1 00:00:09,093 --> 00:00:12,693 Speaker 1: You're listening to a podcast from News Talks B. Follow 2 00:00:12,773 --> 00:00:17,093 Speaker 1: this and our wide range of podcasts now on iHeartRadio, 3 00:00:18,333 --> 00:00:22,613 Speaker 1: The Big League Podcast podcast My News Talks B. 4 00:00:23,733 --> 00:00:26,173 Speaker 2: This week on The Big League Podcast, The Warriors. 5 00:00:26,173 --> 00:00:29,173 Speaker 3: While they've rolled Snake Eyes in us A, Vegas, Michael 6 00:00:29,173 --> 00:00:32,293 Speaker 3: Burgess is standing by in sim City after watching Andrew 7 00:00:32,293 --> 00:00:35,933 Speaker 3: webs as Men get thoroughly outclassed by the Canberra Raiders. 8 00:00:35,933 --> 00:00:39,493 Speaker 3: Great a course for concern or just around one and 9 00:00:39,613 --> 00:00:41,773 Speaker 3: Richard Agar did what to a journalist. 10 00:00:42,293 --> 00:00:43,213 Speaker 2: My name's neck Bewley. 11 00:00:43,453 --> 00:00:47,413 Speaker 3: Let's go go b lp Oh, welcome back to the 12 00:00:47,493 --> 00:00:53,733 Speaker 3: roller coaster ride that is the Warriors. Misplaced optimism maybe 13 00:00:54,013 --> 00:00:56,653 Speaker 3: here I was going into my Sunday afternoon viewing with 14 00:00:56,933 --> 00:01:00,333 Speaker 3: a bit of hope despite the key losses of some 15 00:01:00,413 --> 00:01:04,453 Speaker 3: guys called Johnson, Fanoah, Blake and Harris up against the 16 00:01:04,453 --> 00:01:07,133 Speaker 3: canber Raiders side, I personally don't have making the eight 17 00:01:07,213 --> 00:01:07,533 Speaker 3: this year. 18 00:01:07,573 --> 00:01:09,653 Speaker 2: They looked a little bit there for the taking. 19 00:01:10,533 --> 00:01:13,733 Speaker 3: But under the bright lights of Las Vegas, the Warriors 20 00:01:13,773 --> 00:01:18,413 Speaker 3: barely through a punch, miss tackles, mistakes, a Mitch Barnet 21 00:01:18,493 --> 00:01:19,013 Speaker 3: chip kick. 22 00:01:19,493 --> 00:01:21,613 Speaker 2: It was all very mediocre. 23 00:01:22,453 --> 00:01:25,973 Speaker 3: And yes it's round one but on Sunday's evidence, we 24 00:01:26,093 --> 00:01:28,893 Speaker 3: might be in for a few more lows on that 25 00:01:29,013 --> 00:01:30,533 Speaker 3: roller coaster than highs. 26 00:01:30,533 --> 00:01:32,613 Speaker 2: In twenty twenty five. 27 00:01:32,933 --> 00:01:35,653 Speaker 3: Michael Burgess, Senior Sports right out of the New Zealand Herald. 28 00:01:35,653 --> 00:01:38,453 Speaker 2: I want to wash this negativity away. Birds. 29 00:01:38,493 --> 00:01:40,733 Speaker 3: We're going to get into the game in a second. 30 00:01:40,933 --> 00:01:43,293 Speaker 3: But you were there, You've been on the ground in 31 00:01:43,373 --> 00:01:46,853 Speaker 3: Sin City all week. Please enlighten me. How good has 32 00:01:46,853 --> 00:01:49,253 Speaker 3: this week been? I mean, you're at the Olympics in 33 00:01:49,293 --> 00:01:52,213 Speaker 3: Paris as an example last year. How does the Las 34 00:01:52,293 --> 00:01:54,093 Speaker 3: Vegas NRL venture compare. 35 00:01:54,933 --> 00:01:59,053 Speaker 4: It's right up there, it's been. There's been a sensational experience. 36 00:01:59,093 --> 00:02:01,933 Speaker 5: I feel so lucky to have come at the privilege 37 00:02:01,973 --> 00:02:04,733 Speaker 5: to be here and be bringing the sports back to 38 00:02:04,773 --> 00:02:07,293 Speaker 5: New Zealand. You know, Las Vegas is I've never been 39 00:02:07,293 --> 00:02:11,653 Speaker 5: there before. It's a crazy place, obviously, but quite amazing 40 00:02:11,693 --> 00:02:13,853 Speaker 5: to be in Las Vegas and you walk up and 41 00:02:13,853 --> 00:02:16,213 Speaker 5: down the Las Vegas Strip and you just see league 42 00:02:16,293 --> 00:02:17,093 Speaker 5: jerseys everywhere. 43 00:02:17,133 --> 00:02:19,373 Speaker 4: You know, it's just something you. 44 00:02:19,373 --> 00:02:23,053 Speaker 5: Never thought you would imagine, particularly all the Warriors jerseys. 45 00:02:23,093 --> 00:02:26,493 Speaker 5: There were thousands of Warriors jerseys along with the Canberra 46 00:02:26,573 --> 00:02:29,773 Speaker 5: fans of Penrith fans, the Sharks, the people following Wigan, 47 00:02:30,733 --> 00:02:33,373 Speaker 5: and then across the week there was just a buzz 48 00:02:34,293 --> 00:02:37,133 Speaker 5: around the city the whole time. I'll never forget the 49 00:02:37,293 --> 00:02:40,613 Speaker 5: big launch they did at Fremont Street, which is the 50 00:02:40,613 --> 00:02:45,213 Speaker 5: old part of Las Vegas, thousands toounds of fans that 51 00:02:45,373 --> 00:02:48,893 Speaker 5: the teams walking on to the red carpet with the 52 00:02:48,973 --> 00:02:49,933 Speaker 5: music and the bands. 53 00:02:49,973 --> 00:02:50,213 Speaker 4: I mean. 54 00:02:50,253 --> 00:02:53,293 Speaker 5: Talking some players afterwards who have been involved in Grand 55 00:02:53,293 --> 00:02:54,053 Speaker 5: Final weeks etc. 56 00:02:55,213 --> 00:02:57,613 Speaker 4: They were buzzing too. They said they've never seen him like. 57 00:02:57,853 --> 00:03:00,453 Speaker 5: So there's been all that, and then there's been the 58 00:03:00,493 --> 00:03:03,733 Speaker 5: whole curiosity factor with the locals wanting to know about 59 00:03:03,773 --> 00:03:07,733 Speaker 5: this rugby game. You guys are here for it's pretty cool, 60 00:03:08,453 --> 00:03:10,293 Speaker 5: and the women are playing as well, Wow, how do 61 00:03:10,373 --> 00:03:10,893 Speaker 5: they do that? 62 00:03:11,293 --> 00:03:14,173 Speaker 4: So there's so much, so much of that happening. 63 00:03:14,213 --> 00:03:18,613 Speaker 5: And then of course there's Las Vegas, which is probably 64 00:03:18,613 --> 00:03:19,853 Speaker 5: the craziest place you've been to. 65 00:03:20,053 --> 00:03:23,573 Speaker 4: So a very memorable week, mate, Yeah, I. 66 00:03:23,453 --> 00:03:25,253 Speaker 3: Can imagine I was going to ask about that local 67 00:03:25,293 --> 00:03:29,333 Speaker 3: factor because there's so many sort of things that determine 68 00:03:29,493 --> 00:03:33,733 Speaker 3: whether this is a success right off the field, broadcast numbers, 69 00:03:34,573 --> 00:03:37,773 Speaker 3: ticket sales, et cetera, which are a slight improvement on 70 00:03:38,333 --> 00:03:41,973 Speaker 3: year one. But you mentioning obviously a lot of Kiwis 71 00:03:41,973 --> 00:03:44,053 Speaker 3: and Aussies and even the British getting over there. But 72 00:03:44,173 --> 00:03:46,373 Speaker 3: what has been from the people you spoke to there 73 00:03:46,373 --> 00:03:51,293 Speaker 3: on the ground from America, Like are they investing in 74 00:03:51,333 --> 00:03:51,613 Speaker 3: the game? 75 00:03:51,813 --> 00:03:52,373 Speaker 2: They're curious? 76 00:03:52,413 --> 00:03:55,533 Speaker 5: At least there's curiosity. I mean there's sort of. There's 77 00:03:55,573 --> 00:03:58,533 Speaker 5: two parts to it, mate. There's so much going on 78 00:03:58,533 --> 00:04:01,733 Speaker 5: in Vegas and so many people here with so many 79 00:04:01,733 --> 00:04:04,653 Speaker 5: things to do, and a lot of visitors. Obviously a 80 00:04:04,653 --> 00:04:07,453 Speaker 5: lot of people don't even know it's on. But then 81 00:04:07,853 --> 00:04:09,813 Speaker 5: a lot of people do. They see you, they hear 82 00:04:09,853 --> 00:04:13,373 Speaker 5: your accent, they say, oh, you're here for the rugby 83 00:04:14,133 --> 00:04:15,253 Speaker 5: taxi drivers you talk to. 84 00:04:15,293 --> 00:04:16,773 Speaker 4: There were a couple of tax drivers that talk to. 85 00:04:16,773 --> 00:04:19,653 Speaker 5: That remember the Las Vegas sevens and really enjoyed that 86 00:04:19,973 --> 00:04:22,333 Speaker 5: and wanted to go. One guy was trying to work 87 00:04:22,333 --> 00:04:25,693 Speaker 5: out how to get tickets. Tickets are very cheap, twenty 88 00:04:25,773 --> 00:04:28,973 Speaker 5: nine dollars started. It's about two hundred dollars to go 89 00:04:29,013 --> 00:04:30,973 Speaker 5: and see the Las Vegas Raiders. So chance to go 90 00:04:31,013 --> 00:04:35,173 Speaker 5: to the stadium. But to answer your original question, the 91 00:04:35,173 --> 00:04:40,253 Speaker 5: biggest challenge is getting like we'll we'll find out later. 92 00:04:40,093 --> 00:04:41,173 Speaker 4: What the viewing figures are like. 93 00:04:41,293 --> 00:04:44,333 Speaker 5: Hopefully improvement on last year in terms of local viewing figures. 94 00:04:44,653 --> 00:04:47,733 Speaker 5: But yeah, the biggest challenge I think is getting cut 95 00:04:47,773 --> 00:04:51,173 Speaker 5: through and getting locals to go the game, because the 96 00:04:51,293 --> 00:04:53,333 Speaker 5: vast majority of people at the game were, of course 97 00:04:53,413 --> 00:04:57,893 Speaker 5: the traveling fans, well the Aussi's and Kiwis maybe some 98 00:04:57,933 --> 00:04:59,853 Speaker 5: of them of course live here, but the assis Qis 99 00:04:59,853 --> 00:05:02,133 Speaker 5: in English, that was the vast majority. So the next 100 00:05:02,173 --> 00:05:06,133 Speaker 5: step would be trying to get more locals to the 101 00:05:06,173 --> 00:05:08,613 Speaker 5: games to fill the stadium more. 102 00:05:08,653 --> 00:05:12,133 Speaker 4: I think that's a real a slow burn. 103 00:05:13,093 --> 00:05:15,493 Speaker 3: Just speaking of those Warriors fans that are mix and 104 00:05:15,573 --> 00:05:17,893 Speaker 3: mingling around as you sit here and do this podcast 105 00:05:18,013 --> 00:05:22,053 Speaker 3: via at a casino bird, what's the general sense now? 106 00:05:22,293 --> 00:05:24,173 Speaker 3: Thirty points to eight and we're going to rip into 107 00:05:24,533 --> 00:05:27,013 Speaker 3: or rip the band aid off what happened on the field. 108 00:05:27,093 --> 00:05:31,533 Speaker 3: But you know, are people going back home now sort 109 00:05:31,533 --> 00:05:33,613 Speaker 3: of tail between the legs or at least sort of 110 00:05:33,693 --> 00:05:36,773 Speaker 3: big pictures seeing this for what it was a real 111 00:05:37,573 --> 00:05:41,133 Speaker 3: experience that are unfortunately not going away with the wind. 112 00:05:41,213 --> 00:05:43,173 Speaker 2: But all the same, everyone's had a good time. 113 00:05:43,573 --> 00:05:44,373 Speaker 4: Yes, some did it well. 114 00:05:44,373 --> 00:05:46,093 Speaker 5: I mean I saw a lot of them in the 115 00:05:46,253 --> 00:05:49,093 Speaker 5: checkout and we're chatting to a few of them. Everyone's 116 00:05:49,133 --> 00:05:52,093 Speaker 5: still proudly wearing the Warriors gear, or maybe it's because 117 00:05:52,133 --> 00:05:58,093 Speaker 5: that's all the gear they've got, but you know, everyone's 118 00:05:58,373 --> 00:06:02,573 Speaker 5: pretty flat because all you want to see is your team. 119 00:06:03,373 --> 00:06:05,453 Speaker 5: Is your team give their best and turn up and 120 00:06:05,493 --> 00:06:08,013 Speaker 5: whatever happens happens. And obviously the Warriors didn't, which we're 121 00:06:08,053 --> 00:06:11,693 Speaker 5: going to get into, but talking to a few fans, 122 00:06:11,933 --> 00:06:14,173 Speaker 5: they've had a great week, they really have. Like it's 123 00:06:14,173 --> 00:06:17,133 Speaker 5: a long way to come to see a defeat like that, 124 00:06:17,333 --> 00:06:21,893 Speaker 5: but they're all saying, what an amazing experience just being 125 00:06:21,933 --> 00:06:24,813 Speaker 5: in Vegas for a start, mixing with all the fans, 126 00:06:25,573 --> 00:06:30,373 Speaker 5: feeling the buzz, the various events that were on for fans, 127 00:06:30,973 --> 00:06:33,373 Speaker 5: and then the highlights of most people seem to be 128 00:06:33,373 --> 00:06:35,133 Speaker 5: being at the stadium. You know, it was a hell 129 00:06:35,173 --> 00:06:39,613 Speaker 5: of an occasion yesterday. The stadium's amazing in itself, and 130 00:06:39,733 --> 00:06:43,973 Speaker 5: just the atmosphere inside the stadium was quite unforgettable. 131 00:06:44,813 --> 00:06:45,773 Speaker 2: Well, let's get to it then. 132 00:06:45,853 --> 00:06:48,333 Speaker 3: In terms of first observations you were there, look like 133 00:06:48,333 --> 00:06:50,413 Speaker 3: you're up in the clouds Burge. In terms of press 134 00:06:50,453 --> 00:06:54,973 Speaker 3: box areas at Allegiance Stadium, very high up. But what 135 00:06:55,213 --> 00:06:57,853 Speaker 3: was your immediate afterthought? 136 00:06:58,133 --> 00:06:59,253 Speaker 2: Thirty points to eight. 137 00:07:00,773 --> 00:07:02,573 Speaker 3: I've got a bunch of notes here, but I mean 138 00:07:02,693 --> 00:07:05,253 Speaker 3: thirty one misstackles in the first half, and I think 139 00:07:05,253 --> 00:07:09,453 Speaker 3: they allowed the Raiders something like ten off loads in 140 00:07:09,493 --> 00:07:12,693 Speaker 3: the first twenty minutes. They were beaten up through the 141 00:07:12,733 --> 00:07:17,613 Speaker 3: middle and very hard to build any momentum thereafter. Like, 142 00:07:17,613 --> 00:07:21,093 Speaker 3: what was your initial take on what was a pretty 143 00:07:21,133 --> 00:07:21,973 Speaker 3: flat performance. 144 00:07:22,733 --> 00:07:25,253 Speaker 5: There was just a bad feeling from the start, you know, 145 00:07:25,293 --> 00:07:29,093 Speaker 5: you sometimes get those feelings covering a game. The Raiders 146 00:07:29,653 --> 00:07:32,413 Speaker 5: look good the first couple of sets. I'm sure people 147 00:07:32,413 --> 00:07:35,573 Speaker 5: remember the Warriors actually had a couple of attacking sets 148 00:07:35,613 --> 00:07:39,213 Speaker 5: in decent territory early on and didn't go anywhere. It 149 00:07:39,213 --> 00:07:42,773 Speaker 5: didn't do anything. There was no structure to their attack. 150 00:07:43,733 --> 00:07:45,573 Speaker 5: The Raiders' defense was all over them, and you're sort 151 00:07:45,613 --> 00:07:49,493 Speaker 5: of thinking, oh, okay, And then there was that strange 152 00:07:49,533 --> 00:07:54,373 Speaker 5: penalty the chance lookold clocks that his penalty for putting 153 00:07:54,373 --> 00:07:57,133 Speaker 5: his foot up as he jumped, and that was a reversal, 154 00:07:57,853 --> 00:07:59,973 Speaker 5: and so you just started to think, Okay, this might 155 00:08:00,013 --> 00:08:03,813 Speaker 5: not be the night we're expecting. But overall, the biggest 156 00:08:03,853 --> 00:08:07,533 Speaker 5: surprise to me was that they barely threw a punch 157 00:08:07,573 --> 00:08:11,613 Speaker 5: when it mattered and just just couldn't just couldn't get going, 158 00:08:11,813 --> 00:08:14,853 Speaker 5: you know, on such a big occasion, when you got 159 00:08:14,893 --> 00:08:17,653 Speaker 5: so much to play for, there were so many players 160 00:08:17,653 --> 00:08:20,533 Speaker 5: that just were below their best. 161 00:08:22,093 --> 00:08:25,733 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think that's fair, and I'm going to get 162 00:08:25,733 --> 00:08:28,173 Speaker 3: into the middle rotations a little bit later. Do want 163 00:08:28,173 --> 00:08:32,453 Speaker 3: to bring you an interview first with Roger to Ivasaschek, 164 00:08:32,493 --> 00:08:35,293 Speaker 3: and just let's just touch on Roger for a second, 165 00:08:35,293 --> 00:08:37,933 Speaker 3: because if we're talking bright spots, I think the argument 166 00:08:38,013 --> 00:08:41,013 Speaker 3: is finally or maybe put to bed for at least 167 00:08:41,053 --> 00:08:43,693 Speaker 3: a little bit longer around his best position, far more 168 00:08:43,693 --> 00:08:47,533 Speaker 3: involved on the wing lead the yardage you know, two 169 00:08:47,613 --> 00:08:51,453 Speaker 3: hundred meters plus for Roger and got that try too, 170 00:08:51,733 --> 00:08:53,333 Speaker 3: but it felt like a lot sort of fell on 171 00:08:53,373 --> 00:08:55,973 Speaker 3: his shoulders, like for the first time, and I've got 172 00:08:55,973 --> 00:08:59,693 Speaker 3: those how long birds, you know, Chance Nickel Cookstar running 173 00:08:59,693 --> 00:09:02,053 Speaker 3: for less than one hundred meters the yardage for the 174 00:09:02,093 --> 00:09:04,293 Speaker 3: back five outside of Roger, it was a real issue. 175 00:09:04,333 --> 00:09:06,053 Speaker 3: So it just felt like they really struggled to get 176 00:09:06,053 --> 00:09:09,493 Speaker 3: into the game. And then from there are really inexperienced 177 00:09:09,493 --> 00:09:12,813 Speaker 3: halves jew Of Chanelle, Harris, Devita and Luke Metcalfe. We're 178 00:09:12,853 --> 00:09:14,893 Speaker 3: always on the back foot and that's a hard ask 179 00:09:15,293 --> 00:09:17,613 Speaker 3: for any half back or any halves peering lead alone 180 00:09:17,773 --> 00:09:20,533 Speaker 3: ones who are just finding their footing in first grade. 181 00:09:21,013 --> 00:09:22,773 Speaker 5: Yeah you will, let's face it, I mean the Ford 182 00:09:23,013 --> 00:09:24,973 Speaker 5: the Fords are dominated. They were beating up most of 183 00:09:25,013 --> 00:09:29,013 Speaker 5: the night, so no platform for the halves. And then, 184 00:09:29,053 --> 00:09:31,853 Speaker 5: as you say, the back five struggled as well. Fogg 185 00:09:31,853 --> 00:09:34,653 Speaker 5: at his kicking games exceptional. He just pinned them and 186 00:09:34,653 --> 00:09:37,853 Speaker 5: pinned them. And then the camp chase was amazing. When 187 00:09:37,893 --> 00:09:39,413 Speaker 5: the Warriors came up with a good kick, which they 188 00:09:39,453 --> 00:09:42,813 Speaker 5: did sometimes invariably it'd be a break on the second 189 00:09:42,813 --> 00:09:45,853 Speaker 5: tackle or something and that would release, it would release 190 00:09:45,853 --> 00:09:46,493 Speaker 5: all the pressure. 191 00:09:47,093 --> 00:09:49,213 Speaker 4: You're right about Roger, he had a real go. He 192 00:09:49,253 --> 00:09:51,853 Speaker 4: looked definitely suits and more that center. 193 00:09:52,853 --> 00:09:54,613 Speaker 5: There are a couple of times looking down being there 194 00:09:54,653 --> 00:09:57,333 Speaker 5: live and seeing them out in their left wing away 195 00:09:57,333 --> 00:10:00,093 Speaker 5: from the play and thinking hmm, it would be nice 196 00:10:00,093 --> 00:10:00,853 Speaker 5: to have more involved. 197 00:10:00,893 --> 00:10:03,773 Speaker 4: But overall I agree he was a bright spot. 198 00:10:03,813 --> 00:10:06,493 Speaker 5: He'd be one of the few that could hold his 199 00:10:06,493 --> 00:10:06,973 Speaker 5: head high. 200 00:10:07,413 --> 00:10:08,293 Speaker 2: Well, let's hear from him now. 201 00:10:08,453 --> 00:10:12,573 Speaker 3: Roger to Ivasa Chik post match with Michael Burgess. 202 00:10:11,813 --> 00:10:14,093 Speaker 6: The League Podcast. 203 00:10:14,293 --> 00:10:15,893 Speaker 4: That must be very tough to take. But what did 204 00:10:15,933 --> 00:10:16,613 Speaker 4: you think of tonight? 205 00:10:17,013 --> 00:10:19,973 Speaker 7: Yeah, that's I'm just really gutted for our fans and 206 00:10:19,973 --> 00:10:22,813 Speaker 7: our people that made the trip here, and I felt 207 00:10:22,853 --> 00:10:25,213 Speaker 7: like we really did the most to sort of get 208 00:10:25,213 --> 00:10:25,653 Speaker 7: this going. 209 00:10:25,773 --> 00:10:26,813 Speaker 4: And there's such a good. 210 00:10:26,653 --> 00:10:28,133 Speaker 8: Atmosphere for our people in the. 211 00:10:28,133 --> 00:10:30,653 Speaker 7: Chartered flight and everone paid so much great to be here, 212 00:10:30,693 --> 00:10:34,053 Speaker 7: and just disappointed that we couldn't give you something to 213 00:10:34,093 --> 00:10:36,493 Speaker 7: celebrate to life, you know, other than being in Vegas. 214 00:10:36,853 --> 00:10:40,453 Speaker 5: It felt like the team struggled to get momentum throughout 215 00:10:40,453 --> 00:10:44,093 Speaker 5: most of the match with his raiders kept finding ways 216 00:10:44,093 --> 00:10:44,693 Speaker 5: to give them MENTU. 217 00:10:44,933 --> 00:10:47,413 Speaker 7: Yeah, that's true. We you know, we don't get the 218 00:10:47,493 --> 00:10:48,373 Speaker 7: first run of the ball. 219 00:10:48,493 --> 00:10:49,893 Speaker 4: You don't think of the first try. But we were 220 00:10:49,933 --> 00:10:50,613 Speaker 4: real calm about it. 221 00:10:50,613 --> 00:10:52,533 Speaker 7: We're like, that's all right, boys, we just stick at it. 222 00:10:52,853 --> 00:10:54,853 Speaker 7: You know, we'll catch him during during the arm ressot 223 00:10:54,893 --> 00:10:57,333 Speaker 7: and our game will be a right. And yeah, then 224 00:10:57,373 --> 00:11:00,493 Speaker 7: they just they got a few offloads of momentum, a 225 00:11:00,493 --> 00:11:03,413 Speaker 7: few drives from from our own bad process, and yeah, 226 00:11:03,453 --> 00:11:05,253 Speaker 7: I think, yeah, a lot of it. They just they 227 00:11:05,293 --> 00:11:07,533 Speaker 7: jump an opportunity and the momentum ability within it. 228 00:11:08,493 --> 00:11:11,053 Speaker 8: The message at halftime, what was Andrew saying? 229 00:11:11,173 --> 00:11:12,453 Speaker 4: What were the players saying? 230 00:11:13,853 --> 00:11:15,653 Speaker 7: The coach was you kept the simple Andrew keept it 231 00:11:15,693 --> 00:11:18,373 Speaker 7: real simple. About half time he said, boys, we just 232 00:11:18,453 --> 00:11:21,373 Speaker 7: need to stick your tackles checked into the ground. Reset 233 00:11:21,693 --> 00:11:23,333 Speaker 7: one player at the time, And that was his message, 234 00:11:23,373 --> 00:11:25,893 Speaker 7: one player at the time. And yeah, the off loads 235 00:11:25,893 --> 00:11:28,613 Speaker 7: got off and their hookah is pretty nippy, you know, 236 00:11:28,733 --> 00:11:31,293 Speaker 7: got momentum for him and the o backs and the 237 00:11:31,333 --> 00:11:32,373 Speaker 7: OB's just followed. 238 00:11:32,133 --> 00:11:34,293 Speaker 8: On top of that. So yeah, it was top apart 239 00:11:34,333 --> 00:11:37,173 Speaker 8: from the what happened in the game. How was the 240 00:11:37,253 --> 00:11:39,693 Speaker 8: occasion for you? What did you think of the occasion 241 00:11:39,813 --> 00:11:43,653 Speaker 8: being in the stadium with all these fans, Yeah, it was. 242 00:11:43,773 --> 00:11:44,653 Speaker 3: It was surreal. You know. 243 00:11:44,773 --> 00:11:47,093 Speaker 7: The only way I can sort of explain to the 244 00:11:47,173 --> 00:11:50,773 Speaker 7: boys was the feeling of their twenty thirty petogram bunglege. 245 00:11:50,893 --> 00:11:53,293 Speaker 8: You know, that was the only way I could sort 246 00:11:53,333 --> 00:11:53,853 Speaker 8: of compare that. 247 00:11:54,773 --> 00:11:56,973 Speaker 7: You just can't hear the cause you can't hear what 248 00:11:57,053 --> 00:11:58,413 Speaker 7: you're trying to tell each other. 249 00:11:58,813 --> 00:12:00,253 Speaker 8: The crowd is so loud. 250 00:12:00,573 --> 00:12:03,653 Speaker 7: There's a lot of like fireworks going off and smoke 251 00:12:03,773 --> 00:12:05,693 Speaker 7: and this, and yeah, there's a lot of the lights everywhere, 252 00:12:05,773 --> 00:12:07,973 Speaker 7: so That's that's why I felt old about tonight. 253 00:12:08,533 --> 00:12:10,893 Speaker 8: And how has if you look back now, how has 254 00:12:10,893 --> 00:12:12,893 Speaker 8: the week been in Vegas? I mean it's such an 255 00:12:13,333 --> 00:12:17,653 Speaker 8: unusual place to be preparing for a Okay, yeah. 256 00:12:17,573 --> 00:12:19,093 Speaker 4: That's it been. Yeah, it's been good. 257 00:12:19,213 --> 00:12:21,813 Speaker 7: The boys done really well to get out and see Vegas, 258 00:12:21,853 --> 00:12:23,973 Speaker 7: and we enjoyed ourselves. But I thought we locked them 259 00:12:24,013 --> 00:12:26,533 Speaker 7: really well during training time, and yeah, we were really 260 00:12:26,573 --> 00:12:29,613 Speaker 7: confident commenters game and yeah, I just yeah again disappointed 261 00:12:29,693 --> 00:12:31,573 Speaker 7: didn't result in the way that we wanted it. 262 00:12:32,053 --> 00:12:33,533 Speaker 5: And how hard has it been this week with all 263 00:12:33,573 --> 00:12:36,933 Speaker 5: the distractions, all the extra promotions, all the things have 264 00:12:37,013 --> 00:12:38,773 Speaker 5: done in Vegas a different situation. 265 00:12:40,813 --> 00:12:41,493 Speaker 4: How hard is it? 266 00:12:42,133 --> 00:12:42,453 Speaker 7: It's been? 267 00:12:42,533 --> 00:12:43,533 Speaker 4: It's been all right for me. 268 00:12:43,853 --> 00:12:46,013 Speaker 7: You know, I'm not much of a gambler myself. I 269 00:12:46,053 --> 00:12:48,693 Speaker 7: don't really go and even pass through, so it's easy 270 00:12:48,733 --> 00:12:50,093 Speaker 7: for me to lock my stuff in the room and 271 00:12:50,173 --> 00:12:52,853 Speaker 7: just relaxed. But I'm just I'm just happy for the boys. 272 00:12:52,893 --> 00:12:55,053 Speaker 7: You know, they never get to experience us ever in 273 00:12:55,133 --> 00:12:57,533 Speaker 7: the lifetime. So I've just I thought, we don't like 274 00:12:57,533 --> 00:12:59,013 Speaker 7: I see it back at training and thought we done 275 00:12:59,053 --> 00:12:59,413 Speaker 7: really well. 276 00:12:59,453 --> 00:13:02,013 Speaker 8: We locked them, just instill a show on the field, 277 00:13:02,293 --> 00:13:03,933 Speaker 8: and what did you do during the week Roger on 278 00:13:04,013 --> 00:13:06,373 Speaker 8: say Wednesday, Thursday, Friday to kill time? 279 00:13:06,413 --> 00:13:08,773 Speaker 4: What were you doing to sort of you know, we 280 00:13:10,413 --> 00:13:13,213 Speaker 4: willion one day offering much so to take go look. 281 00:13:13,093 --> 00:13:15,453 Speaker 7: Around a few shops, look a few hotels, different hotels, 282 00:13:15,613 --> 00:13:18,733 Speaker 7: is a palace and just yes, see what what people see. 283 00:13:18,573 --> 00:13:20,133 Speaker 4: In the tourism of Vegas. 284 00:13:21,133 --> 00:13:23,053 Speaker 7: Probably the biggest one was trying to find some actual 285 00:13:23,213 --> 00:13:26,093 Speaker 7: Barista coffee that was being change for doing We're trying 286 00:13:26,093 --> 00:13:27,013 Speaker 7: to find a real coffee. 287 00:13:27,093 --> 00:13:28,573 Speaker 2: So yeah, this is. 288 00:13:30,053 --> 00:13:33,853 Speaker 6: The Big League podcast on the Warriors bandwagon since day one, 289 00:13:39,013 --> 00:13:43,333 Speaker 6: The Big League Podcast on the Warriors band Wagon since 290 00:13:43,453 --> 00:13:43,853 Speaker 6: day one. 291 00:13:44,413 --> 00:13:46,333 Speaker 3: Bitch I really wanted to get into the middle rotations 292 00:13:46,333 --> 00:13:48,013 Speaker 3: because I know, when you're there and you're live, and 293 00:13:48,053 --> 00:13:51,013 Speaker 3: you've got a match report to file and there's everything 294 00:13:51,093 --> 00:13:53,693 Speaker 3: going on in and around the stadium, you know, it 295 00:13:53,773 --> 00:13:56,653 Speaker 3: can be a little bit trickier to unpack absolutely everything. 296 00:13:56,693 --> 00:13:58,893 Speaker 3: But one of the key observations for mine, I personally 297 00:13:58,893 --> 00:14:00,533 Speaker 3: I always like to have the TV on the game 298 00:14:01,453 --> 00:14:04,733 Speaker 3: and then another screen or a device, you know, just 299 00:14:04,973 --> 00:14:09,133 Speaker 3: seeing what the general read of conversation I was like online, 300 00:14:09,173 --> 00:14:12,573 Speaker 3: particularly on Twitter from the Warriors fan base and I 301 00:14:12,693 --> 00:14:16,093 Speaker 3: wasn't alone and being finding the whole middle or the 302 00:14:16,293 --> 00:14:19,413 Speaker 3: use of the Ford's very curious. So that started an 303 00:14:19,493 --> 00:14:23,053 Speaker 3: hour before kickoff. They make the late change Aaron Clark 304 00:14:23,133 --> 00:14:26,293 Speaker 3: initially named that Locke goes back to the bench, Mitchell 305 00:14:26,333 --> 00:14:29,133 Speaker 3: Barnett moves from prop to Locke, and Jackson Ford off 306 00:14:29,173 --> 00:14:31,813 Speaker 3: the interchange to start from there. 307 00:14:32,733 --> 00:14:35,293 Speaker 2: Ford ends up playing the first fifty one minutes. 308 00:14:36,533 --> 00:14:39,973 Speaker 3: We saw early on with how easily the Raiders were 309 00:14:40,013 --> 00:14:42,813 Speaker 3: able to keep the ball alive and off load and 310 00:14:42,933 --> 00:14:46,493 Speaker 3: make good yardage through Hawsbury and Tarpani and PAPAALII that 311 00:14:47,253 --> 00:14:50,053 Speaker 3: you know, they couldn't get that ascendancy through the middle 312 00:14:50,213 --> 00:14:53,293 Speaker 3: with Barnett and Fisher Harrison particular. So then they came 313 00:14:53,373 --> 00:14:55,893 Speaker 3: off because they've been doing a pretty big first twenty 314 00:14:55,933 --> 00:14:57,893 Speaker 3: to twenty three minutes and they're both off at the 315 00:14:57,933 --> 00:15:02,933 Speaker 3: same time. That then leads to a middle of Dylan Walker, 316 00:15:03,773 --> 00:15:07,773 Speaker 3: Jackson Ford and Aaron Clark for twenty five minutes. And 317 00:15:08,893 --> 00:15:10,453 Speaker 3: I don't know, I just looked at that use of 318 00:15:10,533 --> 00:15:13,493 Speaker 3: the middle all the while not getting the same punch 319 00:15:13,693 --> 00:15:16,733 Speaker 3: either from the edge forwards too, and Kirk cape Pole 320 00:15:16,813 --> 00:15:20,613 Speaker 3: and Marta near Corde and felt, you know, when the 321 00:15:20,733 --> 00:15:24,213 Speaker 3: Raiders had already put a pretty big couple of punches 322 00:15:24,853 --> 00:15:29,253 Speaker 3: together in that first twenty minutes, that I have to 323 00:15:29,373 --> 00:15:31,933 Speaker 3: question that Andrew Webster's use of the middle, And not 324 00:15:32,053 --> 00:15:34,573 Speaker 3: only that, then you're of his in chase story. And 325 00:15:34,653 --> 00:15:36,573 Speaker 3: not only that, then you've got these youngsters who are 326 00:15:36,613 --> 00:15:40,413 Speaker 3: showing so much promise and we're all excited about being 327 00:15:40,453 --> 00:15:44,853 Speaker 3: there on the interchange and Dimitric Vayamonga and Lekahalasima, and 328 00:15:44,933 --> 00:15:48,333 Speaker 3: they've given garbage garbage minutes late in the second half 329 00:15:48,373 --> 00:15:52,533 Speaker 3: and the game's completely gone. Did you get a sense there, like, 330 00:15:52,893 --> 00:15:56,093 Speaker 3: were you surprised yourself that Jackson Ford ended up starting 331 00:15:56,533 --> 00:15:58,133 Speaker 3: in the middle, because this is a guy who was 332 00:15:58,253 --> 00:16:01,413 Speaker 3: on the edge last year in terms of a starting edge. 333 00:16:01,493 --> 00:16:05,253 Speaker 3: It just seemed like Webster didn't get it right and 334 00:16:05,333 --> 00:16:08,333 Speaker 3: maybe overthought the use of his interchange. 335 00:16:09,413 --> 00:16:11,373 Speaker 5: This was just going to say, exactly, you're analysis a 336 00:16:11,413 --> 00:16:14,413 Speaker 5: spot on. He definitely overthought it. You know Ford came 337 00:16:14,493 --> 00:16:16,333 Speaker 5: in when did he come in? I think June last 338 00:16:16,413 --> 00:16:19,813 Speaker 5: year he started being used as a middle, but as 339 00:16:19,853 --> 00:16:22,733 Speaker 5: a starting prop really in round one, like, all I 340 00:16:22,773 --> 00:16:26,813 Speaker 5: can think is that he's thinking, okay, Barnett and fishieras 341 00:16:26,853 --> 00:16:29,013 Speaker 5: off at the same time. Wants Clark to come on 342 00:16:29,093 --> 00:16:31,453 Speaker 5: and bride some punch because Clark is he can do that. 343 00:16:31,613 --> 00:16:35,533 Speaker 5: But round one against the Raiders' pack that is bigger 344 00:16:36,053 --> 00:16:39,053 Speaker 5: than your pack, you start with your best possible pack, 345 00:16:39,333 --> 00:16:41,653 Speaker 5: you know, you start with the best team. You have 346 00:16:41,733 --> 00:16:45,093 Speaker 5: Clark starting, you really get things going, and who knows, 347 00:16:45,173 --> 00:16:47,693 Speaker 5: maybe the Warriors get a couple of early tries as well, 348 00:16:48,013 --> 00:16:49,933 Speaker 5: and then you got the platform to bring on the 349 00:16:50,013 --> 00:16:50,493 Speaker 5: young guys. 350 00:16:51,173 --> 00:16:52,733 Speaker 4: He'll tell us later. I'm sure he didn't want to 351 00:16:52,733 --> 00:16:55,093 Speaker 4: bring on the young guys when the game. 352 00:16:55,213 --> 00:16:57,533 Speaker 5: Is in such a you know, it's say twenty two 353 00:16:57,533 --> 00:17:00,533 Speaker 5: to sixth He wanted to stick with his experience. But 354 00:17:00,773 --> 00:17:04,613 Speaker 5: but you know, those guys have got some real, some 355 00:17:04,773 --> 00:17:08,133 Speaker 5: real upside about them. So it was it was just confusing, 356 00:17:08,173 --> 00:17:10,013 Speaker 5: and it actually contributed to the problem. 357 00:17:10,133 --> 00:17:10,333 Speaker 6: Yep. 358 00:17:11,733 --> 00:17:14,973 Speaker 4: The Warriors never looked like they never looked convincing up 359 00:17:14,973 --> 00:17:15,293 Speaker 4: the middle. 360 00:17:15,453 --> 00:17:18,453 Speaker 3: Really no, because I look at these first half stats 361 00:17:18,973 --> 00:17:21,893 Speaker 3: and I know, you know, run meters don't tell the 362 00:17:22,253 --> 00:17:25,933 Speaker 3: complete picture. But just as an example, halftime sixteen points 363 00:17:25,973 --> 00:17:28,493 Speaker 3: to four, as mentioned, Jackson Ford's played the entire half 364 00:17:29,453 --> 00:17:32,373 Speaker 3: the run meter discrepancy nine hundred and twenty one for Canberra, 365 00:17:32,453 --> 00:17:36,013 Speaker 3: seven hundred and twenty three for the Warriors, four line 366 00:17:36,053 --> 00:17:39,293 Speaker 3: breaks to one thirty one missed tackles, and you look 367 00:17:39,333 --> 00:17:43,413 Speaker 3: at that second try in particular that Xavier Savage ends 368 00:17:43,493 --> 00:17:48,293 Speaker 3: up scoring in the right wing corner, and like Jackson, 369 00:17:48,293 --> 00:17:50,813 Speaker 3: I can't remember exactly when it was twenty six twenty 370 00:17:50,853 --> 00:17:53,013 Speaker 3: seven minutes and Jackson Ford's absolutely gas to the point 371 00:17:53,013 --> 00:17:55,093 Speaker 3: he's just made it a second f at tackle and 372 00:17:55,173 --> 00:17:57,853 Speaker 3: he turns his back on the marker. Tom Stalin can't 373 00:17:57,853 --> 00:18:00,653 Speaker 3: believe his luck. Wade Egans caught in two minds and 374 00:18:01,173 --> 00:18:03,773 Speaker 3: runs the best part of thirty meters untouched. Next phase 375 00:18:04,093 --> 00:18:07,973 Speaker 3: Raiders score, and I just think I'm not pointing the 376 00:18:08,013 --> 00:18:10,333 Speaker 3: finger purely at jackson Ford, you know, if he's told 377 00:18:10,493 --> 00:18:13,053 Speaker 3: start the game like, he's not going to say no sir. 378 00:18:13,933 --> 00:18:15,733 Speaker 3: But it was just a curious one and one I 379 00:18:15,773 --> 00:18:19,733 Speaker 3: didn't really see coming from the trials either. And then 380 00:18:19,773 --> 00:18:22,493 Speaker 3: you've got to think, like what must bunti er Foller 381 00:18:22,813 --> 00:18:24,853 Speaker 3: or Tom Harley be thinking if they can't even get 382 00:18:24,893 --> 00:18:28,413 Speaker 3: a crack in into this first grade team when they 383 00:18:28,453 --> 00:18:31,933 Speaker 3: could have provided perhaps a bit more impetus upfront, So 384 00:18:32,773 --> 00:18:34,693 Speaker 3: it's one of a few questions, and I suppose it 385 00:18:34,773 --> 00:18:35,893 Speaker 3: leads me on to the next point. 386 00:18:35,933 --> 00:18:38,573 Speaker 2: Birds around the halves, rightly or wrongly. 387 00:18:38,693 --> 00:18:41,693 Speaker 3: You talk a lot about the number seven jersey, and 388 00:18:42,093 --> 00:18:45,053 Speaker 3: it was the first time in first grade for Luke 389 00:18:45,133 --> 00:18:48,413 Speaker 3: Metcalf wearing a seven jersey, which is a very different 390 00:18:48,453 --> 00:18:49,093 Speaker 3: position as. 391 00:18:49,013 --> 00:18:50,093 Speaker 2: We know to five eighth. 392 00:18:50,853 --> 00:18:52,293 Speaker 3: But I actually felt a little bit sorry for him 393 00:18:52,333 --> 00:18:56,053 Speaker 3: because he's so far on the back foot and he's 394 00:18:56,053 --> 00:18:59,013 Speaker 3: starting to chance his arm. His confidence took early throwing 395 00:18:59,053 --> 00:19:02,973 Speaker 3: that into set pass and it just looked a little 396 00:19:03,013 --> 00:19:06,053 Speaker 3: bit at sea. But if anything, for me anyway, at 397 00:19:06,133 --> 00:19:08,693 Speaker 3: least early on, it was a byproduct of what was 398 00:19:08,693 --> 00:19:09,413 Speaker 3: happening in the middle. 399 00:19:09,813 --> 00:19:10,453 Speaker 4: That's fair cool. 400 00:19:10,493 --> 00:19:12,253 Speaker 5: I mean we won't better judge him for a few weeks, 401 00:19:12,293 --> 00:19:14,813 Speaker 5: you know, let's see those games at Mount Smart and 402 00:19:14,933 --> 00:19:17,573 Speaker 5: more a more normal setting. I mean, you're right, playing 403 00:19:17,573 --> 00:19:20,453 Speaker 5: in this occasion debut on a field that's a bit 404 00:19:20,573 --> 00:19:23,133 Speaker 5: narrower as well five meters an hourrow, which which does 405 00:19:23,213 --> 00:19:23,813 Speaker 5: make a difference. 406 00:19:24,213 --> 00:19:28,053 Speaker 4: He kicked quite well, his organization was okay. There is 407 00:19:28,133 --> 00:19:30,813 Speaker 4: that fear, isn't there that we all have that Willie 408 00:19:30,853 --> 00:19:33,213 Speaker 4: still have his running game in this position. 409 00:19:33,813 --> 00:19:36,013 Speaker 5: It wasn't much evidence of that last night. That might 410 00:19:36,093 --> 00:19:37,653 Speaker 5: take a few weeks for him to get used to it. 411 00:19:38,373 --> 00:19:40,453 Speaker 5: He deserves a chance to show what he can do. 412 00:19:41,093 --> 00:19:43,533 Speaker 4: But a very very difficult night for him, and you 413 00:19:43,613 --> 00:19:46,413 Speaker 4: know he'll regret some of the things, some options he took. 414 00:19:47,213 --> 00:19:48,813 Speaker 4: And you know the question goes on. 415 00:19:48,973 --> 00:19:53,333 Speaker 5: I mean, Metcuff and Harris Deavida, the best combination does 416 00:19:53,453 --> 00:19:54,653 Speaker 5: Martin fitd In there somewhere? 417 00:19:55,413 --> 00:19:57,253 Speaker 4: It's quite a jigsaw puzzle because. 418 00:19:57,013 --> 00:20:00,093 Speaker 5: None of them are the complete half yet you know 419 00:20:00,213 --> 00:20:03,573 Speaker 5: they've all got different strengths and how you find that 420 00:20:03,693 --> 00:20:06,413 Speaker 5: best recipe is the real challenge for Webster. 421 00:20:06,133 --> 00:20:07,853 Speaker 4: He'll stick with He'll stick with what he's bought for 422 00:20:08,813 --> 00:20:09,413 Speaker 4: for a few weeks. 423 00:20:09,453 --> 00:20:13,413 Speaker 5: Definitely, that's another question, and I'd say we're discussing for 424 00:20:13,853 --> 00:20:14,373 Speaker 5: quite a while. 425 00:20:14,453 --> 00:20:15,893 Speaker 4: They'll have scenario. Yeah. 426 00:20:16,173 --> 00:20:17,613 Speaker 3: I'll leave you to keep your power to dry a 427 00:20:17,653 --> 00:20:20,533 Speaker 3: little bit with Nathan in the coming weeks and months. 428 00:20:20,613 --> 00:20:22,373 Speaker 3: But just on the middle too. I don't know if 429 00:20:22,413 --> 00:20:26,013 Speaker 3: you're busy doing your post match thing with Andrew Webster 430 00:20:26,133 --> 00:20:28,853 Speaker 3: and co. Just to add insult to injury, Adam fanol 431 00:20:28,893 --> 00:20:32,653 Speaker 3: Blake and the Cronulla Jersey just casually carrying four Penrith 432 00:20:32,693 --> 00:20:36,093 Speaker 3: Panthers players over the line to score a try. I'm 433 00:20:36,093 --> 00:20:39,053 Speaker 3: not gonna lie burge that one hurt and probably just 434 00:20:39,093 --> 00:20:42,693 Speaker 3: sums up again. Like as much as we've all talked 435 00:20:42,693 --> 00:20:45,573 Speaker 3: about James Fisher Harris and his impact and his leadership, 436 00:20:45,853 --> 00:20:49,573 Speaker 3: it's not like for like Fanoa, Blake is elked maybe 437 00:20:49,653 --> 00:20:52,093 Speaker 3: even the top prop in the game in terms of 438 00:20:52,813 --> 00:20:56,253 Speaker 3: that late footwork, that ability to bend a defensive line 439 00:20:56,613 --> 00:20:59,733 Speaker 3: and score tries as well for a front rower. I 440 00:20:59,813 --> 00:21:02,653 Speaker 3: thought it was pretty telling the difference in what Fanora 441 00:21:02,693 --> 00:21:05,733 Speaker 3: Blake brings on the field versus a Fisher Harris again 442 00:21:05,893 --> 00:21:08,893 Speaker 3: round one. But when I was glad stuff at that 443 00:21:08,973 --> 00:21:11,653 Speaker 3: second game and saw for all Black carry four Panthers 444 00:21:11,733 --> 00:21:14,253 Speaker 3: players over the line of score, I was like, man, 445 00:21:14,493 --> 00:21:14,933 Speaker 3: that hurts. 446 00:21:16,013 --> 00:21:17,773 Speaker 5: Yeah, I mean, I just have one observation. I guess 447 00:21:17,773 --> 00:21:21,853 Speaker 5: because I was I was writing up some reaction stories. 448 00:21:22,173 --> 00:21:25,053 Speaker 5: But I look up from my laptop and he actually 449 00:21:25,093 --> 00:21:27,733 Speaker 5: got driven back early on the game by a couple 450 00:21:27,773 --> 00:21:29,533 Speaker 5: of pen withth players driven back sort of five or 451 00:21:29,573 --> 00:21:31,893 Speaker 5: so meters on about the second tackle deep in his 452 00:21:32,013 --> 00:21:34,973 Speaker 5: own territory, gets up and then on the fourth tackle, 453 00:21:35,053 --> 00:21:38,173 Speaker 5: takes another hit up and carries about fifteen meters post 454 00:21:38,213 --> 00:21:39,973 Speaker 5: contact and you're like, yeah, that's it, and that's what 455 00:21:40,053 --> 00:21:40,373 Speaker 5: he can do. 456 00:21:40,813 --> 00:21:43,533 Speaker 4: He is a special player. There's no one else quite 457 00:21:43,613 --> 00:21:46,093 Speaker 4: like him, and he's going to be missed. 458 00:21:47,013 --> 00:21:53,733 Speaker 6: The Big League Podcast for the biggest league fans, Big Hits, 459 00:21:55,893 --> 00:21:57,293 Speaker 6: The Big League Podcast. 460 00:21:57,613 --> 00:22:01,013 Speaker 3: Listening to The Big League Podcast, Nick Bewley Michael Burgess 461 00:22:01,093 --> 00:22:04,813 Speaker 3: live from Las Vegas, Burgs just may about his worse 462 00:22:04,893 --> 00:22:08,773 Speaker 3: for the Warriors. News breaks three or four hours after 463 00:22:09,133 --> 00:22:13,053 Speaker 3: full time via Channel nine's Wide World of Sports that 464 00:22:13,213 --> 00:22:18,053 Speaker 3: Warriors assistant coach Richard Agar was involved in a physical 465 00:22:18,173 --> 00:22:23,133 Speaker 3: confrontation at Allegiance Stadium at halftime of the Warriors Raiders 466 00:22:23,173 --> 00:22:26,773 Speaker 3: match with a British journalist. Now, the report goes on 467 00:22:26,933 --> 00:22:30,253 Speaker 3: to say that there has been a history between this 468 00:22:30,453 --> 00:22:34,293 Speaker 3: unnamed journalist who works for The Guardian and Richard Agar 469 00:22:34,413 --> 00:22:38,533 Speaker 3: from his time working in the Super League. As we 470 00:22:38,733 --> 00:22:42,493 Speaker 3: record right now, our understanding is that the NRL's Integrity 471 00:22:42,573 --> 00:22:44,733 Speaker 3: Unit are looking into it, and no doubt there'll be 472 00:22:44,853 --> 00:22:49,573 Speaker 3: comment to follow from Warrior's CEO Cameron George. But just 473 00:22:49,693 --> 00:22:53,933 Speaker 3: your initial thoughts, Verge like, it's not a great look 474 00:22:54,053 --> 00:22:54,173 Speaker 3: is it. 475 00:22:54,773 --> 00:22:57,933 Speaker 5: That's a terrible look. I didn't see anything. The press 476 00:22:58,013 --> 00:22:59,813 Speaker 5: box is quite big. I was right down in the 477 00:22:59,853 --> 00:23:02,653 Speaker 5: front row. But I will say one thing. It was 478 00:23:02,773 --> 00:23:08,133 Speaker 5: a strange setting because the coaches had to come up 479 00:23:08,213 --> 00:23:12,173 Speaker 5: and lift and walk past the press are to get 480 00:23:12,213 --> 00:23:15,933 Speaker 5: to their coaches box, which doesn't normally happen in our 481 00:23:15,973 --> 00:23:20,813 Speaker 5: ground normally obviously, so obviously someone's seen something. Sorry, someone's 482 00:23:21,213 --> 00:23:25,293 Speaker 5: seen someone, and the incident has happened from there. I 483 00:23:25,413 --> 00:23:29,533 Speaker 5: can confirm that happened. I verified it. It definitely happened. 484 00:23:30,253 --> 00:23:32,373 Speaker 5: It was a strange night last night. This news broke 485 00:23:32,413 --> 00:23:37,013 Speaker 5: at about eleven PM or eleven thirty. Wasn't really the 486 00:23:37,133 --> 00:23:41,413 Speaker 5: time to be making phone calls, but I did try. 487 00:23:42,133 --> 00:23:46,173 Speaker 5: But yeah, it definitely happened, and there will be you'd 488 00:23:46,213 --> 00:23:52,533 Speaker 5: think repercussions, the NRL looking into it. I mean, in 489 00:23:52,693 --> 00:23:55,893 Speaker 5: my time, you know, there has been incidents of coaches 490 00:23:56,013 --> 00:23:59,293 Speaker 5: confronting journalists, and certainly back in the eighties and nineties 491 00:24:00,373 --> 00:24:01,253 Speaker 5: it did used to happen. 492 00:24:01,693 --> 00:24:06,813 Speaker 4: But this one is, Yeah, it's a it's a terrible look, 493 00:24:06,893 --> 00:24:07,133 Speaker 4: isn't it. 494 00:24:07,453 --> 00:24:08,053 Speaker 2: That certainly is. 495 00:24:08,573 --> 00:24:10,493 Speaker 3: And not only that, Burge and we can get into 496 00:24:10,533 --> 00:24:13,453 Speaker 3: big picture stuff the team of down sixteen to four. 497 00:24:15,853 --> 00:24:18,293 Speaker 3: Just just to let something like that, you know, whether 498 00:24:18,373 --> 00:24:20,733 Speaker 3: it's an old grudge or it's not, or a comment 499 00:24:21,093 --> 00:24:23,733 Speaker 3: or whatever from whoever, let it get to you to 500 00:24:23,813 --> 00:24:27,213 Speaker 3: the point that there's some form of you know, alleged 501 00:24:27,933 --> 00:24:33,693 Speaker 3: physical act at a journalist. It's just it's not on 502 00:24:34,053 --> 00:24:36,453 Speaker 3: and on that big picture stuff. And I don't like 503 00:24:36,573 --> 00:24:38,773 Speaker 3: here at Newstalks, you'd be for the best part of 504 00:24:38,853 --> 00:24:41,413 Speaker 3: two days, we're running stories about the canber Raiders and 505 00:24:41,573 --> 00:24:44,973 Speaker 3: Hudson Young and Morgan Smithi's and having a scrap with 506 00:24:45,053 --> 00:24:47,893 Speaker 3: an inflatable baseball bat in a Las Vegas hotel and 507 00:24:47,973 --> 00:24:50,253 Speaker 3: getting kicked out, and you're thinking, gee, rugby league just 508 00:24:50,373 --> 00:24:52,973 Speaker 3: really knows how to rugby league, like, irrespective of where 509 00:24:53,013 --> 00:24:56,053 Speaker 3: it is, you know. And it was a bit of 510 00:24:56,093 --> 00:24:59,093 Speaker 3: a beat up, but you know, all it was good 511 00:24:59,133 --> 00:25:00,693 Speaker 3: copy for a day or two. But then you think 512 00:25:00,733 --> 00:25:05,453 Speaker 3: about something like this and I just yeah, I shake 513 00:25:05,493 --> 00:25:05,813 Speaker 3: my head. 514 00:25:05,973 --> 00:25:10,133 Speaker 5: You make a good point, like if this whatever happened, 515 00:25:10,133 --> 00:25:14,173 Speaker 5: if it happened back at the hotel, you know, four 516 00:25:14,253 --> 00:25:16,453 Speaker 5: or four hours after the game and people had a 517 00:25:16,493 --> 00:25:17,133 Speaker 5: couple of beers. 518 00:25:17,173 --> 00:25:18,533 Speaker 4: You know, these things happened. 519 00:25:18,813 --> 00:25:22,253 Speaker 5: But to happen at halftime, in the middle of a 520 00:25:22,293 --> 00:25:24,493 Speaker 5: round one that's super important and as you say, the 521 00:25:24,573 --> 00:25:28,733 Speaker 5: team were behind. It's happened at that stage. It's really weird. 522 00:25:29,133 --> 00:25:32,813 Speaker 5: And it happened in a in a journalist work area. 523 00:25:32,893 --> 00:25:37,853 Speaker 5: We're working in this area. It's for workspace, so you know, yeah, yeah, 524 00:25:39,493 --> 00:25:40,453 Speaker 5: there's going to be more to come. 525 00:25:40,493 --> 00:25:41,213 Speaker 4: Put that way. 526 00:25:41,493 --> 00:25:44,773 Speaker 3: Certainly is and just on that sort of security experiences 527 00:25:44,813 --> 00:25:46,053 Speaker 3: and that you wouldn't have caught this. We had the 528 00:25:46,093 --> 00:25:49,893 Speaker 3: Fox Sports broadcast back here in New Zealand and as 529 00:25:49,933 --> 00:25:52,973 Speaker 3: we had her were the callers was Dan Ganain, Maddie 530 00:25:53,013 --> 00:25:56,133 Speaker 3: John's and Braith and Asta and they for at least 531 00:25:56,733 --> 00:25:58,893 Speaker 3: I think almost the entire first half, they kept having 532 00:25:58,973 --> 00:26:00,893 Speaker 3: some bloke who, as it turns out I had to 533 00:26:01,053 --> 00:26:05,853 Speaker 3: get this all verified, but it was doctor Lance O'Sullivan 534 00:26:05,893 --> 00:26:07,733 Speaker 3: I believe his name is the New Zealander of the Year, 535 00:26:07,893 --> 00:26:10,893 Speaker 3: trying to make sure that the broadcast was on him 536 00:26:10,893 --> 00:26:13,653 Speaker 3: when he proposed to his now fiance. It just seemed 537 00:26:13,693 --> 00:26:16,933 Speaker 3: like there was a lot happening in and around the 538 00:26:17,693 --> 00:26:21,973 Speaker 3: press area that wasn't wasn't what you're usually accustomed to 539 00:26:22,973 --> 00:26:24,773 Speaker 3: in Australia and or New. 540 00:26:24,813 --> 00:26:28,973 Speaker 4: Zealand hovering behind the studio the whole time. Yeah, I 541 00:26:29,053 --> 00:26:29,493 Speaker 4: know it was. 542 00:26:30,173 --> 00:26:32,573 Speaker 5: I mean the staff, the standing staff are fantastic. There 543 00:26:32,653 --> 00:26:35,253 Speaker 5: was staff everywhere, so I was quite surprised about that aspect. 544 00:26:35,493 --> 00:26:38,893 Speaker 5: I agree, because in the other areas there was staff everywhere. 545 00:26:38,893 --> 00:26:41,013 Speaker 5: There's even you go up in the lift, as you say, 546 00:26:41,053 --> 00:26:43,933 Speaker 5: I was up very high, lucky, I'm I'm not actually 547 00:26:43,973 --> 00:26:45,933 Speaker 5: not great with heights, so but I was up very high. 548 00:26:45,933 --> 00:26:47,693 Speaker 5: But you go up in the lift and there's someone 549 00:26:47,773 --> 00:26:50,453 Speaker 5: sitting in the lift, the lift operator the whole time, 550 00:26:51,613 --> 00:26:53,133 Speaker 5: pushing the button for you and just having a chat. 551 00:26:53,213 --> 00:26:55,853 Speaker 5: So you the staff were exceptional, but that part of 552 00:26:55,893 --> 00:26:58,013 Speaker 5: it was strange. I agree, mate, Right. 553 00:26:57,973 --> 00:27:00,853 Speaker 3: Let's rip and there's no teamless Tuesday issues that I 554 00:27:00,893 --> 00:27:02,733 Speaker 3: feel like it's worth, at least at least at this 555 00:27:02,813 --> 00:27:05,373 Speaker 3: point in time to rip into you. I'll let Nathan 556 00:27:05,453 --> 00:27:08,173 Speaker 3: Limb come off the back fence next week ahead of 557 00:27:08,653 --> 00:27:10,613 Speaker 3: Round two for the Warriors, but there is of course 558 00:27:11,693 --> 00:27:14,293 Speaker 3: six games that are still part of Round one or 559 00:27:14,373 --> 00:27:15,653 Speaker 3: Round one b if you want to. 560 00:27:15,613 --> 00:27:15,933 Speaker 4: Call it that. 561 00:27:16,133 --> 00:27:20,733 Speaker 3: After the Raiders beat the Warriors and Penrith beats Cranullah 562 00:27:21,053 --> 00:27:23,173 Speaker 3: to get into this week, so I'm going to fill 563 00:27:23,213 --> 00:27:26,693 Speaker 3: in for Nate fire and some quick fire predictions of these. 564 00:27:26,933 --> 00:27:30,333 Speaker 3: Of the six games slate this weekends, burj are starting 565 00:27:30,493 --> 00:27:35,453 Speaker 3: Thursday night, the Sydney Rooster is hosting the Michael McGuire 566 00:27:35,773 --> 00:27:37,333 Speaker 3: coached Brisbane Broncos. 567 00:27:37,413 --> 00:27:37,773 Speaker 6: What say you? 568 00:27:38,493 --> 00:27:39,893 Speaker 5: This could be the match of the round. Couldn't a 569 00:27:39,973 --> 00:27:42,773 Speaker 5: fantastic matchup. I know Nathan went off the back fence 570 00:27:42,853 --> 00:27:46,013 Speaker 5: last week. He's tipping the Broncos to be minor Premiers, 571 00:27:46,173 --> 00:27:50,213 Speaker 5: which is really ballsy. But I do think there will 572 00:27:50,213 --> 00:27:52,013 Speaker 5: be a big move. I've got a lot of face McGuire, 573 00:27:52,493 --> 00:27:54,853 Speaker 5: and I think you can turn around the talent in 574 00:27:54,973 --> 00:27:55,373 Speaker 5: that team. 575 00:27:55,613 --> 00:27:57,733 Speaker 4: I think they might start with a win in Sydney. 576 00:27:58,813 --> 00:28:00,533 Speaker 2: Yeah, I completely agree. I think they're going to be 577 00:28:00,573 --> 00:28:01,013 Speaker 2: a big mover. 578 00:28:01,773 --> 00:28:06,413 Speaker 3: I think, at least in theory, the Ben Hunts Adam 579 00:28:06,453 --> 00:28:10,573 Speaker 3: Reynolds Harves combination can work. As we all know, McGuire's 580 00:28:10,773 --> 00:28:15,693 Speaker 3: very renowned for a brutal preseasons and getting players into 581 00:28:15,733 --> 00:28:17,613 Speaker 3: line from the jumps. So and I just look at 582 00:28:17,613 --> 00:28:21,093 Speaker 3: that restless team without Sam Walker, no Joey Marnu this year. 583 00:28:21,653 --> 00:28:24,773 Speaker 3: I know Joseph Sualey. I think they're going to just 584 00:28:24,893 --> 00:28:30,213 Speaker 3: come back at touch. So yeah, Broncos for mine, Tigers Knights. 585 00:28:32,053 --> 00:28:33,293 Speaker 4: I'll go to Tigers here. 586 00:28:34,133 --> 00:28:35,773 Speaker 5: I don't think they're going to have an amazing season, 587 00:28:35,853 --> 00:28:39,453 Speaker 5: but like last season, I think they could be better 588 00:28:39,493 --> 00:28:40,853 Speaker 5: in the first half of the year in the second. 589 00:28:41,493 --> 00:28:45,173 Speaker 5: So that whole round one buzz being at home, et cetera, 590 00:28:45,213 --> 00:28:48,613 Speaker 5: et cetera, might be enough in a close one, but 591 00:28:48,893 --> 00:28:50,573 Speaker 5: don't don't put your house on them. 592 00:28:51,293 --> 00:28:53,173 Speaker 3: No, I find this one really hard to pick, and 593 00:28:53,653 --> 00:28:57,413 Speaker 3: I'm just going to be the contrarian and go the 594 00:28:57,613 --> 00:29:01,573 Speaker 3: Knights and just think maybe Kaylen Ponger does Kaylyn Ponger 595 00:29:01,613 --> 00:29:03,933 Speaker 3: things single handedly to get them across the line. 596 00:29:04,253 --> 00:29:05,253 Speaker 2: Looking forward to this one. 597 00:29:06,213 --> 00:29:10,573 Speaker 3: Wayne Bennett back as rabbit O's coach and his first 598 00:29:10,693 --> 00:29:14,013 Speaker 3: road trip. Great work from the NRL schedulers is back 599 00:29:14,093 --> 00:29:17,413 Speaker 3: to Redcliffe. It's the Dolphins and the Bunnies. 600 00:29:18,413 --> 00:29:18,613 Speaker 4: Yeah. 601 00:29:18,613 --> 00:29:20,773 Speaker 5: I love the way they set up these matchups, all 602 00:29:20,813 --> 00:29:23,293 Speaker 5: these talking points, but I don't love the way in 603 00:29:23,373 --> 00:29:26,013 Speaker 5: Aral is so hard to tip. I haven't missed this, 604 00:29:26,253 --> 00:29:30,053 Speaker 5: haven't missed this bloody weekly quandary because this is another 605 00:29:30,093 --> 00:29:32,253 Speaker 5: one where it's sort of toss a coin like the 606 00:29:32,333 --> 00:29:36,253 Speaker 5: Dolphins will have plenty to play for and they were 607 00:29:36,253 --> 00:29:39,693 Speaker 5: good last year. I thought, But the Rabbits, you know, 608 00:29:39,813 --> 00:29:42,893 Speaker 5: the Wayne Bennett magic touch. Will that make the difference? 609 00:29:44,853 --> 00:29:47,933 Speaker 5: I think it might. I think they could ease this one. 610 00:29:48,053 --> 00:29:51,653 Speaker 5: The Rabbits. They're not great travelers typically, but they do 611 00:29:51,773 --> 00:29:53,173 Speaker 5: have a lot of support in Queensland. 612 00:29:53,573 --> 00:29:55,693 Speaker 4: So yeah, I'll go with the Rabbits here. 613 00:29:56,333 --> 00:30:00,093 Speaker 3: Yeah, I'm just gonna lean the rabbit o's although, yeah, 614 00:30:00,173 --> 00:30:03,493 Speaker 3: losing Cam Murray to an Archilles and Latrell Mitchell for 615 00:30:03,533 --> 00:30:06,333 Speaker 3: at least the first month, they're their two best players, 616 00:30:06,413 --> 00:30:09,933 Speaker 3: so there is an opportune there for the Dolphins under 617 00:30:09,973 --> 00:30:13,053 Speaker 3: Christian Worlph to get off to a good start. The 618 00:30:13,293 --> 00:30:18,373 Speaker 3: Dragons plenty of recruitment by Shane Flanagan, Damien Cook, fount 619 00:30:18,453 --> 00:30:21,053 Speaker 3: On Holmes, Clint Gutthison to name a few. 620 00:30:21,173 --> 00:30:22,413 Speaker 2: They host the Bulldogs. 621 00:30:24,293 --> 00:30:25,573 Speaker 4: This is another one far out. 622 00:30:26,093 --> 00:30:29,493 Speaker 5: Yeah, like the Dragons, you'd think will be big improvers 623 00:30:29,573 --> 00:30:32,053 Speaker 5: this year. I actually like I like the recruits and 624 00:30:32,133 --> 00:30:34,213 Speaker 5: I think, you know, they had the basis of a 625 00:30:35,413 --> 00:30:38,133 Speaker 5: decent team last year without many names, so they're obviously better. 626 00:30:38,653 --> 00:30:40,333 Speaker 5: But then the Bulldogs were the team that everyone got 627 00:30:40,373 --> 00:30:44,053 Speaker 5: really excited about and you think they'll continue to improve. 628 00:30:45,293 --> 00:30:47,373 Speaker 5: I'll go to the Bulldogs here in another close one. 629 00:30:47,493 --> 00:30:48,813 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think it's going to be close to I'm 630 00:30:48,813 --> 00:30:51,333 Speaker 3: going to disagree and say that the Dragons get off 631 00:30:51,453 --> 00:30:56,973 Speaker 3: to a good start. See Eagles Cowboys an ultimate game. 632 00:30:57,733 --> 00:31:01,013 Speaker 4: Definitely, the Eagles are I think Manly always got at home. 633 00:31:01,693 --> 00:31:02,893 Speaker 4: They always start well. 634 00:31:03,493 --> 00:31:06,333 Speaker 5: A few questions over the squad coming into the season, definitely, 635 00:31:07,173 --> 00:31:09,773 Speaker 5: But the Cowboys it's round one, they're going to go early, 636 00:31:10,053 --> 00:31:12,813 Speaker 5: but they're traditionally not not great terriblers. 637 00:31:13,013 --> 00:31:17,133 Speaker 4: I just think that the Seagulls at home for this one. 638 00:31:17,733 --> 00:31:20,853 Speaker 2: I am with you there on the Manly train. And 639 00:31:21,173 --> 00:31:22,333 Speaker 2: to round things out. 640 00:31:22,773 --> 00:31:26,973 Speaker 3: For many pre season predictors, it's theirs to lose, apparently, 641 00:31:27,093 --> 00:31:29,173 Speaker 3: but there's a pretty good reason. 642 00:31:29,453 --> 00:31:31,973 Speaker 2: The Melbourne Storm hosting the Paramount of Earls. 643 00:31:32,493 --> 00:31:34,973 Speaker 5: Yeah, I mean they're probably probably my minor premiers at 644 00:31:35,013 --> 00:31:37,973 Speaker 5: the moment, and I don't know when they last lost 645 00:31:38,013 --> 00:31:39,653 Speaker 5: the round when you match, you were probably in primary, 646 00:31:41,933 --> 00:31:44,693 Speaker 5: you know that long ago, I believe. 647 00:31:44,733 --> 00:31:46,933 Speaker 3: I believe it was the early two thousands actually Birch, 648 00:31:46,973 --> 00:31:49,853 Speaker 3: which I almost out of primary into intermediate. 649 00:31:49,933 --> 00:31:52,133 Speaker 4: But yeah, crazy, you're a young man, mate, you're a 650 00:31:52,133 --> 00:31:56,573 Speaker 4: young man. Take it as a cold. I'll go with 651 00:31:56,613 --> 00:31:56,973 Speaker 4: the storm. 652 00:31:57,053 --> 00:31:57,213 Speaker 6: Yeah. 653 00:31:57,253 --> 00:31:59,893 Speaker 4: I just think they are so hard to beat at home. 654 00:31:59,933 --> 00:32:02,853 Speaker 5: It takes a very special team to beat them at home, 655 00:32:02,973 --> 00:32:05,213 Speaker 5: and they're always so good when they start the year. 656 00:32:05,493 --> 00:32:06,293 Speaker 2: Yeah, bang on. 657 00:32:06,813 --> 00:32:10,293 Speaker 3: Not going to mess with a round prediction against a 658 00:32:10,333 --> 00:32:11,573 Speaker 3: team coach by Craig Balamy. 659 00:32:11,653 --> 00:32:13,133 Speaker 2: That'll di us, folks. 660 00:32:13,173 --> 00:32:17,293 Speaker 3: For what has been episode two of the Big League 661 00:32:17,333 --> 00:32:21,373 Speaker 3: podcast this year, Michael burgers So travels back to the 662 00:32:21,493 --> 00:32:26,853 Speaker 3: comforts of Mount Smarts next week, and no doubt, we 663 00:32:27,013 --> 00:32:29,293 Speaker 3: hope at least Nathan Linn will have recovered from his 664 00:32:29,573 --> 00:32:32,093 Speaker 3: Tom solitis by then and can be back in this year. 665 00:32:32,173 --> 00:32:36,453 Speaker 3: But please do follow, rate, subscribe the podcast and we 666 00:32:36,573 --> 00:32:39,813 Speaker 3: will catch you back for plenty more discussion around the 667 00:32:39,973 --> 00:32:42,373 Speaker 3: NRL and in particular, the Warriors next week. 668 00:32:47,333 --> 00:32:49,893 Speaker 1: For more from News Talk sed B, listen live on 669 00:32:50,053 --> 00:32:52,973 Speaker 1: air or online and keep our shows with you wherever 670 00:32:53,053 --> 00:32:55,613 Speaker 1: you go with our podcast on iHeartRadio.