August 11, 2025 • 42 mins
Jason Pine returns to recap a full day in the world of sport! Highlights for tonight include:
Grace Nweke on the news that she can play for the Silver Ferns again.
Super Rugby CEO Jack Mesley on Super Round coming to Christchurch next year.
Piney's Power Rankings!
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Dancy Wildergrave
from News Talks EDB.
Speaker 2 (00:26):
Good evening and welcome and to Monday night sports talk
on News Talk, said by August eleven. I'm Jason Pinehaw,
producer Ans Millicich. We're here until eight talking sport with you.
Grace Wikett has been named in an eighteen strong Silver
Fern squad for this year and next, starting with next
month's Tiny Jamison Trophy Series against South Africa here in
(00:48):
New Zealand. She has received an eligibility exemption under Netball
New Zealand's new guidelines, having played her domestic netball of course,
in Sydney this season rather than an our an Zid Premiership.
Grace WEEKI is standing by the chat with us. How
was the process? Did she always feel confident that she
would get the opportunity to wear the black dress again?
(01:09):
And also today, Grace workI has re signed with the
New South Wales Swifts for next season, so I just
wonder whether we'll ever see her playing netball domestically in
New Zealand again. Your views on the President the sets
are welcome this evening. Also tonight, christ Church's New Tech
Ka Stadium is going to host Super Rugby Super Round
(01:30):
across a Zach weekend next year. It'll be the first
sporting event at the new venue, just one week after
its official opening. Super Rugby Pacific CEO Jack Mesley is
also on the show. Tonight and Monday Nights mean that
we rate the weekend party's power rankings, rating the best
the worst in the end between bits from the last
(01:50):
seventy two hours or so. You can join the show
if you would like to. Oh, eight hundred and eighty
ten eighty is our free phone number. Seeing your text
messages to nine two nine two or emails into Jason
at Newstalk SEDB dot co dot NZ.
Speaker 1 (02:05):
Eight and a half part the right Call is your
call on eight hundred and eighty ten eighty Sports Talk
Call on your home of Sports News Talk ZEB.
Speaker 2 (02:16):
Grace Wky is officially back in the Silver Ferns fold
Caara Conan.
Speaker 3 (02:22):
That's would be the take of the day, I think,
Grace Wrecky, How did she.
Speaker 4 (02:31):
Keep that alive?
Speaker 2 (02:32):
Yeah? Grace Wicky has been named in an eighteen strong
squad covering the next twelve months after having her application
for an eligibility exemption approved under NEAPLE New Zealand's updated criteria.
Gracewky played in Australia for the New South Wales Swifts
this year and has recommitted to them for twenty twenty six.
Squad named ahead of next month's home series against South
(02:54):
Africa includes five uncapped players the shooting circle trio of
Field Vui, Martina Salmon and Savior Toohey, plus defenders Catherine
Hall and Carris Steithe corters Peta Toyava Taylor Earl and
Mila Rieliu Buchanan or Fegure. Despite limited time on court
for the Ferns in the last twelve months or so,
(03:14):
four players have joined outgoing captain Amelia Raniicanasio in making
themselves unavailable for twenty twenty five Maya Wilson, Tapius Shelby, Rickett,
Jane Watson and Tiana Maturo. The squad's going to be
whittled down to between twelve and fourteen players for Test
one of the tiny jamison against South Africa on the
(03:35):
twenty first of September in Auckland, and the new captain,
of course, will also be named before that series. By
the big story of the day the inclusion of Grace Wickett,
who joins us now, Grace, congratulations on your selection today.
How pleased are you that Nepble New Zealand's board have
granted you this exemption to play for the Silver Ferns.
Speaker 5 (03:56):
Yeah, thanks so much. Yeah, naturally, I'm very very pleased
and very grateful to be able to I guess in
some ways that ma Ca can habit. It was a
very challenging time about twelve months ago, you know, coming
to terms with the realities of playing in Australia and
the implications of taking the contract and losing maligibility, and
(04:18):
so I guess twelve months later to be able to
be back included in the squad and be excited about
the games we have coming up with the opportunity to
contribute through a year that I feel was sort of
with a lot of growth and challenge and new experience.
It's a really cool time and can't went to get
back home.
Speaker 2 (04:37):
Can you tell us about the process of applying for
the exemption. What did that involve?
Speaker 5 (04:43):
Yeah, so, I guess I spent most of the year
with my fingers and tot's cross hoping that there would
be some sort of process stipulated. I guess the hardest
part was that there was prior to this, there was
not really a formal process that we could go through,
and so once they announced that they were going to
allow for applications to be considered, it all happened very
(05:04):
fast in terms of when you're outlining the criteria and
the Christians and answers we needed to provide and speak to,
and then it was a matter of putting the application
together and it sat with the New Zeland Board and
they came back to us quite quickly with their response.
But it was a pretty seamless process once you got
into it. Obviously quite time sent to it as we
(05:26):
were applying in the midst of you know, verbal offers
of intent from different clubs, kind of waiting to know
what the landscape looked like in New Zealand.
Speaker 2 (05:36):
When you made the decision twelve months ago, I think
we might have even spoken shortly after you did. Did
you feel confident Did you have any indication as to
whether the eligibility rules would in fact be examined? Did
you have confidence that they would be.
Speaker 5 (05:53):
There wasn't an overwhelming sense of confidence, but there wasn't
an overwhelming sense that it was impossible. I felt that
I was making a decision that felt right for me,
and that's all I could do and can control with
my action, and so I felt comfortable with my choice
and comfortable with the repercussions and obviously establishedly, I was
(06:16):
hopeful that it would be reviewed and my talks it
with New Zealan, they spoke to, you know, their best
interest is ensuring the quality and the longevity of the
game in New Zealand, which I do understand and respect,
and so with that they would act in a way
that would fulfill those desires. I felt that, you know,
(06:38):
with the World Cup and Calm Games coming up, maybe
they were the opportunity to, you know, have some more
open discussions about what it looks like to play for
New Zealand and where you play your club netball. And
I'm very grateful that that has led to a relaxing
of the rules which I had hopefully been the best
interests of netball in New Zealand and the civil fons performances.
Speaker 2 (07:01):
Well, you were always very clear, Grace that the reason
you were going was to improve as a play Do
you think that happened the season?
Speaker 4 (07:11):
Yes?
Speaker 5 (07:11):
Absolutely. My reasons for going were both the improvement as
a player but also as a person with a new
life experience and a change in scenery, and I think
I got.
Speaker 4 (07:23):
That and drove.
Speaker 5 (07:24):
I feel that, even just especially in pre season, kind
of grappling with the move and the change in scenery
and being away from my support systems and all that
I know and love in Auckland was a huge challenge
and I came away from it with a lot of
understanding of myself and my confidence and my ability to
be independent and to kind of navigate new spaces on
(07:48):
the court. I can confidantly say I'm a bitter knitball
event I was when I left. I feel that I
have a much better understanding of the game, aside from
just the goal shoot game, and more of a critical
way of looking at analysis and tactics and more the
voice and a license and my voice when it comes
to the wider team performance and wider team structures. So
(08:12):
I feel that that a confidence and growth is so
it's new for me. It's exciting to have that. Going
back to New Zealand, I feel that, yeah, I haven't
really fully respected on my numbers, but I'm sure that
they would speak to a successful season of netball and
my goal shoot game. I feel that I've been able
to challenge myself to play differently and play out of
(08:34):
the circle with confidence and increase my goal of set
and just little things like that where I feel that
my game has shifted and I'm becoming a lot more grofertile,
and tell us.
Speaker 2 (08:46):
About the standard of the of the Supernibole competition, not
necessarily comparing it to New Zealand, but how did you
find the standard over there?
Speaker 5 (08:54):
Yeah, the standard was very high. It was fantastic. I
think just when something is so new and new, everything's
kind of novel. There's so much to learn and so
much excitement and that so I really enjoyed kind of
understanding the game they experience, especially how different all of
it's less than even getting around to the other teams
and seeing how they run things and just everything was
(09:16):
exciting because it was my first time experiencing it, and
I think having that fresh kind of perspective is also
a really nice positive of the whole journey and being
able to feel like it's my first time again, and
yet the standard is very high. The game they experienced,
just the little things that go on really make for
(09:37):
a fantastic composition, and I really enjoyed kind of getting
a feel for it.
Speaker 2 (09:42):
Well, let's talk about the Silver Ferns. Busy time. Twelve
tests locked in three against South Africa next month here,
then Constellation Cup home and away October, then a Northern
tour with a couple of tests against Scotland three against England.
How important is it to have so much high quality
netball as you build towards Calm games next year.
Speaker 5 (10:00):
It's huge, It's so important, and obviously it's very stacked
international calendar. It's my time touring three series back to back,
especially without a full break in between and that November tour,
but it's so important, especially given the group we have,
with a lot of debutante or newer players still finding
(10:21):
their feet in the space. The opportunity to just have
that time on task and grow through the lived experience
of being on tour, being away, back to that game,
back to that camp. It's going to be huge and
I think every run involved will come away from this
year of civil Friends netball so much better for it
and so much better equipped to take on comm game.
