July 23, 2025 • 42 mins
D'Arcy Waldegrave returned to wrap another day of sports news! Highlights for tonight include:
NZOC CEO Nicki Nicol on the plans for the Commonwealth Games in 2030 and whether we can host in 2034.
Are you back on board with the Commonwealth Games if they can do it without bankrupting the city they happen in?
Shakira Baker of the Warriors women's side on their upcoming match against the Titans and her transition from union.
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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 Darcy Waldegrave
from News Talk ZEDB.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
Good evening, How is it? I'm Darcy Autograve and it's
all good. Even if it's bad, it's good right, positive outlook, uplifted,
not being freaked out by the unknown. The magic is
in the unknown. I'm going to stop being philosophical and
you start talking sport, which I will be doing. And
you can join an eight hundred eighty ten eighty three
(00:40):
phone number nationwide. Climb on in and have your say
on the issue of the day around sport. Two guests
this evening. Baker Lloyne joins us later on in the piece.
Used to play seven's nationally, used to play for the
(01:03):
Black Ferns. Decided you might have a bit of a
while after spending time with the Hurricanes. Poe playing a
rugby league. Now she's a warrior, she joins us at
the end of the program, coming from fullback wing maybe
center sometimes I think now in the second row. Talked
to her about that transformation, about how that's working for
(01:24):
her and what next. That's Sekira Baker joins us later
on the piece. Up first Nicky Nicholas with us she's
the chief executive officer of the New Zealand Olympic Committee. Look,
I saw this headline, this story today and it's like, nah, really,
Commonwealth Games is on the rise, is dragging itself back
(01:45):
up of its knees to its feet again. I think
most people thought that was as good as over once
Glasgy came in and rescued the last edition of the
Commonwealth Games by slashing and burning it down to ten sports,
that it was going to struggle maybe twenty thirty New
Zealand Mike climbing in twenty thirty four, but was a
bit and I don't know, I got money, do we care?
(02:07):
But it looks like it's it's on the way back.
Five nations want to host the twenty thirty version. Five
wow Comwealth Games in the best possible taste. Is like
a zombie won't die. It just keeps marching towards you,
looking for brains, right, stunning And Nicky Nichol was going
(02:32):
to join us shortly to talk about the resuscitation, the revival,
about where it's going right, how it's relevant, and then
we'll take your calls on that as well, if indeed
it is, and we'll talk about what Nicky has to
say about how the corn Mouth Games operates, how it
should operate, and how it's managed to In essence, currently
(02:52):
fingers crossed touch Wood saved itself from extinction. That's still
to calm Before any of that, though, We're going to
do it normally do which is climbing to this sport today,
and sport today ain't time. Lennard Brown is burning from
the inside. The veteran All Black midfielder has re signed
within until the end of twenty twenty eight. He's taking,
(03:15):
of course, the now obligatory sabbatical, which is part of
the course for the senior members of our national side.
But back to being on fire. An ultimate goal when
you're here is you want to represent your country and
were the Black jersey. I still got a file for
me to strive to do that every year whenever he's
trying to light his own but that was the case.
(03:38):
I'm sorry, thank you, mister Melissa. I need help. The
magic mind of former All Black mental skills coach Gilbert
Andoka is already being felt by English cricket Ben Stokes
is avent hold on, hold on, so Ben Stokes for
all intentsive purposes as a New Zealander, right, He's just
(04:00):
like decided to be English when his dad's place of birth.
Brenda McCullum, coach is a New Zealander and now they've
gone and flogged down mental skills. Coach, it's your own
players anyway. Gilbert's head in effet.
Speaker 3 (04:17):
I'm sure you've all looked up Gilbert's CV pretty good.
He's comments. We spent some time around the team. He's
been able to put into words what we want to
do a lot better than what me and Buzz would
ever be able to do.
Speaker 2 (04:29):
What it sounds like he's coaching forty five forty five.
Venus Williams, who was in Lebel forty five of her
Life's one, a match in the WDA. Her first singles
game in sixteen months saw her beat a girl half
her age at the Washington Open care forty five. It's
just a number.
Speaker 4 (04:52):
Venus Williams back with a bang and becomes the oldest
WTA Tour winner since two thousand and four.
Speaker 2 (05:03):
We spoke of this yesterday in all New Zealand's transparency
and their release around player eligibility and reading through it,
we were it wasn't very clear at all anyway, clarity
is what they strive but for who neither any canas
I wasn't sure. Karen Berger isn't sure either.
Speaker 5 (05:24):
It's just making sure that players have one hundred percent
clarity and are able to answer those questions so that
they know what they're getting into and make sure that
they can still put their best foot forward for the
Black Dress as well. So I only know what we
need to do on our end, what the criteria looks like,
and whether they'll approve it.
Speaker 6 (05:42):
Not sure, Okay, And that's sport today.
Speaker 2 (05:47):
Twelve minutes after seven, This is Sports Talk on News Talk.
Zeb B will take your calls on one hundred and
eighty ten eighty after our chat with Nicky Nickel, CEO
of the New Zealand Olympic Committee, and text as well.
That's going to cost your standard text charge, but I'm
sure we can deal with that. Nineteen nineteen z B
z B is the way to get straight through to
(06:09):
the studio, right. Nicky nikol Wak joins us now to
discuss the revival of the common Games.
Speaker 7 (06:17):
Good evening, Nicky, Good evening, Darcy, thanks for having me and.
Speaker 2 (06:20):
Thanks for joining us. Sort tale today about the Commonwealth
Games and it fascinated me as a good news story
in the fact that there are so many nations now
that want to engage all this and this is after
pretty much the death rights for the Commonwealth Games over
the last few years. What what a turnaround this has been.
Speaker 7 (06:39):
It has been an amazing resurrection and lot there's still
a lot of work to be done, but it's exciting
that firstly Glasgow put their hand up and we still
will have a really important and material games. But the
interest post twenty twenty six to twenty thirty and thirty
four is already really strong and unprecedented in twenty thirty
with five countries already putting their hands up.
Speaker 2 (06:59):
What's driven this? Where does this come from?
Speaker 8 (07:02):
Well?
Speaker 7 (07:02):
I think it's a number of factors, but I think
one of them is international sport is still really important
and you know, even for New Zealander's the Commonwealth Games
is in our top three global sports and globally the
Comonweth Games is in the top ten. So it's still
a material product in that international landscape. And I also
think as with Olympics as with Commonwealth Games, we're now
(07:24):
coming up with models that make it much more sustainable
and so Glasgow started that process and I think whoever
gets twenty thirty and beyond that much more economically attractive
than where they've been in the past. So yeah, I
think that's all good for international sports.
Speaker 2 (07:39):
Well, that's enormous for big multi sport events such as
this in the Olympic Games, that's got to be next
as far as sustainability. But we all just don't have
the money anymore. They known want a legacy of debt
and I think you can attach that the Olympics in
some way shape or form. At the Commonwealth Games. I
suppose leading the pack in what they're doing there. It's
(08:00):
had buying from all over.
Speaker 7 (08:02):
The Commonwealth, absolutely right, and I think it's a little
things like, you know, we are going to have to
change some of the ways that we interact or that
you know, we participate in the Games. And for example,
you know, our teams will be staying in hotels this
time around in Glasgow. Not enough time to build a village.
And actually they don't want a village. They've got great
infrastructure on the back of twenty fourteen and they just
(08:25):
want to make sure that that you know, sporting infrastructure
is used as often as possible. So again, being innovative
and creative has come up with some different options and
will embrace that. Our team will embrace it. And the
important thing for them is what happens, you know, on
the field or in the pool or on the court,
and that's still you know, sacrisanct and what was being
put together.
Speaker 2 (08:44):
Oh, please tell me they're not going to spend two
hundred million dollars on an opening ceremony because to me,
that's still one of the most phenomenal wastes of money
at any big sporting event like that. They're going to
keep it down. I'm not stort getting the mayor and
just cut of ribbon, but that's going to be pulled
back a bit, right.
Speaker 7 (08:59):
It's absolutely going to be paied back, and certainly Commonwealth Sport,
you know, that's been the strong message from them is
you know, we don't want to see cities, countries investing
in that. There are too many other important things that
we all need across our communities and so it will
be appeared back. It's still will be special, it's still
will be important, but it won't be you know, the
all singing and dancing that we've had in the past.
Speaker 2 (09:20):
It's called reading the room and it's very very important
in this day and age. So let's go to New
Zealand's hopes and dreams to hosting a Common Game. This
is not locked and loaded. This is something that you're
still trying to reel in the chances, the possibilities. How
are you feeling Whi's your confidence level?
Speaker 7 (09:40):
Yeah, we're really excited and we think New Zealand would
be amazing at hosting the games. We look back at
our legacy from nineteen ninety those that are in the
nineteen seventy four, you know, just over fifty years ago,
so you know, they're really big milestones. You know, the
twenty eleven World Cup, the Women's World Cups that we
had through twenty two to twenty three. You know, these
are really well regarded. You know, the community lifts, the
(10:04):
volunteers that get involved a awesome events. So that's certainly
our aspiration and ambition. There's lots of work to be
done and we're still waiting on the process to be
outlined from Commonweal Sport, but at the moment we are
really optimistic that we can pull something really special together
for our athletes, for our sports, but also for the
New Zealand community.
Speaker 2 (10:26):
In the current climate, the economic climate, it's probably a
stretch to demand a handful of money from the government.
But I'm presuming they're going to be or not entirely
footing the bill, but their contribution will be large. How
do you justify that?
Speaker 7 (10:42):
Yeah, and that's certainly why twenty thirty we have not
entertained the idea. We think that's far too soon. We
all know how tough it's been for New Zealand. So
that's why twenty thirty four is the window that we
are looking at. And you know, we believe if we've
got you know, the economy going well and lots of
positive things, and it's a good investment and there'll be
a good return on that investment. You're right though, there's
(11:03):
other commercial revenue tickets, sponsorship, broadcast that all go into
the mix as well. But there will still be you know,
the residual will still need to be found from within
the coffers and so we're trying to do everything we
can as well to understand what that could look like
and how affordable it can be.
Speaker 2 (11:18):
The CEO of New Olympic Committee, Nicking Nickel, joins us
as far as the movable feast. That is the games
we've seen lot's changed, They've shrunk the table, they've taken
some of the dishes away. But is this likely to
carry on shape shifting throughout the next four, eight, twelve years.
Is it very much up for grabs what the Commonwealth
(11:39):
Games will bring.
Speaker 7 (11:41):
Yeah, so this time ran as you know, Darcy, it's
ten sports, which have got six sports with howrah disciplines within.
But certainly the Commonwealth Sports intent for future games is
that the blueprint will have at least fifteen and they
think somewhere between fifteen to eighteen sports will be that
sweet spot. And I think that gets us back to
the games of old. And you know again is sustainable
(12:05):
word that's used often is important because we want that
legacy to continue.
Speaker 2 (12:09):
And from an athlete perspective, we don't underestimate how important
this event is. As I'm not saying it's second to
the Olympics, but it's a stepping stone, is it not
to that major event? And every athlete I've spoken to
talks of the import of performing in front of a
big audience in a particular set of times and boundaries.
(12:31):
It's huge for them to get used to that pressure.
Speaker 7 (12:34):
It is and the multi sport environment is different to
your individual sport World championship, so that is one of
the things that our athletes tell us. So the Commonwealth
Games is a fantastic opportunity for that. But then the
Commonwealth is particular sports that run really deep with quality
of field, so again from a high performance perspective, really important.
You know, if you're a summer racing in the Australians,
(12:54):
that's a pretty good benchmark. And also we've got sports
where you know, the Commonwealth are some of the pinnacles,
so our netball and bowls and other sports like that
that aren't on the Olympic program. So and for some
it is the pinnacle of their career. So I mean,
I think there's lots of ways the Commonwealth plays into
you know, what is the importance of the Commonwealth in
the Commonwealth Games in an athlete's journey.
Speaker 2 (13:16):
Are we going to get the sevens back?
Speaker 7 (13:19):
Definitely, my pre rugby, my rugby experience before this.
Speaker 9 (13:23):
One, I'm a big fan and yeah, and obviously the
sevens program with New Zealand rugby is phenomenal. It's you know,
we know how successful it is, so we are hopeful
next games to see sevens back in the Acclelias on
the program for Los Angeles and I know the rugby
community we're looking really hard to support the team through
to there as well.
Speaker 2 (13:44):
And finally, Nick in as always, thanks very much for
your time, your availability. The other nations that are putting
their hat in for this, who are they? Who's the
most likely candidates to maybe challenge you guys in twenty
thirty four and pick it up or pick it up earlier.
Speaker 7 (14:00):
Yeah, we don't have visibility of thirty four at the stage,
but for twenty thirty it's India, Canada, Nigeria and two
others that are still held confidentially. So you know again
within that environment they will bring different streets and different
opportunities and that will be part of what will be
voted on at the Commonwealth Sports General Assembly later in
the year to pick the preferred or to agree the
(14:24):
next host location.
Speaker 2 (14:26):
All right, rubber stamped then and then we wait with
beta breath to see if you can reel it in
for twenty thirty four. CEO of NZC, Nicky Nickel, thanks
very much for your time. You look after yourself.
Speaker 10 (14:37):
Thanks Darcy.
Speaker 7 (14:38):
Thanks an hear it from.
Speaker 1 (14:39):
The biggest names and sports and men.
Speaker 11 (14:41):
Have your sale eighty eighty sports Talk or more on
your home of Sports news Talk Zippy.
Speaker 2 (14:47):
That's Nick Nicole, chief executive of the New Zealand Olympic Committee, Nigeria, India,
Canada and two more as yet to be disclosed in
line to host the twenty thirty Commonwealth Games. You would
read about it, would you intensive purposes? You'd think that
(15:07):
was belly up and slowly just dying in the hot sun.
It looks like there's people out there who care and
they think it is relevant. I think it is worth
saving the biggest story. I suppose the relevance of the
Commonwealth full stop. Let alone the Games. We won't get
(15:28):
into that is far too political, or leave that for
Behead or Mike or someone who's more question lines. But
what does it actually mean anyway? The Games itself going
to reboot this thing. They've already chopped it and slashed
it down to basically no sports, ten sports, staying in hotels,
(15:49):
no athletes village. These are the kind of moves that
the Olympic Games need to make. Of course, it's a
massive cash car for a whole lot of paper bag
stuffed individuals is basically robbing each other blind and when
everyone forgets about it, when the Olympics starts, it's so
much fun. But it's a gross abuse of money. It
(16:13):
really is foul. And I've been saying this for years
and you're still listening. I think as soon as it starts,
as soon as the first event starts, everyone forgets about that.
They forget about the legacy of debt and misery and
the white elephants that litter the landscape that various parties
(16:36):
have tacked and said okay to just to get the
glory of the Olympic Games. It's wrecked them as a nation.
But the Olympics won't think about pairing things back. Why
why would they? Right, they're a runaway money training. It's
going to carry on bringing everybody whatever they've got because
it's the Olympics. But the Comwealth Game don't have that opportunity.
(16:57):
It was on death row, but now it looks like
it's making the required changes to make it relevant in
this day and age. Always talked about that mid level,
as I spoke about with Necking. You talk to a
number of athletes saying the experience at multi event games
(17:20):
like the Commonwealth Games prepares them so well for the
Olympic Games. You're not overawed with the size of the crowd,
the weight of the competition, the fact there are so
many other athletes committing there as well, and it's not
so much of a shock to the system, and it's
an event that is palpable. You can actually perform there.
(17:45):
It's not completely out of the question. Olympics is next level,
up ten levels, but the Commonwealth Games not. But it's
still a major event. You've got to applaud the people
are trying to make this work. There's definitely what the
Olympic Games should be doing. So well, then do you
get it? Will Canada get Nigeria, a couple of others
(18:05):
who won't tell us what their names are yet, and
then New Zealand twenty thirty four. I've been reasonably a
dismissive of the Commonwealth Games previously. I know, again, like
the Olympics. As soon as it starts, I'm like, wow,
this is so cool, and I'm right into it because
(18:26):
i can't help myself, right, I'm easily lead like that.
But I've always doubted the fiscal responsibility of hosting it.
What does it actually bring and this is the only
way it's going to be done. And I think this
will be well embraced by people accepted, so it should be,
although it probably should stay in England because they are
(18:47):
the Commonwealth after all. But is this the way forty
you think it's going to actually manage to save its
own skin? Do you see the Commonwealth Games as dragging
itself back into significance one hundred days by the way
till Glasgow starts all staying at hotels, not no athletes, village,
none of that rubbish? How good? Oh eight hundred and
(19:08):
eighty ten eighty is the future of the Comwealth Games
looking a whole lot better? I mean they're talking a
good story, right, they talk a good talk. Can they
action that? You've got faith, You've got to desire, you
want to see this carry on when I go back
to the glory days of seventy four oh eight hundred
(19:29):
and eighty ten eighty. As long as it doesn't bankrupt
the nation or the nation's attending, I'm all over it.
Get amongst seven twenty six.
Speaker 11 (19:46):
The right call is your call on oh eight hundred
eighty ten eighty sports talk, call on your home of
sports news Talk siy.
Speaker 2 (20:21):
Best easy, But Bell, I t you've done a good
job getting that old extraordinary. I'd say that probably all
the abuse over the years is maybe pickled them and
that's keep them alive. Rest easy, Osborne. What a ride
you've had and yes, indeed we will see you on
the other side. It's half past seven. This is a
(20:43):
sports talk on that news talk to you b twenty
third of July. It is, it's a Wednesday, It's not
one hundred days. I've got a bit excited. It's a
year until the start of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, right,
not one hundred a year. We will make mistakes, okay,
at least I'm not a pilot. Would not be good
at all. We're gonna go to the calls now commonweuth games. Look,
they're trying to make it work. Good on them all
(21:08):
over it. They're being sensible and fiscally responsible. My lord, really,
have you got faith in hope? Do you think this
should carry on? Has this got a relevant place? Where
is this putting the proverbial uphill with a rake? Conrad?
How are you?
Speaker 8 (21:25):
Yeah? Good?
Speaker 12 (21:26):
Thanks? Dar's a good topic I because it also leads
on with the New Zealand. Might host in the future.
And I'm just thinking though that the problem from those games,
in my opinion, was not the Conwealth Games. The problem
was that too many sports were happening, and you're bringing
in sports with me, don't pay their way. I mean,
I'm really curious to know. As an example, in the
nineteen ninety com Wealth Games, where are they charging the
(21:47):
thing to enter Mountain Start stadium as to enter those
bowls toennements in Southward?
Speaker 2 (21:54):
I don't know. I was living in London, no idea.
What was going on even in London itself was young
and reckon, yes, but I don't know, do you think
and gorged? And that's the problem too big to handle.
Speaker 12 (22:06):
Well, I'll give an example, right like in n ninety
eight at Kyle Limpa they had the od like cricket,
do you remember that. I think we've got a silver now.
That's precisely the problem. They're expanding it too ridiculously. I mean,
you know, you know the high Gump, We've got hamosture,
and there's still a huge demand for so the gold
ribbon evental I think that's the word they call them.
(22:26):
Everything else. But you're going to add these other random
sports into it, like Indo a bowls or some other
random stuff and yeah and some other good just I mean,
it's so easy to kind of, you know, like they're
doing Glasgow, just kind of cut down and don't be
so kind of excess when it comes to things like
accommodation and stuff.
Speaker 2 (22:44):
Well, they've slashed, they've slashed. They're down to ten because
they have to. But they've got the facilities to use.
They're going to stay in hotels and as mentioned would
like to think, they're not going to spend twenty million
dollars on a ridiculous opening ceremony, which I think are
the stupidest things in sports. So more strength there are
(23:04):
fiscal responsibility.
Speaker 12 (23:06):
No way, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Here's another gar idea, like,
for example, you've got the last five for most games,
You've got Manchester, Delhi, Gold Coast, Melbourne, just keep rotating
amongst those five. I wonder what the cost would be.
Speaker 2 (23:18):
Then, Well, there was a thought process around this last
year and we're talking about it. It's the Commonwealth. It
was the last great bastion of of England, which is
slightly but surely collapsing. Maybe you should just have it
there as opposed to anywhere else I think the magic
will go somewhat, but yeah, we're rotating. What's wrong with that? Right? Yeah? Okay,
(23:38):
thank you, yeah, no, thank you Connord. Thanks for your time.
Oh one hundred and eighty ten eighty lines are open.
I think it's the fascinating that there's still a want
for this at that level and it can be done.
(23:59):
We don't want an Olympic Game situation. You ever climb
on social media of any variety, there's some incredible picture
essays around the mess that's been left by the Olympic Games.
Once it's picked up and walked away. It's horrifying the
(24:23):
amount of money that these governments organizations spent on attracting
the Olympic Games, spending billions and billions and billions of dollars.
It's obscene. So they've got the financial responsibility, but I
also think we've got to look at the waste around it,
(24:46):
man ows poured into it, and what the legacy is.
Normally it's bankruptcy. So you've got to applaud the Common Games,
don't you for trying to work a way through it,
because it still has relevance, and we go to that
relevance on what scale in the Commonwealth. They're all very
(25:09):
different countries. They've got one thing in common. Obviously, the
English turned up and stop whatever they could and took
them back to the r and a museum, right, So
that is on v it?
Speaker 7 (25:16):
What is it?
Speaker 2 (25:17):
What's the museum? Did even go when I was over it? Anyway?
Sports that the Commonwealth play that we like that, celebrate
that and in a track and field program because people
love track and field at big games, right, and track
and field isn't expensive. It's pretty cheap to run. Right. Oh,
(25:38):
eight one hundred and eighty ten. Eighties have got a future?
Do you want to part of a good a Andy?
Speaker 8 (25:43):
Okay, here you go.
Speaker 2 (25:44):
I'm going very well, what about yourself?
Speaker 8 (25:48):
I'm not too bad to thank you very much?
Speaker 7 (25:50):
Good?
Speaker 2 (25:50):
What's on your mind?
Speaker 8 (25:52):
Well, I was going to say, I think the Commonwealth
Games are great because effectively you've got first tier in
second tier athletes compete. And what we're talking about we
talk the Canadian and something else first Test sprinters or
(26:15):
something of this Commonwealth Games. But you've got those athletes
from New Zealand and the other countries who may not
do too well in the Olympic Games, but they can
still aspire to the Commonwealth Games and get gold medals
and stuff like that, and I think it just brings
through the sports people.
Speaker 2 (26:40):
To just what it gives them experience in a big stadium.
It gives them experience in a major world event where
they had to peak at exactly the right time and
everyone's on display at the same time. So that's the
same energy is broad.
Speaker 8 (26:57):
Yeah, I totally agree, And I mean some of these
athletes may not get to the Olympics, or if they do,
they may not you know, achieve a final or something
like that. But they can go to the Commonwealth Games,
which is still a big atmosphere and stuff like that,
and they can you know, they can get their goals,
(27:20):
their souls or whatever.
Speaker 2 (27:22):
They can have the national and played, and they can
mingle other athletes and look, they might go to that
next level of the Olympics. We're talking about a petty games.
It's like, you're never going to be good enough to
hear play here because a lot of these people are
They're going to move on up and this is part
of that that process that they have.
Speaker 8 (27:39):
So I totally agree.
Speaker 2 (27:40):
Important. Yeah, I love the way that they're not is
it reinventing the wheel they just want to take the
wheel back to the old days. Let's want to go
back to where it was, and it wasn't scene.
Speaker 8 (27:55):
We're not really reinventing the wheld because Commonyweld's Games has
gone for a long time.
Speaker 2 (28:02):
Their wheel's got like pneumatic tires and spoky's and all
things on it. That's going to strip all that rubbish
back just to stand that our wheel again.
Speaker 8 (28:10):
Right, yep, good, But no, Look, I just think that
you know from you know, people in New Zealand stuff
like that, and from the other Commonwealth countries, the athletes
really enjoy going there. It seems to be a great event.
And you've got athletes who will go on from the
(28:32):
Commonwealth Games to the Olympics and stuff like that. But
if you don't give them an opportunity like the Commonwealth Games,
then you know where were going to go to.
Speaker 2 (28:41):
Yeah, I think as long as you're not Andy, thanks
very much for your time just offering up a games
for game's sake, that there is some relevant, some meaning
and it doesn't leave a trial of destruction. It's wake.
It's a place for it. Right. Do you remember the
chaos around Dally trying to get the athletes accommodation together
(29:03):
and the photographs of them. Oh wow, that was a
not this time round. If there is enough capacity rights
this texture and hotels for tourists of athletes or in
hotels or are they just banking on TV viewership? I
don't know. They're banking on not losing a lot of
money by building a whole of prefab buildings that no
(29:24):
one sits in. Right, we're going to go up next
to Skira Baker. We're going to talk a bit of
NRLW Warriors place Curra joins us. Shortly, I'll leave you
this text hardly innovative. To live within the means and
stick to your core business with the Commonwealth Games, making
use of existing facilities with only necessary upgrades is more
(29:47):
pragmatic than building new legacy stadium. Yes, yes, of course
addedtional accommodation. You only be built if new accommodation is
needed for the citizens post event. Otherwise use existing hotels,
maybe billeting. That's an old school concept. Recognize the opening
ceremony is the unnecessary excess that it is. Let the
event be about athleticism, Let local tourism promote their place,
(30:08):
people and culture. Aiden I think you are me and
you just rolled to myself to that makes it. That
was great work. This is Newstalk ZB twenty one a
way from eight NRLW with Shakira Baker. Next where seven
(30:35):
seven twos News TALKSZB and Darsi water Grave. This is
sports talk right, let's talk about nrl W the New
Zealand at Women's Decide. The Warriors women's team are playing
the Titans, part of a double header on Saturday at
Go Media, Mount Smart, et cetera, et cetera. We're joined
now by one of the players, a former sevens platform
(30:59):
Black Ferns player. Now I'll warrior. Her name is Shakira Baker.
Good evening, Secure, Hi, good evening, looking ahead to this weekend.
It's huge. You're a double header. Are the Titans against
the Wars and the Titans against the Waheni Wars. I'm
not quite sure what the nickname should be. What is it?
What do you girls call yourselves?
Speaker 6 (31:19):
Yeah, we're just one New Zealand Warriors woman's at the moment,
we haven't really yeah, I think that's what we're we've
decided to call ourselves.
Speaker 2 (31:29):
I'll find a ridiculous nickname and you won't agree with me,
and you'll normally complete. But that's okay. That's the way
these things roll. So you're an accomplished code player in
sevens and rugby union at the very top level. For
the Black Ferns, you played Hurricanes poor. Now you find
yourself playing rugby league. What's the transition being like for you.
Speaker 10 (31:51):
I'm enjoying it. It's it's refreshing, it's something new.
Speaker 6 (31:55):
I'm learning the game every new things every day, so
I'm really enjoying the transition. Physically, it's been it's been
demanding in a big different so I'm finding from the
different codes, especially the position that I've been playing. But
I'm really enjoying the journey so far.
Speaker 2 (32:15):
What drove you to make this decision to disappear off
to rugby league. What was the primary driver behind that move.
Speaker 6 (32:23):
I think it was the opportunity to continue to be
an athlete. And I guess after I've I've sort of
done everything I possibly could in the union space and
at the top level, and I guess challenging myself in
a different code, and yeah, again, I guess the opportunity
(32:44):
to play and to train as an athlete and get
paid to do it. Sort of enticed me to cross
code a.
Speaker 2 (32:51):
Little bit get paid to do it. That's an absolute key,
isn't it. Yeah, definitely, you take so much time off
when you're representing, especially for the Wahini earlier on. Anyway,
the last kind of teen years, it's been different. So
this is hugely important as far as what you bring
to the field from your sevens experience and form your
(33:13):
Black Ferns experience. What do you think is the key
for you that you can help with the rest of
the team as opposed to you just learning rugby league.
Speaker 6 (33:21):
I guess it's obviously being at a high performing level
for so long. I guess in that space the nrlws
sort of finding their feet in the professional sort of world,
so I guess as an athlete bringing that culture into
the team, but also on the field, I'm not. I'm
sort of your bigger sort of athlete, so I guess, yes,
(33:43):
trying to use my size and my speed, I guess
on the field and sort of, yeah, dominate in that area.
Speaker 2 (33:53):
With you playing your game on offense, there's one thing
on defense and working out the structures of rugby league.
How's that transition going?
Speaker 12 (34:02):
Yeah?
Speaker 10 (34:04):
Quite difficult. I'm sort of.
Speaker 6 (34:05):
I guess in preseason it was sort of trying to
get rid.
Speaker 10 (34:09):
Of those Union habits of placing the ball, and.
Speaker 6 (34:15):
I'm pretty sure I would have gone rather if I
did that on my first in round W game.
Speaker 10 (34:18):
But yeah, I guess.
Speaker 6 (34:20):
Those little subtle differences, and you know, and Union you're
trying to get up to your feet as fast as possible,
but in league you're trying to hold them down for
as long as possible. So yeah, there's little subtle differences
the tackle techniques and things like that that I'm sort
of trying to improve every week, and the major differences
that I'm trying to get used.
Speaker 2 (34:40):
To also from playing out why because you played fullback,
wing maybe sometimes center on rugby and there you're coming
in the second row. That has been quite the transition
as well.
Speaker 6 (34:50):
Yeah, well my first couple of games, I think it
was a majority of tackles that I was making rather
than getting ball in hand, which is also mentally challenging
for me because there's the positions that I played in
sevens and fifteens.
Speaker 10 (35:05):
There was more attacks focus.
Speaker 6 (35:06):
So it's definitely a change that I'm getting used to,
but also knowing that you're adding value to the team
and you're doing and that's what you're employed to do.
So just having that mental change and shift, I guess
in that area.
Speaker 2 (35:23):
You still got a burst of speed. Have you a
turn of speed, because as we've seen in that second row,
if you've got a bit of towe about and also
you said you bring a lot of bulk to their
possession because you're a bigger athlete, this must be an
absolute joy. Can you Can you still like blaze people?
Can you still set your feet on fire and disappear?
Speaker 13 (35:43):
Yeah?
Speaker 6 (35:43):
I just I'm just trying to find the right hole
to get give me in a hole and to to
sort of stretch my legs a little bit and sort
of was watching the men's game last week and saw
the number eleven liquor. I think it is get that runaway.
I was like, man, I want to be like him.
So now, yeah, still trying to find my feet in
the attacking sort of sense, but yeah, stretch the legs
(36:07):
a little bit.
Speaker 2 (36:07):
I was going to mention like Halasima as well. I
thought that might be a bit too close, but of
course you'll be watching going I want to do that
as well. What have you been learning from the coaching staff.
They're just a message from Ron straight to you. What's
been their big workthrough?
Speaker 6 (36:23):
I think it's just, yeah, they're sort of drip feeding
little things to focus on throughout the games and and
sort of they don't want to overflood me with content
and sort of give me two to three main focuses,
which is really good, and just ticking off those things.
So it's going to be you're not going to get
(36:45):
and he's big on you're not going to get everything right,
But as long as we took off off things and
improve each week, that's what he's probably installed in to me,
which has been really good.
Speaker 10 (36:55):
So it takes off that pressure.
Speaker 6 (36:57):
And as a high performing athlete, you know, you always
want to be the best and do the best, but
understanding that this is a new code and a new
game that I'm trying to learn. So he's been really
good and also the experienced gills and giving me little
pointers into being better and improving each time. But yeah,
not dwelling on the mistakes but taking them as key learnings.
Speaker 2 (37:21):
What's the fitness requirements like compared to sevens. I mean,
sevens are ridiculously fit, but in that a different type
of fitness that you require. You're working through that, Okay.
Speaker 6 (37:33):
One hundred percent. It's a different energy system that you're
working and it's the wrestling, it's the it's the physicality
and then going from six tackles and then going on
to attack and you know.
Speaker 10 (37:47):
That stuff is.
Speaker 6 (37:49):
I didn't realize actually until I was in it. You know,
you think you've been in sevens and you've been at
you know, you've done the hardest sort of training that
there is, but then you come I've come to league
and realized, like, this is this is taxing on the body.
And yeah, so it's you know sevens is and fifteen's
(38:09):
is different, but league is is different again. And pre
season was good, but it wasn't until we got to
our first game and now having our third game under
about you know what to expect, you know what the
collisions are going to be like.
Speaker 10 (38:22):
But yeah, it was.
Speaker 6 (38:24):
Differently a wake up call when we were getting into
our preseason and the tackle, going into tackle and then
having to wrestle and then get up and go again,
and it's and it's quite a fast game, you don't realize.
Speaker 10 (38:38):
And getting back to that ten as well and going again.
Speaker 6 (38:40):
So now, yeah, it was diffinitely eye opening, and I
definitely take my hat off to two league players and
the fitness requirements that are Yeah, that they that they do.
Speaker 2 (38:55):
I'd say, you're taking it's like a duck to water.
You sound like you're really happy. You sound like you're
having a great time. You're definitely challenged by what you're facing,
but you're rising to that occasion. Is that right? Are
you in a happy space Sekira?
Speaker 6 (39:09):
Yeah, definitely am like, I'm grateful to be here. And
I think it's a testament to the culture that our
management and our teams sort of put in place and
allowing everyone to be who they who they are and yeah,
and then just knowing that we're not going to get
it right, but as long as we take the learnings, like, yeah,
it's a cool environment to be involved in, and yeah,
(39:32):
I'm really happy at where I'm at at the moment.
Speaker 1 (39:34):
You no need for the DMO.
Speaker 11 (39:36):
We've got the breakdown on Sports Talk Call eight.
Speaker 3 (39:41):
News Talk.
Speaker 2 (39:44):
Eight minutes to age Shakira Baker. She wears eleven on
a jumper. From playing on the outside back, she's now
playing the second row. This is the female version of
Leka Halma. You need to watch this lady play and
you can this weekend to forty five. I think it
kicks off mount smart Go media whatever it's called Orange
(40:04):
theory lost track, and that is against the Titans, ahead
of the Warriors who are going to take on and
take apart. The Titans are right at the bottom of
the table. His suggestions around what we should call the
the Women's Wars team the wah Wahs or the wah
Wahs or that they're terrible suggestions, but thanks for your time.
Speaker 13 (40:23):
This is news talk zb the Wahinias, the Wais, the
wares Hemi, the.
Speaker 2 (40:45):
Generals gathered in their masses just like witches at Black Mass.
It's almost a sin to talk over this, right, considering
the great man. It's just passed on. Sorcerer of depth construction.
(41:06):
He I think his name is actually John. Yeah, pop
story is that John Osborne. You run a bozzi Rest easy,
big man. Spread a lot of joy through your insane
hard rocks throughout your life. Mestl career seventy days, nineties.
(41:31):
He goes on and on and on. He probably wasn't
aware of the last twenty years, but that's okay. He
was around And if you think I'm being rude and
being speaking out of the dead. I'm not because this
is what this guy was all about. He was dark,
he was full of chaos, no respect for anyone, drank
(41:53):
and snorted and robbed and rolled and had a terrific
time terrorizing everybody. Hed to take notice on you, John Osborne,
you rule. That's it from us, myself and executive producer
and the man who stops me saying everything I want
to say because he knows that I'll lose my job
(42:15):
if I do. He's my censor. He's the man that
provides me with the job because he's responsible and it's militant.
Thank you for taking the hits. I'm the Dusty water Grave.
I catch you tomorrow. He's my filter, all right.
Speaker 1 (42:37):
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 Darcy Waldegrave
from News Talk ZEDB.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
Good evening, How is it? I'm Darcy Autograve and it's
all good. Even if it's bad, it's good right, positive outlook, uplifted,
not being freaked out by the unknown. The magic is
in the unknown. I'm going to stop being philosophical and
you start talking sport, which I will be doing. And
you can join an eight hundred eighty ten eighty three
(00:40):
phone number nationwide. Climb on in and have your say
on the issue of the day around sport. Two guests
this evening. Baker Lloyne joins us later on in the piece.
Used to play seven's nationally, used to play for the
(01:03):
Black Ferns. Decided you might have a bit of a
while after spending time with the Hurricanes. Poe playing a
rugby league. Now she's a warrior, she joins us at
the end of the program, coming from fullback wing maybe
center sometimes I think now in the second row. Talked
to her about that transformation, about how that's working for
(01:24):
her and what next. That's Sekira Baker joins us later
on the piece. Up first Nicky Nicholas with us she's
the chief executive officer of the New Zealand Olympic Committee. Look,
I saw this headline, this story today and it's like, nah, really,
Commonwealth Games is on the rise, is dragging itself back
(01:45):
up of its knees to its feet again. I think
most people thought that was as good as over once
Glasgy came in and rescued the last edition of the
Commonwealth Games by slashing and burning it down to ten sports,
that it was going to struggle maybe twenty thirty New
Zealand Mike climbing in twenty thirty four, but was a
bit and I don't know, I got money, do we care?
(02:07):
But it looks like it's it's on the way back.
Five nations want to host the twenty thirty version. Five
wow Comwealth Games in the best possible taste. Is like
a zombie won't die. It just keeps marching towards you,
looking for brains, right, stunning And Nicky Nichol was going
(02:32):
to join us shortly to talk about the resuscitation, the revival,
about where it's going right, how it's relevant, and then
we'll take your calls on that as well, if indeed
it is, and we'll talk about what Nicky has to
say about how the corn Mouth Games operates, how it
should operate, and how it's managed to In essence, currently
(02:52):
fingers crossed touch Wood saved itself from extinction. That's still
to calm Before any of that, though, We're going to
do it normally do which is climbing to this sport today,
and sport today ain't time. Lennard Brown is burning from
the inside. The veteran All Black midfielder has re signed
within until the end of twenty twenty eight. He's taking,
(03:15):
of course, the now obligatory sabbatical, which is part of
the course for the senior members of our national side.
But back to being on fire. An ultimate goal when
you're here is you want to represent your country and
were the Black jersey. I still got a file for
me to strive to do that every year whenever he's
trying to light his own but that was the case.
(03:38):
I'm sorry, thank you, mister Melissa. I need help. The
magic mind of former All Black mental skills coach Gilbert
Andoka is already being felt by English cricket Ben Stokes
is avent hold on, hold on, so Ben Stokes for
all intentsive purposes as a New Zealander, right, He's just
(04:00):
like decided to be English when his dad's place of birth.
Brenda McCullum, coach is a New Zealander and now they've
gone and flogged down mental skills. Coach, it's your own
players anyway. Gilbert's head in effet.
Speaker 3 (04:17):
I'm sure you've all looked up Gilbert's CV pretty good.
He's comments. We spent some time around the team. He's
been able to put into words what we want to
do a lot better than what me and Buzz would
ever be able to do.
Speaker 2 (04:29):
What it sounds like he's coaching forty five forty five.
Venus Williams, who was in Lebel forty five of her
Life's one, a match in the WDA. Her first singles
game in sixteen months saw her beat a girl half
her age at the Washington Open care forty five. It's
just a number.
Speaker 4 (04:52):
Venus Williams back with a bang and becomes the oldest
WTA Tour winner since two thousand and four.
Speaker 2 (05:03):
We spoke of this yesterday in all New Zealand's transparency
and their release around player eligibility and reading through it,
we were it wasn't very clear at all anyway, clarity
is what they strive but for who neither any canas
I wasn't sure. Karen Berger isn't sure either.
Speaker 5 (05:24):
It's just making sure that players have one hundred percent
clarity and are able to answer those questions so that
they know what they're getting into and make sure that
they can still put their best foot forward for the
Black Dress as well. So I only know what we
need to do on our end, what the criteria looks like,
and whether they'll approve it.
Speaker 6 (05:42):
Not sure, Okay, And that's sport today.
Speaker 2 (05:47):
Twelve minutes after seven, This is Sports Talk on News Talk.
Zeb B will take your calls on one hundred and
eighty ten eighty after our chat with Nicky Nickel, CEO
of the New Zealand Olympic Committee, and text as well.
That's going to cost your standard text charge, but I'm
sure we can deal with that. Nineteen nineteen z B
z B is the way to get straight through to
(06:09):
the studio, right. Nicky nikol Wak joins us now to
discuss the revival of the common Games.
Speaker 7 (06:17):
Good evening, Nicky, Good evening, Darcy, thanks for having me and.
Speaker 2 (06:20):
Thanks for joining us. Sort tale today about the Commonwealth
Games and it fascinated me as a good news story
in the fact that there are so many nations now
that want to engage all this and this is after
pretty much the death rights for the Commonwealth Games over
the last few years. What what a turnaround this has been.
Speaker 7 (06:39):
It has been an amazing resurrection and lot there's still
a lot of work to be done, but it's exciting
that firstly Glasgow put their hand up and we still
will have a really important and material games. But the
interest post twenty twenty six to twenty thirty and thirty
four is already really strong and unprecedented in twenty thirty
with five countries already putting their hands up.
Speaker 2 (06:59):
What's driven this? Where does this come from?
Speaker 8 (07:02):
Well?
Speaker 7 (07:02):
I think it's a number of factors, but I think
one of them is international sport is still really important
and you know, even for New Zealander's the Commonwealth Games
is in our top three global sports and globally the
Comonweth Games is in the top ten. So it's still
a material product in that international landscape. And I also
think as with Olympics as with Commonwealth Games, we're now
(07:24):
coming up with models that make it much more sustainable
and so Glasgow started that process and I think whoever
gets twenty thirty and beyond that much more economically attractive
than where they've been in the past. So yeah, I
think that's all good for international sports.
Speaker 2 (07:39):
Well, that's enormous for big multi sport events such as
this in the Olympic Games, that's got to be next
as far as sustainability. But we all just don't have
the money anymore. They known want a legacy of debt
and I think you can attach that the Olympics in
some way shape or form. At the Commonwealth Games. I
suppose leading the pack in what they're doing there. It's
(08:00):
had buying from all over.
Speaker 7 (08:02):
The Commonwealth, absolutely right, and I think it's a little
things like, you know, we are going to have to
change some of the ways that we interact or that
you know, we participate in the Games. And for example,
you know, our teams will be staying in hotels this
time around in Glasgow. Not enough time to build a village.
And actually they don't want a village. They've got great
infrastructure on the back of twenty fourteen and they just
(08:25):
want to make sure that that you know, sporting infrastructure
is used as often as possible. So again, being innovative
and creative has come up with some different options and
will embrace that. Our team will embrace it. And the
important thing for them is what happens, you know, on
the field or in the pool or on the court,
and that's still you know, sacrisanct and what was being
put together.
Speaker 2 (08:44):
Oh, please tell me they're not going to spend two
hundred million dollars on an opening ceremony because to me,
that's still one of the most phenomenal wastes of money
at any big sporting event like that. They're going to
keep it down. I'm not stort getting the mayor and
just cut of ribbon, but that's going to be pulled
back a bit, right.
Speaker 7 (08:59):
It's absolutely going to be paied back, and certainly Commonwealth Sport,
you know, that's been the strong message from them is
you know, we don't want to see cities, countries investing
in that. There are too many other important things that
we all need across our communities and so it will
be appeared back. It's still will be special, it's still
will be important, but it won't be you know, the
all singing and dancing that we've had in the past.
Speaker 2 (09:20):
It's called reading the room and it's very very important
in this day and age. So let's go to New
Zealand's hopes and dreams to hosting a Common Game. This
is not locked and loaded. This is something that you're
still trying to reel in the chances, the possibilities. How
are you feeling Whi's your confidence level?
Speaker 7 (09:40):
Yeah, we're really excited and we think New Zealand would
be amazing at hosting the games. We look back at
our legacy from nineteen ninety those that are in the
nineteen seventy four, you know, just over fifty years ago,
so you know, they're really big milestones. You know, the
twenty eleven World Cup, the Women's World Cups that we
had through twenty two to twenty three. You know, these
are really well regarded. You know, the community lifts, the
(10:04):
volunteers that get involved a awesome events. So that's certainly
our aspiration and ambition. There's lots of work to be
done and we're still waiting on the process to be
outlined from Commonweal Sport, but at the moment we are
really optimistic that we can pull something really special together
for our athletes, for our sports, but also for the
New Zealand community.
