Full Show Podcast: 23 February 2025

Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport Podcast with Jason Vine
from News Talks EDB. The only place for the big names,
the big issues, the big controversies, and the big conversations.
It's all on Weekend Sport with Jason Vine on your
home of Sport News Talks ed BT.

Speaker 2 (00:30):
A good afternoon and welcome in to the Sunday edition
of Weekend Sport on News TALKSBA. February twenty three. Happy birthday,
Michael Campbell, Happy birthday, Herschelle Gibbs. I'm Jason Pine Show
producer Any McDonald alongside. We are here until three. It
would be fair to say that quite a bit has
happened since we last spoke yesterday afternoon. This right, it

(01:01):
was your fun.

Speaker 3 (01:02):
Honey's down. I'm not sure he's gonna make Miss.

Speaker 4 (01:05):
Cowboy just about he gets breaks.

Speaker 5 (01:08):
Miss Joy else he's caught in our art over pats
like to John Parker.

Speaker 4 (01:14):
John's get the job done, but he jumps it by stopping.

Speaker 6 (01:18):
He learns Tom Cooley, who halted forty eight hours.

Speaker 3 (01:22):
He gets here, but he didn't deliver.

Speaker 2 (01:25):
Belong in this.

Speaker 7 (01:27):
The heart on his lead that blues counting it down
or coming.

Speaker 2 (01:31):
Back Jack Taylor. Surely the siren will go somewhere here.
It is the heart's all kick it out.

Speaker 8 (01:37):
He don't.

Speaker 2 (01:37):
We can't Bellerhill kick it out. And that is a famous,
famous Heighteness victory. In thirty years of covering the hundred,
I open back and remember a more memorable occasion and
this there can be absolutely no doubts. New Zealand football

(01:59):
is blue and black.

Speaker 4 (02:02):
Auckland FC have.

Speaker 2 (02:04):
Pulverized Wellington today here, so I'm going to cover all
of those things off this afternoon. Herald writer Liam Napier
out of Saudi Arabia this hour, where Joseph Parker has
knocked out Martin Bacoley in the second round of their
heavyweight boxing fight. Highland is rising Staffinn Hurley is on
the show after their terrific win over the Blues last night,
so too. Auckland FC head coach Steve Coricket, reflecting on

(02:28):
the six to one thumping of the Phoenix yesterday. We
lead off though with the big news of the week
in cricket circles. Sky have signed a six year deal
with New Zealand Cricket to broadcast home internationals from the
twenty twenty six to twenty seven season onwards. New Zealand
Cricket CEO Scott Winning is standing by the chat to
us shortly on that. I'm sure you will have some

(02:49):
views as well, in particular around the importance of retaining
some free to air cricket under this new deal other
matters around today. The toallbacks are reaction this afternoon in
Auckland against the Philippines. Assistant coach Michael Fitchett ahead of that,
and the Kiwi Challenges assemble and ready to go for
the New Zealand Golf Open at Millbrook next weekend. One

(03:10):
of them our third ranked men's player currently Ben Campbell,
is with US. James mcconey along in his regular slot
as well. Plenty of live sport while we're on the
air this afternoon. The football Ferns have kicked off against
Costa Rica. Ten minutes into that game, it's goalless. We'll
keep tabs on it for you. Day two of the
Vancouver Seven's. Our men play their quarterfinal against Spain at

(03:32):
ten to two this afternoon. Our women play their quarter
final bit later on. Final round of group play in
our domestic men's and women's fifty over cricket competitions. The
Ford Trophy and the Halliburton Johnston Shield Men's games in Arangiora,
New Plymouth and in the Cargol Women's games in Hamilton,
Christchurch and Dunedin to keep tabs on. Finals for both
of those are next weekend and the Triathlon World Cup

(03:55):
is on in Napier as well, so heabs to keep
us interested and occupied a course the next three hours.
The show though, is yours to get involved in eight
hundred and eighty ten eighty is the phone number anytime
nine two, nine to two on text emails to Jason
at newstalksb dot co dot enz. It is coming up
eleven past midday.

Speaker 1 (04:17):
Let's go from the track field and the court on
your home of sport weekends for it with Jason Vieb.

Speaker 2 (04:24):
It's the big news on Friday for New Zealand cricket fans.
New Zealand Cricket and Sky have agreed terms on a
six year deal from the summer of twenty twenty six
twenty seven onwards, which we'll see the Black Caps and
White Ferns home internationals return to Sky Sport for the
first time since twenty twenty. New Zealand Cricket CEO Scott

(04:45):
winning is with U Scott. Thanks for joining us to
wrap some context around it for us. First of all,
how good an outcome is this for New Zealand cricket.

Speaker 9 (04:54):
It's an excellent outcome to have some certainty around the
short to midterm, you know, commercials on our domestic broadcasting
arrangement as news for New Zealand Cricket. Sky is obviously
a very very capable broadcaster and has a lot of
experience in broadcasting cricket, so that's also great. And there's

(05:16):
also the free to wear element to to the deal,
which which is great too. That means we're still going
to be able to really drive fan engagement through a
free to wear products.

Speaker 2 (05:27):
Want to get into the nuts and bolts of the
deal in the moment in terms of the free to
wear component and other things. But how important is broadcast
revenue to New Zealand crickets balance sheet?

Speaker 9 (05:39):
Very important. It would be great to keep all of
our cricket on free to wear, but the reality is
we need to have some broadcast revenue to be able
to pay our professional players, the Black Cats, White Firms
and our major association players, but also to invest in
the community game to ensure that we're able to bring

(06:02):
through the next generation of black cats and white and
we didn't have that bodcast review, you know, our whole
commercial model would risk.

Speaker 2 (06:13):
It's such a balancing act for you though, isn't it.
We spoke last year Scott and you talked about the
importance of having cricket on free to wear TV, even
when a pay per view broadcaster has the rights. So
we will see some international cricket on free to air
TV under this new deal.

Speaker 9 (06:32):
Yes. One of the one of the you know, one
of the toughest negotiations so to be fair was ensuring
that at least one international of each T twenty series
would be shown on free to wear along with the
Super Smash. So this Super Snash was carved out, and
we also agreed that you know, one international press series

(06:52):
would be carved out. So that creates what we think
is a really nice package of freeware product that that
you know, other broadcasters, you know pg TV here or
other free toware broadcasters will be interested. So it's a
really difficult balancing act and credit to Skye being said

(07:12):
to do it because they also see, you know, the
benefits of partnering together to really try and build and
drive cricket because ultimately that benefits to.

Speaker 2 (07:22):
Them also, it does, it does, But I guess you're
right from the point of view they want it all
behind a payball so they can drive subscriptions. You probably
want it all on free to wear so you can
drive viewer engagement. So what are those conversations like, yeah, look, but.

Speaker 9 (07:38):
I mean, you know, social Malone is ultimately a cricket fan,
her husband and two boys, but three boys all play cricket,
so so she was delighted from that point of view
of you know, getting cricket back, but also driving it.
Look at the balancing act because you need to make
sure that you're not impacting the financials by providing too
much free to wear, So it is it is a

(08:00):
difficult balance, but you know it's happy free where ultimately
we think we'll drive you know, subscriber numbers in the
Sky as well.

Speaker 2 (08:11):
So when you're coming up with the free to wear component,
do you work with Sky on that in terms of
their Sky Open channel or with a free to wear
provider like.

Speaker 9 (08:20):
TV and Z so, so that's open to negotiation. So
what we were essentially to have is a package that
is the soup smash and those those one games to
each series that will be offering to TV and ZD
or to Discovery and look ultimately not in this is

(08:44):
those then you know it might end up on the
Sky channel and then it's about us, you know, working
together the Sky to really drive engagement and participation on
that channel. So that might mean we'll have advertising models
so that we're coming out a lot harder.

Speaker 2 (09:06):
Do you think TV and Jet are keen to extend
their partnership with you?

Speaker 8 (09:11):
I hope.

Speaker 9 (09:12):
So. Yeah, the numbers for Super Smash have been extraordinary
this year and that's been a combination of a fantastic
product that Penians there has put together a whisper but
also the quality of precatives and such that you know,
people have really engaged with deportment. But also you know

(09:34):
that having one game from this series on free to
air is a pretty compelling opportunity for a free to
provide a lot of TV ded But you know, we
we as part of this, we have been discussed with
Preving Dead about what they you know, what they would
like to have going forward.

Speaker 2 (09:53):
Is there any way for you to to quantify the
positive effect to the game of having international cricket on
free to air over the last couple of summers.

Speaker 9 (10:05):
Probably, I think if we if we've got an actually involved,
I'm sure.

Speaker 2 (10:10):
We probably well, I don't think we want to do
that today.

Speaker 9 (10:14):
But you know there will be there absolutely will be
some way of doing that. I mean, just just at
a really high level. When you know, when we showed
a T twenty on Spark, I think there was about
one hundred and fifty thousand average previously on TV and
there sorry on Sky was render two fifty three hundred.

(10:35):
You know where we're getting viewership numbers of you know,
over a million, you know, one one two million watching
our T twenty, so in terms of eyeballs significant and
then of course that then drives advertising revenue, et cetera.
So well, someone much more than me will be able
to actually try and re number on that.

Speaker 2 (10:58):
Yeah, and I think we can anecdotally anyway we can say,
can't we that it's been extremely positive. You know, the
more people who can watch, the more people who were
engage with it. Anyway, we move on from the freeware component.
We look forward to seeing how that plays out. In
terms of the contract length, Scott six years, that's a
decent contract length. Were always keen on that sort of term.

Speaker 10 (11:20):
Yes, I was.

Speaker 9 (11:21):
Actually we when we signed up with Sony to show
for our Indian broadcast deal, it was six years and
essentially that takes two India tours. So I was came
to match those up because what that does essentially gives
us certainty of income to enable us to invest, but
it also gives your your partners in this case Sky,

(11:46):
the opportunity to invest in the partner. So yeah, look,
Sky would have probably liked the longer one, but six
years out about.

Speaker 2 (11:55):
White Class, So skyt was keen on longer than six years.

Speaker 9 (12:00):
Yeah, because I mean for them, you know, again, it's
certainty of content, so able invest and enables their investors
to look at what is the content that they have
come down the track. So therefore to determine, you know,
the value of Sky of a.

Speaker 2 (12:16):
Business and to just clarify for us the nature of
when the black Caps and White Ferns play overseas. That's
different again, isn't it It is?

Speaker 9 (12:26):
Yes, Sky currently hold the rights for the ICC, so
whenever the black Caps are watching in an icy ICC tournament,
they will it will be shown on Sky. And I
think they have that out to twenty twenty eight and
then Sky will separately negotiate with other member boards. So
as I understand that they're currently in negotiations with Cricket

(12:49):
Australia to show any of the crickets that's in Australia,
including Black Caps and white Women in the same but
he said and other boards.

Speaker 2 (12:57):
All right, so just to wrap this up, it's a
good outcome for New Zealand cricket in terms of your
balance sheet and the balance you've struck, you feel it's
also a good outcome for New Zealand cricket fans.

Speaker 9 (13:08):
Scott, Yes, I do, Yeah, I absolutely do, because you
know Sky Sky is almost like a utility in New Zealand.
You know, most people have it and so you know
the reaction to it being back on Sky has been positive.
But also I think balancing up having free to wear
means you know, we're really going to continue to have

(13:29):
the best of both will not not quite the same
state that we've had recently, but still were similar opportunity
for fantasy freeo wear. But also see you know some
pretty compelling and well produced cricket on Sky.

Speaker 2 (13:44):
Indeed, do you think the black Caps can win the
Champions Trophy?

Speaker 9 (13:50):
I'm just going to go and touch this wooden the
three next to me. Look, they are playing some outstanding cricket,
you know, but you know there's some incredibly strong teams.
I sort of watched England Australia over night and that
was quite hearious to the quality of some of the
betting there. But absolutely we can you know they're playing

(14:11):
with the black Cats are playing playing very very well.
They look very composed to great balance in the team
at the moment. So yeah, we were one more game
and we're into the semes and then anything can happen, I.

Speaker 2 (14:26):
Guess indeed, as we saw from the White Ferns last year.
Of course, Scott, great chat, thanks for wrapping some context
around this new broadcast deal for us. Really appreciate your
time and we'll catch up again soon.

Speaker 9 (14:38):
Bye a pleaure Jason, thanks for having me on.

Speaker 2 (14:39):
No, thanks for joining u. Scott Scott went it their
CEO of New Zealand Cricket here on weekend. Support your
chance to react to what you heard there from Scott
our eight hundred and eighty ten eighty. Look, I think
we all understand the commercial reality here. Broadcast revenue is
in Scott Winning's words during that chat very important to

(15:00):
their balance sheet. They have to maximize their return from
that particular revenue stream while at the same time balancing
the largely unquantifiable but extremely important factor of allowing access
to anyone regardless of whether they have Sky or not.
Now New Zealand Cricket were given an absolute Christmas present

(15:23):
two years ago with the demise of Spark Sport. They
were given free to wear cricket without losing any broadcast revenue.
We all know the situation that played out there Spark
ceased to exist. TVNS had picked up the rights Spark Sport. Well,
I guess their parent company said look, we'll still pay
the money and honor our contract for the next two summers.

(15:44):
So free to wear cricket without losing broadcast revenue. Perfect storm.
But that was a unique situation and it was always
going to come to an end and New Zealand Cricket
I think should be congratulated for getting this deal done
so far in advance. But if they have learned anything
during this time, it is that free to wear is

(16:06):
absolutely vital for the future health of their sport, and
not just their sport. Growing up, we all developed our
love for the sports we followed by watching them, cricket
and in fact all sports have to rethink their approach
to ensure the heroes of their sports. In this case,

(16:28):
the Black Caps and the White Ferns are in front
of everyone and they have as you heard from Scott Weening,
they're the first match in each of the international T
twenty series will be on free to wear. I just
wonder whether that's going to be enough, you know, at

(16:49):
the moment, as I say, it's a unique situation. It's
all there on free to air, test matches, one day
Internationals and T twenties, all of it plus the Super
Smash all free to wear and the Supersmash. From what
Scott said, then is going to continue to be free
to wear, whether that be through Sky and Sky Open

(17:10):
or through TVNZ or Discovery. But is one T twenty
international per series enough to engage everyone across the country
while still obviously being totally cognizant of the importance of
broadcast revenue. Your thoughts are welcome. Phone lines are starting

(17:35):
to light up. Eight hundred and eighty ten eighty. Let's
get to them, Mark, I mate.

Speaker 10 (17:40):
Get a piney.

Speaker 4 (17:41):
I'm wrapped to hear the carve out for the Super Smash.
I think it's so very important that they get that
immediate fan engagement from no restrictions on the platform. And
I'm happy as a payer who've been paying for over
thirty years for Sky for them to have the Deciding game,
if you know what I mean. So I'm happy to

(18:03):
pay for that premium product because that's what I'm getting
at that point. I'm getting the deciding It's like I
get Game three all the time. I get Game three,
I get Game three and Freedom where it gets Game
one and they have to go hunting to get the rest.
That's sort of how it should be in some respects.
Get that that primmer is a taste. If you want
some more, get the online subscription for thirty nine a

(18:25):
month or whatever, which I think is a great way
to come at it again. And the level of the
fact that a little boy little girl can flick on
the telly in the afternoon and see Super Smash being
played not far from where they live, let's say, or

(18:47):
within within a short distance of travel. That again creates
that possibility of engagement, and that's something that I think
the game lost for a very long time, regained through
the twists of fate and the fact that Spark collapsed
and rediscovered the joys of free to air and I

(19:10):
long may it continue. And I think they are a
bunch of other sports that could look at it as well.

Speaker 2 (19:15):
Good Man, Mark, Yeah, look, yeah, no, you've You've laid
the argument out perfectly. And I like what you said
there about about the deciding game being being you know, well,
the first game of the series is the one of
Fred Toware. It's not the deciding game of a series,
you know, because that there's a bit more jeopardy around
about that. And you're right, Scott said the same thing.
Free to air cricket drives pay per view subscription. So

(19:37):
from Sky's point of view, look at I'm sure it's
the argument that new Zellen Cricket put to them. They say, hey,
we put some on Fred to Are, people will have
a look at and say, oh, I want more of this,
I'll subscribe to Sky. I think Sky have been around
long enough to know the ins and outs of that,
and I'm sure that is partly true, but you know,
it's really just a It's an unquantifiable selling point, isn't

(19:57):
it for them? Thanks for you call Mark, good to
hear from you. Mate. Hello, Ellen, how are you good?

Speaker 8 (20:04):
Jason? Jason, I'm wondering in the press releases, and there's
anything about writing your broadcast of cricket, the writing your commentary.

Speaker 2 (20:17):
Yeah, separate negotiation, as I understand it, Ellen, it's that
those rights are negotiated separately from the television broadcast rights.

Speaker 8 (20:26):
Do you know if it's happening at all.

Speaker 2 (20:28):
I don't know. I'm I'm not across that detail, so
I'm not able to really help you out. I'm afraid
the weather Cony.

Speaker 8 (20:40):
Commentaries and they were instant commentaries were really really important.
So anyway, I'm from the blind found version and the
broadcast cricket, especially international matches.

Speaker 2 (20:54):
It's very very important, indeed, and not not just for
the blind community, Ellen, I think cricket is the one
sport that actually is is as good, if not better,
on the radio than it is on television.

Speaker 8 (21:06):
Well, I have to agree with your good on Yellen.

Speaker 2 (21:10):
Thanks for calling, mate. I appreciate it. Yeah, I'll uh,
I don't know. This is just the deal around the
television rights twelve twenty eight. It is will get some
more calls away in a moment of eight hundred and
eighty ten, eighty nine, two nine to two on text.
It's going to break away and come back after this
with more.

Speaker 1 (21:26):
The Voice of Sport on Your Home of Sport Weekend
Sport with Jason Vane and GJ. Gunner Homes New Zealand's
most trusted home builder, News Talks Evy.

Speaker 2 (21:36):
Twenty nine Away from One Talking Cricket, It's broadcast and
the Free to Wear element get a.

Speaker 11 (21:41):
Rich Yeah today, Piney, how are you making?

Speaker 2 (21:44):
Very good mate, very good? No test cricket on Free
to Wear make just one T twenty per series.

Speaker 11 (21:50):
What are your thoughts? Yeah, I know we've talked about
a while ago about that situation. Finey, because you know
I can understand we Scott when it's coming from, when
it comes to making sure they get enough revenue and
paying their players. But just crack it, really eyeballs. And
it doesn't affect me because I've got Sky but not

(22:10):
everyone has Guy, and it's just you know, when you
go into other countries, you know they've got free to
wear cricket and you know, free to air rugby and whatever.
But that's especially when you go look at the next
generation coming through of me. Twenty on a TV one
or a sky open. It's just you know, for the
young ones coming through untill they're going to see is

(22:30):
just tea twenty cricket, you know with the domestic sister
smash and all that. And I can understand. I mean
it's only what four hours a game or five hours
a game where this cricket ball day five days. But
you know, I don't know, I just it doesn't only
sit with me finally, because I love Test cricket and
I just feel that Test cricket is needs, we need that,

(22:52):
we need to protect it, and we need as much
eyeballs on it.

Speaker 2 (22:55):
Yeah. Look, you won't get an argument from me. Richie
and I am very like minded when it comes to this.
We love the red ball game. We've chattled about it often.
It's just as you were talking, I thought a strategy
they could have used, actually, if they want to drive subscription,
is to show the first day of a Test match
on free to wear and then today if you want
the rest subscribe rather than the first game in a
T twenty series. That might have a bit of flow

(23:15):
on for subscriptions. I don't know.

Speaker 11 (23:18):
Well, I mean there's there's no there's no problem. You know,
the situation. I remember back in the day when it
was three to Wear, there were times where it was
showing live on Saturday and Sunday and then it wasn't
on the on the weekdays. I mean, that's always an
option point. And I just think that you know, getting
some having some test cricket free to wear is by
still going forward. But yeah, it's just I don't know,

(23:40):
it's just the oversaturation of tea to any cricket. I mean,
I don't mind tea too many creat but man, we
just get a lot of it. And I do like
the fact that they're going to have a separate deal
for domestic supersmash and stuff. I think when it's the
domestic scene, yes, any eyeballs on there the younger talent
coming through, but you know, with these young ones all
they're doing all these things teach any cricket, are not

(24:01):
seeing the test cricket. So yeah, I mean it's great
to see new deal secured, but you know, I'll certainly
say the next summer with all the tree we can
watch absolutely.

Speaker 2 (24:14):
How are you feeling about the Champions Trophy?

Speaker 11 (24:18):
Yeah, I mean England and Australia last night, I mean
Australia chasing down three Thirsty. I mean, I think we've
got a pretty well balanced tye there, Pointy. I mean
when you've got people like you know, Phillips em bracefil
in that middle Water with Mitchell and stuff, I think
we've got a pretty decent chance. But yeah, I don't,

(24:39):
to be honest, Pointy, watching a champione trophy in Pakistan
when we're still in summer and we've got Super rugby
on at the moment, it's kind of like, where's my
cricket at home?

Speaker 10 (24:48):
You know.

Speaker 11 (24:48):
So yeah, it's their international scheduling again. But yeah, I
mean I'm interested, but I think we can.

Speaker 10 (24:55):
I say, we'll get to the semis.

Speaker 11 (24:56):
I think I will get there easily. It's you know,
South Africa and India. You know, we've got to you
know when when when we can, So yeah, I think
we've got a pretty this chapter win it. But yeah,
this hopefully we can just win those those those cup games.

Speaker 2 (25:12):
Good the chance always rich. Thanks to be come mate,
and joy the afternoon.

Speaker 11 (25:16):
It is all this.

Speaker 2 (25:17):
One hundred and eighty ten eighty is our number. Dan,
get the good a pony?

Speaker 10 (25:22):
How are you, mate?

Speaker 2 (25:23):
Dan? Great? Thanks mate? You sound like a box of birds.

Speaker 12 (25:25):
As per Yeah, I was a box of birds. But
once again News New Zealand Crickets sell their game down
the gurgler, really, because what they're saying is, hey, we
may put twenty twenty on. It's like they holding the

(25:52):
spectators to ransom, if you know what I mean, twenty
twenty on and if you want to watch the rest
you have to pay. I think it's just absolutely diabolical
and really the black texts are hard enough to watch

(26:15):
as they are on free to wear, never lown paying
for it?

Speaker 11 (26:21):
Dan.

Speaker 2 (26:21):
Can you put yourself in the shoes though of New
Zealand Cricket's top brass when they know that the revenue
they get from broadcast is extremely important to their bottom line,
Yes I can.

Speaker 12 (26:38):
But though doing fine.

Speaker 6 (26:41):
As it is on free to wear.

Speaker 2 (26:44):
Yeah, but they're getting the money. They're getting the money
from the demise of Sparksport. They're living in a bit
of a utopia at the moment, completely by good fortune
and the demise of Sparksport, where they're getting free to
wear cricket, all of it on free to wear. Plus
they're still getting the money. But that was always going
to come to an end, and so that's what this
new deal is about. So from the summer of twenty

(27:05):
six twenty seven onwards, it was always going to come
to an end. And they simply can't put it all
on free to wear because then they don't have a
revenue stream from broadcast and it is important to.

Speaker 13 (27:14):
Them and pioneers.

Speaker 12 (27:16):
They say that we're going to put the Super Smash
on free yep, But you watch the Super Smash, Poney,
and it's the same old players that were playing.

Speaker 11 (27:29):
Last year and the year before.

Speaker 12 (27:31):
And for me, the seper Super Smash in New Zealand
doesn't do it all right.

Speaker 2 (27:38):
We must have to we have to differ on that
down because I've loved it. I've loved watching it. And yes,
you're right, there are players who you know have been
around for a bit, but that's the same with the
black Caps as well. These players and the black Caps
have been around for a while and continue to play
for the team.

Speaker 8 (27:53):
Dan.

Speaker 2 (27:54):
I take your point, and I love your passionate argument,
and I think look, in a perfect world, everything would
be would be free to wear. And this commercial reality
that New Zealand cricket and all sport, all professional sport,
exist within, they cannot turn down broadcast revenue as one

(28:15):
of their revenue streams. There are only so many revenue
streams for a sporting organization. Broadcast, sponsorship, ticket and merchandise revenue.
That's pretty much it. So if you're turning away probably
the biggest of those, then you know, well they can't.

(28:36):
There's the answer, they can't, Hailey says Jason. I love
my cricket, but when are we talking about that amazing
game yesterday? Loving the next against the port rivalry and
what about that massive effort from the Highlanders, outstanding from
the Southern boys. Hailey so pleased to ask the question
because after one o'clock Steve Coricker, head coach of Auckland FCI,

(28:57):
is with us, so we'll talk some football after one
and after two Finn Hurley, who I'm sure you enjoyed
tearing it up under the roof in dned and last
night is our guests, So don't worry. We are covering
off the football and the rugby today, so don't worry
about it, Hailey, but thank you for thank you for
checking in. Similar from this text of Real News is

(29:21):
the Highland is piny and the influence of Jamie Joseph.
What a game last night they've got some steel and
then covered a few standouts. Tongue toehurly etc. Tava tava
nahwai must be in the all Blacks frame criminal if
not loving. The Highlanders just want for them to kick
on and string some performances together. They certainly play exciting
rugby they do indeed, so yep, just to just to

(29:43):
sort of make a few appointments in your head, we'll
be talking the football after one and the rugby after two.
It the moment. It's the cricket though, in particular the
free to wear element of it and how you balance
the need for revenue with the need for eyeballs. It
is the great balancing act of commercial sport. You can
imagine these conversations, first of all internally at New Zealand Cricket,

(30:04):
Scott Weening and others sitting around a table saying, okay,
how do we balance what we need on our balance
sheet worth what we need in terms of eyeballs, and
then having that discussion with Sky because Sky, if they
you know, if they had their absolute ideal scenario, it

(30:26):
would be everything on pay TV, all of it. But they,
I think are also aware that having it on free
to wear helps drive interest in the game, which will
drive subscriptions. And also this, I don't think there's any
way now that that New Zealand Cricket or any of
the others really are gonna come to a bargaining table

(30:47):
without having free to wear as one of their must haves.
Oh eight hundred eighty ten eighty nine two nine two
on Text twenty to one back with more after.

Speaker 1 (30:56):
This, the Big issues on and after fields call oh
eight hundred eighty ten eighty Weekends for with Jason.

Speaker 2 (31:07):
Paine and GJ.

Speaker 1 (31:08):
Gunner Homes New Zealand's most trusted home, Milder News.

Speaker 2 (31:12):
Sixteen Away from one. Mike's gotted New Zealand Cricket have
gone back to Sky and I'm a Sky subscriber. I
felt the free to wear model would recapture the New
Zealand following and help to boost youth cricket. But alas
we are chasing the dollar again forgetting where future players
come from. Mike goes on to say money is trumped
future growth. We need to chase more sponsorship money to

(31:33):
keep it on. Free to wear sponsorship will come with
current and recent success. Thanks Mike. Yeah, that's the balancing act. Again,
I guess the SEE sponsorship is a bit variable as well,
although they do have contract terms obviously, although as we
found out with with Anios recently and the All Blacks,

(31:53):
contracts can be broken. But I mean Sky and for
New Zealand Cricket getting a six year deal, that's terrific.
That's a decent chunk And it was surprising for me
to learn actually that Sky wanted a longer one. But
I guess they guarantee their content are their content? Sponsorship
a bit harder, isn't it than broadcast revenue to go
out and get. But I'll take your point, Mike. If

(32:15):
you are going to get less from broadcast because there's
more on Free to Wear, then you make that up
and you make that up in sponsorship. Jason, it took
you thirty eight minutes to mention the Rugby Highlanders against Blues. No, No,
I'm pretty sure we had it at about eight minutes
past midday. Are you still grieving at the loss of

(32:37):
your Blues? Who do you think you're talking? Where do
you think I come from? I'm a Hurricanes fan. Honestly,
people must think that we have something against teams outside
of Auckland.

Speaker 5 (32:52):
We do not.

Speaker 2 (32:53):
We do not. I certainly do not. I love it
when the Blues lose. Cando Jason says Andy, I was
in Brisbane years ago when there was a Test at
the Gabba and there was free to wear except for
the city the match or being played in and the
city where the match was being played. Only the first
session was free to wear. Thanks Andy, good stuff and

(33:13):
Blakes's white people complaining the cricket isn't free, neither's NRL
Super Rugby football, et cetera. Fact of life. Thanks Blake,
and thank you all for your calls and correspondences. Got
to get you to Saudi Arabia, where there's been success
for KIWI heavyweight Joseph Parker and read shot Parker.

Speaker 8 (33:35):
He was befuddled.

Speaker 3 (33:36):
Honey's down. I'm not sure he's going to make this count.

Speaker 1 (33:39):
Marsi pecudary just about he gets Tracksman's scoring.

Speaker 2 (33:43):
In hate Psycho all over, Joseph Parker knocking out Martin
Bacoli in the second rounds of their heavyweight boxing fight.
Watching ringside was The New Zealand Herald's Liam Napier, who
joins us now from Saudi Arabia. Give us the broad
brush strokes of what played out in the two rounds
that you saw liam.

Speaker 3 (34:03):
A statement performance. Pony.

Speaker 14 (34:05):
Joseph Parker, of course came into this fight hoping to
face Daniel Dubuire first and foremost. Dubuis pulled out on
two days. Notice that Rob Parker of a title shot.
Martin mccoley stepped up a big Column Colonies fighter. He's
widely fed in the heavyweight division. They call him the monster.

(34:27):
He's widely one of the most powerful punches in the division.
And park of floridam inside two rounds, one big overhand
right and another big statement to the heavyweight division.

Speaker 2 (34:39):
Was it was an unusual looking end to the about
Bacoley was one at one moment was standing up and
then wobbled and then fell down, almost like a delayed reaction.
How did you see it?

Speaker 14 (34:52):
Yeah, the big overhand right collected Pecoli on the front
of the heads and sometimes that can have a bit
of a delayed reaction. And as you mentioned there, Piney
stumbled backwards and was out for the count. Basically as
Corner waved it off and there was no more. We
do have to consider the fact that Martin buccauley flew
all the way from Congo via Ethiopia, arrived about two

(35:14):
am this morning.

Speaker 9 (35:15):
On the fight night.

Speaker 14 (35:17):
He weighed in fourteen cag's heavier than he was for
his previous fight, so underprepared. But look, take nothing away
from Joseph Parker. Bacoley is widely fed, he is twenty
one and one as a heavyweights. He is a real
rising star. And Parker has now cleaned out three of

(35:39):
the biggest punches in the heavyweight division in his last
three fights, Deontay Wilder, Zang at the Big Chinese Powerhouse,
and now Barton Becauley. So Parker said in the ring afterwards,
what more does he have to do?

Speaker 9 (35:53):
Who's next?

Speaker 14 (35:53):
He wants that title shot, whether it's Daniel Dubois or
Alexander Usik, and he's going to be incredibly hard to
deny that after this performance.

Speaker 2 (36:02):
Is Dubois more likely given the fact that that was
the scheduled fight here in any way.

Speaker 14 (36:08):
You would think so piney, But look, anything's possible the
heavyweight division. There's so much politics involved. A unification fight
between Daniel Dubois and ale Alexander Usik could take place,
and Parker may have to have another fights.

Speaker 9 (36:26):
You just don't know.

Speaker 14 (36:27):
Quite what happens with the mass nations behind the scenes
and who wants what. But that is a very desirable
fights from a promoter's perspective. But Parker deserves a shot.
He's resurrected his career in the last three years. He's
now won six fights in a row, four of those
here in Riad and this was a devastating performance.

Speaker 9 (36:50):
He came in at his.

Speaker 14 (36:51):
Career heaviest, six kg heavier than his previous heaviest, and
clearly that power had a massive effect because Bocoli is
a big man and it takes a massive shot to
flow him like Parker did. So he's made significant changes
to his team, his body composition, his style, and all
those things are paying off.

Speaker 2 (37:11):
Now, all right, we wait to see what is next
for Joseph Parker. Just before your house.

Speaker 14 (37:16):
The venue, it's an interesting party. I think the vibe
is certainly not the same from you know, the iconic
boxing venues around the world Madison Square, Guns, Las Vegas
or you know, Wembley.

Speaker 3 (37:30):
It's quite small.

Speaker 14 (37:31):
There's still quite a few empty seats. There's some traveling fans,
so there is a week bit of atmosphere, a bit
of music, but it certainly doesn't compare to the historic
boxing venues around the world. So while there's money in Saudi,
certainly a lot of it to get the best fighting
the best, the atmosphere probably doesn't compare to some of

(37:53):
those other places.

Speaker 2 (37:54):
Good man, Liam, Thanks. I know you've got some media
commitments with the man himself, so we'll let you go.
Thanks for joining us though with a rap of the fight.
Liam Napier from The New Zealand Herald read him at
enz herold dot co dot nz in Saudi Arabia to
watch a heavyweight boxer Joseph Parker making light work of
Martin Bacoli, knocking out the Congolese fighter in the second round.

(38:16):
In Riard Bacoley only stepped in at short notice, of course,
after Daniel Dubois pulled out. Ill took an overhand right
to the top of the head and then stumbled. It
was quite a bizarre thing to watch, actually, because at
first look I don't even see Parker land the punch,
the overhand right, and then all of a sudden Bacolie's

(38:36):
starting to wabble and then goes down. It was almost,
like I said to Leam there a bit of a
delayed reaction. But Joseph Parker a sixth win on the
bounce for him thirty six and three. He is who
knows what might be next for Kiwi. Joe Parker nine
away from one News talks HEB we're back after this.

Speaker 1 (38:56):
The scoon from the track field and the course on
your home of Lord, the weekends for it. Where's Jason
vine Us talks.

Speaker 2 (39:03):
MB it's six to one, just mopping up a few
bits of correspond and send some live sport before we
hit the one o'clock news, glencays Jason. What some people
don't seem to understand is that without Sky broadcast money,
professional cricket in New Zealand would largely disappear. Glenn, Yeah,
I think everybody understands it. I think we all know,
and it pains to point it out this hour, you know,
not that I really needed to. We all know how

(39:24):
important broadcast revenue is. It's the balancing act, isn't it
The balancing act that is largely unquantifiable inside a sporting organization,
wanting as many eyeballs as possible without giving up too
much your broadcast revenue, and it'll be an ongoing conundrum
for all sport in the years ahead. Thanks for your
text mate updating Live Sport Costa Rica one, New Zealand one.

(39:46):
This is women's international football being played in Costa Rica.
First game of the year for the Football Ferns. They
were one kneel down in the twentieth minute, but India
Page Riley scored a goalf in New Zealand's and added
time at the end of the first half to send
them in. Add one all we'll keep eyes on that
for you. One day cricket happening around the country. Well
it was been if it wasn't raining in Rangiora where

(40:09):
they haven't got out there yet. Between Canterbury and Auckland.
Also further south than in the Cargo reigning there as well,
so no start. Between Otago and Northern Pukakuda Park in
New Plymouth. They're playing there Central Districts and Wellington. Wellington
won the toss sent CD in and in the thirty
six over CD are one seventy six for six, so

(40:29):
pretty pretty tough going there for the Central Stags one
seventy six for six batting first against Wellington. There are
also Hallie Burton Johnston Shield matches being played. This is
the women's domestic competition reigning in christ Church. As we've
said so, no play yet between Canterbury and Auckland Northern
against Wellington and Hamilton n D one seventy nine for

(40:51):
four coming towards the end of the thirty sixth over
batting first against Wellington and at the University of Otago
Oval in Dunedin CD all out for one hundred and
twenty four in the thirty seventh over, Otago will shortly
begin the chase for one hundred and twenty five to
win that game after one o'clock. Head coach of Auckland FC,

(41:11):
Steve Coricker, How happy a man would he be today
waking up after his side dismantled their fiercest rivals Wellington
Phoenix six to one, six to one yesterday at go
Media Stadium, Steve Caricker after one if you were there
or if you watched, very keen to get your thoughts
as well. Football after one o'clock.

Speaker 1 (41:34):
The only place to discuss the biggest sports issues on
and after fields.

Speaker 3 (41:39):
It's all on Weekend.

Speaker 2 (41:40):
Sport with Jason Vane on your Home of Sport or
Hello that seven past one. Welcome in. This is Weekend
Sport until three I'm Jason Pine, Andy McDonald's show producer.
I've just got a text from Paul Allison, who calls
our Highlanders games on Gold Sport and iHeartRadio. It says,

(42:02):
my most memorable Highlanders match to call in thirty years
of home matches, more twists and turns than an Agatha
Christie thriller, says Paul Ellison. Paul, I agree. Terrific call,
by the way, mate, Absolutely love listening to it. Finn
Hurley did anybody see forin early last night? My god,

(42:24):
what a player he could be. I saw him interviewed afterwards.
Actually on the TV coverage. He looks about twelve years old.
There's nothing to him, but goodness me, can the boy move?

Speaker 8 (42:38):
Well?

Speaker 2 (42:38):
Have it chet to Finhurley after two? Highlanders fans, We
have not forgotten you, We have not forgotten you. Finn
Hurley was available to speak to us after two, so
that's when we'll do our rugby. So don't worry about that.
We have you covered. We have you covered. Eight minutes
past one, the third edition of the A League's New

(42:59):
Zealand Derby has been all Auckland FC. What on earth
might play out here this afternoon naddo can I'll get
the lado once start enough had tasted.

Speaker 15 (43:16):
Head Rogerson collected a falling of times Plato.

Speaker 16 (43:24):
Hat trick hero.

Speaker 2 (43:26):
Rogerson a five star performance store there for Auckland's grand
six of the best from Auckland FC. A demolition job,
isn't that it was? Auckland f C have demolished the

(43:47):
Wellington Phoenix six ' one at a sold out go
Media Stadium, a record crowd as well. Twenty seven thousand
and nine were there yesterday, Colombian striker nay Do Modano
scoring a hat trick, Logan Rogerson got a couple of goals,
and Jesse Randall also on the score sheet. Right at
the end, Auckland f C head coach Steve Urica joined
just thanks for your time. The day after the game, Steve, actually,

(44:09):
can we start with the goal scorers because there was
a suggestion that Nad Armada Know's second goal in his
hat trick actually deflected in off Logan Rogerson, who also
got a couple of goals. So who was actually claiming
the hat trick?

Speaker 15 (44:26):
Yeah, Logan is actually claiming it. It actually did hit
him on the way through, So Nada actually knows they
did as well, so he's sort of said is Logan's
hat trick? But like I said yesterday, for me, it
doesn't matter obviously who's scoring the goal as long as
as long as the goals are going in the back
and net. But either way, both of them had a

(44:46):
wonderful game. And yeah, I suppose I might fight over
a little bit next week.

Speaker 2 (44:52):
Though it's a terrific performance from your side, Steve. You
must have woken up as a pretty happy coach today.

Speaker 4 (44:59):
Yeah.

Speaker 15 (44:59):
I thought they were outstanding in all aspects of the game.
You know, they really showed a great deal of desire
to win that and really to go on with the
game as well, and to continue continue scoring. That was
a good sign as well, you know, so obviously the
goals help. Obviously a little bit disappointed as well with

(45:20):
the goal we did conceide, but other than that, I
thought everything was pretty much a perfect day for us.

Speaker 2 (45:26):
Yeah, Wellington actually started the game all right, it was
not all after half an hour. Were you always confident
though you'd break them down of course?

Speaker 15 (45:33):
Yeah, but they do have obviously we spoke about it
before the game. They have a strong defense. They haven't
conceived a lot of goals so for us to obviously
put three pass them in the first half and then
went on with it in the second half was really pleasing.

Speaker 17 (45:49):
But yeah, they started really well.

Speaker 15 (45:51):
I think the first I would say ten minutes it
took us to get into the game, and I think
after halftime as well, we had a little bit of
a slow start, but I think after them two sort
of initial.

Speaker 17 (46:02):
Periods, we really dominated the game and.

Speaker 15 (46:06):
Continued working extremely hard to do what we did to them,
which was for me, it was a demolition.

Speaker 2 (46:13):
Talk us through the period between minutes kind of thirty
one and forty when you scored three goals and basically
took the game away from the Phoenix.

Speaker 17 (46:21):
Yeah, it's it happens sometimes.

Speaker 15 (46:23):
You know, you get on a bit of a role,
you score one goal, and then you know, we were
getting good into very good areas. We're knocking some very
good balls into the box. We had a goal dis
allowed as well before that with the Maxi matter maybe push.
So yeah, it's just you know, we once we scored one,
as you can see, the belief and the players were
lifting and we're getting ourselves into very good positions to

(46:45):
win that game.

Speaker 2 (46:46):
When you conceded, but then scored again to go four
one ahead. You know, the game's pretty much in the
bag at that stage. Do you have to consciously encourage
your guys to keep going or is that just within
the DNA at the moment.

Speaker 15 (47:00):
We spoke about it a halftime. You know, I think
we had sort of this same thing last week against Western.
We were too nil up at halftime. We wanted to
go on and you know, win by more. We didn't
manage to do that last week, but we did keep
a clean sheets. Obviously tough conditioners last week, but the
message again was to keep going. You know, we want

(47:21):
to really give it to this team, and you know,
obviously the fourth goal. We made some changes as well,
which you know, a couple of players were on yellow
cars who wanted to just protect them for next week.
And the boys that come on also did really well,
and you know Jess, it's great for Jesse as well
to score his first goal for the club.

Speaker 17 (47:40):
It was really pleasing to see everyone doing so well.

Speaker 2 (47:43):
You resisted the temptation to tinker with your starting eleven,
even with one of your best players, Louis Vstrata, returning
from suspension.

Speaker 17 (47:49):
You might be upset about that.

Speaker 2 (47:51):
I wasn't well, not upset, and I was interested to
see the teams when it came out. You know, I'm
a big fan of Louis, but well we all are.

Speaker 11 (47:59):
Well.

Speaker 2 (47:59):
He now just have to wait for his chance to
start again, because I guess if you're not change a
team that wins two nil, you're not going to change
a team that wins six to one.

Speaker 13 (48:06):
Yeah.

Speaker 15 (48:07):
Well, you know, there's a week's a long time in football,
you know, make sure everyone pulls up all right and
trains really well.

Speaker 17 (48:14):
Pleasing for me was his attitude when he come on.

Speaker 15 (48:17):
Louis.

Speaker 17 (48:17):
You know, he's a really good pro.

Speaker 15 (48:19):
He was a great guy and you can see he's
desperate to win his spot back because he was excellent
when he come on as well as normal, breaking up play,
always starting things off for us, and he was doing
his job as normal, which was fantastic.

Speaker 2 (48:32):
That's what you want as a coach, That wasn't it, Steve.
You know, you want every player whenever they get the opportunity,
but it you know, ninety minutes or nine minutes to
go on there and make your life difficult, right.

Speaker 15 (48:40):
Yeah, definitely, you know we you know, we try and
bring that up that it's about attitude when you come
on and make a difference, and he did, and you know,
it's just good for the good for the team. You know,
it's competition of places, so keeping everyone on their toes.
Obviously with a player like Lewis on the bench, I guess,
I guess Wellington.

Speaker 17 (49:01):
It's also good for the two other midfielders which had
very good games as well.

Speaker 2 (49:05):
As indeed, what are you now? Eight points clear, nine
games to go? Adelaide have a game to play today. Yeah,
it's a game, but yeah it's almost yours to lose
now the minor premiership, Steve, does that change your mentality internally?

Speaker 17 (49:20):
No, you know, like we're not even really thinking about
that at the moment.

Speaker 15 (49:23):
Obviously, Yeah, it's great to have eight points clear, but
they've got a game if they if they win that today,
it's down to five. It's like two games. We have
to play them next week and it can happen. But
obviously if we can you know, beat them next week
or then you know, we will be sort of getting
away from him, which is obviously the plan for us
to just keep moving forward slowly, being consistent with our

(49:46):
performances and our results and try and break away as
much as possible.

Speaker 2 (49:51):
You extended the contract of your skipper, Hierroarki Sakai this week.
How crucial a piece of business was that for you?

Speaker 15 (49:58):
Everyone loves him, Hierroarchi obviously a fantastic guy, very humble
for where he's played and stuff like that, and are
really good leader for us and on the pitch as
well off the pitch.

Speaker 17 (50:11):
Yeah, I think he's been our standing this year, and
obviously you.

Speaker 15 (50:15):
Know, at that kind of age, you know he was
on a shorter term contract, but as you can see,
he's still moving very well and I'm sure he'll be
able to play for another two or three years still
to come.

Speaker 2 (50:26):
You know the nature of the A leaguers that players
play here and often they move on to another club overseas.
How much interest has there been or do you expect
there will be in your players from overseas clubs given
the way you're playing.

Speaker 15 (50:41):
I think you know, the better we do, obviously, the
more profile the players will pick up. Obviously we have
our own clubs as well in the groups, so that's
obviously a very positive thing as well for some players
if they can move into the to another club in
the group and want to move overseas, which is you know,
most young players dreams to play overseas and and to

(51:03):
do well over there and obviously make money as well,
which is a big factor in everything. But I think
now we haven't had a lot at the moment, but
you know we obviously first first season, we want to
keep this group together and try and do something special
and if we can do that then you know, you know,
there's going to be a lot of interest in the future.

Speaker 17 (51:23):
I'm sure.

Speaker 2 (51:24):
Can I just ask you specifically about Alex Paulson. We
know he's obviously with Bournemouth loaned back to Auckland FC.
Do you expect that a little bit just be the
one season that you have Alex with you?

Speaker 15 (51:34):
I think so you know that it was the plan
only for one year, you know, I'm sure Alex wants
to you know, if he's not gone to Bournemouth next year,
he will be probably loaned out to another club.

Speaker 17 (51:44):
But I think he you know, for him as well,
to improve.

Speaker 15 (51:47):
I think he's had obviously a fantastic year last year
with Wellington. He's on the right track again this year
to have a very good season as well. So you know,
our understanding was only one year, but I suppose you
never know what's going to happen, Steve.

Speaker 2 (52:01):
All anyone is talking about in football circles today is
your team, your players. They won't be able to avoid
the hype around them. I'm sure they. You know, they
can say, look, i'll stay off social media, but you
always want to have a bit of a look. How
are you going to keep course? How are you going
to keep them grounded?

Speaker 17 (52:17):
Yeah, we'll bring them back down to earth next week.

Speaker 10 (52:19):
We're all, you know out.

Speaker 15 (52:20):
You know, I had a little drink last night, I
suppose with our staff or what I did anyway, just
at a restaurants, so I'm sure they were celebrating as well,
with their families or whoever. But yeah, it is tough
sometimes after you have a very high scorer and wind
like that to sort of bring them back down. But
you know, I think they're a good bunch of boys.

(52:41):
I think they're fully focused on what we what we
want to achieve this year, and yeah, I think you
know the massive game that is coming up, I think
it won't be that hard to bring them back down.

Speaker 2 (52:52):
You must be enjoying your walks around Auckland's Viaduct right
now mate, getting people offering you to buy often to
buy a coffee or a beer for you.

Speaker 15 (52:58):
I am out at the moment just under the breede
actually a Boyd cafe. So it's it's very nice morning
this morning.

Speaker 10 (53:06):
Well you deserve it.

Speaker 2 (53:07):
Steve, congratulations on a terrific performance yesterday. All the best
stuff for the week ahead and can't wait to see
how it goes against Adelaide next weekend.

Speaker 17 (53:13):
Jess Biney, Thanks Ane, no, thank you for joining U.

Speaker 2 (53:15):
Steve. Steve Crocker there, head coach of Auckland FC. They
can't possibly have imagined that it would go this well,
are your chance to react to what you heard there
from Steve Coriker and what you saw yesterday at go
Media Twenty seven thousand plus turning out there yesterday, another
record crowd. We'll talk about that in a minute. Oh
eight hundred and eighty ten eighty. On the football itself,

(53:40):
Auckland FC could go on and win the whole thing
in their first season, they really could. Just to explain
to you how the A League works, there's the regular season,
which is twenty seven games, and then beyond that there's
the top six who go into the finals series. If
you're finish in the top two, you go directly into
the semi finals. The teams have finished three, four, five

(54:01):
and six play knockout matches in the first week of finals.
Look Auckland FC look odds on now to win the
minor Premiership, which has a piece of silverware for it,
but also to gain a buy if you like, into
the semifinals now. The way the semifinals work is home
and away, So whoever comes through from the three, four, five,

(54:24):
six one off sudden death matches comes up against the
two teams who finished first and second, and those are
home and away ties. That's where the Phoenix got knocked
out last year, you might remember by Melbourne victory in
the home and away semis and then you go through
to a one off grand final. Auckland FC could win that.

(54:48):
They are odds on now to win the Minor Premiership.
They're eight points clear, nine games to go. They play
adelaide As I say next week, who are their closest challenges?
Win that and you really do put a gap between
yourselves and the rest. They're playing with huge belief, huge
calm confidence. Everybody on that perch in a blue and

(55:09):
black shirt. Yesterday had a good game. It was as
simple as that, and that's often the way when you
win by a score line like that. Just on the crowd.
The way that the club has engaged their fan base
is utterly remarkable. It's absolutely brilliant. At go Media Stadium
on match day, hottest ticket in town. If you were

(55:32):
there yesterday, I'd be very very keen to hear from you,
particularly if you went along for the first time, because
I think you know we've had big crowds there. This
was the third sellout, but other games have sort of
been I was going to say, only have been thirteen, fourteen,
fifteen thousand. That's still a very good crowd. But what
are you seeing, what are you feeling, What are the

(55:52):
emotions you have when you're there? And actually I'd quite
like to talk to you about the football as well,
because they are playing very very well at the other
end of the emotional scale. A very tough afternoon for
fans of the Wellington Phoenix. I'm not quite sure what's
happened to Wellington Phoenix after the highs of last year

(56:15):
where they finished in the top two, highest of a
regular season finish, deepest they've ever gone into the playoffs,
one game away from the Grand Final. Yesterday was just
a real low point. Yes, they've lost a number of players,
key players from last year Alex Paulsen, Ben Old, big Loss,
Bojidar Krayev, Finn Sermon, Oscarsavada and a couple of others,

(56:37):
and that quality just hasn't been replaced. And there's been
a huge reliance on academy players making the step up
and that step has proven to be too big for
some of them. So if you're a Phoenix fan, your
thoughts are welcome as well our eight hundred and eighty
ten eighty talking some football for the next wee. While

(56:58):
speaking of which Costa Rica and the Football Ferns currently
locked at one all after sixty three minutes of their
women's international in cost RecA, will keep eyes on that
for you, But we want to talk Auckland FC, want
to talk Wellington Phoenix Oh eight hundred and eighty ten
eighty nine two nine two on texts one twenty three.
We're back after this one.

Speaker 1 (57:16):
Crudge Hold engaged Weekend Sports with Jason Pame and GJ.
Gunnerhomes New Zealand' so Ice trusted O Milder News Talks EDBB.

Speaker 2 (57:25):
One twenty six on news talks, there'd be Allen asks
on Tex Pinty. Do Auckland FC qualify for any Asian
competitions if they win one of the two trophies?

Speaker 12 (57:33):
Ellen?

Speaker 2 (57:33):
Unfortunately they don't. That's one of the oddities of New
Zealand sides playing in the Australian competition and the fact
that Australia exists inside the Asian Confederation while New Zealand
exists inside the Oceania Confederation. Therefore, if Auckland f C
or the Wellington Phoenix for that matter, were to qualify
for the Asian club competitions, which happens if you finish

(57:54):
near the top or win the Grand Final or whatever
it is, New Zealand, the New Zealand sides aren't eligible.
So now was the answer. Aukland FC don't get any
Asian Champions League or Asian competition if they do finish top.
Thanks for the question, Oh eight hundred and eighty ten
eighties and I'm a.

Speaker 16 (58:10):
Hello Tim, I only have a devil my friend.

Speaker 2 (58:14):
Very well, it's good to hear from you. It's been
a while.

Speaker 16 (58:18):
Yeah, I have tried the time, but yes, yes, I apologize.

Speaker 6 (58:20):
I've I haven't haven't managed to get get through. It
has been has been a while.

Speaker 8 (58:25):
It has.

Speaker 6 (58:26):
Yeah, I just want to talk about yesterday.

Speaker 16 (58:28):
Unfortunately I left it a little bit too late to
get the.

Speaker 6 (58:30):
Tickets, so that was a bit of a nifty move
by me. There was quite a few of the film
of Foxes that seed the tickets and I tried to
emotionally guilt for them to give their some seat away
from me, but they weren't having any of it. I
wanted it on the I watched it like a bloody
Miles absolutely well.

Speaker 2 (58:47):
I mean you're you're in the Auckland region, so I
obviously I am based on Wellington, but whenever I come
to Orkland for these games, just I mean, there's one
demonstration term the number of blue and black replica shirts
they've sold, twenty two thousand of those shirts. That's incredible,
it is.

Speaker 16 (59:06):
I went to the previous AFC Phoenix, you know.

Speaker 6 (59:09):
That, the first Auckland hell Darby, and that I was
absolutely good going on. There was twenty four thousand flown
away in the atmosphere, I said to and it was
just like being in the League one, League two sort
of UK buzz. The crowd was outstanding. The port singing
is great. A little thing that happened that last game
I don't know about yesterday, was obviously the eightieth minute

(59:30):
the Phoenix take on the top off and swell around
their heads and obviously AFC were winning at that stage
and they did it back to the they did it
back to the Phoenix FANID that was very funny at
the chanting, and yeah, it's brilliant. It's fans, brilliant for football,
brilliant for New Zealand and AFC come on, really good.

Speaker 10 (59:47):
I love it.

Speaker 2 (59:47):
They didn't take the shirts off at any minutes. They
were I think five one ahead at that stage, but no,
they didn't take the shirts off.

Speaker 18 (59:53):
They do.

Speaker 2 (59:54):
I mean they're they're very clever already.

Speaker 1 (59:56):
You know.

Speaker 2 (59:57):
Well when I say clever, a couple of examples. You know,
when they were five one ahead late in the game
of the chanting, we want six, you know, five to
one clearly not enough. Another side, you know, I saw
in the crowd like yesterday, was targeting Wellington Phoenix cipper
Alex Rufer and said, Rufer likes Nickelbeck.

Speaker 6 (01:00:17):
I was c Yeah, very good, very good.

Speaker 16 (01:00:20):
I thought that too.

Speaker 6 (01:00:20):
It was fun it. I'm surprised he didn't come onto
the second half because he's a he's a class player.

Speaker 10 (01:00:24):
You can see he's good.

Speaker 6 (01:00:25):
But yeah, but they were. They were outstanding. They dominated
that whole.

Speaker 16 (01:00:29):
Game for the first five minutes.

Speaker 6 (01:00:30):
It was a bit of phoenix went out that all
AfD was back. And yeah, they were very very got
that AfD.

Speaker 16 (01:00:36):
Very very good players and I just hope they can
run away with it.

Speaker 6 (01:00:40):
Next week will be yeah, Lex will give it important
playing number two. But Piney, I've heard a couple of
other commentaries, and I'm obviously watching COM's games live and
I think your co commentator he dropped in Carla Grieflies.
I'm pretty sure I was that not yesterday, but previous
game is that rising. Did he mention your infamous Wellington team.

Speaker 2 (01:00:59):
Yeah, I've told him not to do that, Jacob Spoonley,
but he doesn't pay any attention to me, not just
on there, but on anything really. Uh yeah, no, he
has mentioned that he's he's obviously missed the memo that
that I'm now retired from said Tarbar Grizzlies. In fact,
I don't even know if the team still exists. I
think we're all but older now. The Silver Foxes. Clearly
your team have carried on. Are you looking forward to

(01:01:21):
the new season?

Speaker 6 (01:01:23):
Don't wait the old but I cannot wait at the
dressing room pre match tunes and its antipam and VP
and old man playing and showers of beers off his house. Yeah,
I'm very excited to tell a Foxes that we're still
living on somewhere piney.

Speaker 10 (01:01:43):
We're still doing it.

Speaker 6 (01:01:43):
But as well, maybe I'll get to mention the pox
and then you give a kick or something.

Speaker 2 (01:01:48):
Well, maybe you could. You could get in touch with
Jacob Spoonley and get I mean, he's he's he's a
he's a pretty I mean you could. He's a pretty
easy guy to bribe. Oh no, I don't say bribe
to incentivize. Who knows what he might save you if
you cross his palm with silver or a beer or
something like that. Great to chat to, All the best
for the season ahead with with your master's football team.
No doubt we'll chat again soon, Peter says. On top

(01:02:10):
of losing the players you talked about since Christmas, they've
not had Tim Payne, Alex Rufer and Marco Rojas, which,
added to the others, is in effect a whole new team.
You're right, Peter, they've been unlucky with injuries as well.
But they are affective life, aren't they. They're effective life.
You look at Auckland FC, Dan Hall, who was there,
you know, one of their main stays in the first
five or six games at center back broken ankle, hasn't

(01:02:33):
been there since early December, but they've carried on Cam
Howison was out for a while. Injury is just a
fact of life. Hirochi sarchives missed a couple of games,
so it's something that all football teams have to deal with,
and it speaks of it to the depth of the
team when even when I was talking to Steve Coriker,
then Louis Vastrata, who's been, in my opinion, their best player,

(01:02:55):
was suspended last week so therefore couldn't play back into
contention yesterday, but wasn't put back into the starting eleven.
And as I said to Steve Kyriker, if you're not
bringing him back changing a winning team after winning two nil,
you're not changing a winning team after winning six to one.
But at some stage I think Louis us Strata becomes
an irresistible proposition. He's such a good player anyway, thank

(01:03:17):
you for all your causing correspondence on the football. I
just want to move briefly to basketball because the Toll
Blacks have started the third window of the Asia Cup
basketball qualifiers by dismantling their hosts Hong Kong ninety two
to fifty one.

Speaker 6 (01:03:32):
Stops inside when yd goes up, throws it down for.

Speaker 2 (01:03:36):
With some neat Will's passion.

Speaker 15 (01:03:39):
That is a professional performance by New Zealand.

Speaker 1 (01:03:42):
They shut the ball incredibly well at times, but defensively
exceptional imposed themselves on Hong Kong.

Speaker 2 (01:03:49):
Shina. Yeah, ninety two to fifty one. Jordan Natai top
scoring for New Zealand with twenty points. So New Zealander
back home now. They play the Philippines this afternoon at
Spark Arena in Auckland, three o'clock tip off. Both sides
have won four and lost one of their matches and
their campaigns. They sit together on nine points to all.
Blacks Assistant coach Michael Fitchett joins ashead of this game.

(01:04:10):
First of all, Michael, how happy were you and the
coaching staff with what played out in Hong Kong?

Speaker 8 (01:04:15):
Yeah?

Speaker 5 (01:04:16):
Pretty happy, you know, to go and go away and
get a road win. By forty odd points as all
I satisfying, but we had a bit of a shaky
start defensively. We went really on the ball, so we
did have some feedback to give to the guys, which
is always nice. After a forty point one to two.

Speaker 2 (01:04:33):
Absolutely well. The defensive side of things looks on paper
anyway pretty good twenty four turnovers forced. But was it
something that the team grew into across the game the
defensive performance.

Speaker 5 (01:04:46):
Yeah, definitely. We gave up twenty one points in the
first quarter, which for us to give up to a
team like Hong Kong as too many. But we really
tightened the screws in the second, third, and fourth quarters.
So we're happy with the response. Just the start. If
we do that against the Philippines will be and we'll
be in a bit of strife early on.

Speaker 2 (01:05:05):
What about in and offensive scenes? Did you achieve what
you wanted to?

Speaker 11 (01:05:10):
We did?

Speaker 5 (01:05:10):
We did with the sort of the focus of the
three days or the three practices over two days leading
into the game. When once we got up to Hong
Kong was really more about the offensive side of the ball,
and the guys were really good. We kept it simple,
We shot the ball really well, obviously Jordan Natai six
from seven from three, but we did a good job
getting to the room as well, and Taylor Brett really

(01:05:31):
ran the show for us. So we're offensive side of
the ball were pretty you know, a lot of a
lot of positives there.

Speaker 2 (01:05:36):
So Box has ticked against Hong Kong. You mentioned the
Philippines there, What what do you expect from them and
how how much bigger of a challenge are they going
to be?

Speaker 5 (01:05:45):
Yeah, it's it's a different kettle of fish, different standard
of opposition for sure. We lost them in November. And
their style of players super physical. They've got a couple
of really big, big bodies in there and even their
guards very very physical players really crash, crashed the boards
and looked for those rebounds. So we put ourselves on

(01:06:07):
physicality and we got this isn't a word, but we
got out physical in November. So we'll be looking to
turn that one around first and foremost. But then they've
got a very talented naturalized player justin Brownlee. He had
thirty nine points against Chinese Taipei last night.

Speaker 6 (01:06:24):
So.

Speaker 5 (01:06:26):
Slowing him down is going to be another another major
factor for us.

Speaker 2 (01:06:30):
I'm going to add that word to the vocabulary our
physical lord.

Speaker 6 (01:06:32):
I think we can.

Speaker 2 (01:06:33):
I think I think we can. Make it a word.
I've got no problem with that. I know exactly what
you mean. You've already qualified for the Asian Cup, of course,
so is the goal to finish top of the pool
to get a better seating at the Asian Cup? Is
that what we're looking at?

Speaker 5 (01:06:46):
Yeah, it is, it is so they we can, we
can if we win Chinese TYPEY did us a bit
of a favor by beating the Philippines last night or
two nights ago when whenever it was, and we don't
need to win by a margin.

Speaker 10 (01:06:59):
Now we win, and we.

Speaker 5 (01:07:01):
Top our pool, which obviously gives us a slightly easier
path through the Asia Cup, which gives us which then
rolls onto World Cup qualifying campaign.

Speaker 10 (01:07:11):
So they all matter.

Speaker 5 (01:07:14):
But to be honest, we're playing in front of a
big house at Spark Arena, so we want to get
that one, get the one for all our fans are
going to be there.

Speaker 2 (01:07:24):
And you had a couple of debutants in the squad.
Hawks Bay Hawks youngster Jackson Ball just sixteen years old,
Canterbury Rams rising star Thomas Isaac, both in your squad
for the first time. Were were you able to get
minutes for those two guys?

Speaker 5 (01:07:37):
We were That's the beauty of going up, you know,
playing a team like Hong Kong. We could really spread
the minutes. Really really impressed with both of those guys.
You know, Jackson Ball sixteen years old. Like you say, like,
I don't know what you're doing when you're sixteen pinty,
but I certainly wasn't representing my country and making the
most of that opportunity. Was he was fantastic. And Tooma

(01:07:57):
Isaac actually, the eighteen year old from chross chich he
he really came out and turned our defense around a
little bit, you know, really really got after the ball
in the full court and put their energy in effort
they were looking for out there. So really really pleased
with both of those kids. Bright futures ahead.

Speaker 2 (01:08:14):
Yeah, I've sent a bit of Jackson Ball actually at
a couple of regional tournaments out of Ape. Your boys,
of course see a big block. He put a big block,
and I saw some social media footage of you know,
during your Tall Blacks game. He could be anything, couldn't He.

Speaker 5 (01:08:28):
The world's oyster. The world is truly his oyster. He
does the simple things really well. He's got good size strengths,
shoots the ball very very well. Just one of just
one of a number of our really exciting junior group
at the moment. You know, we've got a we've got
a really a nice bubble of kids coming through, so
it's exciting to see them put on the black jersey

(01:08:50):
at a young age.

Speaker 2 (01:08:51):
And at the other end of the experienced scale. Cory
Webster went to the series on ninety nine games for
New Zealand. Presumably you got got him one hundred the
other night, did you.

Speaker 5 (01:08:59):
Well, Actually he didn't come up to Hong Kong with us.
He was we elected to rest his body a little
bit before the Philippines game. So he's going to raise
his hundred. So she'll be a fun.

Speaker 2 (01:09:10):
Occasion, good stuff. Well, look forward to that, Mike, thanks
for joining us on game day. Michael Fitchett, assistant coach
of the tour Blacks, who take on the Philippines this
afternoon at Spark Arena in Auckland. A bit of social
media around saying that that game is sold out. Philippines basketball,
it's their national sport, so they'll be I think a
number of Auckland based Philippines fans there. But yes, no,

(01:09:33):
I've had confirmation that game has sold out, good stuff, terrific.
We don't get the chance to see the toll Blacks
a lot at home, do we? So good to know
that when that opportunity presents itself that people will turn out.
And for Corey Webster, that'll be nice for him to
bring up one hundred games in the black singlet in
front of a big and presumably raucous home crowd. What
are we twenty two away from? Two one? All the

(01:09:55):
score remains between New Zealand's Football Ferns and Costa Rica,
the first of two matches between these two sides over
the next few days. Seventy eight and a half minutes
gone one to one between Costa Rica and the Football Funds.
We'll take a break and then it's a part of
our sundays, a regular part of our Sundays. James mcconey
going to join us for a chat next on Weekend Sport.

Speaker 1 (01:10:17):
You be the GMO have your say on eight hundred
and eighty eighty Weekend Sport with Jason Payne and GJ. Guvnerholmes.
New Zealand's most trusted home builder News.

Speaker 2 (01:10:27):
TALKSB eighteen Away from some on News Talks, there be
part of our Sundays James mcconey Craig goes Wild alternative
commentary collective all across your socials. I'm not quite sure
where to start, James, but could we start with the Chiefs? Perhaps?

Speaker 10 (01:10:40):
Well, let's do that, Piney, Let's get that out of
the way, because I'm a massive Chiefs punisher, as they say,
and I know half of your a lot most of
your audiences probably don't want to hear this, but how
good were the Chiefs, and in particular Simon Parker? People
thinking who is Simon Parker? Including Chiefs fans? But that
was quite a game from the big blind side flanker.
He's been in and around the squad, but he had

(01:11:02):
a blinder among many players, including Quintu Pyre as well.

Speaker 2 (01:11:06):
Sounds like the kind of guy who works in your
office but you don't really know who he is and
what he does. Yeah, Simon, Yeah, Simon Parker from Accounts
or whatever it is he is.

Speaker 11 (01:11:14):
He is.

Speaker 10 (01:11:15):
He's a bit like that, maybe the mystery brother of
Peter Parker, the spider Man. I'm just sort of wondering
he hes didn't have superhero qualities on Friday Night. But
I mean all is not lost for those teams. I
always just think the Crusaders, Yeah they lost the Blues loss,
but they are quite all black heavy. So what that
means that your players haven't had quite the same preseason.

(01:11:35):
They're coming back a little bit underdone, a little bit rustier.
So you know, let's wait to the business until we
start writing these eulogies for these teams, because yeah, the
Chiefs were very good, but it's early days.

Speaker 2 (01:11:47):
It is early days. You know what rhymes with early Hurley?
Finn Hurley. Did you see him last night?

Speaker 10 (01:11:55):
He was a blur piney. You know my TV screen
couldn't keep up. I need to upgrade. It's the thing
is that I need to talk to us that John
and Adrian for Magnus Beener anyway had enough astilling advertisement
of yours.

Speaker 2 (01:12:09):
But I thought, if they're not, they'll be back.

Speaker 10 (01:12:12):
That will be back. The thing is he is incredible,
this little guy. He's listed at seventy five kgs. He
plays fullback. He's short, small, it's kind of so quick
that he's got that Ryan Pappenhausen vibe from the Melbourne
Storm and he pops up everywhere in cleaning. A classic
chip and chase that would have had Jeff Wilson on
the sideline with a little tear in his eye going out.

(01:12:35):
I used to do that, but this was incredible from
young Van Hurley. But what I would add is that
the obviously Jamie Joseph has made a big difference. They
made of stern and stuff a really impressive forward effort.
But I'd just like to sing about two other things.
One is the Maki Tavatava Nawai playing at twelve. He's
all blacks eligible now he's got to go close if

(01:12:59):
he carries on this sort of form. He's the guy
who played for Winna Pacifica on the wing. He went
loved down to the Highlanders last year. He's turned down
Fiji twice. He is waiting for the call up from Raiser.
And then the second thing is that's the kind of
game that brainwashes first year students from Auckland to becoming
Highlandeds fans for life. So the Blues have lost a

(01:13:20):
lot of people there.

Speaker 2 (01:13:21):
Yeah agree and great. You know I loved watching the
what they call it the zoo there last night, all
the first years on o week. That's that's terrific. And
I was really really pleased for the Highlanders too, And
you're right, Jamie Joseph made a mess of difference. I'm
gonna have a check to Thin Hurley. Actually we've got
his number. We'll give him a call after two o'clock.

Speaker 10 (01:13:38):
Yeah, just to say congrets. He's an Otago Boys High
student as well, so he's so local. But also just
one another mention of quick players Kira and Talmoyflal for
the Mauana PACIFICA. That winger he's actually played. He's from Marlborough.
He's played already for Tonga. But I think that he
is trying to get into the All Blacks. So I

(01:14:00):
think the All Blacks are really have looked at the
eligibility and if he can do his stand down period
from the last World Cup when he played for Tonga,
I think he will be and raise his sights for
the next World Cup. So what's his space? I'm giving
his scoops here, Piney. And it's not even my job.

Speaker 2 (01:14:16):
No, no, well, I mean we can add it to
your job description. We could even perhaps up your weekly
rate if you continue to deliver two points. Joe Parker
one again. This was a shame really because he didn't
fight the guy who was supposed to fight Daniel Dubois.
But he got the job done this morning.

Speaker 10 (01:14:35):
Yeah, he did get the job done. I mean it
was they brought in a ring and that's I think
it's just good that he's back on the world stage.
He's obviously very passionate about carrying on. You know, a
lot of heavyweights so they retire really and then come
back and stuff. And I think Joe's looking, you know,
fit and well and impressive. He's a lot quicker, I

(01:14:57):
think with his hands and other heavyweight so that's always
going to be his big advantage. But who knows if
he can get back into these sort of title contention
stage against the big dogs. But I mean he was
Winston Peters by his side. There was anything as possible. Poney,
I saw him. I think he changed his name to
Winston Peter like Peter Bread when he was over there.

Speaker 2 (01:15:18):
But yeah, yeah, I saw him Mark Security, Yeah, I
saw him ringside there. They had pretty good seeds, didn't he.

Speaker 10 (01:15:26):
Yeah, he was right in between. It looked like two
Saudi billionaires and it's just on there. Maybe Tim Saudi
should change his name to Tim Saudi. There's a lot
of sponsorship opportunities. There's not the most ethical, but hey,
you know if you want that money.

Speaker 2 (01:15:40):
Indeed, hey, Aukland FC, they were quite good. Yes, did
I did you watch any of this?

Speaker 10 (01:15:45):
I was there, Poney, and I was actually lurking behind
you at one point I went upstairs for the commentary
and you were, I mean you were in full flights
and what again? Six ' one. I thought that Auckland
f C was so dominant in that first half. It
could have been six in the first half, but the
welling Coonfenence came back really nicely. And one thing I

(01:16:08):
will say is, even though it's a six to one
win and great to see an all white contender l
like Logan Rodgers and scored two goals. I thought when
Luke brook Smith came on the sixteen year old for
rollingon Phoenix, we saw the future for the all whites
because Piney I'm an all whites fan first and then
these other club team second. And he's sixteen former BMX rider,

(01:16:31):
spotted by Ricky Herbert or Ricky Herbert's dad or something
in Cambridge when he was chasing his being extreme and
now he could be our Laminia male if anyone remembers
him from the Euros. He looks that talented.

Speaker 2 (01:16:44):
Yeah, he's a good Did you know that yesterday was
his mum's birthday And when he looked at the fixture
list at the start of the season and saw that
there was a game on the twenty second of February
his mum's birthday, he said to his mum, I'm going
to score on your birthday.

Speaker 17 (01:16:59):
And he did.

Speaker 10 (01:17:01):
Yeah, I mean, that's just he just looks special. I mean,
I just don't think seen a part like that. He's
got shot. He looks like he should be playing second five,
like the shoulders on the kid. But he's from, like
I said, from Fangade, just has just a real attitude
for this game. And ye, he made a mistake passed
the ball at Rogerson at one point, but I don't

(01:17:22):
think it's going to affecting. He just looks like he's
a future star. And I think in the next World
Cup we'll have him and Chris woodoffing up front at
some point.

Speaker 2 (01:17:32):
Yeah, he looks like a player. Just back to Aukland FC.
We shouldn't ignore them because there are you. I mean,
they're terrific and even even isn't isn't the act game
experience just brilliant? I mean, who could have dreamed that
it would be like this?

Speaker 10 (01:17:46):
I mean when you locked, I mean you've got Arthur Williams,
there's Chris Luxe and Luxe he was there, and then
old Dan Carter with his son to a football mad.
I mean, this is it is massive. I mean, and
I'm massive. I'm name dropping here, but it is an
incredible game to experience the port, the atmosphere they provide
and all so the Wellington Phoenix fans who traveled that

(01:18:09):
to me, I've think I've said it before. It's as
close as we'll get to. And if they cut the
A time final that used to watch, we just feel
the roar of the crowd and the passion of the
crowd and long may it last. I mean I would
schedule more Derby games if you could.

Speaker 2 (01:18:24):
Yeah, well you can see why they why they put
a big focus on them. They do in Melbourne as well,
do it in Sydney as well. Hey, now are you
going to Vegas to watch the Warriors?

Speaker 10 (01:18:34):
Look, I'm not going to Vegas. I don't know who
decided who goes to Vegas. But they obviously thought I
was a massive flight risk there. I don't know why.

Speaker 2 (01:18:43):
They've said. They've said four rugby league teams there.

Speaker 10 (01:18:45):
I mean, surely, surely I'm below down over the risk
here the risk report. But no, I'm not going to
Las Vegas. Ponty, thanks for rubbing that salt in the wound.
But the one I mean, I am looking forward to
that game. But the one event I've been watching over
in the States is the hockey between Canada and USA. Well,
I've been keeping tabs because it's turned into a geopolitical

(01:19:09):
fight between Trump and Trudeau. Of course, Trump, you know,
bringing in all the sanctions and the and the tariffs
against Canada and claiming there should just be another state,
and Canada fighting back with their hockey team. There were
three fights of the first nine seconds of the first game,
and it's all because of Trump. He's basically like the
don King, really sort of ramping people up, racking them up.

(01:19:32):
And now we've got this incredible thing where Canada fought
back and fought one three too, and Trudeau's straight into
Trump over the hockey result.

Speaker 2 (01:19:41):
Yeah, amazing stuff. Geopolitics and sport. You never know what
you're going to get at around one forty five on
a Sunday, but here we are. Well, that's what I
bring next and much more. Besides. Always good to jet mate.
We'll do it again next Sunday.

Speaker 10 (01:19:56):
Cheers Finally, take care mate.

Speaker 2 (01:19:57):
You too, mate. James mcconey a huge part of our
weekend sports show on a Sunday afternoon. Catch them on
the alternative commentary collective The Craig Goes Wild and across
your social media as well. What are we night away
from two News Talks.

Speaker 1 (01:20:09):
EB analyzing every view from every angle in the sporting
world Weekend Sport with Jason Vaie they call eight News Talks.

Speaker 2 (01:20:18):
MB Sticks Away from two. The Football Ferns cost Record
game is all done one one they'll play again on Wednesday.
Other Live Sport. Well, the All Black Sevens have just
started their quarter final at the Vancouver Sevens. They're up
against Spain and you think, okay, well All Black Sevens
against Spain. Warn't that all right? But Spain have beaten
New zeal on the last two times they've played, so

(01:20:40):
not a phata complee by any stretch of the imagination.
They've had a couple of minutes so far, still scoreless
between New Zealand and Spain and the Vancouver quarter finals.
Our women play their quarter final a little bit later
on this afternoon. Let's have a look at what's coming
up after the two o'clock news. Well, we've been holding
off talking about the Highlanders, to the displeasure of some

(01:21:02):
who thought that we should have been talking about them
since midday. Look, I'm happy to talk about the Highlanders.
Was just delighted to see the scenes at Forsyth Bar
Stadium last night when they beat the Blues, first time
they've beaten the Blues for quite some time. A huge
crowd turning up there. Well, it's a huge fifteen thousand.
It looked big. It was loud o work down there,

(01:21:22):
so plenty of first year Scarfi's turning up. Finn Hurley
was the star of the show really, although some would
say Timothy Tavatavannah White perhaps deserved to be Man of
the match. I didn't even know if they had an
official man of the match, but Tava Tavannah White terrific.
Finn Hurley, though, with a couple of tries, including a
kick and chase which brought back memories of Jeff Wilson

(01:21:44):
so Finn Hurley is going to have a chat to
us after two o'clock. What did he see when that
ball bounced in front of him just outside his own
twenty two in the first half when he took off?
And what's it like being in this Highlanders side at
the moment. I know it's only one game, I know that,
but there just seems to be a bit of a
zip and a zing and an enthusiasm about the Highlanders

(01:22:04):
at the moment. And you have to, I guess put
a large part of that down to Jamie Joseph moving
back into the head coaching role fin early after two
Mitchell Santner as well. I'm going to get to you
to Pakistan where the black Caps are preparing for their
second poll match in the Champions Trophy. They played Bangladesh
tomorrow night in raoul Pindy ten o'clock tomorrow night, New

(01:22:27):
Zealand time. This after of course, they're winning the first
up game against Pakistan the other day Mitchell Santanna out
of raoul Pindi. And we'll also look at the next
weekend New Zealand Golf Open. A bunch of kiwis looking
to win their home open, including Ben Campbell, who's with
us after two?

Speaker 1 (01:22:44):
The only plays for the big names, the big issues,
the big controversies and the big conversations. It's all on
Weekend Sport with Jason Vain on your home of Sport
News Talk said been.

Speaker 2 (01:23:01):
Seven past two. Welcome on. This is Weekend Sport until three.
Tim Beverig's ready to take over the Weekend Collective Sunday
edition after three o'clock. Before we can let him in,
We've got a few things to cover off, Paul says
on tex Piney Highlanders. Finn Hurley, what a game, chip
and score. Future all Black with that performance. Great seeing

(01:23:23):
the fans on the field after the game as well,
says Paul. Or Paul hang around because Fin Hurley is
standing by to chat to us very shortly about that
win by the Highlanders last night. Also this hour in
Pakistan where the black Caps are. They take on Bangladesh
tomorrow night in their second Paul game at the Champions Trophy.
A victory there and they're basically all but guaranteed a

(01:23:45):
semi final spot. Mitchell Santner out of the black Caps
camp White, Paul captain and with the New Zealand Golf
Open now just a week away or less than a
week away at Millbrook. We're going to chat to one
of the kiwi's looking to get his hands on the
trophy for his home open, Ben Campbell, who in recent

(01:24:06):
times has been elevated to the Live Goolf Tour. He
was a reserve last year and twenty twenty five he
is a fully fledged member of the Live Golf to
So what's that like and how does he rate his
chances of perhaps winning the New Zealand Golf Open at
Millbrook next weekend. Your calls and correspondence continue to be welcome.
Oh eight hundred and eighty ten eighty nine two nine

(01:24:27):
to two on text emails to Jason at Newstalk shadb
dot co dot nz. But we've ticked past eight past too,
so in the tradition of the two o'clock hour here
on Weekend Sport, it's time to bring you up to
date with some of the things that might have not
crossed your consciousness yet in case you missed it as

(01:24:49):
the name of this feature, and we start with supercars.
Two wins from two races for Camwaters.

Speaker 17 (01:24:56):
I think that Beny my shuf.

Speaker 18 (01:24:58):
Hang on one and had to it's coming down.

Speaker 4 (01:25:03):
Oh my goodness, believable finish to that burn right.

Speaker 2 (01:25:14):
Away. I am brown away by what I have just said.
An epic finish cam Waters overcoming brock Feenie by point
zero three of a second and super Rugby the Western
Force snatching a late win over the Brumbies to go
two from two. Loo's another effort. Sure they can't steal

(01:25:38):
what in pert?

Speaker 4 (01:25:40):
The Western Force who just thirteen men on the field
go from eighteen phases to snatch the lead.

Speaker 2 (01:25:50):
Back from the Rugby and the win snapping a five
thousand and sixty day drought for the Force, their first
win in Canberra since twenty eleven. At Crickets Champions Trophy.
Josh Engliss playing hero for Australia against England. Hold again,
what a shot, What a way to go to one hundred,

(01:26:10):
the first hundred in ODII cricket. You can see what
it means to him.

Speaker 7 (01:26:14):
This has been a magnificent innings played, the innings of
his life here in Lahore this evening.

Speaker 2 (01:26:20):
Yes, and that's entry key to chasing down England three
hundred and fifty one to Football's Premier League. West Ham
Delta blow to Arsenal's title chances and besaka.

Speaker 15 (01:26:30):
And doing this out amit it.

Speaker 2 (01:26:34):
Well well well.

Speaker 5 (01:26:37):
East London celebrations in the.

Speaker 2 (01:26:39):
North one nil to west Ham over Arsenal and that
one and staying in that part of the world. In
Rugby six Nations, Ireland fought hard for a win over
a far more resilient Welsh side, Island Tiger rocking Hare.
They've got the number of and they've got the penalty
and that could decided.

Speaker 13 (01:27:00):
Think it's more about the points than the seconds for
Prendergast and he's got it, buttmate Neil.

Speaker 2 (01:27:06):
Victory for Parlance and did twenty seven eighteen the final
score and England have won back the kell Cutter Cup
for the first time since twenty twenty with a sixteen
fifteen win over Scotland.

Speaker 6 (01:27:19):
This fight of the moment when the.

Speaker 12 (01:27:20):
Match comes short.

Speaker 5 (01:27:30):
Year they won the match.

Speaker 2 (01:27:34):
What a dramatic conclusion.

Speaker 1 (01:27:37):
Analyzing every view from every angle in the sporting world
Weekends fort with Jason pie Call eighty News Talks.

Speaker 2 (01:27:45):
NB coming up twelve minutes past to fullback Finn Hurley
has inspired the Highlanders to come from behind twenty nine
twenty one Super Rugby Pacific win over the Blues in Dunedin.
The Blues led fourteen to three late in the first
half before a brace of tries from Finn Hurley saw
the Highlanders storm home for their first one of the season.

(01:28:06):
And there Christy looking for it early.

Speaker 1 (01:28:08):
He's got the bet, he goes on.

Speaker 2 (01:28:09):
The pain through life.

Speaker 9 (01:28:12):
It's a great time in the eventual.

Speaker 2 (01:28:14):
Brilliance certainly was. Finn Hurley is with us out of
Deneed in the day after the game. Finn, thanks for
taking the time for a chant. Two tries for you,
three off loads, one hundred and sixty two meters run
with ball in hand. Not a bad night's work for you, mate.

Speaker 18 (01:28:29):
Yeah, pretty surreal moment out there, and just couldn't have
been any better being able to do it at home
in front of a heap of passionate fans.

Speaker 2 (01:28:39):
How significant a win is this for the Highlanders?

Speaker 18 (01:28:44):
Yeah? I think it gives the boys a lot of
belief and also just their supporters a lot of beliefs. So,
especially after last week having a tight loss and then
been able to come out and got a performance like
that out there, I think yes, gives us a lot
of beliefs going going forward.

Speaker 2 (01:29:02):
It was a game of a lot of ebbs and flows.
What were the conversation and you guys were having out
there when you were fourteen three down.

Speaker 18 (01:29:11):
I was just, yeah, sticking to our game, getting the
ball on the right part of the field, and then
just just holding onto the ball and getting points when
we entered their twenty two and then you're just keeping
on stacking moments.

Speaker 2 (01:29:26):
So talk us through your first try. The Blues kick
it down field, you gather it just outside your twenty two,
so pick it up for us.

Speaker 18 (01:29:32):
From there, you just sort of how do we look?
And there wasn't there was a week of a space
behind the initial defense line, so chucked their own and
then got a I wasn't actually the bounce I was
looking for, but they actually turned out better than it
could have ever expected, So it worked out perfectly.

Speaker 2 (01:29:53):
Yeah, presume you're expecting it to bounce back towards you
rather than continue to roll forward. But you're kind of
I guess steam passed well. I think it was finnly
Christian managed to gather. So from there you're always confidence
had you had the legs to get to the line.

Speaker 18 (01:30:04):
Yeah, I heard someone cooling on the inside, but never
really looked.

Speaker 2 (01:30:09):
That's optimistic from that's optimistic from Oever, that was well
and the second of the second try in the second half,
at the end of a flowing, counter attacking move, do
your instincts just kind of get you in the right
place to receive that final past?

Speaker 18 (01:30:26):
Yeah, I just sort of the boys, but he made
a big break and I just sort of had to
put the foot down to give him the spot to
be an option, I suppose, which.

Speaker 9 (01:30:35):
Yeah, led to that, I feel.

Speaker 2 (01:30:37):
So then you go down to fourteen men on about
the hour mark, you're only your head by two points.
What sort of conversations are happening at that point?

Speaker 18 (01:30:47):
Yeah, it was more of the same, just getting playing
in the right part of the field and holding onto
the ball, and then they're just taking points whenever we
could get a penalty because we ended up having thirteen
because of the golden oldest scrum.

Speaker 2 (01:31:00):
That's right, that's right, Yeah.

Speaker 18 (01:31:02):
Which we had a scrum and I was looking outside.
Man sent two backs into the scrumming on. He had
about three backs out with us. What are we doing here?

Speaker 6 (01:31:10):
Boys?

Speaker 8 (01:31:14):
Yeah? Good?

Speaker 2 (01:31:15):
Oh man? What a what a moment, you know, to
win under that sort of pressure. I just want to
ask you about a couple of players in your team,
Timothy Tay. What a monumental game from him. How big
an influence is he on your side?

Speaker 9 (01:31:30):
Yeah?

Speaker 18 (01:31:30):
Man just leads by example, goes out there, he gets
turnovers like his afford and just keeps going.

Speaker 9 (01:31:40):
Yeah.

Speaker 18 (01:31:40):
I can't can't ask too much more out of that
mat Yeah.

Speaker 2 (01:31:43):
I thought he was an outside back. Turns out he's
a midfielder.

Speaker 18 (01:31:46):
Yeah, he's made a wee transformation there and he's thriving.

Speaker 2 (01:31:52):
And now the guy I want to ask you about
actually is Jamie Joseph. Yeah, your head coach. He was
in and around the team last year. Obviously is in
a director of rugby role. I think he prefers to
get his hands dirty in a coaching role. What has
he brought to the Highlanders this season?

Speaker 18 (01:32:06):
Yeah, he's bought, He's built a really good culture within
the side and just yeah, it all started throughout pre
season and he's pretty much laid down how he wants
to play and then it's just flowed through. So no,
it's I think we're going in the right direction anyway.

Speaker 11 (01:32:26):
Now.

Speaker 2 (01:32:26):
It certainly looks like it. Very poignant moment pre game
as well, with a tribute to your former teammate Connor
Garden bashup. How special a moment was that?

Speaker 18 (01:32:35):
Yeah, it was pretty special. Awesome initiative from the Highlanders
and whoever made that happen, And yeah, awesome to be
able to pay her respects in that way to Yeah, Connor.

Speaker 2 (01:32:49):
How good was the crowd last night?

Speaker 18 (01:32:52):
No, it was outstanding. In the warm up there was
a live band playing and he couldn't hear anything, and
I was thinking, Jesus, this bit of bloody caught down
or even otherwise, I'm gonna kind of better blood he
talked to anyone?

Speaker 13 (01:33:04):
And what was it?

Speaker 10 (01:33:05):
Like?

Speaker 8 (01:33:05):
It was?

Speaker 2 (01:33:05):
It was difficult to hear because I'm obviously the roof
there makes it even you know, even more sort of
in she like you know, were there times when you're
wor struggling to hear your teammates.

Speaker 18 (01:33:15):
Definitely, like during like during playing stuff, it's hard to
communicate with anyone really, but once you come in and
get tight, you can get a few messages across each other.

Speaker 2 (01:33:26):
All right, Well, it's it's a it's a terrific result.
I guess. You do have to keep your feet on
the ground a little bit, though, don't you. It's only
one game and I'm sure you'll get that message loud
and clear from Jamie Joseph as you prepare for one
in pacifica next weekend. But you feel like this is
a team that will stay pretty grounded even though you've
you've achieved something pretty special here.

Speaker 18 (01:33:44):
Yeah, definitely, I would say, yeah, we'll be back to
the drawing board tomorrow and yeah there was a bit
more hard work put in before for that next game
or today.

Speaker 2 (01:33:55):
How was the octagon last night? Did you venture out?

Speaker 18 (01:33:58):
You went for a wee lot, nothing too crazy, pulled
up million marks this morning, so it's the main thing.

Speaker 6 (01:34:06):
I love it.

Speaker 2 (01:34:06):
Good stuff. But hey, well, congratulations on a terrific performance
from you and from the team last night. I think
everybody apart from Blue supporters loved it very much. So
congratulations mate, and thanks for taking the time for a chat.
No problem, you much, No thanks mate. Fin Hurley there
out of the Highlanders' scorer of two tries last night.
Big part of the Highlanders performance, but it was built
on more than just what Finn Hurley did. I just

(01:34:29):
really enjoyed watching it. I just thought it was terrific.
I mean, we all want every New Zealand team to
be strong right, and in recent years the Highlanders already struggled.
You know that that's not going to come as a
shock to you. But when the Blues, the defending champions,
hit town last night and we're ahead fourteen to three

(01:34:49):
in the first half, you think, Okay, I've seen this
movie before. I know how this one's going to go.
I can see the script. Yeah, the Highlanders will be
plucky and they'll put up, you know, some resistance, but
at the end of the day, the Blues are going
to win the game.

Speaker 11 (01:35:03):
Well, not a bit of it.

Speaker 2 (01:35:05):
Highland is twenty nine Blues twenty one. Let's talk some
super rugby and specifically the Highlanders oh eight hundred and
eighty ten eighty. In the space of a couple of games,
they've become a very watchable rugby team again. Last weekend,
the start of the season, a last minute thirty seven
thirty six loss to the Warratas. Probably should have won

(01:35:27):
that game, could have won it, should have won it
under the roof last night twenty nine to twenty one
over the Blues. You can't ignore the Jamie Joseph effect
on this team. I don't think he just has something
about him, doesn't he and talking to Jamie Joseph a
couple of weeks ago when we had all of the

(01:35:48):
super rugby head coaches on the show, it was just
obvious how much he had missed not head coaching when
he came back to the Highlanders last year. In that man,
I don't even think Jamie Joseph knew what the role was,
you know, director of rugby. What does that even mean?
I know, look, I'm being a little bit facetious, perhaps
because I know roles like this are important and big

(01:36:08):
sporting organizations. But Jamie Joseph's a head coach. He's far
happier on the grass than he is behind a desk.
They also get big advantage, don't they from playing at
home as all the teams do, but particularly in Dunedin,
and they turned out in good numbers there last night

(01:36:29):
for a fan base which has done it pretty tough,
as I say, in recent years. I think Heighland his
fans can be pretty happy today if you are one
of them. Oh, eight hundred and eighty ten eighty as
our number. If you want to luxuriate in this look,
you don't want to pump up a young guy's tires
too much. But Fin Hurley looks like a guy who
could really make a go at this game of rugby.

(01:36:49):
There's nothing to him. I've said this before, but I
saw him interviewed after the game by Joey Wheeler. How
good mate, Joey Wheeler, who's quite a big guy and
honestly looked like he was interviewing a schoolboy. Finn Hurley
is so fresh faced. There's not much to him. He's
only about seventy five kilos and I think that might

(01:37:10):
be optimistic. And look, I don't think he's shaving yet
again being a bit facetious, but there's nothing to him.
He's just, you know, compared to some of the big
brutes that are running around in Super Rugby. But yeah,
a guy to keep an eye. And if we zoom
out from the Highlanders to the Super Rugby round in

(01:37:32):
its entirety. After last week, I think you know, we
were all saying, hey, Super Rugby's back round one was
great and hoping, I guess that it would live up
to that hype in the second week. Well it did.
Another high scoring round, plenty of tries to enjoy. Margins
not quite as close as last weekend, granted, but still
some jeopardy. Highlanders beating the Blues. That was an upset.

(01:37:55):
Force beating the Brumbies that was an upset. In Canberra.
The Force are two from two now the Fiji and
drew and nearly beat the Hurricanes last year's Champi into
zero to two. The Chiefs are looking very good. There's
lots to like about Super Rugby at the moment. If
you want to jump aboard with a comment or two,
particularly those of you in Highlanders country who maybe have

(01:38:18):
been starved of the opportunity to do so in recent years,
take advantage eight hundred and eighty ten eighty two twenty two. Unfortunately,
the All Black Sevens have lost to Spain for the
third time in succession. They have gone down in their
quarterfinal at the Vancouver Sevens and extra time twelve points

(01:38:40):
to seven. The All Black seven scored early or they
scored the first try and with seven nell ahead at halftime,
Spain scored right at the end of the second half
to take it into extra time and then found another try.
So for the third time in three meetings, the All
Black Sevens have been beaten by Spain and knocked out

(01:39:03):
in the quarterfinals of the Vancouver sevens our Blackverurann and
sees Evans play their quarter final a little bit later
on this afternoon. They've been much better than the men's sight,
not just at this tournament but across the series really.
They will take on Canada in their quarter final. That
game is scheduled to kick off at five thirty eight

(01:39:24):
this afternoon. Fin Hurley reminds me, says MRC of Terry
Wright running down the wing in a coat of armor.
Gee similar to I mean Terry Wright was seventy five
kilos tripping where wasn't he? Good to know that there's
still a place for that physical stature in super rugby
these days? To twenty four ER one hundred and eighty

(01:39:45):
ten eighty if you want to talk some super rugby
with us back after this on Weekend Sport.

Speaker 1 (01:39:49):
It's more than just a game. Weekend Sport with Jason
Tyne and GJ. Garnomes, New Zealand's.

Speaker 2 (01:39:56):
Most trusted home builder News Dogs n B two twenty six.
Johnny's texted and finally long suffering Highlanders fan here last
night was so good. Finn Hurley reminds me of Blair
back in the day. Yes, similar stature, Thanks Johnny, Apartahammer
says Poney. I think Spain are going to the twenty
twenty seven Rugby World Cup as well, so they're going

(01:40:16):
well at both levels.

Speaker 15 (01:40:18):
Yeah.

Speaker 2 (01:40:18):
I mean they've obviously through sevens have found a pathway
to success at fifteen's, which I guess is in many
ways the point of it all, isn't it that you know,
if you're going to improve as a rugby nation, you
probably start with your sevens program, you know, get used
to the catch pass kick sort of thing, not so
much kick but the other parts of it, and then
maybe buildia fifteen's program. I wasn't aware they were going

(01:40:39):
to the twenty twenty seven Rugby World Cup, so well
on Spain in a country that's besotted with football. Good
to know that rugby is getting a bit of cut through.
Just before we move on, Jordan Seeing a Message and
Pony are taught Luke Brooks Smith as a year nine
students in pe at Cambridge High School. We talked about
Luke brook Smith before two o'clock with James mcconey. He

(01:41:02):
came off the bench for the Phoenix yesterday and scored
the Phoenix's goal in their six to one defeat. He
is by about two years the youngest ever goalscorer for
Wellington Phoenix, and aw she scored on his mum's birthday.
Jordan goes on to say I taught him as a
Ye nine student at Cambridge High School. Supremely talented athlete,
rapid speed, amazing hand eye coordination and was like a

(01:41:26):
man amongst boys in bosth sports, so it didn't surprise
me he went pro at the age of fifteen sixteen.
I think he was a five time junior BMX world
champion as well. But a lovely kid, very humble and
great to see these types of kids making the big time.
I hope he continues to get game time, Jordan. I
think he will because for me, Luke brook Smith was

(01:41:48):
the one bright spark in that team yesterday and that
actually says something about a team when a sixteen year
old has to come off the bench and provide your spark.
I think he's got a big future in the game,
Luke brook Smith, and great to see him score his
first goal yesterday on his mum's birthday. Steve says, Terry right,

(01:42:09):
there's a name from the past. He was made of rubber,
he'd gets smashed and bounce up as though nothing had happened.
I wondered with a guy like Terry Wright would survive
these days, but afin early can and Terry Wright probably can.
Two twenty nine the black Caps Champions Trophy action again
tomorrow night, ten o'clock New Zealand time. They played Bangladesh

(01:42:30):
in rabel Pindi. This after they're winning their first PAUL
match against Pakistan.

Speaker 17 (01:42:36):
That's it.

Speaker 2 (01:42:37):
It's all over.

Speaker 7 (01:42:39):
Henry does the job and New Zealand win this match
convincingly by sixty runs.

Speaker 3 (01:42:46):
It's been a polished performance.

Speaker 2 (01:42:48):
Certainly was good first up win for the black Caps
over Pakistan at the Champions Trophy. Captain Mitch Sentner joins
us on Weekend Sport. Mitch, congrats on the first up win.
What pleased you the most against your victory over Pakistan
in your first PAUL game.

Speaker 7 (01:43:02):
Yeah, I think I think we'll obviously talk about what
the bat as trying to build part of it ships,
and yeah, I think the way Youngie and Tommy went
about it, two guys who, yeah, you know, played extremely
well and then you know kind of you can kind
of set up that kind of the back end of
your innings to get you know, and then let GP

(01:43:23):
do his thing and we got you know three twenty
which was probably over par on that wicket. And then yeah,
I think the first ten I was with the ball
was probably the best I've seen for a while of
guys just been able.

Speaker 3 (01:43:33):
To smash a length for a long time and put
them under pressure.

Speaker 2 (01:43:37):
Were you at all concerned at seventy three for three?

Speaker 7 (01:43:44):
Yeah, I think, you know, we I think the key
and one Day cricket is tried chip wickets out through
the middle and Pakistan Lay would do that in the
top as well, and but I think it shows, especially
in these wickets, if you can kind of soak it
up for a little bit of time, it does get easier.
That you know we always talk about with the ball
on the flip side is you know, if we can
get poles, it's trying to make it as hard as

(01:44:05):
it can for the new guy coming in and really
squeezing them. So I think the way Young and Tommy
were able to withstand that, you know, that that pressure
and then and then put it back on to Buckstan
and then and then set us up for for you know,
a big finish was outstanding.

Speaker 2 (01:44:20):
I guess you might find yourself with a bit of
a selection come under them A nice one, I might say,
if rightche and Ravendra is fit to come back into
selection contention with Will Young obviously scoring one hundred, Devin
Conway's got runs recently, how do you go about, you know,
working through selection issues like those.

Speaker 7 (01:44:40):
Yeah, it's definitely a headache, but a good one. I
mean it's, you know, guys are obviously both boys are
in form. Yeah, I think we'll wait and see how
our rotchen I guess gets through this train. Son Alreaty
seems to be doing a lot better, but I guess
intensity kind of net session to see how he's trucking.
And then again look at the pitch. It might be,

(01:45:01):
you know, a similar makeup to Karachi, but we'll wait
and see. It could be a slightly different wicket. And
so I guess we've got a few options to think about.
But I think it's I guess it's always a good thing,
but I mean it's there is going to be a
hard conversation to have with someone, and it's it's never
an easy, easy decision or easy job to have. But
it means I guess the guys are stepping up when

(01:45:22):
they get the opportunity. That's all you can ask for.

Speaker 2 (01:45:24):
Indeed, Yeah, Robill Pindy, that's where the Bangladesh game is.
Have you got any clue as to how that wicket
might play? Have you got any intel? I don't even
have you ever even played there.

Speaker 7 (01:45:35):
I've never played there, but yeah, it's usually it's husually
very flat. It kind of it doesn't tend to have
much grasp but kind of holds together pretty well. So
traditionally it's it's generally quite high scoring and doesn't offer
a lot. So I guess that's the case. We'll wait
to see, but yeah, I think we want to kind

(01:45:55):
of we'll probably have a look the day before and
so you see what it looks like. But I think,
you know, it kind of brings it back to what
we want to focus on and what the things that
we've been doing well. When Bangladesha a very good side
on their day and we'll probably come quite hard knowing
that it is going to be quite flat. So I
think if we can kind of stick to those hardlings

(01:46:15):
that we've been operating so well on, we'll put us in.

Speaker 3 (01:46:18):
A good spot.

Speaker 2 (01:46:19):
So in the Pakistan game, twenty nine of your forty
seven point two overs were bowled by spinners. Is that
a trend we're likely to see continue? Do you think.

Speaker 7 (01:46:30):
I think we found in Karachi it was you know,
it was probably slightly slow than we thought it would be.
That picture looked like I had a little bit more
grass than the ones we played on previously, but it
actually spun, which was nice. I think it's I think
having options, you know, like we've still got three seamers
there where if it was a bit you know, just
getting on bit more, it might have been more of

(01:46:51):
Nathan Smith. But it's I guess it's nice having Glenn
and Jeep and Bracewell there if they do have left
handers where we can spin it. And then I guess
if Russians fit and bowling, well that's an option there
as well for us, if they do have two more rights.

Speaker 3 (01:47:06):
But I think it's I think it shows the squad
we've got.

Speaker 7 (01:47:10):
We've got options for if it is flat, if it
is spinning, and I think, you know, Pindi is going
to be different again to do buy, which again looked
like it was slightly slow as well.

Speaker 2 (01:47:19):
And Kyle Jamison's joined you in place of a lockey Ferguson,
which was unfortunate to see him ruled out through injury.
Has Kyle had enough time in camp to be considered
for selection.

Speaker 7 (01:47:30):
Yeah, I think, well, he met us, he met us
here and I guess coming off a four trophy where
he bowled, you know, Baltimore. I think he's obviously on
a strict kind of loading plan, but I think he's
he'll be ready for selections that first game obviously get through.
We've got a training later on tonight to see if
he gets through a few hours tonight, you know, and

(01:47:52):
then I guess we'll wait and see what the pitch
looks like and whether it is I guess a three
scene wicket again or I can't man, it's going to
be more than three, but it could be less.

Speaker 2 (01:48:04):
It's spoken like a true spinner.

Speaker 10 (01:48:05):
I love I love it.

Speaker 2 (01:48:08):
Just on your captaincy much. You know, you're still relatively
early in your captaincy career, particularly around the fifty over team.
You've obviously done it quite often in the in the
T twenty stuff. What have been the main qualities you've
looked to bring to the leadership of this ODI team.

Speaker 7 (01:48:24):
Yeah, I guess that's for other people to say, But
I think for me, it's just trying to trying to
make it like quite of a relaxed environment. Try to
quitely relaxed in the middle, give the guys the you know,
the clear headspace that they need to go there and perform,
especially the bowlers. I'm not going to tell them to
do anything you know, they don't want to do. It's
about being clear planned and it's then it's just about

(01:48:47):
an execution game. And if you miss it, that's your
human nature. You know that's going to happen. But as
long as where you know, you're not clouded with different
thoughts and yeah, trying to just trying to make an
enjoyable space for people to go.

Speaker 3 (01:49:01):
Show the show their skills.

Speaker 2 (01:49:03):
Are you enjoying it?

Speaker 7 (01:49:05):
Yeah, it's it's a different challenge, but I am. It's Yeah,
it's definitely a different, different way to go about it.
But I think it's you know, again, you can kind
of remove yourself at times, but I think for me,
it's still trying to be connected to the group is
as much as I can and everyone in it. I

(01:49:26):
think communication is still a massive part of this role.
It's making you know, everyone feel but they're part of
it going forward, and even if it as guys on
the outer side, is still staying connected and still making
people feel, you know, they're part of the plan or
the purpose going forward.

Speaker 2 (01:49:43):
How helpful was it to the team to have some
warm up games, you know, the tri series and then
the extra game ahead of ahead of the start of
the Champions Trophy.

Speaker 7 (01:49:53):
Yeah, I think, you know, I guess you want to
test yourself in the conditions that you're likely to play under.
And I think we've been lucky enough to play box
done a lot over the last few years. But I
guess playing in Karachi, where we're going to you know,
play that for this game was it was I guess
it was more of an understanding of how to operate
on those wickets.

Speaker 3 (01:50:12):
You know.

Speaker 7 (01:50:12):
We talked about the seams bowling a little bit shorter
than you probably do back home, just with the lack
of bounce in it's you know, and then the obviously
there was a little bit more spin. And I guess
the guys will you could be a factor, So I think,
you know, getting the games in I guess needing in it.
There's probably more I guess confidence for the boys as
well that knowing that we can do, we can beat

(01:50:33):
Buckstani's conditions, and then we went out there with that
kind of freedom to do that again.

Speaker 2 (01:50:37):
And do you think Glenn Phillips could have caught that
catch with two hands?

Speaker 7 (01:50:44):
Probably don't have to jump high off the ground as
he did, but he does. We we we call it
adding mayo, so he loves adding mayo to fur of
his catches and stuff. But yeah, I think what we found.
I guess those fish and on these kind of flatter
wickets where you know you do get those half chances
can really turn games.

Speaker 3 (01:51:04):
And I think Glenn is one of the best of that.

Speaker 7 (01:51:06):
If there is a half chances, he's always there and
he's he's always wanted to die for it.

Speaker 2 (01:51:12):
Indeed, may there be a lot more mayo from Glenn
Philips and from the rest of the team as well.
Much great to chat mate. Congrats on the first up
one't all the best against Bangladesh Monday night. We'll be
watching from back home.

Speaker 3 (01:51:22):
Thanks Matte, Thank you much.

Speaker 2 (01:51:23):
Mitch Santa there captain of our white ball cricket teams
so Champions Trophy, Game two of three in Paul play
for New Zealand Bangladesh tomorrow night ten o'clock New Zealand time.
The other two teams in our group, Pakistan and India,
play tonight. Unfortunately, that games in Dubai would have been
nice to be in Pakistan, but I think we want
to the reasons behind that anyway, What I guess we

(01:51:44):
want to happen in that game is for India to
beat Pakistan. That would give Pakistan two losses and would
mean that if New Zealand beat Bangladesh they would be
confirmed in the semi finals. Even if Pakistan were to
beat India and New Zealand beat Bangladesh, we'd still be
in a pretty good position. But I guess all things
being equal, you want India to beat Pakistan. You want
us to beat Bangladesh. In the US and India are

(01:52:07):
into the semis before we play one another, and that
game is next Sunday night, the second of March, next
Sunday night, by which stage it potentially could be irrelevant
in terms of the result, apart from, of course getting
a bit of momentum heading into the semi finals. Last night,
England and Australia played out a wee doozy over seven

(01:52:29):
hundred runs England three point fifty one for eight in
their fifty overs, Australia chasing it down with a couple
of overs to spare three fifty six for five. We
heard Josh English during in case you missed it with
his one hundred and twenty nine out of eighty six balls,
which was a big part of getting Australia home. In
that one news talks he'd be twenty one to three

(01:52:52):
next weekend. In fact, starting Thursday, the New Zealand Golf
Open at Millbrook Resort, a picturesque part of the country.
Has been a while since a New Zealander won the
New Zealand Golf Open. Twenty seventeen was the last time
a New Zealander won it. A big contingent as always
of kiwi's looking to break that drought next weekend. One

(01:53:13):
of those is Ben Campbell who's been playing pretty well lately.
He's on the Live Tour now and back for the
New Zealand Open on what is his home course. He's
a Queenstown boy. Ben Campbell after this on his quest
to win the New Zealand Golf Open.

Speaker 1 (01:53:27):
The tough Questions off the Turf Weekend fort with Jason
Pine and GJ. Gardnerholmes New Zealand's most trusted home builder news.

Speaker 2 (01:53:35):
Dogs seventeen to three. The Kiwi Challenge is ready ahead
of the New Zealand Golf Open at Melbrook Resort next
weekend twenty six. Kiwis confirmed for the event, another three
qualifiers possibly to be added to that number. Among those
confirmed in the field is current world number one hundred
and forty six and the third best ranked Kiwi Mail

(01:53:56):
currently Ben Campbell, who recently joined the Live Tour full time.
Ben Campbell a moment ago his second out at number fifteen.

Speaker 10 (01:54:03):
Oh yeah, yeah.

Speaker 9 (01:54:11):
Taken to some folks from the Rains Gilts team this
morning and they said look out for Ben Campbell this
week playing nicely.

Speaker 3 (01:54:17):
Of course it really really fits is.

Speaker 2 (01:54:20):
Ben Campbell joins us on weekend sport. Then can we
start with your elevation full time to the Live Tour.
You were a reserve on the tour last year, grinding
away on the Ostralasian and Asian tours for well over
a decade. How nice was it to get the phone
call to get invited aboard the Live Tour full time?

Speaker 12 (01:54:38):
Yeah?

Speaker 13 (01:54:39):
It was obviously a nice call to get coming into
twenty twenty five, and yeah, I enjoyed ben a reserve
out there last year, and yeah, after sort of two
solid years on the Asian Tour, it was.

Speaker 16 (01:54:51):
Nice to get the call up.

Speaker 2 (01:54:53):
How life changing is this for you?

Speaker 13 (01:54:56):
Yeah, obviously that you know, it's an amazing opportunity and
you know, hopefully this year can sort of put my
best foot forward and you know, finished top twenty four
on the on the money was some lived to secure
myself like another year, So yeah, we need to we
need to play for this year.

Speaker 2 (01:55:15):
You played a couple of love tournaments so far already
this year area that was under lights?

Speaker 6 (01:55:19):
What was that like?

Speaker 10 (01:55:21):
Yeah, it was good. I enjoyed it.

Speaker 13 (01:55:23):
Sort of took it obviously, took a couple of days
to get used to playing at the lights. It was
my first time, but yeah, I think by the end
of the week it was it was a really cool experience.
And yeah, you know it was still you know, the
same golf course and of course I played a lot, but.

Speaker 10 (01:55:41):
Yeah, I really enjoyed it.

Speaker 2 (01:55:43):
What were the main adjustments you had to make?

Speaker 13 (01:55:47):
Not so right that the lighting on the around the
putting green was really good. I thought that was going
to be the trickiest sort of reading the slopes and
things like that. It was more probably just like the
longer clubs off the fiaway, sort of like a three
off or a long iron, like a three iron off
the fairway is probably what I found the trickiest. But
then yeah, by the end of the week, like the
last round, I feel like it was it felt very

(01:56:09):
normal to be to be playing under the lights.

Speaker 2 (01:56:12):
And then to Adelaide, of course, and those are the
two you've played so far. How much do you enjoy
that the team element of the live tour.

Speaker 13 (01:56:21):
Yeah, I think you know, obviously golf can be pretty
lonely at times, and you know, you travel in the world.
I've really enjoyed the last few weeks sort of being
out of travel with the team, you know, a few
dinners and things like that. Obviously you've got plenty of
mates that you hang out on tour with. But yeah,
it definitely throws it like a different perspective on things.
I think, you know, it was in read on the

(01:56:43):
last hole, I knew if I hold the put, it
would put our team into tide second, and and that's so. Yeah,
I think it's just it's one of those nice things
that you know, you have a few more mates around
and enjoy sort of those practice rounds and some good,
good rivalry between teammates and that it's always always really good.

Speaker 2 (01:57:02):
Bubba Watson's your team captain, of course, what's it like
playing with them?

Speaker 10 (01:57:06):
Yeah, but was awesome.

Speaker 13 (01:57:07):
I've I've really got to enjoyed to, you know, get
to know Bubba over the last few weeks. And it
started January when I got name for the team. I
flew to America and spent some time with the team
and you know, we played a bit of golf and
things like that. So yeah, it's been it's been great
getting to know Bubba and you know, to be playing

(01:57:29):
someone you know, playing alongside someone you know is what
he's done in golf and obviously the majors and and
that that's it's great to be learning off someone like him.

Speaker 2 (01:57:38):
And fellow key we Danny Lee is on the Lift
Tour as well. He's coming to the New Zealand Open too.
Have you seen much of him in the last few weeks.

Speaker 13 (01:57:46):
Yeah, I saw obviously Danny a lot last year and
then yeah, over the last couple of weeks. You know,
there's only fifty four players out there, so yeah, you
get to see you run a fair bit, so yeah,
I'll see Danny a lot this year.

Speaker 2 (01:58:00):
All right, let's talk about the New Zealand Open. First
of all, the strength of the field. How do you
assess how strong this field is?

Speaker 13 (01:58:06):
Yeah, I think it's a really good field. You know,
obviously Danny was a great uh he got called.

Speaker 16 (01:58:11):
In pretty late, and then you know, Lucas Herbert.

Speaker 13 (01:58:15):
You know, it's it's a really it's great to see
a lot of the Asian Tour players coming down.

Speaker 10 (01:58:19):
Said it's you know it's co sanctioned with the.

Speaker 13 (01:58:22):
Aussie Tour and the Asian Tour, so yeah, you've got
a really strong field coming down from Asia.

Speaker 6 (01:58:28):
But yeah, it's obviously great.

Speaker 10 (01:58:30):
I love playing.

Speaker 13 (01:58:31):
You know, when you can sleep in your own bed
and play at golf tournament, it's pretty amazing. So yeah,
I'm not really looking forward to the week. You know,
the tournament just keeps getting stronger and stronger. The guys,
you know, Michael Gladding and John Hard are doing such
a great job and you know they've been growing the
event and then you know they have the the major,
the Open Championship spot this year. It's sort of just

(01:58:53):
a testament to what they've what't have grown.

Speaker 2 (01:58:56):
You know, the courses are the two courses at Milbrook
better than most people. So what does it take to
play well there and to win there?

Speaker 13 (01:59:03):
Yeah, it's definitely a week you know, you've got to
get the pudder, the pudder going. It's sort of it's
definitely dried up here in the last couple of weeks
since I since I've in a way, you know, the
rough round Milburt was looking quite good before I went away,
and they've just sort of had two weeks of pretty
dry weather, so the rough's sort of not as challenging anymore.

(01:59:23):
So Yeah, it's they get the course so pure out there,
and it really comes down to, you know, who can
get the pudder going the hottest.

Speaker 2 (01:59:30):
Really, You've been running up in the New Zealand Open
twice twenty seventeen in a playoff of course again runner
up in twenty twenty three. How can a to win
you are your home Open?

Speaker 13 (01:59:41):
Yeah, definitely, it's one I really want to tick off.
I really enjoy you know, Queen Sounds been an amazing
place to me, and you know, I have a lot
of family and friends here and I'm a member at Millbrook,
So it's you know, you're playing in front of sort
of home crowd and all the members and that, you know,
and I get some amazing support during the week from everyone,

(02:00:01):
so it would be it would be incredible to be
able to lift the trophy at the end of the
week and and sort of do it for everyone who's
sort of supported me, and just.

Speaker 2 (02:00:09):
To zoom out again just to finish. You played the
Open Championship in twenty twenty two. I see there are
now more exemptions for love players to play majors. As
playing more majors on your wish list, yeah.

Speaker 13 (02:00:21):
I think, you know, it's amazing. You know, I really
enjoyed I was missed the cutout on the number at St.
Andrews and and you know, definitely would like to get
another chance at the Open, So yeah, it was it
was great news. Obviously Live has been working hard to
get these exemptions and they've got them now. I'm also

(02:00:43):
going to play Asian, Uruman and Macau, so yeah, there
looks like there's a few few chances for the Open,
and yeah, I've got US Open qualifying during the year
as well, so it would be great if I could
get into a couple more majors this year. Would be
would Yeah, it would really make the schedule exciting.

Speaker 10 (02:01:03):
For the year.

Speaker 2 (02:01:04):
So that just to clarify that. Then being on the
Live Tour full time, that doesn't preclude you from playing
other events like the ones you've you've just mentioned, you can.
You can fit everything in that you want to.

Speaker 10 (02:01:14):
Yeah, definitely.

Speaker 13 (02:01:15):
So the Asian Tour is backed by by Live, so
that's yeah that we have a we have the International
Series which is part of the Asian Tour, so Live
players have to play so many events on that tour
as well, so I have to I have to play
a minimum of three International Series this year. So it's

(02:01:36):
been it's been amazing for the Asian Tour, the involvement
would Live and how much stronger the Asian Tour has
got over the last sort of four years. And that's
how I got to be in the position to get
on Live was through my play and the Asian Tour.
So yeah, it's it's been a great you know, Asian
two just seems to be getting stronger and stronger. And

(02:01:58):
with the Live schedule finishes up in I think twenty
fourth August, so I'll have a little break after that
and then I'll play sort of the back half of
the year on the Asian Tour as well.

Speaker 2 (02:02:07):
Good Man, Well before all of that, the New Zealand
Open next weekend, all the best. I was just looking
at the last key we'd have win it. Of course
it was Michael Henry in that playoffs against you in
twenty seventeen, wasn't it Yep?

Speaker 10 (02:02:18):
Sure it was.

Speaker 13 (02:02:19):
So hopefully we can get another key we on there.

Speaker 2 (02:02:22):
It's op so great to chat Ben. All the best
at the New Zealand Open next weekend.

Speaker 13 (02:02:26):
Awesome, thank you very much, Thank you, Ben.

Speaker 2 (02:02:27):
Ben Campbell there one of twenty six key we was
confirmed for the New Zealand Golf Open at Millbrook next weekend.
We'll have plenty of coverage for you on Weekend Sport
next weekend eight to three News Talks EDB.

Speaker 1 (02:02:38):
When it's down to the line, you made a call
on eight hundred eighty ten eighty Weekend Sports with Jason
Hine News Talks.

Speaker 2 (02:02:45):
EDB five to three. That is us on Weekend Sport
for today and for the weekend to beverage on your
radio after three o'clock for the Sunday edition of the
Weekend Collective. We're back tomorrow night on Sports Talk between
seven and eight. I'm back on Weekend Sport next weekend.
Thanks for listening in this afternoon. We appreciate you taking
some time to spend with us. Thanks to Any McDonald
for producing the show as per usual, excellent John mate.

(02:03:08):
Enjoy the rest of your afternoon. Terms of an exit
song today, well, the name on the lips of many,
particularly those in the southern parts of the country is
Finn Hurley. Good to get the chance to chat to
Finn this hour. Best I could come up with, andy
was Tim Finn. I know it's a tenuous link, but

(02:03:30):
I thought that that was about as close as I
could get. It sounds like a good song. I'll allow
it all right. It's good to know it started.

Speaker 15 (02:03:37):
Now.

Speaker 2 (02:03:37):
I can't really walk it back. You can change your
mind now, please, I can't. I can't do that. It's
persuasion from Tim Finn and tribute to Finn Hurley Up
the Landers. See tomorrow night Swish.

Speaker 1 (02:04:08):
Still for more from Weekends Sport with Jason Fine. Listen
live to news Talks it Be Weekends from midday, or

(02:04:31):
follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.

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