(10:44):
But I think especially being able to go over to
Scotland and kind of rehearse what that will look like
for the group, that goes away for common games in
July will be hugely beneficial. We did the same thing
in tackle Kate Town for the World Cup just gone,
and I think that ability to to be familiar and
(11:05):
have that experience of tour life is huge and so
it's exciting to have so much in it for equally
daunting and I know it's going to be a huge,
huge time both physically and mentally, but that's not what
we do, it's what we vive in I think a
womic opportunity playing so much testing it goal.
Speaker 2 (11:21):
There's no Amelia Ranick and ourso in the squad. She's
stepped away for twenty twenty five, which leaves you as
very much the senior member in terms of experience in
the shooting circle. So how much extra responsibility do you
think you'll have to take as a result.
Speaker 5 (11:37):
Yeah, not having meals is a huge loss for our group.
She is a fantastic leader, fantastic person and equally fantastic
player on the court. So it's a big gap, and
I feel that the players that have been there will
be able to flat and seamlessly. They've all had fantastic
seasons in various but the positions in the shooting circle.
(12:00):
So it's exciting to see what new connections we can
build and how we can, you know, cand of afford
to new path the attacking end of the Silver Ferns.
I think the way that I see my role there
is just to keep playing my game.
Speaker 6 (12:14):
Well.
Speaker 5 (12:14):
I know that if I'm doing my job and performing
as a goal shooter, that is going to benefit and
support and encourage whoever I get to play goal who
plays goalteck with me, or whoever else is playing goal shooter.
Been able to impart the knowledge that I've gained over
my three or four years in the Silver Ferns Goal
shoot BB to encourage those girls to take the opportunity
(12:35):
and to explore and grow in the in that in
that position, I do feel that I will. I've been there.
I know what it's like to be new in the team,
and I mean it wasn't that long ago that I
was new in the team, So I think I can
relate to that in a way that's different to other
players and really just have that relationship off the court
(12:56):
to give them confidence and give them a sense of security,
because it is a very daunting environment, especially for these debutantes.
So it's exciting. I'm very grateful to be in a
position where I can give back to the dress and
these new players and hopefully make this transition has been
quite seamless, So I'm looking forward to the opportunity to
(13:16):
be more than just to morey about more than just
my faults and really give back and lead.
Speaker 2 (13:22):
Well, they're very lucky to have you just backed to
superpl Did you take many super shots? What did you
leave that to others?
Speaker 5 (13:29):
Yeah? I did not take very many. It's it's complicated,
I think, I I mean, I promise you I was
banking them at training, but I think on game day.
On game day, it's a different story. And yeah, it's
definitely an area of my game that I am determined
to grow. I look at next season as an opportunity
to not just be you know, super shot time. It's oh,
(13:54):
how can we help sucking Grace help so we can
get the ball to the super shot shooter. I want
to be as much of the target and a threat
as my goal attack and that will take time and
you know, training, but I really do that that is
the goal to eventually be a really strong weapon in
that time. But yeah, it's a really different game with
(14:14):
that super show. It changes the way you play, it
changes the way you think about the game, and so
still a growth area and lots of learning you.
Speaker 2 (14:24):
Had there, all right, and just to finish as well
as the news today of your inclusion in the Silver
Ferns news that you've also recommitted to the Swifts for
next year or was that a was that a difficult
decision to make or were you always keen to go back?
Speaker 5 (14:39):
That was not a difficult decision to make. I have
really enjoyed my time in Sydney. Hasn't been about challenge
and hasn't been without you know, the homesickness and I
guess questioning what I'm doing, But I think overall, I
feel like I'm in the best place right now to
keep growing my netball and challenging myself. It's a fantastic city,
(15:00):
there's fantastic players and stuff, and I've really kind of
I think I've done the hardest part of having to
be new inspression. Year two, I hope and Steel will
be a lot more seamless and enjoyable than year one,
and so especially finishing the way we there that we
do have unfinished business. I know what it's like and
(15:20):
I'm feeling the throat I think still of that finish,
and so I am very excited to be back and
to give twenty twenty six a good run and compete
and go for that premiership another time.
Speaker 2 (15:34):
Well, I know netball fans here in New Zealand, Grace,
are delighted with the news today that you'll be wearing
the black dress again, starting in the Tiny Jamison Trophy
next month. All the best for the international season ahead,
busy as it is, and thank you for taking the
time for a chat.
Speaker 4 (15:47):
Tonight, my pleasure, thank you, no, thank.
Speaker 2 (15:49):
You, Grace, Grace Wiki. There your chance to react to
this news if you would like to, all right, one
hundred and eighty ten eighty. Great to see that common
sense has prevailed and Grace Wiki will wear the black
Dress of the Silver Ferns this year, next year, and
basically for as many more years as she decides to.
(16:09):
Because the case of Grace Wiki would have been one
of the quickest open and shutcases of all time. I
would imagine as soon as her application for exemption arrived
at Netball New Zealand headquarters there should have been and
I'm sure there would have been a mad rush to
sign it off, where do we sign they will have
(16:30):
moved with great speed, which, by the sounds of it,
they did to make sure that Grace Wiki, this generational netballer,
was able to play for the Silver Ferns. It does, though,
open up the question about whether we'll ever see grace
Wiki back in our domestic competition, because, as I've just
mentioned to her and we've talked about, alongside the news
(16:50):
today that she's back in the Silver Ferns, came confirmation
she's re signed with the new South Wales Swifts for
next year. And why wouldn't they want her? As I say,
generational netballer, extremely powerful and potent shooter, and the Swifts
fell just short of their Grand Final this year, so
they clear they have some unfinished business and they see
Grace Wiki is a big part of completing that business.
Speaker 4 (17:13):
Now.
Speaker 2 (17:13):
The other part of this, of course, is now that
grace Wiki's been granted her exemption, we wait to see
which other players might go offshore to play their netball
and then apply for exemptions of their own. There'll be
others that are, if not as open and shut as
this one, certainly a fairly easy yes. Players who are
(17:35):
such good assets to the silver ferns that straight away
they'll be given that exemption, but others may not be
quite so sure. They may go to Australia or somewhere
else and apply for that exemption and be told, you
know what, we're not going to grant it to you
for a variety of reasons. Just because grace Wiki has
(17:57):
been given one doesn't mean that everybody will be given one.
And just a word on netle New Zealand's board, you
do have to congratulate them on finally getting to the
position where a they changed the eligibility criteria and b
they applied it quickly and effectively around this grace Wiki situation.
(18:18):
I still wonder why it took them so long. It
was a very long and drawn out process before they
even re examined their eligibility criteria, and let's be honest,
they only did so because they were forced to, really
by grace Wiki going to Australia. She made the decision
(18:42):
to plan Australia to improve herself as a netballer, without
any certainty at that time that she would still be
able to play for New Zealand when she left. I
remember talking to her when she made this decision and
she didn't know there was no guarantee that she would
be able to play for New Zealand again, but she
wanted to go over the Yes, of course she was
(19:03):
being paid well, but she's herb netballer, so she's earned that.
But playing for New Zealand clearly means a lot to her,
and she went to Australia without any cast iron certainty
that she'd be able to continue doing that. She forced
the hand rally of netb on New Zealand's board to
(19:24):
re examine their eligibility criteria. And as I say, thankfully, thankfully,
sanity has prevailed. And much as the board tried to say,
it was never about one player, it was it was
compelled this examination of the eligibility by Grace Wiki. So
(19:45):
the rule will now forever be known as the Grace
Wiki rule. OH eight, one hundred and eighty ten eighty.
If you'd like to have you say nine two ninety
two on text seven twenty six back in a moment
on sports Talk.
Speaker 1 (20:05):
You need to bem. We've got the breakdowns on sports
Talk call eight hundred. News Talk said.
Speaker 2 (20:14):
Seven twenty nine. Lines are open if you want to
talk netball eligibility there's a couple of dissenting voices on text.
Nothing on the phone yet, but you can make your
point ifview would like to come on, Jason, says Steve.
She's gone for the money, Steve, I guess that point
would be more salient if she had gone to a
weaker competition than our A and Z Premiership, but she hasn't.
(20:38):
She's gone to a stronger competition. As I said before,
she's quite entitled to be paid what she is worth,
and I dare say she's being paid far more handsomely
in Australia than she would be here in New Zealand.
But on top of that, she's also playing in a
much tougher competition, which by default will make her a
(21:01):
better netballer. It would be very different if she'd gone
to I don't know, Norway to play her netball and
collected a massive paycheck for doing so. But that's not
the case. No one is ever replaceable, says another text.
That is also true, and so if nepball in New
(21:24):
Zealand had decided, if they had decided that they didn't
want to change things, that they were happy with the
eligibility rules as they stood, then that point would also
have a lot more weight. Yes, no one is irreplaceable,
and rugby grappling with us all the time. In fact,
(21:47):
they wouldn't say they're grappling with it there, They'll say, Look,
our rules are our rules. You have to play super
rugby in order to play for the All Blacks, and
if you don't want to, that's cool. You can do
whatever you like, but we'll pick the next one up. So, yes,
no one is irreplaceable. But if you've got the opportunity
to select somebody who is clearly the very best, not
(22:11):
only in New Zealand but probably the world in her position,
why would you not. The other challenge that Dame Nolen
Todoua has right now is that a number of her
experienced shooters are not available, at least for the back
end of this year and potentially for next year as well.
(22:31):
Amelia and Echinasio has stepped away, Maya Wilson has stepped away,
Tiana Matturo to Pious Selby Rickett. Four of our top
shooters and most experienced silver Ferns have elected not to
be available for the Silver Ferns this year. So getting
grace Wiki back is great anyway, but under these circumstances.
(22:52):
It's almost integral to the way they want to play.
Charles us wadn't you ask about the role of Noleing Todua. Yes,
I should have probably It's been pretty well publicized though,
and we heard Dame Nolen on the radio this afternoon.
Maybe I should have asked Grace. I'm pretty sure she
would have confirmed what Dame Nolen Todua herself said this afternoon,
(23:12):
which was she was clearly a huge fan of getting
Grace Wiki back. There's no surprise there. And when the
eligibility exemption is presented and then discussed, Dame Nolen Todoua
as coach of the Silver Ferns, has her say as
(23:33):
she will when any similar exemption comes in the future.
There may well have been other exemptions asked for. We
don't know. There may be key we players playing overseas,
so now that the rules are different have put in
an application for exemption and not being given one that
doesn't necessarily have to be made public unless the player
themselves decides to make it public. But yes, Dame Noling
(23:57):
Todhell would be consulted on all of these, of course
she would. She is the Silver Ferns coach after all
looking forward to seeing how the Silver Firns go in
a very very busy September, October November. Three tests against
South Africa for the Tiny Jamison Trophy here in New Zealand, Auckland,
Hamilton and for Cargo in September, then two away tests
(24:21):
and two home tests against Australia for the Constellation Cup,
and then off to the Northern Hemisphere for two tests
against Scotland and Glasgow and three against England. I think
they're all in London, and as Grace said, that's particularly
valuable given the fact that the Commonwealth Games in the
middle of next year will be held in Glasgow and
Nepoll of course have held their spot as one of
(24:44):
those Commonwealth Games. Sports in a much smaller Commonwealth Games.
Christ Church's new Takaha Stadium is going to host Super
Rugby's Super Round across Anzac weekend of next year. It'll
be the first sporting event at the new venue, just
one week after it officially opens. The Crusaders will play
(25:07):
the first game against an as yet unconfirmed opponent on
the night of Friday, April twenty fourth. The Hurricanes will
play the Brumbies and the Blues will meet the Reds
on the Saturday, and there will be another doubleheader on
the Sunday. Super Round did not feature in Super Rugby's
schedule this year. It was played in Melbourne from twenty
twenty two to twenty twenty four. Super Rugby Pacific CEO
(25:28):
Jack Measley was in christ Church for the announcement today
and he joins us now on Sports Talk Jack, thanks
for your time. How keen were you to get super
Round back on the Super Rugby calendar.
Speaker 4 (25:39):
Koda Parney, Yeah, really came. I think rugby, as you know,
as a touring is part of part of rugby, and
we know fans across the Pacific love to tour and
go and watch rugby game, so it makes sense for us.
It also just gives us a really big round that
(26:01):
we can really focus on drive visibility and interest in
Super Rugby Pacific and just a great opportunity to bring
everyone together.
Speaker 2 (26:10):
How long have the discussions been going on with the
relevant parties in christ Church to get us to the
announcement today?
Speaker 4 (26:18):
Yeah, I mean some some months. You know. Well I've
been enrolled just over twelve months now and you know,
getting Super Around back back on the agenda was one
thing that we identified early. We had conversations with a
number of different territories, you know, another number of different
cities across Australia in New Zealand and also into the Pacific,
(26:42):
and you know, christ Church right from the outset have
just been really engaged in those discussions and we've worked
really closely together to get us to the point now
that we can we can announce it. And you know,
I think just the the kind of beauty of it
being the new stadium and and that long weekend, you know,
(27:04):
it all kind of fell together just to make a
lot of sense.
Speaker 2 (27:07):
We think you were there this morning at the new venue.
Still construction going on obviously, so high version hard hats,
no doubt. But how's it looking.
Speaker 4 (27:16):
Well, it's looking a lot better than I do in
high vision hard hat. Let's put it out like, yeah
it is. It's going to be unbelievable, bunny. I mean,
we were up a few levels where we did the
precedent this morning and you are on the sideline, so
there is not a bad seat in the house. To
(27:37):
be undercover is just going to make such a difference
for all of those Cantabrians that have been braving the
cold out of Apollo and you know, just a short
stroll from the city. I mean, you know, wonderful bars
and restaurants just down the road. So yeah, all of
those things combined, and you know, I mean Crusaders being
(27:58):
our champions and the most successful Super rugby team. You know,
they are a world class franchise and they're going to
have a world class stay here and that's for sure.
Speaker 2 (28:08):
Initially this is just a one year deal. Are you
keen for it to be a longer term proposition?
Speaker 4 (28:14):
Yeah? We want this as a as a marquee event
in our in our fixture, in our draw every year.
So you know, we'll continue to work hard to try
to make that a reality. You know, as I mentioned,
we've talked to a lot of other states and regions
about about hosting this and we'll continue to have those
(28:35):
those discussions. But you know, we're really thankful that you know,
the city here is as working with us to make
this a reality.
Speaker 2 (28:44):
Yeah, that you find folk of the Crusader's region, no
doubt we'll turn up in big numbers, Jack, But do
you expect a significant number of traveling fans from New
Zealand from Australia potentially from the Pacific Islands. If the
drawer are involved, you think there'll be an influx of
rugby fans, not just those who live in the region.
Speaker 4 (29:01):
Yeah, I mean that's the that's the hope and you know,
the one of the rationales for us, and this is
the first sort of announcement for twenty twenty six super
over specific is to enable people to put it in
their diaries and start thinking about that. Because we know travelings,
you know, it's not easy, it's not cheap, so we
want we want people to start having a think about
(29:23):
that and if they're ever thinking about, you know, going
to an away game or maybe they've got a boys
golf tour or a Premiership reunion or any of those
sorts of things, start to think about well, maybe maybe
lining that up with a with a long weekend in
christ Church could be a good idea. And we know,
we know from Melbourne, you know, super Round did attract
a lot of a lot of people from across at Tasman,
(29:46):
a lot of New Zealanders went over and a lot
of people from New South Love and Victoria had traveled down.
So we're pretty confident that you know, with a really
strong local supporter base, you know, sort of you know,
adding a lot of weight to what we'll see in stadium.
It's going to be a great atmosphere and that'll be
topped up by people coming from them all over New
(30:07):
Zealand and Australia as well. And you know, I think
the interesting thing is that, you know, there's so many
Cantabrians living in in Auckland, there's so many Gans living
in Sydney. So you know, I think it's wrong to
assume that, you know, we don't have we don't have
fans from all teams living in all of our great
cities around the pacify fair.
Speaker 2 (30:27):
To say that super Round never really worked in Melbourne
to the extent that I'm sure the organizers then would
have hoped. Are there any lessons to be taken from that? Yeah?
Speaker 4 (30:38):
I think so, you know, I do know, you know
from from what from speaking with the organizers that you know,
one thing that did work was they did get the travelers.
So whilst the stadiums were nowhere near as full as
anyone would have liked, there was a pretty good critical
mass of travelers, right, and that's what you know, funds
(30:59):
these these sorts of projects for all of the codes.
So so we've we've got to continue to focus on
at and then you know, I think it's about making
it a complete event, and our discussions with the city
here and the venue and the Crusaders of all about
making sure that when you come to christ Church for
(31:20):
Super Around, you know, you feel that you're part of
an event all the way through the city, whether that's
down at Riverside, whether that's in the precinct of the
stadium or in the stadium. So we're really working on
that sort of coordinated approach so that you know, when
people come, they'll have a they'll have a holistic experience,
and we really hope people come for that experience. But
(31:42):
also then you know, go and spend a few days
seeing the region, enjoying all that christ Church and Canterbury
and surrounds has to offer.
Speaker 2 (31:52):
Super right be Pacific of course as and eleven team competition,
so one team will have the buy challenging conversation telling
one team that they're not coming to super Round.
Speaker 4 (32:01):
Yeah, well, you know, the whole drawer is one big
challenging conversation for me and all the teams. This is
another element. Yeah, and discussions with the clubs is that
the clubs are super excited to have this back. So yeah,
it's a shame that not everyone can be there, but yeah,
we'll look to try to get this as a regular
(32:25):
part of the fixture and make sure that we rotate
that round. All right.
Speaker 2 (32:29):
So, as I said at the start, Crusader's going to
open up on Friday Night, their opponent to be confirmed,
then the Trans Tasman double heater on the Saturday, another
double hitter Sunday. When will the full draw not just
for Super Round Jack but for the twenty twenty sixth
season be out.
Speaker 4 (32:45):
Yeah, in the coming weeks, Piney, Yeah, we're working hard.
We're pretty close to close to that. So yeah, I'm
in the full details, you know, starting date, end date,
grand final date and the full full draw should be
coming coming pretty soon and we've been working hard on that,
and that'll be well ahead of where we've released it
(33:06):
in previous years, which we're excited about. But yeah, I
think just on the Super Round fixturing, yeah, we see
that Friday night sort of being a opening party night,
going to be high energy and then on the Saturday,
and the reason why we have sort of confirmed those
fixtures on the Saturdays because they're outsort of traditional and
that day matches and we're really trying to get in
(33:29):
behind those matches and each year and make them very
special as we celebrate that connection between our between Australia
and New Zealand and recognized, recognize Anzac Day.
Speaker 2 (33:41):
Very exciting weekend and prospect. April twenty four to twenty
five and twenty six of next year. Jack, congratulations on
getting this across the line and confirmed. I know you're
going to be there. I'm going to do everything in
my power to be bringing weekend sport from to the
listeners from christ across ans Ex weekend next weekend too,
So appreciate you taking the time for it yet.
Speaker 4 (34:02):
Today no worries mate, We love love seeing you at
the Grand Final. Yeah, we'll look forward to catching up
again in christ here.
Speaker 2 (34:10):
Yeah, that'll be great, Jack, Dan's indeed, thanks for your time,
Jack Misley, CEO of super Rugby Pacific, with confirmation super
Round's headed to christ your Chansac Day next weekend, next
weekend next year. Sorry I think I said next weekend
to Jack during that interview too. Next year of course.
April twenty four to twenty five twenty six of twenty
twenty six. One team's going to miss out eleven teams.
(34:33):
We know the Highlanders and Chiefs will be there. I'd
bet pretty good money that both the Fiji and Drewer
and more Ona Pacifica will be there. We know that
the Hurricanes, Brumby's Blues, Reds and Crusaders will be there
because that's already been announced. So it's between the Force
and the Wartas who misses out. The Crusaders play Friday Night.
It doesn't matter who they play. You don't have to
(34:53):
make that a banner marquee matchup. Well, Jack say high
energy party night. That'll sell out no matter who they play.
So I would say what if it was me, I'd
say the Crusaders will be up again whichever of the
war Atars or the Force comes, because I think one
of them is going to miss out. Then Sunday Chiefs
(35:14):
against one of Moina Pacifica or Fijian Drawer and Highlander
is against the other one. That's the way I do it.
That's not confirmed. I don't know anything about the draw.
It's just me spitballing, but that's the way I would
do it, and I would say yeah, like I say,
the war Tars Wire the force one of them. It's
probably not going to be there in year one. Look
forward to seeing the full draw come out. Look forward
(35:35):
to Super Round in christ Church and Zach weekend twenty
twenty six coming up quarter to eight. Let's get a
break away when we come back. Well rate the weekend
Piney's Power Rankings after this.
Speaker 1 (35:58):
Our rankings.
Speaker 2 (36:01):
Alrighty, let's rate the weekend. We do it every Monday night.
We call it Piney's Power Rankings, rating the best, the
worst and the in between. From the sporting weekend. The
Warriors men are at ten. Defeat the Bulldogs in the
wet on Saturday night. It's a convincing one to care debury,
beating the Warriors by thirty two points to forty. That
(36:22):
defeat drops them out of the NRL's top four. Of course,
for the first time since mid April. Is there a
way back side Wellington Phoenix who needed ninety four minutes
before they finally got past fourtier side none of Wadding
City won nil an injury time to progress to the quarterfinals.
(36:43):
And Football's Australia Cup.
Speaker 7 (36:45):
Army in two whips it in five, done it here
a year is again saves the blushes of the Wellington Phoenix,
Carlo m Into's corner worst big on the.
Speaker 2 (36:57):
Money, certainly not the most inspiring of performances from the Knicks,
but victory nonetheless, and into the last eight day go
see at number eight Luke clinching his third World Series
of Darts title. Over the weekend.
Speaker 6 (37:12):
The world shun with a swagger, hits that double sixteen
SI wins on the last series in twenty twenty five in.
Speaker 2 (37:24):
An impress of eight four victory over Mike Dedecca in
the Australian Darts Masters Final seven, the black Caps achieving
their highest ever winning margin in Test cricket.
Speaker 1 (37:38):
And out.
Speaker 8 (37:38):
This time the gullyfielder takes that catch and Duffy gets
his second wicket off the first bottom of a new
Orber one hundred and seventeen all out Zimbabwe in their
second outing and news in and win this Test match
by an innings and three hundred and fifty nine runs
and sealed the series two games to new.
Speaker 2 (37:55):
An utterly enormous win, albeit against a wofully paw Zimbabwe.
Speaker 1 (38:01):
Six.
Speaker 2 (38:02):
Former All Black Leicester fighting is at six, catching the
eye with two tries on his return to Rugby's NPC
with Tasman.
Speaker 9 (38:10):
One's kick doesn't go out and it doesn't go anym
near the twilight, but it's gonna go on down to
Fying and I'll go into the twenty two. He's waving
this way, he's waving that, he's bumping off defenders.
Speaker 7 (38:21):
He's back in New Zealand rugby and he's for a
second try.
Speaker 2 (38:25):
Was Raiser watching you would have to assume yes, he
was five Into the top half, we find the Tall
Blacks going unbeaten through Paul Play at the Fever Asia
Cup basketball tournament with a forty point win over Chinese
Taipei yesterday.
Speaker 4 (38:40):
Wow. All I can say is this turned into a
pretty significant high.
Speaker 2 (38:46):
Scoring win for New Zealand. All Blacks qualified directly for
the quarter finals on Thursday for kiwe cyclist Corbyn Strong
with victory by eleven seconds in the Arctic race of
Norway Ka Boom. You can hear that anchoing around the
fields here as the canons go off. Strong's crowned winner.
(39:08):
He's in great form at the moment. Corbyn Strong and
now owner of the Midnight Sun Jersey Sree the Warriors
women showing the men how It's done a dominant performance
on Saturday night, racking up their highest score of the season.
Speaker 1 (39:23):
Last tackle Paiko curtain crossfield kick whed is the.
Speaker 7 (39:28):
Targets target the Lawyers, finishing in style.
Speaker 4 (39:35):
Right time they've.
Speaker 7 (39:36):
Racked on Murdy, the Warriors edits party time for the visitors.
Speaker 2 (39:41):
Also the first time the Warriors women have won consecutive matches.
In twenty twenty five, Shane van Gisbergen's at two a
fourth NASCAR Cup Series one of the season at Watkins Glenn.
Speaker 3 (39:53):
Marcus Ambrose encouraged.
Speaker 9 (39:54):
Shane ben Gizbergen to do what he's doing now is.
Speaker 3 (39:58):
Fiji does it again, But a year on he gets
redemption and wins at Watkins Glen.
Speaker 2 (40:04):
He was second last year. The though now has the
most victories ever by a driver in their rookie season one.
Could it be anybody else other than ken we tryathlete
Hayden Wild. Just three months on from suffering career threatening
injuries a punched lung, six broken ribs, a shoulder blade injury,
(40:27):
he produced us stunning comeback to win the latest T
one hundred events in London.
Speaker 3 (40:32):
And perhaps the emotion starting to show because this que
athlete is built of something quite extraordinary. Hayden Wild two
wins from two in the T one hundred this year.
What an incredible, logic defying performance.
Speaker 2 (40:48):
Yeah, extraordinary from Hayden Wild as a Piney's Power rankings.
Any glaring omissions or outrageous injustices there and.
Speaker 9 (41:00):
An awkward FC fan Pinty, But I think you're being
very harsh on the Phoenix there there's no pictures on
the tournament bracket.
Speaker 4 (41:05):
Mate.
Speaker 2 (41:05):
It's a cup.
Speaker 9 (41:06):
You win one mill, you go through to the next round.
Doesn't matter how you do it to who you do
it against.
Speaker 4 (41:10):
They won.
Speaker 9 (41:10):
They did what they were supposed to do. Job done, surely.
Speaker 2 (41:13):
Well, No, you make a very good point. Maybe nine
was a but unkind on on Wellington Phoenix Hayden Wild
though they what a story incredible?
Speaker 9 (41:20):
Yeah, I was about I was going to say something
funny about the Tulllas being number one. But yeah, no,
no one beats hat In Midge number ones this week.
Speaker 2 (41:26):
I don't think they do.
Speaker 8 (41:27):
Not.
Speaker 2 (41:28):
Indeed, pine his Power rankings back next Monday, six and
a half to eight, four away from it that our
flew by. Think if your calls your correspondence on Grace
Weeki's eligibility super round. I know that many of you
will already be checking availability of flights and accommodation and
that sort of thing. At christ Church Anzac weekends, the
(41:48):
public holiday is the Monday. Incidentally, It's not the Friday,
not that I'm sure you needed reminding of that, but
the Monday of Anzac weekend is the public holiday. So
if you were to go down there for the weekend,
you can perhaps budget on Monday being the day that
you come back to where ever it is that you
came from. Should be exciting times in christ Church with
(42:09):
the new stadium opening in April of next year. Thanks
to answer me Millisitch for producing tonight. Great work mate,
Evan enjoyable evening. I hope you enjoy the rest of
your evening too. Marcus Lush will take over on the
radio after eight to get you through the rest of
this day. Darcy Watergrave has sports Talk for the rest
of the week and I will see you on weekend
Sport Saturday and Sunday. Sunday show incidentally starts at eleven am,
(42:33):
not midday, at the conclusion of the All Blacks Argentina tests,
so an extra hour for us on Sunday have a
great week, see you on the weekend. Fipin hout
Speaker 1 (42:46):
For more from sports talk, listen live to news talks
it'd be from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast
on iHeartRadio.
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Dancy Wildergrave
from News Talks EDB.
Speaker 2 (00:26):
Good evening and welcome and to Monday night sports talk
on News Talk, said by August eleven. I'm Jason Pinehaw,
producer Ans Millicich. We're here until eight talking sport with you.
Grace Wikett has been named in an eighteen strong Silver
Fern squad for this year and next, starting with next
month's Tiny Jamison Trophy Series against South Africa here in
(00:48):
New Zealand. She has received an eligibility exemption under Netball
New Zealand's new guidelines, having played her domestic netball of course,
in Sydney this season rather than an our an Zid Premiership.
Grace WEEKI is standing by the chat with us. How
was the process? Did she always feel confident that she
would get the opportunity to wear the black dress again?
(01:09):
And also today, Grace workI has re signed with the
New South Wales Swifts for next season, so I just
wonder whether we'll ever see her playing netball domestically in
New Zealand again. Your views on the President the sets
are welcome this evening. Also tonight, christ Church's New Tech
Ka Stadium is going to host Super Rugby Super Round
(01:30):
across a Zach weekend next year. It'll be the first
sporting event at the new venue, just one week after
its official opening. Super Rugby Pacific CEO Jack Mesley is
also on the show. Tonight and Monday Nights mean that
we rate the weekend party's power rankings, rating the best
the worst in the end between bits from the last
(01:50):
seventy two hours or so. You can join the show
if you would like to. Oh, eight hundred and eighty
ten eighty is our free phone number. Seeing your text
messages to nine two nine two or emails into Jason
at Newstalk SEDB dot co dot NZ.
Speaker 1 (02:05):
Eight and a half part the right Call is your
call on eight hundred and eighty ten eighty Sports Talk
Call on your home of Sports News Talk ZEB.
Speaker 2 (02:16):
Grace Wky is officially back in the Silver Ferns fold
Caara Conan.
Speaker 3 (02:22):
That's would be the take of the day, I think,
Grace Wrecky, How did she.
Speaker 4 (02:31):
Keep that alive?
Speaker 2 (02:32):
Yeah? Grace Wicky has been named in an eighteen strong
squad covering the next twelve months after having her application
for an eligibility exemption approved under NEAPLE New Zealand's updated criteria.
Gracewky played in Australia for the New South Wales Swifts
this year and has recommitted to them for twenty twenty six.
Squad named ahead of next month's home series against South
(02:54):
Africa includes five uncapped players the shooting circle trio of
Field Vui, Martina Salmon and Savior Toohey, plus defenders Catherine
Hall and Carris Steithe corters Peta Toyava Taylor Earl and
Mila Rieliu Buchanan or Fegure. Despite limited time on court
for the Ferns in the last twelve months or so,
(03:14):
four players have joined outgoing captain Amelia Raniicanasio in making
themselves unavailable for twenty twenty five Maya Wilson, Tapius Shelby, Rickett,
Jane Watson and Tiana Maturo. The squad's going to be
whittled down to between twelve and fourteen players for Test
one of the tiny jamison against South Africa on the
(03:35):
twenty first of September in Auckland, and the new captain,
of course, will also be named before that series. By
the big story of the day the inclusion of Grace Wickett,
who joins us now, Grace, congratulations on your selection today.
How pleased are you that Nepble New Zealand's board have
granted you this exemption to play for the Silver Ferns.
Speaker 5 (03:56):
Yeah, thanks so much. Yeah, naturally, I'm very very pleased
and very grateful to be able to I guess in
some ways that ma Ca can habit. It was a
very challenging time about twelve months ago, you know, coming
to terms with the realities of playing in Australia and
the implications of taking the contract and losing maligibility, and
(04:18):
so I guess twelve months later to be able to
be back included in the squad and be excited about
the games we have coming up with the opportunity to
contribute through a year that I feel was sort of
with a lot of growth and challenge and new experience.
It's a really cool time and can't went to get
back home.
Speaker 2 (04:37):
Can you tell us about the process of applying for
the exemption. What did that involve?
Speaker 5 (04:43):
Yeah, so, I guess I spent most of the year
with my fingers and tot's cross hoping that there would
be some sort of process stipulated. I guess the hardest
part was that there was prior to this, there was
not really a formal process that we could go through,
and so once they announced that they were going to
allow for applications to be considered, it all happened very
(05:04):
fast in terms of when you're outlining the criteria and
the Christians and answers we needed to provide and speak to,
and then it was a matter of putting the application
together and it sat with the New Zeland Board and
they came back to us quite quickly with their response.
But it was a pretty seamless process once you got
into it. Obviously quite time sent to it as we
(05:26):
were applying in the midst of you know, verbal offers
of intent from different clubs, kind of waiting to know
what the landscape looked like in New Zealand.
Speaker 2 (05:36):
When you made the decision twelve months ago, I think
we might have even spoken shortly after you did. Did
you feel confident Did you have any indication as to
whether the eligibility rules would in fact be examined? Did
you have confidence that they would be.
Speaker 5 (05:53):
There wasn't an overwhelming sense of confidence, but there wasn't
an overwhelming sense that it was impossible. I felt that
I was making a decision that felt right for me,
and that's all I could do and can control with
my action, and so I felt comfortable with my choice
and comfortable with the repercussions and obviously establishedly, I was
(06:16):
hopeful that it would be reviewed and my talks it
with New Zealan, they spoke to, you know, their best
interest is ensuring the quality and the longevity of the
game in New Zealand, which I do understand and respect,
and so with that they would act in a way
that would fulfill those desires. I felt that, you know,
(06:38):
with the World Cup and Calm Games coming up, maybe
they were the opportunity to, you know, have some more
open discussions about what it looks like to play for
New Zealand and where you play your club netball. And
I'm very grateful that that has led to a relaxing
of the rules which I had hopefully been the best
interests of netball in New Zealand and the civil fons performances.
Speaker 2 (07:01):
Well, you were always very clear, Grace that the reason
you were going was to improve as a play Do
you think that happened the season?
Speaker 4 (07:11):
Yes?
Speaker 5 (07:11):
Absolutely. My reasons for going were both the improvement as
a player but also as a person with a new
life experience and a change in scenery, and I think
I got.
Speaker 4 (07:23):
That and drove.
Speaker 5 (07:24):
I feel that, even just especially in pre season, kind
of grappling with the move and the change in scenery
and being away from my support systems and all that
I know and love in Auckland was a huge challenge
and I came away from it with a lot of
understanding of myself and my confidence and my ability to
be independent and to kind of navigate new spaces on
(07:48):
the court. I can confidantly say I'm a bitter knitball
event I was when I left. I feel that I
have a much better understanding of the game, aside from
just the goal shoot game, and more of a critical
way of looking at analysis and tactics and more the
voice and a license and my voice when it comes
to the wider team performance and wider team structures. So
(08:12):
I feel that that a confidence and growth is so
it's new for me. It's exciting to have that. Going
back to New Zealand, I feel that, yeah, I haven't
really fully respected on my numbers, but I'm sure that
they would speak to a successful season of netball and
my goal shoot game. I feel that I've been able
to challenge myself to play differently and play out of
(08:34):
the circle with confidence and increase my goal of set
and just little things like that where I feel that
my game has shifted and I'm becoming a lot more grofertile,
and tell us.
Speaker 2 (08:46):
About the standard of the of the Supernibole competition, not
necessarily comparing it to New Zealand, but how did you
find the standard over there?
Speaker 5 (08:54):
Yeah, the standard was very high. It was fantastic. I
think just when something is so new and new, everything's
kind of novel. There's so much to learn and so
much excitement and that so I really enjoyed kind of
understanding the game they experience, especially how different all of
it's less than even getting around to the other teams
and seeing how they run things and just everything was
(09:16):
exciting because it was my first time experiencing it, and
I think having that fresh kind of perspective is also
a really nice positive of the whole journey and being
able to feel like it's my first time again, and
yet the standard is very high. The game they experienced,
just the little things that go on really make for
(09:37):
a fantastic composition, and I really enjoyed kind of getting
a feel for it.
Speaker 2 (09:42):
Well, let's talk about the Silver Ferns. Busy time. Twelve
tests locked in three against South Africa next month here,
then Constellation Cup home and away October, then a Northern
tour with a couple of tests against Scotland three against England.
How important is it to have so much high quality
netball as you build towards Calm games next year.
Speaker 5 (10:00):
It's huge, It's so important, and obviously it's very stacked
international calendar. It's my time touring three series back to back,
especially without a full break in between and that November tour,
but it's so important, especially given the group we have,
with a lot of debutante or newer players still finding
(10:21):
their feet in the space. The opportunity to just have
that time on task and grow through the lived experience
of being on tour, being away, back to that game,
back to that camp. It's going to be huge and
I think every run involved will come away from this
year of civil Friends netball so much better for it
and so much better equipped to take on comm game.
(10:44):
But I think especially being able to go over to
Scotland and kind of rehearse what that will look like
for the group, that goes away for common games in
July will be hugely beneficial. We did the same thing
in tackle Kate Town for the World Cup just gone,
and I think that ability to to be familiar and
(11:05):
have that experience of tour life is huge and so
it's exciting to have so much in it for equally
daunting and I know it's going to be a huge,
huge time both physically and mentally, but that's not what
we do, it's what we vive in I think a
womic opportunity playing so much testing it goal.
Speaker 2 (11:21):
There's no Amelia Ranick and ourso in the squad. She's
stepped away for twenty twenty five, which leaves you as
very much the senior member in terms of experience in
the shooting circle. So how much extra responsibility do you
think you'll have to take as a result.
Speaker 5 (11:37):
Yeah, not having meals is a huge loss for our group.
She is a fantastic leader, fantastic person and equally fantastic
player on the court. So it's a big gap, and
I feel that the players that have been there will
be able to flat and seamlessly. They've all had fantastic
seasons in various but the positions in the shooting circle.
(12:00):
So it's exciting to see what new connections we can
build and how we can, you know, cand of afford
to new path the attacking end of the Silver Ferns.
I think the way that I see my role there
is just to keep playing my game.
Speaker 6 (12:14):
Well.
Speaker 5 (12:14):
I know that if I'm doing my job and performing
as a goal shooter, that is going to benefit and
support and encourage whoever I get to play goal who
plays goalteck with me, or whoever else is playing goal shooter.
Been able to impart the knowledge that I've gained over
my three or four years in the Silver Ferns Goal
shoot BB to encourage those girls to take the opportunity
(12:35):
and to explore and grow in the in that in
that position, I do feel that I will. I've been there.
I know what it's like to be new in the team,
and I mean it wasn't that long ago that I
was new in the team, So I think I can
relate to that in a way that's different to other
players and really just have that relationship off the court
(12:56):
to give them confidence and give them a sense of security,
because it is a very daunting environment, especially for these debutantes.
So it's exciting. I'm very grateful to be in a
position where I can give back to the dress and
these new players and hopefully make this transition has been
quite seamless, So I'm looking forward to the opportunity to
(13:16):
be more than just to morey about more than just
my faults and really give back and lead.
Speaker 2 (13:22):
Well, they're very lucky to have you just backed to
superpl Did you take many super shots? What did you
leave that to others?
Speaker 5 (13:29):
Yeah? I did not take very many. It's it's complicated,
I think, I I mean, I promise you I was
banking them at training, but I think on game day.
On game day, it's a different story. And yeah, it's
definitely an area of my game that I am determined
to grow. I look at next season as an opportunity
to not just be you know, super shot time. It's oh,
(13:54):
how can we help sucking Grace help so we can
get the ball to the super shot shooter. I want
to be as much of the target and a threat
as my goal attack and that will take time and
you know, training, but I really do that that is
the goal to eventually be a really strong weapon in
that time. But yeah, it's a really different game with
(14:14):
that super show. It changes the way you play, it
changes the way you think about the game, and so
still a growth area and lots of learning you.
Speaker 2 (14:24):
Had there, all right, and just to finish as well
as the news today of your inclusion in the Silver
Ferns news that you've also recommitted to the Swifts for
next year or was that a was that a difficult
decision to make or were you always keen to go back?
Speaker 5 (14:39):
That was not a difficult decision to make. I have
really enjoyed my time in Sydney. Hasn't been about challenge
and hasn't been without you know, the homesickness and I
guess questioning what I'm doing, But I think overall, I
feel like I'm in the best place right now to
keep growing my netball and challenging myself. It's a fantastic city,
(15:00):
there's fantastic players and stuff, and I've really kind of
I think I've done the hardest part of having to
be new inspression. Year two, I hope and Steel will
be a lot more seamless and enjoyable than year one,
and so especially finishing the way we there that we
do have unfinished business. I know what it's like and
(15:20):
I'm feeling the throat I think still of that finish,
and so I am very excited to be back and
to give twenty twenty six a good run and compete
and go for that premiership another time.
Speaker 2 (15:34):
Well, I know netball fans here in New Zealand, Grace,
are delighted with the news today that you'll be wearing
the black dress again, starting in the Tiny Jamison Trophy
next month. All the best for the international season ahead,
busy as it is, and thank you for taking the
time for a chat.
Speaker 4 (15:47):
Tonight, my pleasure, thank you, no, thank.
Speaker 2 (15:49):
You, Grace, Grace Wiki. There your chance to react to
this news if you would like to, all right, one
hundred and eighty ten eighty. Great to see that common
sense has prevailed and Grace Wiki will wear the black
Dress of the Silver Ferns this year, next year, and
basically for as many more years as she decides to.
(16:09):
Because the case of Grace Wiki would have been one
of the quickest open and shutcases of all time. I
would imagine as soon as her application for exemption arrived
at Netball New Zealand headquarters there should have been and
I'm sure there would have been a mad rush to
sign it off, where do we sign they will have
(16:30):
moved with great speed, which, by the sounds of it,
they did to make sure that Grace Wiki, this generational netballer,
was able to play for the Silver Ferns. It does, though,
open up the question about whether we'll ever see grace
Wiki back in our domestic competition, because, as I've just
mentioned to her and we've talked about, alongside the news
(16:50):
today that she's back in the Silver Ferns, came confirmation
she's re signed with the new South Wales Swifts for
next year. And why wouldn't they want her? As I say,
generational netballer, extremely powerful and potent shooter, and the Swifts
fell just short of their Grand Final this year, so
they clear they have some unfinished business and they see
Grace Wiki is a big part of completing that business.
Speaker 4 (17:13):
Now.
Speaker 2 (17:13):
The other part of this, of course, is now that
grace Wiki's been granted her exemption, we wait to see
which other players might go offshore to play their netball
and then apply for exemptions of their own. There'll be
others that are, if not as open and shut as
this one, certainly a fairly easy yes. Players who are
(17:35):
such good assets to the silver ferns that straight away
they'll be given that exemption, but others may not be
quite so sure. They may go to Australia or somewhere
else and apply for that exemption and be told, you
know what, we're not going to grant it to you
for a variety of reasons. Just because grace Wiki has
(17:57):
been given one doesn't mean that everybody will be given one.
And just a word on netle New Zealand's board, you
do have to congratulate them on finally getting to the
position where a they changed the eligibility criteria and b
they applied it quickly and effectively around this grace Wiki situation.
(18:18):
I still wonder why it took them so long. It
was a very long and drawn out process before they
even re examined their eligibility criteria, and let's be honest,
they only did so because they were forced to, really
by grace Wiki going to Australia. She made the decision
(18:42):
to plan Australia to improve herself as a netballer, without
any certainty at that time that she would still be
able to play for New Zealand when she left. I
remember talking to her when she made this decision and
she didn't know there was no guarantee that she would
be able to play for New Zealand again, but she
wanted to go over the Yes, of course she was
(19:03):
being paid well, but she's herb netballer, so she's earned that.
But playing for New Zealand clearly means a lot to her,
and she went to Australia without any cast iron certainty
that she'd be able to continue doing that. She forced
the hand rally of netb on New Zealand's board to
(19:24):
re examine their eligibility criteria. And as I say, thankfully, thankfully,
sanity has prevailed. And much as the board tried to say,
it was never about one player, it was it was
compelled this examination of the eligibility by Grace Wiki. So
(19:45):
the rule will now forever be known as the Grace
Wiki rule. OH eight, one hundred and eighty ten eighty.
If you'd like to have you say nine two ninety
two on text seven twenty six back in a moment
on sports Talk.
Speaker 1 (20:05):
You need to bem. We've got the breakdowns on sports
Talk call eight hundred. News Talk said.
Speaker 2 (20:14):
Seven twenty nine. Lines are open if you want to
talk netball eligibility there's a couple of dissenting voices on text.
Nothing on the phone yet, but you can make your
point ifview would like to come on, Jason, says Steve.
She's gone for the money, Steve, I guess that point
would be more salient if she had gone to a
weaker competition than our A and Z Premiership, but she hasn't.
(20:38):
She's gone to a stronger competition. As I said before,
she's quite entitled to be paid what she is worth,
and I dare say she's being paid far more handsomely
in Australia than she would be here in New Zealand.
But on top of that, she's also playing in a
much tougher competition, which by default will make her a
(21:01):
better netballer. It would be very different if she'd gone
to I don't know, Norway to play her netball and
collected a massive paycheck for doing so. But that's not
the case. No one is ever replaceable, says another text.
That is also true, and so if nepball in New
(21:24):
Zealand had decided, if they had decided that they didn't
want to change things, that they were happy with the
eligibility rules as they stood, then that point would also
have a lot more weight. Yes, no one is irreplaceable,
and rugby grappling with us all the time. In fact,
(21:47):
they wouldn't say they're grappling with it there, They'll say, Look,
our rules are our rules. You have to play super
rugby in order to play for the All Blacks, and
if you don't want to, that's cool. You can do
whatever you like, but we'll pick the next one up. So, yes,
no one is irreplaceable. But if you've got the opportunity
to select somebody who is clearly the very best, not
(22:11):
only in New Zealand but probably the world in her position,
why would you not. The other challenge that Dame Nolen
Todoua has right now is that a number of her
experienced shooters are not available, at least for the back
end of this year and potentially for next year as well.
(22:31):
Amelia and Echinasio has stepped away, Maya Wilson has stepped away,
Tiana Matturo to Pious Selby Rickett. Four of our top
shooters and most experienced silver Ferns have elected not to
be available for the Silver Ferns this year. So getting
grace Wiki back is great anyway, but under these circumstances.
(22:52):
It's almost integral to the way they want to play.
Charles us wadn't you ask about the role of Noleing Todua. Yes,
I should have probably It's been pretty well publicized though,
and we heard Dame Nolen on the radio this afternoon.
Maybe I should have asked Grace. I'm pretty sure she
would have confirmed what Dame Nolen Todua herself said this afternoon,
(23:12):
which was she was clearly a huge fan of getting
Grace Wiki back. There's no surprise there. And when the
eligibility exemption is presented and then discussed, Dame Nolen Todoua
as coach of the Silver Ferns, has her say as
(23:33):
she will when any similar exemption comes in the future.
There may well have been other exemptions asked for. We
don't know. There may be key we players playing overseas,
so now that the rules are different have put in
an application for exemption and not being given one that
doesn't necessarily have to be made public unless the player
themselves decides to make it public. But yes, Dame Noling
(23:57):
Todhell would be consulted on all of these, of course
she would. She is the Silver Ferns coach after all
looking forward to seeing how the Silver Firns go in
a very very busy September, October November. Three tests against
South Africa for the Tiny Jamison Trophy here in New Zealand, Auckland,
Hamilton and for Cargo in September, then two away tests
(24:21):
and two home tests against Australia for the Constellation Cup,
and then off to the Northern Hemisphere for two tests
against Scotland and Glasgow and three against England. I think
they're all in London, and as Grace said, that's particularly
valuable given the fact that the Commonwealth Games in the
middle of next year will be held in Glasgow and
Nepoll of course have held their spot as one of
(24:44):
those Commonwealth Games. Sports in a much smaller Commonwealth Games.
Christ Church's new Takaha Stadium is going to host Super
Rugby's Super Round across Anzac weekend of next year. It'll
be the first sporting event at the new venue, just
one week after it officially opens. The Crusaders will play
(25:07):
the first game against an as yet unconfirmed opponent on
the night of Friday, April twenty fourth. The Hurricanes will
play the Brumbies and the Blues will meet the Reds
on the Saturday, and there will be another doubleheader on
the Sunday. Super Round did not feature in Super Rugby's
schedule this year. It was played in Melbourne from twenty
twenty two to twenty twenty four. Super Rugby Pacific CEO
(25:28):
Jack Measley was in christ Church for the announcement today
and he joins us now on Sports Talk Jack, thanks
for your time. How keen were you to get super
Round back on the Super Rugby calendar.
Speaker 4 (25:39):
Koda Parney, Yeah, really came. I think rugby, as you know,
as a touring is part of part of rugby, and
we know fans across the Pacific love to tour and
go and watch rugby game, so it makes sense for us.
It also just gives us a really big round that
(26:01):
we can really focus on drive visibility and interest in
Super Rugby Pacific and just a great opportunity to bring
everyone together.
Speaker 2 (26:10):
How long have the discussions been going on with the
relevant parties in christ Church to get us to the
announcement today?
Speaker 4 (26:18):
Yeah, I mean some some months. You know. Well I've
been enrolled just over twelve months now and you know,
getting Super Around back back on the agenda was one
thing that we identified early. We had conversations with a
number of different territories, you know, another number of different
cities across Australia in New Zealand and also into the Pacific,
(26:42):
and you know, christ Church right from the outset have
just been really engaged in those discussions and we've worked
really closely together to get us to the point now
that we can we can announce it. And you know,
I think just the the kind of beauty of it
being the new stadium and and that long weekend, you know,
(27:04):
it all kind of fell together just to make a
lot of sense.
Speaker 2 (27:07):
We think you were there this morning at the new venue.
Still construction going on obviously, so high version hard hats,
no doubt. But how's it looking.
Speaker 4 (27:16):
Well, it's looking a lot better than I do in
high vision hard hat. Let's put it out like, yeah
it is. It's going to be unbelievable, bunny. I mean,
we were up a few levels where we did the
precedent this morning and you are on the sideline, so
there is not a bad seat in the house. To
(27:37):
be undercover is just going to make such a difference
for all of those Cantabrians that have been braving the
cold out of Apollo and you know, just a short
stroll from the city. I mean, you know, wonderful bars
and restaurants just down the road. So yeah, all of
those things combined, and you know, I mean Crusaders being
(27:58):
our champions and the most successful Super rugby team. You know,
they are a world class franchise and they're going to
have a world class stay here and that's for sure.
Speaker 2 (28:08):
Initially this is just a one year deal. Are you
keen for it to be a longer term proposition?
Speaker 4 (28:14):
Yeah? We want this as a as a marquee event
in our in our fixture, in our draw every year.
So you know, we'll continue to work hard to try
to make that a reality. You know, as I mentioned,
we've talked to a lot of other states and regions
about about hosting this and we'll continue to have those
(28:35):
those discussions. But you know, we're really thankful that you know,
the city here is as working with us to make
this a reality.
Speaker 2 (28:44):
Yeah, that you find folk of the Crusader's region, no
doubt we'll turn up in big numbers, Jack, But do
you expect a significant number of traveling fans from New
Zealand from Australia potentially from the Pacific Islands. If the
drawer are involved, you think there'll be an influx of
rugby fans, not just those who live in the region.
Speaker 4 (29:01):
Yeah, I mean that's the that's the hope and you know,
the one of the rationales for us, and this is
the first sort of announcement for twenty twenty six super
over specific is to enable people to put it in
their diaries and start thinking about that. Because we know travelings,
you know, it's not easy, it's not cheap, so we
want we want people to start having a think about
(29:23):
that and if they're ever thinking about, you know, going
to an away game or maybe they've got a boys
golf tour or a Premiership reunion or any of those
sorts of things, start to think about well, maybe maybe
lining that up with a with a long weekend in
christ Church could be a good idea. And we know,
we know from Melbourne, you know, super Round did attract
a lot of a lot of people from across at Tasman,
(29:46):
a lot of New Zealanders went over and a lot
of people from New South Love and Victoria had traveled down.
So we're pretty confident that you know, with a really
strong local supporter base, you know, sort of you know,
adding a lot of weight to what we'll see in stadium.
It's going to be a great atmosphere and that'll be
topped up by people coming from them all over New
(30:07):
Zealand and Australia as well. And you know, I think
the interesting thing is that, you know, there's so many
Cantabrians living in in Auckland, there's so many Gans living
in Sydney. So you know, I think it's wrong to
assume that, you know, we don't have we don't have
fans from all teams living in all of our great
cities around the pacify fair.
Speaker 2 (30:27):
To say that super Round never really worked in Melbourne
to the extent that I'm sure the organizers then would
have hoped. Are there any lessons to be taken from that? Yeah?
Speaker 4 (30:38):
I think so, you know, I do know, you know
from from what from speaking with the organizers that you know,
one thing that did work was they did get the travelers.
So whilst the stadiums were nowhere near as full as
anyone would have liked, there was a pretty good critical
mass of travelers, right, and that's what you know, funds
(30:59):
these these sorts of projects for all of the codes.
So so we've we've got to continue to focus on
at and then you know, I think it's about making
it a complete event, and our discussions with the city
here and the venue and the Crusaders of all about
making sure that when you come to christ Church for
(31:20):
Super Around, you know, you feel that you're part of
an event all the way through the city, whether that's
down at Riverside, whether that's in the precinct of the
stadium or in the stadium. So we're really working on
that sort of coordinated approach so that you know, when
people come, they'll have a they'll have a holistic experience,
and we really hope people come for that experience. But
(31:42):
also then you know, go and spend a few days
seeing the region, enjoying all that christ Church and Canterbury
and surrounds has to offer.
Speaker 2 (31:52):
Super right be Pacific of course as and eleven team competition,
so one team will have the buy challenging conversation telling
one team that they're not coming to super Round.
Speaker 4 (32:01):
Yeah, well, you know, the whole drawer is one big
challenging conversation for me and all the teams. This is
another element. Yeah, and discussions with the clubs is that
the clubs are super excited to have this back. So yeah,
it's a shame that not everyone can be there, but yeah,
we'll look to try to get this as a regular
(32:25):
part of the fixture and make sure that we rotate
that round. All right.
Speaker 2 (32:29):
So, as I said at the start, Crusader's going to
open up on Friday Night, their opponent to be confirmed,
then the Trans Tasman double heater on the Saturday, another
double hitter Sunday. When will the full draw not just
for Super Round Jack but for the twenty twenty sixth
season be out.
Speaker 4 (32:45):
Yeah, in the coming weeks, Piney, Yeah, we're working hard.
We're pretty close to close to that. So yeah, I'm
in the full details, you know, starting date, end date,
grand final date and the full full draw should be
coming coming pretty soon and we've been working hard on that,
and that'll be well ahead of where we've released it
(33:06):
in previous years, which we're excited about. But yeah, I
think just on the Super Round fixturing, yeah, we see
that Friday night sort of being a opening party night,
going to be high energy and then on the Saturday,
and the reason why we have sort of confirmed those
fixtures on the Saturdays because they're outsort of traditional and
that day matches and we're really trying to get in
(33:29):
behind those matches and each year and make them very
special as we celebrate that connection between our between Australia
and New Zealand and recognized, recognize Anzac Day.
