1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,547 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:13,627 Speaker 1: from News Talk zedb Rugby League. 3 00:00:13,667 --> 00:00:17,707 Speaker 2: Because the twenty twenty five NRL season is nearly upon us, 4 00:00:17,827 --> 00:00:20,747 Speaker 2: in fact twenty four hours away or just under. For 5 00:00:20,787 --> 00:00:23,947 Speaker 2: the second time, we have a double header in Las 6 00:00:24,107 --> 00:00:27,387 Speaker 2: Vegas to get us started this NRL season, and this 7 00:00:27,547 --> 00:00:30,187 Speaker 2: time it features the Warriors up against the Raiders one 8 00:00:30,227 --> 00:00:34,707 Speaker 2: o'clock tomorrow in New Zealand time. Just hundreds of fans 9 00:00:34,707 --> 00:00:38,387 Speaker 2: have descended on Las Vegas for this double header. The 10 00:00:38,427 --> 00:00:42,307 Speaker 2: second game is four time defending champion Penrith Panthers against 11 00:00:42,627 --> 00:00:45,427 Speaker 2: the Cronulla Sharks. Let's get you to Vegas and bring 12 00:00:45,467 --> 00:00:49,507 Speaker 2: in huge league experienced and highly respected rugby league writer 13 00:00:49,747 --> 00:00:52,787 Speaker 2: Phil Rothfield, who you can read in the Daily Telegraph 14 00:00:53,147 --> 00:00:56,627 Speaker 2: among other publications in Australia. Phil, thanks for joining us 15 00:00:56,627 --> 00:00:58,787 Speaker 2: from Vegas. Are you a fan first of all of 16 00:00:59,307 --> 00:01:01,827 Speaker 2: opening the season in Las Vegas like this? 17 00:01:03,347 --> 00:01:06,227 Speaker 3: Look? Thanks for having me. I'm a massive, massive fan. 18 00:01:07,467 --> 00:01:10,587 Speaker 3: I think it's more than just about trying to get 19 00:01:10,587 --> 00:01:15,827 Speaker 3: a footprint into the United States, the world's biggest sporting market. 20 00:01:16,867 --> 00:01:21,667 Speaker 3: This is just a spectacular season launch for the NRL. 21 00:01:21,827 --> 00:01:25,227 Speaker 3: When there's no other codes playing or look, there's a 22 00:01:25,227 --> 00:01:29,187 Speaker 3: bit of rugby union on at the moment, but the momentum, 23 00:01:29,347 --> 00:01:32,747 Speaker 3: the adrenaline we get from event like this, I think 24 00:01:33,467 --> 00:01:37,067 Speaker 3: was very much responsible for the surge we got in 25 00:01:37,227 --> 00:01:40,747 Speaker 3: NRL interest last year with record TV ratings off the 26 00:01:40,787 --> 00:01:43,627 Speaker 3: back of what we saw here. Now, anyone at the 27 00:01:43,667 --> 00:01:49,507 Speaker 3: FanFest last night down in Old Fremont Street. I've covered 28 00:01:49,507 --> 00:01:54,227 Speaker 3: two Super Bowls. I've never seen so much fan engagement 29 00:01:54,547 --> 00:01:59,307 Speaker 3: and excitement in the streets in Vegas or anywhere else 30 00:01:59,347 --> 00:02:02,507 Speaker 3: I be in the New Orleans of Arizona, never see 31 00:02:02,547 --> 00:02:06,987 Speaker 3: anything like it. It is a wonderful, wonderful ocean of 32 00:02:07,107 --> 00:02:10,947 Speaker 3: rugby league and it's never going to take over America 33 00:02:10,947 --> 00:02:15,067 Speaker 3: at this great, great game. But I think there's a 34 00:02:15,547 --> 00:02:19,507 Speaker 3: there's a small space there to you know, garner some 35 00:02:19,547 --> 00:02:20,147 Speaker 3: more interest. 36 00:02:20,867 --> 00:02:23,907 Speaker 2: Well, it sounds like it's working over there. Plenty of 37 00:02:24,507 --> 00:02:27,347 Speaker 2: in RL jerseys around Philly. You're seeing Look, I mean, 38 00:02:27,347 --> 00:02:29,907 Speaker 2: you're at a fan event last night, so presumably their work. 39 00:02:31,147 --> 00:02:35,227 Speaker 3: Everyone's wearing a jersey. I'm about the only one who's not. 40 00:02:35,387 --> 00:02:39,507 Speaker 3: I wish I had Macranula Sharks jersey, but I it's 41 00:02:39,547 --> 00:02:42,147 Speaker 3: it's and there's a lot of in RL merchandise on 42 00:02:42,307 --> 00:02:46,347 Speaker 3: sale here as well, you know, the official merchandise and 43 00:02:46,627 --> 00:02:49,667 Speaker 3: wherever you go. And look, I was going to make 44 00:02:49,707 --> 00:02:53,467 Speaker 3: a point of this in McCollum next week in that 45 00:02:53,947 --> 00:02:56,787 Speaker 3: there's a couple of clubs who have been very reluctant 46 00:02:56,827 --> 00:02:59,187 Speaker 3: to commit to come here, and Shane Richardson at the 47 00:02:59,227 --> 00:03:02,867 Speaker 3: West Tigers said as much last week in the Daily Telegram. 48 00:03:03,107 --> 00:03:05,987 Speaker 3: We know what I think about Shane Richardson. I think 49 00:03:06,027 --> 00:03:10,667 Speaker 3: he is robbing his fans of a dream time trip, 50 00:03:11,067 --> 00:03:16,267 Speaker 3: once in a lifetime experience. And I think every NRL 51 00:03:16,467 --> 00:03:20,307 Speaker 3: club owes it to their supporters to come across here 52 00:03:20,307 --> 00:03:24,107 Speaker 3: in the next five years. You're Warriors fans. You should 53 00:03:24,107 --> 00:03:25,387 Speaker 3: see how happy they are. 54 00:03:25,747 --> 00:03:26,747 Speaker 2: I can imagine. 55 00:03:27,227 --> 00:03:32,267 Speaker 3: Yeah, And the Warrington and Wigan fans they are m 56 00:03:32,547 --> 00:03:36,387 Speaker 3: A D. They're all behaving themselves, but they're singing at 57 00:03:36,427 --> 00:03:39,987 Speaker 3: the top of their voices in the the restaurants, the bars, 58 00:03:40,107 --> 00:03:44,747 Speaker 3: the cafes, and everyone's just having this massive party here. 59 00:03:45,387 --> 00:03:49,427 Speaker 3: And you know what I think, you know, whatever the 60 00:03:49,467 --> 00:03:54,787 Speaker 3: television ratings are in America on Saturday, that they're going 61 00:03:54,827 --> 00:03:56,827 Speaker 3: to be better than last year because it's on Fox 62 00:03:57,067 --> 00:04:00,067 Speaker 3: main channel, free to Wear not cable free to wear 63 00:04:00,147 --> 00:04:03,867 Speaker 3: Fox main channel. Last year back in Australia New Zealand 64 00:04:03,867 --> 00:04:07,067 Speaker 3: we got record television ratings. They're confident going to grow 65 00:04:07,907 --> 00:04:11,067 Speaker 3: and then new rugby league people are watching it. The 66 00:04:11,147 --> 00:04:16,307 Speaker 3: AFL fans back in Australia have nothing on, nothing on, 67 00:04:16,427 --> 00:04:18,507 Speaker 3: so they it's a bit like Origin. You get those 68 00:04:18,547 --> 00:04:20,427 Speaker 3: once a year fans will come in and look at 69 00:04:20,427 --> 00:04:24,507 Speaker 3: the game and rugby league could pick up new customers. 70 00:04:23,987 --> 00:04:27,347 Speaker 2: From well, let's talk about a rugby league because Penrith, 71 00:04:27,427 --> 00:04:29,867 Speaker 2: the four time defending champions, are one of the four 72 00:04:29,907 --> 00:04:31,827 Speaker 2: teams up there. They take on the Sharks. As I say, 73 00:04:32,027 --> 00:04:34,867 Speaker 2: your Sharks are in the second game. When you've won 74 00:04:34,907 --> 00:04:37,187 Speaker 2: it four times in a row, fill, are you automatically 75 00:04:37,227 --> 00:04:38,347 Speaker 2: favorites to make it five? 76 00:04:39,907 --> 00:04:42,027 Speaker 3: Oh? Look, I'm not sure their favorites to win the 77 00:04:42,067 --> 00:04:46,027 Speaker 3: comp because again they've lost some championship players, haven't they. 78 00:04:46,067 --> 00:04:49,187 Speaker 3: You know, Jerome leuis gone and you know he's just 79 00:04:49,547 --> 00:04:52,547 Speaker 3: a wonderful, wonderful player, and you know they've lost crich 80 00:04:52,707 --> 00:04:54,587 Speaker 3: in the year before, they lost Kick out of the 81 00:04:54,667 --> 00:04:58,827 Speaker 3: Year before that and Matt Burton, etc. But they've got 82 00:04:58,827 --> 00:05:03,747 Speaker 3: this wonderful nursery of talent. We saw that while their team, 83 00:05:03,867 --> 00:05:09,067 Speaker 3: their first team was in Vegas just arrived. They're reserved 84 00:05:09,507 --> 00:05:13,147 Speaker 3: great players. New South Wales Cup players put thirty eight 85 00:05:13,227 --> 00:05:16,627 Speaker 3: points on the Manly Seagulls and trial game. That will 86 00:05:16,627 --> 00:05:18,547 Speaker 3: give you an idea of the depth they had. They've 87 00:05:18,547 --> 00:05:22,147 Speaker 3: got Jack Cole playing on the weekend, you know, for 88 00:05:22,267 --> 00:05:26,707 Speaker 3: Jerome Leway is a handy player. Look, I think Melbourne 89 00:05:26,747 --> 00:05:29,867 Speaker 3: they are entitled to be favorites because they haven't lost 90 00:05:29,947 --> 00:05:32,587 Speaker 3: a player. They've signed you Toy Kamanu from the West 91 00:05:32,627 --> 00:05:37,467 Speaker 3: Tigers and yeah, so I think the Panther Melbourne titled 92 00:05:37,467 --> 00:05:40,467 Speaker 3: be for but Penrith are going to be desperately hard 93 00:05:40,467 --> 00:05:41,147 Speaker 3: to boat again. 94 00:05:41,627 --> 00:05:44,427 Speaker 2: Yeah, and the Storm and the Panthers are there there 95 00:05:44,467 --> 00:05:48,227 Speaker 2: two teams you automatically gravitate to and I think rightly so, Phil, 96 00:05:48,227 --> 00:05:50,387 Speaker 2: Do you feel as though it's those two and then 97 00:05:50,507 --> 00:05:53,547 Speaker 2: quite a gap back to the chasing pack? Yeah. 98 00:05:53,627 --> 00:05:57,907 Speaker 3: Look, I think the Granala Sharks. I think that Cranala 99 00:05:57,987 --> 00:06:02,987 Speaker 3: Sharks are next in line, and only because of the 100 00:06:03,147 --> 00:06:06,267 Speaker 3: X factor that Adam Vanuah Blake and all your listeners are. 101 00:06:06,347 --> 00:06:08,507 Speaker 3: What he's done in recent year is probably the premier 102 00:06:08,587 --> 00:06:12,547 Speaker 3: front row in the game and Nikol hines and has 103 00:06:12,587 --> 00:06:15,947 Speaker 3: struggled a little bit last year. But with the momentum 104 00:06:15,987 --> 00:06:20,107 Speaker 3: that Vanua Blake will drive middlefield dominance, I think Niko's 105 00:06:20,187 --> 00:06:23,747 Speaker 3: game will open up. His partnership with Braden Trendle's a 106 00:06:23,747 --> 00:06:27,707 Speaker 3: good one. Outside of Storm and Penrith, the Sharks are 107 00:06:27,707 --> 00:06:30,067 Speaker 3: the most consistent side in the camp. They seem to 108 00:06:30,067 --> 00:06:33,027 Speaker 3: make the finals or top four every year, so look 109 00:06:33,067 --> 00:06:35,027 Speaker 3: their a hope and I think they might even beat 110 00:06:35,067 --> 00:06:39,587 Speaker 3: Penrith on Saturday. Here Sunday your time. Only reason being, 111 00:06:39,587 --> 00:06:41,707 Speaker 3: I think the Panthers have a bit underdone. They've got 112 00:06:41,747 --> 00:06:45,747 Speaker 3: a few boys. Edwards Cleary, you're recovering from off season surgery. 113 00:06:46,307 --> 00:06:49,147 Speaker 3: Is Al hasn't played in the Charles Lea Martin had 114 00:06:49,147 --> 00:06:51,067 Speaker 3: a little bit of time. So it's probably a good 115 00:06:51,067 --> 00:06:54,507 Speaker 3: week to be getting the Panthers before they sort of 116 00:06:54,547 --> 00:06:56,507 Speaker 3: settle in and get warmed up for the season. 117 00:06:56,867 --> 00:06:59,387 Speaker 2: We have seen plenty of Warriors fans. What do you 118 00:06:59,387 --> 00:07:02,227 Speaker 2: predict for the Warriors as a Rugby league team this year? 119 00:07:04,507 --> 00:07:07,667 Speaker 3: I think it's going to be a difficulty. You know, 120 00:07:07,907 --> 00:07:12,027 Speaker 3: you've lost Sean Johnson and you've lost Sana Bake and look, 121 00:07:12,067 --> 00:07:18,787 Speaker 3: I know You've picked up Fisher Harris and look, I think, look, 122 00:07:18,987 --> 00:07:21,707 Speaker 3: I'm not expecting them to make the top eight. But 123 00:07:22,347 --> 00:07:27,227 Speaker 3: that's just my opinion, you know, and it's very hard 124 00:07:27,267 --> 00:07:29,867 Speaker 3: to sort of make a prediction like that. But I've 125 00:07:29,947 --> 00:07:32,827 Speaker 3: just got other teams ahead of them. You know. Andrew 126 00:07:32,867 --> 00:07:35,507 Speaker 3: Webster is a good coach. He won Dally M Coach 127 00:07:35,547 --> 00:07:38,027 Speaker 3: of the Year before last, so he knows what he's 128 00:07:38,067 --> 00:07:42,147 Speaker 3: doing there. He's got a very good staff around him. Look, 129 00:07:42,387 --> 00:07:44,827 Speaker 3: they need a bounce to the ball in my view, 130 00:07:44,867 --> 00:07:48,187 Speaker 3: a little bit of luck with injuries, you know, if 131 00:07:48,187 --> 00:07:51,147 Speaker 3: they're going to make the eight. But there's nothing between 132 00:07:51,227 --> 00:07:53,827 Speaker 3: them and Camber. It's really an even money back here 133 00:07:53,947 --> 00:07:59,147 Speaker 3: on Sunday. Two sides that I guess are expected to 134 00:07:59,147 --> 00:08:03,347 Speaker 3: finish a bit lower down the ladder, but you never know. 135 00:08:03,427 --> 00:08:06,107 Speaker 3: There's always a surprise packer, isn't there In the NRL 136 00:08:06,427 --> 00:08:09,387 Speaker 3: team will come from nowhere and these two sides are 137 00:08:09,427 --> 00:08:10,187 Speaker 3: capable of that. 138 00:08:10,587 --> 00:08:14,067 Speaker 2: You talked about James Fisher Harris briefly there obviously Adam 139 00:08:14,107 --> 00:08:17,187 Speaker 2: Vanua Blake going out, James Fisher Harris coming in. Is 140 00:08:17,667 --> 00:08:22,187 Speaker 2: that some gain for you, Phil or you still see 141 00:08:22,187 --> 00:08:24,587 Speaker 2: Adam as the number one prop on the game. 142 00:08:25,747 --> 00:08:28,107 Speaker 3: Look at this stage of his career, I think he 143 00:08:28,187 --> 00:08:30,947 Speaker 3: probably is. But look I don't want to discredit James 144 00:08:30,947 --> 00:08:34,787 Speaker 3: Fisher Harris in any way, shape or form. And look, 145 00:08:34,907 --> 00:08:37,307 Speaker 3: let's just say the two of them are in the 146 00:08:37,347 --> 00:08:40,667 Speaker 3: top three or four front rowers in rugby league with 147 00:08:40,747 --> 00:08:44,787 Speaker 3: guys like Tino and Paying hass up at the Brisbane Broncos, 148 00:08:44,827 --> 00:08:49,027 Speaker 3: and so look, they basically cancel each other out, don't they. 149 00:08:49,667 --> 00:08:52,267 Speaker 2: Indeed, and just a finished show. You mentioned some surprise 150 00:08:52,387 --> 00:08:56,587 Speaker 2: packets and you're right, they always pop up and surprise us. 151 00:08:56,747 --> 00:08:58,827 Speaker 2: Any I don't know if dark horse is the right 152 00:08:58,867 --> 00:09:01,187 Speaker 2: word to use for but anyone you think might surprise 153 00:09:01,267 --> 00:09:02,547 Speaker 2: us as a team in twenty five. 154 00:09:03,307 --> 00:09:06,147 Speaker 3: Yeah, Look, the team I fancy is going to climb 155 00:09:06,187 --> 00:09:11,307 Speaker 3: the ad sharply is the Gold Coast Titans, and I 156 00:09:11,467 --> 00:09:14,907 Speaker 3: like their meddle forwards. They've got freyd Turkemarno, you know, 157 00:09:14,987 --> 00:09:18,827 Speaker 3: the Queensland state of Origin, so he may have fed 158 00:09:18,827 --> 00:09:22,827 Speaker 3: a waker the the Queensland State of Origin front rower. 159 00:09:23,307 --> 00:09:26,507 Speaker 3: They've got Reagan Campbell Gillard, they've got Tino back, they've 160 00:09:26,507 --> 00:09:28,547 Speaker 3: got for feeder on an edge. I think they've got 161 00:09:28,547 --> 00:09:31,627 Speaker 3: the quickest back five in the competition. You know, we're 162 00:09:31,667 --> 00:09:35,187 Speaker 3: Keno at the back and Jjo for feeder and these 163 00:09:35,227 --> 00:09:38,067 Speaker 3: sort of players. They've got speed to burn and Dez 164 00:09:38,107 --> 00:09:40,587 Speaker 3: has and knows all about the business, you know, having 165 00:09:40,747 --> 00:09:44,187 Speaker 3: terms you know in finals football and I think they'll 166 00:09:44,227 --> 00:09:45,387 Speaker 3: climb the ladder for sure. 167 00:09:45,947 --> 00:09:47,427 Speaker 2: Feel great to get the chance to chat to you 168 00:09:47,467 --> 00:09:49,427 Speaker 2: on the eve of a new season. Enjoy your time 169 00:09:49,427 --> 00:09:52,187 Speaker 2: in Vegas. It sounds as though it's everything you hoped 170 00:09:52,187 --> 00:09:53,587 Speaker 2: it would be. We'll look forward to catching up at 171 00:09:53,627 --> 00:09:54,987 Speaker 2: some stage again throughout the season. 172 00:09:55,387 --> 00:09:57,147 Speaker 3: Yeah, thank you, jeez, no, thank you. 173 00:09:57,187 --> 00:10:02,147 Speaker 2: Phil. Phil Rathfield, then well known rugby league identity in Australia, 174 00:10:02,227 --> 00:10:04,547 Speaker 2: rights for the Daily Telegraph, turns up on television, has 175 00:10:04,587 --> 00:10:07,267 Speaker 2: often consulted on his views on a wide range of 176 00:10:07,347 --> 00:10:09,347 Speaker 2: rugby league matters in Vegas at the moment and by 177 00:10:09,347 --> 00:10:14,147 Speaker 2: the sounds of it, loving it. There are mixed views 178 00:10:14,147 --> 00:10:18,667 Speaker 2: about this right taking an Australian competition to the United 179 00:10:18,667 --> 00:10:20,507 Speaker 2: States of America for opening weekend. 180 00:10:22,027 --> 00:10:25,227 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 181 00:10:25,307 --> 00:10:28,587 Speaker 1: to News Talk st B weekends from midday or follow 182 00:10:28,627 --> 00:10:30,267 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio.