1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,547 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:11,787 Speaker 1: from News Talks B. 3 00:00:13,267 --> 00:00:17,547 Speaker 2: On Sunday afternoon. Let's bring in James mcconey, alternative commentary, collective, 4 00:00:17,587 --> 00:00:21,107 Speaker 2: Crowd goes Wild, and various other pursuits. Do you believe 5 00:00:21,107 --> 00:00:26,027 Speaker 2: in third time lucky the Chiefs? James? Grand Final? Last year, 6 00:00:26,147 --> 00:00:28,867 Speaker 2: Grand Final the year before, weren't able to win it. 7 00:00:29,227 --> 00:00:30,347 Speaker 2: Third time lucky for. 8 00:00:30,307 --> 00:00:34,187 Speaker 3: The Chiefs, Poney. I've been too burnt by the other 9 00:00:34,307 --> 00:00:39,347 Speaker 3: times to even think about it now. Something I lost 10 00:00:39,387 --> 00:00:44,907 Speaker 3: something that night in Hamilton watching Razor breakdance on the 11 00:00:44,907 --> 00:00:48,427 Speaker 3: turf at White Cattle Stadium. It just it took something 12 00:00:48,427 --> 00:00:51,867 Speaker 3: from me. I guess innocence or whatever it is, just belief. 13 00:00:52,907 --> 00:00:55,707 Speaker 3: It all just evaporated that night. And now whatever happens 14 00:00:55,747 --> 00:00:59,507 Speaker 3: just happens. I'm numb to it. But at least we 15 00:00:59,547 --> 00:01:01,507 Speaker 3: look good. We did look good. 16 00:01:02,347 --> 00:01:07,307 Speaker 2: Well you did. I texted our media colleague Ollie last night, who, 17 00:01:07,307 --> 00:01:10,307 Speaker 2: as you know, is a big Crusaders man out of 18 00:01:10,387 --> 00:01:12,907 Speaker 2: christ Church. This was when the Crusaders went nineteen to 19 00:01:12,907 --> 00:01:15,467 Speaker 2: three ahead, and I said to him, what even was 20 00:01:15,507 --> 00:01:18,627 Speaker 2: twenty twenty four for the Crusaders? Was that a parallel 21 00:01:18,747 --> 00:01:21,387 Speaker 2: universe or something. He came back saying was certainly a 22 00:01:21,427 --> 00:01:23,427 Speaker 2: time we choose to forget. Well, he might want to 23 00:01:23,467 --> 00:01:27,907 Speaker 2: forget what happened after that as well. What happened after that, Well, after. 24 00:01:27,707 --> 00:01:31,147 Speaker 3: That, the Crusaders didn't score any points, so they didn't 25 00:01:31,147 --> 00:01:33,827 Speaker 3: score any points in the second half. It stayed at nineteen. 26 00:01:34,307 --> 00:01:37,027 Speaker 3: The Chiefs, though, got their act together. They were a 27 00:01:37,067 --> 00:01:39,627 Speaker 3: bit clunky, So we can talk about the obvious, which 28 00:01:39,667 --> 00:01:42,747 Speaker 3: is having Damien McKenzie back really helps. But he did 29 00:01:42,747 --> 00:01:45,147 Speaker 3: look to have what looked like a cast on his 30 00:01:45,227 --> 00:01:47,987 Speaker 3: hand because he broke his hand a few weeks ago, 31 00:01:48,267 --> 00:01:51,787 Speaker 3: come back quite early, and it did I think affected 32 00:01:52,267 --> 00:01:55,587 Speaker 3: his passing and just confidence in that first half. There 33 00:01:55,707 --> 00:01:58,947 Speaker 3: a couple of intercepts in their intercepts if you like. 34 00:01:59,107 --> 00:02:02,667 Speaker 3: But then that third quarter has been incredible for the 35 00:02:02,747 --> 00:02:07,187 Speaker 3: Chiefs for most of the season except for last week 36 00:02:07,227 --> 00:02:09,227 Speaker 3: against the Hurricanes, so we can get to that. But 37 00:02:09,467 --> 00:02:12,787 Speaker 3: just one last night, I think there were three players 38 00:02:12,787 --> 00:02:15,867 Speaker 3: that I thought really stood out apart from dmac and 39 00:02:15,907 --> 00:02:21,587 Speaker 3: they were Quintupyer, Luke Jacobson tappening at open side flankat 40 00:02:21,667 --> 00:02:24,227 Speaker 3: just all the dirty work, but Wallace a Titi twenty 41 00:02:24,227 --> 00:02:26,707 Speaker 3: two hit ups, coming back and playing a full game 42 00:02:26,747 --> 00:02:30,267 Speaker 3: after that neat reconstruction. He is a machine and I mean, look, 43 00:02:30,307 --> 00:02:32,707 Speaker 3: he is the breakthrough World Rugby Player of the Year, 44 00:02:32,827 --> 00:02:35,467 Speaker 3: so he was world class. 45 00:02:35,947 --> 00:02:40,547 Speaker 2: Just absolutely, can I add emoni nullawa? You know, not 46 00:02:40,747 --> 00:02:44,147 Speaker 2: as not as eye catching a game last night, but 47 00:02:44,227 --> 00:02:47,267 Speaker 2: across the season his body of work for the Chiefs. 48 00:02:47,587 --> 00:02:50,867 Speaker 2: He's the form right winger in the competition, isn't he 49 00:02:50,867 --> 00:02:51,187 Speaker 2: he is. 50 00:02:51,267 --> 00:02:52,987 Speaker 3: I think he's a Player of the Year candidate for 51 00:02:53,027 --> 00:02:55,107 Speaker 3: the Chiefs as well. You think about the minutes he's 52 00:02:55,147 --> 00:02:58,747 Speaker 3: played and how influential he's been a real deadlock breaker 53 00:02:58,787 --> 00:03:00,947 Speaker 3: as well. So he's one of those guys who if 54 00:03:00,947 --> 00:03:03,387 Speaker 3: you look back at the Chiefs and when the momentum 55 00:03:03,467 --> 00:03:06,307 Speaker 3: swimming starts, he's one of those wingers that also likes 56 00:03:06,427 --> 00:03:08,067 Speaker 3: the pick and go. So he's right near h at 57 00:03:08,107 --> 00:03:10,747 Speaker 3: the base of the rack trying to get amongst it 58 00:03:11,227 --> 00:03:14,427 Speaker 3: and the good on Clayton McMillan just says, yeah, why 59 00:03:14,467 --> 00:03:16,587 Speaker 3: not do what you've got to do if that's your game, 60 00:03:16,627 --> 00:03:18,987 Speaker 3: and go and do it. I felt sorry for the 61 00:03:19,587 --> 00:03:22,707 Speaker 3: Crusaders because Will Jordan's so influential. As soon as he 62 00:03:22,787 --> 00:03:26,507 Speaker 3: went off their game sort of went to pieces a bit, 63 00:03:26,587 --> 00:03:30,027 Speaker 3: and that just shows those those top class superstars make 64 00:03:30,147 --> 00:03:32,787 Speaker 3: such a big difference. That's almost how we might have 65 00:03:32,867 --> 00:03:37,787 Speaker 3: to decide the playoffs, Piny, because maybe without DMAC, the 66 00:03:37,867 --> 00:03:39,627 Speaker 3: Chiefs aren't going to be able to get up and 67 00:03:39,667 --> 00:03:42,627 Speaker 3: beat some of the top teams. And are the Hurricanes, 68 00:03:42,667 --> 00:03:45,467 Speaker 3: given that the Chiefs lost last week, are they the 69 00:03:45,547 --> 00:03:48,627 Speaker 3: form New Zealand side? Are they the best? He's on side? 