Speaker 2 (10:26):
In the current climate, the economic climate, it's probably a
stretch to demand a handful of money from the government.
But I'm presuming they're going to be or not entirely
footing the bill, but their contribution will be large. How
do you justify that?
Speaker 7 (10:42):
Yeah, and that's certainly why twenty thirty we have not
entertained the idea. We think that's far too soon. We
all know how tough it's been for New Zealand. So
that's why twenty thirty four is the window that we
are looking at. And you know, we believe if we've
got you know, the economy going well and lots of
positive things, and it's a good investment and there'll be
a good return on that investment. You're right though, there's
(11:03):
other commercial revenue tickets, sponsorship, broadcast that all go into
the mix as well. But there will still be you know,
the residual will still need to be found from within
the coffers and so we're trying to do everything we
can as well to understand what that could look like
and how affordable it can be.
Speaker 2 (11:18):
The CEO of New Olympic Committee, Nicking Nickel, joins us
as far as the movable feast. That is the games
we've seen lot's changed, They've shrunk the table, they've taken
some of the dishes away. But is this likely to
carry on shape shifting throughout the next four, eight, twelve years.
Is it very much up for grabs what the Commonwealth
(11:39):
Games will bring.
Speaker 7 (11:41):
Yeah, so this time ran as you know, Darcy, it's
ten sports, which have got six sports with howrah disciplines within.
But certainly the Commonwealth Sports intent for future games is
that the blueprint will have at least fifteen and they
think somewhere between fifteen to eighteen sports will be that
sweet spot. And I think that gets us back to
the games of old. And you know again is sustainable
(12:05):
word that's used often is important because we want that
legacy to continue.
Speaker 2 (12:09):
And from an athlete perspective, we don't underestimate how important
this event is. As I'm not saying it's second to
the Olympics, but it's a stepping stone, is it not
to that major event? And every athlete I've spoken to
talks of the import of performing in front of a
big audience in a particular set of times and boundaries.
(12:31):
It's huge for them to get used to that pressure.
Speaker 7 (12:34):
It is and the multi sport environment is different to
your individual sport World championship, so that is one of
the things that our athletes tell us. So the Commonwealth
Games is a fantastic opportunity for that. But then the
Commonwealth is particular sports that run really deep with quality
of field, so again from a high performance perspective, really important.
You know, if you're a summer racing in the Australians,
(12:54):
that's a pretty good benchmark. And also we've got sports
where you know, the Commonwealth are some of the pinnacles,
so our netball and bowls and other sports like that
that aren't on the Olympic program. So and for some
it is the pinnacle of their career. So I mean,
I think there's lots of ways the Commonwealth plays into
you know, what is the importance of the Commonwealth in
the Commonwealth Games in an athlete's journey.
Speaker 2 (13:16):
Are we going to get the sevens back?
Speaker 7 (13:19):
Definitely, my pre rugby, my rugby experience before this.
Speaker 9 (13:23):
One, I'm a big fan and yeah, and obviously the
sevens program with New Zealand rugby is phenomenal. It's you know,
we know how successful it is, so we are hopeful
next games to see sevens back in the Acclelias on
the program for Los Angeles and I know the rugby
community we're looking really hard to support the team through
to there as well.
Speaker 2 (13:44):
And finally, Nick in as always, thanks very much for
your time, your availability. The other nations that are putting
their hat in for this, who are they? Who's the
most likely candidates to maybe challenge you guys in twenty
thirty four and pick it up or pick it up earlier.
Speaker 7 (14:00):
Yeah, we don't have visibility of thirty four at the stage,
but for twenty thirty it's India, Canada, Nigeria and two
others that are still held confidentially. So you know again
within that environment they will bring different streets and different
opportunities and that will be part of what will be
voted on at the Commonwealth Sports General Assembly later in
the year to pick the preferred or to agree the
(14:24):
next host location.
Speaker 2 (14:26):
All right, rubber stamped then and then we wait with
beta breath to see if you can reel it in
for twenty thirty four. CEO of NZC, Nicky Nickel, thanks
very much for your time. You look after yourself.
Speaker 10 (14:37):
Thanks Darcy.
Speaker 7 (14:38):
Thanks an hear it from.
Speaker 1 (14:39):
The biggest names and sports and men.
Speaker 11 (14:41):
Have your sale eighty eighty sports Talk or more on
your home of Sports news Talk Zippy.
Speaker 2 (14:47):
That's Nick Nicole, chief executive of the New Zealand Olympic Committee, Nigeria, India,
Canada and two more as yet to be disclosed in
line to host the twenty thirty Commonwealth Games. You would
read about it, would you intensive purposes? You'd think that
(15:07):
was belly up and slowly just dying in the hot sun.
It looks like there's people out there who care and
they think it is relevant. I think it is worth
saving the biggest story. I suppose the relevance of the
Commonwealth full stop. Let alone the Games. We won't get
(15:28):
into that is far too political, or leave that for
Behead or Mike or someone who's more question lines. But
what does it actually mean anyway? The Games itself going
to reboot this thing. They've already chopped it and slashed
it down to basically no sports, ten sports, staying in hotels,
(15:49):
no athletes village. These are the kind of moves that
the Olympic Games need to make. Of course, it's a
massive cash car for a whole lot of paper bag
stuffed individuals is basically robbing each other blind and when
everyone forgets about it, when the Olympics starts, it's so
much fun. But it's a gross abuse of money. It
(16:13):
really is foul. And I've been saying this for years
and you're still listening. I think as soon as it starts,
as soon as the first event starts, everyone forgets about that.
They forget about the legacy of debt and misery and
the white elephants that litter the landscape that various parties
(16:36):
have tacked and said okay to just to get the
glory of the Olympic Games. It's wrecked them as a nation.
But the Olympics won't think about pairing things back. Why
why would they? Right, they're a runaway money training. It's
going to carry on bringing everybody whatever they've got because
it's the Olympics. But the Comwealth Game don't have that opportunity.
(16:57):
It was on death row, but now it looks like
it's making the required changes to make it relevant in
this day and age. Always talked about that mid level,
as I spoke about with Necking. You talk to a
number of athletes saying the experience at multi event games
(17:20):
like the Commonwealth Games prepares them so well for the
Olympic Games. You're not overawed with the size of the crowd,
the weight of the competition, the fact there are so
many other athletes committing there as well, and it's not
so much of a shock to the system, and it's
an event that is palpable. You can actually perform there.
(17:45):
It's not completely out of the question. Olympics is next level,
up ten levels, but the Commonwealth Games not. But it's
still a major event. You've got to applaud the people
are trying to make this work. There's definitely what the
Olympic Games should be doing. So well, then do you
get it? Will Canada get Nigeria, a couple of others
(18:05):
who won't tell us what their names are yet, and
then New Zealand twenty thirty four. I've been reasonably a
dismissive of the Commonwealth Games previously. I know, again, like
the Olympics. As soon as it starts, I'm like, wow,
this is so cool, and I'm right into it because
(18:26):
i can't help myself, right, I'm easily lead like that.
But I've always doubted the fiscal responsibility of hosting it.
What does it actually bring and this is the only
way it's going to be done. And I think this
will be well embraced by people accepted, so it should be,
although it probably should stay in England because they are
(18:47):
the Commonwealth after all. But is this the way forty
you think it's going to actually manage to save its
own skin? Do you see the Commonwealth Games as dragging
itself back into significance one hundred days by the way
till Glasgow starts all staying at hotels, not no athletes, village,
none of that rubbish? How good? Oh eight hundred and
(19:08):
eighty ten eighty is the future of the Comwealth Games
looking a whole lot better? I mean they're talking a
good story, right, they talk a good talk. Can they
action that? You've got faith, You've got to desire, you
want to see this carry on when I go back
to the glory days of seventy four oh eight hundred
(19:29):
and eighty ten eighty. As long as it doesn't bankrupt
the nation or the nation's attending, I'm all over it.
Get amongst seven twenty six.
Speaker 11 (19:46):
The right call is your call on oh eight hundred
eighty ten eighty sports talk, call on your home of
sports news Talk siy.
Speaker 2 (20:21):
Best easy, But Bell, I t you've done a good
job getting that old extraordinary. I'd say that probably all
the abuse over the years is maybe pickled them and
that's keep them alive. Rest easy, Osborne. What a ride
you've had and yes, indeed we will see you on
the other side. It's half past seven. This is a
(20:43):
sports talk on that news talk to you b twenty
third of July. It is, it's a Wednesday, It's not
one hundred days. I've got a bit excited. It's a
year until the start of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, right,
not one hundred a year. We will make mistakes, okay,
at least I'm not a pilot. Would not be good
at all. We're gonna go to the calls now commonweuth games. Look,
they're trying to make it work. Good on them all
(21:08):
over it. They're being sensible and fiscally responsible. My lord, really,
have you got faith in hope? Do you think this
should carry on? Has this got a relevant place? Where
is this putting the proverbial uphill with a rake? Conrad?
How are you?
Speaker 8 (21:25):
Yeah? Good?
Speaker 12 (21:26):
Thanks? Dar's a good topic I because it also leads
on with the New Zealand. Might host in the future.
And I'm just thinking though that the problem from those games,
in my opinion, was not the Conwealth Games. The problem
was that too many sports were happening, and you're bringing
in sports with me, don't pay their way. I mean,
I'm really curious to know. As an example, in the
nineteen ninety com Wealth Games, where are they charging the
(21:47):
thing to enter Mountain Start stadium as to enter those
bowls toennements in Southward?
Speaker 2 (21:54):
I don't know. I was living in London, no idea.
What was going on even in London itself was young
and reckon, yes, but I don't know, do you think
and gorged? And that's the problem too big to handle.
Speaker 12 (22:06):
Well, I'll give an example, right like in n ninety
eight at Kyle Limpa they had the od like cricket,
do you remember that. I think we've got a silver now.
That's precisely the problem. They're expanding it too ridiculously. I mean,
you know, you know the high Gump, We've got hamosture,
and there's still a huge demand for so the gold
ribbon evental I think that's the word they call them.
(22:26):
Everything else. But you're going to add these other random
sports into it, like Indo a bowls or some other
random stuff and yeah and some other good just I mean,
it's so easy to kind of, you know, like they're
doing Glasgow, just kind of cut down and don't be
so kind of excess when it comes to things like
accommodation and stuff.
Speaker 2 (22:44):
Well, they've slashed, they've slashed. They're down to ten because
they have to. But they've got the facilities to use.
They're going to stay in hotels and as mentioned would
like to think, they're not going to spend twenty million
dollars on a ridiculous opening ceremony, which I think are
the stupidest things in sports. So more strength there are
(23:04):
fiscal responsibility.
Speaker 12 (23:06):
No way, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Here's another gar idea, like,
for example, you've got the last five for most games,
You've got Manchester, Delhi, Gold Coast, Melbourne, just keep rotating
amongst those five. I wonder what the cost would be.
Speaker 2 (23:18):
Then, Well, there was a thought process around this last
year and we're talking about it. It's the Commonwealth. It
was the last great bastion of of England, which is
slightly but surely collapsing. Maybe you should just have it
there as opposed to anywhere else I think the magic
will go somewhat, but yeah, we're rotating. What's wrong with that? Right? Yeah? Okay,
(23:38):
thank you, yeah, no, thank you Connord. Thanks for your time.
Oh one hundred and eighty ten eighty lines are open.
I think it's the fascinating that there's still a want
for this at that level and it can be done.
(23:59):
We don't want an Olympic Game situation. You ever climb
on social media of any variety, there's some incredible picture
essays around the mess that's been left by the Olympic Games.
Once it's picked up and walked away. It's horrifying the
(24:23):
amount of money that these governments organizations spent on attracting
the Olympic Games, spending billions and billions and billions of dollars.
It's obscene. So they've got the financial responsibility, but I
also think we've got to look at the waste around it,
(24:46):
man ows poured into it, and what the legacy is.
Normally it's bankruptcy. So you've got to applaud the Common Games,
don't you for trying to work a way through it,
because it still has relevance, and we go to that
relevance on what scale in the Commonwealth. They're all very
(25:09):
different countries. They've got one thing in common. Obviously, the
English turned up and stop whatever they could and took
them back to the r and a museum, right, So
that is on v it?
Speaker 7 (25:16):
What is it?
Speaker 2 (25:17):
What's the museum? Did even go when I was over it? Anyway?
Sports that the Commonwealth play that we like that, celebrate
that and in a track and field program because people
love track and field at big games, right, and track
and field isn't expensive. It's pretty cheap to run. Right. Oh,
(25:38):
eight one hundred and eighty ten. Eighties have got a future?
Do you want to part of a good a Andy?
Speaker 8 (25:43):
Okay, here you go.
Speaker 2 (25:44):
I'm going very well, what about yourself?
Speaker 8 (25:48):
I'm not too bad to thank you very much?
Speaker 7 (25:50):
Good?
Speaker 2 (25:50):
What's on your mind?
Speaker 8 (25:52):
Well, I was going to say, I think the Commonwealth
Games are great because effectively you've got first tier in
second tier athletes compete. And what we're talking about we
talk the Canadian and something else first Test sprinters or
(26:15):
something of this Commonwealth Games. But you've got those athletes
from New Zealand and the other countries who may not
do too well in the Olympic Games, but they can
still aspire to the Commonwealth Games and get gold medals
and stuff like that, and I think it just brings
through the sports people.
Speaker 2 (26:40):
To just what it gives them experience in a big stadium.
It gives them experience in a major world event where
they had to peak at exactly the right time and
everyone's on display at the same time. So that's the
same energy is broad.
Speaker 8 (26:57):
Yeah, I totally agree, And I mean some of these
athletes may not get to the Olympics, or if they do,
they may not you know, achieve a final or something
like that. But they can go to the Commonwealth Games,
which is still a big atmosphere and stuff like that,
and they can you know, they can get their goals,
(27:20):
their souls or whatever.
Speaker 2 (27:22):
They can have the national and played, and they can
mingle other athletes and look, they might go to that
next level of the Olympics. We're talking about a petty games.
It's like, you're never going to be good enough to
hear play here because a lot of these people are
They're going to move on up and this is part
of that that process that they have.
Speaker 8 (27:39):
So I totally agree.
Speaker 2 (27:40):
Important. Yeah, I love the way that they're not is
it reinventing the wheel they just want to take the
wheel back to the old days. Let's want to go
back to where it was, and it wasn't scene.
Speaker 8 (27:55):
We're not really reinventing the wheld because Commonyweld's Games has
gone for a long time.
Speaker 2 (28:02):
Their wheel's got like pneumatic tires and spoky's and all
things on it. That's going to strip all that rubbish
back just to stand that our wheel again.
Speaker 8 (28:10):
Right, yep, good, But no, Look, I just think that
you know from you know, people in New Zealand stuff
like that, and from the other Commonwealth countries, the athletes
really enjoy going there. It seems to be a great event.
And you've got athletes who will go on from the
(28:32):
Commonwealth Games to the Olympics and stuff like that. But
if you don't give them an opportunity like the Commonwealth Games,
then you know where were going to go to.
Speaker 2 (28:41):
Yeah, I think as long as you're not Andy, thanks
very much for your time just offering up a games
for game's sake, that there is some relevant, some meaning
and it doesn't leave a trial of destruction. It's wake.
It's a place for it. Right. Do you remember the
chaos around Dally trying to get the athletes accommodation together
(29:03):
and the photographs of them. Oh wow, that was a
not this time round. If there is enough capacity rights
this texture and hotels for tourists of athletes or in
hotels or are they just banking on TV viewership? I
don't know. They're banking on not losing a lot of
money by building a whole of prefab buildings that no
(29:24):
one sits in. Right, we're going to go up next
to Skira Baker. We're going to talk a bit of
NRLW Warriors place Curra joins us. Shortly, I'll leave you
this text hardly innovative. To live within the means and
stick to your core business with the Commonwealth Games, making
use of existing facilities with only necessary upgrades is more
(29:47):
pragmatic than building new legacy stadium. Yes, yes, of course
addedtional accommodation. You only be built if new accommodation is
needed for the citizens post event. Otherwise use existing hotels,
maybe billeting. That's an old school concept. Recognize the opening
ceremony is the unnecessary excess that it is. Let the
event be about athleticism, Let local tourism promote their place,
(30:08):
people and culture. Aiden I think you are me and
you just rolled to myself to that makes it. That
was great work. This is Newstalk ZB twenty one a
way from eight NRLW with Shakira Baker. Next where seven
(30:35):
seven twos News TALKSZB and Darsi water Grave. This is
sports talk right, let's talk about nrl W the New
Zealand at Women's Decide. The Warriors women's team are playing
the Titans, part of a double header on Saturday at
Go Media, Mount Smart, et cetera, et cetera. We're joined
now by one of the players, a former sevens platform
(30:59):
Black Ferns player. Now I'll warrior. Her name is Shakira Baker.
Good evening, Secure, Hi, good evening, looking ahead to this weekend.
It's huge. You're a double header. Are the Titans against
the Wars and the Titans against the Waheni Wars. I'm
not quite sure what the nickname should be. What is it?
What do you girls call yourselves?
Speaker 6 (31:19):
Yeah, we're just one New Zealand Warriors woman's at the moment,
we haven't really yeah, I think that's what we're we've
decided to call ourselves.
Speaker 2 (31:29):
I'll find a ridiculous nickname and you won't agree with me,
and you'll normally complete. But that's okay. That's the way
these things roll. So you're an accomplished code player in
sevens and rugby union at the very top level. For
the Black Ferns, you played Hurricanes poor. Now you find
yourself playing rugby league. What's the transition being like for you.
Speaker 10 (31:51):
I'm enjoying it. It's it's refreshing, it's something new.
Speaker 6 (31:55):
I'm learning the game every new things every day, so
I'm really enjoying the transition. Physically, it's been it's been
demanding in a big different so I'm finding from the
different codes, especially the position that I've been playing. But
I'm really enjoying the journey so far.
Speaker 2 (32:15):
What drove you to make this decision to disappear off
to rugby league. What was the primary driver behind that move.
Speaker 6 (32:23):
I think it was the opportunity to continue to be
an athlete. And I guess after I've I've sort of
done everything I possibly could in the union space and
at the top level, and I guess challenging myself in
a different code, and yeah, again, I guess the opportunity
(32:44):
to play and to train as an athlete and get
paid to do it. Sort of enticed me to cross
code a.
Speaker 2 (32:51):
Little bit get paid to do it. That's an absolute key,
isn't it. Yeah, definitely, you take so much time off
when you're representing, especially for the Wahini earlier on. Anyway,
the last kind of teen years, it's been different. So
this is hugely important as far as what you bring
to the field from your sevens experience and form your
(33:13):
Black Ferns experience. What do you think is the key
for you that you can help with the rest of
the team as opposed to you just learning rugby league.
Speaker 6 (33:21):
I guess it's obviously being at a high performing level
for so long. I guess in that space the nrlws
sort of finding their feet in the professional sort of world,
so I guess as an athlete bringing that culture into
the team, but also on the field, I'm not. I'm
sort of your bigger sort of athlete, so I guess, yes,
(33:43):
trying to use my size and my speed, I guess
on the field and sort of, yeah, dominate in that area.
Speaker 2 (33:53):
With you playing your game on offense, there's one thing
on defense and working out the structures of rugby league.
How's that transition going?
Speaker 12 (34:02):
Yeah?
Speaker 10 (34:04):
Quite difficult. I'm sort of.
Speaker 6 (34:05):
I guess in preseason it was sort of trying to
get rid.
Speaker 10 (34:09):
Of those Union habits of placing the ball, and.
Speaker 6 (34:15):
I'm pretty sure I would have gone rather if I
did that on my first in round W game.
Speaker 10 (34:18):
But yeah, I guess.
Speaker 6 (34:20):
Those little subtle differences, and you know, and Union you're
trying to get up to your feet as fast as possible,
but in league you're trying to hold them down for
as long as possible. So yeah, there's little subtle differences
the tackle techniques and things like that that I'm sort
of trying to improve every week, and the major differences
that I'm trying to get used.
Speaker 2 (34:40):
To also from playing out why because you played fullback,
wing maybe sometimes center on rugby and there you're coming
in the second row. That has been quite the transition
as well.
Speaker 6 (34:50):
Yeah, well my first couple of games, I think it
was a majority of tackles that I was making rather
than getting ball in hand, which is also mentally challenging
for me because there's the positions that I played in
sevens and fifteens.
Speaker 10 (35:05):
There was more attacks focus.
Speaker 6 (35:06):
So it's definitely a change that I'm getting used to,
but also knowing that you're adding value to the team
and you're doing and that's what you're employed to do.
So just having that mental change and shift, I guess
in that area.
Speaker 2 (35:23):
You still got a burst of speed. Have you a
turn of speed, because as we've seen in that second row,
if you've got a bit of towe about and also
you said you bring a lot of bulk to their
possession because you're a bigger athlete, this must be an
absolute joy. Can you Can you still like blaze people?
Can you still set your feet on fire and disappear?
Speaker 13 (35:43):
Yeah?
Speaker 6 (35:43):
I just I'm just trying to find the right hole
to get give me in a hole and to to
sort of stretch my legs a little bit and sort
of was watching the men's game last week and saw
the number eleven liquor. I think it is get that runaway.
I was like, man, I want to be like him.
So now, yeah, still trying to find my feet in
the attacking sort of sense, but yeah, stretch the legs
(36:07):
a little bit.
Speaker 2 (36:07):
I was going to mention like Halasima as well. I
thought that might be a bit too close, but of
course you'll be watching going I want to do that
as well. What have you been learning from the coaching staff.
They're just a message from Ron straight to you. What's
been their big workthrough?
Speaker 6 (36:23):
I think it's just, yeah, they're sort of drip feeding
little things to focus on throughout the games and and
sort of they don't want to overflood me with content
and sort of give me two to three main focuses,
which is really good, and just ticking off those things.
So it's going to be you're not going to get
(36:45):
and he's big on you're not going to get everything right,
But as long as we took off off things and
improve each week, that's what he's probably installed in to me,
which has been really good.
Speaker 10 (36:55):
So it takes off that pressure.
Speaker 6 (36:57):
And as a high performing athlete, you know, you always
want to be the best and do the best, but
understanding that this is a new code and a new
game that I'm trying to learn. So he's been really
good and also the experienced gills and giving me little
pointers into being better and improving each time. But yeah,
not dwelling on the mistakes but taking them as key learnings.
Speaker 2 (37:21):
What's the fitness requirements like compared to sevens. I mean,
sevens are ridiculously fit, but in that a different type
of fitness that you require. You're working through that, Okay.
Speaker 6 (37:33):
One hundred percent. It's a different energy system that you're
working and it's the wrestling, it's the it's the physicality
and then going from six tackles and then going on
to attack and you know.
Speaker 10 (37:47):
That stuff is.
Speaker 6 (37:49):
I didn't realize actually until I was in it. You know,
you think you've been in sevens and you've been at
you know, you've done the hardest sort of training that
there is, but then you come I've come to league
and realized, like, this is this is taxing on the body.
And yeah, so it's you know sevens is and fifteen's
(38:09):
is different, but league is is different again. And pre
season was good, but it wasn't until we got to
our first game and now having our third game under
about you know what to expect, you know what the
collisions are going to be like.
Speaker 10 (38:22):
But yeah, it was.
Speaker 6 (38:24):
Differently a wake up call when we were getting into
our preseason and the tackle, going into tackle and then
having to wrestle and then get up and go again,
and it's and it's quite a fast game, you don't realize.
Speaker 10 (38:38):
And getting back to that ten as well and going again.
Speaker 6 (38:40):
So now, yeah, it was diffinitely eye opening, and I
definitely take my hat off to two league players and
the fitness requirements that are Yeah, that they that they do.
Speaker 2 (38:55):
I'd say, you're taking it's like a duck to water.
You sound like you're really happy. You sound like you're
having a great time. You're definitely challenged by what you're facing,
but you're rising to that occasion. Is that right? Are
you in a happy space Sekira?
Speaker 6 (39:09):
Yeah, definitely am like, I'm grateful to be here. And
I think it's a testament to the culture that our
management and our teams sort of put in place and
allowing everyone to be who they who they are and yeah,
and then just knowing that we're not going to get
it right, but as long as we take the learnings, like, yeah,
it's a cool environment to be involved in, and yeah,
(39:32):
I'm really happy at where I'm at at the moment.
Speaker 1 (39:34):
You no need for the DMO.
Speaker 11 (39:36):
We've got the breakdown on Sports Talk Call eight.
Speaker 3 (39:41):
News Talk.
Speaker 2 (39:44):
Eight minutes to age Shakira Baker. She wears eleven on
a jumper. From playing on the outside back, she's now
playing the second row. This is the female version of
Leka Halma. You need to watch this lady play and
you can this weekend to forty five. I think it
kicks off mount smart Go media whatever it's called Orange
(40:04):
theory lost track, and that is against the Titans, ahead
of the Warriors who are going to take on and
take apart. The Titans are right at the bottom of
the table. His suggestions around what we should call the
the Women's Wars team the wah Wahs or the wah
Wahs or that they're terrible suggestions, but thanks for your time.
Speaker 13 (40:23):
This is news talk zb the Wahinias, the Wais, the
wares Hemi, the.
Speaker 2 (40:45):
Generals gathered in their masses just like witches at Black Mass.
It's almost a sin to talk over this, right, considering
the great man. It's just passed on. Sorcerer of depth construction.
(41:06):
He I think his name is actually John. Yeah, pop
story is that John Osborne. You run a bozzi Rest easy,
big man. Spread a lot of joy through your insane
hard rocks throughout your life. Mestl career seventy days, nineties.
(41:31):
He goes on and on and on. He probably wasn't
aware of the last twenty years, but that's okay. He
was around And if you think I'm being rude and
being speaking out of the dead. I'm not because this
is what this guy was all about. He was dark,
he was full of chaos, no respect for anyone, drank
(41:53):
and snorted and robbed and rolled and had a terrific
time terrorizing everybody. Hed to take notice on you, John Osborne,
you rule. That's it from us, myself and executive producer
and the man who stops me saying everything I want
to say because he knows that I'll lose my job
(42:15):
if I do. He's my censor. He's the man that
provides me with the job because he's responsible and it's militant.
Thank you for taking the hits. I'm the Dusty water Grave.
I catch you tomorrow. He's my filter, all right.
Speaker 1 (42:37):
For more from sports Talk, listen live to News Talks.
It'd be from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast
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