September 11, 2025 • 17 mins
Ahead of the second All Blacks-Springboks test at Wellington's Sky Stadium, Nick Mills spoke to the two television match day commentators - Sky TV's Grant Nisbett and Super Sport South Africa's Matt Pearce.
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Speaker 1 (00:07):
You're listening to the Wellington Mornings podcast with Nick Mills
from News Talk SEDB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Last week on this very show, I said it was
the most anticipated game of rugby since the World Cup final.
Speaker 3 (00:22):
I for weeks out was starting to get excited.
Speaker 2 (00:25):
South Africa world champions can't be beat in the bomb
squad coming into Eden Park the Fortress. I was right,
it was a great game of football and with us
to talk to us about it. This morning is the
voice of New Zealand Rugby and a Wellington great Grant.
This but good morning Grant and joined by Matt Pierce,
(00:49):
the voice of South African rugby and Matt, We're delighted
to have you on the show and welcome to Wellington.
Speaker 4 (00:56):
Thanks very much, Nick and morning. This vote right.
Speaker 2 (00:59):
Feel free to speak to each other and have a
crack at each other during this little segment because I
want you guys have got a lot more be Braden's
that I have.
Speaker 3 (01:08):
But I'm going to start with you on this.
Speaker 2 (01:10):
What went right last week for the All Blacks and
what went wrong for the Spring Boks.
Speaker 5 (01:16):
Look, I think it went right with the All Blacks
is they started really well. They got out to what
was at fourteen points to nil in difficult conditions, and
it was always going to be pretty tough for the
spring Box to come back. They'll be the first to admit,
and I'm sure Matt will be too, that they've got
a fair few things wrong, particularly at line out time,
where the All Blacks stole the fair bit of ball
(01:37):
and they just didn't take their opportunity. Sure, they came
back into it in the second half, but I never
really felt like the All Blacks were going to lose
the game.
Speaker 3 (01:45):
And we're never good in the second half? Are witness bot?
Speaker 5 (01:47):
No, we're not. We've got a history it, certainly over
the last couple of years of not being good at
certainly in the last twenty minutes, and we had to
defend for all we were all we were worth that
we held out.
Speaker 3 (01:59):
Matt. Did the spring Box take us too lightly?
Speaker 4 (02:03):
Oh? No, not at all. How can you take a
team too lightly that's never lost at that stadium in
the professional era, and frankly was ranked number one in
the world. I know the rankings. Some people don't agree
with them and disagree, but no, they didn't take them
(02:23):
too lightly. They really sensed there was an opportunity on
the line last weekend, and Lisbo's right, they were the
first to admit that they were just not clinical enough.
You can't let the All Blacks get away to a
start like that. We did it in twenty twenty three
at Mount Smart in Auckland. First quarter the All Blacks
(02:44):
were just exceptional and there was a little bit of
deja vous. The difference is that in the Mount Smart
game we weren't able to find a way back into
the game. And I really felt we finished at Eden
Park very very strongly and there was a definite chance
of a draw as the clock ticked down. Some key
(03:09):
moments on defense for the All Blacks got them over
the line. But this was a Springbok team that finished
much stronger, but definitely did not underestimate the All Blacks.
And to Nisbo's point, you know, they made thirteen twenty
two meter entries and weren't able to convert enough of
them and that was down to their own execution errors.
(03:32):
And I expect them to be a lot better this week.
Speaker 3 (03:34):
You see both.
Speaker 2 (03:35):
I've got to bring you in here because this is
the fifth I think I'm right, the fifth back three
combination this year. Will Jordan on the wing when I
thought he was secure at fullback Damian Mackenzie fullback Leroy Carter.
I'm sorry, but I've never.
Speaker 3 (03:49):
Heard of him.
Speaker 5 (03:52):
Well, yeah, twelve months ago you probably would have thought
Leroy Carter on the left wing for the All Blacks.
Who the hell was Leroy Carter. He's really made as
mark as a sevens player. He's played over one hundred
games for the New Zealand Evans team and he's been
able to transition into the fifteen man game, which a
lot of people can't do. And it's going to be
(04:15):
very interesting just to see whether he can make the
next step up, which THEAUSE a lot of players don't.
But you're right, there's been a lot of changes around
that back three. You know, We've had Rico Yoanni on
the left wing for a long long time, then moved
into center to accommodate other players. We've had sebu Reese there,
Emoni Nada. Will played there last week but he sadly
(04:35):
got injured. And the big debate about whether Will Jordan
is better off at fullback or on the wing. I
personally think fullback, but I think circumstances might have played
a part in going to the wing this week. And
Damien Mackenzie, who I very much prefer to come off
the bench because he doesn't impact the last twenty minutes
of the game. He's at fullback. So you're right. I
(04:55):
mean it is a kind of a transition, a wee
bit like the spring Box are doing. And when you
look back, Nick, you know, rather subtly Scott Robertson has
been changing this to a that team. You know, there
was no David Harbiley this year, there was no Ethan
black At this year, Rico Yuani he's gone for the
moment anyway, So there has been a subtle change, perhaps
(05:18):
not quite as extreme as what the Springboks are doing,
but you know it is evolving for sure.
Speaker 2 (05:24):
You know, Matt I was completely blown away by the
early timing of the spring Book team.
Speaker 3 (05:29):
What do you what do you make of that?
Speaker 4 (05:33):
We weren't surprised at already? I think was there were
good reasons to only name the team on Thursday last
week because there were a couple of players carrying a
couple of niggles and he wanted to give that extra time.
I mean, generally most Test match Week's Russia Erasmus name
is his team on a Tuesday but this week, with
(05:55):
all the noise around Eden Park, he just decided to
get it out of the way. I mean internally, the
team knows the team on a Monday morning, so it
just takes away all speculation. And people talk about mind games.
I don't think it's mind games at all. I think,
in fact, naming your team early is perhaps the contrary.
(06:19):
You're just saying, you're being open and honest and say
that's what I'm putting out on Saturday. Now, you've got
four days to analyze it before you name your team,
and we're happy to let you know who we're playing.
I think it's quite refreshing in a way.
Speaker 3 (06:33):
There's bo The weathers are westerly.
Speaker 2 (06:35):
Now you know the weather of Wellington a lot better
than me because you know this is your job. But
I mean a westerly what does that mean for Skystadium
on Saturday night?
Speaker 3 (06:43):
And a little bit of water?
Speaker 5 (06:45):
Yeah, a little bit of water. I'm not quite sure.
I keep hearing different versions of what the weather might be,
but you know it might play a part. I'm not
sure really. It's you know, we don't have a roof.
Unfortunately we should and we all agree with that now.
But Nevertheless, when you come to Wellington you've got to
expect the we better wind and possibly a little bit
(07:06):
of rain. But look, I think they coped with worse
conditions at Eton Park last week. Some of that rain
was so damn heavy. I don't think we'll see that.
So look, I don't think where there will be an excuse.
It might be a slight factor, but the players and
the coaching staff will know that.
Speaker 2 (07:23):
Nick, what about the sky Stadium. I don't want to
call it jigs, but we're not the all recks are
not good in Wellington unless we look back to Athletic Park.
Speaker 5 (07:37):
Yeah, they weren't even good there. Yeah, particularly against the
spring Lot. And of course the last few times the
Box have been through Wellington they've had a win, a
famous win, and a drawer and so they're on a
bit of a role now, aren't they.
Speaker 4 (07:56):
Well it's hard to call it a role because we
haven't been here since twenty nineteen, but he is right.
We've got some good memories of these last two visits.
You know, the twenty eighteen game was epic. I often
say to people, you know, when Russia Rasmus came back
as the coach at the start of twenty eighteen. He
targeted that game as proof of the potential that this
(08:20):
team had. And at the end of twenty eighteen, you
look back on his first season in charge. They played
fourteen tests and won seven. They lost seven of fifty
percent wind record. Now, for many a Springbok coach in
the past, that would be enough for you to lose
your job a fifty percent win record, But there was
this one result that stood out, and that was Wellington
(08:43):
where they won thirty six thirty four exactly a year
to the day after losing fifty seven nil at North Harbor.
And that was the game that turned this whole squad around,
that gave them the belief that they could go on
to achieve greater things. So that was an epic And
to come back a year later, just before the World
(09:04):
Cup and snatch a draw at the death, it was dramatic,
It was exciting. But yes, a lot of the squad
have good memories of this stadium.
Speaker 2 (09:11):
Mat Can I ask you just a personal question and
do you think that South African rugby on a whole
is better after leaving Super Rugby?
Speaker 4 (09:20):
Oh I always get asked this question in New Zealand. Look,
there's two ways of answering it. I think playing in
the Northern Hemisphere has some distinct advantages, not least the
time difference, being able to watch the games at convenient
times during the day, and also that the travel is
(09:43):
not as onerous. Yes, it's still a twelve hours sometimes
more than twelve hour flight north south, but you don't
have that jet lag and time different So from a
player's perspective, that is simpler. From a viewer's perspective, that
the times line up better and it demands a different
skill set. I think the type of rugby is very different.
(10:05):
So do we miss the opportunity to play against New
Zealand and Australian teams Argentinian teams? Yes we do. But
has it been as detrimental as some people think to
our rugby. No, And to be clear on this and
not to point fingers or anything, you know, it was
(10:28):
impossible for us to play super rugby because of restrictions
to enter the country. I mean we super rugby carried
on or a form of super rugby carried on without
South Africa because of logistical imperatives. We simply couldn't come
into Australia or New Zealand at the time. I think
(10:50):
I'm right in saying, you know, you could travel trans Tasman,
but you couldn't come in from international for quite a
long time, and we had to go and play somewhere
because otherwise the game was in danger of collapse.
Speaker 3 (11:04):
Lis Bo. I know he's a Noori's man, not a
Ponnicky man.
Speaker 2 (11:08):
But one hundred games for Ardie Savio I get a
bit emotional even talking about it. I mean, how big
an impact has he been since he's been on the scene,
And God, how good about it?
Speaker 3 (11:18):
A B to B played his one hundred game at
sky Stadium.
Speaker 5 (11:21):
Yeah, that would have been an ideal. Look, more importantly, Nick,
he's a wrong Atai college man. That's the most important thing.
Forget about the club stuff. But look, he's a bit
of a legend around these parts obviously, But he went
off to play with Mahana last year and I think
went with the blessing of a lot of people. But look,
he's he's been World Rugby Player of the Year for
a very good reason. And I mean the debate's probably
(11:45):
going to continue about whether he's best at eight or seven.
I personally think seven because he does forage and he
does turn the ball over and I think the all
Black selectors have got the mix right. But yes, an
absolute legend and it would have been nice to have
played his hundredths at his home ground, but that's the
way it works out. But I'm sure he'll make a
(12:07):
huge impact again tomorrow night.
Speaker 2 (12:09):
Okay, you guys commentate the games. You sit next to
each other, You're obviously traveled the world together and know
each other. Reasonaly, well do you do you give each
other the look, the look through the glass, or the
first pamp or the one finger up or the does
anything go on?
Speaker 5 (12:28):
Not that we can reveal, Matt.
Speaker 4 (12:32):
No, we've actually struck up a really good friendship over
the years. You know, my my predecessor in South Africa,
Hugh Blade and absolutely iconic voice around rugby, and I
know he and Nisbo were and remain very good friends.
I saw Huie a couple of weeks ago in Cape
(12:53):
Town and he gave so much to rugby, and you know,
maybe maybe Lisbo was thinking, you know, who's this young
weaper snapper when I arrived in New Zealand for the
first time. But it's been great to sort of host
each other in our respective countries. You know, they talk
about the rivalry and the respect between these two teams,
(13:15):
and that genuinely extends through to the broadcasters. You know,
whenever we're in each other's countries, we love to get
together and talk about the game and share memory, share
a meal, the odd glass of wine and reminisce and
look forward. You know, we've got so much to look
forward to. You know, this three test tour of South
(13:37):
Africa by the All Blacks next year is just mouth watering.
Speaker 2 (13:42):
Nis Bo, give us a prediction, and I know that
you would have treated Matt with the utmost respect because
I was a young buck or an experienced buck when
I work with you, and you're always who, how, why
and when? That was my great take from you, So
I'm sure you would have treated them without most respect.
Speaker 3 (13:59):
But give us your prediction for Tomorro and Iden Wennington.
Speaker 5 (14:03):
Yeah. Look, before I do that, Nick, can I just
iterate everything Matt says and also the fact that he
is absolutely besotted with peanuts slabs. Obviously you can't get
you can't get peanuts slabs. I don't think in South Africa.
Speaker 4 (14:18):
Though.
Speaker 5 (14:18):
Whenever Matt comes to New Zealand, he heads off to
buy as many peanuts slabs as he possibly can. Having
said that, I did a little bit of research neck
and over one hundred and nine test matches between these
two countries, the average score is New Zealand twenty one
South Africa seventeen. So I'm going to leave it at that.
Speaker 2 (14:41):
Wow, Matt mad if you had a peanuts slab this
morning at a bit early.
Speaker 4 (14:45):
Eight, not it a bit early for a peanuts slab.
I will definitely be having one or two later in
the day, probably after a mince and cheese pie. That's
another favorite of mine here in New Zealand. Yeah, so
I'm going for us to sort of buck the average.
I respect those twenty one seventeen. Look, we need to
(15:11):
win this test, I think, to retain a hope of
defending the Rugby Championship. Is a relatively untested back division,
as I said, but I think of it Triers, It's
got a really good opportunity. This is a fantastic All
Black side. I think they'll have a little bit of pressure.
The weight of expectation heading into Eden Park with the
(15:33):
record on the line, I think probably weighed them down
a little bit and they can probably play with more
freedom a little less fear, if I can put it
that way. But this is also a Springbok team loaded
with a number of players from perhaps the next generation,
who who've got an opportunity to make a statement against
(15:56):
their biggest foe. So look, it'll be another cracking test match.
And I'm South African at heart and in head, and
I'm going to go with us putting it in Wellington.
Speaker 3 (16:09):
You'll give me the score. Come on, you're giving me
the sermon. Now give me the score.
Speaker 4 (16:14):
Okay, Box by five?
Speaker 3 (16:17):
Well let us it doesn't help us. It gonna be five.
Speaker 2 (16:19):
Nels are going to be twenty eight to seventeen. What's
your score?
Speaker 4 (16:22):
I have no idea next. Sorry, you're not going to
get me on this one. They could be they could
be driving rain, they could be okay, yellow and red cards.
I don't know. It's going to be a test mate.
Speaker 2 (16:32):
Well, I'm telling you, I well, this is what I believe.
I believe the All Blacks will win. If they don't win,
it'll be the spring Box will win by a hell
of a lot more than five. There there's my one. Hey,
thank you grunting us, but thank you very much for
chatting to us on the show. I know you're always
happy to take our calls and give us your great knowledge.
Matt Pierce, Welcome to Wellington. I hope your trip to
(16:53):
Wellington is great. And if you're downtown Nisbet will tell
you where to catch me and I'll buy you a
beer on Saturday night.
Speaker 5 (16:59):
Thanks nd on your name all right.
Speaker 1 (17:02):
For more from Wellington Mornings with Nick Mills, listen live
to news to It'd Be Wellington from nine am weekdays,
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Wellington Mornings podcast with Nick Mills
from News Talk SEDB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Last week on this very show, I said it was
the most anticipated game of rugby since the World Cup final.
Speaker 3 (00:22):
I for weeks out was starting to get excited.
Speaker 2 (00:25):
South Africa world champions can't be beat in the bomb
squad coming into Eden Park the Fortress. I was right,
it was a great game of football and with us
to talk to us about it. This morning is the
voice of New Zealand Rugby and a Wellington great Grant.
This but good morning Grant and joined by Matt Pierce,
(00:49):
the voice of South African rugby and Matt, We're delighted
to have you on the show and welcome to Wellington.
Speaker 4 (00:56):
Thanks very much, Nick and morning. This vote right.
Speaker 2 (00:59):
Feel free to speak to each other and have a
crack at each other during this little segment because I
want you guys have got a lot more be Braden's
that I have.
Speaker 3 (01:08):
But I'm going to start with you on this.
Speaker 2 (01:10):
What went right last week for the All Blacks and
what went wrong for the Spring Boks.
Speaker 5 (01:16):
Look, I think it went right with the All Blacks
is they started really well. They got out to what
was at fourteen points to nil in difficult conditions, and
it was always going to be pretty tough for the
spring Box to come back. They'll be the first to admit,
and I'm sure Matt will be too, that they've got
a fair few things wrong, particularly at line out time,
where the All Blacks stole the fair bit of ball
(01:37):
and they just didn't take their opportunity. Sure, they came
back into it in the second half, but I never
really felt like the All Blacks were going to lose
the game.
Speaker 3 (01:45):
And we're never good in the second half? Are witness bot?
Speaker 5 (01:47):
No, we're not. We've got a history it, certainly over
the last couple of years of not being good at
certainly in the last twenty minutes, and we had to
defend for all we were all we were worth that
we held out.
Speaker 3 (01:59):
Matt. Did the spring Box take us too lightly?
