Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Darcy Waldgrave
from News Talk z EDB.
Speaker 2 (00:51):
Is he here? Did he make it into the studio
on time? Is this sports Talk on news Talks ed B? Yes,
it is good evening seven after seven on hour, Tuesday
evening May twenty, twenty twenty five. I'm Darcy Watergrave. Welcome
to my chaos. It's a sport based chaos, so that's okay,
we can get through this all right. In this program,
(01:16):
we're going to talk to a couple of bath It's
one former, one current, soon to be overseased. For the
end of the program, Ricky we could tell he is
going to join us whilst it is like I'm staying
and Ricky when I'm going, and he is. He's off
at the end of the sleeper rugby season. He's over
to France. Won't tell us where he's going. Suspicion is
(01:38):
it's Montpellier, but we don't know yet. So we'll be
joined by Ricky later on of the piece to discuss
that that the reason why what drove him away. At
thirty years old, it's relatively young for a man his position,
a hooker. Been playing some great co the last couple
of years. So why did he pin it? There's a
(01:58):
lot of reasons around it, I'm sure, and he'll discuss
all of those with us toward the end of the program.
Straight off the bat, we're going to talk to my
Michael wit. Now, this is a name. This is a
blast from the past. It's been a number of years
since Michael Witt donned the Warriors colors and played at
one of the peak times in Warrior's history. There's been
(02:22):
a long time. There's been plenty of troughs, one big
trough and a couple of peaks, and he was part
of that peak. And of course he also remember Michael
Witt from that infamous day up against Melbourne when first
played eighth and eighth wiped them. That changed the rulings
of it. And Michael was the man who scored the
try to win the game and he held it above
(02:42):
his head for way too long and everybody freaked out,
but eventually he put it down. The game was one
well a track wit dog down. Sorry, that's what I
used to call them. Have we discussion because the Warriors
now are reaching that height of what happened back then.
They're on the ascendancy they're looking up and out. How
(03:05):
do they lose from now? That's not a direct question
because they will lose. It's the NRL. You can't keep winning,
It's not entirely possible. But what happens? Where are the
weak points? Where are the holes? Where's the possibility of
a slide? For this side? Heading now into origin? Lost
(03:26):
a player? Not ideal, but haven't lost a sway of
the players? Got a game against the third place Raiders
coming up on Sunday? Huge? Is there an end in sight?
Is the oncoming train the light at the end of
the tunnel? Or is this team really.
Speaker 3 (03:43):
This is our year?
Speaker 2 (03:44):
That go to team. We'll talk to Michael Wicktt what's
about that, and then we'll take your calls on what's
going to derail the Warriors. I'll get that team out
for you as well before time. But before we do
any of that, and remember you can call it eight
hundred a eight ten eight free phone number on a
news talk ZB. Before we do that, let's stick with
tradition and do this today and sport today to rugby
(04:08):
tales and some seniors popcorn dancing, one staying the other
one is off while Titi is staying with the Chiefs
and ends that are until the end of the next
World Cup at least, then League France Japan. Who knows, right,
what do you know?
Speaker 4 (04:28):
I'm not too sure what's going on there, but I
am a Big League fan, so maybe in the future.
But like I said, I'm here, I'm here the Chiefs
and that's what I'm focusing on.
Speaker 2 (04:39):
And all the scouts are an aeroplanes. As soon as
he said that, over here, Ricky Ricky Telly is on
the other hand, traveling north, he constantly overlooked, Hoko, why
don't you be leaving? At least is taking his partner
and his family duels to France at the end of
the Super Rugby Pacific.
Speaker 5 (04:57):
Season, go overseas and a new environment. It takes a
bit of balls because you've got to leave what you've
always known and good mates. And I think that's how
I personally grow as a person as a player, and
it's a good opportunity for myself and my time is
a tennis player as well, so it's much easier for
her career as well.
Speaker 2 (05:13):
Sunny Belle Williams and Paul Gallon have a scheduled to
dance off in July. The constant verbal bitching between the
two boxes, I suppose will culminate in some Mickey Mouse
canvas prancing in July. They're partly anticipated fight eight to
two minute rounds. Who cares. Gallon said something, I hope
(05:36):
you feel like I've wasted your time, mate, because I
feel like you've wasted my time in the past ten years.
But finally you brought up the Carriaster jump in the
room with me. Do you keep being a good boy?
You keep doing when you're tired, and I'll give you
some attention very very soon. Whatever. Then Williams said something else.
Speaker 6 (05:51):
I don't know.
Speaker 4 (05:51):
I just said as him not being the east side,
him not been the main character.
Speaker 3 (05:55):
He didn't like that at all.
Speaker 1 (05:57):
I don't know.
Speaker 3 (05:58):
But I'm just going to enjoy this, Jenny.
Speaker 2 (06:02):
And that's sport today, right. Let's talks Rubbi Lee, raby Lee,
raby Lee. It's all about the wars and why wouldn't
be another outstanding victory over the weekend? Really close run, Well,
it wasn't for Sfesser Harris losing his mind at the
end of the game and trying to push his cranium
through someone else's head. A bit more comfortable, but anyway,
(06:27):
the victory was there, the victory was taken. The Warriors
are looking pretty so how can they possibly dB derailed?
I've got my theories. I'll ask for yours later on
in the piece, but right now we're joined by a
former Warrior half, Michael witt get a wit dog. Very well. Hey,
(06:49):
great to catch up with you again. It's been too
long and really good to talk about the Wars in
the ascendency, like when you used to play for them
back in two thousand and what two thousand and seven,
two thousand and eight, two thousand year around there.
Speaker 7 (07:01):
Yeah, it seems like a different lifetime sometimes and then
sometimes it feels like it was just yesterday. But it
certainly some great memories and love seeing the w was
at the top of the tablement very exciting.
Speaker 2 (07:12):
Well, you're selling second hand houses now, which is a
fine thing to do. You've been doing quite some time.
But you're still engage with the game, aren't You still
got some connections with the club and connections with rugby
league in Australia.
Speaker 3 (07:23):
Yeah, I have some connections at the Warriors.
Speaker 7 (07:25):
I played with coach Webby way back in Parramatta days
on good mates with Robbo Robbie used to live a
few doors down from me here on the Gold Coase
until I sold his house and then he moved away
a little bit. But good mates with Robbo, so definitely, yeah,
I want to stay in contact with those guys.
Speaker 3 (07:42):
And yeah, I love the Warriors in my team.
Speaker 2 (07:44):
You gave tan to a Picky and nudgeed to didn't
you see a gun play for the Wires.
Speaker 3 (07:49):
Yeah. So I do a little bit of coaching here
at the Billy Bears.
Speaker 7 (07:52):
Picky I'd coached him for two years and was really
impressed by him and something that I've never ever done before,
and to be honest, I haven't done since.
Speaker 3 (08:00):
But I reached out to Webby. I wanted to say,
give this guy a crack.
Speaker 7 (08:04):
Webby was very receptive of that, and so I had
a couple of chats and yeah, it was great to
see him head over there, and I think he's been
fantastic since he's gone there. He's just a little bundle
of energy, and yeah, I'm so stoked to see him
doing well.
Speaker 2 (08:16):
Well, the whole team is doing well, and that's why
we've got you on board. I suppose we'll start with
last year was I wouldn't say a train wreak, but
they lost the close ones they couldn't turn them. Completely
different story this year, sitting nearly at the top of
the table, massive game against the Raiders, a bit of
revenge as well from round one coming up on the
weekend second place. What have you noticed? Because they keep
(08:38):
stringing together victories regardless of who they've gone on board
or not, it's where does the success come from? WI?
Speaker 7 (08:44):
Yeah, Look, success is contagious, and I think there's a
couple of games there this year that the boys haven't
played their best footy. I think everyone who agree with that,
but they're still scratching away with wins. So to me,
that just shows that their effort and energy is he's
second to none, and they work really hard. I don't
think it's any secret. That's how you win games, just
by working hard. And it seems as though that's what
(09:05):
we're being the coach and staff preaching there and all
the boys are tearing.
Speaker 2 (09:09):
In the ability of players to slot in whereever they're needed.
That says a lot about coaching. Talk to me about that.
When you've got guys on the edge of can slotting
into the center position, you've got guys playing prop and
then they're at the back at lock this of course,
the fullbacks, the wings, they all chop around as well.
Where does that come from, Michael.
Speaker 7 (09:29):
Well, I guess it's just I guess you know the
guys that are missing out. That shows the strength of
the squad. But there's no doubt that's part of your coaching.
That's part of a preseason where guys have been tried
in different positions and the coaches know that if yea
things injuries come, which they always do. It certainly takes
a squad to win win a competition, and yeah, there's
no doubt that the coaches don't try players in different
(09:51):
positions and then they're easy to slot them in when needed.
Speaker 2 (09:54):
When you look at the defensive roles of the side,
and this fascinates me to myself, not on the greatest
league mind in the world, but the trust on your
inside and outside is huge in the side right now.
It's hard to break that line unless they go to
sleep temporarily.
Speaker 7 (10:11):
Yeah, well, I think that's been something I guess over
the years of worry has always been out of school
points and they can still do that now. But yeah,
the defensive side of the game is so important in
the moment and the boys again, it's just about working hard,
continuing to turn up for each other, and I think
that goes back to what you do off the field
as well.
Speaker 3 (10:28):
There's no doubt there are a good bunch of mates
and they're prepared to work hard for each other.
Speaker 7 (10:31):
There's guys there that are playing out of their skin
and you just don't do that if you're not happy.
Speaker 2 (10:36):
Lost a couple of players this weekend and no Fisher
Harris after that last minute infringement, which I'm sure drove everybody,
and that's no point in fighting it because you go
down such just one week. And of course Bunnett, who's
been extraordinary this year, inspirational, he's off to Origin Land
really deserve But how much of a loss of those
two you guys do you think up front with not
(10:56):
only their strength and their ability, but with their leadership.
Speaker 7 (11:00):
Yeah, we're definitely going to need some other guys to
put their hand up this week because those two men,
Fish and Barnett have been leading from the front. I
think they're probably the one of the best front rows
in the camp and that's why we're at the top.
So some boys will have to put their hand up,
but there's no doubt. I'm sure someone will do that,
and yeah, it be a tough game. Came into Raiders. I
think they'll miss one player. I think the back rowers
(11:21):
playing Origin. But yeah, missing the two big boys will
be hard to feel.
Speaker 3 (11:25):
But you know, next man up policy.
Speaker 2 (11:28):
What's the trick with Ricky Stewart? And as boys now come,
the suddenly turns it on.
Speaker 3 (11:32):
Do you know what? I think.
Speaker 7 (11:34):
I've had a few discussions because the half back there
is an old Burly Bears player, so I've had a
few chats with him about it, and he just tells
me he really cares about his players, and I think
he can see that.
Speaker 3 (11:43):
You can see how he gets he gets.
Speaker 7 (11:45):
The ships, he kicks the tears, and he's very you know,
he's very invested. But he does things for the players
that you know, go unnoticed. I know he looks after
the kids. He just just does things. He just really
cares and then that makes players want to play for him.
And when that happens, it's it's a winning culture.
Speaker 2 (12:02):
The way it's been briefed so far, there's always bumps,
isn't here? The way the NRL apply what they want
to see, you're going to go hard on this, You're
going to soften, You're going to go hard on that.
They're still getting it vaguely right, So it looks like
the Warriors aren't getting the bum deal they normally get.
Speaker 3 (12:18):
Right.
Speaker 7 (12:19):
Yeah, I think referees went crazy there for a week
or two of putting guys in the bin.
Speaker 3 (12:22):
I think now it's sort of settled itself down a
little bit.
Speaker 7 (12:25):
And the end of the day, there's just something that's
out of your control. Some calls are going to go away,
some aren't. I mean, it's going to be able to
push through that.
Speaker 2 (12:31):
As far as derailing. And I've talked to a few
of the boys in the office, big leg fans. I said, Okay,
how are the Warriors going to be stopped? What's going
to happen? And the general consensus is they'll do it themselves.
They'll unravel. That's always lurking in the back of the mind.
So who will stop them? How will they stop them?
How much will the Warriors themselves have to do with that?
(12:51):
Do you think?
Speaker 7 (12:52):
I think that's a big part to play with it.
There's no doubt the boys are playing good footy. So yeah,
the last thing you want to do. The games are
too hard to win at the moment, so you don't
want to be making it harder on yourself. But I
think there's guys there now, like Fish just a leader.
People following Aaron Clark's come They're and doing some great things.
I think Luke Metcalfs, you know, obviously going outstanding another year,
you know, playing the harves and the NRL injury free.
Speaker 3 (13:15):
But I think those guys have sort of got control
of that.
Speaker 7 (13:17):
And you know, I guess when you see players miss
out through injury and someone else comes in and.
Speaker 3 (13:21):
Does the job, that's a really good sign.
Speaker 7 (13:23):
And I think there's a real good balance through the
team at the moment, which is something that I feel
like goes back to the time that I was at
the Warriors.
Speaker 3 (13:30):
We got old guys, young guys, a real good mix
of experience and youth. And yeah, that's paying dividends.
Speaker 2 (13:35):
You mentioned metcalf and he's been a phenomenon. A terrible
start to the season, but you're old mate, We'll be
stuck with them, which is good to see that that
combination is starting to show dividends. Aristavida probably not quite
up there yet, but what's going on as inside. That
combination over the next four or five games beyond should
be enormous instrumental.
Speaker 7 (13:56):
Yeah, there's there's some big games coming up coming in
the Raiders and I think we've got Bunnies and Sharks,
so tough games coming up. Through the Origin period, things
tend to change a little bit, but notoriously the Warriors
going from strength to strength during the Oredian period, so
hopefully that happens again this year. But yeah, as I say,
like Luke Metca has been absolutely outstanding and long way
that continue.
Speaker 2 (14:15):
What's he doing so well?
Speaker 7 (14:16):
The thing that he's got that I think you can't buy.
He's just got out and outpace. He's just speed, so
he get himself into positions that a lot of other
players can't get himself into. I think he's definitely maturing
as a as a half and steering the team around.
Speaker 3 (14:31):
He's been really good at that good kicking game.
Speaker 7 (14:33):
You know, he's got the goal kicking as well, which
can be a struggle for him sometimes, but you know
he's he's doing good things and that means that the
big guys around him are doing their So you know
that forward packed gets him on the front foot, and
that makes a big, big difference for the halves.
Speaker 2 (14:47):
We're going to do now, Michael Whittner's work out now
to beat Storm? You remember how to beat Storm as
scary as it was when you did. But what is
it with that bogey team? It's crazy, isn't it?
Speaker 7 (14:57):
Yeah? That was I think they're a bogue team for
a lot of clubs to be honest. The Melbourne Storm,
you know, a great team, have always been a great team.
I don't think they've ever missed the fine or maybe
one year and their whole conception into the comp.
Speaker 3 (15:09):
So yeah, yes they are a bogie team for the Wires,
But they're a bogue team for a lot of.
Speaker 7 (15:14):
A lot of teams in the NRL because they're so
good and they just one thing they don't do is
which what we just spoke about earlier, is they don't
beat themselves. They make you turn up and have to
beat them, and you can't just go there and go
through the motions. You've got to fire some shots and
challenge them because as I say that, they won't beat themselves.
Speaker 2 (15:30):
Not unbeatable. Finally, Michael witt thanks very much for your time.
How do you feel top eight should be regulation? But
it is the NRL. How much further dare I say it?
But I'm going to Is it our year?
Speaker 3 (15:44):
How of course it is.
Speaker 7 (15:45):
I mean you've got to be confident, right, I'd love
to see the boys finish in the top four and
if they can finish up there, then anything can happen.
Speaker 2 (15:52):
Brilliant Michael, Thanks so much for your time. You look
after yourself with Ted again seen I'm sure.
Speaker 3 (15:57):
Legendars thank you.
Speaker 1 (15:59):
Hear it from the biggest names and sports men. Have
your sale on sports tour, load of sports and news dogs.
Speaker 2 (16:08):
It me for my Warriors. Half Michael whit they're talking
about the future. There was an audible laugh in his
voice and he's like yeah, because he knows the enthusiasm.
And even though before I took their phone call, they
acted on this afternoon and he's like, you know, no,
(16:30):
I'm up here on the Goldie and that Warrior's still
my team. It's still my team. Love that team. Is
that interesting? What he said about came to a picky
saw them burly bears, wrung up his old mate Weby
and said, you got a look at this bloke hasn't
done it since actually not starting this weekend. It's on
an extended bench Soviet. The biggest problem the Warriors have
(16:54):
gotten now is themselves. Right, like with most teams in
the NNROL, you can apply what you need to apply,
run through what you need to do. They stick to
their structure and their framework. They shouldn't really be beaten.
(17:16):
There will be a couple of teams that will run
over or through or around from it's going to happen.
It's the NRL. But I think the worst enemy of
the Warriors are the Warriors. And there are some areas
that I would be concerned about. And even though I
haven't swept away with the joy of fandom, because we
(17:38):
all are well I am anyway, It's why I do
this job. Love sport, get right into it. Even though
last week when the comeback was on, I was like,
ah no, don't tell me they're got to get folded
by the dolphins. In the last ah no, there was
a little voices. But these guys are okay, they're all right,
They're okay, they're all right, whereas always previously wee voices
like they're poked. I hope you didn't bet the house
(17:59):
on it. But they're capable of doing silly things which
may cost them at the very end. That's what I'm
worried about. And I look at Fisher Harris and it's
a very abrasive, aggressive, confrontational sport. And you want to
make some omelet's eggs got to get broken, right, that's
the drill with that. It's send off at the end,
(18:22):
completely unnecessary fatigue, laziness when you don't stick to your
form and the tackle and maybe the game should be
over and you're not there. That's what's going to cost them,
in the favorite word, discipline, slightly loose in any error
(18:43):
and you could get folded. And this is what worries me.
Some of the guys on the team. You wonder if
they can keep focused on the task right the way
through the whole eighty minutes. There is the problem. Agree, disagree,
shoot the breeze, because of course one hundred eighty ten
eighty it's a sports talk on the news talk ZEBB.
What tricks the mark? What's their banana skin? Is an
(19:06):
insane thing to say, because if you can see a
banana scan, you don't stand that right, you walk around it.
If you slip on a banana skin that you've seen coming,
you need help. Seven twenty five lines are raping. Oh,
eight hundred and eighty ten eighty. But if you texts
can't come up? Mate, their holes everywhere? Tell me what,
what where? Where is the problem and I'll read you
that team when we return for the talk. Go eight
(19:30):
hundred eighty ten eighty. This is news Dog ZIBB.
Speaker 1 (19:32):
We're all ready WestEd uptown. The right call is your
call on eight hundred eighty ten eighty Sports Talk call
on your home of sports News Talk ZIBB.
Speaker 2 (19:50):
Then think that I've got whoa seven twenty nine support
a stalk on that news Talk zid B. Dave texts Darcy,
come on, matey, it was all over the show. Just
have a look at the last three or four games.
(20:10):
Did their best to give it away. Something's wrong there
And thanks Dave. I see makee Dave give us a call.
I mean wait, I tried, I asked, I issued the invitation.
The thing is, daveo, that they're in every game of
rugby league. There there are holes, there will be. It
is so fast, it's so brutal. It's it's simple for
things to open up. If you don't dot your eyes
(20:34):
and cross your tea's, it happens. But the difference to
the war is this year is when is they're not folding.
They're not folding right on their line, They're defending their line.
They're trusting their inside, they're trusting their outside. They know
what they're doing, great points of attack, faith in each other,
and yet they're going to leak a driver now, then
excuse me. I'm very sorry about that. It is going
(20:55):
to happen. But it's when it's self inflicted that freaks
me out. It's when you get brain explosions of actions
that are going to a track the referees. Now, I
know we've slowed down a wee bit with sending guys
to the to the sheds. They went nuts a couple
of weeks ago, but that really disturbs me that that
discipline side that that that are up in the air,
(21:18):
all of these bits and bobs. When athletes get fatigued
and stressed, that's when it could fall over more than
any structural deficiencies. In my mind, our eight hundred and
eighty ten eighty. We'll take your calls now on news
talk z B get.
Speaker 3 (21:39):
A poor.
Speaker 6 (21:42):
Evening, Darcy. Hey, I'm just looking at the camera backline.
It's pretty strong, you know, to Moco to Malei, Sebastian,
Chris Leab Savage. They had a very very good backline.
They are missing Hudson Young, which is a huge out
for camera. But so some regards to the wise, you're
going to remember, you know, we've been winning gage with
(22:02):
out for share has so for share haer. So I
don't think it's a big loss. Yes, by gets a
lossity Sorry.
Speaker 2 (22:08):
Paul, I never thought i'd ever hear anyone say that.
But we've done well without him for the last couple
of months or five.
Speaker 6 (22:15):
Weeks are exactly We've we've been going okay without him.
So and Jackson Ford proved me wrong a while ago.
I didn't think he could he could play forf but
his engine he's been doing well. So yeah, but Bunty,
I think he's better at bench. But it is what
it is. So so, I mean, I'm quitely confident. I
(22:35):
think if we do if we do lose it, it'll
be beating myselves as complacency, which I don't think that
they'll have because they'll want to beat the Raiders up
to what happened in Las Vegas, and it was an embarrassment.
Speaker 2 (22:50):
For everybody and the players to be looking back now
Earth do we fly over there to play that game
against them? I'm so glad they're not there next year.
It's a bonus up complacency, but fatigue, tired, we're close.
All my arms gone up. Oh I just but oh
there's just shot. Oh dear, you give a reason for
a referee to send you. There's a good chance they will.
(23:14):
And that's that's where I worry. And and it was
personified by by Fisher Harris. I mean, they don't mean
to do it, but it happens.
Speaker 6 (23:23):
Right, yeah, it does, you know. But we've shown we've
shown a lot of steel, living a lot of close games,
as you know. And you know, and if you look
at what we've got coming up, they are definitely givable
games taken to the Orange and period into it into account,
you know, you know, look at the Rabbits and the
Sharks and the game we've got to buy. So we've
(23:44):
got a pretty good run, you know, if you count
it by and the time to restart. But I think
the Wise will get it done. I think they'll definitely
get it done on Sunday that back home. They haven't
been home for a while.
Speaker 2 (23:54):
Well that's it. I was going to say that right
home sleeping in their own beds, got their and crazy
crowd there cheering them on. So there's a there's a
wee bit going their advantage, but the Raiders aren't third
on the ahead.
Speaker 6 (24:06):
It for nothing, right, no, no, exactly, you know, and
we know how good there? Like I mean, I talked
about the bedline. You've got unbelievable bearclin. But you know,
I think if you look for men for men across
the park and the momentum that we've got at the moment,
you know we should get it done, mate, So looking
(24:27):
for it's.
Speaker 2 (24:27):
Going to be a great afternoon's entertainment. Good on your Paul,
Thanks very much for calling in. We ask the risk
around the word momentum. Momentum can be stopped. That's the
nature of momentum. Momentum is not perpetual. Last time I checked, Hi, Sam,
how are you?
Speaker 7 (24:43):
Hey?
Speaker 8 (24:44):
I'm going how are you?
Speaker 3 (24:45):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (24:45):
Nice? Abulian bouncing happy, all of that.
Speaker 4 (24:50):
That's been good to hear.
Speaker 2 (24:51):
Yeah.
Speaker 8 (24:51):
I suppose there's a couple of things that haven't. They're
don't just enough to get the wins. And I suppose,
you know, a win's a win at the end of
the day. I suppose Dallan here, he's a superstar at
scoring try guys. But I find that for some reason
he just leaves that wing open and we just bleed
tries on that side. So one fix possibly, what what
(25:15):
would your fix be? He just kind of needs to
play a little bit more on the wing rather than
coming in field too much. And and you know they
they target him for that reason, but you know he
gets those intercepts and he scores those tries, So it's
kind of a double edged sword.
Speaker 2 (25:34):
What would you rather No, I sound like that ad
for drink driving. Now, I don't know what would you rather?
Speaker 8 (25:40):
Should wonder if maybe there needs to be a little
bit more discipline, just just just for him. I think
if we played the ball a little bit faster as well,
you know, if we got up and just made those
made those fast flay the balls, you know, as a
couple of standouts for me, you would definitely be Aaron Clark.
(26:01):
Sure he's he is, He's performing really well. Fun yet
you can't tell him either. So it'd be interesting to
see how the team goes if they rest them through
the origin period as well.
Speaker 2 (26:13):
Well, they won't be resting, We'll be playing so he
won't be there, so there's there's no fish and he's
not there either. But discipline always huge, always huge. But
I do like the well you've got dull and you
wickon he drifts. I do like the way this year
the Worries don't have a tendency to drift to cover
someone else because they're pretty sure that on their inside
(26:35):
and outside they will make that try. So they keep
that that's solid line. But I suppose when someone comes
in for that intercept that does open something up. But
I think that the ruck speed's been fine in gen.
I think they've been good off the deck.
Speaker 4 (26:51):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (26:51):
Yeah, we will see different things, don't we. Hey Sam,
thanks for your call mate, No, thanks, a wonderful evening. Right,
let's get to the tech nineteen ninety two. That is
z B z B. Andrew wants to know if I've
been drinking. No, not since the weekend. Based on your
(27:14):
last text though, which I won't read out, Andrea, I'm
sure you have been. Dylan is our weakness, Darcy. He
comes off his line and creates holes on defense. He's
not the same player so far. Just backing up Day,
Thanks very much for that, muzz I couldn't agree more,
writes another drop him, he's ut a hue. Okay, all right,
(27:37):
it looks like the hates on the Maybe he needs
to cut his hair. And I know with the biblical
dude who was super tough, when they cut his hair,
it was a disaster. But maybe it goes all the
way around. Too much time on your locks, mate, Let's
let's get worried about your game. And the Bulldogs in
Melbourne are still three classes above us. Yep. But we
(27:59):
thought that about the Bulldogs until they went up to
Brisbane and got absolutely torched. And we go back to
the same thing. Nur else. So hard and so tough,
you're five percent off, you're just asking for trouble and
you have there be an opportunities that when the worries.
Maybe you've looked a little weak from time to time,
but I think in general they've looked good in defense
of their line. They've looked stout, they haven't looked scary
(28:20):
in defense. That's and that's that gut feeling, right, you
listen to your guts like, no, that's going to be
all right. AnyWho coming up, surely we're gonna be talking
a bit of a rugby with Ricky Ricottelli. He's off,
he's leaving, He's going to France. Seems a tad premature,
(28:44):
but you hit the feeling that after the way he's
not being picked. The writing was maybe on the wall.
Ricky rickattell, he joins us, surely there's the news, simboy
(29:10):
one news talks. Heb Michael went was our guest first
art making the healthy in days two and a half
minutes to go Melbourne fifteen the Warriors fourteen eight plays one?
What on earth could go right for the Warriors? This
(29:31):
bekins remain.
Speaker 1 (29:33):
You're PARTI offend on fla a pass to Valefi.
Speaker 2 (29:37):
He goes inside and away from the front.
Speaker 3 (29:39):
He gets away from Jeremy Smith.
Speaker 2 (29:41):
Out of Michael wors gonna score?
Speaker 3 (29:44):
What's he going? He got down sun and he turns
eventually and.
Speaker 2 (29:50):
The Warriors have got homes.
Speaker 3 (29:53):
She would think they've got home. The kick to come,
Michael Winter scored. It's eighteen fifteen. That was a long
way to go, but they've got there.
Speaker 2 (30:01):
In two tackles, Mano Valafi, the fifth legs, bursting out
attackers and possession.
Speaker 3 (30:09):
Martha mt Rder fight.
Speaker 2 (30:11):
Put the ball down, Michael Ce, Yeah, put it down,
so many heart attacks all across the nation. When that
Triver scored, that was a good team doing great things.
Are we experiencing the same all over again? I'd like
to think we are, or we will see right. Warrior
is our name today to take on the Raiders on Sunday.
(30:34):
Here's the team. Charns Nickel clocks Dad he's at fullback,
dudm Marton, he's a Lesnik and Roger two of us
A check are on the wings. Pumpy and Kate Well
the captain at three and four, Harris, Davida and Metcalfe
a the has Jackson Ford new prop because two boys
are out. Fisher Harris has gone and he's stayed down
(30:56):
for it a week because he did not fight the
head knock charge that he got. That's Goodwade Egan's still
in the nine Jersey Bunty fall off the bench. The
other prop Lique Hellasima Marata near Corde and Aaron Clark.
That's thirteen interchanged to Mighty Martin, Jacob Labor and Dimitric
(31:16):
By Amonga and Tanner Star wars at Smith and what
a scary looking individual he is as well. That's the
team they're playing on Sunday, it's two v three at
Mount Smart six oh five. Kickoff. All right, noe of that,
Let's talks on rugby union. And I'm going to go
(31:38):
now and have a chat with a bloke called Ricky Ricattelly. Ricky,
Ricky Telly is He's cashed it in today. That's it.
Enough is enough, he says, and he joins us now
today Ricky here very well. Not going to France, that's
for sure.
Speaker 3 (31:53):
But you are what a call?
Speaker 2 (31:55):
Where did this come from?
Speaker 5 (31:57):
I suppose to kind of stemmed from where I was
at my rugby career and sort of just the timing,
is that right? I think post last year I was
kind of had to make a few calls in quite
a bit going on away from rugby, and you know,
I was lay up where I was with my rapy career,
and you know, I still feel like best here ahead
(32:18):
of me. So I'm I'm king to go and explore
a different part of the world and a different competition.
And I look at the European competition at the moment,
I just think it's, you know, like something I want
to be a part of. The fan bases, the crowds,
atmospheres and that's partly what rugby's all about, and want
to go test myself and grow in that sort of environment.
And I think challenging myself to go overseas in a
(32:40):
new environment takes it takes a bit of bulls because
you've got to leave what you've always known and good mates.
And I think that's how I personally grow as a
person as a player. And it's a good opportunity for
myself and my partners a tennis player as well, so
it's much easier for her career as well. So those
are the long story short, that's the main crucks.
Speaker 2 (32:59):
You talk about stuff outside of rugby, your personal life,
you probably don't want to delve into that. Was there
anything else we can know about what helped that decision?
Speaker 5 (33:09):
Well, I think like I felt like I've given New
Zealand rugby pretty much all of me and everything I
could have given. Hopefully you guys could see it, but
I feel personally that I've given a lot of myself
on the field. Tea's in the rugby and that was
a big reason why I've decided. Look, I've come here.
(33:34):
I've always dreamed about playing rugby professially, playing sport, you know,
I've won a couple of Super Rugby titles, you know,
US Blues Boys managed to get another one last year,
and I felt like, for me personally, that's what I
wanted to achieve here in New Zealand, away from higher honors.
So those were the I felt like I had achieved
(33:57):
what I wanted to achieve New Zealand, or that was
what was going to happen.
Speaker 2 (34:01):
Yeah, can you say higher honors? And your name's been
up and around that conversation for a for a while. Now, gee,
you even played in the End of twenty team, didn't
you for a while? Is the realization that you weren't
going to get there that helped the drive? Or didn't
he say on Rugby tell you flat out you're not
going anywhere and that's why you left?
Speaker 1 (34:20):
What?
Speaker 2 (34:21):
How did this work out? And did France approach you
or vice versa? So many questions, Ricky, Well, I knew.
Speaker 5 (34:30):
You were where You're trying to lean towards the whole time.
Was the everything with higher honors, but I was trying
to avoid it. But look, I just think look, the
first of all, I didn't I basically was open to
open to exploring. I think End of last year and
(34:52):
that's when we got approached and in terms of going
over to France, and you know, things, a few things
had to align with or with where I wanted to go,
and we found a perfect opportunity in France. So that
was the main and that was one of the big
reasons why I wanted to go over there, in terms
of the higher honor stuff like, yeah, it was. It
(35:13):
wasn't as if the door was closed. It's more it's
more what I wanted. It's more like, I think that
goal of being in the Zealand environment or the all
Blacks environment, there's always been my goals and you know what,
I've been playing set rugby. But I think the more
I've grown up and the more I've looked at the
(35:35):
things and knowing that I'm coming to my prime, I
think there's opportunities elsewhere in the world and there's opportunities
GLO believe that. You know, I want to open the
door to and to do that to leave New Zealand.
So I'm looking forward to just kind of yeah, as
I said, challenging myself and growing in a different country.
Speaker 2 (35:55):
Are you lost in New Zealand rugby?
Speaker 3 (35:56):
Is that it?
Speaker 2 (35:57):
Will you ever come back again as it open ended.
Would you like to go to Ireland to Britain? Are
you only thirty? It's not old for a rate rect
He's a lot in front of you. Isn't there even
come back?
Speaker 5 (36:09):
Or yeah, I mean I'm not closing the door and
he's in a rugby for good like terms of playing
super wise and everything like that. N But I'm yeah, like,
as I said to you, mate, like I feel that
this is a good age from my position where I
personally at like these last couple of years. As you
learn a lot when you're younger and you're sort of
(36:31):
mature but into and your knowledge base grows every time,
and I feel like now is the where what I
think is my obous is enemy. So it was more
I'm not closing the door and he's in a rugby,
but I'm opening a door to abroad.
Speaker 2 (36:47):
So yeah, on balance, you made a great decision for
yourself and for your partner, and I think Matsugi admirable
to be able to do that when you look at
life not only beyond rugby but at the maturation of
your career and we can play had a lot of
fun in front. I tell you, I don't build him
small over there, Ricky, you won't tell us where you're going.
(37:08):
Why's that?
Speaker 5 (37:10):
There's a few things for legal terms that are still
working through, and so everything's just not it's not ready yet.
So until we're all well that over line, then we'll
be able to tell you guys we're off to But yeah,
we all tell you there.
Speaker 2 (37:25):
Why now you haven't pushed over the line like legally?
So why did you open the door and say I'm
leaving as opposed to keep it boxed and until he
could give us all of the details. There something else
that pushed that or the time was right, or you're
disappointed about being beaten by mine Pussyfica, Sorry had to
get in, But why why now?
Speaker 5 (37:46):
No, it was just timing. It was the results have
nothing to do with it. It was just always planned
for the state. And look it was just when everything
aligned with the Blues Taranaki and injured us. So yeah, this,
I just feel the time's right and well we all
agreed and look at was it was a process. But
(38:09):
look we're here now, and yeah, I'm just excited for
what to hit. To be honesty, I'll.
Speaker 2 (38:13):
Just add one more of this with Taranaki in the MPC.
Was there a chance maybe you'd stick around had one
more season. Was it important that you got out before
that to get over to France and to blend in
So why no NPC.
Speaker 5 (38:32):
Tough questions that no, it was that was part of
the part of the deal. So I've got to get
over there after Super Rugby. Look it was, I mean,
it's such a tough It's tough for me leaving great
mates and a province that well, I can't even describe
how how cool it's been playing for you know where
I grew up. So it was a tough un mate,
(38:54):
But like it was, you know, I sat down with
the coaches and we discussed things, and the team's in
a good direction and you know, like I leave with
full confidence that they've got a group of guys that
can you know, keep going deep in the national camp.
And there wasn't like a really an option. It was
it was kind of like I needed to get over there.
Speaker 2 (39:15):
Looking forward to seeing how you go over there, enjoying
your time away from the Goldfish Bowl that is New
Zealand rugby and growing as a human not just a
rugby player. Ricky Ricottelli, thanks so much for your time
and congratulations.
Speaker 5 (39:30):
Cheer mate.
Speaker 1 (39:32):
No need for the DMO. We've got the breakdown on
Sports Talk, cool news talk.
Speaker 2 (39:41):
Ericy Riccattelli, there blues and Taranaki rake off to France
at the end of Super Rugby. Good on you. Plainly
he wasn't in the All Black plan. Plainly when lost
Walkers to injury, Scott Robertson lean to guys he knew
from christ Church. I think Ricky's like, well it's done,
(40:03):
and someone often do you know what thirty years old?
I'm off, I'm gon some money. At thirty years old,
you've probably got five or six years propping over there
and his partner is out me playing professional tennis. Good
on you, mister Ricottelly seven fifty two, it's fight day,
(40:37):
Sports talkcown news storks. Here'd be darcy. If we lose
these next tier players like Ricottelli and James Lowe and
my Suger and Chainsaw Laney that was years ago, they
just blow All Black level. I feel bad, but unfortunately
we can't keep them here because they're terrific players. No,
(40:58):
we can't. And I like it when older players or
middle or aged players move on because it's room for
the grassroots. It's not a problem. It's not. There's always
someone to replace.
Speaker 3 (41:11):
You.
Speaker 2 (41:11):
Go and watch some schoolboy rugby. He watch local rugby
gee on sky, A better watch it on TV. Shortly.
There are brilliant players everywhere just waiting for one opportunity
to stick their head at. When a guy like Ricky
can't get the role he really wanted to get and
it does not a go there will feeling the sound
better or nasty to me, He's like, well, there's another opportunity,
(41:34):
and being an all Black's not the end of the line, right,
there are other things can do, like be paid very
well to play professional raby in France. Good on them, Darst.
I don't like Ricca Telly. Does he qualify to represent
it's all because it sounds like it's a delicious, flavorsome
pasta dish which is wholesome, punchy and always eclipsed by
the flashy, boding maze or a cabanara. Jeezy bought in
(41:58):
South Everywhere is Durban born. Parents immigrated over here when
he was four years old. Taranaki hardcore. After that, wait
a bit for the Hawks, Bays, had Anake, the Blues,
the Canes. He's the on Nunder twenty World fifteen didn't
quite get to the all Blacks look. Thank you very
(42:18):
much for joining us on News Talks. B. I've just
seen the pre orders for the new Warriors jersey. We
had Louis Brown on talking about a week or so ago.
I had no idea the sizes. You know, they've only
got five XL, six XL and seven XL seven XL.
Is that for our whole team?
Speaker 1 (42:38):
Push for more from sports Talk, Listen live to News Talks.
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