1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,507 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport Podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:11,747 Speaker 1: from Newstalk ZEDB. 3 00:00:12,707 --> 00:00:14,787 Speaker 2: Sunday afternoons. We have the pleasure of the company of 4 00:00:14,867 --> 00:00:18,987 Speaker 2: James mcconey in studio this afternoon. Hello mate, get a poney. 5 00:00:18,987 --> 00:00:19,747 Speaker 3: How are you mate? 6 00:00:20,107 --> 00:00:22,987 Speaker 2: Very good, great to see you're great to hear you. 7 00:00:22,987 --> 00:00:26,107 Speaker 2: You've got cricket on your mind this afternoon. 8 00:00:25,867 --> 00:00:28,627 Speaker 3: Yes, I do. There is something rotten in the state 9 00:00:28,667 --> 00:00:31,307 Speaker 3: of Denmark, poney, And by Denmark I mean the wider 10 00:00:31,427 --> 00:00:34,627 Speaker 3: New Zealand cricket community. And it's tough to sort of 11 00:00:34,707 --> 00:00:37,267 Speaker 3: make this interesting to the average punter. So everyone bear 12 00:00:37,307 --> 00:00:40,107 Speaker 3: with me, because we're talking about that new T twenty 13 00:00:40,227 --> 00:00:44,107 Speaker 3: competition that has been backed by Indian money and several 14 00:00:44,147 --> 00:00:47,787 Speaker 3: former black Cats Stephen Fleming, Jeff Allett, Daniel Vittori, and 15 00:00:47,827 --> 00:00:51,627 Speaker 3: it's created a war at New Zealand cricket. Are you 16 00:00:51,667 --> 00:00:53,427 Speaker 3: aware of this, pony, very aware of it? 17 00:00:53,507 --> 00:00:56,947 Speaker 2: Yes, very Awever, I mean we're following it closely from 18 00:00:56,987 --> 00:01:00,587 Speaker 2: both sides. There is a lot of dialogue, a lot 19 00:01:00,587 --> 00:01:04,307 Speaker 2: of conversation about this. What are you taking from it? 20 00:01:04,747 --> 00:01:06,627 Speaker 2: What's front of mind when you're thinking about it at 21 00:01:06,627 --> 00:01:06,987 Speaker 2: the moment. 22 00:01:07,107 --> 00:01:10,307 Speaker 3: Yeah, Well, to me, it seems a little bit fishy. 23 00:01:10,387 --> 00:01:13,147 Speaker 3: But when New Zealand Cricket learned of the plans in September, 24 00:01:13,187 --> 00:01:17,307 Speaker 3: they asked consultants Deloitte to analyze the four potential options 25 00:01:17,307 --> 00:01:19,587 Speaker 3: for the future of twenty twenty cricket in New Zealand. 26 00:01:19,627 --> 00:01:22,147 Speaker 3: So one was the new Consortium. There was a big 27 00:01:22,187 --> 00:01:25,627 Speaker 3: bash theory, there was a kind of combo of other 28 00:01:25,747 --> 00:01:28,747 Speaker 3: things and maybe just the status quo stay the same. 29 00:01:29,267 --> 00:01:32,467 Speaker 3: But the Consortium didn't like that and they appeared to 30 00:01:32,507 --> 00:01:34,467 Speaker 3: have thrown their toys, And now they're trying to get 31 00:01:34,507 --> 00:01:38,107 Speaker 3: rid of Scott weenk, the CEO of New Zealand Cricket, 32 00:01:38,227 --> 00:01:40,507 Speaker 3: who by all accounts has done a pretty good job, 33 00:01:41,507 --> 00:01:45,987 Speaker 3: turned a loss into a profit in the past year. 34 00:01:46,427 --> 00:01:48,347 Speaker 3: I think even was given a pay rise for doing 35 00:01:48,427 --> 00:01:51,227 Speaker 3: such a good job, and now a few months later 36 00:01:51,307 --> 00:01:53,667 Speaker 3: they're trying to oust them. It just doesn't add up 37 00:01:53,707 --> 00:01:55,467 Speaker 3: to me Piney, and that's why I sort of think, 38 00:01:55,867 --> 00:01:58,667 Speaker 3: what's going on there? How is this? How's it got 39 00:01:58,747 --> 00:02:02,627 Speaker 3: to this? And I know that the consortium say I've 40 00:02:03,027 --> 00:02:06,987 Speaker 3: got the backing of the six major associations talking about 41 00:02:07,307 --> 00:02:11,907 Speaker 3: Northern District, Central Districts, ET cetera, et cetera, and they 42 00:02:11,947 --> 00:02:15,547 Speaker 3: spoke to those associations behind New Zealand Crickets back. But 43 00:02:15,987 --> 00:02:19,267 Speaker 3: I've heard that northern districts are actually saying pump the 44 00:02:19,307 --> 00:02:23,067 Speaker 3: brakes here. We want to hear all the proposals and 45 00:02:23,267 --> 00:02:28,107 Speaker 3: just see where it lands. But somehow WHENIX heads on 46 00:02:28,147 --> 00:02:28,467 Speaker 3: the block. 47 00:02:29,107 --> 00:02:33,267 Speaker 2: Well, we had Don mckinnanon last week. He is sort 48 00:02:33,267 --> 00:02:37,467 Speaker 2: of heading up the establishing Committee or the investigative Committee 49 00:02:37,307 --> 00:02:39,347 Speaker 2: of NZ twenty of you like. So we spoke to 50 00:02:39,427 --> 00:02:41,707 Speaker 2: him last week on the show and he said, well, yes, 51 00:02:41,747 --> 00:02:44,347 Speaker 2: we know, we're just one of four options that New 52 00:02:44,467 --> 00:02:47,347 Speaker 2: Zealand Cricket are considering. And he said, we think that's 53 00:02:47,427 --> 00:02:49,867 Speaker 2: good governance that they are looking at all the options. 54 00:02:49,907 --> 00:02:52,307 Speaker 2: And he's right, obviously, if you have her above something, 55 00:02:52,827 --> 00:02:54,787 Speaker 2: you don't just go for the bright shiny option every 56 00:02:54,787 --> 00:02:57,907 Speaker 2: time you consider all of the options. So I'm a 57 00:02:57,947 --> 00:03:00,267 Speaker 2: little bit like you. I'm not quite sure how it's 58 00:03:00,267 --> 00:03:02,027 Speaker 2: got to where it's got to. But if I've learned 59 00:03:02,067 --> 00:03:06,387 Speaker 2: anything about sport and professional sport in my time covering, 60 00:03:06,427 --> 00:03:12,227 Speaker 2: it's that often best practice can be jettisoned by differences 61 00:03:12,267 --> 00:03:14,987 Speaker 2: in personality. I'm not sure if that's what's happened here, 62 00:03:15,267 --> 00:03:17,907 Speaker 2: but I get the feeling it may be playing a part. Yeah. 63 00:03:18,147 --> 00:03:20,387 Speaker 3: The issue is, I mean, this is a story about 64 00:03:20,427 --> 00:03:23,467 Speaker 3: bordroom politics and some would say bored in politics, but hey, 65 00:03:23,787 --> 00:03:25,987 Speaker 3: we're going to make it interesting by saying that. I 66 00:03:26,027 --> 00:03:28,507 Speaker 3: think when Don McKinnon came on and we're talking about 67 00:03:28,547 --> 00:03:32,747 Speaker 3: not the politician, it's this is the sports administrator. I mean, 68 00:03:33,427 --> 00:03:35,907 Speaker 3: I guess he was probably trying to say the right things, 69 00:03:35,907 --> 00:03:38,787 Speaker 3: but I hear that you know that this is the 70 00:03:38,827 --> 00:03:41,947 Speaker 3: fact that Weenix Head is on the chopping block is 71 00:03:41,987 --> 00:03:48,667 Speaker 3: because that the consortium has backing inside the NZI Cricket boardroom. 72 00:03:48,787 --> 00:03:52,907 Speaker 3: So and that the irony is, you know, Dom McKinnon 73 00:03:53,147 --> 00:03:57,987 Speaker 3: is he's the chair of New Zealand's Sport Integrity Commission. 74 00:03:58,627 --> 00:04:02,147 Speaker 3: So I was going, well, where's the integrity and going 75 00:04:02,147 --> 00:04:06,107 Speaker 3: behind New Zealand Crickets back courting, you know, major associations, 76 00:04:06,467 --> 00:04:09,627 Speaker 3: then ambushing New Zealand Cricket with a proposal that either 77 00:04:09,707 --> 00:04:12,427 Speaker 3: has to be accepted or the CEO loses his job. 78 00:04:12,467 --> 00:04:14,907 Speaker 3: There's not much integrity there in my opinion. But the 79 00:04:14,987 --> 00:04:19,227 Speaker 3: thing is even Don might have to investigate himself, pony 80 00:04:19,827 --> 00:04:23,427 Speaker 3: and even though that seems like a joke. Who can 81 00:04:23,467 --> 00:04:27,187 Speaker 3: New Zealand Cricket complain to when the Integrity Commission is 82 00:04:27,227 --> 00:04:29,507 Speaker 3: the guy fronting the new private league that's sitting in 83 00:04:29,507 --> 00:04:32,587 Speaker 3: front of you giving you an ultimatum. 84 00:04:32,147 --> 00:04:33,827 Speaker 2: If we zoom out from it just for a sec. 85 00:04:34,307 --> 00:04:37,267 Speaker 2: Do you what is your view on the current domestic 86 00:04:37,307 --> 00:04:41,827 Speaker 2: T twenty competition? Do you agree that it needs a 87 00:04:41,867 --> 00:04:43,987 Speaker 2: look at for one of these, you know, whatever the 88 00:04:43,987 --> 00:04:47,227 Speaker 2: proposal that whichever proposal they land on, do you agree 89 00:04:47,227 --> 00:04:49,507 Speaker 2: that that it needs to be changed, that it is 90 00:04:49,547 --> 00:04:52,827 Speaker 2: not currently doing the job that it's that it's there for. 91 00:04:53,267 --> 00:04:55,587 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think there needs to be a little bit 92 00:04:55,587 --> 00:04:57,747 Speaker 3: of jouging up. And it's quite tricky because remember the 93 00:04:57,787 --> 00:05:01,467 Speaker 3: Super Smash runs you know, parallel with New Zealand cricket games, 94 00:05:01,507 --> 00:05:03,947 Speaker 3: so you often don't have the best players available and 95 00:05:03,987 --> 00:05:06,507 Speaker 3: they might not be available even with the backing of 96 00:05:06,507 --> 00:05:09,827 Speaker 3: of the Indian investors, you know. But I think the 97 00:05:10,187 --> 00:05:13,987 Speaker 3: idea that when and the NZI Cricket were in talks 98 00:05:14,027 --> 00:05:16,427 Speaker 3: with the Big Bash, which is a huge league, and 99 00:05:16,467 --> 00:05:18,507 Speaker 3: if they could get a team or teams into the 100 00:05:18,867 --> 00:05:21,907 Speaker 3: Big Bash like the Warriors in the NRL or you know, 101 00:05:21,907 --> 00:05:24,227 Speaker 3: the Wellington, Phoenix and Aorkland their c in the A League, 102 00:05:24,267 --> 00:05:28,547 Speaker 3: and that the players can become domestic players. They're all available, 103 00:05:28,587 --> 00:05:31,867 Speaker 3: they don't count for your overseas player quota. Then it's 104 00:05:31,907 --> 00:05:35,507 Speaker 3: actually a pretty cool deal if they can get that through. 105 00:05:35,987 --> 00:05:38,107 Speaker 3: But then some maybe that's the big battle because the 106 00:05:38,107 --> 00:05:41,547 Speaker 3: major associations feel that they'll be left behind. But currently 107 00:05:41,867 --> 00:05:45,187 Speaker 3: the Super Smash has had years of not having the 108 00:05:45,227 --> 00:05:49,947 Speaker 3: best players playing, but they've also provided a lot of stars. 109 00:05:49,987 --> 00:05:52,987 Speaker 3: If you look at their you know that the best 110 00:05:53,027 --> 00:05:55,627 Speaker 3: players or the leader charts of every single Super Smash. 111 00:05:55,627 --> 00:05:58,227 Speaker 3: You know, Devin Conway became a black cap, same with 112 00:05:58,267 --> 00:06:01,147 Speaker 3: Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman. It is still a really good 113 00:06:01,707 --> 00:06:05,187 Speaker 3: feeder league. But look, they need to do something there. 114 00:06:05,227 --> 00:06:07,387 Speaker 3: And that's why I sort of feel, let's just see 115 00:06:07,387 --> 00:06:10,267 Speaker 3: what happens with this with the findings of Deloitte, and 116 00:06:10,347 --> 00:06:13,347 Speaker 3: let let a CEO who's actually got some vision to 117 00:06:13,387 --> 00:06:16,347 Speaker 3: sort of make a call. But if it doesn't fall 118 00:06:16,387 --> 00:06:18,787 Speaker 3: your way, I don't think it's worth throwing your toys 119 00:06:18,827 --> 00:06:21,747 Speaker 3: that like the consortium have. And what worries me Piney 120 00:06:21,787 --> 00:06:24,627 Speaker 3: is you know, I've watched the reporting and I wonder 121 00:06:24,667 --> 00:06:27,987 Speaker 3: who are the independent cricket journalists anymore. It's quite tricky 122 00:06:28,027 --> 00:06:31,187 Speaker 3: because you've got Heath Mills from the Players Association, who's 123 00:06:31,307 --> 00:06:33,827 Speaker 3: behind this. Well, he's drinking buddies with a lot of 124 00:06:33,827 --> 00:06:36,507 Speaker 3: cricket journalists who we know, and so I don't know 125 00:06:36,547 --> 00:06:39,907 Speaker 3: that probably either behind it or staying quiet on it. 126 00:06:40,187 --> 00:06:43,307 Speaker 3: So you've got that kind of faction as well. And 127 00:06:43,347 --> 00:06:46,427 Speaker 3: then you've got David Hallman, who is used to be 128 00:06:46,427 --> 00:06:49,267 Speaker 3: the boss of WADA and he's involved in Wellington cricket. 129 00:06:49,267 --> 00:06:53,067 Speaker 3: Now you know, the world antidoping guy. He's pushing the barrow. 130 00:06:53,107 --> 00:06:55,667 Speaker 3: And then you've got Victorian Fleming. And if I was 131 00:06:55,867 --> 00:06:57,947 Speaker 3: for Victoria or Fleming, I wouldn't want a bar of this. 132 00:06:58,347 --> 00:07:01,267 Speaker 3: That're sort of known for their leadership and the consortium 133 00:07:01,307 --> 00:07:03,547 Speaker 3: so far I think is shown quite the opposite. And 134 00:07:03,867 --> 00:07:05,907 Speaker 3: you know their bank balance might benefit, but I think 135 00:07:05,907 --> 00:07:07,347 Speaker 3: the money will diminish. 136 00:07:08,347 --> 00:07:10,547 Speaker 2: Very interesting thoughts, James, Very interesting. 137 00:07:10,547 --> 00:07:13,187 Speaker 3: I mean has to be said news talks there be 138 00:07:13,267 --> 00:07:16,267 Speaker 3: you guys, there's got to be an investigation. Jeff two V. 139 00:07:17,107 --> 00:07:20,027 Speaker 3: I mean if Mike Costking, I mean handing your journalism 140 00:07:20,067 --> 00:07:22,387 Speaker 3: card if he doesn't dig deeper, because you can get 141 00:07:22,427 --> 00:07:25,347 Speaker 3: blinded by people with lots of money and they will 142 00:07:25,387 --> 00:07:28,627 Speaker 3: get paid. But the only person if we get into 143 00:07:28,627 --> 00:07:31,067 Speaker 3: the Big Bash or whatever. It's just you know, there's 144 00:07:31,107 --> 00:07:34,187 Speaker 3: no kickbacks or handouts or any kind of stuff. It's just, 145 00:07:34,627 --> 00:07:36,147 Speaker 3: you know, our best players get to play in the 146 00:07:36,147 --> 00:07:39,787 Speaker 3: Big Bash. So I don't know, it just seems weird 147 00:07:40,027 --> 00:07:42,827 Speaker 3: just seeing that suddenly this CEO has done a pretty 148 00:07:42,827 --> 00:07:45,307 Speaker 3: good job, has got his head on the chopping block. 149 00:07:45,387 --> 00:07:48,147 Speaker 3: That doesn't really add up. It's very very fishy, pony. 150 00:07:48,627 --> 00:07:51,347 Speaker 2: Interesting to hear an alternative view, because you're about the 151 00:07:51,347 --> 00:07:54,147 Speaker 2: first one I've heard to have voiced an alternative view 152 00:07:54,347 --> 00:07:56,867 Speaker 2: on this. So yeah, so I appreciate you doing so. 153 00:07:57,187 --> 00:08:00,307 Speaker 2: Just before you go, I was a Nelson on Friday night. Yes, 154 00:08:00,747 --> 00:08:03,507 Speaker 2: lucky enough to get invited along to the Nelson Sports Awards, 155 00:08:04,107 --> 00:08:07,547 Speaker 2: administered by Sport Tasman Port Tasman, of course, as the 156 00:08:07,587 --> 00:08:09,907 Speaker 2: name would suggest. Look after the Top of the South 157 00:08:10,427 --> 00:08:14,627 Speaker 2: and the reviews, I was hearing about your MC job 158 00:08:15,147 --> 00:08:19,467 Speaker 2: at the Moulbra Sports Awards the previous week. Goodness, gracious me, 159 00:08:19,587 --> 00:08:23,027 Speaker 2: I'm surprised you is aren't still burning with the praise 160 00:08:23,187 --> 00:08:25,627 Speaker 2: that was coming your way the way that you the 161 00:08:25,627 --> 00:08:29,587 Speaker 2: way that you apparently just just mesmerized the entire room 162 00:08:29,667 --> 00:08:30,547 Speaker 2: there and blend them. 163 00:08:30,907 --> 00:08:33,107 Speaker 3: Jesus, it was a slow start, pony. You know when 164 00:08:33,107 --> 00:08:35,427 Speaker 3: you try to crack a few jokes and no one 165 00:08:35,507 --> 00:08:38,267 Speaker 3: laughs and you get the sweats, you know, I know 166 00:08:38,307 --> 00:08:41,587 Speaker 3: what that's like. Yeah, it took a lot of work 167 00:08:41,667 --> 00:08:44,187 Speaker 3: to bring them around. But in the end, we were 168 00:08:44,227 --> 00:08:45,987 Speaker 3: you know, we were we were lucky because I think 169 00:08:46,027 --> 00:08:48,387 Speaker 3: there were some interesting characters who came up, not least 170 00:08:48,467 --> 00:08:54,907 Speaker 3: been O'Keefe and and Tamathy Tavetamanawa's first coach, Bill Bill Matthews. 171 00:08:54,947 --> 00:08:56,867 Speaker 3: So we were lucky. But I heard you did the 172 00:08:56,867 --> 00:08:59,427 Speaker 3: same at the Nelson Sports Awards, mate, So maybe we 173 00:08:59,427 --> 00:09:01,107 Speaker 3: need to do a swap and then do a and 174 00:09:01,147 --> 00:09:04,707 Speaker 3: get Deloitte and to do an official study of who 175 00:09:04,747 --> 00:09:08,667 Speaker 3: actually mc these these Tasman Sports Awards better. 176 00:09:09,147 --> 00:09:10,507 Speaker 2: I can tell well, I can tell you what the 177 00:09:10,547 --> 00:09:12,707 Speaker 2: findings will be. Well, I've got a gut feel what 178 00:09:12,827 --> 00:09:14,787 Speaker 2: the findings will be. But yeah, maybe we need to 179 00:09:15,307 --> 00:09:17,107 Speaker 2: need to employ them. Great to jet Us always, mate, 180 00:09:17,107 --> 00:09:18,947 Speaker 2: thanks for stopping into the studio. Have an excellent risk 181 00:09:18,987 --> 00:09:21,027 Speaker 2: of your weekend, AWKU and lift see this afternoon. Are 182 00:09:21,067 --> 00:09:23,547 Speaker 2: you confident that they can get the three points against Newcastle. 183 00:09:24,187 --> 00:09:26,467 Speaker 3: Yes i am, but I'm more excited that the next 184 00:09:26,507 --> 00:09:28,947 Speaker 3: got up yesterday, so we need to sort of keep 185 00:09:28,987 --> 00:09:30,987 Speaker 3: pumping them and get them back on the charts. 186 00:09:31,027 --> 00:09:34,507 Speaker 2: You know, Darby next week is Darby next week? So yeah, 187 00:09:34,507 --> 00:09:37,147 Speaker 2: they yeah, they springboard themselves on. Great to see your mate, 188 00:09:37,827 --> 00:09:40,027 Speaker 2: look forward to catching up again next weekend. James McCarney. 189 00:09:40,067 --> 00:09:41,747 Speaker 2: He's been part of our Sea mate, big part of 190 00:09:41,747 --> 00:09:43,347 Speaker 2: our Sunday afternoons. 191 00:09:43,347 --> 00:09:46,547 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 192 00:09:46,667 --> 00:09:49,947 Speaker 1: to News Talk said Be weekends from midday, or follow 193 00:09:49,987 --> 00:09:51,587 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio