1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,427 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport Podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:11,827 Speaker 1: from Newstalk. 3 00:00:11,467 --> 00:00:14,467 Speaker 2: ZB James mcconey, Hello. 4 00:00:15,307 --> 00:00:17,667 Speaker 3: Hello, Piney, how are you very good? 5 00:00:17,747 --> 00:00:21,507 Speaker 2: Thanks? There's lots to be positive about, unless, of course, 6 00:00:21,507 --> 00:00:23,987 Speaker 2: you're a Chiefs fan. What happened in that second half 7 00:00:24,067 --> 00:00:24,587 Speaker 2: last night? 8 00:00:25,387 --> 00:00:30,907 Speaker 3: Aha? Okay, let's drop off the band aid. Look, I 9 00:00:30,907 --> 00:00:34,587 Speaker 3: I thought lovell terrists apart, but Baylen Sullivan. No one's 10 00:00:34,627 --> 00:00:40,627 Speaker 3: singing that, Poney, no one's singing apart. But the thing is, 11 00:00:42,227 --> 00:00:44,387 Speaker 3: I actually think Baylor Sullivan's been a really good player 12 00:00:44,427 --> 00:00:46,467 Speaker 3: for a long time. But it's more so they have 13 00:00:46,547 --> 00:00:50,747 Speaker 3: the Hurricanes when they get together, really just an unstoppable 14 00:00:50,787 --> 00:00:54,827 Speaker 3: force they've got. You know, they were big forwards, they're 15 00:00:54,827 --> 00:00:57,347 Speaker 3: well resourced in that area, so you know that they're 16 00:00:57,347 --> 00:01:00,347 Speaker 3: going to be tough to beat up front. And every 17 00:01:00,387 --> 00:01:03,707 Speaker 3: time you go into contact, people said, top seems to 18 00:01:03,747 --> 00:01:06,307 Speaker 3: be there trying to snatch the ball. So that's a 19 00:01:06,427 --> 00:01:08,827 Speaker 3: problem even just setting the ball up as the opposition 20 00:01:09,307 --> 00:01:12,027 Speaker 3: as fought with danger. But they were just they were 21 00:01:12,067 --> 00:01:14,947 Speaker 3: just too good. I mean, the Chiefs. I don't want 22 00:01:14,987 --> 00:01:18,667 Speaker 3: to turn from Chiefs Mona to Chiefs Mona. But Ruben 23 00:01:18,747 --> 00:01:21,747 Speaker 3: Love probably should have been sindin for a deliberate knockdown 24 00:01:21,907 --> 00:01:25,467 Speaker 3: when a try is about to be scored. I agree 25 00:01:25,507 --> 00:01:29,267 Speaker 3: with that, Yeah, yeah, I mean but and I'm not 26 00:01:29,307 --> 00:01:31,147 Speaker 3: saying that's the turning point that would have made a 27 00:01:31,147 --> 00:01:33,307 Speaker 3: bit of difference. But I think the way the Hurricanes 28 00:01:33,507 --> 00:01:36,107 Speaker 3: played in the in the second half just too good. Really. 29 00:01:37,227 --> 00:01:39,867 Speaker 2: I think the Chiefs will still be okay. And you know, 30 00:01:39,907 --> 00:01:42,747 Speaker 2: I mean it's only one game and they're still up 31 00:01:42,787 --> 00:01:46,467 Speaker 2: in the upper echelons of the table. Yeah, I mean, 32 00:01:46,547 --> 00:01:50,107 Speaker 2: they'll they'll look forward to getting Damien McKenzie back. Clayton 33 00:01:50,147 --> 00:01:52,547 Speaker 2: McMillin said after the game last night that he's on track. 34 00:01:52,547 --> 00:01:54,627 Speaker 2: I don't know what that means in terms of when, 35 00:01:54,827 --> 00:01:58,747 Speaker 2: but you know, I like I like Josh Jacob a lot, 36 00:01:59,027 --> 00:02:02,627 Speaker 2: but there's only one d mac right, that's. 37 00:02:02,507 --> 00:02:06,147 Speaker 3: Right, And I think, look, the Damien McKenzie will always 38 00:02:06,147 --> 00:02:08,907 Speaker 3: make a massive difference. Well, you know, as Chiefs fans, 39 00:02:08,907 --> 00:02:11,627 Speaker 3: we're always saying we missed Brody when he was out, 40 00:02:11,667 --> 00:02:14,467 Speaker 3: Brady Retaler. Now it's Brady McAllister. He's been so good 41 00:02:14,707 --> 00:02:17,987 Speaker 3: and I think not having him up front at hockey 42 00:02:18,027 --> 00:02:21,947 Speaker 3: yesterday made a big difference as well. So you know 43 00:02:22,027 --> 00:02:24,667 Speaker 3: he's been a mainstay this season, but I guess the 44 00:02:24,707 --> 00:02:28,467 Speaker 3: big question when you look at it is overall, I 45 00:02:28,467 --> 00:02:32,667 Speaker 3: think McCain's are still championship material. I thought that before 46 00:02:32,667 --> 00:02:34,547 Speaker 3: at the start of the season. You know that Pony 47 00:02:35,107 --> 00:02:38,307 Speaker 3: and I was a little bit skeptical about the Chiefs too. 48 00:02:38,347 --> 00:02:41,107 Speaker 3: I think we've talked about that as well. But when 49 00:02:41,107 --> 00:02:43,667 Speaker 3: you look at Higgins and Proctor and midfield, there's so 50 00:02:43,787 --> 00:02:46,467 Speaker 3: much to like about that combination. And even in just 51 00:02:46,707 --> 00:02:50,547 Speaker 3: you know, sort of two and a half games, you'd say, 52 00:02:50,587 --> 00:02:55,107 Speaker 3: Billy Proctor is ahead of Rico Ywani at center right, and. 53 00:02:55,187 --> 00:02:57,267 Speaker 2: Yeah, oh yeah, yeah indeed. 54 00:02:58,187 --> 00:03:01,467 Speaker 3: And then also, you know, what is love? What is love? 55 00:03:02,147 --> 00:03:07,387 Speaker 3: Susy a fullback the first five? O, my, what is he? 56 00:03:07,627 --> 00:03:10,827 Speaker 3: I think he is a first five because he's played 57 00:03:10,827 --> 00:03:13,427 Speaker 3: that well and he's not super quick for a fallback. 58 00:03:13,867 --> 00:03:15,787 Speaker 3: So I think his future, if he wants to make 59 00:03:15,787 --> 00:03:18,547 Speaker 3: the A B's was at number ten and that's where 60 00:03:18,587 --> 00:03:19,547 Speaker 3: should it should stay. 61 00:03:19,947 --> 00:03:20,987 Speaker 2: I feel like we just got a litle bit of 62 00:03:21,027 --> 00:03:23,627 Speaker 2: a preview of a Super Rugby segment on the crowd 63 00:03:23,667 --> 00:03:27,347 Speaker 2: goes while there with What Is Love? I won't be 64 00:03:27,347 --> 00:03:30,787 Speaker 2: at all surprised if that turns up tomorrow night around 65 00:03:30,867 --> 00:03:34,907 Speaker 2: seven o'clock. We wait with baited breath. Now the Warriors. 66 00:03:35,147 --> 00:03:37,427 Speaker 2: The Warriors have had a few people ringing with adjectives 67 00:03:37,427 --> 00:03:42,027 Speaker 2: that I'm going to read something to you. Composure, discipline, depth, resolve. 68 00:03:42,347 --> 00:03:43,747 Speaker 2: I think they all apply, don't they? 69 00:03:44,587 --> 00:03:50,547 Speaker 3: Yeah, heart attack. There's a lot of things to like 70 00:03:50,587 --> 00:03:52,707 Speaker 3: about the Warriors. But one of the best things I 71 00:03:52,747 --> 00:03:57,147 Speaker 3: thought was the signature game for Luke Metcalf for the 72 00:03:57,147 --> 00:04:01,227 Speaker 3: signature half for the for our halfback, which is just 73 00:04:01,267 --> 00:04:04,787 Speaker 3: seeing him run the game, just be so dominant, the 74 00:04:04,947 --> 00:04:08,987 Speaker 3: crispness of the past seeing you know, I switched from 75 00:04:09,027 --> 00:04:12,427 Speaker 3: the Chiefs Hurricanes to the to the Wires and it 76 00:04:12,587 --> 00:04:14,707 Speaker 3: was actually kind of like, I know, they were in 77 00:04:14,787 --> 00:04:16,747 Speaker 3: the decline, but I went back to watch the highlights 78 00:04:16,787 --> 00:04:20,347 Speaker 3: and wow, the Warriors were impressive, just crowding gaps like 79 00:04:20,387 --> 00:04:23,427 Speaker 3: we haven't done for quite some time. Nika Halasima, who 80 00:04:23,467 --> 00:04:26,787 Speaker 3: will be a superstar in the making, he made his 81 00:04:26,867 --> 00:04:29,147 Speaker 3: name with some big defense last night, rather than those 82 00:04:29,227 --> 00:04:32,267 Speaker 3: sort of signature runs that he's starting to come up with. 83 00:04:32,347 --> 00:04:35,187 Speaker 3: But you know, there was one defensive play from little 84 00:04:35,227 --> 00:04:37,227 Speaker 3: Tame to a Picky where he forced the ball I 85 00:04:37,267 --> 00:04:42,187 Speaker 3: think that that was impressive. The effort and the accuracy 86 00:04:42,267 --> 00:04:44,947 Speaker 3: just to get that ball down made a big difference. 87 00:04:45,187 --> 00:04:49,067 Speaker 3: And you know what, I think, could it be a 88 00:04:49,347 --> 00:04:51,947 Speaker 3: year pointing are we going to say it? 89 00:04:51,187 --> 00:04:54,067 Speaker 2: I think we can. I think we can safely say it. 90 00:04:54,227 --> 00:04:57,027 Speaker 2: I've been saying quite often today it's our best ever 91 00:04:57,107 --> 00:05:00,187 Speaker 2: eight game start. And when you consider they had to 92 00:05:00,187 --> 00:05:03,267 Speaker 2: bounce back from the disappointment of Vegas and the shell 93 00:05:03,267 --> 00:05:05,267 Speaker 2: Ac and they got in the first half against the Storm. 94 00:05:05,427 --> 00:05:07,907 Speaker 2: The resilience, that is what I like the fact that 95 00:05:07,947 --> 00:05:10,307 Speaker 2: they can. You know, it's a long season. You are 96 00:05:10,347 --> 00:05:12,267 Speaker 2: going to suffer disappointment. They put it behind them and 97 00:05:12,307 --> 00:05:12,667 Speaker 2: moved on. 98 00:05:13,347 --> 00:05:14,867 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think the Storm was the only team that 99 00:05:14,947 --> 00:05:17,627 Speaker 3: scares me. Really. I looked at that top six, top 100 00:05:17,667 --> 00:05:20,067 Speaker 3: eight even and I'd say the Storm looked like the 101 00:05:20,067 --> 00:05:22,267 Speaker 3: only team that you'd say would go to the Grand 102 00:05:22,267 --> 00:05:24,627 Speaker 3: Final and probably win it. But I think we're as 103 00:05:24,667 --> 00:05:26,827 Speaker 3: good as anyone else in the eighth I agree. 104 00:05:26,907 --> 00:05:28,627 Speaker 2: Are you watching the NBA Playoffs at. 105 00:05:28,507 --> 00:05:31,027 Speaker 3: The moment, Yes, I am, and I just noticed that 106 00:05:31,027 --> 00:05:34,427 Speaker 3: it's an absolute blowout. So that even though the LA 107 00:05:34,507 --> 00:05:38,707 Speaker 3: Clippers owner Steve Barmer flu fans to Denver to create 108 00:05:39,307 --> 00:05:41,547 Speaker 3: the wall of fans that they have back in LA. 109 00:05:42,107 --> 00:05:45,387 Speaker 3: There have been thirty points down for most of the 110 00:05:45,987 --> 00:05:49,987 Speaker 3: second half, so yep, it looks like the Nuggets with 111 00:05:50,427 --> 00:05:53,387 Speaker 3: big Nicole Yokich will go through. But I was really 112 00:05:53,467 --> 00:05:57,227 Speaker 3: intrigued by Lebron James kind of humming and hiring about 113 00:05:57,267 --> 00:06:00,907 Speaker 3: whether he's going to retire or not. And that's an 114 00:06:00,987 --> 00:06:03,747 Speaker 3: interesting sort of case study. And I guess we watch 115 00:06:03,867 --> 00:06:06,467 Speaker 3: the space because I don't think he's going to any thing. 116 00:06:06,507 --> 00:06:10,747 Speaker 3: Has to prove you Sai'd like to get more another title, 117 00:06:10,827 --> 00:06:12,987 Speaker 3: but I don't think he's ever going to catch Jordan 118 00:06:13,107 --> 00:06:17,827 Speaker 3: really in terms of how people feel about the goat conversation. 119 00:06:18,107 --> 00:06:21,307 Speaker 3: So Lebron, you know he's getting I think is he 120 00:06:21,827 --> 00:06:22,987 Speaker 3: forty one pioneer? 121 00:06:23,347 --> 00:06:24,427 Speaker 2: Yeah yeah, forty one? 122 00:06:24,587 --> 00:06:26,787 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think he thinks it's old. But I was 123 00:06:26,827 --> 00:06:30,107 Speaker 3: playing some of my best sport at forty one. Admittedly 124 00:06:30,187 --> 00:06:33,187 Speaker 3: it was seven a side soccer and a little bit 125 00:06:33,227 --> 00:06:38,587 Speaker 3: of over thirty five's touch, but you know, maybe that's 126 00:06:38,667 --> 00:06:39,387 Speaker 3: the end of the king. 127 00:06:40,027 --> 00:06:42,027 Speaker 2: Well I'm fifty four and I feel like my best 128 00:06:42,107 --> 00:06:43,307 Speaker 2: days might still be ahead of me. 129 00:06:44,187 --> 00:06:48,107 Speaker 3: Yeah, yeah, still looking pioneers, still trying to check away. 130 00:06:48,627 --> 00:06:51,787 Speaker 2: I am, I am, hey, can we just finished with 131 00:06:51,827 --> 00:06:55,027 Speaker 2: football Auckland FC? They lost last night. It didn't matter 132 00:06:55,067 --> 00:06:58,067 Speaker 2: in terms of their table position. But is this in 133 00:06:58,307 --> 00:07:01,027 Speaker 2: any way a red flag as we head towards the finals? 134 00:07:01,067 --> 00:07:04,867 Speaker 3: Do you think, well, the reliefs they can't really play 135 00:07:05,947 --> 00:07:10,867 Speaker 3: the Western United in the semi finals, I think because 136 00:07:10,907 --> 00:07:14,027 Speaker 3: there's no way that they can play a team that's 137 00:07:14,027 --> 00:07:14,907 Speaker 3: going to finish third. 138 00:07:15,387 --> 00:07:17,307 Speaker 2: Yep, correct, they can. They can only meet them in 139 00:07:17,387 --> 00:07:18,987 Speaker 2: the grand final. Correct, Yes, that's right. 140 00:07:19,547 --> 00:07:21,507 Speaker 3: So they can only meet them at home if we 141 00:07:21,627 --> 00:07:25,267 Speaker 3: if we meet the grand finals. So so there's that. Look, 142 00:07:25,347 --> 00:07:27,027 Speaker 3: it is that they had a big blowout. I went 143 00:07:27,067 --> 00:07:31,027 Speaker 3: to training on Tuesday, I think when I saw them, 144 00:07:31,667 --> 00:07:34,307 Speaker 3: and yeah, they're definitely tied one night. It might have 145 00:07:34,387 --> 00:07:37,867 Speaker 3: even been Wednesday. They had a few big nights to 146 00:07:37,987 --> 00:07:40,187 Speaker 3: say that, so this is always going to be a 147 00:07:40,227 --> 00:07:43,187 Speaker 3: blowout game. They're running out the alcohol, let's be honest. 148 00:07:43,707 --> 00:07:47,987 Speaker 3: Even Steve Kriker admitted that, so they can they can 149 00:07:48,067 --> 00:07:51,107 Speaker 3: forget what happened really this weekend and just focus on 150 00:07:51,187 --> 00:07:54,187 Speaker 3: what what happens next. I don't think the big concern 151 00:07:54,227 --> 00:07:55,987 Speaker 3: for me is that if we if we play someone 152 00:07:56,067 --> 00:07:59,267 Speaker 3: like Adelaide. I think Adelaide are the real sort of 153 00:08:00,027 --> 00:08:02,427 Speaker 3: steak in the glass there. They could they could buy us, 154 00:08:02,667 --> 00:08:05,827 Speaker 3: and so that's the really the real concern, and and 155 00:08:05,907 --> 00:08:09,107 Speaker 3: of course of a longer flight over the are. But 156 00:08:09,187 --> 00:08:10,547 Speaker 3: that's how I feel like that will for me. See, 157 00:08:10,667 --> 00:08:13,867 Speaker 3: don't worry, don't panic. Hopefully we get you pony to 158 00:08:14,147 --> 00:08:15,587 Speaker 3: call a grand farmer at home. 159 00:08:15,987 --> 00:08:20,227 Speaker 2: Well, I'm certainly available if that opportunity presents itself, looking 160 00:08:20,307 --> 00:08:22,027 Speaker 2: forward to that. Yes, I mean they get the week 161 00:08:22,067 --> 00:08:24,427 Speaker 2: off now. The way it works, I'm sure most people 162 00:08:24,547 --> 00:08:26,907 Speaker 2: know this, but by virtual of finishing in the top two, 163 00:08:26,987 --> 00:08:29,387 Speaker 2: they get the first week of the finals off three 164 00:08:29,507 --> 00:08:31,067 Speaker 2: v six, four v five and then the winners go 165 00:08:31,147 --> 00:08:33,067 Speaker 2: to home and away semis. So yeah, look, I think 166 00:08:33,107 --> 00:08:36,267 Speaker 2: they'll probably use the week to refresh a little bit. 167 00:08:36,547 --> 00:08:38,867 Speaker 2: I think of anything, you know, last night will probably 168 00:08:38,907 --> 00:08:42,867 Speaker 2: be you know, a not a reality check necessarily, But 169 00:08:42,947 --> 00:08:44,907 Speaker 2: there certainly won't be any complacency, now. 170 00:08:44,827 --> 00:08:49,107 Speaker 3: Will they exactly? I mean, they're in a good spot. 171 00:08:49,187 --> 00:08:52,507 Speaker 3: They know they've got pretty much a full team cheat 172 00:08:52,987 --> 00:08:55,267 Speaker 3: to choose from, and even some of those players like 173 00:08:55,387 --> 00:08:59,467 Speaker 3: Max Matsa, must have missed probably five chances the other night, 174 00:08:59,507 --> 00:09:01,427 Speaker 3: and I don't think you did that again in another game. 175 00:09:01,587 --> 00:09:04,707 Speaker 3: He just knows that he's in good form but just 176 00:09:04,907 --> 00:09:07,787 Speaker 3: needs to or getting into the right places letch, we 177 00:09:07,907 --> 00:09:10,507 Speaker 3: should say, but just needs to finish those chances. So 178 00:09:10,907 --> 00:09:13,507 Speaker 3: imagine if he, you know, scored a hat trick at home, 179 00:09:13,707 --> 00:09:16,107 Speaker 3: you know, I wouldn't put it past them. And then, 180 00:09:16,507 --> 00:09:20,667 Speaker 3: speaking of strikers, Chris Wood named an EPL scene of 181 00:09:20,747 --> 00:09:24,067 Speaker 3: the season, So that's pretty good for you know, New 182 00:09:24,147 --> 00:09:24,827 Speaker 3: Zealand as well. 183 00:09:25,347 --> 00:09:28,387 Speaker 2: Absolutely right, what's love got to do with it? James? 184 00:09:29,467 --> 00:09:33,147 Speaker 3: Well, everything really, you know, you can't hurry love though, 185 00:09:33,507 --> 00:09:34,107 Speaker 3: just after. 186 00:09:33,907 --> 00:09:39,187 Speaker 2: Wait, love our chats, Mate, Love our chats. James mcconey, 187 00:09:39,507 --> 00:09:43,747 Speaker 2: Craig Goes Wild, alternative commentary Collective and Sunday Afternoons here 188 00:09:43,787 --> 00:09:45,347 Speaker 2: on News Talk Dead Beast for. 189 00:09:45,427 --> 00:09:48,587 Speaker 1: More from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine. 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