Speaker 2 (33:41):
Very exciting weekend and prospect. April twenty four to twenty
five and twenty six of next year. Jack, congratulations on
getting this across the line and confirmed. I know you're
going to be there. I'm going to do everything in
my power to be bringing weekend sport from to the
listeners from christ across ans Ex weekend next weekend too,
So appreciate you taking the time for it yet.
Speaker 4 (34:02):
Today no worries mate, We love love seeing you at
the Grand Final. Yeah, we'll look forward to catching up
again in christ here.
Speaker 2 (34:10):
Yeah, that'll be great, Jack, Dan's indeed, thanks for your time,
Jack Misley, CEO of super Rugby Pacific, with confirmation super
Round's headed to christ your Chansac Day next weekend, next
weekend next year. Sorry I think I said next weekend
to Jack during that interview too. Next year of course.
April twenty four to twenty five twenty six of twenty
twenty six. One team's going to miss out eleven teams.
(34:33):
We know the Highlanders and Chiefs will be there. I'd
bet pretty good money that both the Fiji and Drewer
and more Ona Pacifica will be there. We know that
the Hurricanes, Brumby's Blues, Reds and Crusaders will be there
because that's already been announced. So it's between the Force
and the Wartas who misses out. The Crusaders play Friday Night.
It doesn't matter who they play. You don't have to
(34:53):
make that a banner marquee matchup. Well, Jack say high
energy party night. That'll sell out no matter who they play.
So I would say what if it was me, I'd
say the Crusaders will be up again whichever of the
war Atars or the Force comes, because I think one
of them is going to miss out. Then Sunday Chiefs
(35:14):
against one of Moina Pacifica or Fijian Drawer and Highlander
is against the other one. That's the way I do it.
That's not confirmed. I don't know anything about the draw.
It's just me spitballing, but that's the way I would
do it, and I would say yeah, like I say,
the war Tars Wire the force one of them. It's
probably not going to be there in year one. Look
forward to seeing the full draw come out. Look forward
(35:35):
to Super Round in christ Church and Zach weekend twenty
twenty six coming up quarter to eight. Let's get a
break away when we come back. Well rate the weekend
Piney's Power Rankings after this.
Speaker 1 (35:58):
Our rankings.
Speaker 2 (36:01):
Alrighty, let's rate the weekend. We do it every Monday night.
We call it Piney's Power Rankings, rating the best, the
worst and the in between. From the sporting weekend. The
Warriors men are at ten. Defeat the Bulldogs in the
wet on Saturday night. It's a convincing one to care debury,
beating the Warriors by thirty two points to forty. That
(36:22):
defeat drops them out of the NRL's top four. Of course,
for the first time since mid April. Is there a
way back side Wellington Phoenix who needed ninety four minutes
before they finally got past fourtier side none of Wadding
City won nil an injury time to progress to the quarterfinals.
(36:43):
And Football's Australia Cup.
Speaker 7 (36:45):
Army in two whips it in five, done it here
a year is again saves the blushes of the Wellington Phoenix,
Carlo m Into's corner worst big on the.
Speaker 2 (36:57):
Money, certainly not the most inspiring of performances from the Knicks,
but victory nonetheless, and into the last eight day go
see at number eight Luke clinching his third World Series
of Darts title. Over the weekend.
Speaker 6 (37:12):
The world shun with a swagger, hits that double sixteen
SI wins on the last series in twenty twenty five in.
Speaker 2 (37:24):
An impress of eight four victory over Mike Dedecca in
the Australian Darts Masters Final seven, the black Caps achieving
their highest ever winning margin in Test cricket.
Speaker 1 (37:38):
And out.
Speaker 8 (37:38):
This time the gullyfielder takes that catch and Duffy gets
his second wicket off the first bottom of a new
Orber one hundred and seventeen all out Zimbabwe in their
second outing and news in and win this Test match
by an innings and three hundred and fifty nine runs
and sealed the series two games to new.
Speaker 2 (37:55):
An utterly enormous win, albeit against a wofully paw Zimbabwe.
Speaker 1 (38:01):
Six.
Speaker 2 (38:02):
Former All Black Leicester fighting is at six, catching the
eye with two tries on his return to Rugby's NPC
with Tasman.
Speaker 9 (38:10):
One's kick doesn't go out and it doesn't go anym
near the twilight, but it's gonna go on down to
Fying and I'll go into the twenty two. He's waving
this way, he's waving that, he's bumping off defenders.
Speaker 7 (38:21):
He's back in New Zealand rugby and he's for a
second try.
Speaker 2 (38:25):
Was Raiser watching you would have to assume yes, he
was five Into the top half, we find the Tall
Blacks going unbeaten through Paul Play at the Fever Asia
Cup basketball tournament with a forty point win over Chinese
Taipei yesterday.
Speaker 4 (38:40):
Wow. All I can say is this turned into a
pretty significant high.
Speaker 2 (38:46):
Scoring win for New Zealand. All Blacks qualified directly for
the quarter finals on Thursday for kiwe cyclist Corbyn Strong
with victory by eleven seconds in the Arctic race of
Norway Ka Boom. You can hear that anchoing around the
fields here as the canons go off. Strong's crowned winner.
(39:08):
He's in great form at the moment. Corbyn Strong and
now owner of the Midnight Sun Jersey Sree the Warriors
women showing the men how It's done a dominant performance
on Saturday night, racking up their highest score of the season.
Speaker 1 (39:23):
Last tackle Paiko curtain crossfield kick whed is the.
Speaker 7 (39:28):
Targets target the Lawyers, finishing in style.
Speaker 4 (39:35):
Right time they've.
Speaker 7 (39:36):
Racked on Murdy, the Warriors edits party time for the visitors.
Speaker 2 (39:41):
Also the first time the Warriors women have won consecutive matches.
In twenty twenty five, Shane van Gisbergen's at two a
fourth NASCAR Cup Series one of the season at Watkins Glenn.
Speaker 3 (39:53):
Marcus Ambrose encouraged.
Speaker 9 (39:54):
Shane ben Gizbergen to do what he's doing now is.
Speaker 3 (39:58):
Fiji does it again, But a year on he gets
redemption and wins at Watkins Glen.
Speaker 2 (40:04):
He was second last year. The though now has the
most victories ever by a driver in their rookie season one.
Could it be anybody else other than ken we tryathlete
Hayden Wild. Just three months on from suffering career threatening
injuries a punched lung, six broken ribs, a shoulder blade injury,
(40:27):
he produced us stunning comeback to win the latest T
one hundred events in London.
Speaker 3 (40:32):
And perhaps the emotion starting to show because this que
athlete is built of something quite extraordinary. Hayden Wild two
wins from two in the T one hundred this year.
What an incredible, logic defying performance.
Speaker 2 (40:48):
Yeah, extraordinary from Hayden Wild as a Piney's Power rankings.
Any glaring omissions or outrageous injustices there and.
Speaker 9 (41:00):
An awkward FC fan Pinty, But I think you're being
very harsh on the Phoenix there there's no pictures on
the tournament bracket.
Speaker 4 (41:05):
Mate.
Speaker 2 (41:05):
It's a cup.
Speaker 9 (41:06):
You win one mill, you go through to the next round.
Doesn't matter how you do it to who you do
it against.
Speaker 4 (41:10):
They won.
Speaker 9 (41:10):
They did what they were supposed to do. Job done, surely.
Speaker 2 (41:13):
Well, No, you make a very good point. Maybe nine
was a but unkind on on Wellington Phoenix Hayden Wild
though they what a story incredible?
Speaker 9 (41:20):
Yeah, I was about I was going to say something
funny about the Tulllas being number one. But yeah, no,
no one beats hat In Midge number ones this week.
Speaker 2 (41:26):
I don't think they do.
Speaker 8 (41:27):
Not.
Speaker 2 (41:28):
Indeed, pine his Power rankings back next Monday, six and
a half to eight, four away from it that our
flew by. Think if your calls your correspondence on Grace
Weeki's eligibility super round. I know that many of you
will already be checking availability of flights and accommodation and
that sort of thing. At christ Church Anzac weekends, the
(41:48):
public holiday is the Monday. Incidentally, It's not the Friday,
not that I'm sure you needed reminding of that, but
the Monday of Anzac weekend is the public holiday. So
if you were to go down there for the weekend,
you can perhaps budget on Monday being the day that
you come back to where ever it is that you
came from. Should be exciting times in christ Church with
(42:09):
the new stadium opening in April of next year. Thanks
to answer me Millisitch for producing tonight. Great work mate,
Evan enjoyable evening. I hope you enjoy the rest of
your evening too. Marcus Lush will take over on the
radio after eight to get you through the rest of
this day. Darcy Watergrave has sports Talk for the rest
of the week and I will see you on weekend
Sport Saturday and Sunday. Sunday show incidentally starts at eleven am,
(42:33):
not midday, at the conclusion of the All Blacks Argentina tests,
so an extra hour for us on Sunday have a
great week, see you on the weekend. Fipin hout
Speaker 1 (42:46):
For more from sports talk, listen live to news talks
it'd be from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast
on iHeartRadio.
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