1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,547 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport Podcast with Jason Fine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:11,787 Speaker 1: from News Talk SEDB. 3 00:00:12,867 --> 00:00:15,587 Speaker 2: A big part of our Sundays is our regular catch 4 00:00:15,667 --> 00:00:20,827 Speaker 2: up with James mconey Cragos Wild alternative commentary collective across 5 00:00:20,867 --> 00:00:24,827 Speaker 2: your social media channels, always entertaining. He's been away for 6 00:00:24,867 --> 00:00:28,747 Speaker 2: a while, has James, but he has stayed committed, firmly committed, 7 00:00:28,987 --> 00:00:31,787 Speaker 2: fully committed to the radio slot. He joins us. Now, 8 00:00:31,787 --> 00:00:34,547 Speaker 2: where exactly do we find you? James? 9 00:00:35,587 --> 00:00:39,587 Speaker 3: I'm in Edinburgh, Piney, I'm here for the Comedy Festival, 10 00:00:40,347 --> 00:00:44,547 Speaker 3: trying trying a few, you know, a few sets tight 11 00:00:44,667 --> 00:00:46,547 Speaker 3: five as they say up on stage. 12 00:00:46,667 --> 00:00:47,507 Speaker 4: No I'm not. 13 00:00:47,187 --> 00:00:50,947 Speaker 3: I'm just having a look at some of the acts 14 00:00:50,987 --> 00:00:51,707 Speaker 3: around the place. 15 00:00:52,427 --> 00:00:55,067 Speaker 2: I was actually, as you were saying that, I was thinking, man, 16 00:00:55,107 --> 00:00:59,307 Speaker 2: that's impressive. But yeah, well it's also impressive to watch 17 00:00:59,347 --> 00:01:03,667 Speaker 2: these great comedians as well. You'll pick up pleading of material, 18 00:01:03,747 --> 00:01:05,547 Speaker 2: no doubt, lots of materiality you can bring to our 19 00:01:05,587 --> 00:01:08,147 Speaker 2: listeners on a on a regular basis over the next 20 00:01:08,147 --> 00:01:08,667 Speaker 2: little while. 21 00:01:09,587 --> 00:01:11,547 Speaker 3: Look, before we carry on, I was going to say 22 00:01:11,627 --> 00:01:14,667 Speaker 3: there was a guy last night who apparently eats two 23 00:01:14,707 --> 00:01:18,027 Speaker 3: pounds of cheese per show. But as doctor said, you've 24 00:01:18,027 --> 00:01:20,387 Speaker 3: got to mix it up, and instead he eats two 25 00:01:20,467 --> 00:01:24,827 Speaker 3: iceberg lettuces in his comedy show, So I might try 26 00:01:24,827 --> 00:01:26,027 Speaker 3: and catch him tomorrow night. 27 00:01:26,147 --> 00:01:28,587 Speaker 2: All right, well, I'll look forward to your review of 28 00:01:28,667 --> 00:01:31,507 Speaker 2: that particular show. Let's talk about let's talk at a 29 00:01:31,547 --> 00:01:34,587 Speaker 2: sport while you're here. You would have from afar, I'm 30 00:01:34,587 --> 00:01:37,787 Speaker 2: sure caught the news of Leon McDonald's departure as All 31 00:01:37,787 --> 00:01:39,387 Speaker 2: Black Sisters and coach. We had a lot of chat 32 00:01:39,387 --> 00:01:40,947 Speaker 2: about this on the show yesterday. What did you make 33 00:01:40,987 --> 00:01:43,867 Speaker 2: of it all? And you know where you're thinking at 34 00:01:43,907 --> 00:01:45,027 Speaker 2: around what's played out here? 35 00:01:46,587 --> 00:01:49,667 Speaker 3: Look, I think it's it was good to rip off 36 00:01:50,107 --> 00:01:53,227 Speaker 3: the band aid. You know, if things aren't working, if 37 00:01:53,227 --> 00:01:55,507 Speaker 3: there's a different philosophy, then you might as well call 38 00:01:55,547 --> 00:01:59,867 Speaker 3: it early. It just seems a bit like maybe when 39 00:02:00,387 --> 00:02:03,787 Speaker 3: they assembled that team, you know, his team of Avengers 40 00:02:03,867 --> 00:02:05,667 Speaker 3: or whatever you want to call them, you know, the 41 00:02:06,507 --> 00:02:09,787 Speaker 3: of coaches last year, that it might have been quite 42 00:02:09,787 --> 00:02:13,627 Speaker 3: hasty to, you know, to get certain people who wouldn't 43 00:02:13,667 --> 00:02:17,667 Speaker 3: have necessarily been on the same page or or maybe 44 00:02:17,707 --> 00:02:20,267 Speaker 3: even the first choice, because surely that would have been 45 00:02:20,267 --> 00:02:22,627 Speaker 3: one of the things that you would have that you 46 00:02:22,627 --> 00:02:27,947 Speaker 3: would have ironed out before before forming your little consortium. 47 00:02:28,107 --> 00:02:32,267 Speaker 3: But look, I think I think Leon will be able 48 00:02:32,307 --> 00:02:35,507 Speaker 3: to go and coach somewhere and make a name for 49 00:02:35,587 --> 00:02:38,347 Speaker 3: himself again. And I mean, look, let's just be honest. 50 00:02:38,427 --> 00:02:41,827 Speaker 3: The international coaching scene is so tough. I think Dave 51 00:02:41,867 --> 00:02:45,067 Speaker 3: Reni's probably one of the best coaches in the world. 52 00:02:45,107 --> 00:02:48,147 Speaker 3: He doesn't have a gig, really, you know, an international gig. 53 00:02:48,627 --> 00:02:52,067 Speaker 3: And if you're brutally honest, I think the guy that 54 00:02:52,187 --> 00:02:55,587 Speaker 3: Ray's always wanted was Tony Brown and he is the 55 00:02:55,587 --> 00:03:00,427 Speaker 3: closest to Wayne the professor proper genius rugby talent. And 56 00:03:00,467 --> 00:03:03,547 Speaker 3: of course he's now with South Africa, So you know, 57 00:03:03,627 --> 00:03:07,107 Speaker 3: maybe it's that that feeling that they didn't have the 58 00:03:07,267 --> 00:03:10,587 Speaker 3: innovation that a Tony Brown type person was going to 59 00:03:10,867 --> 00:03:11,667 Speaker 3: was going to give them. 60 00:03:11,747 --> 00:03:14,187 Speaker 2: Yeah, well we're about to find out about that innovation 61 00:03:14,467 --> 00:03:17,787 Speaker 2: in a Springbok sense a week from now when they 62 00:03:17,907 --> 00:03:21,587 Speaker 2: clash in Joebu. That'll be an absolutely titanic clash. Also 63 00:03:21,827 --> 00:03:25,987 Speaker 2: departing well almost as Seawan Johnson his final home game 64 00:03:26,347 --> 00:03:29,547 Speaker 2: at the at the freshly renamed Seawan Johnson Stadium the 65 00:03:29,587 --> 00:03:32,867 Speaker 2: other night, how do you assess his impact on the 66 00:03:32,907 --> 00:03:35,227 Speaker 2: Warriors and on and on the sport of rugby league. 67 00:03:35,227 --> 00:03:39,307 Speaker 4: Here, it's two parts of the career. For me. 68 00:03:40,267 --> 00:03:42,947 Speaker 3: I think he's one of the greats for sure. I 69 00:03:43,067 --> 00:03:45,707 Speaker 3: think that he the first half of his career, he 70 00:03:45,867 --> 00:03:48,987 Speaker 3: was just so electric. It was probably the greatest highlights 71 00:03:49,027 --> 00:03:51,267 Speaker 3: reel of any rugby. 72 00:03:51,107 --> 00:03:53,907 Speaker 4: League talent or half back in history. Really. 73 00:03:54,427 --> 00:03:56,907 Speaker 3: I think back to that winning try against Great Britain 74 00:03:56,987 --> 00:04:00,667 Speaker 3: in the World Cup and that was just in the 75 00:04:00,747 --> 00:04:04,667 Speaker 3: semi final, just a clutch play, just electric on his 76 00:04:04,787 --> 00:04:07,787 Speaker 3: feet and this so many tries like that early on, 77 00:04:07,947 --> 00:04:09,347 Speaker 3: and it's a bit of a shame when he made 78 00:04:09,427 --> 00:04:13,067 Speaker 3: his Grand Final. The entire Worries team just didn't have it, 79 00:04:13,187 --> 00:04:15,187 Speaker 3: you know. And I feel like he was good enough 80 00:04:15,267 --> 00:04:18,467 Speaker 3: to or deserve to win a Grand Final. And the 81 00:04:18,547 --> 00:04:21,067 Speaker 3: second half of his career really is the you know, 82 00:04:21,227 --> 00:04:26,307 Speaker 3: maturing into this great game manager and you know, a 83 00:04:26,427 --> 00:04:29,227 Speaker 3: general of sorts. But look, I think we should just 84 00:04:29,307 --> 00:04:32,067 Speaker 3: remember him as being brilliant. I mean that's that's what 85 00:04:32,187 --> 00:04:32,467 Speaker 3: he was. 86 00:04:32,707 --> 00:04:35,067 Speaker 2: Yep, exactly right. Yeah, paid tribute to him yesterday on 87 00:04:35,107 --> 00:04:37,627 Speaker 2: the show and yeah, I'll remember the Sewn Johnson of 88 00:04:37,667 --> 00:04:40,507 Speaker 2: twenty twenty three. I know he was brilliant in the 89 00:04:40,507 --> 00:04:42,467 Speaker 2: early part of his career as you've mentioned back in 90 00:04:42,507 --> 00:04:44,387 Speaker 2: twenty eleven as well. But yeah, I just thought that 91 00:04:44,507 --> 00:04:47,427 Speaker 2: the Shawn Johnson of twenty twenty three was a was 92 00:04:47,827 --> 00:04:50,307 Speaker 2: something that I'll definitely remember. What about what about the 93 00:04:50,387 --> 00:04:53,107 Speaker 2: next Warriors star? Have you seen? Have you seen enough 94 00:04:53,147 --> 00:04:57,347 Speaker 2: this season to suggest that there are fresh players coming 95 00:04:57,387 --> 00:04:59,667 Speaker 2: through who might you might step up and I may 96 00:04:59,747 --> 00:05:02,187 Speaker 2: not become the impact player that Shawn Johnson is, but 97 00:05:02,267 --> 00:05:03,227 Speaker 2: certainly make an impact. 98 00:05:04,507 --> 00:05:04,667 Speaker 4: Yeah. 99 00:05:04,707 --> 00:05:07,267 Speaker 3: I think I think Luke Metcalf can back from injury, 100 00:05:07,387 --> 00:05:11,707 Speaker 3: should give us something to, you know, to sort of 101 00:05:11,747 --> 00:05:13,867 Speaker 3: shout about. I think that he's probably a guy that 102 00:05:13,947 --> 00:05:17,027 Speaker 3: they missed. He is electric as well with his pace caesar. 