can.
Speaker 2 (00:53):
Playing it works for you if you're examining, taking a
look at it from that ground level through the Canterbury Rams.
As the tool Blacks coach, you get a real idea
of feel for what's going on in that competition. But
tell as well ideas say.
Speaker 4 (01:08):
Yeah, it has been good, you know, Like I came
back from Australia three years ago and I was away
for three years and it's quickly.
Speaker 3 (01:18):
It's amazing how quickly these youngsters come up because a
lot of guys, like I guess my roles in.
Speaker 4 (01:25):
The past for being with the Breakers and the national teams,
you really know everybody coming through the ranks. And then
when I came back, you know what, like it really
gave me a good chance just to get up the
speed with with who's who. And obviously a lot of
those guys that I got to work with with the Canterbury.
Speaker 3 (01:43):
Region and the Rams. So yeah, you know, glad that
I've put in.
Speaker 4 (01:49):
I guess some of that some of that worked there
and able to see the growth and development of these
players and to the point where some of them are
now being caught up into our talkback squad.
Speaker 2 (01:59):
It can be difficult to keep your nose out of things.
We've got well, Quinn Clinton now was running the cutter
for the cannab Rams. He's the new head coach, your
high performance, it's your team. They've won two consecutive championships.
How easy is it going to be for you to
keep your hands away from it?
Speaker 4 (02:15):
Jud Oh yeah, I wasn't sure, like you know how
that would be when when it sort of I guess
when you come to the practices and things like that.
But you know, if I'm really honest, it's something that
I guess.
Speaker 3 (02:32):
I mean, I care a lot about the.
Speaker 4 (02:33):
RAMS and in the organization and what they've done for
me and my family has been amazing. And Quinn is
something someone that you know, we had, I guess ear
marked as somebody that would would be looking at to
take over once I left. And you know, once once
the talkbox role was, once they came about, I think
the time was right. And look, he's he's a he's
(02:58):
a great coach, he's one he's young, would be one
of the youngest, if not the youngest that that's been
a head coach of the new Zeally NB old team,
but bright future. And my role was just to really
help out where I can with him. And the fortunate
thing and obviously the advantage is he's been part of
the last two championships as a player and as an.
Speaker 3 (03:18):
Assistant coach, so you know, he knows what's what.
Speaker 4 (03:20):
He's not trying to reinvent the world, you know, but
he'll find his voice and he'll know he'll get comfortable
in the shoes and the rest of us will you know,
I guess support and jump on board.
Speaker 2 (03:33):
It starts tonight, runs through to mid July. Packed schedule,
this ball almost every night throughout the week. Number of
teams engaged there and I suppose we look at the
rise and rise of basketball, this is a part of it.
The way this competition has been run managed. When you
look at the Rapid League for example, it's really charging.
(03:55):
Ford must be wonderful to be a part of this progression,
being as here a man who's been involved in basketball,
well pretty much your whole life.
Speaker 4 (04:01):
Jud It's it's really cool just to see, you know.
I think the NBL is really a great showcase for
our basketball in this country and for our our youngsters
that are coming through. You know, we've got more and
more players and now playing internationally, which is fantastic. And
(04:21):
they all started, you know, all our guys started in
the New Zealand NBL, So this is a great nurturing
ground and fostering our talent and they'll be superstars one day.
And you know, we'll have more and more players that
are playing in the Australian NBL or over in Japan
or internationally Europe or the States. So it's in a
(04:43):
good shape. It's in good shape. We've got I think,
you know, this year, I guess a lot of players,
a lot of goociting talent coming through. Jackson Ball, who's
playing for Hawks Bay, you know, just sixteen years old,
made his turback stab in February. I expect big things
from him. Card hawpoy up in Totonga. You know, I
(05:08):
was gonna say Phil James, but his son Hayden Jones Nelson,
and then you know our own here can agree with
Thomas Isaac as well. So yeah, really those are names
of the of the future, and but I expect big
things from those guys and many more.
Speaker 2 (05:25):
Wouldn't surprise me at all if the reefed and kid
put his sand shoes on and start playing again. Judd,
what about your own year looking ahead with the tool Blacks,
with this talent that you've got to farm through, your
expectations around how this competition is going to transfer to
the international scene.
Speaker 4 (05:45):
Yeah, so I guess we've got a good mix of
you know, I just talked about those youngsters, but we've
still got a lot of experience and guys that have
been part of the tool Box for a very long time,
and and very good players in this league still playing
in the New Zealand And bl so you know it's
it's going to prep these younger guys, I guess for
these things, these opportunities that lie ahead and the Tour Blacks.
(06:09):
You know, we want to, as I said before, sort
of fast track our development even more so we've taken
some of those youngsters and probably put them into the
Tour Blacks you know a little earlier than what they
probably expected initially, but you know it's part of the
big plan of continuing to grow and expand our depth
and I think we will we will see the same
(06:32):
model I guess that we've been going to where we've
got a lot of experience, but in a good mixture
of youth coming through. We've got this series in May
that coming up at the three Test series against Australia,
which is going to be you know, you know, it's
like when New Zealand plays Australia in any sport, So
it's going to be you know, that's right in the
middle of our NBL season. So for me getting around
(06:53):
the country and watching games and you know, it's fantastic.
You know, we're going to be in a great seat
to be able to put together hopefully a great.
Speaker 2 (07:02):
Competitive team and finally real shame about the Indian Ans
what's happened there. Would have been great to see them,
but for various reasons out of their control, they presume
are they going to have a pretty poorly cobbled together
side to start. It's not ideal for the NBL, but
you've got to feel for them, mayor Yeah.
Speaker 4 (07:23):
Look, I think there's been some unforeseen circumstances that have
come in and.
Speaker 3 (07:27):
Play and things out of the control of the league.
Speaker 4 (07:29):
So you know, anytime I guess you go and expand
like this and you bring in a you know, such
a good concept, but just you know, probably caught off
guard a little bit. But look, I think they've really
recovered well actually like the way that they've got to
wait a period of time before they get their local
(07:50):
contingent coming down here. But in the meantime, you know,
they've found I guess a group of guys here in
New Zealand, a lot of Kiwis that are going to
fill in and just to help out for the first
couple of games, I believe, But you know, like we've
seen it with a lot of New Zealand nb OL
teams that are what you're going to see in the
first two or three games is not going to be
(08:11):
the same team that you're going to see at the
last round.
Speaker 3 (08:15):
You know, just ourselves Cannabury Rams, we've got.
Speaker 4 (08:19):
Three imports you get to arrive and they're likely to
miss like the first three games, and know a couple
of them will will miss even more so, I think
a lot of teams are going to be in the
same situation with their roster configuration and people getting in late.
But yeah, the team, I think just due to those circumstances,
they it'll be a look at.
Speaker 3 (08:39):
Different looking squad Initially.
Speaker 2 (08:41):
You're not going to win any competition in the first
couple of weeks of that, there is no doubt. Judged
Flavel tool Blacks coach type performance director from the two
times Champions, I love saying that the Canterbury Rams, thanks
very much for joining us, make you look after yourself,
enjoy the opening weekend.
Speaker 3 (08:57):
Cheers.
Speaker 1 (08:57):
Thank you 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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