Speaker 4 (02:03):
Oh? No, not at all. How can you take a
team too lightly that's never lost at that stadium in
the professional era, and frankly was ranked number one in
the world. I know the rankings. Some people don't agree
with them and disagree, but no, they didn't take them
(02:23):
too lightly. They really sensed there was an opportunity on
the line last weekend, and Lisbo's right, they were the
first to admit that they were just not clinical enough.
You can't let the All Blacks get away to a
start like that. We did it in twenty twenty three
at Mount Smart in Auckland. First quarter the All Blacks
(02:44):
were just exceptional and there was a little bit of
deja vous. The difference is that in the Mount Smart
game we weren't able to find a way back into
the game. And I really felt we finished at Eden
Park very very strongly and there was a definite chance
of a draw as the clock ticked down. Some key
(03:09):
moments on defense for the All Blacks got them over
the line. But this was a Springbok team that finished
much stronger, but definitely did not underestimate the All Blacks.
And to Nisbo's point, you know, they made thirteen twenty
two meter entries and weren't able to convert enough of
them and that was down to their own execution errors.
(03:32):
And I expect them to be a lot better this week.
Speaker 3 (03:34):
You see both.
Speaker 2 (03:35):
I've got to bring you in here because this is
the fifth I think I'm right, the fifth back three
combination this year. Will Jordan on the wing when I
thought he was secure at fullback Damian Mackenzie fullback Leroy Carter.
I'm sorry, but I've never.
Speaker 3 (03:49):
Heard of him.
Speaker 5 (03:52):
Well, yeah, twelve months ago you probably would have thought
Leroy Carter on the left wing for the All Blacks.
Who the hell was Leroy Carter. He's really made as
mark as a sevens player. He's played over one hundred
games for the New Zealand Evans team and he's been
able to transition into the fifteen man game, which a
lot of people can't do. And it's going to be
(04:15):
very interesting just to see whether he can make the
next step up, which THEAUSE a lot of players don't.
But you're right, there's been a lot of changes around
that back three. You know, We've had Rico Yoanni on
the left wing for a long long time, then moved
into center to accommodate other players. We've had sebu Reese there,
Emoni Nada. Will played there last week but he sadly
(04:35):
got injured. And the big debate about whether Will Jordan
is better off at fullback or on the wing. I
personally think fullback, but I think circumstances might have played
a part in going to the wing this week. And
Damien Mackenzie, who I very much prefer to come off
the bench because he doesn't impact the last twenty minutes
of the game. He's at fullback. So you're right. I
(04:55):
mean it is a kind of a transition, a wee
bit like the spring Box are doing. And when you
look back, Nick, you know, rather subtly Scott Robertson has
been changing this to a that team. You know, there
was no David Harbiley this year, there was no Ethan
black At this year, Rico Yuani he's gone for the
moment anyway, So there has been a subtle change, perhaps
(05:18):
not quite as extreme as what the Springboks are doing,
but you know it is evolving for sure.
Speaker 2 (05:24):
You know, Matt I was completely blown away by the
early timing of the spring Book team.
Speaker 3 (05:29):
What do you what do you make of that?
Speaker 4 (05:33):
We weren't surprised at already? I think was there were
good reasons to only name the team on Thursday last
week because there were a couple of players carrying a
couple of niggles and he wanted to give that extra time.
I mean, generally most Test match Week's Russia Erasmus name
is his team on a Tuesday but this week, with
(05:55):
all the noise around Eden Park, he just decided to
get it out of the way. I mean internally, the
team knows the team on a Monday morning, so it
just takes away all speculation. And people talk about mind games.
I don't think it's mind games at all. I think,
in fact, naming your team early is perhaps the contrary.
(06:19):
You're just saying, you're being open and honest and say
that's what I'm putting out on Saturday. Now, you've got
four days to analyze it before you name your team,
and we're happy to let you know who we're playing.
I think it's quite refreshing in a way.
Speaker 3 (06:33):
There's bo The weathers are westerly.
Speaker 2 (06:35):
Now you know the weather of Wellington a lot better
than me because you know this is your job. But
I mean a westerly what does that mean for Skystadium
on Saturday night?
Speaker 3 (06:43):
And a little bit of water?
Speaker 5 (06:45):
Yeah, a little bit of water. I'm not quite sure.
I keep hearing different versions of what the weather might be,
but you know it might play a part. I'm not
sure really. It's you know, we don't have a roof.
Unfortunately we should and we all agree with that now.
But Nevertheless, when you come to Wellington you've got to
expect the we better wind and possibly a little bit
(07:06):
of rain. But look, I think they coped with worse
conditions at Eton Park last week. Some of that rain
was so damn heavy. I don't think we'll see that.
So look, I don't think where there will be an excuse.
It might be a slight factor, but the players and
the coaching staff will know that.
Speaker 2 (07:23):
Nick, what about the sky Stadium. I don't want to
call it jigs, but we're not the all recks are
not good in Wellington unless we look back to Athletic Park.
Speaker 5 (07:37):
Yeah, they weren't even good there. Yeah, particularly against the
spring Lot. And of course the last few times the
Box have been through Wellington they've had a win, a
famous win, and a drawer and so they're on a
bit of a role now, aren't they.
Speaker 4 (07:56):
Well it's hard to call it a role because we
haven't been here since twenty nineteen, but he is right.
We've got some good memories of these last two visits.
You know, the twenty eighteen game was epic. I often
say to people, you know, when Russia Rasmus came back
as the coach at the start of twenty eighteen. He
targeted that game as proof of the potential that this
(08:20):
team had. And at the end of twenty eighteen, you
look back on his first season in charge. They played
fourteen tests and won seven. They lost seven of fifty
percent wind record. Now, for many a Springbok coach in
the past, that would be enough for you to lose
your job a fifty percent win record, But there was
this one result that stood out, and that was Wellington
(08:43):
where they won thirty six thirty four exactly a year
to the day after losing fifty seven nil at North Harbor.
And that was the game that turned this whole squad around,
that gave them the belief that they could go on
to achieve greater things. So that was an epic And
to come back a year later, just before the World
(09:04):
Cup and snatch a draw at the death, it was dramatic,
It was exciting. But yes, a lot of the squad
have good memories of this stadium.
Speaker 2 (09:11):
Mat Can I ask you just a personal question and
do you think that South African rugby on a whole
is better after leaving Super Rugby?
Speaker 4 (09:20):
Oh I always get asked this question in New Zealand. Look,
there's two ways of answering it. I think playing in
the Northern Hemisphere has some distinct advantages, not least the
time difference, being able to watch the games at convenient
times during the day, and also that the travel is
(09:43):
not as onerous. Yes, it's still a twelve hours sometimes
more than twelve hour flight north south, but you don't
have that jet lag and time different So from a
player's perspective, that is simpler. From a viewer's perspective, that
the times line up better and it demands a different
skill set. I think the type of rugby is very different.
(10:05):
So do we miss the opportunity to play against New
Zealand and Australian teams Argentinian teams? Yes we do. But
has it been as detrimental as some people think to
our rugby. No, And to be clear on this and
not to point fingers or anything, you know, it was
(10:28):
impossible for us to play super rugby because of restrictions
to enter the country. I mean we super rugby carried
on or a form of super rugby carried on without
South Africa because of logistical imperatives. We simply couldn't come
into Australia or New Zealand at the time. I think
(10:50):
I'm right in saying, you know, you could travel trans Tasman,
but you couldn't come in from international for quite a
long time, and we had to go and play somewhere
because otherwise the game was in danger of collapse.
Speaker 3 (11:04):
Lis Bo. I know he's a Noori's man, not a
Ponnicky man.
Speaker 2 (11:08):
But one hundred games for Ardie Savio I get a
bit emotional even talking about it. I mean, how big
an impact has he been since he's been on the scene,
And God, how good about it?
Speaker 3 (11:18):
A B to B played his one hundred game at
sky Stadium.
Speaker 5 (11:21):
Yeah, that would have been an ideal. Look, more importantly, Nick,
he's a wrong Atai college man. That's the most important thing.
Forget about the club stuff. But look, he's a bit
of a legend around these parts obviously, But he went
off to play with Mahana last year and I think
went with the blessing of a lot of people. But look,
he's he's been World Rugby Player of the Year for
a very good reason. And I mean the debate's probably
(11:45):
going to continue about whether he's best at eight or seven.
I personally think seven because he does forage and he
does turn the ball over and I think the all
Black selectors have got the mix right. But yes, an
absolute legend and it would have been nice to have
played his hundredths at his home ground, but that's the
way it works out. But I'm sure he'll make a
(12:07):
huge impact again tomorrow night.
Speaker 2 (12:09):
Okay, you guys commentate the games. You sit next to
each other, You're obviously traveled the world together and know
each other. Reasonaly, well do you do you give each
other the look, the look through the glass, or the
first pamp or the one finger up or the does
anything go on?
Speaker 5 (12:28):
Not that we can reveal, Matt.
Speaker 4 (12:32):
No, we've actually struck up a really good friendship over
the years. You know, my my predecessor in South Africa,
Hugh Blade and absolutely iconic voice around rugby, and I
know he and Nisbo were and remain very good friends.
I saw Huie a couple of weeks ago in Cape
(12:53):
Town and he gave so much to rugby, and you know,
maybe maybe Lisbo was thinking, you know, who's this young
weaper snapper when I arrived in New Zealand for the
first time. But it's been great to sort of host
each other in our respective countries. You know, they talk
about the rivalry and the respect between these two teams,
(13:15):
and that genuinely extends through to the broadcasters. You know,
whenever we're in each other's countries, we love to get
together and talk about the game and share memory, share
a meal, the odd glass of wine and reminisce and
look forward. You know, we've got so much to look
forward to. You know, this three test tour of South
(13:37):
Africa by the All Blacks next year is just mouth watering.
Speaker 2 (13:42):
Nis Bo, give us a prediction, and I know that
you would have treated Matt with the utmost respect because
I was a young buck or an experienced buck when
I work with you, and you're always who, how, why
and when? That was my great take from you, So
I'm sure you would have treated them without most respect.
Speaker 3 (13:59):
But give us your prediction for Tomorro and Iden Wennington.
Speaker 5 (14:03):
Yeah. Look, before I do that, Nick, can I just
iterate everything Matt says and also the fact that he
is absolutely besotted with peanuts slabs. Obviously you can't get
you can't get peanuts slabs. I don't think in South Africa.
Speaker 4 (14:18):
Though.
Speaker 5 (14:18):
Whenever Matt comes to New Zealand, he heads off to
buy as many peanuts slabs as he possibly can. Having
said that, I did a little bit of research neck
and over one hundred and nine test matches between these
two countries, the average score is New Zealand twenty one
South Africa seventeen. So I'm going to leave it at that.
Speaker 2 (14:41):
Wow, Matt mad if you had a peanuts slab this
morning at a bit early.
Speaker 4 (14:45):
Eight, not it a bit early for a peanuts slab.
I will definitely be having one or two later in
the day, probably after a mince and cheese pie. That's
another favorite of mine here in New Zealand. Yeah, so
I'm going for us to sort of buck the average.
I respect those twenty one seventeen. Look, we need to
(15:11):
win this test, I think, to retain a hope of
defending the Rugby Championship. Is a relatively untested back division,
as I said, but I think of it Triers, It's
got a really good opportunity. This is a fantastic All
Black side. I think they'll have a little bit of pressure.
The weight of expectation heading into Eden Park with the
(15:33):
record on the line, I think probably weighed them down
a little bit and they can probably play with more
freedom a little less fear, if I can put it
that way. But this is also a Springbok team loaded
with a number of players from perhaps the next generation,
who who've got an opportunity to make a statement against
(15:56):
their biggest foe. So look, it'll be another cracking test match.
And I'm South African at heart and in head, and
I'm going to go with us putting it in Wellington.
Speaker 3 (16:09):
You'll give me the score. Come on, you're giving me
the sermon. Now give me the score.
Speaker 4 (16:14):
Okay, Box by five?
Speaker 3 (16:17):
Well let us it doesn't help us. It gonna be five.
Speaker 2 (16:19):
Nels are going to be twenty eight to seventeen. What's
your score?
Speaker 4 (16:22):
I have no idea next. Sorry, you're not going to
get me on this one. They could be they could
be driving rain, they could be okay, yellow and red cards.
I don't know. It's going to be a test mate.
Speaker 2 (16:32):
Well, I'm telling you, I well, this is what I believe.
I believe the All Blacks will win. If they don't win,
it'll be the spring Box will win by a hell
of a lot more than five. There there's my one. Hey,
thank you grunting us, but thank you very much for
chatting to us on the show. I know you're always
happy to take our calls and give us your great knowledge.
Matt Pierce, Welcome to Wellington. I hope your trip to
(16:53):
Wellington is great. And if you're downtown Nisbet will tell
you where to catch me and I'll buy you a
beer on Saturday night.
Speaker 5 (16:59):
Thanks nd on your name all right.
Speaker 1 (17:02):
For more from Wellington Mornings with Nick Mills, listen live
to news to It'd Be Wellington from nine am weekdays,
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio
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