70 00:03:48,867 --> 00:03:50,507 Speaker 2: Well, I guess we're going to find out. You probably 71 00:03:50,547 --> 00:03:52,467 Speaker 2: didn't hear Quinta Pie with us on the radio about 72 00:03:52,467 --> 00:03:54,347 Speaker 2: an hour ago, but he said that after they lost 73 00:03:54,347 --> 00:03:58,147 Speaker 2: to the Hurricanes last week and in the process leaked 74 00:03:58,227 --> 00:04:01,507 Speaker 2: twenty six unanswered points in the second half, Clayton McMillan 75 00:04:01,707 --> 00:04:04,747 Speaker 2: afterwards in the changing room turned their speaker off and 76 00:04:04,827 --> 00:04:08,387 Speaker 2: made them sit silent lee and listen to the Hurricanes 77 00:04:08,867 --> 00:04:12,147 Speaker 2: singing their victory song in the changing room next door. 78 00:04:12,227 --> 00:04:17,267 Speaker 2: That is masterful stuff from that. 79 00:04:18,427 --> 00:04:21,547 Speaker 3: When the Crusaders went up ninety nineteen points to three 80 00:04:21,547 --> 00:04:24,227 Speaker 3: and you were texting early Ritchie, I was thinking, I 81 00:04:24,267 --> 00:04:26,667 Speaker 3: was in the alternative commentary thinking can we go over 82 00:04:26,707 --> 00:04:29,587 Speaker 3: to the Warriors? And also if there's ever been a 83 00:04:29,627 --> 00:04:32,867 Speaker 3: time in rugby where a team needed a time out 84 00:04:33,307 --> 00:04:35,787 Speaker 3: that would have been you know, they just looked all 85 00:04:35,827 --> 00:04:38,387 Speaker 3: at sea, but then it came right and probably Clayton 86 00:04:38,667 --> 00:04:41,347 Speaker 3: had a really good half time with you know, turning 87 00:04:41,387 --> 00:04:42,987 Speaker 3: speakers off and doing what he does. 88 00:04:44,067 --> 00:04:46,627 Speaker 2: Indeed, well while you were watching the rugby, the Warriors 89 00:04:46,627 --> 00:04:50,027 Speaker 2: were playing and you I'm presuming caught the end of it, 90 00:04:50,067 --> 00:04:52,387 Speaker 2: which was probably the most exciting bit once the rugby 91 00:04:52,387 --> 00:04:55,827 Speaker 2: had finished. That just got an ability this season to 92 00:04:55,907 --> 00:04:57,707 Speaker 2: close out the tys, the tite ones. 93 00:04:57,787 --> 00:05:00,667 Speaker 3: James, Yes, and I like the technic of taking an 94 00:05:00,667 --> 00:05:03,707 Speaker 3: early droppy. There's nothing like when you try and see 95 00:05:03,747 --> 00:05:06,747 Speaker 3: it happen in the seventy ninth minute or whatever. It's 96 00:05:06,787 --> 00:05:09,587 Speaker 3: just all or nothing. You can see the pressure pile 97 00:05:09,627 --> 00:05:13,067 Speaker 3: on the kicker, although there is the safety net if 98 00:05:13,067 --> 00:05:16,747 Speaker 3: you like of gotten point extra time. But it was 99 00:05:17,147 --> 00:05:19,387 Speaker 3: a good call from Luke Metcalf, you know, just bossing 100 00:05:19,427 --> 00:05:21,507 Speaker 3: it the way he has so far. You can see 101 00:05:21,547 --> 00:05:24,467 Speaker 3: him growing with every game and winning those tough ones 102 00:05:24,547 --> 00:05:26,827 Speaker 3: is something that the Warriors that the need is part 103 00:05:26,867 --> 00:05:30,307 Speaker 3: of their repertoire because they're always going to get those 104 00:05:30,307 --> 00:05:33,587 Speaker 3: sorts of games over in Australia, so yeah, there was 105 00:05:34,507 --> 00:05:36,347 Speaker 3: just from looking at some of the highlights and I 106 00:05:36,347 --> 00:05:38,587 Speaker 3: watched them a bit of the second half. I do 107 00:05:38,707 --> 00:05:43,907 Speaker 3: like the fact that they they're more uncompromising this year, 108 00:05:44,107 --> 00:05:47,987 Speaker 3: and even defensive highlights, you see the Warriors really standing 109 00:05:48,067 --> 00:05:51,107 Speaker 3: up there. So imagine when we get James Fisher Harris back, 110 00:05:51,987 --> 00:05:53,587 Speaker 3: it's going to be even more formidable. 111 00:05:53,987 --> 00:05:55,907 Speaker 2: I know, and Roger two of us. The Sheky's not 112 00:05:55,947 --> 00:05:58,467 Speaker 2: back yet. We saw Dellan come back last night, so 113 00:05:58,667 --> 00:06:01,187 Speaker 2: that the cavalry is starting to arrive. Think about att 114 00:06:01,227 --> 00:06:04,107 Speaker 2: raguelig Thala, I must just I guess they just accept 115 00:06:04,107 --> 00:06:07,107 Speaker 2: that injuries happened jackson Ford last night. Bunty L four 116 00:06:07,147 --> 00:06:09,467 Speaker 2: I think went off. They just must accept that the 117 00:06:09,507 --> 00:06:13,227 Speaker 2: attrition rate in this game is going to be quite high. 118 00:06:13,307 --> 00:06:15,907 Speaker 3: Yeah, and also shout out to Tomardi Marsin, who's from 119 00:06:16,267 --> 00:06:18,947 Speaker 3: just south of Kafia Harbor Ta Habora. It's near my 120 00:06:19,027 --> 00:06:22,307 Speaker 3: neck of the woods. They having someone like him come 121 00:06:22,347 --> 00:06:25,267 Speaker 3: on and be a mister fixer is really what you need. 122 00:06:25,427 --> 00:06:28,547 Speaker 3: And that's what you know the bench has become in 123 00:06:29,707 --> 00:06:32,147 Speaker 3: regular league. You just have to decide really carefully because 124 00:06:32,147 --> 00:06:35,987 Speaker 3: you've got your forward rotation. We guys like Bunty have 125 00:06:36,027 --> 00:06:38,227 Speaker 3: always been stars, but then who do you have who 126 00:06:38,227 --> 00:06:41,787 Speaker 3: can plug gaps? And he's done that incredibly well. I 127 00:06:41,827 --> 00:06:43,667 Speaker 3: think a lot of people are thinking his career was 128 00:06:44,067 --> 00:06:46,147 Speaker 3: over with the Harps Comma they've got now, but he 129 00:06:47,067 --> 00:06:49,707 Speaker 3: put in a played a nice hand a. 130 00:06:49,627 --> 00:06:51,827 Speaker 2: Couple of other matters around Today, Auckland f C will 131 00:06:51,867 --> 00:06:54,947 Speaker 2: face Melbourne Victory home and away for a place in 132 00:06:54,987 --> 00:06:57,587 Speaker 2: the A League Means Football Grand Final. You're happy enough 133 00:06:57,627 --> 00:06:58,227 Speaker 2: with that outcome? 134 00:06:59,187 --> 00:07:03,547 Speaker 3: No, not, Pony, I'm not happy about it. I think 135 00:07:03,627 --> 00:07:07,627 Speaker 3: Melbourne victory really legally good is my feeling about the 136 00:07:07,627 --> 00:07:09,667 Speaker 3: Melbourne victory. And you know the players better than me. 137 00:07:09,827 --> 00:07:12,907 Speaker 3: But you know Mesha, the Lukla, the Sri Lankan star, 138 00:07:13,507 --> 00:07:16,427 Speaker 3: Ossie Bourne Sri Lankan. I mean there's all these players 139 00:07:16,427 --> 00:07:20,267 Speaker 3: who they just have for a team that's I guess, 140 00:07:20,387 --> 00:07:25,387 Speaker 3: you know, not really had a dynasty era. They do 141 00:07:25,467 --> 00:07:28,867 Speaker 3: feel like they're consistently very very good and they've got 142 00:07:29,067 --> 00:07:31,787 Speaker 3: more X factor than most Your thoughts. 143 00:07:31,667 --> 00:07:33,827 Speaker 2: No, I agree totally. I think if you and I 144 00:07:33,907 --> 00:07:36,867 Speaker 2: actually thought Western Sydney had as much X factor as 145 00:07:37,307 --> 00:07:40,187 Speaker 2: Melbourne victory, but last night it was the it was 146 00:07:40,187 --> 00:07:43,027 Speaker 2: the victory players who showed that Daniel Larzani he best 147 00:07:43,027 --> 00:07:45,587 Speaker 2: player out there last night. All I'll say though, is 148 00:07:46,107 --> 00:07:48,307 Speaker 2: that a couple of things. Auckland f C went over 149 00:07:48,347 --> 00:07:50,867 Speaker 2: there and one two nil not that long ago, and 150 00:07:51,027 --> 00:07:55,187 Speaker 2: Auckland FC have the best defense in the competition. So look, 151 00:07:55,267 --> 00:07:57,707 Speaker 2: when you're talking about Nullah foreign threats, I think the 152 00:07:57,867 --> 00:08:02,307 Speaker 2: likes of Hiroki Sakai, Dan Hallmander Pinaker, Francis Devreze, Alex 153 00:08:02,347 --> 00:08:04,427 Speaker 2: Paulson and goalie ver Strata in front of them, I 154 00:08:04,427 --> 00:08:08,467 Speaker 2: think we're pretty well equipped to repel victory. 155 00:08:09,347 --> 00:08:11,387 Speaker 3: But the one issue is I think, look, there's a 156 00:08:11,467 --> 00:08:13,867 Speaker 3: chance we'll lose in Melbourne, right So if that happens, 157 00:08:13,907 --> 00:08:17,787 Speaker 3: then we come back to go media. And as your 158 00:08:17,827 --> 00:08:20,267 Speaker 3: previous James on the show was saying, you know, there's 159 00:08:20,427 --> 00:08:23,547 Speaker 3: extra seats and the atmosphere has been electric, so it 160 00:08:23,587 --> 00:08:27,147 Speaker 3: will be a cauldron as you put it, Piney. So 161 00:08:27,187 --> 00:08:30,547 Speaker 3: the thing is they need to finish their chances. I 162 00:08:30,547 --> 00:08:34,307 Speaker 3: don't think you can rely on Francis Devreese winn you know, 163 00:08:34,347 --> 00:08:36,947 Speaker 3: winning corners for him on the preferred right side of 164 00:08:36,947 --> 00:08:38,987 Speaker 3: the field. So as left foot can work, it's magic. 165 00:08:39,307 --> 00:08:42,747 Speaker 3: I think they really need to say to Ymomi and 166 00:08:42,907 --> 00:08:45,427 Speaker 3: Max Martin. If so the guys they start up front, 167 00:08:46,387 --> 00:08:48,227 Speaker 3: they've got to be way more deadly in front of 168 00:08:48,227 --> 00:08:49,907 Speaker 3: the gold that's it, all. 169 00:08:49,867 --> 00:08:52,707 Speaker 2: Right, just to finish. NBA Semi Finals are on at 170 00:08:52,747 --> 00:08:54,227 Speaker 2: the moment. In fact, there's a game on as we 171 00:08:54,267 --> 00:08:57,107 Speaker 2: speak halftime. Golden State Warrior is forty two, forty ahead 172 00:08:57,107 --> 00:08:59,147 Speaker 2: of the Timberwolves. This one's locked up at one. All 173 00:08:59,307 --> 00:09:01,387 Speaker 2: it seems like it's been very difficult for teams to 174 00:09:01,427 --> 00:09:03,987 Speaker 2: win at home during these NBA playoffs. 175 00:09:04,947 --> 00:09:07,987 Speaker 3: It's been totally topsy two and the Boston Celtics have 176 00:09:08,067 --> 00:09:10,547 Speaker 3: been given a massive wake up call from the New 177 00:09:10,587 --> 00:09:12,827 Speaker 3: York next But today, one of the cool stories is 178 00:09:12,867 --> 00:09:15,947 Speaker 3: that for the what Golden State Warriors, because Steph Curry 179 00:09:16,027 --> 00:09:18,947 Speaker 3: isn't playing, there's a guy called Pat Spencer who looks 180 00:09:18,987 --> 00:09:22,507 Speaker 3: like he pretty much belongs in you know, u YMCA league, 181 00:09:23,787 --> 00:09:26,627 Speaker 3: playing out there with a T shirt on and just 182 00:09:27,427 --> 00:09:31,267 Speaker 3: you know, looking like someone's geography teacher. And he's just 183 00:09:32,027 --> 00:09:34,347 Speaker 3: been magic for them, just filling gaps. He's not been 184 00:09:34,667 --> 00:09:38,187 Speaker 3: lighting up the school board completely, but he's suddenly a 185 00:09:38,267 --> 00:09:41,587 Speaker 3: factive Because they've got no Steph, They've traded lots of 186 00:09:41,587 --> 00:09:46,587 Speaker 3: players away, and he's getting to play a really important 187 00:09:46,707 --> 00:09:50,467 Speaker 3: role for a depleted warrior's side. And you probably have 188 00:09:50,547 --> 00:09:52,267 Speaker 3: got the TV. They've just gone to an ad. I 189 00:09:52,267 --> 00:09:55,107 Speaker 3: was going to give you a score update, but that's 190 00:09:55,867 --> 00:09:58,987 Speaker 3: good on him. Good old Pat Spencer a lacrosse in 191 00:09:59,027 --> 00:10:01,507 Speaker 3: his youth. He was the number one for lacrosse player 192 00:10:01,587 --> 00:10:04,907 Speaker 3: in America, but he just preferred basketball and said, this 193 00:10:04,947 --> 00:10:06,187 Speaker 3: is what I'm going to do with my life. 194 00:10:06,707 --> 00:10:08,947 Speaker 2: You don't get a lot of pets anymore, do you. 195 00:10:08,947 --> 00:10:10,627 Speaker 2: You don't get a lot of people called pet. 196 00:10:12,267 --> 00:10:15,347 Speaker 3: Yeah, and not only pets playing the NBA's brother plays 197 00:10:15,467 --> 00:10:18,347 Speaker 3: at Memphis Grizzly. So it's kind of crazy. How have 198 00:10:18,787 --> 00:10:22,427 Speaker 3: suddenly everyone's wanting to write stories about good old pets? 199 00:10:22,467 --> 00:10:27,307 Speaker 3: The postman Pets always delivers. 200 00:10:27,307 --> 00:10:30,147 Speaker 2: Thanks as always, mate, James mccony, big part of our 201 00:10:30,187 --> 00:10:32,387 Speaker 2: Sunday is very popular part of our Sundays. Catch them 202 00:10:32,387 --> 00:10:34,867 Speaker 2: on the Alternative Commentary Collective, on the Craiggs Well and 203 00:10:34,947 --> 00:10:36,787 Speaker 2: across your social media platform. 204 00:10:36,707 --> 00:10:39,907 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine. Listen live 205 00:10:39,987 --> 00:10:43,267 Speaker 1: to News Talk zed B weekends from midday, or follow 206 00:10:43,307 --> 00:10:44,947 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio.