Full Show Podcast: 28 December 2024

Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Fine
from Newstalk ZEDB twenty eight.

Speaker 2 (00:13):
I'm Jason Pine. He had to talk some sport with
you until three o'clock this afternoon. With the summer of
cricket in full swing, the international white ball season underway tonight,
New Zealand up against Sri Lanka at Bayoval and Mount
Monganui in the first of three T twenty Internationals. They'll
be followed quickly by three One Day internationals all round

(00:34):
to Michael Bracewell, part of both squads for New Zealand.
He's with us very shortly out of Todong the domestic
T twenty competition. Our super smash also underway. Otago on
the board in the men's competition with a ten run
win over Canterbury is today and Alexandra led by skipper
Max Cheu, who smashed the cantab bowlers to all parts

(00:56):
of Molin, New Park and Alexandra. He'll join us to
reflect on that. Editors, twenty five years since one of
the most famous innings in our Test cricket history, Matthew
Sinclair's debut double one hundred in the nineteen ninety nine
Boxing Day Test against the West Indies at the Basin Reserve.
Matt Sinclair along to reminists a little bit after one o'clock.

(01:19):
Not just cricket on the show today, though on other
matters around. The ASB Tennis Classic is almost here. Women's
qualifying in fact today and tomorrow. The tournament proper starts
on Monday. Tournament director Nicholas Lamperin is along this hour
to update us on preparations and how happy he is
with the fields he's assembled for the tournament this year.

(01:40):
All three of our A League football sides, the Auckland
FC men and the Phoenix men and women, are in
action this afternoon. We'll get inside all three camps after
two o'clock the latest from the World Dance Champs and
Adam Peacock out of Australia, as per usual, with his
usual offerings from across the Tasman at a round one
forty five this afternoon Live Sport while we're on the air,

(02:00):
well Day three of the Boxing Day cricket Test underway
soon Australia v India. First ball scheduled for around twelve thirty.
India going to resume at one hundred and sixty four
for five, still trailing Australia by three hundred and ten
runs after they scored four hundred and seventy four in
their first innings. We'll keep eyes on that for you

(02:21):
across the next few hours. You are welcome though, to
join us on the show at any time in any
way that suits you best. On the phone eight hundred
eighty ten eighty. You can send your messages via text.
Nine two ninety two is the number, or emails into
me Jason at Newstalk SB dot co dot NZ. Just
gone ten past midday.

Speaker 1 (02:41):
The big issues on and after fields Call oh eight
hundred eighty ten eighty Weekends Ford with Jason.

Speaker 2 (02:47):
Fine and GJ.

Speaker 1 (02:48):
Gunnerhomes New Zealand's most trusted home builder, News Talks ed Baby.

Speaker 2 (02:53):
So As mentioned, the white Ball segment of the International
Home Summer is underway tonight. The Black Apps face Sri
Lanka Byoval Mount Monganui in the first of three T
twenty Internationals, then three One Day Internationals against the same
opposition Wellington or round of Michael Bracewell and the New
Zealand squad for both of these series four.

Speaker 3 (03:11):
Needed off two balls, he laughs at that's over the
head that's going to run away and Michael brace Waite,
he stands out the players run out the greatest sittings
at twenty twenty cricket and New Zealand domestic history.

Speaker 4 (03:27):
He's lifted via his teammates.

Speaker 2 (03:29):
The hands up. That is simply outstanding. Michael Bracewell is
with us out of Malmoganu. Thanks for taking the time
on game day, Michael. You had to look at Sri
Lanka quite recently, back in November. He had t twenty
and one day internationals against them over there. How do
you reckon you match up against the Sri Lankan cricket
side in the white ball stuff?

Speaker 5 (03:50):
Yeah, we am obviously playing in very different conditions over there.
In Shotka had a tied series, so it'd be cool
to extend that out and it was one all in
that series, so it will be cool to have three
here and hopefully find a winner between the two.

Speaker 2 (04:06):
Do you think I mean, it probably stands to reason
that home conditions would favor in New Zealand, but do
you think that will be the case.

Speaker 6 (04:14):
Oh?

Speaker 5 (04:14):
Look, I think it's going to be a great series
that that we tightally contested. I think with all the
cricket being played all around the world now with the
franchise leagues and things, that the home advantage probably isn't
quite what it used to be. You see New Zealand
going over and winning Tests series in India, which has
never been done before, and then vice versa when India

(04:36):
come the games are very close here. So I think
the development of the franchise leagues has really narrowed the
gap of your home conditions being advantageous. But I still
think you've obviously spent all your formative years playing on
these wickets, so you like to think you have a

(04:58):
bit of an advantage. Even still can.

Speaker 2 (05:00):
Ask about your bowling in T twenties. Are your economy
really impressive? You go for less than six and a
half an over, that's across your entire T twenty career.
What is your T twenty bowling strategy?

Speaker 5 (05:16):
I think for me, I'm luckier in some ways. I
don't have a lot of variations, so it means that
I have to be really accurate with the with the
balls that I do bowl. So I guess some people
who have lots of variations probably stand at the top
of their mark wondering what ball to bowl whereas I
know which one I have to bowl, it's just it's

(05:37):
just a matter of executing it. It does, I think,
keep things simple for me. But yeah, I guess other
than that, everyone everyone sort of thinks that ride our
mothstains a matchup, So it means that that batters try
and come after you, which creates chances to look at
some things as well.

Speaker 2 (05:58):
Shrillinka do have quite a few left handers as well.
Does that bring you more into play as a wicket
taking bowler as a right I'm.

Speaker 5 (06:03):
Offy, yeah, I think so. Traditionally, when the ball's turning
away it's a little bit tougher for the batsman, but
twenty twenty cricket now no one sears anyone really, you've
got to take the game on, so I think yeah,
everyone's looking to be aggressive against all spinners, is particularly
in New Zealand. So we know that and that's something

(06:26):
that we factor into our plans.

Speaker 2 (06:28):
And just want to find a one on your bowling.
Do you have specific overs that you prefer to bowl
in a twenty overrunnings?

Speaker 7 (06:36):
Oh?

Speaker 5 (06:36):
Look, the power play is always difficult, but it's a
job that has to be done at times and obviously
only having two fielders out is a little bit tricky,
but again that keeps things nice and simple because you
have to bowl to your field, so there's some clarity
that comes with bowling in the power play. And then yeah,
when you've got when you've got the five fielders out

(06:58):
on the boundary, you feel like you have a little
bit more protection, but sometimes it's not any easier. So look,
they're all tough overs to bowl in a twenty twenty,
just cushing now when teams are looking to get an
excess of two hundred. So yeah, you try and build
a little bit of pressure and then and then be
really adaptable from there.

Speaker 2 (07:15):
And with the bat you floated around some of various
spots in the in the middle order. Do you have
a natural home in the T twenty batting order?

Speaker 5 (07:25):
Domestically? I've played a little bit more at the top
of the order and had a little of success there,
But when you come into the international arena, you've sort
of just got to find a place that fits, and
for me that's down the middle to lower order at
the moment. So I'm just really trying to trying to
find how that role fits my strengths and really play

(07:47):
to those so it is a little bit of trial
an error at times, but I think when you've got
power you just try and back that And yeah, I
probably haven't had the success I would like in terms
of my batting at the moment, but I feel like
a good innings is just around the corner. With sticking
to my strengths.

Speaker 2 (08:06):
Do you think you're scoring areas or the number of
areas in which you score have increased over time or
have you generally stuck to you know what you know?

Speaker 5 (08:16):
Well, yeah, I think you're constantly trying to evolve your game,
and when you get up to the international level, there's
the bowlers are obviously a lot more skillful, so you
have to find different ways to score. So I've tried
to been I have tried to look to play a
little bit more around the ground in the international game,
and I think, you know, the more that you work

(08:38):
on that, the more comfortable you get and the more
that you feel comfortable bringing them out in the middle.
So that's something I've worked really hard on, is to
develop my game into a position where I can score
all around the ground and.

Speaker 2 (08:49):
Your Wellington team make Tim Robinson is in the T
twenty squad for these ones, he'll open the batting, no doubt.
Still early in his T twenty career, I think this
is the first time he'll play for New Zealand. In
New Zealand, how do you assess his ability to be
a consistent international T twenty player.

Speaker 5 (09:04):
Yeah, he's setting all beautiful at the moment. He's had
a taste of what the Shrilankin bowlers can offer and
obviously the wickets were not conducive to scoring a whole
lot of runs over there. Some of the games there's
only one hundred and twentyred hundred runs scored. So I
think him having that experience and knowing what Srilanka will
be throwing at him at the top of the order,

(09:25):
he'll be all the better for that experience. And he's
a young, young lad, but he's got an old head
on his shoulders, so he'll take it all in his
stride and I think it's going to be an amazing
series for him. He's, as I said, he'shitting the ball
beautifully in the nets and all it takes is one
ball to come out of the middle. And we've seen
what he can do at the domestic level and I'm

(09:48):
sure that that BIG's score in international crickets not far
away indeed.

Speaker 2 (09:51):
And the games come thick and fast. The three T
twenties followed almost immediately by three One day internationals. How
easy do you find it now switching between the two
white ball formats fairly quickly?

Speaker 5 (10:04):
Yeah, you just have to get used to pioneers. It's
something that happens very quickly. I think we play on
the second and then the fifth in Wellington, so you've
only got a couple of days after your fly, after
your fly in between cities as well to get used
to what's going on. So yeah, it's just something that
you're constantly changing between formats. The guys have just come

(10:26):
out of Test cricket and then going straight into twenty
twenty cricket for a lot of them, So yeah, it's
it's a part of the international game and what keeps
it interesting. I think, Yeah, this series is going to
be is going to be great. We're in a great
holiday spot here in the Mount so hopefully we have
some amazing crowds up here as well.

Speaker 8 (10:43):
Yeah.

Speaker 2 (10:43):
I was going to ask you about the venue there. Yeah,
under liked Bayoval holiday period. Do you like it as
a venue the Bayoval? Does it is it a place
you like playing.

Speaker 5 (10:52):
Yeah, it's a beautiful ground. It holds a special place
in my heart. It's where I made my international debut,
so there's always some good memories there. And my dad
actually grew up in Todonger as well, so we used
to spend some school holidays coming up and visiting Grandma
and Glendad and so family up here. So yeah, it's

(11:13):
a special place for us. And it's a beautiful ground.
The climate's amazing here. You can go down to the
beach to recover. Yeah, it is pretty special.

Speaker 2 (11:23):
Wonderful stuff. And I know you're only focusing on these matches,
but looking ahead, the Champions Trophy comes up February March.
Is that something that's on your radar.

Speaker 6 (11:32):
Yeah.

Speaker 5 (11:33):
I think those ODI Eyes especially will be a good
chance as a team to really try and hone in
on how we want to play Odio cricket and any
chance you get to play for New Zealand is an
exciting opportunity. And obviously the Champions Trophy adds a little
bit more context to that, with this being the last

(11:53):
series before that before that Champions Trophy. So yeah, it's
always exciting to be playing international cricket and it's going
to be a great series against Sri Lanka and then
I guess yeah, those things will sort of take care
of themselves as we as we look forward to that
champions trophy after that, looking.

Speaker 2 (12:10):
Forward to the first of three T twenties tonight Byoval,
Matt I'm going to be Michael, always appreciate your time.
Thanks for having a chat to us.

Speaker 5 (12:16):
Cheers, funny, thanks for having me.

Speaker 2 (12:17):
Now, thanks for joining us, Michael, Michael brace will there.
So the first of three T twenty internationals Bayoval tonight
seven fifteen, The next one Monday night, same location, same time,
and then the third is on Thursday. That's the second
of January, one to fifteen in the afternoon at Saxton Oval.
Then as you heard Michael mentioned there quickly into one
day international mode Sunday the fifth of January, so tomorrow

(12:40):
week at the Basement Reserve eleven am, then set In
Park in Hamilton, Wednesday the eighth at two pm and
finally Saturday, the eleventh of January two o'clock at Eden
Park in Auckland. Just before we move on from this
match tonight, the eleven's been confirmed. Mitchell Santa did some
media he's the captain of course, of the white ball sides. Now.
He did some media yesterday and confirmed that BJ Jacobs

(13:02):
and Nathan Smith would drop out of the playing eleven.
So I'm just trying to work out who's going to
open the batting with Tim Robinson. I presume it'll be
either rich In, Revendra or Mark Chapman. They feel like
the top three Robinson, Revendra Chapman, then Darryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips,
Michael Brace, while Mitchell Santner, Mitch Hay who's going to
keep wicket, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy and Zach Folks. It's

(13:23):
an exciting looking side for the first T twenty International
against Sri Lanka tonight. Yes, I would have thought, in
the absence of BJ Jacobs, who I guess would have
perhaps been a candidate to open the batting. No Finnellen
there in this series that yeah, it might be rich
and Revendra and Tim Robinson who form an all Wellington
opening batting partnership. Tonight. I guess we'll have to wait

(13:44):
and see. Plenty of bowling options there for Mitchell Santner
as well. Oh eight hundred and eighty ten eighty is
our number. I just wanted to mention as well, while
we're talking cricket, the whole verat Cohley thing. I know
that there's been lots of chat around about this. The
Boxing day Test hasn't exactly been a happy couple of

(14:05):
days for verat Cohley. He's been fined twenty percent of
his match fee for deliberately bumping into young Australian batsman
Sam Constace on the first day of the Test on Thursday.
He made forceful contact with Constance after he came out
on debut and just smashed into to all parts of
the ground on his way to a sixty five ball sixty.

(14:27):
There was a heat at exchange. Constance was kind of,
you know, exchanging words with Coley. Then Usman Kowaja, his
fellow opener, came in. Umpire Michael Goff got involved. The
ICC said in a statement yesterday that Coley's been fined
twenty percent of his match fee awarded one demerit point
for breaching Level one of the ICC Code of Conduct,

(14:50):
which refers to inappropriate physical contact with a player, support personnel, umpire,
match referee or any other person including a spectator during
an international match. So it feels kind of light to me.
Twenty percent of match fee one demerit point. If you
get four demerit points, you have to miss a game,
so that doesn't take him over in the time frame.

(15:13):
I just thought that the most interesting part of this
was how a guy on debut, a nineteen year old kid,
was inside the head of one of the great cricketers
we've seen in the last couple of decades. Verat Coley
just he just const just got under his skin, and

(15:36):
Verat Coley just came off looking like a bit of
a sock to me. And it didn't really improve much
for him yesterday either, because when he went out to bat,
he was out there batting and putting together a really
handy partnership with Yashavzi Jaswell, the young up and coming opener,
and then he's.

Speaker 9 (15:56):
Run him out.

Speaker 2 (15:57):
Basically, jie as Well, push the ball down the ground,
it's his call. He comes for the run and Coley
just stands in his crease. So jays wells all the
way down, has to go all the way back, doesn't
get their entirements run out, and about an over later,
Coley himself knicks out and he's out too. So I
just thought it was a it was I mean, and

(16:20):
he's he's basically public enemy number one now in Australia
at the MCG with the crowds, they're giving him absolute well,
I think you can guess whenever he is anywhere near them.
Very at Coley. I began on your views on this
O eight hundred and eighty ten eighty Mike got any
view on ver at Coley's behavior?

Speaker 10 (16:42):
Yeah, hi pliney.

Speaker 11 (16:43):
Yeah. On my mum's side of the family, with all
our uncles and aunties and cousins, we always get relegated
to Boxing Day for Christmas get together and the good
thing is we always get around the TV for Boxing
Day cricket. So I was able to see that, and
you know, take my hat off to contest. I think
that's one of the greatest debut innings that you know,

(17:07):
we get a chance to see, especially considering he's only
nineteen years old. You know, he hasn't even had his
twenty first year. He's basically still did and it was very, very,
very impressive. The thing is, in my mind, I think
he run's reading it wrong in terms of what Coley did.

(17:29):
And I would actually be honored if I was conscious
and Coley did that to me. To me, it was
a sign of respect. And I think Coley sort of
risked a lot to make a point that he was
actually impressed, maybe threatened by Constaus And I mean, and
he wasn't going to go up and give a hugging

(17:49):
a kiss, and he did what, you know, whatever he
could do to bring attention to the fact that Conscious
has produced an exceptional innings. And you know, it's almost
like a couple of bull stags looking on together. Coley
is one of the best in the world and he

(18:09):
could see their potential in Constous and it wouldn't actually
surprise me. Does Coley play in the the IPL, Yeah.

Speaker 2 (18:18):
Absolutely, Yeah, yeah, one of the last play.

Speaker 11 (18:21):
It wouldn't surprise me if you see Constant in Coley's team.
I don't follow it, so I don't know what the
teams are, but i'd be watching the space, so you
might see that guy in Coley's team if my theory
is correct, because I think Coley was very impressed. And yeah,
it's just things aren't always as they seem. And yeah, yeah,

(18:41):
I saw it as a as a sign of respect myself.

Speaker 2 (18:45):
Interesting take on it, Mike, Yeah, look, I hadn't even
thought of it in that way. I just wonder to myself,
why Coley, a guy who's played one hundred and twenty
odd test matches, you know, over nine thousand runs, would
do something like that to a kid on debut. If
indeed he wanted to show him respect in a funny
sort of way, couldn't he have chose in a different

(19:06):
way of doing that?

Speaker 11 (19:09):
Well, what options do you have on the on the
field in front of the crowd like that? Like I said,
I mean, he's not going to go up and hugging
and kiss him? No, true, so who knows?

Speaker 8 (19:17):
Who knows?

Speaker 11 (19:17):
But oh well, it's just a theory.

Speaker 6 (19:19):
But anyway I do.

Speaker 2 (19:21):
Might make I'm gonna I'm gonna I'm going to write
down this date and time, and I'm going to watch
the IPL auction next year just to see where Sam
Constance ends up. You may well be onto something you made.
He may we land up with Verad Coley. That could be.
They could be teammates, having been adversaries here in Melbourne.
Good to chat to you, Thanks for calling in twelve
twenty seven. Got to get a breakaway, Morris Cold please

(19:42):
hold there with you right after this one spear line.
If you'd like to jump aboard, Oh, eight hundred and
eighty ten eighty.

Speaker 1 (19:48):
The biggest seams in sports are on Weekend Sports with
Jason Pain and GJ. Gunnos, New Zealand's most trusted home builder,
News Talks.

Speaker 2 (19:57):
Nbdang on half past twelve on News talks 'b Morris,
what did you make of the whole thing?

Speaker 12 (20:02):
On I bring to your last call? I think you
know finey, I look at this, it's pretty cheap the
Aussie media considering he had underarm bowling, sandpaper Gate and
all the racist sledging they've done to India. Boats in
the crowd and it slip from you know, Ricky Ponting
and all co you know, and you look at it

(20:23):
now they're playing the victim and I just think it's
it's a circus. And I think Coley young bull, old ball,
it's nothing more than that. And I'll tell you a
story that where Cole is that in a few quite
a few years ago he was in New Zealand. We
walked into a restaurant called the Blue Elephant and Parnel
Great Tie Restaurant and he was sitting down there with

(20:44):
his missus having a meal so I walked up and
we paid for his meal and then sat down and
carried on. He got out dinner and carried on. He
went up the Patsville and then he you know, come
up and take us when he could. He was already
paid for and the most nicest guy. He sat there
with us for you know, for a good ten to

(21:05):
fifteen minutes and had he aren't at everything but cricket.

Speaker 2 (21:09):
I'm sure he's a nice bloke. Morris. I'm sorry as
i've seen him. I've seen him off the field and
you know, albeit not a situation like you've described, but
you know, I've seen him interviewed, I've seen him involved in,
you know, ver various charitable things. I just thought it
was and that's why it probably surprised me even more.
I just thought it was out a character and unnecessary.

Speaker 12 (21:29):
I don't think it's out of character. I think he
is driven in. You've got to think when he first
started playing in Australia, the crowd were quite racist towards
him and called him a whole lot of nasty things.
There is no love between India and Australia. New Zealand
has a great relationship with India, Vera Cole he came
with him, is a good mate on and off the field.
He comes to Zealand, he doesn't get a rest. He
can go out for a rich he goes out to

(21:51):
restaurants here and has a meal. He don't no one
even goes up and ask for his autographs. They just
respect him and give him what he You know, in Australia,
he's a concert at him, the media that everyone's at him.
I don't think he likes being there. You know. It's
that old ball, young bull. And then you had a
ninety year old still in nappies playing the way he played,
which was very superb, full of full of beans, full

(22:13):
of confidence and had no respect to anyone. You know,
That's how they'll be looking at it. So no respect
to the ball, you don't trying to ramp them in
all the rest of it. And I just think Coley
Stria said a bit of you know, like, hey.

Speaker 6 (22:25):
Well what are we going to do?

Speaker 12 (22:26):
Because I think India at that point in time they
were stuck doing a rock in a hard place and
you know, in what do we do? And it's just
that I think it's a combination of gamesmanship. It's that
you know, and you have to look over the years
New Zealand has done it. We all do it. We're
trying to intimidate.

Speaker 6 (22:41):
In some way or form.

Speaker 12 (22:42):
And I suppose that's the best thing you could come
up with.

Speaker 6 (22:45):
Ye, I suppose.

Speaker 2 (22:47):
I suppose you're right, Morris, I suppose you're right. Or
a handshake perhaps, Yeah, Look, I don't know. I would say,
look at the that situation, and it hasn't really worked.
I think Constance, you know, I don't think he was
shook by it. Much. Doesn't seem like too much phases him.
I saw an interview after the Day yesterday with Nathan Lyon,
and Nathan Lyon said that apparently Sam Constance has said

(23:08):
to his teammates, old, when do you think the nerves
will kick in? Because this just feels like playing great cricket.
To me, it's clearly a pretty well adjusted nineteen year old.
Good to get. Tom Morris thinks, indeed, Cole Hi mate good.

Speaker 13 (23:22):
Yeah, I think it's actually bloody good for the game.
I'm going to take a different stance in it.

Speaker 2 (23:28):
No good okay, so you you you're all for it,
A bit a bit of argie bargie, you don't mind
it absolutely.

Speaker 13 (23:35):
I played my fair share of professional cricket and this
kind of stuff gets bums on seats. I think it's
bloody good for the test match, Test mash cricket, and
I think, yeah, I absolutely love it. I think it's
very good for the game.

Speaker 2 (23:48):
So you're okay with guys sort of barging shoulders into
one another, but a push and shove, you think that
should be something that the ICC actually promotes rather than punishes.

Speaker 13 (23:58):
I wouldn't say it was a massive barge.

Speaker 6 (24:01):
It was more of a touch.

Speaker 13 (24:02):
I think there's a line and he didn't overstep it.
I think I mean, did you get a warning for
something like that? Not a twenty percent match feed deduction?

Speaker 2 (24:11):
In my opinion, Did it happen to you at all
when you were playing or has it happened several times?

Speaker 13 (24:18):
Yeah, And I guess it's on a slightly biggest stage
international cricket and domestic cricket. You get a warning or
a couple of warnings and then you get fine. But
I think on the international stages highlighted a little.

Speaker 14 (24:30):
Bit more.

Speaker 2 (24:33):
So. So were you the bargeur or the bar gee
or both.

Speaker 13 (24:38):
A little bit of both at different times?

Speaker 6 (24:39):
I'd say.

Speaker 2 (24:42):
And so it was so when you were doing it
to say say, you said, right, I'm gonna I'm going
to sort of walk down past that guy. I dropped
my shoulder and you know, a little touch on the
shoulder just to let him know I'm here. So that
was a premeditated thing that you did.

Speaker 13 (24:56):
It would more just be if I'm walking a particular
line and he's walking the same line. It's more of
just you're in the battles are out there, bulls coming
at you quite quick. It's nothing, nothing too serious, you know,
as long as I'm not dropping in the shoulder and
injuring someone, I think a slight touch just to show
them that you're in the fight.

Speaker 2 (25:15):
I guess what it also does gets us talking about
the game, doesn't it not that I think the boxing
day test, which one in Australia and India, needs to
be talked about. It's you know, sold out on the
first day. But Test cricket isn't a battle for relevance,
isn't it. So yeah, I hadn't. I mean, it's been
all over the place. It's it's still getting replayed now, isn't.

Speaker 13 (25:32):
It exactly right? It brings a tension. I mean, you
don't overstep a line obviously, but for something like that
that happens every day, you know, and every and everyday life.
I think that kind of stuff absolutely fine, as long
as he's not intention he's trying to hurt the guy.
I think that kind of stuffs fine.

Speaker 2 (25:50):
Interesting, interesting viewpoint. Cole, thanks for calling in, matell Are
you still playing?

Speaker 13 (25:56):
No, I'm taking some time off now.

Speaker 2 (25:58):
All right, mate, Well, thanks for calling in, mate. I
appreciate you You're insight and your viewpoint very much. I
eight hundred and eighty ten eighty is our number. It's
twenty four away from one. I want to bring Evan,
and now, Evan, I know you want to talk about
Matthew Sinclair. We should also introduce you as former international
umpire Evan Watkin. Can I ask you about the Coley incident?
First of all, what did you make of it?

Speaker 15 (26:20):
It?

Speaker 16 (26:21):
Yeah, I totally agree. I disagree to either with what
Cole has just said. There was absolutely no place in
cricket for any physical contact. There are some occasional accidental collisions,
but there's no place whatever. And Coley was totally out
of order. He clearly made a bline for constance and
was something wanting to get up his nose because the

(26:43):
young fellow had had got under his skin very quickly.

Speaker 2 (26:47):
Do you think then that, yeah, do you think of
twenty percent fine then is a bit low?

Speaker 17 (26:53):
No?

Speaker 16 (26:53):
Absolutely too far, too low. Should be one hundred percent
match fee straight away. But this is what met referees
are like, too friendly with the players, I think, and
I mean, okay, the amount of money doesn't matter that
to Colie, as people have said that, you can afford
to pay any sort of fine. But I'm doing it
to year ten tournament next week. I'd hate to see

(27:14):
any kids now changing direction or walking up to the
other kid and trying to do a bit of a
shoulder charge just to try and intimidate him. There absolutely
no place for it in cricket at all.

Speaker 2 (27:25):
All right, Well that's that's fairly, you know. Well there's
not a lot of gray area there is it an
expect there would be. Now you want to talk about
Matthew Sinclair, who I'm talking to. After one, you were
one of the umpires in that Test match twenty five
years ago, boxing guy at the base.

Speaker 16 (27:38):
Just before that, I umpired Coley once in a youth test.
In Cara's book, and I've just brought the scoreboard up
because I remember he was given out l we W
one innings and I have no idea whether I gave
him out or whether they've questioned gave him out. He's
alb for duck to Tim Sowby, who had also got
him out in the first innings, caught by jet rival

(27:58):
for twelve. But I have no memory of Coley in
that match. I remember a few others, including a chance
Charmu who was a big tall, a wrong head lad.
Then it was bold quite quick. US only had Bolt
Sowdi Williamson ravel worker the border with Joe for Cory Anders.
It was a fantastic side and I remember a lot

(28:18):
about the game, but I don't remember anything about Colie playing,
other than the fact that Dar knew he was there.
Well the name of that stage.

Speaker 2 (28:27):
I must say, though, if either Year or Dave Questad
gave him out LBW, I'm pretty sure it was out.

Speaker 10 (28:33):
He didn't.

Speaker 16 (28:33):
He didn't do anything to under coding, so certainly he
must have just walked off the field. Yes, I was
there for Matthew's debut in Debas in ninety nine. I
remember a lot about that match as well, even though
it was a while ago. I mean, test matches don't
come along every day and it was only my second test,
so I still recall quite a bit about the game.

Speaker 2 (28:57):
What about Matthew's batting, anything stand out in particular? I
mean a double ton on debut is fairly memorable, but
anything anything that stands about the way he battered.

Speaker 16 (29:05):
And that test well, once he gets in and that
was always his killisio. I guess was because he had
a great hand eye coordination. He didn't necessarily do things
exhibited by the book early on, and so a ball
could move and get him out. But once he was
in and he just dominated attacks. And including this this

(29:26):
West Indian attack probably wasn't the greatest West Indian attack.
I mean Courtney Walsh just about at the end of
his career. Ryon King was a very handy, quick, quick bowler,
and so was Franklin Rose.

Speaker 6 (29:40):
That was there.

Speaker 16 (29:41):
That was their bowl and their pace attack. But once
he got in, yeah, he just dominates attacks. And he's
got such a great hand to eye and hit the
ball so well, very clean to.

Speaker 2 (29:54):
Yeah, no, he he it was. I mean, I'll chat
to about this, but I you know, he when he
got hundreds. He got big hundreds. So he got a
couple of he got two duple undrest and he that
one and another one against Pakistan I think one hundred
and fifty in South Africa in South Africa, which not
everybody does.

Speaker 16 (30:09):
Yes, yeah he got once. As I say, once he
got in he could get big runs. I do remember
an LB shot when he was in his thirties, and
I never saw a replay, so it'd been interesting to
know whether whether that would have been overturned if it's
been drs in those days. But yeah, I didn't see
a replayer of that, but yeah, that would be interesting.

Speaker 2 (30:30):
Indeed, just before you go, we should mention also that
you've gone from high quality, elite level umpire to now
New Zealand representative in the over seventies cricket team Evans,
so you've become a player. Most people go the other way,
They play first and then umpire. You've gone the other way,
the other way.

Speaker 16 (30:47):
I think I'm probably the only person in the world
who's umpired their own country in international cricket and they've
gone and played for international games for them after. Yes,
and obviously over seventies as well after. But it was
a fantastic experience and we had a lot of fun
over in England, managed to get a couple of wins
over Indian and Sri Lanka at a couple of to

(31:08):
the great depth of Australia and England over seventies quick
it is just incredible. We had a tie against Canada
which were disappointing, and then we had a wash out
against Wales with no reserve day, which is also quite
disappointing in a tournament like that. You go all that
way and we're the only only game you got washed
out because we were on the wrong side of London.
We're on the east side of London that day and
the games on the two games on the west side

(31:29):
got played and we didn't.

Speaker 2 (31:31):
What a shame. What a shame. Well, Evan, great to
chat to you. Thanks for bringing us your expertise, your memories.
Keep on playing, I know you will. All the best
of the family, and thanks for taking the time to
call on eighteen away from one. It's Evan wat can
form a international umpire here on news Talk said b
when we come back, it's to tennis we go. Nicholas Lamper,
and tournament director of the ASP Classic, joins us.

Speaker 1 (31:52):
Don't get caught offside weekends for US with Jason Pyne
and GJ. Gardner Holmes, New Zealand's most trusted home builder.

Speaker 2 (32:01):
News dogs V call it to one one of the
glamour events of the New Zealand sporting summer. Near upon US,
the ASB Tennis Classic underway, with qualifying today and tomorrow
for the WTA Women's Tournament. First round matches start on Monday.
The final is next Sunday. That's followed by the ATP
Men's event from Monday, the sixth of January through to
Saturday the eleventh. The women's draw incidentally takes place set

(32:25):
around one o'clock this afternoon. Tournament director Nicholas Lampren has
taken time out of his busy says you will join us.
Nicholas takes for your time on zb two days out
from the start of the tournament. Do you feel ready?

Speaker 18 (32:36):
Yes, We're almost there. Just you know, we've got two
more days to get fully fully ready.

Speaker 6 (32:43):
In terms of.

Speaker 18 (32:45):
The setup for the site, we have a smaller operation
over the weekend for the qualifying and then we use
the full site by Monday morning.

Speaker 2 (32:55):
How happy are you with the women's field? First of
all that you've assembled.

Speaker 6 (33:01):
Yeah, very happy.

Speaker 18 (33:02):
I think it's a really good combination of established talent,
local talent, and you know, up and coming players. You know,
it's great to be able to welcome Lulu back to
New Zealand after after what she's done last year. She's
the number four seeds, which hasn't happened in the in
the tournament history for many many years. And also, you know,

(33:23):
we have the likes of Naomi Zakia Madison Keys, Emma
Raduku are like, you know, proper marquee names in the
world of women's tennis.

Speaker 2 (33:34):
When you're putting the fields together and doing your planning,
how do you strike the balance between proven performers and
rising stars.

Speaker 18 (33:43):
It's pretty much like a fifty to fifty split that
I try to assemble. We do need some some market
players because these are the ones that the fans want
to see and and that's the reason why we we
we're selling all of these tickets. But at the same time,
we need to anticipate the future and we want to

(34:04):
start building relationships with up and coming players and make
sure they'll be able to come in in the use
to come as their ranking go up.

Speaker 2 (34:13):
That's a very crowded time of the year of course
for tennis players. Everyone preparing for the Australian Open, a
lot of competition Brisbane, Perth, Sydney. How do you attract
top players to your tournament in Auckland.

Speaker 18 (34:27):
There's two main factors, you know. The first one is
everything we have to offer in Oakland. Uh, you know,
we were trying to look after the players as best
as we can. You know, it's really personalized service to
to to all of them. And the second one is
you know, the financial aspect. You know, it does cost

(34:48):
to bring the market players, but it's an investment that
we need to make if we want to remain relevant
on the tennis calendar.

Speaker 2 (34:58):
And something which is I guess different to what they
experience elsewhere is the close proximity of of of the
corporates in particular. Do you find that most of the
players are okay with that?

Speaker 18 (35:10):
Yeah, I think it's a unique offering of the tournament.
The fact that we have people, you know, dining and
drinking courtside is something that you only see in Auckland.
We were a little bit concerned in the first place
about this and we're not really sure about what the

(35:32):
reaction of players might be, but they actually love it,
you know, they think it really creates a special atmosphere
around the court and everyone's you know, very well behaved.
So we've never had any issue on that front.

Speaker 2 (35:46):
You mentioned lu Luson before. You know, she was only
a qualifier last year. But what a year she's head
on twenty twenty four. How big a draw card do
you perceive her to be now that she has risen
to the heights that she has.

Speaker 18 (36:00):
And she's clearly someone who could win the tournament this year.
She's in that position. You know, she's a four seed.
Everyone remembers about a quarter final at Wimbledon, but she
you know, she's she's done modernly. You know, she was
also in the final in Monterey, which is with a
five hundred event. You know, I would hope that she

(36:20):
will be in a position to win a first title
at some point this season. And h and why not
in in Auckland next week?

Speaker 2 (36:29):
Absolutely? And I say you have automated line calls for
the first time that she and Nicholas can you tell
us about that technology?

Speaker 6 (36:37):
Yes?

Speaker 18 (36:37):
So this this is a new requirement on the eighth
B side. And because we run back to back tournament,
we decided to use that technology for for both weeks,
so basically no more line judges, but instead we've got
twelve cameras around the court that we used to call

(36:59):
to call all the lines.

Speaker 10 (37:02):
So it's a it's a.

Speaker 18 (37:02):
Lot of technology. We have to have it on all
the match courts, so it's three courts times twelve cameras.
There's a lot of technology involved. But that's just the
way that the game is going these days.

Speaker 2 (37:17):
That sounds like a big investment too, is it money wise?

Speaker 18 (37:20):
Yeah, it's a big investment. I mean it's it's it's
in the region of one hundred and fifty thousand US
dollars just for that technology for the for the two weeks,
so it's significant.

Speaker 6 (37:31):
But it's a it's a new requirement from the tours.

Speaker 2 (37:33):
So just the chair umpire and helped by the cameras,
that's how it works now.

Speaker 18 (37:38):
Yes, exactly.

Speaker 17 (37:39):
Wow.

Speaker 18 (37:40):
And then we have a we have a crew on
standby of line judges just in case the technology failed,
just to make sure, you know, we can continue the
matches if there's any glitch with the system.

Speaker 2 (37:52):
As the tournament plays out across the weak ahead and
then into the means tournament what do you find yourself
doing mainly what takes up most of your time.

Speaker 18 (38:02):
At this at this stage, you know what, once the
tournament starts, it's it's a lot of time, you know,
being spent with the players, you know, just to make
sure we catch for all the needs, you know, listening
to their requests in terms of you know, match scheduling
or you know practice, and also a lot of time

(38:22):
spent with all of our sponsors, you know, trying to
make sure they get the best return on the investment.

Speaker 2 (38:29):
Do you actually get to watch any tennis?

Speaker 6 (38:32):
I do.

Speaker 18 (38:33):
I do watch some tennis, a lot of most of
it is on the screen, not not some a fly,
but I trying to get some a few games here
and then if I can.

Speaker 2 (38:44):
And you keep an eye on the weather forecast, no
doubts looking okay, I think for the week I hit.

Speaker 18 (38:49):
Yeah, it's looking good so far. It's pretty windy though,
which is always a bit of a challenge, but hopefully
that will come down and then we'll have a nice fortnight.

Speaker 2 (39:01):
Congratulations on pulling these wonderful fields together, the necklace all
the base for a for a wonderful fortnite ahead. Thanks
for taking the time for a chat this afternoon.

Speaker 18 (39:09):
Thanks very much, thank you, no, thank you.

Speaker 2 (39:11):
Nicholas, Nicholas Lampa and their tournament director of the ASB Classic.
The draw for the women's competition is only about ten
minutes away. Madison Keys is the top seed, Elise Mertants
from Belgium number two seed, Amanda and Samova of the
United States third seed and Lulu Sun the keyw as
high as any New Zealand that has been seedings why
she is the fourth seed. Naomi Osaka and Emma Radicanu

(39:34):
Grand Slam winners are also among the top eight seeds.
Will bring you the draw when it is made over
the next hour or so. Seven away from one new
Stalk Zeppi.

Speaker 1 (39:43):
Breaking down the Hail Mary's and the epic fails weekend
sport with Jason him New Stalk zenb.

Speaker 2 (39:52):
Four to one benefaiies tot eight first twenty five twenty
six minutes or so at the mcg is Indy have
gone from one hundred and sixty four for five three
to one seventy five for five, so eleven runs added
for no further last Reshot Punts and Ravindra j Asia
together at the crease, but still a bit of work
to do even to avoid the follow on. They are
still ninety nine one hundred run short actually of avoiding

(40:14):
the follow on. Will keep eyes on the MCG and
the Boxing Day Test for you across the afternoon. After
our news at one, we're going to go back twenty
five years to one of the most famous innings in
New Zealand cricket history. We spoke about it briefly a
little while ago. Matthew Sinclair a double one hundred on debut.
He will join us for some reminiscing after one significant

(40:36):
moments of sport in the calendarar of twenty twenty four,
and there have been a few to choose from. I
can tell you so a year in review show for
you tomorrow between midday and three. For today, though, we're
got a bit more cricket for you this hour. Matthew
Sinclair along shortly to talk about one of the most
famous innings in our test history. The Super Smash is

(40:56):
also underway. Finally, we didn't get any in on Boxing Day.
We've got a bit in in Hamilton before at Rain.
The women's game between Northern and Auckland lasted twelve overs
Northern sixty seven for seven and then it was abandoned
due to rain, so no result there and the men
didn't even get under way, so that was a shame
for Boxing Day and Hamilton. Yesterday in Alexandra though it

(41:18):
was the opposite. It was so hot down there, man,
it looked hot. Was watching these games on TV as
Otago and Canterbury clashed. In the women's game, Canterbury won
thirty seven for seven in their twenty overs and then
restricted Otago to one twenty five for seven for a
twelve run win. And it was equally close in the
men's game as well, with Otago batting first in the

(41:42):
men's game getting through to one sixty five for nine
and Canterbury restricted to one fifty five, so a ten
run win for Otago. Max Chew took the captain captain
seat Luke Georgison as the usual captain of Otago but
he's out injured, so Max Chew took the armband and
did it pretty well. What an innings from him eighty

(42:03):
two in Otago's won sixty five nine. Have a chat
to Max Chew this out and across the Tasman as well.
Adam Peacock talking Boxing Day Test, the Brisbane Tennis International
also this tragedy on the Sydney to Hobart yacht race.
But we start this hour with a look back in time,
a quarter of a century ago, twenty five years since

(42:25):
one of the most famous innings in our Test cricket history.

Speaker 7 (42:29):
It he's gone for a sink there, studied in a two.

Speaker 2 (42:34):
Going towards the boundary. Four ns max is two hundred.
What a moment for him to choose it. Yeah. In
the nineteen ninety nine Boxing Day Test against the West
Indies at the Base in Reserve, Matthew Sinclair scored two
hundred and fourteen on Test debut, still the highest score
by a New Zealand batter on their Test deboo and

(42:55):
it helped New Zealand to an innings victory over the
West Indies. Matthew Sinclair is with us for a bit
of a wander down memory lane twenty five years ago. Matthew,
hard to believe. How often do you think back to
that innings and that Test match?

Speaker 6 (43:12):
Enough? I don't mate it.

Speaker 19 (43:13):
I think I think social media is pretty good for
that nowadays, you know what I mean?

Speaker 6 (43:17):
But nah, it's sort of it sort of felt like yesterday.

Speaker 19 (43:20):
Funny enough, you know what I mean just all the
emotions and all the all sort of I guess the
good will that happened with it, and I mean obviously
it's in the past now sort of stuff, but still
good to bring up and be lucky enough.

Speaker 6 (43:32):
To be part of it.

Speaker 5 (43:32):
Yeah.

Speaker 2 (43:33):
I love reminiscing about this sort of thing. Before that series,
did you feel like you were in the frame for
selection into the New Zealand team?

Speaker 6 (43:41):
Not really.

Speaker 19 (43:42):
I mean like I had relative pretty good domestic form
for Central Districts leading up to that, and as it
turned out, I mean, I only really got my opportunity
through an injury through Matt Horn, so he broke his
hand and then obviously got the call up home Silver
to Alien said Matt you're in the You're in the
test match, and I said, wow, okay, cool way it

(44:03):
went from him.

Speaker 2 (44:04):
So you came into the New Zealand side with them.
You know a couple of guys have been around for
a while. Stephen Fleming was the captain, Chris Kens was
in that team, adam PERORI and others. Was it an
intimidating team to come into or were you sort of
welcomed and what was the story there?

Speaker 19 (44:17):
No, I think it was pretty It was pretty welcoming.
I mean, obviously, here's a guy from the middle of nowhere,
you know what I mean. And when I mean nowhere,
I mean like central districts as as such. You know,
we are considered the country boys of first class cricket,
and I guess the opportunity to get on and play
with the big boys was certainly really overwhelming. But I
mean they embraced me. They obviously had played against quite

(44:39):
a few of them over the first class sort of
time domestic period as well, so and I was just like, wow,
thankful for the opportunity.

Speaker 2 (44:46):
Really, so in hindsight, how helpful was it to bat first?
Because Western he's won the tiss I've forgotten this sent
you in? Was that for you as a debutante knowing
you were batting three? Was that helpful rather than having
a couple of days in the field or a day
in the field, or would you preferred the other way around?

Speaker 19 (45:03):
I think probably it was a great chance just to
get out there straight away, really, I mean, I mean,
I have some people preferred the opportunity to give yourself
a bit of time to get into it, get the
feel of it sort of thing. But now it was
for me, it was just to get out there and
just just get amongst it. Really, it was obviously pretty
pretty nerve wracking for obvious reasons. But I guess, you know,
my low mindset, it was just to try and get

(45:25):
off the mark. That was my That was one of
my sort of strategies. And then and I've got a
French cut. And then and I think I remember walking down.
I think Craig Spearman was batting me with me at
the at the other end and said, Matt, well, skippy,
you know aka so nickname, this is going to be
your day. And it's like, well, okay, well away from there, as.

Speaker 2 (45:43):
You were waiting to bet. Yeah, yeah, Craig spam and
Gary Stead was the was the other opener. So he
gets out you're as you're waiting to bat, I mean,
are you are you nervous? What are the emotions like
at that time?

Speaker 1 (45:55):
Yeah?

Speaker 6 (45:56):
I mean I'm sort of quite a talkative sort of guy.

Speaker 19 (45:59):
Like if my emotions are more like if I feel
like I'm nervous, I tend to talk too much. So
and that tend to even quite a bit with me, unfortunately.
But I guess you know, I was sitting next to
a friend of mine who had played I think through
Age Group cricket, and I just sort of talked away
through to him and and just so of just went
about my normal business, to be honest. And I guess

(46:20):
the other thing about it, like I, you know, we
talked about Crook had been a big mental game, and
I guess for me it really was to be given
the opportunity to obviously play from his z own against
very good with Indy side, and I just kept self
talking myself up and said, hey, look I can do this,
I can do this. And funny enough, the next day
I just went out and just the mindset was just
such that I could do this. And that's pretty much

(46:40):
how I ended up being.

Speaker 2 (46:41):
Yeah, and you, I mean, Craig Speaman got out, Stephen
Fleming comes and you had a good partnership with him,
and then following that a good partnership with Nathan Astell
as well. How how helpful were they as you built
your runnings?

Speaker 19 (46:54):
Yeah, I think the key was the partnerships. And there's
nothing better batting with batting and partnerships, and obviously with
like Nathan being there being in the team for a
while as well, and obviously better with Steven as well,
just sort of coursing me through the trials and tribulations
of Test match cricket really, so they were real massive help.
And I guess the other thing was nothing better than

(47:15):
just keep scoring runs, you know what I mean. We
had the imputus of good partnerships and the opportunity to
keep scoring runs, so we just kept sort of bringing
that onto them.

Speaker 2 (47:23):
So you get to thirty, you get to forty, you
bring up your half century. Are you starting to feel
comfortable at the state?

Speaker 19 (47:29):
Ah? Slightly, But the ability to get off the mark
was my first initial thing and then I guess it
just sort of kept going from there. When you sort
of talk about sort of sportsmen getting in the zone
sort of thing, I started really pretty much getting into
that zone and was starting to feel slightly comfortable with
what was going on and which is like really reveling

(47:49):
and obviously a big crowd as well, so that pumped
me up. And yeah, it was just showing my showcases,
really just showing my skills. And I guess the ball
a lot of the majority of the times was in
my areas and I just maximized on it.

Speaker 2 (48:02):
Tell us about the moment you brought up your hundred.

Speaker 19 (48:04):
Yeah, that was pretty special. They talk about the nervous
nineties and that sort of thing. It was just like, well, yeah,
that was definitely on my mind. But you know, at
the end of the day, it was just like I
think I remember talking to John right funny enough prior
to the Test match and he said to me in
the change said, Matt, you know, look at that big
scold up there and look at it, you know, MS
and Claire one hundred. And then it was like wow, okay,

(48:27):
so and then yeah, there it was ended up being
like that in that stage. So yeah, it was very
special to bring obviously, you know, obviously one hundred it's
a pinnacle of most cricketers obviously. But then it was like, well, no,
I just want to keep going.

Speaker 2 (48:40):
Yeah, And I was going to ask you about that
because I guess having scored or even having scored thirty
or forty, I haven't failed on my Test day.

Speaker 5 (48:46):
Boo.

Speaker 2 (48:47):
You bring up one hundred and you man, I've scored
a hundred on Test day boo. But then what sort
of internal conversations are you having with yourself to say, right,
this isn't enough. I'm carrying on here.

Speaker 19 (48:55):
Yeah, I think it's built around I guess a lot
of you know, make Haywell sunshine sort of thing. And
I guess through my domestic career, you know, I was
always about but when I do get you know, hundreds
or we call it big scores, and I just wanted
to keep going and going, you know what I mean.
I just wanted to be someone different in that respect.
You know, we've you hear, like you said before, a
lot of people getting thirties and forties, you know, and

(49:17):
I try and teach sort of guys and the kids
and those going through firstas cricket. You know, that's only
that's sort of part of the so called problem. Let's
get the solution, the solutions to keep going and going. Really,
I mean, you should really be seeing the ball like
a absolute beat ball, you know what I mean. So,
and I guess me was just like, well, I'm just
going to keep going here because we were in a

(49:38):
good position. I had a lot of partnerships with various
other guys through the three the endings, and we just
kept going on with that and keep rolling with it.

Speaker 2 (49:44):
What wasn't I think my memory is right here. It
is a long time ago. It was Nathan nastill run
out as you tried to bring up your two hundred.

Speaker 19 (49:51):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, And I think Nathan will probably never
forgive that. I will say that it was his call,
not mine. So but if Nathan's obviously listened, this is
probably a different instead of variation. But I mean that
just sort of shows, you know, just the I guess,
the closest we had in the team that we were
pushing each other to do what we need to do
and having a good parts with Nathan as well help that,

(50:12):
and obviously trying to get me through to that as well.

Speaker 2 (50:15):
So shortly after that you did bring up the two hundred.
What what is it like looking up at that school
board and seeing ms sint clear two hundred?

Speaker 19 (50:22):
Yeah, yeah, I mean obviously that was just I mean,
other records just kept falling and falling. Really, I guess
through the through the times and the period that I
was kept batting, and I remember we break I had,
you know what I mean, Ken's were saying, hey, Skip,
you know, look what you've done. You're hitting, you're taking,
you're pushing everybody else down sort of stuff. You know
what I mean, Just keep going, man, you know typical bowlers,
a you know, I have as much time on the

(50:42):
sidelines as possible sort of things. So they were telling
me all the way through it, hey, just just keep going,
you keep breaking the records, and I just kept going.
I mean like eventually fatigue sort of did start impact
things on the nings. I can't remember finny how long
I bat it for, probably eight nine hours sort of stuff.
It was certainly up there sort of thing. But you know,
it was that sort of got on me, I guess

(51:03):
really just for the mental sort of side of it.
But yeah, to set it up on the score would
get there's something very special.

Speaker 2 (51:09):
Yeah, close to nine hours, it was. So eventually you say,
fatigue set and you're out for two fourteen. So you
walk back in. Are you then sitting alone just reflecting
in the in the changing room under the basin there
for a few minutes.

Speaker 19 (51:22):
Yeah, it was pretty cool. It was just like you know,
when they bring up the highlights and it was just
just awesome just to see the highlights and it was like, wow,
it was that actually me, you know what I mean.
And yeah, it just like I said before, it's like
I was in the zone, you know what I mean.
I just felt like no matter what you threw at me,
I had an answer for it, and that was pretty special.
And a lot of cricketers will talk to you about that.

(51:42):
When they're in that zone and things are happening, it
just ends to happen. And I guess that sort of
that day day and a half for me was pretty
much part of that.

Speaker 2 (51:51):
Your three Test centuries with that one to fourteen, two
hundred and four not out and one fifty. I guess
goes back to what you said before. But what was
it in you that wanted to make big hundreds?

Speaker 19 (52:02):
I think just to never give in and just to
never give up. And like I sort of mentioned before,
like as batsman, you know we you know, I just
wanted to keep going. You know we talk about sort
of the figures of getting one hundred or one fifty, two hundred. Well,
I looked at us trying to get a big score.
So I always kept sort of saying, soself, what's a
big score? Keep getting a big score and some enough.

(52:24):
You know, we talked about various work mates. You know,
you look like a Brian Lara, you know, the guy
just kept batting for long periods of time, you know
what I mean? And it's like, well, that's what he's
renowned for, and that's that's the mental I guess I
just had that mental attitude to keep going. I just
never wanted to give it. I just wanted to keep going.
And I guess that's my forte I guess of all
my cricket, I guess you know, when I did get

(52:45):
a big score, I'd try to keep going and going,
you know, because it's just the beauty about it.

Speaker 2 (52:49):
Well, the Western he's sledging you, chatting to you early
in the innings, and I guess they would have quieted
down later. But were they big chatter as the Windy's boys.

Speaker 6 (52:57):
No, they weren't.

Speaker 19 (52:58):
I think initially when I got out there there was
the odd short ball at my head sort of stuff,
just to remind me, hey, welcome to Test match cricket,
you know what I mean. So I had a little
bit of an idea as to how I wanted to
go about my innings as well. And I did play
a game against the Western his team. I think it
could have been a taalpo and that just gave me
a bit of an insight into what they were like.
I think I scored twenty eighth there and it was

(53:19):
just like a one day warm warm up match sort
of thing. So I had a bit of an idea
as to what they were trying to bowl on how
they're trying to go about it. So I mean I
went into that Test match with a plant as well
and my strength as my sort of first guys players
out there, no as I like it through the off side,
back of length through the off side, and I guess
that was one of the ideas that I went in

(53:39):
was Okay, well these guys are going to pitch anything
on the front foot, the big tall guys, you know, lanky,
just a different type of scenarios of the ball that
was getting was going to be a lot different. So
I ended up working around okay, well this is what's
going to be like in this is hung about scoring it.

Speaker 2 (53:53):
I remember in the lead up to the Test there
was a bit of chat about the fact you were
born in Australia and I remember the back page of
the I guess it would have been the Dominion, Dominion
Post whatever it was. The next day, he's a key
we now do you remember that?

Speaker 6 (54:07):
Yeah?

Speaker 8 (54:07):
I do.

Speaker 19 (54:08):
That's amazing. It's almost like you know, it was one
of us but he's yours now. But yeah, it's it's
sort of quite It's quite funny how like that sort
of tends to start happening. They like to claim us
as theirs when we do well, when they and we
don't do well. I don't want to know about us,
you know what I mean? So I get that. But
you know, here's a guy from Northern Territory. Half of

(54:28):
it woldn't know where I was born sort of stuff.
Good quiz question. I think they only two international players
that I've actually from Northern terrich for myself and Damien Martin.
So if you ever find that on us spaces bottle
cap or too, he capped pliny thing Damien Martin. So
but yeah, I mean like it was. You know, I
got to New Zentlements five years of age. I put
a lot of my cricketing career down to going to

(54:50):
very good schools Huntley School, especially in Palmers North Boys
High School, and I just fell in love with the game.

Speaker 6 (54:56):
You know.

Speaker 19 (54:56):
I had no genealogy around, no family played cricket, and
I just worked really really hard to be the best
I could be and to begive an opportunity to obviously
written Sene and play for my country is very very
special and to do what I have done, Yeah sure.
My whole career has had its ups and downs, and
you know I read about those and I was like, yeah, well,
you know, unfortunately top sports is like that, you know

(55:18):
what I mean. And that's why I guess, you know,
when I did have it in my day, I certainly
made the most of it.

Speaker 2 (55:22):
Absolutely. We'll tell you what. No one can ever take
a double hundred or a couple of double hundreds in
your case away from you. So what's your what's your
involvement in cricket these days?

Speaker 19 (55:30):
So not a heat of a lot at the moment.
I do have opportunities over in India where I go
over there and actually sort of coach and sort of
mentor a lot of kids over there. I do have
a cricket academy, so I try and get the opportunity
to go over there as much as possible. I must
admit it. It's really hard point me. I mean, I've
got a brain sitting in here of thirty two years

(55:50):
I've experienced playing here in New Zealand on every conditions.
I know half the parks around here off the back
of my hand, and you know, I'm really keen to
sort of and put a lot of that knowledge on
to a lot of the guys nowadays. You know, we
we were laughing about it before. You know, I was
looking at the TV nineteen eighty three what it used
to be like back then to what cricket is now.

Speaker 6 (56:08):
You know what I mean.

Speaker 19 (56:09):
It's always evolving, but yet it always comes down to
simple thing. It's a bat and a ball, you know
what I mean. So, and I guess for me, it's
just like I still enjoy watching the game and I
still partake. I still played Premier cricket as best I
can on a Friday night for twenty twenty. So I
guess that competitiveness is always going to be there, and

(56:29):
I don't think they'll evel leave me.

Speaker 2 (56:30):
Well, I hope that others can get the benefit of
your experience. I'm sure they do. I'll tell you what
else this did for me was bemoan now, the lack
of a boxing day test. I know they started it
and Dawley got seven for in the first one. You
got your double hundred, and it kind of you went
on for a few years and then sort of faded away.
I get the fact that White ball is the name

(56:51):
of the game these days, but the Boxing Day Test
there was something special about it, even for a short time.

Speaker 19 (56:55):
I totally agree, and I wish they could bring it back.
I guess the thing is it's trying to get teams
over to New Zealand here around that time because Christmas
is quite special for a lot of teams and players
sort of stuff. So but I would love to bring
it back here. I think it should be a fixture
every year. The Australians do it, and look how well
they're doing with it, you know what I mean. It's

(57:16):
like a it's an iconic thing over there that that's
what they do. So you know, we should embrace it
and we should start looking into it. Yes, that the
odio sort of side of it. The twenty twenty is
starting to take a take a big impact onto the game.
But there's nothing better, guys than they're sitting down there
on a nice day when you've got the Berhodaka is
behind you around Christmas time and just having a few
bevies and just watching cricket and sunshine.

Speaker 6 (57:36):
There's not a better.

Speaker 17 (57:38):
Yeah.

Speaker 2 (57:38):
Look, I well, twenty five years on, I remember sitting
high in the vance stand for a bit on the
bank for a bit watching you smash the windy stall
parts could be. It was just such a such a
brilliant moment in our history. Hey, thanks for reminiscing it.
But with his maide and wandering down memory lane. Always
enjoyed chatting.

Speaker 19 (57:52):
I'm enjoy chatting cricket all the time, my friend. So
thanks opp juning, No.

Speaker 2 (57:55):
Thanks for joining us. Matthew Matthew Sinclair twenty five years
on from his double one hundred on Day Bow and
the Boxing Day Test of nineteen ninety nine New Zealand
against the West and he's that was the second Boxing
Day teas the first one in nineteen ninety eight New
Zealand beat India by four wickets. I think Simon Duall
got seven for in that Test. But this one in

(58:15):
nineteen ninety nine. Look at the New Zealand team. Craig
Spearmen and Gary Stead opening the batting, then Sinclair at three,
Stephen Fleming, Nathan ast Or, Craig McMillan, Chris Kens, adam PERORI,
Dion Nash batting at nine, Daniel Vittori and Shane O'Connor.
That was the lineup. Sinclair two hundred and fourteen, Nathan
Nastel ninety three, Stephen Fleming got sixty seven and other

(58:38):
contributions from others five hundred and eighteen for nine declared
the Western He's bowled out for one hundred and seventy
nine in their first innings, with Chris Kens taking five
for forty four, and following on all out for two
hundred and thirty four in their second innings with Dion
Nash taking four for thirty eight. So it was all
over on the fourth day, an innings victory for New

(59:01):
Zealand in the Boxing Day Test of nineteen ninety nine.
They should bring it back, shouldn't they. I know we've
got cricket tonight in Mount Monganui, but a T twenty
International isn't quite the same. And I look at the
scenes in Melbourne and I know it's different over there,
and it's been going for a lot longer. But that's
the thing. If you're going to start it, carry it on,
and New Zealand cricket did for a while. There was

(59:24):
a Test in two thousand two thousand and one, then
in two thousand and two it was replaced by a
one day back to a Test match. In two thousand
and three. I remember that one Pakistan beat us and
Shabakhtar was frightening in that test, charing in and just
bowling at one hundred and fifty clicks. Maybe that's why
they decided not to have them anymore, because there wasn't

(59:45):
a Boxing day Test after two thousand and three until
twenty fourteen, at which point it moved to Hagley Oval
Test against Sri Lanka, which New Zealand won by eight wickets,
and then twenty eighteen, also at Hagley, I went over
Shri Lanka by four hundred and twenty three runs. And
the last time we had a Boxing Day Test was

(01:00:07):
in twenty twenty when Pakistan were here. I went by
New Zealand by one hundred and one runs. As I say,
be great to have it back. I don't know whether
we ever will. The white ball cricket seems to pay
the bills, doesn't it. But having started the tradition at
the back end of the nineteen nineties, I just I
don't know whether New Zealand cricket and hindsight with which
they had carried it on. I certainly wish they had

(01:00:28):
and just kept it at the basin as well. Just
as the Boxing Day Test and Australia is always at
the MCG. Speaking of which, Australia have picked up a
wicket Richard Pant caught by Nathan Lyon off the bowling
of Scott Boland for twenty eight. India one ninety nine
for six. They still trail by two hundred and seventy

(01:00:49):
five runs. Out there in the middle Ravendra Jadasia He's
on ten, joined by Natish Kumar Ready who is unbeaten
on seven. So still a bit of work to do
for India if they are to avoid the follow on
in the Boxing Day Test at the MCG.

Speaker 1 (01:01:05):
Eight.

Speaker 2 (01:01:05):
Let's take a break, come back, we'll go domestic and
talk Super Smash cricket. Max Chew captain Otago to a
first up win against Canterbury and the Super Smash yesterday.
He'll join us to chat about that when we come
back on Weekend Sport.

Speaker 1 (01:01:19):
The Voice of Sport on your Home of Sport Weekend
Sport with Jason nine and GJ. Gunn Homes New Zealand's
most trusted ome builder News Talks.

Speaker 2 (01:01:28):
MB one thirty one on News Talks NB. Otago are
up and running in the Dream eleven Super Smash men's competition.
They've beaten Canterbury by ten runs in their opening match
in Alexandra, posting one sixty five to nine before bowling
Canterbury out for one fifty five. Otago captain Max Chew
was the star of the show, belting eighty two in

(01:01:50):
Otago's innings.

Speaker 15 (01:01:54):
And he's happy with the momentum because he smashed that
out of the park.

Speaker 2 (01:01:57):
That's one of the biggest Well, that is the biggest
hit of the day. Beautiful shot.

Speaker 20 (01:02:02):
As we tell you a learn this.

Speaker 21 (01:02:03):
He's on one knee, bang and that has gone out
of the ground.

Speaker 2 (01:02:07):
Yeah, one of the big six is that Max to
hit in Alexandria yesterday, He joins us. Now you've given
it the overnight test, max Ow satisfying a win. Was
that yesterday for the Otago vaults.

Speaker 22 (01:02:19):
Yeah, it's it's always good to get one of the
Canterbury mate, And I think I think the good thing
is we're probably.

Speaker 10 (01:02:26):
Still a little bit more in the tank.

Speaker 11 (01:02:27):
So no, it was.

Speaker 10 (01:02:28):
It was really good. And you know, the twenty twenty
seasons sort of just it rolls around pretty quick.

Speaker 22 (01:02:33):
So I can get a bit of momentum going then
then yeah, it stands in goodstead.

Speaker 2 (01:02:38):
So you're betting first before yesterday, your highest T twenty
score thirty four not out yes mashed eighty two or
forty six yesterday. How do you rate that among the
innings you've played in any format.

Speaker 10 (01:02:50):
Yeah, I guess it's a bit different, mate. I guess
my twenty.

Speaker 22 (01:02:53):
Career as you started probably betting. I think I was
listed to my first game to beut at ten. So
I've been around the I've been around the order a
little bit. So now it was really good. It was
it was called a performer in a white ball game.
I've probably I've probably had a little bit more success
in the Red Bull in comparison. So no, it's definitely
up there.

Speaker 2 (01:03:12):
So sixty three for four, Leo Carter comes out to
join you, you had sixty nine and just under nine overs.
How important was that partnership through the middle of the
Otago innings?

Speaker 22 (01:03:22):
It was as crucial Leo came out, and yeah, I
think we were definitely highlighted in the sheds afterwards. But
his innings was crucial for us keep the momentum going.
And actually just he sort of he built his ownings
really nicely without taking too much risk, and it was, Yeah,
it was.

Speaker 10 (01:03:40):
It was a really intelligent and experienced I thinks he.

Speaker 2 (01:03:43):
Must have enjoyed it personally as well. He probably didn't
say so, but against his former team.

Speaker 23 (01:03:47):
Was he was?

Speaker 2 (01:03:48):
He was a smile, a little bit wider last night.

Speaker 22 (01:03:51):
Yeah, Leo Larry could be pretty dry sometimes, but I
think I think I think he definitely enjoyed getting one
over his mates.

Speaker 2 (01:03:57):
So it's number three your position.

Speaker 22 (01:03:59):
Now, look without letting into two, see it, Jason, we're
pretty fluid hit down down south. We've got a new
coach actually Nofkiz who's brought over some pretty some pretty
awesome ideas around some innovations.

Speaker 6 (01:04:13):
So who knows.

Speaker 2 (01:04:14):
So one sixty five at the endings break, did that
feel like enough?

Speaker 22 (01:04:20):
Yeah? We've actually we use we use journalyst quite quite
a lot, and one sixty five year was actually the
average winning score at more than you, So we knew
that if we bowled, if we bowled, well, we were
definitely in one of the chance.

Speaker 2 (01:04:30):
So they were one hundred and eleven for four near
the end of the fourteenth so probably on target. But
then you get Koma Conchie out. Was that the key
moment for you?

Speaker 6 (01:04:39):
Yeah?

Speaker 22 (01:04:39):
Definitely, I think I think they're obviously they are a
top there are top order heavy betting line up, mate,
and they obviously got off to a fly.

Speaker 10 (01:04:48):
I mean, you got some pretty quality players at the
top of that order, but we knew that the.

Speaker 22 (01:04:53):
Spin would come into it, and I thought Lockrows and
Foxcroft Bowld Bold extremely well and mean also I want
to highlight Phillips Bold as four balls after Jake Gibson
stood his webbing and I think only went for for two,
so that was that was crucial for us.

Speaker 2 (01:05:10):
You enjoy the responsibility out there of of captaining the team,
particularly in the bowling innings. Rotating the bowl is making
sure that you know that you know one guy doesn't
get taken to the cleaner. Is that sort of thing.
Do you enjoy the captaincy responsibility?

Speaker 12 (01:05:23):
Yeah?

Speaker 10 (01:05:23):
Absolutely, mate. I think you know, it's really unfortunate.

Speaker 22 (01:05:26):
That that Luke's Luke's currently injured, but no, I guess
I've sort of been around the leash of group the
last few years in the vaults and it's not something
that's that's too foreign to me, so so now I
was pretty comfortable out there.

Speaker 2 (01:05:39):
You mentioned your new coach, our former Australian paceman Ashley
NOFK Can you tell us a bit more about what
he's brought to your group.

Speaker 22 (01:05:45):
Uh, he's been awesome, to be fair, brings a lot
of experience with him.

Speaker 11 (01:05:50):
Uh.

Speaker 10 (01:05:50):
He's coached all around the world.

Speaker 22 (01:05:52):
He's done quite a lot of time at Queensland Cricket
and then with the London Spirit Woman.

Speaker 10 (01:05:58):
He's just brings.

Speaker 6 (01:06:00):
A lot of direction to our team, fresh ideas.

Speaker 10 (01:06:04):
And yeah, he's he's very clear on the he wants
he wants us to play the game. So that's been cool.

Speaker 2 (01:06:10):
Your name is getting mentioned a lot as a possible
Black Cap Are you aware of that noise?

Speaker 10 (01:06:16):
To be honest, mate, not really.

Speaker 22 (01:06:18):
I still feel like I'm I'm relatively young in my
career and right now, if it.

Speaker 10 (01:06:22):
Happens, it happens.

Speaker 22 (01:06:23):
But I'm just focused on trying to I'm trying to
win games for a Tiger.

Speaker 2 (01:06:27):
Are you ambitious though in that sense?

Speaker 10 (01:06:29):
Absolutely?

Speaker 22 (01:06:30):
Mate.

Speaker 10 (01:06:30):
I'd love to play.

Speaker 22 (01:06:31):
I'd love to play cricket for the black Caps in
all three formats. It's definitely a goal of mine. I'd
love to play for as long as as long as possible.
But I'm definitely conscious. But you know, you need a
lot of performance of the domestic cricket ton that it.

Speaker 2 (01:06:45):
Looked hot out there yesterday. Man, was it hot?

Speaker 16 (01:06:49):
Yeah?

Speaker 6 (01:06:49):
I was sort of.

Speaker 22 (01:06:49):
I was sitting discussing it afterwards. I thought it was
pretty hot. But then you know, Shas did say that
the Gabba gets pretty hot. But I said, I'm not
there yet, mate.

Speaker 2 (01:06:59):
I saw him interviewed on TV. He was talking about
game from from Brisbane to Dunedin and the shock that
had had there. But nah, man, Alex, I think I
heard earlier today it's gonna be thirty two there today.
You've got to have you got a training session to
or something before you before your game tomorrow. Yep, there is.

Speaker 10 (01:07:12):
There's there's some training going on.

Speaker 22 (01:07:14):
A few of the boys really came to have a hurt,
and I think there's some other guys who will just
be staring care of the sun and just prepping up.

Speaker 10 (01:07:19):
The best we can for tomorrow only sort of.

Speaker 22 (01:07:21):
We've only got those two days often in between our
three games. So staying on top of all the all
the small stuff's important.

Speaker 2 (01:07:29):
Good stuff, and just finally on the T twenty competition.
Is it a It's a format that games come thick
and fast. Things can change within a couple of balls
and any things. Is a format that you enjoy.

Speaker 22 (01:07:40):
I love twenty twenty cricket, mate, especially being able to
play home. I mean we get aid great crowds at
well in New Park and in zoned and just being
able to play in front of families and stuff, and that's.

Speaker 10 (01:07:51):
A format that I definitely enjoy.

Speaker 2 (01:07:53):
Actually, I do want to ask you one more question.
It's back to your runnings. We sort of glossed over
a little bit. I mean it's a terrific knock man.
You must be wrapped with with the way you were
hitting the boys today.

Speaker 10 (01:08:03):
Yeah, thanks mate. I think I rode in my luck
a little bit, gave a couple of chances in med but.

Speaker 22 (01:08:08):
Like you said, twenty twenty creek comes thick and fast
and it was just trying to get us up to
a score that we thought was competitive.

Speaker 2 (01:08:14):
Well, congrats mate, you're on the board. All the best
tomorrow against Auckland. Thanks for taking the time for a chat.

Speaker 10 (01:08:19):
Really really appreciate that. Jason, thanks mate.

Speaker 2 (01:08:21):
No, thank you. Max. Max chew them captain yesterday of Otago.
While Georgison recovers from injury doing a pretty good job
though eighty two or forty six balls by far his
highest T twenty score seven fours and three sixers in there,
striking at nearly one eighty one sixty five for nine
Otago Canibry all out one fifty five, and I thought
Max Tu did a good job marshaling the Otago bowlers

(01:08:44):
as well. So yeah, they're back in action tomorrow back
in Alexandra. They take on Auckland that's in both the
men's and the women's and then again on New Year's
Eve Otago again, so yeah, bang bang bang for Otago
Central will arrive in Alexandra. These are all doubleheaders with
the men and the women playing on the same day,
and as we get to the new year, New Year's
Day we land in Hamilton again and hopefully with better weather,

(01:09:07):
Northern taking on Wellington. On Friday the third, it's Auckland
against Canterbury in Auckland and Saturday the fourth, which I
think is a week today. Like I say, we don't
really keep much track of the dates in the days
at this time of the year, but I'm pretty sure
that next Saturday is the fourth of January. Saxton Overland
Nelson will host Central against Wellington and the Super smash

(01:09:30):
at the Boxing Day Test at the MCG India two
hundred and five for six two five for six, still
two hundred and sixty nine runs behind with four first
innings wickets in hand. Jadasia and ready together at the
crease twenty to two speaking of Australia, will get there next.
Adam Peacock, our Australian correspondent in his regular slot when

(01:09:51):
we come back on News Talk's head.

Speaker 1 (01:09:53):
Beak one crutch hold Ngage Weekend Sport with Jason him
and GJ. Gunner Homes New Zealand's first trusted home builder
News Talk to a Baby.

Speaker 2 (01:10:03):
It's seventeen away from two on News Talks AIRB part
of Saturdays across the year, and we hope we'll continue
into the new year as our Australian correspondent, Adam Peacock
updating us on all of the sporting matters on that
side of the ditch. He joined us for the final
time in twenty twenty four and I think you join
us from Brisbane. I would imagine a sweltering Brisbane at

(01:10:24):
this time of the year, would that be fair, Adam?

Speaker 21 (01:10:27):
Yes, I was up early this morning Pineyer at about
as you do here in Brisbane because it in a
dale at saving. So the sundad comes up at about
four o'clock and I went for a walk at about
six point thirty and within I would conservatively say seventeen steps.
My armpits were sweating.

Speaker 6 (01:10:46):
It was dead set thirty five.

Speaker 21 (01:10:48):
Degrees this morning. So yeah, welcome to Queensland, Adam.

Speaker 2 (01:10:51):
Indeed, take what takes you to the Sunshine State.

Speaker 21 (01:10:54):
A bit of tennis, mate, a bit of tennis. Yes,
obviously you've got over in your part. The pretty cool
of it. I think everyone loves going to Auckland for
the double week. The men's and women's over here. We've
got they split up between United Cup which is in
Perth and Sydney, which is a team's event country based,
and then the regular tour events if you like. There's

(01:11:17):
a good one here in Brisbane this coming week. There's
another one in Adelaide next week and one in Hobart.
I think all roads lead to the Australian Open, which
starts on January twelve this year.

Speaker 2 (01:11:26):
A bit early, absolutely, yeah, that's been earlier than usual.
Show a good field assembled in Brisbane.

Speaker 19 (01:11:32):
Really good.

Speaker 23 (01:11:33):
Yeah.

Speaker 21 (01:11:34):
So the women's you've got some top players headlined by
Arena Sabolenka, the number one in the world, and the
men's you've got Novak Djokovic is probably the headline act,
even though guys, I think he's Yeah, I think he's
the top ranked player, even though it's at the lower
end of the CAO in terms of the rankings events.
But the main guy is the guy that's done ranked

(01:11:55):
and hasn't played in a while. In Nick Curios, he's
the fascinating part of everything. So yeah, he's in action.
Apparently Novak and Nick is going to play doubles. I
guess that gets confirmed this morning at the draw, so
we yeah, we find out who plays who.

Speaker 6 (01:12:09):
But yeah, Curios is.

Speaker 21 (01:12:10):
The main guy, and yeah, he'll be the focal point
I reckon for the next two weeks and the lead
up to the Australian Open.

Speaker 2 (01:12:16):
So has he confirmed to play singles at the Australian Open.

Speaker 18 (01:12:19):
Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Speaker 21 (01:12:20):
So he'll use what's called a protected ranking, so he's
ranking when he went off tour. I'm not sure what
it was, but it certainly enough to get inside the event.
He can at his discretion news that about five times
I think it is in various events, and he's going
to use one of those to get in.

Speaker 10 (01:12:36):
He would have got a wild card anyway.

Speaker 21 (01:12:38):
But yeah, he's in. He's locked and loaded. Provided over
the next two weeks and as it provided with Nick
his body holds up.

Speaker 2 (01:12:46):
What and how do you assess his ability to keep
his body together?

Speaker 21 (01:12:54):
I don't know he's had one in his professional career.
I reckon he's had one great preseason where he's been
able to get through at Nicel three, and yeah, around
the pandemic, it was a bit how are you going
with how everyone was preparing it, especially in this part
of the world, because it was hard for players to
get in and out. But I think the one year

(01:13:14):
that he had a proper base set was the year
that he made the Wimbledon final. So there's no secret
in what he needs to do it whether or not
he's able to do it. And the word is that
he's been training well. Talking to a few guys that
have hit with him, he's hitting the ball well. So
whether or not he's got that base then that will
carry him through not just this Australian summer, but maybe
a bit of a run mid year as well.

Speaker 23 (01:13:35):
On the grass.

Speaker 2 (01:13:36):
All right, we'll watch with great interest there other Australian
sporting matters around Sitting to Hobart yacht race dreadful news
yesterday two fatalities. Twenty one of the one hundred and
four yachts that started the race have now retired. Anything
come to light around this in the last twelve hours
or so.

Speaker 21 (01:13:55):
Yeah, it's horrible piney. So two have perished unfortunately, and
another got swipt overboard and was lucky to get back
on as well. So I think they hit a bit
of weather about halfway down. The race is over at
ended this morning law connects which the boat that was
first out of the harbor. I think it got the
Hobart first, But that's not the point. It's a pretty

(01:14:18):
somber mood, I dare say down there in Hobart because
it is a fraternity and these guys race against each
other all the time through the year and this is
their headline actor. They're sitting into Hobart and it's been
a strange old summer weather wise, it's been either thinking
hot or really windy. And I think they hit some
hit some waves off the south coast of New South
Wales on the first night, and yeah, one got thrown

(01:14:38):
across his boat and hit a bit of equipment, and
another the cop the blow to the back of the
head when the sale went around, and another one.

Speaker 19 (01:14:47):
Got swept off but he survived.

Speaker 21 (01:14:49):
So yeah, it's just how would use Both those gentlemen
who passed away were experienced sailors, so this is not
likely a novelty crew which sometimes you see you get
a bunch of celebrities and hop on board and then
you know, make a name to yourself there.

Speaker 10 (01:15:03):
These guys are hard and salors.

Speaker 21 (01:15:04):
So just an absolute tragedy for both.

Speaker 2 (01:15:06):
Yeah, absolutely right. And finally to the Boxing day test.
I'm still I still shake my head at what happened
on the first morning and the Boxing day test. This
young kid, this nineteen year old Sam Constance comes out
and starts ramping. Just brit boomra.

Speaker 21 (01:15:23):
Gone on the day's pint in. And I don't know
what it was like over there, but certainly in Australian
cricket when a debutante came into the side, it wasn't
as if they were told to sit in the corner
and shut up and just blend in, but they were told,
you know, there's a hierarchy here and we're just going
to operate along those lines and you do what the
captain says, and the captain's going to be stern and
everything like that. But this kid on day one has

(01:15:45):
come in and started ramping the best bowler in the
world to get him off his line.

Speaker 16 (01:15:48):
And he's done it.

Speaker 21 (01:15:49):
He got austraight off to a great start and they
put themselves in pole position to win the Test match
because of Indiear's late claps yesterday. And then yesterday he
goes down to Bay thirteen and he starts like starting
an aerobics class down there and he's doing the Viking
clap and he's like laughing with the crowd about the
shoulder charge of Verrett Coley and dropping his shoulder and

(01:16:10):
everything like that.

Speaker 6 (01:16:11):
Oh man, to be young again.

Speaker 16 (01:16:14):
He was fantastic.

Speaker 21 (01:16:16):
So I don't know where he goes from here, but
he certainly made a name for himself in the first
couple of days of his Test career.

Speaker 2 (01:16:23):
He had the fearlessness of youth, that's for sure. What
has been the fallout from the from the Cohally shoulder.

Speaker 21 (01:16:29):
Charge, Yeah, not great for Vir. He's become public enemy
number one at the MCG. I've given it to him
and he walked off yesterday and someone said something to him.
And it all started actually before the Test, when he
got the ERTs with a journo apparently getting a shot
of his family as they got off a plane when
they traveled to Melbourne.

Speaker 19 (01:16:49):
Now I know the.

Speaker 21 (01:16:50):
Journal in question, and they swear that they weren't doing that,
they were just getting a shot of him. But anyway,
Vera blew up at that he's been on edge. He
drops the shoulder into Sami constance. Everyone is amazed, but
not to try it. Heck, can you say that everyone
not surprised but shaking ahead a bit about the fact
that he got off. Really, you know, twenty percent of

(01:17:12):
his match fee, what's that to him? One demerit point
doesn't put him over, so it doesn't miss a Test match. Yeah,
it's on.

Speaker 6 (01:17:18):
The real lighter side.

Speaker 21 (01:17:19):
But it was thought of that that was going to
be in the case because the match referee is Zimbabwe
and match referee is known for his leniency in world cricket,
so he got a good match referee. I think they're
at And then Nathan Lyon has actually said it after
players today, he basically decided to not run when JOSEPHLLD,
the young opener, decided to scamp it through for a
single jos Well run out and Nathan Lines come out

(01:17:40):
and said he's absolutely The term is to barbecue someone
in a runout like as in not running they get cooked.
So Nathan Lines used that tag on Veraut to put
a bit of pressure and uncertain it through the Indian
dressing room. So hasn't gone to plan for Verat in Melbourne.

Speaker 2 (01:17:54):
Put it that way, No, I think that's a very
good way of something it up. He has not covered
himself in glory at the mcg great to catch up
on Australian sporting matters and I'm hope you can find
a bit of shade and some here condition in Brisbane.
Let's catch up again next week.

Speaker 21 (01:18:08):
Will not be going outside thanks by good on you mate.

Speaker 2 (01:18:11):
That's edm Peacock, our Australian correspondent, part of our Saturdays
and will continue to be in twenty twenty five at
around about this time, updating us on all the sporting
action on and off the field across the Tasman on
the field India two hundred and fourteen for six so
fairly sedate pace as they sort of eke away at
this lead of Australia's their first point of business is

(01:18:33):
getting within two hundred and avoiding the follow on one.
Are they at the moment two hundred and sixty still behind?
So you'd have to think that these two Jadasia and
Ready would be the ones Washington Sunda, Jasper Boomra and
Mohammad Saraj to come. They are in the team for
their bowling. So yeah, these two, I have to imagine

(01:18:57):
we'd have to knock off the remaining sixty one runs
to avoid the follow on doing it okay. At the moment,
with about forty minutes to go until lunch time, the
ASB Classic draw has been done. We'll give some more
details on that shortly. It's eight away from two News talks.

Speaker 1 (01:19:12):
Eb's from the trag Fields and the Court on your
home of Sport Weekends for it with Jason vine us Talks.

Speaker 2 (01:19:21):
INB just gone five to two from the ASB Classic,
can tell you that Lulu Sun has been drawn against
our world number one hundred and two Rebecca Marino in
the first round, which begins on Monday. Lulusen will play
on Monday. I haven't seen the schedule yet, but she
will play on the opening day of Round one matches

(01:19:43):
Emma RADICANU up against world number one hundred and seventeen
Robin Montgomery and Naomi Osaka will face a qualifier. Qualifying
action is happening as we speak today and tomorrow to
come up with a final few names in the women's draw.
So those are the features of the ASB Classic draw,
which was made about an hour ago. So we'll bring

(01:20:05):
you more details across the afternoon and of course keep
you right up to date with the tennis itself in
terms of qualifying and when the tournament itself gets under
way on Monday. After two o'clock, we'll shift our attention
across the football because all three of our A League
sides are playing today. The Wellington Phoenix men up against
Newcastle five o'clock Sky Stadium and Wellington the Wellington Phoenix

(01:20:27):
Women take on Melbourne City in Melbourne from seven o'clock tonight,
and at the same time, the Auckland FC men take
on the Central Coast Mariners in Gosford. So plenty of
A league action to look forward to. From five o'clock
this afternoon we'll get you inside all three camps and
also update you on the latest action at the World
Darts Championships, including another nine data overnight.

Speaker 1 (01:20:51):
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 Lame on your home of Sport.

Speaker 2 (01:21:08):
Hello, that welcome into Weekend Sport. It is Saturday, December
twenty eight. One more hour and then we're into the
Weekend Collective for the rest of your afternoon or I
guess the next segment of it between three and six
before we hand over, though quite a bit to get through.
We focus fairly heavily on football this hour, with the
Wellington Phoenix men and women and the Auckland FC men

(01:21:31):
all in action today. The Phoenix men are at home,
the Phoenix women and Auckland f C are both away.
We'll get you inside all three camps, just to gauge
how they're all feeling. Of the three. The Wellington Phoenix
women coming in the best form. They had a win
last weekend against Sydney FC. Their captain Annale Longo is
with us shortly. The Wellington Phoenix men had a heavy

(01:21:52):
defeat away at Western Sydney Wanderers. The bright spot was
a starting debut for young Kiwi Corbyn Piper. He's going
to have a chat to us and we'll get the
thoughts of Auckland f C coach Steve Coricker as well
off the back of their first feet not only of
the season but of their lives after such a good
start a for nil hiding by Western United last weekend,

(01:22:13):
so how they bounced back from that as they look
to take on the Central Coast Mariners a little bit
later on this evening. We'll keep eyes on the boxing
day test and also wrap the day's darts action. After
the Christmas break, they've been back in action at Alexandra
Palace in London in the early hours of this morning
and through breakfast time, so we've had plenty of action

(01:22:34):
to cover off. Ben Francis going to join us before
three to run an eye over all of that for us,
Your cause and correspondents continue to be welcomed on eight
hundred and eighty ten eighty nine, two ninety two. If
you would like to correspond via text, but as we
always do it around about this time on weekend Sport,
we'd like to keep you up to date with some

(01:22:56):
of the stuff you might have missed and it is
a busy time, so you would be forgiven for missing
quite a lot. Let's get you up to date. Australia
firmly in the box seat in the box day cricket
Test against India in Melbourne, India two hundred and twenty
nine for seven. That's a reply to Australia's four seventy
four all out. It was going pretty well for India yesterday.

(01:23:17):
A one hundred and two run stand between Yashushfi, Jace
Wall and Verat Kohli had India at one fifty three
for two before Jayce Wall was run out after a
mix up over a quick single oh mix up trailer
the keepers and now it's done off. It's disaster for India.

(01:23:38):
E'stasy for Australia and the most territory result harvest shocker.
It really is just mentioned the Australians to find a
way of getting wikis. But I didn't expect this. In
Football's Premier League, Arsenal back up to second after a
one nill home win over ipswich Town this morning.

Speaker 4 (01:23:58):
Detrously try have it.

Speaker 15 (01:24:02):
Checks Arsenal to league. The persistence, the pressure, it all pace,
as Kai Havertz finds himself in a torcherous position.

Speaker 2 (01:24:16):
What's again, he's so wonder little Arsenal. There's six points
behind leaders Liverpool, who also have a game in hand.
The other game this morning goals between Brighton and Brentford
close to the home in the A League Football Men's competition.
A terrific comeback from Western Sydney away from home last
night against Adelaide, capped by a goal from a former

(01:24:36):
Phoenix favorite.

Speaker 20 (01:24:37):
Oh and that's a.

Speaker 1 (01:24:38):
Good ball as well from the makeshift right back with Cram.

Speaker 7 (01:24:42):
Cram still going last straight through, telling up and punchin
our craym two goals in two weeks to the Bulgarian
and Western Sydney have come from two.

Speaker 21 (01:24:56):
Goals down just before halftime and now with nine minutes
left they lead three to two.

Speaker 2 (01:25:04):
And they won up three to two. Later on last evening,
MacArthur far too good in Western Australia for Perth Glory.

Speaker 7 (01:25:10):
Spilled again his pure game, said Nats MacArthur. Aria pure
makes it three his second to the season and he
is dancing with.

Speaker 2 (01:25:22):
Tomah three Lord MacArthur. That's eleven straight home losses for
Perth Glory, who are really doing it tough in the
A League and to the World Dance Championship, where Australian
Damon Hitter produced the second nine data of this year's event.
Overnights in London, We're.

Speaker 4 (01:25:41):
Looking, We're looking looking Christmas. He absolute there.

Speaker 1 (01:26:09):
It's more than just a game. Weekends for it with
Jason Fine News Talks.

Speaker 2 (01:26:14):
B News Talks thirteen past two. The Wellington Phoenix Women
in action tonight against Melbourne City seven o'clock in Melbourne.
It's at Casey Fields. They come in and Fine form
a club record four matches unbeaten for the Phoenix Women,
including a win over double defending champion Sydney FC last weekend.

Speaker 23 (01:26:34):
They continue to commit numbers forward.

Speaker 7 (01:26:38):
Wellington and mcneakon doubles the lead. It was a powerful
header it had been coming through out the second half
and the number two rises and heads home past.

Speaker 2 (01:26:52):
Franco and goal. Wellington take a tuner lead over Sydney
and one at two Nila Potty to Or Park last weekend.
So off to Melbourne where they take on Melbourne City tonight.
Captain Annale Longo joined us. Thanks for having a chat
on match day. Annally unbeaten in your last four now
up to fifth on the table. What have been the
main reasons for the team's really good recent form.

Speaker 17 (01:27:13):
Yeah, obvious they were really pleased. I think I think
the most pleasing thing for me is around being under
pensive straight not considering cheap goals and you know, really
working hard, defensitively and being able to hang on to
you know, one or two goal leagues and you know
that results where last season we've been to struggle.

Speaker 8 (01:27:32):
So yes, been really pleasing. So we've played some really
good teams in the last four weeks as.

Speaker 2 (01:27:36):
Well, So good son, And how much confidence have you
taken from the unbeaten run of four games, especially after
three straight defeats to start the season.

Speaker 17 (01:27:47):
It's definitely thought about building that one in tum and
how we want to continue to do that.

Speaker 8 (01:27:52):
And I think although those were two games, I thought
you actually played some good football, and I.

Speaker 24 (01:27:56):
Think the performances were there were you're slacking and those
you know file bit of quality moments.

Speaker 8 (01:28:00):
So I think, you know, these classball.

Speaker 17 (01:28:02):
Game has definitely improved, and the squad's growing and the
debts growing in the squad.

Speaker 8 (01:28:06):
Yes, yeah, good good things for you know kind of
ruing and people are.

Speaker 17 (01:28:09):
Getting into form and fitness and things like that. So, yeah,
the teams jelling well together and yeah, looking barter. Two
more games coming ahead.

Speaker 2 (01:28:17):
So last weekend two nil over Sydney FC, but the
game took a bit longer than usual with a break
for the threat of lightning strikes. Have you ever had
a match interrupted by the threat of lightning before?

Speaker 6 (01:28:31):
I have.

Speaker 17 (01:28:31):
Actually it was a World Cup match against Canada in
an opening group game against fellow old coach John Hoodman,
and we actually battled the.

Speaker 8 (01:28:43):
First wing minutes of the game.

Speaker 17 (01:28:44):
We're struggling and down and we went to the chess
and it probably did us a bit of a favor
and we come back out and we managed to scrap
a draw out of that game.

Speaker 8 (01:28:52):
So it was a similar feeling when we went into
the gym.

Speaker 17 (01:28:55):
I think we were getting better than that third staff
against the theft. We were struggling to buying any energy,
all kind of shimming passes and hang.

Speaker 8 (01:29:02):
On with a few scary moments, and yeah, I think
that the the weather.

Speaker 17 (01:29:07):
Probably listen to our favor or able to reset and
kind of refocus and come out and I think that
you can product now.

Speaker 2 (01:29:14):
I heard your coach Paul Temple afterwards say that during
that break, which was about forty five minutes. You just
watched the first half back basically in order to work out,
you know, what had been not quite going as well
as you would have hoped and to be able to
make some tweaks for the second half. Is that basically
what happened in the in the sheds at halftime.

Speaker 17 (01:29:31):
Yeah, we had a couple of that top stuff and
those that wanted to watch some footage or you see
any clips specific you know what could help us were
sitting down and looking at those, and yeah, there was
a mixture of things going on, but yeah, it was
all about kind of trying to reset the mind and
make sure the body was ready to go and.

Speaker 24 (01:29:48):
Refocus to step that out and put in a much
improved performance in that second half.

Speaker 2 (01:29:53):
All right, So Melbourne City up next tonight, top of
the league, unbeaten at home for them, they've scored twenty
goals in their seven games. So given all of that
has been defensively sound been a big focus ahead of
this one.

Speaker 17 (01:30:09):
Yeah, and we have we we don't really consider, you know,
fully goals or goals that you know are easy for
the teams becore.

Speaker 24 (01:30:18):
So yeah, compacts and defensively strong is always you know,
we always cleensic one game, so we want to go
out and defense would be strong.

Speaker 8 (01:30:27):
But in saying that, we know we can't then.

Speaker 17 (01:30:29):
So yeah, we're going to try and go out them
and all to play for I think is obviously against
the quality size in the last four games. We want
to continue that and you know, then we take it
to a really good city side and.

Speaker 2 (01:30:42):
Leading the line from Melbourne City is one of your
former teammates, mawn A Spectm now wearing the sky blue
of Melbourne City, but you know a bit about it
having been a teammate last year. Just having some inside
information on her help you to nullify the specific threat
that she'll bring tonight.

Speaker 17 (01:31:00):
Yes he's a quality player, but yeah, definitely we know
a lot about her and a lot about the city side.
They play style football that they don't kind of shy
away from, and they sit to it even when potentially
they're getting.

Speaker 8 (01:31:14):
Pressed or you know, in tough parts of the game.

Speaker 17 (01:31:18):
So I think I think we can stand up and
be strong and go.

Speaker 8 (01:31:22):
At them, then I can differently cause them to hold on.

Speaker 17 (01:31:24):
So hearing a lot about City and the way they
like to play, and I think sometimes you can go
out and cause a.

Speaker 8 (01:31:31):
Bit of an outset m I thing.

Speaker 2 (01:31:33):
So you seem that things sort of out at the
defensive end, Annalee, with just the four goals conceded in
the last six games. At the other end, though you've
scored just eight and eight games this season, is having
a better cutting edge scoring more goals? Is that a
bit of a work on for you?

Speaker 8 (01:31:50):
Absolutely?

Speaker 24 (01:31:50):
I think, of course we'd like to win games by
more and make them more comfortable.

Speaker 8 (01:31:55):
But I think what I have liked is you've seen
a range of scorers around the squad.

Speaker 17 (01:31:58):
I think it's probably eight goals and almost seven or
eight different scorers as well, and that was a good
sign that a lot of people are scoring and they're
not really relying on that one person.

Speaker 8 (01:32:07):
But yeah, of course we would like to score more
goals and create more. I think over the last four
games you see us create a lot more chances and
get into the box a lot more.

Speaker 17 (01:32:16):
We just want to continue to do that and obviously
get more shots on target is key, and as we've
seen in the last two weeks, if you don't shoot,
you don't score. And I think we've probably been a
little bit luckier. I've picked up a couple that say
you're a little bit lucky, but that's cut.

Speaker 8 (01:32:31):
If you don't shoot, you don't score. And so I'm
going to take that motel into the game.

Speaker 2 (01:32:34):
And the nature of the A League, both the men's
and the women's competition is the squads tend to turn
over season after season. Your you know, lose players, you
gain players. But you've got five new imports at Wellington
Phoenix this season, Carolinavillau, Maya McCutcheon, Olivia Ferguson, Olivia Kelly
and Maba Tanaka. How have you gone about assimilating them

(01:32:57):
into your team and how have they filed in?

Speaker 8 (01:33:00):
Yeah, they'd been excellent so far.

Speaker 17 (01:33:01):
They've come in and I think they're.

Speaker 8 (01:33:03):
Really enjoying your time here in New Zealand. And yeah's
aught about ding those tections.

Speaker 17 (01:33:08):
I think you've obviously seen the quality that.

Speaker 24 (01:33:10):
They bring out on the field, and it's just making
them feel welcoming at home and comfortable.

Speaker 8 (01:33:14):
And I think when.

Speaker 17 (01:33:15):
People feel like they have field values that they before
their best.

Speaker 8 (01:33:17):
So yeah, i think they've all been the outstanding so far.

Speaker 17 (01:33:20):
And yeah, she was a board to seeing them grow
throughout the season, and in fact that can bring.

Speaker 2 (01:33:25):
It all this And can I ask you about a
young Kibi player who plays in a similar position to
you in midfield, and that's Daisy brazen Dale. She's featured
on every game this season, some from the start, some
off the bench. How do you assess her development as
one of the younger players and what her possible ceiling
might be.

Speaker 8 (01:33:43):
Yeah, I think David's really grind. She's really impressed me.

Speaker 17 (01:33:47):
Her growth from last season to this season has been immense,
both on the field and mentally off the field.

Speaker 8 (01:33:52):
So yes, he's exciting. I think she played that out
and out sixth role.

Speaker 17 (01:33:57):
She's defensively within the right positions.

Speaker 8 (01:33:59):
And she gets you know, she does a lot of
work and gets around there the pitch. But when she's
on the board, I think.

Speaker 24 (01:34:03):
He's come and she's clean with her passes and yeah,
I think just the growth from the last season to
the season has been a mess.

Speaker 8 (01:34:10):
Yeah, we can continue that in her development. I'm sure
you'll seen more and more game time for her and
really kind of cementing the spot.

Speaker 2 (01:34:19):
And I know you're only focusing on the A League
at the moment, but we saw you in the football
Fern shirt at the Olympics earlier this year. One hundred
and thirty six caps for you now, Annaleah is there
is there more to come from you at international level?

Speaker 24 (01:34:34):
Yeah, and I'm sure at the moment where obviously I'm
sure what's got intim coach of Michael Mayne and yeah,
not to be sure that the next steps, so yeah,
taking kind of one day to time and then yeah,
hopefully continuing to put performance into for the Phoenix and
see what happens in February.

Speaker 2 (01:34:51):
All right, well we'll wait and see on that. In
the meantime, all the best tonight against Melbourne City. Annaly
to you on the team, Thanks for joining us. That's
Annale longer captain of the Wellington Phoenix woman's side. She's
been terrific, a big part of why they've been so
good in recent times. Tonight Melbourne City seven o'clock. That's
New Zealand time. They play over in Melbourne at Casey Fields.

(01:35:13):
Already a couple of games in this round of the
A League Women's competition. Last night Adelaide one nil winners
over the Western Sydney Wanderers. Central Coast Marion is one
nil winners over Perth Glory. Melbourne City are a good
side five wins and two draws from their seven games.
As I mentioned to anally during that chat, twenty goals
they've scored so far, so it'll take a good defensive
effort from the Phoenix women, although they've shown in the

(01:35:35):
last four games that they're well and truly up to that.
Just four goals conceded in six games, which is I'm
sure very pleasing to coach Paul Temple to twenty two.
We'll take a break when we come back. We'll shift
our attention across to a league men's matters, including the
Wellington Phoenix Men who take on Newcastle this afternoon, and
Auckland FC, who are up against the Central Coast Mariners.

(01:35:57):
We'll get you inside both camps when we come back
here on Weekend Sport. It is twenty three past two.

Speaker 4 (01:36:03):
You be the TMO.

Speaker 1 (01:36:04):
Have your say on eight eight Weekend Sport with Jason
Paine and GJ. Gunnerholmes, New Zealand's most trusted home builder
News Talks endb.

Speaker 12 (01:36:17):
Six.

Speaker 2 (01:36:18):
The Wellington Phoenix Men back in action this afternoon. They
host the Newcastle Jets at sky Stadium in Wellington five
o'clock kickoff, as they look to snap a three game
losing streak.

Speaker 20 (01:36:29):
You shooting from everywhere at the moment West at Sydney circluda.

Speaker 4 (01:36:33):
A lot of strike off the trasper. It's under the
line now and you could not ask for a.

Speaker 7 (01:36:40):
Better way to score your first goal.

Speaker 2 (01:36:42):
And what an exclamation though.

Speaker 7 (01:36:45):
For Western Sydney to finish this one here.

Speaker 2 (01:36:47):
That was the Western Sydney Wanderers beating the Phoenix four
to one last Sunday back home, as I say, against
the Newcastle Jets. One of the new faces in the
Phoenix squad this season is young Kiwi utility Corbyn Piper,
who actually made his starting debut for the side last
weekend in that loss at Western Sydney. He joins us now, cool,
but thanks for your time Apart from the result obviously,

(01:37:10):
how happy were you with getting your starting debut and
how you went on starting debut. Look, I was.

Speaker 6 (01:37:17):
Buzzing, to be fair like, as soon as I found
out that I was starting, I was just yeah, I
couldn't get the smile off my face, to be honest,
and even more happy to get a full ninety minutes.

Speaker 2 (01:37:29):
You had forty five minutes off the bench against Melbourne
victory in late November. Was that helpful in getting you
used to the level of the A League?

Speaker 6 (01:37:37):
Yeah, it was. Actually after that I felt a lot
more comfortable in actually being on the pitch and patiently
waiting for another chance than there I was at Western
Sydney getting my second chance to play, So yeah, I
was to like it.

Speaker 2 (01:37:52):
How big a step up in standard have you found
the A League to be from what you've been playing previously?

Speaker 6 (01:38:00):
Quite a big step up, to be honest. When I
was over in Ireland it was more physical and not
so technical as their league, but they leaves yeah by far,
so much more superior, much faster. You have a lot
less time on the ball, and.

Speaker 2 (01:38:19):
Yeah, did you feel like you're able to quickly adjust
to that? Though I look at it from what I saw,
it didn't look like you were rushed or hurried necessarily.
Did you feel like you got used to the pace
of the game pretty quickly?

Speaker 6 (01:38:34):
Yeah? I mean that's what I believe Cheetie wanted to
do is bring me in and sort of give me
two to three months training with the boys and getting
used to the level. Because originally I came in here
and I wasn't so technically good. But after training here

(01:38:54):
for just two or three months already, I found that
I've improved a lot already and it's helped me be
more confident on the field.

Speaker 2 (01:39:01):
So, yeah, when you assigned and in the time since
your versatility has been talked about out a lot, can
you tell us the position you've played most often?

Speaker 6 (01:39:13):
Actually, I can't actually answer that, to be honest, I
actually I have no idea. Really, I get so on
anywhere in training and I'm just happy to be there
and playing like they can put me on anywhere, and
like I said, yeah, just happy to be on the pitch.

Speaker 2 (01:39:28):
I know you played in a sort of a ten
role for Birkenhead, so you know right in the guts
of midfield, has that you know, playing in a position
like that where you do need to be technically pretty
good around three hundred and sixty degrees? Is that helpful
when you've played because mostly for the Phoenix you've played
in defensive positions where everything's in front of you. Has

(01:39:50):
the ability to play three sixty degrees help that?

Speaker 6 (01:39:53):
Yeah? Definitely, one hundred percent. Yeah. I believe though, because
when I'm in type situations I need to get out of,
I kind of I have the confidence that actually take
a man on and go go myself rather than passing
back or something like that. But yeah, it's definitely been
a big help. But no mistakes in the defense line. Unfortunately,

(01:40:15):
I can make a mistake higher up the field as
a ten. But yeah, no room for areas are cine.

Speaker 2 (01:40:20):
Back is center back, somewhere you feel comfortable though. Does
it feel like a place where you could have a
natural home, at least in the short term for Wellington Phoenix.

Speaker 6 (01:40:31):
Yeah, of course. Yeah, Like I said, I'll play anyway.
I enjoy playing cine back, making big tackles, all this
and that, but I also really enjoy being higher up
the field, so I don't really mind. But yeah, wherever
there's a spot on the pitch for me, I'll play.

Speaker 2 (01:40:46):
And alongside you in central defense on the weekend. Scott Wooton,
who of course has been around for a long time,
one of the more experienced players going around the A League.
How much of a help was he for you?

Speaker 6 (01:40:57):
I he's great. Like just being paired with him, I
already feel ten times more confidence and comfortable on the ball.
He yeah, really helps me throughout the game, communicating literally
for the full ninety minutes with me, So yeah, it's yes,
unreal to have them here next to me. It's a
great help and a.

Speaker 2 (01:41:16):
Couple of chances to score too. Mate. Now, how do
you remember those moments?

Speaker 6 (01:41:22):
Honestly? Yeah? Yeah, no words, really I could have got
a hatchick, I believe, but na, honestly, yeah. I hopefully
we'll get one this weekend if I get on and
get some minute.

Speaker 2 (01:41:34):
So yeah, I mean, but to be also to be
an attacking threat like a couple of heaters and then
there was a volley light on as well. I mean
that surely is another string to your bow that you're
even at set pieces, if you're playing center back, even
at set pieces, that you're an attacking threat. That must
add another string to your bow.

Speaker 6 (01:41:53):
Yeah, honestly, my whole life, I've been quite good in
the air. I've scored a fair few bit of headers,
so yeah, I've always had an attacking mind for corners
and whatnot. Yeah, like I said, I've scored a fair
few heads of my career. But yeah, every time there's

(01:42:14):
the corner, I'm running up straight ready, can't wait if
it's a good ball and hopefully get my head on it.
And yeah, eventually, hopefully one's going to go and I
do think one's going to come in so and I'll
be buzzing.

Speaker 2 (01:42:27):
Yeah, I know, well, I know, well you mentioned your
time in Ireland for Wixford. If she tell us about
that experience.

Speaker 6 (01:42:35):
I mean the football, the football there was a lot different. Yeah,
it was, like I said, very physical and it wasn't
so much did little small passes trying to play out
as more just direct and long ball and yeah, I
enjoyed the football aspects of things, and yeah, it was

(01:42:59):
it was quite. It was good for my football career
over leave because I got a I think it was
thirty five appearances in the season, so yeah, obviously playing
against men over in Europe for thirty five games really
benefited me. So yeah, I enjoyed it.

Speaker 2 (01:43:18):
Good stuff. Or right, let's look at this game this afternoon.
Three straight losses never much fun. What sort of messages
are you getting from the coaching staff as you look
to turn things around?

Speaker 6 (01:43:30):
I mean say messages as every week to be honest,
nothing really needs to be said. I think US boys
are pretty motivated to end that losing strake of ours.
It's a Muslim game for us, I believe, And yeah,
the boys are going out really more ready than ever.

Speaker 2 (01:43:48):
Are there any small things or even medium sized things
that if you do change or get right or even
get a little bit better, will have a big influence today?
Do you think?

Speaker 6 (01:44:00):
Yeah, I think just concentration, really, just you. Little errors
cost us a few goals in the past games, and
I think just touching those up will be Yeah, we'll
be sweet.

Speaker 2 (01:44:18):
And your first appearance at sky Stadium, all of your
other appearances have been away from memory. How much you're
looking forward to playing a home game?

Speaker 6 (01:44:26):
Hopefully I can get on or get some minutes. Yeah,
I'd love to because my family is coming down and
it'd be great to play in front of them. So yeah,
I'm buzzing.

Speaker 2 (01:44:38):
As being a private the Phoenix. What you expected it
would be?

Speaker 6 (01:44:43):
Yeah, yeah, it is really. I came in knowing that
the boys are great lads, great group of boys, and
everything I expected to be honest, good to.

Speaker 2 (01:44:56):
Hear well, all the best this afternoon, Corbyn. Let's hope
you can turn things around and get back on the
winning side of things. Look forward to seeing seeing you
out there hopefully fingers cross this afternoon. Thanks for the chat,
appreciate it, No, thank you, Corbyn. Piper, there new face
in the Wellington Phoenix squad. Unfortunately, a couple of injury
concerns for Wellington this afternoon to a couple of key players.

(01:45:18):
When I say injury concerns more than concerns, a couple
of players have been ruled out. Marco Rojas, who unfortunately
missed last weekend having had a really good game the
previous week, has twisted his ankle quite badly. He's out
for today and is in a moon boot unfortunately and
will miss probably the next two to three games. And

(01:45:39):
Tim Pain also injured himself at training, one of the
more experienced players in the team. He'll also miss this afternoon,
so some further selection conundrums for Jihn Callotaliana the coach
of the side, but I'm sure he'll have a strategy
for when the game kicks off at around about five o'clock.
And it is a beautiful day in Wellington compared to

(01:46:00):
the last couple which have been terrible. It is a really,
really nice day in Wellington today, so let's hope that
the football matches the weather at Sky Stadium five o'clock
this afternoon. Finally, we go to Auckland FC, who are
in Gosford on the Central Coast of New South Wales
to take on the Central Coast Mariners in Gosford from
seven o'clock tonight. Unfortunately, with their travel schedules and training

(01:46:23):
loads and things like that, they were unable to join
us or no, there wasn't anyone able to join us
for a chat today on the show, but some comments
got sent through from head coach Steve Carriker, so I'll
play for you first of all, around how they've prepared
for this game off the back of their loss to
Western United a week ago.

Speaker 4 (01:46:41):
Really good.

Speaker 14 (01:46:42):
We've had a good week's training boys. Of we spoke
about the defeat. Obviously it's our first one, so we
want to respond on a positive note against Central Coast
and we've been working towards that. They've been great. They're upbeat,
they're ready to ready to go for the Central Coast game.
Injury wise, everyone's pretty good, obvious. A couple of young

(01:47:03):
boys out Ollie Middleton, Cam Cam Howison if he's not young,
but he's still out Cam and Dan Hall. But other
than that, we have a fully fit squad and yeah,
looking forward to it. Similar to Western they're in a
position they were last week, so we obviously have to
make sure that we're on our game. We want to

(01:47:24):
perform a lot better than last week.

Speaker 2 (01:47:25):
They're a good team.

Speaker 14 (01:47:26):
They like you said, they won all trophies last year.
They're a bit of change in their squad as well
throughout this season. But they're at home. They had a
good performance the other night. They've got a draw, so
you know, we really have to take care of business.
Some dangerous threats. They got up front with pace docer

(01:47:47):
Quoll with the pace you know, Celtech defensively very strong,
so we have to perform really well to beat them.

Speaker 2 (01:47:54):
Here you go Steve Carriker with some brief premix thoughts.
Seven o'clock tonight they take on the Central Coast Mariners.
They're back home actually on New Year's Day, so some
New Year's Day footballergo Media Stadium. Five o'clock on Annuary first,
which is Wednesday, they take on Melbourne victory. So yeah,
looking forward to seeing another good crowd at home for
Auckland FC. They played tonight in Gosford and then at

(01:48:16):
home on Wednesday twenty two to three. It's lunch at
the MCG on day three. India having resumed at one
hundred and sixty four for five in their first innings.
They got through to two hundred and forty four for seven,
so they've added eighty for the loss of two wickets.
Nesh Kumar ready is doing pretty well actually forty nine

(01:48:36):
out of sixty one balls, joined by Washington Sunda who
is unbeaten on five. So they are now just thirty
one runs away from avoiding the follow on. So that'll
be a big order of business after lunch for India.
Australia just need their remaining three wickets in India's first
innings to be able to enforce the follow on if
they so choose. So India two forty four for seven.

(01:49:00):
They'll resume at the MCG at around about ten past
three this afternoon. When we come back, I was going
to say, we're at Alexandra Palace. Well, we'll review the
action from Alexandra Palace in London, where World Darts Championships
have resumed after the Christmas break. They often say that
the World Darts Champs start after Christmas with the round

(01:49:21):
three and four matches and the big guns all slugging
it out for darts supremacy. Ben Francis is our Darts expert.
He's going to join us for a chat about the
World champs when we come back on Weekend Sport.

Speaker 12 (01:49:33):
It's more than just a game.

Speaker 1 (01:49:36):
Weekend Sport with Jason Vine and TJ Gunnerhomes New Zealand's
most trusted home builder, News TALKSB.

Speaker 2 (01:49:43):
News TALKSB and Weekend Sport. Eighteen away from three. World
number one and defending champion Luke Humphries is through to
the last sixteen of the World Darts Championships in London,
sweeping Welshman Nick Kenney four sets to love in the
final match this morning. New Zealand time earlier two time
champion Peter Wright, who looked pretty ill actually up there
and couldn't even really do his postmatch he was coughing

(01:50:05):
so much, claimed a four to victory in the third round.
Gowin Price taken all the way to an eleventh leg
in the seventh set before advancing past Joe Cullen. Others
to go through of a night. Luke Woodhouse, Johnny Clayton,
Stephen Bunting, multimedia journalist here at News Talk z B
darts enthusiast host of the KWE Darts podcast, Ben Francis

(01:50:26):
joins us. Ben I saw your tweet just around Christmas time.
If you'd told me before the World Champs that fourteen
seeds would be out before Christmas, I wouldn't have believed you.
What was behind the pre Christmas carnage?

Speaker 23 (01:50:41):
Oh gee, Jason, where to start? It's just been absolutely incredible.
I think whats of that is just down to maybe
just the busyness of the schedule this year, lots of
players playing a lot more due to the rise and
popularity in the last year due to Luke Hitler, but
probably some of it as well as that lots of
these lower ranked players are actually playing good darts at
the moment and just headed into the tourtum with a

(01:51:03):
bit more confidence, playing a lot better and lots of
repercussions as well. With lots of these top seeds are
falling out. I said to you in a message like
Michael Smith is going to be the biggest casualty because
how the rankings are done is that you got your
prize money accumulated over two years, as it was a
defending champion from two years ago. He's essentially lost half
as prize money dropped from world number two. I think

(01:51:26):
he's actually at seventeen at the moment that could drop
further and that has massive repercussions for tournament tending at
at twenty twenty five, So it's going to be an
absolute shake up if more seeds continue to tumble out.

Speaker 2 (01:51:36):
Yeah, so the top sixteen essentially guarantees you a spot
at all the big tournaments, is that right?

Speaker 23 (01:51:43):
Yeah? So it's usually the top eight. Most of them
are top sixteen. There are a couple where it's just
the top eight. The top sixteen you're pretty much and
without with no having to go through any qualification sort
of period. So look, it's going to be massive that.
Look those rankings in that sort of area from around
ten to eighteen, there's not much in it. So it

(01:52:04):
could take a couple of tournaments for him to kind
of jump back into those spots, but jeezus, you don't,
and you got yourself a big helder climb.

Speaker 11 (01:52:11):
Yeah.

Speaker 2 (01:52:11):
So the world number two, Michael Smith, that's a massive shock.
Before we look at who's still in there, anybody else
who was a major surprise being knocked out in the
early rounds.

Speaker 23 (01:52:21):
Oh, it's really hard to say, to be honest, I
think Michael Smith was definitely the biggest one. I think
Rob Cross probably falling a bit early as well. He
lost to Scott Williams just before Christmas. But Scott Williams
was a semi finalist from last year after he beat
Michael van guel On in the quarterfinals, so he's someone
that really plays well on the big stage. But I
would say Michael Smith without question. Look, some of these

(01:52:42):
seated players, lots of them that did lose, were on
the lower side of the ranks and there's not much
between them and the players they face, so I'd probably
say those two were definitely the big shots.

Speaker 2 (01:52:52):
All right, So as I mean to no trouble for
the defending champion Luke Humphreys at all. Really, I sort
of had half an eye on his match this morning
against Welshman Nick Kenney. Hardly troubled Luke Humphries. What did
you make of his performance?

Speaker 23 (01:53:06):
Yeah, Look, Luke's has been playing fantastic and it's been
quite an interesting year for him because usually when the
world champ wins it, they are the ones that get
all the coverage there, the ones that have to do
all the media, you know, face everything. But because he
say he beat a sixteen year old teenage sensation in
his first tournament, he hasn't had lots of that distraction,
I would call it probably compared to like other world

(01:53:28):
champions have had. So he's played pretty well all year.
He's gone into the tournament with great for as I
kind of see to you last week, I don't really
see him getting troubled until for possibly the semi finals,
when it would be a rematch against Luke Letler. But
as he touched on before Peter Wright reaching the fourth round,
those two meet in the coming days and that will
be a very intriguing matchup, especially if Peter Wright does

(01:53:51):
play the way we know he can play because he's
a two time world champion. He is known for changing
his darts around. But if he sex with the darts
that he used in this match today, he could really
trouble Luke Humphreys. But if I'm calling it today, I
think Luke Humphreys will will definitely take it out.

Speaker 2 (01:54:06):
All right. So Luke Litlely you mentioned, as you say,
he's just the name on everybody's lips and he gets
so much more media coverage and attention than anybody else,
and incredible really for a guy's what's seventeen eighteen years
old whatever, he is still a teenager. He beat Ryan
Meeklin round two. I saw quite a bit of emotion
from him afterwards. Do you think he was just finally
pleased to get back up there, get a win, and

(01:54:27):
then enjoy a bit of time off over Christmas.

Speaker 23 (01:54:31):
Yeah, it's probably some of it due to that. I
think part of it as well. He thinks it's been
a whole year since that he's been on this will
Wind journey. People that followed art to have known the
name Luke Letler for a while. I myself was aware
of him. I didn't expect him to do as well
as he did last year, or even as well as
he's done this year. I thought maybe some of the
pressure would get to him. But he's handled himself really well,

(01:54:52):
and I think some of it was just that relief
I'm back up here, I've got off your good start.
Maybe a bit more nervous this year because of all
that pressure. You know, he hasn't had much time to relax.
He's had that bit of time and it's kind of
just hit him. But facing a guy I think it's
tomorrow against Ian White, who has been on the tour
quite a while, and he actually said he remembers playing

(01:55:13):
Luger Letler's dad quite a few years ago. So you
know that that shows you how long he's been in
the game.

Speaker 2 (01:55:19):
That's amazing. Oh man, that's the way to make somebody
feel old and others whose names were I guess more
familiar with Michael van Goerwin, he's still there. How do
you how do you assist what he you know, what
he might or how he might go? Could he go
all the way? For example, I mean, we know he's
a world champion previously. Could he could he be there
at the end?

Speaker 23 (01:55:40):
Well, he could easily be there in the end. Unfortunately
was that Well, he's on the other side of the drawer,
so that kind of opens it up for him. One
of the quite a few messages came through after our
chat last week about Gary Anderson possibly tripping up. But
Gary Anderson, of course lost his game and the drawer
you'd say, is quite open for Michael van Girwen at
the moment. So if he wins his next match against
Brendan Dolan, he's going to face either qualified from the

(01:56:02):
Philippines or an unseated man from Sweden, so he has
got quite a friendly run. The problem is if you
have quite an easy run in when you do those
those tougher games. You haven't really had that kind of
adversity and up on the stage at this particular tournament.
So and Mike is a bit of a shot that
look Van girlin. We all know what he's capable of.

(01:56:22):
He's an outstanding player and on his day he obviously
can be anyone. But I would say he's probably going
to be the favorite to come from.

Speaker 13 (01:56:30):
The bottom side of the draw, no doubt.

Speaker 2 (01:56:32):
Okay, So Luke Littler, Luke humphreyes, Michael get van goerwin.
Then it's probably a gap back, hasn't it been? Who
else could possibly be in this in this conversation as
an outsider to go all the way?

Speaker 23 (01:56:45):
Oh, I mean, that's a really tough question because you
could look at someonelike dmitriy Vandenberg, who's a former World
Youth champion, who's been there, who's played lots of big tournaments,
he's been news yelling quite a few times. He's on
the bottom side of the drawer with Michael Van Girl
and so those two could potentially meet in the quarter finals.
He's one person keeping elye on. I actually kind of
look at girlin Price and after today he's showing, he's

(01:57:07):
showing signs of the player that he was when he
won the world title. It's come in a really tough
battle against Joe cullensday and the fact he came through it.
I quite fancy him to make a bit of a
run as well, but I don't really think he's much
of an outsider. But he's one player who I think
is definitely going to have something to say later on
in the tournament.

Speaker 2 (01:57:25):
Good Man being great to get your analysis made. I
know you're on holiday, so get back to that. Well
might get you on the radio next weekend as we
wrap the final. I think it's schedule for I think
is it Friday night over there? Saturday morning?

Speaker 6 (01:57:37):
Here?

Speaker 2 (01:57:37):
Is that right?

Speaker 23 (01:57:38):
Well, like you said, Jayson on holiday, so I don't
even know.

Speaker 6 (01:57:40):
What data's at.

Speaker 2 (01:57:44):
I'll check. I'll check the details and my people will
be in touch with your bed. All right, Jason, you
too made all the best. Ben Francis there, host of
the Kiwi Darts podcast, a colleague of ours here at
Newstalk z'b, a multimedia journalist and darts enthusiast. Yes, I've
just checked. The final is Friday evening. That's in the UK,
which makes it Saturday morning, New Zealand time, so you

(01:58:06):
will get been on next next Saturday, provided of course
he's not still on holiday. It probably doesn't matter. He
joined us on holiday today, so we'll get the wrap
a week from now. Luke Littler is involved in the
evening session Saturday UK time, so that's tomorrow morning, New
Zealand time. Chris Doby and Josh Rock kick proceedings off

(01:58:27):
in the evening session Michael van Gowin up against Brendan
Dolan and then Luke Littler against Egan White, who has
been frantzis just said played against Luke Littler's dad. Brilliant.
He's so young, this kid, Luke Litler, but so amazingly
talented with the arrows in his hands. Nine Away from
three News Talks.

Speaker 1 (01:58:45):
EDB analyzing every view from every angle in the Sporting
World Weekend Sport with Jason Pine.

Speaker 4 (01:58:52):
They call eight hundred and eighty eighty News Talks eNB.

Speaker 2 (01:58:56):
Six Away from three. That is us for Weekend Sport
for today. We're back tomorrow between midday and three for
the final time in twenty twenty four where we will
bring you our year in review, touch on all the
high points and maybe some of the low points as
well of the sporting year twenty twenty four, some of
our favorite guests, some of our favorite moments, and well
anything else that you would throw into a year in

(01:59:17):
review show. That is tomorrow between midday and three. Jess
Davidson is with you after three o'clock, I said weekend Collective.
Of course, I forgot that that goes on holiday, So
it's summer afternoons with Jess after three o'clock. Thank you
for listening in. I know it's a busy time. I
know you've got other things going on. Anytime you spend
with us as greatly appreciated. Huge thanks to Libby for
producing the show this afternoon as well. To take you

(01:59:40):
out today, well it's John Legend's birthday today, so to
take us out as his collab with Sam Smith, which
was put together for Comic Relief, the British charity telethon
back in twenty fifteen and when all the way to
number one, so they must have liked it over there.
It raised a bit of money as well, so John Legend,
the Birthday Boy and Sam Smith with Lay Me Down

(02:00:02):
we'll see it midday tomorrow. For the year in review,
by for now.

Speaker 20 (02:00:07):
To you and made joy all round. I'll take care.

Speaker 4 (02:00:19):
Of you.

Speaker 8 (02:00:23):
Now.

Speaker 9 (02:00:23):
Don't want to beat back andy Ville to night? Oh
me down to night? What down to.

Speaker 22 (02:01:04):
Can?

Speaker 4 (02:01:06):
Bye bye sun.

Speaker 20 (02:01:12):
Next to.

Speaker 6 (02:01:18):
You.

Speaker 1 (02:01:28):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live
to News Talks it B weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio.

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