January 23, 2025 • 19 mins
On Sports Fix with D'Arcy Waldegrave and Jason Pine for Thursday 23 January 2025, former New Zealand all-rounder Chris Cairns talks about the future of the 'Super Smash' competition, and why it needs to join Australia's 'Big Bash'.
D'Arcy delivers an opinion piece on why Auckland FC are saving football for him.
Plus, the lads jump into the panel to discuss yet more drama between the journalists and players at the Australian Open.
Get 'Sports Fix' every weekday afternoon on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.
LISTEN ABOVE
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:09):
You're listening to a podcast from News Talks ed B.
Follow this and our wide range of podcasts now on iHeartRadio.
This is Sportsfix Howard by News Talks EDB.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
Hello there, and welcome to the back end of the
week and the front end of the weekend where Darcy
Waldgrave and me Jason Fine ready get into our work
with sport arriving on our horizon. And this is the
Sports Fix podcast for January the twenty fourth. Already, Darcy, Yeah.
Speaker 3 (00:38):
I'm looking forward to getting into my work because my work,
let's face it, over the weekend involved sitting in my
bum and watching sports. So I'm all under this sport
as job. It's fantasy on a.
Speaker 2 (00:47):
Job and I can't believe. I can't believe they pay
us for it. Infect I'm she wondering when the next
one on those We've got a bit to discuss. We've
got the Elsie Open tennis, We've got a bit of
Phoenix and Auckland FC Chris Water sign a new contract.
Who's our guest on the podcast today.
Speaker 3 (01:05):
Matt Wolf's been chasing map quite some time now, say me,
I mean producer Andy Dusk, because that's face that they
do all the work, just to talk about the season
so far, about what's happened with Taco, for what happens
next season, who they're going to sign up as your
season cooked, how you're going to respond to that so
plenty with Matt Walsh. That's our interview with letting things off.
Speaker 2 (01:27):
With both looking forward to hearing from that well shortly
and from hearing from us as well in a little while.
So let's get into it. In other news, let's get underway,
as always, with a look at some of the big
sports stories floating around today. American Madison Keys has saved
match points before falling off a stunning upset of Egist
(01:48):
Beyond Tech to reach the Australian Tennis Open Final.
Speaker 4 (01:51):
Obviously being up in the third, I'm feeling like I'm
so close to the finish line and losing my serve
and then being able to just kind of stay as
close as they could in that tiebreaker until the end.
Just really proud of myself for that much.
Speaker 2 (02:06):
Notllghan Forest have confirmed we strike at Chris Wood has
signed a contract extension at the club, taking him through
until at least the end of the twenty twenty six
twenty seven Premier League season's.
Speaker 4 (02:17):
Got a lot of potential to continue to grow and
build and that's what I want to be a part of.
Speaker 1 (02:21):
And I'm just happy to make sure I'm here for
another couple of years and then look to keep going
on beyond that.
Speaker 2 (02:26):
Hurricanes utility back Rubin Love meantime, remains in a moon boot,
but is on track to feature in the latter stages
of the Super Rugby season. Here's coach Clark Laidlaw with
an update.
Speaker 3 (02:36):
He's slowly coming out his moon boot once that upends.
You know all got far about indication?
Speaker 4 (02:40):
Is it?
Speaker 3 (02:40):
Is it three months or four? So yeah, always disappointing
for the players that have done from up north and
need subjecty, but it's part of the game, isn't it.
Speaker 1 (02:46):
Leading a vix, We've got just the ticket. It's Sports
Vix powered by News Talks IVY.
Speaker 2 (02:52):
So, despite Scott Robertson's best efforts, Richie mu Oorner won't
be coming home early from playing in Japan to be
an All Black next year. So do the eligibility rules
need to be looked at once and for all, or
actually should Razor just work with who he's got. I
think it's the latter rather than chase someone who, as
things stand, can't play for him. Razers should probably just
(03:15):
work with what he's got, which is a couple of
pretty decent first fives in Boden Barrett and Damien Mackenzie.
If Richie Morunger really is the twenty twenty seven Rugby
World Cup silver bullet, then surely he's good enough to
reintegrate himself in the middle of next year, where he'll
have the full international season plus Super Rugby twenty twenty
(03:36):
seven plus World Cup build up games in twenty seven
to get in the black saddle. For the meantime, it
seems to me that Razors should do what he did
last year and work with the two that he's got,
actually do some coaching, and continue to use those two
within the framework of the game plan he believes will
bring success at the back end of twenty twenty seven.
I also wonder what all of this chasing and unattainable
(03:58):
player does to the two who are still here, and
in particular to d mac who's the only one of
the three who committed fully to New Zealand At the
end twenty twenty three. Both Richie Wonger and Boden Barrett
signed in Japan. So dmac signed with New Zealand Rugby
and probably thought he'd get a decent run at the
ten jersey, but body didn't about turn and decided he'd
(04:20):
come back and now razors off chasing Richie Mwonga. If
I'm Damien McKenzie, I'm wondering what on earth is going on?
What is his reward for turning down much bigger money
overseas to be told indirectly but fairly unequivocally that his
national coach doesn't think he can run the cutter in
a World Cup winning side. You absolutely could not blame
(04:44):
Damien McKenzie if he decided to chase the Japanese yen
instead of sitting at best, second and probably third in
the all Blacks pecking order.
Speaker 1 (04:53):
Sports Facs Greggs.
Speaker 3 (04:54):
Basketball is the subject of tonight. We're joined by owner
of the franchise, owner of the club, Matt Walsh.
Speaker 5 (05:01):
Good evening, Matt, Yeah, thanks for having me.
Speaker 3 (05:05):
Great to have you on board. It's not been the
best season, has it. It's started off with a hesson
a rule, but since trialed away somewhat. Are you alarmed
by this? Have you seen the reason as to why
things have trickled away from you guys.
Speaker 5 (05:20):
You know, this is my eighth year, I believe seventh
or eighth at this point. I lost Trek, but you know,
nothing surprises me at this point. You know, we started
off seven and three. I was with the team at
the NBA Tour. I watched us, you know, lose all
of our preseason games, and while I was pleasantly surprised
by how we started, you know, I didn't think at
(05:43):
the time that we had a team that could compete
for a championship. And you know that's why we made
the big change and brought Taco in. It's been disappointing
the results, but you know, like everything, when I evaluate
the Breakers, I evaluate the work that goes in and
the process and not the results. And look, it's always disappointing,
(06:03):
especially after two years ago being four minutes from a
championship last year making the playoffs. I'm dying to win.
And you know, every decision that I make with the
Breakers is based on how I can put a championship
team out there. And obviously it's been disappointing for myself,
for the fans, for everybody. But you know, we're continuing
to work and you know, we're never We're never going
to stop trying.
Speaker 3 (06:23):
Looking back, was the idea the dry behind going to
the States? Was that worth it? All that time traveling
the league's being tied. Do you think it was a
good move.
Speaker 4 (06:33):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (06:33):
I mean, if you look at it, we were two
and zero when we went to the States, and we
came back and we won five of our next eight,
and you know, all it really did was was add
an extra one or two doubleheaders for us. This year,
we had such an abbreviated preseason that we looked at
the NBA Tour, as you know, we get through the
first two games and then we'll have a little over
two weeks together, play against some top flight competition, spend
(06:57):
a lot of quality time together. We looked at it
as an extended preseason. But it's something we're evaluating and
it's something that we're looking hard at whether we'll do
next year, which will you know, whether we'll continue the
NBA Tour, And I think right now it's probably fifty
to fifty. I've heard the feedback. I've heard that you know,
the fans obviously, but you know, when I bought the breakers,
and I think one thing that gets lost with the
(07:17):
NBA Tour is that it's an incredible opportunity for our
Kiwis and our Australians and guys like Alex mcnawd and
in the past fimdalaney and guys who for you know,
will never get to play at that highest level besides
what we do by putting on the NBA Tour. And
the other thing I would say is that people make
the comment that it's a money grab for me. I
can tell you that we make zero dollars on the
(07:39):
NBA Tour zero. You know, It's something that I do
because I think it's great for building our brand and
our profile, and I think it's an amazing opportunity. I
got the chance to play a few NBA games, and
I can tell you if you asked our players, they
would tell you that they wouldn't trade it for anything.
Speaker 3 (07:53):
You can flick play as on that do well. But
I take a bit of coin around that one, can
you met?
Speaker 5 (07:58):
Yeah, you know it's pretty uncommon though, you know, we've
put it this way. In of all the I think
we played the eight NBA games now, we've never had
a player that has gone and crushed it in the
m games and then been bought out. So while it's
great for Kreem Lopez, it's great for the uslan Jangs
all of our next stars to get that profile. And
to be honest, it's how we get the high level
(08:21):
next stars. And I think Kareem has been a major
break spot for US this year. Seventeen years old, he's
had He's in the midst of an historic run. I
hope that continues today. But you know, part of our
recruitment and getting you know, these guys who end up
being great contributors, and Ryann Rupert was a starter on
our team that went to the finals, is we tell them, hey,
you're going to get an opportunity to play these NBA games.
Speaker 3 (08:42):
Goodbye to real lemen. Look, you mentioned tech I fall.
You got them turned up and you were hoping for
the big things that hasn't materialized. In retrol speak, which
is all very good twenty twenty vision looking back, what's
that the right move for the club bringing this guy on?
Because it was a long process, wasn't it getting him
over here and slightly working out to fit in the
(09:05):
roster as it Pike dividends.
Speaker 5 (09:08):
Yeah, you know, a lot went into that decision, So
you know, we, like I said, we had a great
start to the year, but if you looked at Freddy Gillespie,
who he ended up releasing. You know, at the time
when we released Freddy, he was averaging seven points and
four rebounds, and by any measure in the NBL, that's
an as an import, that's somebody who is not living
(09:29):
up to import expectations. In the preseason, he had Buddy
Sean Bruce got suspended for our first game, put us
in a tough spot, and to be quite honest, when
he got to New Zealand, he was just kind of
like a grumpy and unhappy guy. And look, he grew
into his role. This isn't a knock on Freddy, but
we felt like at the time and ultimately the buck
stops may there's a major upgrade. And both Taco and
(09:52):
Freddie had played in the G League. They played in
some really leagues and there's no comparison to the production
in terms of Taco and Freddie. And obviously we have
not figured it out as the team, and ultimately, you know,
it falls back on me. But again, I'm not interested
in finishing fifteen in fifteen or fifteen and fourteen and
losing in the six verse five game. You know, that's
(10:13):
not what I'm interested in building championship rosters, and sometimes
in order to do that, you have to take big swings.
And I felt like, because of Modi leaving last year,
after he built the roster a complete overhaul, losing all
of our key locals, I needed to do something that
could make up for the talent gap that you know
that I felt we had with the top two or
(10:33):
three teams, and that big swing was was signing Taco.
And obviously, look the proof is in the putting. It
hasn't worked as a team. I think next year, you know,
assuming Taco is back, I'll put it this. I think
it's a team. It's the reason for our losses of
the team up and down. And I think that if
we build properly around Taco, I think he can be
(10:54):
a major, major force in our league and a unique
force that forces teams to play a certain way. And
the other thing is, you know, I would I would
appreciate a little bit better whistle from the officials. I
think they're treating him. I think they're treating him like
prime shack, hanging on his arm every time he's in
the pen.
Speaker 3 (11:10):
Thank you, very much for your time and your availability.
You look after yourself out of state side. Look forward
to seeing you back here sooner rather than lady you go, well, yeah,
thanks you too.
Speaker 1 (11:20):
The Chamber is now in session on Sportsfix.
Speaker 2 (11:25):
Let's pop into the chamber where there is lots of
sport to talk, including the Australian Tennis Open where it's
semi final time and the men's singles tonight Janick Sinner
on one side against the American Ben Shelton. On the other,
it is Novak Djokovic against the second seed, a German
Alexander Zverev. Is there an upset in our midst and
(11:46):
actually what would an upset be in the Zverev Djokovic
SMI where Zverev second seed, Djokovic is seventh. But I
reckon Jokovic is favorite, isn't he.
Speaker 3 (11:56):
You look at Djokovic's history and I might be a
wee bitter out of water here, but he used to
be what you call a pea heart, didn't he back
in the day. He is pretty easy to tip, He
got grumpy pretty quickly, and he didn't have that internal
drive when it mattered. I think Zveri's got a bit
of that about him, and Djokovic has left that behind,
and I wonder on this charge if he will just
(12:19):
dominate him mentally first and foremost hopefully physically his knee last.
So in that space, is that a fair thing to say,
piney or not? I think so.
Speaker 2 (12:28):
Yeah, I think it's very fair. But I just I
said to I might have even said to you yesterday.
I don't know whether I could pick Alexander's Veriev out.
Speaker 3 (12:37):
Of a lineup.
Speaker 2 (12:38):
I'm not even sure what he looks like. I know
what Novak Djokovic looks like. I know what Yannix Sinna
looks like. I know what most of the world's top
twenty tennis players look like. Alexander Zverie if seems to
have risen to number two seed in the Australian Open
and very high in the world rankings without actually making
too much of.
Speaker 3 (12:55):
A ripple, it's probably not a bad thing, does it.
Keep yourself to yourself and just play tennis, and that's
what counts. As far as the other upset, I'd be
stunned if Shelton could turn up and roll center after
what I saw a couple of days back. Sinner had
it on a string that was just it's so peaceful,
he's so calm, he's so relaxed. He was so accurate,
(13:15):
not a sweat, amazing, amazing stuff.
Speaker 2 (13:17):
Yeah, No, he is some player. He's a deserved world
number one and obviously defending champion. Look, I think Ben
Shelton's probably overachieved getting to the semifinals. You know, he's
the twenty twenty first seed. I think I know, So
if he's into the final four, then he's definitely overachieved.
But I think his tournament probably stops here. So let's
say it's let's just say, for argument's sake, it's Sinner Djokovic.
(13:40):
Sinner's favorite, isn't he.
Speaker 3 (13:41):
Has to be? Has to be? And I think the
big asterisk here is how's the fitness of Novak? Should
he get through this first semi or the semifinal, what
is he going to carry into that final match? So
that to me is of huge interest. Of course, got
the women's draw as well, and we talk about upsets.
I don't think anyone saw Madison Keys coming, did they? No?
Speaker 2 (14:02):
No, But I don't know that she's good enough to
beat Sabolnka. I've watched Arenda Sabolinka over the last couple
of weeks. What an absolute machine of a tennis player.
Speaker 3 (14:13):
What she served up and volley back last night was
well worth watching. There was again a calmness around you,
a bit of a wobble towards the end of the
second set, but pretty much had most of it in
control of what she's going On the other side. You
kind of figure, yeah, it's we love medicine keys, we
(14:35):
love what she did. But I think it might be
a bridge too far and I stand to be made
mockery of after me. Of course, I don't know.
Speaker 2 (14:43):
I don't think he will be. I think it's Sabalinka's
to lose tom right, So men's semis tonight, Women's final
tomorrow night, Men's final on Sunday evening. Great news to
wake up to this morning. Chris Wood has signed a
new contract with Nottingham Forest. It'll keep him there until
the end of the twenty twenty six twenty seven season.
Great piece of business from Nottingham Forest. Considering the form
(15:04):
that Chris Water is in right now, well.
Speaker 3 (15:06):
He's sitting third, isn't He is? What fourteen goals and
as I believe he's scored as many goals already as
he has in an entire EPL season. There's still sixteen
matches to go, so he is in rare form and
I'd suggest now he's signed on the line that he's
going to start packing more into the back of the net.
Speaker 2 (15:26):
Surely, Well, it's got to give him that security, doesn't
it that you know that he's there for the end
of this season?
Speaker 3 (15:31):
Two more?
Speaker 2 (15:32):
I guess then people start to ask us where does
Chris Wood finish his football career? Because it was interesting
to me that in his comments this morning to the
Nottingham Forest website he talked about going beyond this contract extension.
But will it be with Nottingham Forest or will he
come back to where it all began and perhaps finish
(15:53):
at Auckland FC.
Speaker 3 (15:54):
I'm wearing a Phoenix shirt. Careful what you say, mate? Well?
Speaker 2 (15:58):
Will I mean? What a story that would be? Chris
Wood left New Zealand as a seventeen year old. Imagine
if he came back as a thirty seven year old
and finished things up back in New Zealand. Call that people?
Speaker 3 (16:08):
Would that surprise anybody? With his connection with New Zealand
and the efforts he goes to to represent his national team. No,
it wouldn't surprise anybody, I don't think.
Speaker 2 (16:19):
And it would delight a lot of people.
Speaker 3 (16:21):
It would delight a lot of here. So the question
there though, which I get. I've been asked all day
how much is he getting? That's all people care about.
Speaker 2 (16:28):
Yeah, look, I don't think he's going to be singing
for his supper anytime soon. Put it that way. And
he deserves it too. You know, he's in rarefied air.
As you say, you know, look to get one Premier
League goal, most guys never do that. He's got eighty two,
eighty three. Now he gets another another ten and he's
the He goes past Mark Vaduka as the as the
(16:48):
most prolific Australation in Premier League history. So yeah, I look,
whatever they're paying him, it's it's worth it because Nottingham
Forest are absolutely flying. Hey, finally, I'm uncertainty around Suban
Ainsley's future in the America's Cup. Inios founder Sir Jim
Ratcliffe has decided to part ways with Sir Ben Ainsley. Look,
he's not short of a bye either. But what do
(17:09):
we read into this, Well.
Speaker 3 (17:11):
There's plainly been some division. Something's erupped between both of
those guys, there's no point staying together. It's not working.
The issue here for me is Mercedes and Anios stick around.
They're staying together, which means we've got no Sir Ben Ainsley,
where is he going to get his money from for
this new team that is setting up called Athena Racing.
(17:33):
So will the money come from the Sale GP team?
Because the Sale g P team is backed by Emirates.
Now who else does Emorates back in the America's Cup?
So there might be an issue there, but hard to
know when it comes to Challenger of Record with two
British teams how this eventuates? And I think what it
(17:55):
does mean is that possibly are the America's Cup will
be pushed out again while they work out the find
of details.
Speaker 2 (18:01):
There drama off the water in the America's Cup. I
cannot believe it.
Speaker 3 (18:06):
Meanwhile, the America's cuple looking at old GP going oh wow,
look at this. It happens many times a year on
a yearly basis. I think we might be getting sunk
right now and that really should be something fired across
their bows. I got to stop with these. I'm sorry,
I'll stop now with the puns. Yeah, shots across the bow.
Speaker 2 (18:27):
Propositions, et cetera. I think we should stop now, let's
get out of the chamber.
Speaker 1 (18:30):
That's us for today dissecting the sporting agenda. It's Sportsfix
with Jason Vine and Darcy Waldgrave.
Speaker 2 (18:38):
And in fact that is us for the Sports Fix
podcast for this week. Thank you for tuning in a
fresh episode. Provided you subscribe to Sports Fix, we'll pop
into your podcast feed on Monday afternoon same time.
Speaker 3 (18:48):
And you subscribe, tell your mates to subscribe as well.
Engagement as that's what we'd love to have here on
the Sports Fix. And if you want to play the game,
will you get to join in? We have got our
own time for you to do that between seven and
eight Monday to Friday. It's called sports Talk and you
can climb on and have your opinion as well. And
you want to do the same thing but longer, do
(19:10):
it over the weekend weekend Sport twelve to three Saturday
and Sunday with Jason Pine. I'm sure he'll welcome you
with open arms.
Speaker 2 (19:18):
Indeed, light at us for more from News Talk sed B.
Speaker 1 (19:22):
Listen live on air or online and keep our shows
with you wherever you go with our podcasts on iHeartRadio,
You're listening to a podcast from News Talks ed B.
Follow this and our wide range of podcasts now on iHeartRadio.
This is Sportsfix Howard by News Talks EDB.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
Hello there, and welcome to the back end of the
week and the front end of the weekend where Darcy
Waldgrave and me Jason Fine ready get into our work
with sport arriving on our horizon. And this is the
Sports Fix podcast for January the twenty fourth. Already, Darcy, Yeah.
Speaker 3 (00:38):
I'm looking forward to getting into my work because my work,
let's face it, over the weekend involved sitting in my
bum and watching sports. So I'm all under this sport
as job. It's fantasy on a.
Speaker 2 (00:47):
Job and I can't believe. I can't believe they pay
us for it. Infect I'm she wondering when the next
one on those We've got a bit to discuss. We've
got the Elsie Open tennis, We've got a bit of
Phoenix and Auckland FC Chris Water sign a new contract.
Who's our guest on the podcast today.
Speaker 3 (01:05):
Matt Wolf's been chasing map quite some time now, say me,
I mean producer Andy Dusk, because that's face that they
do all the work, just to talk about the season
so far, about what's happened with Taco, for what happens
next season, who they're going to sign up as your
season cooked, how you're going to respond to that so
plenty with Matt Walsh. That's our interview with letting things off.
Speaker 2 (01:27):
With both looking forward to hearing from that well shortly
and from hearing from us as well in a little while.
So let's get into it. In other news, let's get underway,
as always, with a look at some of the big
sports stories floating around today. American Madison Keys has saved
match points before falling off a stunning upset of Egist
(01:48):
Beyond Tech to reach the Australian Tennis Open Final.
Speaker 4 (01:51):
Obviously being up in the third, I'm feeling like I'm
so close to the finish line and losing my serve
and then being able to just kind of stay as
close as they could in that tiebreaker until the end.
Just really proud of myself for that much.
Speaker 2 (02:06):
Notllghan Forest have confirmed we strike at Chris Wood has
signed a contract extension at the club, taking him through
until at least the end of the twenty twenty six
twenty seven Premier League season's.
Speaker 4 (02:17):
Got a lot of potential to continue to grow and
build and that's what I want to be a part of.
Speaker 1 (02:21):
And I'm just happy to make sure I'm here for
another couple of years and then look to keep going
on beyond that.
Speaker 2 (02:26):
Hurricanes utility back Rubin Love meantime, remains in a moon boot,
but is on track to feature in the latter stages
of the Super Rugby season. Here's coach Clark Laidlaw with
an update.
Speaker 3 (02:36):
He's slowly coming out his moon boot once that upends.
You know all got far about indication?
Speaker 4 (02:40):
Is it?
Speaker 3 (02:40):
Is it three months or four? So yeah, always disappointing
for the players that have done from up north and
need subjecty, but it's part of the game, isn't it.
Speaker 1 (02:46):
Leading a vix, We've got just the ticket. It's Sports
Vix powered by News Talks IVY.
Speaker 2 (02:52):
So, despite Scott Robertson's best efforts, Richie mu Oorner won't
be coming home early from playing in Japan to be
an All Black next year. So do the eligibility rules
need to be looked at once and for all, or
actually should Razor just work with who he's got. I
think it's the latter rather than chase someone who, as
things stand, can't play for him. Razers should probably just
(03:15):
work with what he's got, which is a couple of
pretty decent first fives in Boden Barrett and Damien Mackenzie.
If Richie Morunger really is the twenty twenty seven Rugby
World Cup silver bullet, then surely he's good enough to
reintegrate himself in the middle of next year, where he'll
have the full international season plus Super Rugby twenty twenty
(03:36):
seven plus World Cup build up games in twenty seven
to get in the black saddle. For the meantime, it
seems to me that Razors should do what he did
last year and work with the two that he's got,
actually do some coaching, and continue to use those two
within the framework of the game plan he believes will
bring success at the back end of twenty twenty seven.
I also wonder what all of this chasing and unattainable
(03:58):
player does to the two who are still here, and
in particular to d mac who's the only one of
the three who committed fully to New Zealand At the
end twenty twenty three. Both Richie Wonger and Boden Barrett
signed in Japan. So dmac signed with New Zealand Rugby
and probably thought he'd get a decent run at the
ten jersey, but body didn't about turn and decided he'd
(04:20):
come back and now razors off chasing Richie Mwonga. If
I'm Damien McKenzie, I'm wondering what on earth is going on?
What is his reward for turning down much bigger money
overseas to be told indirectly but fairly unequivocally that his
national coach doesn't think he can run the cutter in
a World Cup winning side. You absolutely could not blame
(04:44):
Damien McKenzie if he decided to chase the Japanese yen
instead of sitting at best, second and probably third in
the all Blacks pecking order.
Speaker 1 (04:53):
Sports Facs Greggs.
Speaker 3 (04:54):
Basketball is the subject of tonight. We're joined by owner
of the franchise, owner of the club, Matt Walsh.
Speaker 5 (05:01):
Good evening, Matt, Yeah, thanks for having me.
Speaker 3 (05:05):
Great to have you on board. It's not been the
best season, has it. It's started off with a hesson
a rule, but since trialed away somewhat. Are you alarmed
by this? Have you seen the reason as to why
things have trickled away from you guys.
Speaker 5 (05:20):
You know, this is my eighth year, I believe seventh
or eighth at this point. I lost Trek, but you know,
nothing surprises me at this point. You know, we started
off seven and three. I was with the team at
the NBA Tour. I watched us, you know, lose all
of our preseason games, and while I was pleasantly surprised
by how we started, you know, I didn't think at
(05:43):
the time that we had a team that could compete
for a championship. And you know that's why we made
the big change and brought Taco in. It's been disappointing
the results, but you know, like everything, when I evaluate
the Breakers, I evaluate the work that goes in and
the process and not the results. And look, it's always disappointing,
(06:03):
especially after two years ago being four minutes from a
championship last year making the playoffs. I'm dying to win.
And you know, every decision that I make with the
Breakers is based on how I can put a championship
team out there. And obviously it's been disappointing for myself,
for the fans, for everybody. But you know, we're continuing
to work and you know, we're never We're never going
to stop trying.
Speaker 3 (06:23):
Looking back, was the idea the dry behind going to
the States? Was that worth it? All that time traveling
the league's being tied. Do you think it was a
good move.
Speaker 4 (06:33):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (06:33):
I mean, if you look at it, we were two
and zero when we went to the States, and we
came back and we won five of our next eight,
and you know, all it really did was was add
an extra one or two doubleheaders for us. This year,
we had such an abbreviated preseason that we looked at
the NBA Tour, as you know, we get through the
first two games and then we'll have a little over
two weeks together, play against some top flight competition, spend
(06:57):
a lot of quality time together. We looked at it
as an extended preseason. But it's something we're evaluating and
it's something that we're looking hard at whether we'll do
next year, which will you know, whether we'll continue the
NBA Tour, And I think right now it's probably fifty
to fifty. I've heard the feedback. I've heard that you know,
the fans obviously, but you know, when I bought the breakers,
and I think one thing that gets lost with the
(07:17):
NBA Tour is that it's an incredible opportunity for our
Kiwis and our Australians and guys like Alex mcnawd and
in the past fimdalaney and guys who for you know,
will never get to play at that highest level besides
what we do by putting on the NBA Tour. And
the other thing I would say is that people make
the comment that it's a money grab for me. I
can tell you that we make zero dollars on the
(07:39):
NBA Tour zero. You know, It's something that I do
because I think it's great for building our brand and
our profile, and I think it's an amazing opportunity. I
got the chance to play a few NBA games, and
I can tell you if you asked our players, they
would tell you that they wouldn't trade it for anything.
Speaker 3 (07:53):
You can flick play as on that do well. But
I take a bit of coin around that one, can
you met?
Speaker 5 (07:58):
Yeah, you know it's pretty uncommon though, you know, we've
put it this way. In of all the I think
we played the eight NBA games now, we've never had
a player that has gone and crushed it in the
m games and then been bought out. So while it's
great for Kreem Lopez, it's great for the uslan Jangs
all of our next stars to get that profile. And
to be honest, it's how we get the high level
(08:21):
next stars. And I think Kareem has been a major
break spot for US this year. Seventeen years old, he's
had He's in the midst of an historic run. I
hope that continues today. But you know, part of our
recruitment and getting you know, these guys who end up
being great contributors, and Ryann Rupert was a starter on
our team that went to the finals, is we tell them, hey,
you're going to get an opportunity to play these NBA games.
Speaker 3 (08:42):
Goodbye to real lemen. Look, you mentioned tech I fall.
You got them turned up and you were hoping for
the big things that hasn't materialized. In retrol speak, which
is all very good twenty twenty vision looking back, what's
that the right move for the club bringing this guy on?
Because it was a long process, wasn't it getting him
over here and slightly working out to fit in the
(09:05):
roster as it Pike dividends.
Speaker 5 (09:08):
Yeah, you know, a lot went into that decision, So
you know, we, like I said, we had a great
start to the year, but if you looked at Freddy Gillespie,
who he ended up releasing. You know, at the time
when we released Freddy, he was averaging seven points and
four rebounds, and by any measure in the NBL, that's
an as an import, that's somebody who is not living
(09:29):
up to import expectations. In the preseason, he had Buddy
Sean Bruce got suspended for our first game, put us
in a tough spot, and to be quite honest, when
he got to New Zealand, he was just kind of
like a grumpy and unhappy guy. And look, he grew
into his role. This isn't a knock on Freddy, but
we felt like at the time and ultimately the buck
stops may there's a major upgrade. And both Taco and
(09:52):
Freddie had played in the G League. They played in
some really leagues and there's no comparison to the production
in terms of Taco and Freddie. And obviously we have
not figured it out as the team, and ultimately, you know,
it falls back on me. But again, I'm not interested
in finishing fifteen in fifteen or fifteen and fourteen and
losing in the six verse five game. You know, that's
(10:13):
not what I'm interested in building championship rosters, and sometimes
in order to do that, you have to take big swings.
And I felt like, because of Modi leaving last year,
after he built the roster a complete overhaul, losing all
of our key locals, I needed to do something that
could make up for the talent gap that you know
that I felt we had with the top two or
(10:33):
three teams, and that big swing was was signing Taco.
And obviously, look the proof is in the putting. It
hasn't worked as a team. I think next year, you know,
assuming Taco is back, I'll put it this. I think
it's a team. It's the reason for our losses of
the team up and down. And I think that if
we build properly around Taco, I think he can be
(10:54):
a major, major force in our league and a unique
force that forces teams to play a certain way. And
the other thing is, you know, I would I would
appreciate a little bit better whistle from the officials. I
think they're treating him. I think they're treating him like
prime shack, hanging on his arm every time he's in
the pen.
Speaker 3 (11:10):
Thank you, very much for your time and your availability.
You look after yourself out of state side. Look forward
to seeing you back here sooner rather than lady you go, well, yeah,
thanks you too.
Speaker 1 (11:20):
The Chamber is now in session on Sportsfix.
Speaker 2 (11:25):
Let's pop into the chamber where there is lots of
sport to talk, including the Australian Tennis Open where it's
semi final time and the men's singles tonight Janick Sinner
on one side against the American Ben Shelton. On the other,
it is Novak Djokovic against the second seed, a German
Alexander Zverev. Is there an upset in our midst and
(11:46):
actually what would an upset be in the Zverev Djokovic
SMI where Zverev second seed, Djokovic is seventh. But I
reckon Jokovic is favorite, isn't he.
Speaker 3 (11:56):
You look at Djokovic's history and I might be a
wee bitter out of water here, but he used to
be what you call a pea heart, didn't he back
in the day. He is pretty easy to tip, He
got grumpy pretty quickly, and he didn't have that internal
drive when it mattered. I think Zveri's got a bit
of that about him, and Djokovic has left that behind,
and I wonder on this charge if he will just
(12:19):
dominate him mentally first and foremost hopefully physically his knee last.
So in that space, is that a fair thing to say,
piney or not? I think so.
Speaker 2 (12:28):
Yeah, I think it's very fair. But I just I
said to I might have even said to you yesterday.
I don't know whether I could pick Alexander's Veriev out.
Speaker 3 (12:37):
Of a lineup.
Speaker 2 (12:38):
I'm not even sure what he looks like. I know
what Novak Djokovic looks like. I know what Yannix Sinna
looks like. I know what most of the world's top
twenty tennis players look like. Alexander Zverie if seems to
have risen to number two seed in the Australian Open
and very high in the world rankings without actually making
too much of.
Speaker 3 (12:55):
A ripple, it's probably not a bad thing, does it.
Keep yourself to yourself and just play tennis, and that's
what counts. As far as the other upset, I'd be
stunned if Shelton could turn up and roll center after
what I saw a couple of days back. Sinner had
it on a string that was just it's so peaceful,
he's so calm, he's so relaxed. He was so accurate,
(13:15):
not a sweat, amazing, amazing stuff.
Speaker 2 (13:17):
Yeah, No, he is some player. He's a deserved world
number one and obviously defending champion. Look, I think Ben
Shelton's probably overachieved getting to the semifinals. You know, he's
the twenty twenty first seed. I think I know, So
if he's into the final four, then he's definitely overachieved.
But I think his tournament probably stops here. So let's
say it's let's just say, for argument's sake, it's Sinner Djokovic.
(13:40):
Sinner's favorite, isn't he.
Speaker 3 (13:41):
Has to be? Has to be? And I think the
big asterisk here is how's the fitness of Novak? Should
he get through this first semi or the semifinal, what
is he going to carry into that final match? So
that to me is of huge interest. Of course, got
the women's draw as well, and we talk about upsets.
I don't think anyone saw Madison Keys coming, did they? No?
Speaker 2 (14:02):
No, But I don't know that she's good enough to
beat Sabolnka. I've watched Arenda Sabolinka over the last couple
of weeks. What an absolute machine of a tennis player.
Speaker 3 (14:13):
What she served up and volley back last night was
well worth watching. There was again a calmness around you,
a bit of a wobble towards the end of the
second set, but pretty much had most of it in
control of what she's going On the other side. You
kind of figure, yeah, it's we love medicine keys, we
(14:35):
love what she did. But I think it might be
a bridge too far and I stand to be made
mockery of after me. Of course, I don't know.
Speaker 2 (14:43):
I don't think he will be. I think it's Sabalinka's
to lose tom right, So men's semis tonight, Women's final
tomorrow night, Men's final on Sunday evening. Great news to
wake up to this morning. Chris Wood has signed a
new contract with Nottingham Forest. It'll keep him there until
the end of the twenty twenty six twenty seven season.
Great piece of business from Nottingham Forest. Considering the form
(15:04):
that Chris Water is in right now, well.
Speaker 3 (15:06):
He's sitting third, isn't He is? What fourteen goals and
as I believe he's scored as many goals already as
he has in an entire EPL season. There's still sixteen
matches to go, so he is in rare form and
I'd suggest now he's signed on the line that he's
going to start packing more into the back of the net.
Speaker 2 (15:26):
Surely, Well, it's got to give him that security, doesn't
it that you know that he's there for the end
of this season?
Speaker 3 (15:31):
Two more?
Speaker 2 (15:32):
I guess then people start to ask us where does
Chris Wood finish his football career? Because it was interesting
to me that in his comments this morning to the
Nottingham Forest website he talked about going beyond this contract extension.
But will it be with Nottingham Forest or will he
come back to where it all began and perhaps finish
(15:53):
at Auckland FC.
Speaker 3 (15:54):
I'm wearing a Phoenix shirt. Careful what you say, mate? Well?
Speaker 2 (15:58):
Will I mean? What a story that would be? Chris
Wood left New Zealand as a seventeen year old. Imagine
if he came back as a thirty seven year old
and finished things up back in New Zealand. Call that people?
Speaker 3 (16:08):
Would that surprise anybody? With his connection with New Zealand
and the efforts he goes to to represent his national team. No,
it wouldn't surprise anybody, I don't think.
Speaker 2 (16:19):
And it would delight a lot of people.
Speaker 3 (16:21):
It would delight a lot of here. So the question
there though, which I get. I've been asked all day
how much is he getting? That's all people care about.
Speaker 2 (16:28):
Yeah, look, I don't think he's going to be singing
for his supper anytime soon. Put it that way. And
he deserves it too. You know, he's in rarefied air.
As you say, you know, look to get one Premier
League goal, most guys never do that. He's got eighty two,
eighty three. Now he gets another another ten and he's
the He goes past Mark Vaduka as the as the
(16:48):
most prolific Australation in Premier League history. So yeah, I look,
whatever they're paying him, it's it's worth it because Nottingham
Forest are absolutely flying. Hey, finally, I'm uncertainty around Suban
Ainsley's future in the America's Cup. Inios founder Sir Jim
Ratcliffe has decided to part ways with Sir Ben Ainsley. Look,
he's not short of a bye either. But what do
(17:09):
we read into this, Well.
Speaker 3 (17:11):
There's plainly been some division. Something's erupped between both of
those guys, there's no point staying together. It's not working.
The issue here for me is Mercedes and Anios stick around.
They're staying together, which means we've got no Sir Ben Ainsley,
where is he going to get his money from for
this new team that is setting up called Athena Racing.
(17:33):
So will the money come from the Sale GP team?
Because the Sale g P team is backed by Emirates.
Now who else does Emorates back in the America's Cup?
So there might be an issue there, but hard to
know when it comes to Challenger of Record with two
British teams how this eventuates? And I think what it
(17:55):
does mean is that possibly are the America's Cup will
be pushed out again while they work out the find
of details.
Speaker 2 (18:01):
There drama off the water in the America's Cup. I
cannot believe it.
Speaker 3 (18:06):
Meanwhile, the America's cuple looking at old GP going oh wow,
look at this. It happens many times a year on
a yearly basis. I think we might be getting sunk
right now and that really should be something fired across
their bows. I got to stop with these. I'm sorry,
I'll stop now with the puns. Yeah, shots across the bow.
Speaker 2 (18:27):
Propositions, et cetera. I think we should stop now, let's
get out of the chamber.
Speaker 1 (18:30):
That's us for today dissecting the sporting agenda. It's Sportsfix
with Jason Vine and Darcy Waldgrave.
Speaker 2 (18:38):
And in fact that is us for the Sports Fix
podcast for this week. Thank you for tuning in a
fresh episode. Provided you subscribe to Sports Fix, we'll pop
into your podcast feed on Monday afternoon same time.
Speaker 3 (18:48):
And you subscribe, tell your mates to subscribe as well.
Engagement as that's what we'd love to have here on
the Sports Fix. And if you want to play the game,
will you get to join in? We have got our
own time for you to do that between seven and
eight Monday to Friday. It's called sports Talk and you
can climb on and have your opinion as well. And
you want to do the same thing but longer, do
(19:10):
it over the weekend weekend Sport twelve to three Saturday
and Sunday with Jason Pine. I'm sure he'll welcome you
with open arms.
Speaker 2 (19:18):
Indeed, light at us for more from News Talk sed B.
Speaker 1 (19:22):
Listen live on air or online and keep our shows
with you wherever you go with our podcasts on iHeartRadio,
Popular Podcasts
40s and Free Agents: NFL Draft Season
Daniel Jeremiah of Move the Sticks and Gregg Rosenthal of NFL Daily join forces to break down every team's needs this offseason.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
The Bobby Bones Show
Listen to 'The Bobby Bones Show' by downloading the daily full replay.