103 00:05:17,547 --> 00:05:20,147 Speaker 3: He's a talker and organizer and I think he can 104 00:05:20,187 --> 00:05:24,987 Speaker 3: play either six or seven for the Warriors. But the 105 00:05:25,067 --> 00:05:27,827 Speaker 3: one guy who I think would provide some X factor 106 00:05:27,867 --> 00:05:32,067 Speaker 3: as Lecqua Halisima, who's the you know, can you remember 107 00:05:32,147 --> 00:05:36,027 Speaker 3: he made his debut in July and as a teenager 108 00:05:36,067 --> 00:05:38,827 Speaker 3: against the Bulldogs, had this incredible run. He's supposed to 109 00:05:38,827 --> 00:05:41,507 Speaker 3: play in the forwards, ended up at center and was 110 00:05:41,787 --> 00:05:43,907 Speaker 3: just absolutely incredible. 111 00:05:43,987 --> 00:05:48,067 Speaker 4: So he's a tongue player. 112 00:05:48,107 --> 00:05:50,627 Speaker 3: Has come over to New Zealand played in South Auckland 113 00:05:51,827 --> 00:05:55,747 Speaker 3: just when if you can google him or YouTube and 114 00:05:55,867 --> 00:05:56,467 Speaker 3: it's worth. 115 00:05:56,307 --> 00:05:59,987 Speaker 4: Having a look. Just one of the most exciting talents. 116 00:06:00,027 --> 00:06:01,547 Speaker 3: And I think if he got a full season at 117 00:06:01,547 --> 00:06:03,787 Speaker 3: the Warriors next year, because I feel like they do 118 00:06:03,947 --> 00:06:06,187 Speaker 3: need a full reset, and I think if you got 119 00:06:06,227 --> 00:06:08,107 Speaker 3: a full season at the Warriors next year. 120 00:06:07,947 --> 00:06:10,067 Speaker 4: He might just be the best player in the team. 121 00:06:10,187 --> 00:06:11,787 Speaker 2: All right, we'll keep an eye for him. What about 122 00:06:11,867 --> 00:06:14,107 Speaker 2: in the fifteens game before we just circle back to rugby, 123 00:06:15,307 --> 00:06:19,107 Speaker 2: who's our next rising star, our next star all Black? 124 00:06:20,187 --> 00:06:20,387 Speaker 4: Yeah? 125 00:06:20,507 --> 00:06:22,587 Speaker 3: I was looking at that team, going, yeah, there's a 126 00:06:22,627 --> 00:06:25,187 Speaker 3: lot of established all blacks, right, the team that's going away. 127 00:06:25,667 --> 00:06:27,347 Speaker 4: We've got the world rugby player of the Year. 128 00:06:27,587 --> 00:06:32,827 Speaker 3: We've got you know, Boden Barrett who's been outstanding for ages, 129 00:06:33,467 --> 00:06:35,587 Speaker 3: Rique Yowani, all the talent in the world, you know. 130 00:06:36,107 --> 00:06:37,947 Speaker 3: But then I was thinking that there is room, I 131 00:06:38,027 --> 00:06:40,867 Speaker 3: think in New Zealand rugby for someone to come through. 132 00:06:42,347 --> 00:06:46,387 Speaker 3: And my feeling is I'm going to take a punt 133 00:06:46,467 --> 00:06:48,947 Speaker 3: on shay Fi hockey. I think he's going to have 134 00:06:49,067 --> 00:06:53,107 Speaker 3: a breakout season next year. He was incredible for the 135 00:06:53,227 --> 00:06:58,267 Speaker 3: Barbarians against Fiji up here in the Northern Hemisphere not 136 00:06:58,387 --> 00:07:01,507 Speaker 3: so long ago. And I mean he's a six foot four, 137 00:07:02,827 --> 00:07:06,267 Speaker 3: gliding running fullback, wings center. Put him where you want, 138 00:07:06,787 --> 00:07:09,307 Speaker 3: he'll break the game open. And I think he's had 139 00:07:09,347 --> 00:07:12,587 Speaker 3: to be a mix and match guy for the Crusaders. 140 00:07:13,107 --> 00:07:16,467 Speaker 3: The only issue is, of course, will Jordan probably want 141 00:07:16,507 --> 00:07:19,067 Speaker 3: to play fullback next year. So where does Shade go. 142 00:07:19,227 --> 00:07:22,787 Speaker 3: I don't know, but they've locked him until twenty twenty six. 143 00:07:22,867 --> 00:07:24,867 Speaker 3: But I think he's the guy to look out for. 144 00:07:25,147 --> 00:07:29,627 Speaker 3: And my other two I think Noah Hotham and Harry 145 00:07:29,667 --> 00:07:32,947 Speaker 3: Godfrey could do something. Maybe Harry Godfrey moving to ten 146 00:07:34,027 --> 00:07:36,067 Speaker 3: where he played when he at high school. 147 00:07:36,507 --> 00:07:38,747 Speaker 4: That's the Hurricanes reserved fullback. You would have seen him 148 00:07:38,787 --> 00:07:39,307 Speaker 4: pony yep. 149 00:07:39,387 --> 00:07:41,987 Speaker 2: Absolutely. Yeah. It was hard for him to get a game, 150 00:07:42,027 --> 00:07:44,747 Speaker 2: as you say, because Ruben Love was at fullback and 151 00:07:45,027 --> 00:07:46,907 Speaker 2: in Brett Cameron at first five played a bit on 152 00:07:46,987 --> 00:07:48,787 Speaker 2: the wing. But yeah, he's got a bit about him mate. 153 00:07:48,827 --> 00:07:51,627 Speaker 2: In fact, he's not unlike Rubin Love. I was really 154 00:07:51,667 --> 00:07:52,787 Speaker 2: impressed with Harry Godfrey. 155 00:07:54,387 --> 00:07:56,147 Speaker 4: Yeah, so he just needs that chance. I think this 156 00:07:56,267 --> 00:07:56,747 Speaker 4: is the whole thing. 157 00:07:56,827 --> 00:08:00,267 Speaker 3: It's really hard to sort of get a gig when 158 00:08:00,307 --> 00:08:02,187 Speaker 3: you want to play first five and fallback. 159 00:08:02,267 --> 00:08:05,707 Speaker 4: I mean, you know, you just have to. Those players 160 00:08:05,747 --> 00:08:08,467 Speaker 4: are pretty locked in at every franchise. 161 00:08:08,747 --> 00:08:11,707 Speaker 3: If you're trying to get her get a run, they've 162 00:08:11,827 --> 00:08:12,827 Speaker 3: chosen their person. 163 00:08:12,827 --> 00:08:13,747 Speaker 4: They're going to stick with them. 164 00:08:14,667 --> 00:08:17,747 Speaker 2: Absolutely. Well, we'll keep an eye out for Harry Godfrey, 165 00:08:18,027 --> 00:08:20,387 Speaker 2: for Schaeffe Hackey. Nahah ho te. I think we all 166 00:08:20,827 --> 00:08:22,947 Speaker 2: agree is going to be something pretty special in a 167 00:08:23,307 --> 00:08:25,987 Speaker 2: rare exciting time for New Zealand half backs. Just before 168 00:08:26,027 --> 00:08:28,507 Speaker 2: you go on your side of the world. Actually, Lydia 169 00:08:28,587 --> 00:08:32,467 Speaker 2: Coe playing in the Women's British Golf Open. She is 170 00:08:32,587 --> 00:08:34,827 Speaker 2: in a tie for fourth, just three shots off the 171 00:08:34,907 --> 00:08:37,067 Speaker 2: lead with one round to go. I don't think she's 172 00:08:37,067 --> 00:08:39,107 Speaker 2: won this tournament. She could win this tournament surely. 173 00:08:40,067 --> 00:08:43,827 Speaker 3: Yeah, three shots off. All the precire's taken off. As 174 00:08:43,867 --> 00:08:47,147 Speaker 3: she's the Olympic champion. Everybody ahead of her, including the 175 00:08:47,187 --> 00:08:50,427 Speaker 3: Elie quarter will be looking and thinking, oh, no, Leeds 176 00:08:50,547 --> 00:08:54,147 Speaker 3: is there, and that's how good it has been. The 177 00:08:54,187 --> 00:08:58,347 Speaker 3: reigning Olympic champion and someone who's won majors before. 178 00:08:58,547 --> 00:09:03,707 Speaker 4: So yeah, I think it's worth keeping an eye on tomorrow, 179 00:09:03,947 --> 00:09:08,027 Speaker 4: is it? Yes? Tomorrow? So for you in the wee hours. 180 00:09:08,667 --> 00:09:12,307 Speaker 3: Yeah, but Olilia, it's amazing really because she's a Hall 181 00:09:12,347 --> 00:09:15,547 Speaker 3: of Famer now she's talked about wanting to retire young 182 00:09:15,707 --> 00:09:19,427 Speaker 3: and and have kids and you know, start a family 183 00:09:19,427 --> 00:09:20,467 Speaker 3: and not play golf forever. 184 00:09:21,267 --> 00:09:23,907 Speaker 4: So that's what we're waiting for next, isn't it. When 185 00:09:24,067 --> 00:09:25,387 Speaker 4: is Lydia going to make that call? 186 00:09:25,707 --> 00:09:28,827 Speaker 3: And yeah, but it's just a pleasure to see her 187 00:09:29,787 --> 00:09:33,067 Speaker 3: playing so well and just one of New Zealand's great 188 00:09:33,147 --> 00:09:36,747 Speaker 3: sporting ambassadors. You know, you just see her going around 189 00:09:36,787 --> 00:09:42,427 Speaker 3: the world representing New Zealand and it's really awesome because 190 00:09:43,547 --> 00:09:47,027 Speaker 3: you know, going into the Olympics she was not in 191 00:09:47,467 --> 00:09:51,907 Speaker 3: exceptional form by her standards and hasn't been for some years. 192 00:09:51,987 --> 00:09:54,947 Speaker 4: But man, that take that pressure off and she can 193 00:09:54,987 --> 00:09:55,427 Speaker 4: do anything. 194 00:09:55,587 --> 00:09:55,787 Speaker 3: Yeah. 195 00:09:55,867 --> 00:09:58,227 Speaker 2: Absolutely, loving Lyda coach. She said the other day she's 196 00:09:58,267 --> 00:10:00,947 Speaker 2: in the back nine of her career. So that was 197 00:10:01,067 --> 00:10:04,507 Speaker 2: a very nice golf analogy for her to use. All right, James, 198 00:10:04,547 --> 00:10:06,667 Speaker 2: well you go get some sleep. I look forward hearing 199 00:10:06,747 --> 00:10:12,227 Speaker 2: your review of the lettuce eating cheese chompling Comedian and 200 00:10:12,987 --> 00:10:15,507 Speaker 2: we'll catch up with you again around about the same 201 00:10:15,547 --> 00:10:16,347 Speaker 2: time next Sunday. 202 00:10:16,587 --> 00:10:18,787 Speaker 4: All right, see your piney Okuye the news. 203 00:10:21,307 --> 00:10:24,707 Speaker 2: Indeed, thanks James. James mcconey, big part of our Sunday 204 00:10:24,747 --> 00:10:26,747 Speaker 2: is coming to your life from Edinburgh today. He's back 205 00:10:26,787 --> 00:10:29,147 Speaker 2: and around about the same time next Sunday. Don't know 206 00:10:29,187 --> 00:10:31,147 Speaker 2: where he'll be. It doesn't seem like he's coming home 207 00:10:31,187 --> 00:10:33,667 Speaker 2: in any particular hurry. And why would you edn't for 208 00:10:33,747 --> 00:10:35,147 Speaker 2: comedy festival fantastic. 209 00:10:35,787 --> 00:10:38,987 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 210 00:10:39,067 --> 00:10:42,387 Speaker 1: to News Talk said B weekends from midday, or follow 211 00:10:42,427 --> 00:10:43,987 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio.