WEBVTT - Friday 14 March 2025: Will Joseph Parker get a title fight? 0:00:09.093 --> 0:00:12.693 You're listening to a podcast from News Talks EDB. Follow 0:00:12.773 --> 0:00:16.173 this and our wide range of podcasts now on iHeartRadio. 0:00:17.413 --> 0:00:20.453 This is Sportsfix Howard By News Talks ed B. 0:00:21.653 --> 0:00:25.093 Hi there and welcome into Friday's edition of the Sports 0:00:25.093 --> 0:00:26.013 Fix podcast. 0:00:26.213 --> 0:00:26.373 Race. 0:00:27.253 --> 0:00:29.293 Yeah, I look, I know, I'll get to you in 0:00:29.333 --> 0:00:29.693 a moment. 0:00:30.173 --> 0:00:32.253 I'll get to you in a moment. Let me get 0:00:32.293 --> 0:00:35.813 the date out, March the fourteenth. What's coming up this weekend? 0:00:35.933 --> 0:00:41.053 Ac race cars? Race cars? Oh man, sorry for my excitement. 0:00:41.093 --> 0:00:42.773 I can't help me. So this is Christmas to me, 0:00:42.853 --> 0:00:44.813 It really is, and the things that Christmas going to 0:00:44.853 --> 0:00:46.533 occur every couple of weeks to receive. 0:00:47.333 --> 0:00:50.173 I would never dampen your enthusiasm about the sport that 0:00:50.333 --> 0:00:52.253 is so dear to your heart. I know how long 0:00:52.253 --> 0:00:55.093 you've been a motorsport fan of listened in to your 0:00:55.253 --> 0:00:59.773 many hundreds of interviews about motorsport this past couple of decades, 0:00:59.813 --> 0:01:02.413 and look, I can understand it. You know, a keiw 0:01:02.973 --> 0:01:07.253 in a full time Formula One seat, this is worth celebrating, 0:01:07.293 --> 0:01:07.613 I think. 0:01:07.613 --> 0:01:09.373 So. Look, we'll talk about it later on in the piece, 0:01:09.413 --> 0:01:11.453 I'm sure, as well as some other issues in the 0:01:11.453 --> 0:01:14.533 Sporting Day, But coming out. Interview wise, we're going to 0:01:14.613 --> 0:01:18.133 talk to Dean Long again about this chaos between WBO 0:01:18.293 --> 0:01:21.773 and IBC and IBF and X y Z and blah 0:01:21.773 --> 0:01:25.213 blah blah where it changes every half an hour. There's story. 0:01:25.333 --> 0:01:28.653 So you reckon, Dino knows what's going on, blood you hope. 0:01:28.493 --> 0:01:31.253 So well, if someone does, he will know, or if 0:01:31.253 --> 0:01:32.853 he doesn't know, he'll at least be able to give 0:01:32.853 --> 0:01:36.973 you some entertaining comment about the alphabet soup of boxing 0:01:37.093 --> 0:01:38.813 belts that we find it sells in. 0:01:38.773 --> 0:01:40.653 The middle of at the moment. So that's enough of 0:01:40.733 --> 0:01:42.973 us rambling on during the intro. Let's get into it 0:01:43.813 --> 0:01:44.733 in other news. 0:01:47.293 --> 0:01:48.973 Let's start by checking out some of the big sports 0:01:49.013 --> 0:01:52.933 stories around today. Six rookies and radically changed teams highlight 0:01:52.933 --> 0:01:55.853 the new Formula one season. Only two of the ten 0:01:55.973 --> 0:01:59.213 teams have kept the same driver lineup from last season. 0:01:59.493 --> 0:02:01.933 Four time defending champion Max the staff and feels like 0:02:01.973 --> 0:02:04.493 he's driving into the unknown of it. I know that 0:02:04.533 --> 0:02:06.533 we are not the quicks at the moment, but as 0:02:06.573 --> 0:02:08.933 a very long season so a lot of teams can always, 0:02:09.333 --> 0:02:12.293 you know, change quite quickly. In Formula one Super Rugby, 0:02:12.293 --> 0:02:16.453 Pacific's boss andsts. Initiatives like the Kids Superhero Round are 0:02:16.533 --> 0:02:19.493 important to expose the sport to a wider audience. The 0:02:19.533 --> 0:02:22.933 five New Zealand franchises have selected a character each from 0:02:22.973 --> 0:02:27.053 the Marvel universe to represent them via their jerseys this weekend. 0:02:27.173 --> 0:02:29.013 Some people might go on, you know, why are they 0:02:29.053 --> 0:02:31.693 wearing different jerseys? But we can't stand still. Yeah, I'm 0:02:31.693 --> 0:02:34.413 really infused and excited for the clubs to try stuff. 0:02:34.413 --> 0:02:36.213 And if we try stuff and learn, that's great for 0:02:36.253 --> 0:02:38.213 the competition and we can go forward from there. 0:02:38.253 --> 0:02:41.973 And Warriors halfback Luke Metcalfe trying to massage out any 0:02:42.093 --> 0:02:46.013 fan panic heading into tonight's Round two NROL match against 0:02:46.053 --> 0:02:47.053 Manly at Mount Smart. 0:02:47.093 --> 0:02:48.813 We just got to get back for what we know 0:02:49.093 --> 0:02:49.813 wind this game. 0:02:50.013 --> 0:02:52.133 It's a pretty easy fix from us, boy, so no 0:02:52.133 --> 0:02:53.013 one's really too worried. 0:02:53.093 --> 0:02:55.173 We know what we need to do to turn it around. 0:02:56.853 --> 0:03:02.173 Dissecting the sporting agenda, It's Sportsfix with Jason Vain and Darcy. 0:03:01.973 --> 0:03:02.973 Walder Gree Everyone. 0:03:03.013 --> 0:03:07.173 Welcome to the Sports Fix podcast. To former manager of 0:03:07.533 --> 0:03:12.333 Joe Parker, boxing aficionado mister Dean Lan again, get a 0:03:12.453 --> 0:03:15.893 Dino dars here, brother, I'm doing very, very well, really 0:03:15.893 --> 0:03:18.293 excited about what may or may not happen with the 0:03:18.533 --> 0:03:21.253 Joe Parker in the future. They're not too distant the 0:03:21.293 --> 0:03:24.173 long term. I don't know. You, of course, spent a 0:03:24.173 --> 0:03:26.853 lot of time in the shady world of boxing at 0:03:26.853 --> 0:03:29.653 the heavyweight level. Can you explain to us in simple 0:03:29.773 --> 0:03:34.453 terms what's going on now with Dubois, Parker and Usik, 0:03:34.533 --> 0:03:37.333 because it seems to be changing with every passing minute. 0:03:37.893 --> 0:03:41.493 It's pretty simple, really, Joe has been the WBO interim 0:03:41.533 --> 0:03:44.373 heavyweight champion for some time, so effectively in the number 0:03:44.373 --> 0:03:48.253 one position and or just above the number one position. 0:03:48.333 --> 0:03:49.013 He's been made. 0:03:48.933 --> 0:03:52.613 Mandatory right now by the WBO. Now that's fantastic us 0:03:52.693 --> 0:03:56.173 for Joe. So that means that Ersk has to fight him. 0:03:56.293 --> 0:04:00.133 Now Here's what's interesting is that in the world of boxing, 0:04:00.333 --> 0:04:04.733 a unification fight trump's a mandatory right, So Ersek if 0:04:04.733 --> 0:04:09.773 he chooses to fight Dubois, we'll see Joe wait until 0:04:09.813 --> 0:04:11.733 the next fight around, and then you'd have to think 0:04:11.773 --> 0:04:16.013 the winner of Dubois versus ERSK will fight Joe Parker 0:04:16.053 --> 0:04:18.653 because they want to unify and become the undisputed the 0:04:18.653 --> 0:04:22.013 heavy eight champ of the world. Or you know, like 0:04:22.173 --> 0:04:24.493 I don't know exactly where the WBO are going to 0:04:24.533 --> 0:04:26.973 sit on this. They could potentially, you know, this week's 0:04:27.053 --> 0:04:30.533 up the IBF would do, but they the bodies do 0:04:30.613 --> 0:04:33.253 agree on this because they want a unifight champ, you know, 0:04:33.413 --> 0:04:35.773 so if he fights one or the other, one of 0:04:35.853 --> 0:04:38.693 them can get stripped, you know, and you end up 0:04:38.693 --> 0:04:39.973 fighting for the vacant title. 0:04:40.573 --> 0:04:43.693 But more than likely Ers will fight Dubois because. 0:04:43.413 --> 0:04:45.853 That's where the big money is, and they'll probably do 0:04:45.893 --> 0:04:48.293 that fight older thought in England to be bluntly honest, 0:04:48.293 --> 0:04:49.893 because that's going to drive a whole lot of paper 0:04:49.973 --> 0:04:51.773 view revenues for the Saudi's out of England. 0:04:52.413 --> 0:04:54.333 And then I think Joe Parker will get his chance. 0:04:54.413 --> 0:04:57.333 But whatever whatever happens, and whenever it happens, I can 0:04:57.373 --> 0:04:59.733 guarantee you this, Joe Parker one hundred is going to 0:04:59.733 --> 0:05:01.733 fight for the heavyweight title of the world, and more 0:05:01.773 --> 0:05:04.053 than luckily it'll be for the undisputed the heavy at 0:05:04.093 --> 0:05:05.893 title of the world, which is exciting stuff. If he 0:05:05.893 --> 0:05:08.613 gets to fight Dubois for that, I believe you wins 0:05:08.653 --> 0:05:12.173 that fighters a bit tougher because Joe, you know, has 0:05:12.213 --> 0:05:14.253 struggled a little bit with south Pauls over at the 0:05:14.333 --> 0:05:16.653 course of his career, and Ersik might be one of 0:05:16.693 --> 0:05:19.213 the greatest South Pauls that have ever boxed, have ever boxed, 0:05:19.573 --> 0:05:21.773 But you know, Ers's only got two more fights left 0:05:21.773 --> 0:05:23.813 in him, and Joe Parker might be one of them. 0:05:24.053 --> 0:05:26.653 Regardless of what happens next fight up, josenh for a 0:05:26.693 --> 0:05:29.693 massive payday and well deserved and I think you know 0:05:29.773 --> 0:05:31.533 at some stage you're going to see Joe become the 0:05:31.533 --> 0:05:34.213 world hippyweight champion again and maybe undisputed it. 0:05:34.533 --> 0:05:36.973 So let's roll the clock back a wee bit. If 0:05:37.013 --> 0:05:40.773 he decides sick that he doesn't want to take on 0:05:41.093 --> 0:05:43.813 Joe park and he wants to go to Dubois, will 0:05:43.853 --> 0:05:47.013 he be stripped of that wb O belt? Will that 0:05:47.133 --> 0:05:49.813 be given straight away to Parker? So he receives that 0:05:49.933 --> 0:05:52.813 belt by default, So if he does fight. 0:05:53.133 --> 0:05:55.773 That's not how it happens what happened. What happens is 0:05:55.773 --> 0:05:58.613 if a champion does get stripped of the belt because 0:05:58.613 --> 0:06:02.213 he didn't fighter is mandatory. What happens is the the 0:06:02.293 --> 0:06:05.333 champ will fight, or the number one will fight, or 0:06:05.373 --> 0:06:06.773 the man if we will fight the number one on 0:06:06.853 --> 0:06:09.973 number two contender, right'll be for what's called a vacant title. 0:06:10.693 --> 0:06:17.373 But because the championship bodies, the IBF, the WBO, the WBA, 0:06:17.453 --> 0:06:21.093 and the WBC all agree that it's advantageous to have 0:06:22.253 --> 0:06:26.133 a unified title, you'll find that they don't if they 0:06:26.213 --> 0:06:29.093 if they fight for another title to help you fight, 0:06:29.133 --> 0:06:30.893 they don't have to fight their mandatory. Off the top 0:06:30.893 --> 0:06:32.653 of my head, now they've got all sorts of different rules, 0:06:32.653 --> 0:06:34.573 and they'll be all sorts of different discussions going on, 0:06:34.653 --> 0:06:37.133 and Joe might get paid step aside money. 0:06:38.053 --> 0:06:40.813 It's going to come down to what the ruling bodies think. 0:06:40.853 --> 0:06:43.213 But I think you'll find that this is just my opinion, 0:06:43.693 --> 0:06:46.453 is that he is that Ersek will fight Dubois because 0:06:46.453 --> 0:06:49.053 there's more money in that, and then will fight Joe 0:06:49.373 --> 0:06:49.653 and that. 0:06:49.613 --> 0:06:51.053 Will be the end of verse x career. 0:06:51.053 --> 0:06:53.373 He's only got two more fights left and I don't 0:06:53.413 --> 0:06:56.413 think I don't think they'll strip him. But you know, 0:06:56.573 --> 0:07:00.253 for not facing his mandatory, because he is facing he 0:07:00.373 --> 0:07:01.573 is unifying the titles. 0:07:01.893 --> 0:07:03.933 But it can happen if they wanted to. 0:07:04.893 --> 0:07:08.053 Look, the sanctioning bodies are fascinating, you know, and they 0:07:08.093 --> 0:07:09.893 make all sorts of the only one that I found 0:07:10.013 --> 0:07:13.173 was truly consistent to their rules was the IBF. And 0:07:13.213 --> 0:07:15.533 the reason for that is go back fifteen twenty years 0:07:15.813 --> 0:07:17.853 and make the most corrupt and crooked of all, and 0:07:17.973 --> 0:07:19.733 a lot of them ended up on the verge of 0:07:19.733 --> 0:07:22.933 going to jail and in court, and as the result, 0:07:23.013 --> 0:07:24.493 they stick to their rules like glue. 0:07:24.533 --> 0:07:27.293 And I found the IBF great to deal with with. 0:07:27.333 --> 0:07:30.053 The other with the others, it's a combination of the 0:07:30.093 --> 0:07:32.253 relationships that you have and the springs that you can 0:07:32.293 --> 0:07:33.053 pull them, what have you. 0:07:33.133 --> 0:07:34.053 But my gut. 0:07:33.773 --> 0:07:37.133 Feelers, you know, just Joe's in a fantastic position. It'd 0:07:37.133 --> 0:07:40.053 be brilliant if he could get to Fighter sick. But 0:07:40.133 --> 0:07:41.933 we'll just have to wait and see if that's what happens, 0:07:41.933 --> 0:07:45.773 and I'm sure there'll be people moving right now. I 0:07:45.853 --> 0:07:48.933 think I think Joe's being promoted by Queensberry, which is 0:07:48.973 --> 0:07:52.013 Frank Warren, And though we working hard to make sure 0:07:52.013 --> 0:07:53.933 that they get their piece of the action, having said that, 0:07:53.973 --> 0:07:57.173 I'm pretty sure that Frank Warren does du bois as well. 0:07:57.293 --> 0:07:58.773 So they're in a no new situation. 0:07:59.853 --> 0:08:02.853 Why would the WBO make this announcement though, that they 0:08:02.933 --> 0:08:07.653 want to see usc fight Parker with that WZO? Why 0:08:07.693 --> 0:08:08.333 would they bring them? 0:08:08.733 --> 0:08:13.053 Really, that's a really, really, really good question. And what 0:08:13.133 --> 0:08:15.893 I would do is I would written the WBO and 0:08:15.973 --> 0:08:17.893 I have a discussion with them, or indeed, you could 0:08:17.893 --> 0:08:20.493 bring George or Frank Warren and Mate, I'm sure I 0:08:20.493 --> 0:08:22.213 can give you both of their phone numbers and you 0:08:22.253 --> 0:08:25.093 can ring them up and find out because Mabe, you 0:08:25.173 --> 0:08:28.053 never know what goes on behind the scenes with these organizations. 0:08:28.173 --> 0:08:30.053 Maybe it was just the fact that the thing is duing, 0:08:30.133 --> 0:08:32.013 this is what it says in their rules, or maybe 0:08:32.013 --> 0:08:32.333 it's not. 0:08:32.413 --> 0:08:32.973 Who knows. 0:08:33.213 --> 0:08:36.573 So sometimes they can be quite interesting in the decisions 0:08:36.573 --> 0:08:38.653 they come with. But Joe's been sitting there for a 0:08:38.733 --> 0:08:41.893 very long time as the as the interim champion. This 0:08:42.013 --> 0:08:44.533 is well deserved and I really look forward to Joe 0:08:44.573 --> 0:08:46.853 getting his chance at the big time again and made. 0:08:46.893 --> 0:08:49.533 He's in for a massive heyday, you know, so good 0:08:49.613 --> 0:08:50.693 luck to my hope it goes well. 0:08:50.773 --> 0:08:53.653 Yeah, we love watching him fight. He's really improved under 0:08:53.693 --> 0:08:56.333 his new coach, nutrition everything. And one last thing for you, 0:08:56.373 --> 0:08:58.853 Dan Lodgan is always sayings very much for your time, WI. 0:08:58.853 --> 0:09:01.293 Its great to catch up. How in flunch of Saudi 0:09:01.333 --> 0:09:02.293 Arabia being in this. 0:09:04.253 --> 0:09:05.493 That's a really good question. 0:09:05.693 --> 0:09:08.173 I would have thought that the Saudis are probably sitting 0:09:08.173 --> 0:09:12.213 the one side and the WBO make their own rulings 0:09:12.253 --> 0:09:14.333 and their own just let the IBF. 0:09:13.933 --> 0:09:16.573 Do you know, because they like to think that they're independent. 0:09:17.253 --> 0:09:20.293 But you know, I can't stand here and say that 0:09:20.413 --> 0:09:22.693 the money hasn't crossed people's palms. 0:09:22.773 --> 0:09:25.253 I don't know what's going on behind the scenes. 0:09:25.293 --> 0:09:27.253 And really there's only three or four people make these 0:09:27.253 --> 0:09:29.413 decisions there would they might have had it just a 0:09:29.453 --> 0:09:32.253 straight out committee meeting of the WBO and they sat 0:09:32.293 --> 0:09:34.973 around the table and decided this was There was a 0:09:34.973 --> 0:09:36.933 whole lot of decisions made, and obviously this is one 0:09:36.933 --> 0:09:41.413 that affects one of our national heroes, and all of 0:09:41.453 --> 0:09:44.053 a sudden, it's all over the newspaper, all over the news. 0:09:44.053 --> 0:09:47.733 So I'm a little bit distance from it, but I 0:09:47.773 --> 0:09:50.493 do understand the nuances, and all I can tell you 0:09:50.573 --> 0:09:54.333 is this, Joe Parker is an absolutely brilliant position and made. 0:09:54.333 --> 0:09:57.053 He's looking forward I guess to cashing in number one 0:09:57.053 --> 0:09:59.133 but two getting to be the heavyweight championship. 0:09:59.333 --> 0:10:01.693 Hey, thanks Dena, thanks for joining us here on the 0:10:01.693 --> 0:10:05.333 Sports Fixed podcast Sports Fact Sense Sense. 0:10:05.533 --> 0:10:08.893 Look, I'm not a huge motorsport fan certainly like my 0:10:09.013 --> 0:10:12.973 podcast co host Darcy, but you can't help but be 0:10:13.093 --> 0:10:15.613 swept up in what is happening this weekend in Melbourne, 0:10:15.653 --> 0:10:18.933 a keiw with a full time Formula One drive and 0:10:19.013 --> 0:10:23.093 a Red Bull car alongside the four time world champion 0:10:23.493 --> 0:10:27.013 Max for Stappin the sentence itself seems crazy, but here 0:10:27.053 --> 0:10:30.173 we are. Liam Lawson has long been talked about as 0:10:30.293 --> 0:10:33.413 a tremendous prospect. Greg Murphy told us four or five 0:10:33.493 --> 0:10:36.133 years ago that he was one to watch, but for 0:10:36.253 --> 0:10:39.493 him to actually get to where he is one of 0:10:39.533 --> 0:10:44.013 only twenty Formula One seats is incredible. It's hard to 0:10:44.053 --> 0:10:46.453 tell rarely from the outside, but it feels as though 0:10:46.493 --> 0:10:49.133 Liam Lawson is taking it all in astride. He looks 0:10:49.173 --> 0:10:52.293 calm and the media situations I've seen this week doesn't 0:10:52.333 --> 0:10:54.733 look like he's being swept up in it all and 0:10:54.893 --> 0:10:57.213 is ready to fulfill a dream he's had for a 0:10:57.253 --> 0:11:00.373 long time. This is where he's always wanted to be. 0:11:00.733 --> 0:11:04.293 This is where he seems destined to have ended up. 0:11:05.013 --> 0:11:07.733 He had a crack last year, of course as injury cover, 0:11:07.813 --> 0:11:11.013 and then the musical chairs began at Red Ball and 0:11:11.093 --> 0:11:14.453 everybody wondered who'd have a seat when the music stopped. 0:11:14.813 --> 0:11:17.333 It always felt as though Liam Lawson was in the 0:11:17.333 --> 0:11:21.133 mix and so approved, and so this weekend Liam gets 0:11:21.173 --> 0:11:23.373 into that full time seat for the first time. There 0:11:23.413 --> 0:11:26.893 are many metrics being thrown around as to what success 0:11:27.373 --> 0:11:30.573 looks like for him in Melbourne this weekend. Just finishing 0:11:30.853 --> 0:11:33.733 is one. Top ten is being talked about. Getting within 0:11:33.813 --> 0:11:36.853 three tenths of a second of Max Forstappin is another. 0:11:37.213 --> 0:11:40.053 It feels to me like just being there is a 0:11:40.093 --> 0:11:44.693 success because very very few from these parts have ever 0:11:44.773 --> 0:11:47.693 done it. And this is just the start. Let's not 0:11:47.733 --> 0:11:50.853 forget that this isn't a one off. This is the 0:11:50.893 --> 0:11:55.133 beginning of what could be a very special motorsport career. 0:11:55.653 --> 0:11:58.653 All eyes on Melbourne from five o'clock Sunday as twenty 0:11:58.773 --> 0:12:02.813 drivers start their engines and one of them is one 0:12:02.813 --> 0:12:03.173 of us. 0:12:03.493 --> 0:12:06.933 The Chamber is now in session on Sportsfax. 0:12:08.453 --> 0:12:09.693 Into the Chamber we go. 0:12:09.773 --> 0:12:12.293 Well, as I've just said on the podcast, I'm not 0:12:12.533 --> 0:12:15.293 a massive motorsport fan, but I've been swept up by 0:12:15.333 --> 0:12:17.493 the whole Lillam Lawson thing. As you said at the 0:12:17.533 --> 0:12:20.293 Top Race Cars, it is for you across this weekend. 0:12:20.653 --> 0:12:24.053 Let's actually get to the nitty gritty of it. What 0:12:24.253 --> 0:12:27.893 do you predict for Liam Lawson on Sunday afternoon. 0:12:28.293 --> 0:12:32.373 I think that the only acceptable result for Liam Lawson 0:12:32.573 --> 0:12:35.293 is a top ten finish, and even then it's a stretch. 0:12:35.293 --> 0:12:37.893 He'd probably be looking at top six, but I'd say 0:12:37.933 --> 0:12:41.653 top ten. Keep it on the ash, felt, don't stick 0:12:41.693 --> 0:12:43.573 it into the scenery. That's a bit. He's got to 0:12:43.573 --> 0:12:46.533 bring his car home. They're very valuable and we know 0:12:46.573 --> 0:12:48.613 if you keep pushing them into the side of the track, 0:12:49.053 --> 0:12:51.253 you're going to lose your drive eventually. So for him, 0:12:51.933 --> 0:12:55.613 they sayero point three seconds slower than maxfish Staff and 0:12:55.693 --> 0:12:57.773 so that that's a key. But he needs to finish 0:12:57.773 --> 0:13:00.973 in the top ten at least that's my expectation. You 0:13:01.013 --> 0:13:04.293 know what, Piney, I found out something quite interesting on 0:13:04.413 --> 0:13:07.293 Friday afternoon, twenty six degrees over in Melbourne. Apparent it's 0:13:07.333 --> 0:13:10.253 thirty six toes on Saturday, and you know what's going 0:13:10.293 --> 0:13:12.973 to happen on Sunday. It's going to rain. 0:13:13.613 --> 0:13:14.493 Oh wow, Well this. 0:13:14.533 --> 0:13:16.933 Is great because we and Liam Lawson first got on 0:13:16.973 --> 0:13:20.093 an F one cart when he deputized for Daniel Ricardo. 0:13:20.133 --> 0:13:21.893 As he broke his hand. It was over in Zandvord 0:13:21.893 --> 0:13:24.533 a couple of years ago. It hoes down and he 0:13:24.653 --> 0:13:28.413 drove really well because kiwis love driving in the rain, 0:13:28.733 --> 0:13:31.413 all really good at So that in itself excites me. 0:13:31.853 --> 0:13:34.173 All right, I've written that down, laws and good in 0:13:34.213 --> 0:13:36.653 the wet I've written that down also that that's the 0:13:36.693 --> 0:13:38.533 old adage. And you talked about it about getting around 0:13:38.573 --> 0:13:40.733 the race track. I mean to finish first. First, you 0:13:40.813 --> 0:13:43.853 have to finish, right, It's an old adage in all 0:13:43.893 --> 0:13:47.413 sorts of racing, bed, motorsport, horse racing, or even just 0:13:47.533 --> 0:13:52.813 running around a track. So okay, let's let's and I 0:13:52.813 --> 0:13:54.253 hope we don't have to go down this track. But 0:13:54.293 --> 0:13:56.813 if things don't go well for Liam on Sunday, he 0:13:56.973 --> 0:14:00.213 either has a DNF or finishes nearer the back of 0:14:00.253 --> 0:14:03.693 the field. It's only the first one, isn't it. So 0:14:04.613 --> 0:14:08.053 what do we read into success, failure or otherwise this 0:14:08.093 --> 0:14:10.253 week in such a long season. 0:14:10.413 --> 0:14:13.173 Yeah, they'll give them plenty of rope. I don't see 0:14:13.213 --> 0:14:16.213 them drop kicking after a couple of bad results at 0:14:16.253 --> 0:14:18.413 the start of the season. You also remember that Liam's 0:14:18.453 --> 0:14:21.333 never had any experience at Albert Park before. It's never 0:14:21.413 --> 0:14:24.813 driven there, which might count for something. There's a number 0:14:24.853 --> 0:14:28.213 of other rookies. If you was five other guys who've 0:14:28.293 --> 0:14:30.133 not driven before. You know, he's got a couple of 0:14:30.573 --> 0:14:32.853 races under his belt. But I think they will give 0:14:32.973 --> 0:14:37.333 him some wiggle room, possibly even four races before they 0:14:37.413 --> 0:14:40.413 start going, well, you're not doing too well because they're 0:14:40.453 --> 0:14:43.093 not afraid Red Ball of drop kicking people. They've done 0:14:43.133 --> 0:14:46.693 it before and they'll do it again. So pressure makes diamonds, 0:14:46.693 --> 0:14:48.453 as they say when you're talking about cliches. 0:14:48.533 --> 0:14:51.093 Jason, that's another good one. Well, okay, I won't worry 0:14:51.133 --> 0:14:54.373 about Liam. I am a bit worried about the Warriors 0:14:54.453 --> 0:14:57.373 if we can segue to them tonight at go Media 0:14:57.373 --> 0:15:00.853 Stadium up against the Sea Eagle, so I thought were 0:15:00.933 --> 0:15:05.053 terrific last week and beating the Cowboys forty two twelve, 0:15:05.373 --> 0:15:07.973 the Warriors off the back of their less than perfect 0:15:08.373 --> 0:15:10.653 opener in Las Vegas. Should I be worried about the 0:15:10.653 --> 0:15:14.093 Warriors tonight, I'd say, And this has been very generous 0:15:14.293 --> 0:15:16.693 around the Warriores, even the Warriors. 0:15:16.693 --> 0:15:19.373 The Warriors, I've been told to be patient, which we've 0:15:19.413 --> 0:15:21.453 talked about this, so I flatly refused to be It's 0:15:21.453 --> 0:15:25.373 not on my makeup, but I would say that tonight's 0:15:25.413 --> 0:15:30.293 game represents the proper start to the season for the 0:15:30.293 --> 0:15:32.653 one he's in on Warriors. This is where it really starts. 0:15:32.733 --> 0:15:36.773 I think that Las Vegas was a gimmick. I wasn't 0:15:37.173 --> 0:15:39.853 entirely happy with it. I'm still not. I don't think 0:15:39.853 --> 0:15:42.533 it means anything. Yeah, competition points on the line. But 0:15:42.693 --> 0:15:45.613 now two weeks after that and they've been slapped in 0:15:45.613 --> 0:15:49.213 the face, They've had that away experience. The season starts 0:15:49.253 --> 0:15:53.293 tonight at home, and so when they get the win, 0:15:53.653 --> 0:15:55.693 or if they get the win, I think we're in 0:15:55.733 --> 0:15:58.893 a much better position to judge where the Warriors are at. 0:15:59.013 --> 0:16:01.613 Right, all right, Yeah, that's well, that's good analysis. Okay, 0:16:01.653 --> 0:16:05.173 I'm least worried about the Warriors now, Okay. 0:16:04.293 --> 0:16:05.973 Ken to make you worry about something. 0:16:07.053 --> 0:16:12.133 You're worried about the Hurricanes, Hurricanes Islanders tonight. Please give 0:16:12.173 --> 0:16:14.213 me some hope that the Hurricanes actually look I looked 0:16:14.213 --> 0:16:15.653 at the odds for this before we came to wear 0:16:15.773 --> 0:16:18.253 a dollar eighty seven h ta B can't split them 0:16:18.293 --> 0:16:21.613 coin flip for them. You've got no skin in this game, 0:16:21.733 --> 0:16:22.853 Hurricanes Orhighlanders. 0:16:23.693 --> 0:16:28.333 I like the Highlanders for this, but the unpopular Highlanders 0:16:28.373 --> 0:16:30.733 who always seem to be looking up to the ward 0:16:30.733 --> 0:16:33.013 the top of the ladder, but never up there themselves. 0:16:33.173 --> 0:16:35.173 I don't think they've got anything to lose in the 0:16:35.173 --> 0:16:37.013 way they played the game, and I think the pressure 0:16:37.613 --> 0:16:40.893 on Clark and his men is enormous in what we've 0:16:40.933 --> 0:16:43.253 seen so far from the Hurricanes, they ain't handling that 0:16:43.373 --> 0:16:46.573 very well, like the Blues and the Canes basically sitting 0:16:46.573 --> 0:16:48.893 at the foot of the table. This is bizarre. But 0:16:49.093 --> 0:16:51.453 what one eight seven apiece? How good is this for 0:16:51.533 --> 0:16:54.013 super rugby? That we've got two New Zealand teams and 0:16:54.053 --> 0:16:56.573 you can't split them And this is fantastic for people 0:16:56.573 --> 0:16:57.373 without any skin in the. 0:16:57.373 --> 0:17:01.293 Game, and absolutely and look and no we neither of 0:17:01.373 --> 0:17:03.853 us have skin. And tomorrow Knights game Chiefs Blues. You 0:17:03.893 --> 0:17:06.133 talked about the Hurricanes needing a bit of a confidence 0:17:06.173 --> 0:17:07.573 boost and not being where they should be. 0:17:07.693 --> 0:17:08.133 What about the. 0:17:08.093 --> 0:17:10.573 Blue They could lose to the Chiefs tomorrow night easily 0:17:10.813 --> 0:17:12.333 and they could be what will that be? 0:17:12.453 --> 0:17:14.293 One end four to start the season. 0:17:14.733 --> 0:17:17.693 And I think that their Chiefs are much better possession 0:17:17.973 --> 0:17:21.333 because they got beaten last week. But it's nigh on 0:17:21.453 --> 0:17:24.213 impossible to have beaten Dura in their own backyard. But 0:17:24.253 --> 0:17:26.853 that's probably the punch in the nose they needed, not 0:17:26.893 --> 0:17:28.973 that they needed one. They're playing very very well, but 0:17:29.013 --> 0:17:34.333 they'll return to regular service come that game. It is 0:17:34.453 --> 0:17:39.693 in Hamilton as well. FMG Stadium is the Battle of 0:17:39.733 --> 0:17:42.773 the Bombays. And again we go back to the pressures 0:17:42.813 --> 0:17:45.533 exerted on teams and how they're dealing with them. At 0:17:45.533 --> 0:17:48.213 the moment the Hurricanes and the Blues aren't dealing with 0:17:48.253 --> 0:17:50.173 them as well. But that can all change in the 0:17:50.173 --> 0:17:51.293 space of eighty minutes. 0:17:51.093 --> 0:17:57.013 Right it can. Indeed, all right, Well, my brow is furrowed, 0:17:57.253 --> 0:17:59.333 but you know what, there's nothing I can do from here. 0:17:59.653 --> 0:18:02.213 All I can do is watch tonight my Hurricanes against 0:18:02.253 --> 0:18:05.293 the Highlanders, the Warriors against the Sea Eagles when out 0:18:05.293 --> 0:18:07.173 of his skin in the game, the Blues against the 0:18:07.213 --> 0:18:10.493 Chiefs tomorrow night, and the race Cars on Sunday desk. 0:18:10.533 --> 0:18:12.373 And I just say, as I said at the start 0:18:12.373 --> 0:18:15.053 of the podcast, I know how much this sport means 0:18:15.093 --> 0:18:17.053 to you. I know how long a relationship you've had 0:18:17.053 --> 0:18:19.053 with Liam Lawson and his family. It was great to 0:18:19.093 --> 0:18:21.333 hear his old man on with you yesterday. Look, I 0:18:21.373 --> 0:18:23.493 just hope you enjoy it. I hope you are able 0:18:23.933 --> 0:18:27.133 to enjoy it without getting too tense and clenching the 0:18:27.173 --> 0:18:29.013 sides of your couch too much. 0:18:29.213 --> 0:18:32.013 It's hard to watch Formula One hiding behind the back 0:18:32.093 --> 0:18:35.573 of the couch. I'll tell you that I'm in it 0:18:35.613 --> 0:18:37.733 for the joy. I'm in it for the color and 0:18:37.773 --> 0:18:41.173 the noise and the sound. When lose come off the track, 0:18:41.213 --> 0:18:44.533 it doesn't matter. I'm buying into this one hundred percent. 0:18:44.733 --> 0:18:48.613 The tenth New Zealander. Man, he is there. I'm so 0:18:48.613 --> 0:18:52.333 so so so calm. 0:18:53.333 --> 0:18:55.373 Race cars. Out of the chamber, we go. 0:18:55.573 --> 0:18:59.013 Eating a vix We've got just the ticket. It's Sports 0:18:59.093 --> 0:19:01.053 Fix powered by News Talks IVY. 0:19:02.253 --> 0:19:04.613 And as we exit the chamber, we exit the podcast. 0:19:04.653 --> 0:19:07.253 The Sports Fix podcast for today, March fourteen. That is 0:19:07.333 --> 0:19:10.213 us for the week, but on Monday, a fresh episode 0:19:10.213 --> 0:19:12.573 will drop into your podcast feed, provided of course, that 0:19:12.653 --> 0:19:14.653