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 --> 00:00:12,547 Speaker 1: from newstalksb. 3 00:00:12,667 --> 00:00:16,067 Speaker 2: Who Sundays James Mconi in his regular s lot. 4 00:00:16,067 --> 00:00:20,547 Speaker 3: Hello mate, yaks and Ash another Kazakhstan. 5 00:00:22,747 --> 00:00:27,387 Speaker 2: Is that your support? Elena Rode back Rye Pak the 6 00:00:27,467 --> 00:00:30,987 Speaker 2: Kazakhstan winner of the Aussie Open Hive five. 7 00:00:31,347 --> 00:00:37,027 Speaker 3: Yeah, amazing. Yeah, River Keina what a player. It's just 8 00:00:37,147 --> 00:00:40,907 Speaker 3: one of those stories where I mean, she's Russian, but 9 00:00:41,147 --> 00:00:44,267 Speaker 3: Kazakhstan's got a billionaire who paid her money and she 10 00:00:44,427 --> 00:00:47,387 Speaker 3: went to play over there and covered her costs, and 11 00:00:47,747 --> 00:00:49,147 Speaker 3: you know, you sort of feel like that's how we 12 00:00:49,227 --> 00:00:53,907 Speaker 3: lost Cam Norrie to Britain. Right, The money in Britain 13 00:00:53,987 --> 00:00:57,027 Speaker 3: and the system there is all funded by Wimbledon and 14 00:00:57,147 --> 00:01:00,227 Speaker 3: the and the profits, and so we've lost our best 15 00:01:00,867 --> 00:01:04,307 Speaker 3: tennis player of this generation anyway to another country. And 16 00:01:04,387 --> 00:01:07,227 Speaker 3: that's what's happened with River ken there going over to 17 00:01:08,627 --> 00:01:11,627 Speaker 3: two old Kazakhstan. I gave up on her in that 18 00:01:11,747 --> 00:01:14,307 Speaker 3: third set. Piney, what about you? I actually thought on 19 00:01:14,587 --> 00:01:14,947 Speaker 3: it's over. 20 00:01:15,547 --> 00:01:19,387 Speaker 2: Yeah, I did three lovedown a breakdown Sabolenka. She just 21 00:01:19,467 --> 00:01:22,627 Speaker 2: looks so imperious, doesn't she. But I think it makes 22 00:01:22,707 --> 00:01:26,427 Speaker 2: the victory even more impressive to bring it back. I mean, 23 00:01:26,467 --> 00:01:27,987 Speaker 2: she she won the first end, didn't she, And then 24 00:01:28,267 --> 00:01:30,267 Speaker 2: it was won all and to be three love down. Yeah, 25 00:01:30,747 --> 00:01:32,667 Speaker 2: I thought she was going to be a runner up, 26 00:01:32,707 --> 00:01:33,587 Speaker 2: but no good on her. 27 00:01:34,547 --> 00:01:36,867 Speaker 3: Yeah, second Grand Slam. So we've actually got a good 28 00:01:36,947 --> 00:01:39,787 Speaker 3: rivalry there because I was worried that Saberlenka was going 29 00:01:39,867 --> 00:01:43,547 Speaker 3: to cruise through and have it. It's far too easier 30 00:01:43,627 --> 00:01:46,467 Speaker 3: run in the women's draw because it's not the same 31 00:01:46,587 --> 00:01:49,547 Speaker 3: as even when you know Serena was at her peak, 32 00:01:49,667 --> 00:01:54,387 Speaker 3: she still had you know, Hennan was still there at 33 00:01:54,427 --> 00:01:58,307 Speaker 3: the start, and so many good players. Sharapova was buzzing 34 00:01:58,347 --> 00:02:02,467 Speaker 3: around and obviously he or his sister, So right now 35 00:02:02,507 --> 00:02:03,787 Speaker 3: I sat of look at it and go, yeah, this 36 00:02:03,907 --> 00:02:06,507 Speaker 3: is actually really good for the women's game. But talk 37 00:02:06,547 --> 00:02:09,947 Speaker 3: about rivalries on the men's side of the drawer. Two 38 00:02:10,107 --> 00:02:14,107 Speaker 3: five setters, epic five setters in the men's semi finals, 39 00:02:14,667 --> 00:02:17,667 Speaker 3: and now it's al Karez versus Djokovic and Pioney. I 40 00:02:17,707 --> 00:02:18,987 Speaker 3: want to know who you're picking, No. 41 00:02:19,067 --> 00:02:21,147 Speaker 2: I want to know who you're picking because on the 42 00:02:21,227 --> 00:02:24,227 Speaker 2: runsheet here it says James mconey, So I feel like 43 00:02:24,347 --> 00:02:27,027 Speaker 2: you should be the one who has to give us 44 00:02:27,107 --> 00:02:28,507 Speaker 2: your prediction first. 45 00:02:29,227 --> 00:02:31,907 Speaker 3: Okay, I'm going to go for al KaAZ. I'm going 46 00:02:31,947 --> 00:02:35,867 Speaker 3: for the youth. Call me crazy, because I think Djokovic 47 00:02:35,987 --> 00:02:39,667 Speaker 3: is an absolute machine. He is the goat. He's going 48 00:02:39,747 --> 00:02:42,827 Speaker 3: for his eleventh Aussie Open title, which would equal Margaret Court, 49 00:02:43,387 --> 00:02:46,587 Speaker 3: and he would surpass Margaret Court, who both have twenty 50 00:02:46,627 --> 00:02:50,147 Speaker 3: four Grand Slam wins, and if he can get this done. 51 00:02:50,187 --> 00:02:52,147 Speaker 3: But I must add that Margaret Courts era are a 52 00:02:52,187 --> 00:02:54,467 Speaker 3: lot of top players that fly down to the Aussie Open. 53 00:02:54,787 --> 00:02:58,107 Speaker 3: So I feel like Djokovic, what we're witnessing is something special. 54 00:02:58,507 --> 00:03:00,627 Speaker 3: A thirty eight year old guy who's gone to do 55 00:03:00,747 --> 00:03:03,587 Speaker 3: Bai in the offseason and worked at his game just 56 00:03:03,707 --> 00:03:07,107 Speaker 3: so he can compete and beat our care and Sinner. 57 00:03:07,227 --> 00:03:11,387 Speaker 3: So he's coming in as a cyborg from the past 58 00:03:11,467 --> 00:03:14,307 Speaker 3: and the future, a combination of both. I think Djokovic 59 00:03:14,947 --> 00:03:17,187 Speaker 3: knows what he has to do. He has to attack 60 00:03:17,907 --> 00:03:22,067 Speaker 3: Alcarez's second serve, in particular, because he's improved his first 61 00:03:22,147 --> 00:03:24,347 Speaker 3: serve al Karez, and he's going to hit the ball 62 00:03:24,427 --> 00:03:27,027 Speaker 3: deep and disrupt his rhythm. And I know that it's 63 00:03:27,067 --> 00:03:30,987 Speaker 3: going to mean a few different changes of tactics for him, 64 00:03:30,987 --> 00:03:35,587 Speaker 3: but because I think al Karez in such physical form 65 00:03:35,667 --> 00:03:38,707 Speaker 3: or peak form, that he can run anything down. So 66 00:03:39,267 --> 00:03:41,427 Speaker 3: but I'm still giving it to the Spaniard. I just 67 00:03:41,547 --> 00:03:44,307 Speaker 3: think that he is he's locked in himself. 68 00:03:45,027 --> 00:03:46,987 Speaker 2: Yeah, I love the way that you've picked the al 69 00:03:47,027 --> 00:03:49,707 Speaker 2: KaAZ and then gave us a ninety second dissertation on 70 00:03:49,787 --> 00:03:53,387 Speaker 2: the streets of Novak Djokovic, and I think it goes 71 00:03:53,427 --> 00:03:56,027 Speaker 2: to prove just I mean, it's an intriguing final, isn't it. 72 00:03:56,187 --> 00:03:58,307 Speaker 2: I mean, two guys at the opposite ends of their careers, 73 00:03:58,347 --> 00:04:01,867 Speaker 2: different styles, you know, I don't know. I asked diversely 74 00:04:01,867 --> 00:04:04,187 Speaker 2: who he thought the crowd to be cheering for. If 75 00:04:04,267 --> 00:04:06,187 Speaker 2: you were there, who would you who do you like better? 76 00:04:07,667 --> 00:04:10,107 Speaker 3: I like al Karaz better for some reason, I know. 77 00:04:10,467 --> 00:04:12,707 Speaker 3: I mean, look, he's trying to wear the muscle shirts 78 00:04:12,787 --> 00:04:16,467 Speaker 3: like Nadal and he is turning into a million Nadal. 79 00:04:17,187 --> 00:04:20,227 Speaker 3: But Djokovic I really enjoyed him back in the day 80 00:04:20,267 --> 00:04:22,267 Speaker 3: when he used to do impressions of other tennis players. 81 00:04:22,307 --> 00:04:23,787 Speaker 3: I mean, I know that he's sort of rubed people 82 00:04:23,827 --> 00:04:26,187 Speaker 3: up the wrong way during COVID, but hey, you know, 83 00:04:27,067 --> 00:04:30,467 Speaker 3: he's one of the game's characters in an absolute legend. 84 00:04:31,387 --> 00:04:34,187 Speaker 3: He's got the amazing win rate there. He's only lost 85 00:04:34,227 --> 00:04:36,547 Speaker 3: ten games in Melbourne, he's never lost the final. So 86 00:04:37,067 --> 00:04:38,987 Speaker 3: you've probably heard that from Dave. But the thing is 87 00:04:39,227 --> 00:04:43,307 Speaker 3: it's I think al KaAZ is just because of his youth, 88 00:04:43,387 --> 00:04:44,907 Speaker 3: he might have recovered better. I think he had a 89 00:04:44,947 --> 00:04:47,747 Speaker 3: bit more time after his semi final as well. So 90 00:04:48,627 --> 00:04:49,667 Speaker 3: that's what I'm going for. 91 00:04:50,307 --> 00:04:53,747 Speaker 2: All right, Let's go to Super Rugby preseason games. The 92 00:04:53,867 --> 00:04:56,467 Speaker 2: season itself a couple of weeks away. Everybody's had a 93 00:04:56,507 --> 00:05:00,387 Speaker 2: bit of a hits out Blues thirty six, Hurricanes forty four, 94 00:05:00,667 --> 00:05:03,307 Speaker 2: the Chiefs beating the Druid, Crusader's beating the Highlanders. I 95 00:05:03,387 --> 00:05:05,787 Speaker 2: guess coaches just want no injuries, don't they. But what 96 00:05:05,907 --> 00:05:08,827 Speaker 2: else can you take from pre season Super Rugby matches. 97 00:05:09,467 --> 00:05:12,107 Speaker 3: Well, I can only speak about the Chiefs versus the Dua. 98 00:05:12,187 --> 00:05:14,107 Speaker 3: I was there at the game at Mount Mongnui the 99 00:05:14,187 --> 00:05:17,787 Speaker 3: other day. Obviously, the tragic events of the previous week 100 00:05:17,947 --> 00:05:22,307 Speaker 3: is it really was tough for that community and for 101 00:05:22,387 --> 00:05:25,507 Speaker 3: the Chiefs to suddenly have to sort of prepare for 102 00:05:25,587 --> 00:05:29,667 Speaker 3: a game. And during that game it was a bit 103 00:05:29,747 --> 00:05:33,107 Speaker 3: of a festival atmosphere for the style of rugby. But 104 00:05:33,227 --> 00:05:34,947 Speaker 3: I did notice a couple of things. One is that 105 00:05:35,107 --> 00:05:38,107 Speaker 3: Kira in Telmoy Filal who has come over from Uwana 106 00:05:38,387 --> 00:05:41,427 Speaker 3: pacifica you know, the rapid winger Pinty you'd be aware. 107 00:05:41,147 --> 00:05:44,067 Speaker 2: Of not well aware of them, yep, well aware of them. 108 00:05:44,147 --> 00:05:47,267 Speaker 3: He wants to play fullback, so he wants to compete 109 00:05:47,307 --> 00:05:49,387 Speaker 3: with the tenny and nine knife Satuto for the number 110 00:05:49,427 --> 00:05:52,427 Speaker 3: fifteen Jersey. So watch this space because I've got a 111 00:05:52,507 --> 00:05:55,667 Speaker 3: stack back three with Leroy Carter and the Morning Nadawa 112 00:05:55,947 --> 00:05:58,347 Speaker 3: as well to come back into the mix there. And 113 00:05:58,427 --> 00:06:02,227 Speaker 3: then in midfield Lalakao for Ketti. He's a guy who's 114 00:06:02,227 --> 00:06:04,467 Speaker 3: played a bit for bad plenty and the Waratas and 115 00:06:04,627 --> 00:06:07,907 Speaker 3: the Wallabies. Even though he's New Zealand Bourne. He's really 116 00:06:07,947 --> 00:06:12,107 Speaker 3: an Aussie who's sort of thirty one, a veteran, but 117 00:06:12,307 --> 00:06:15,507 Speaker 3: manly looked good in midfield. So you know, don't you 118 00:06:16,107 --> 00:06:19,547 Speaker 3: foregrety about me? That is all I'm saying about that guy, 119 00:06:19,667 --> 00:06:21,547 Speaker 3: because he he looks for goods. 120 00:06:21,987 --> 00:06:24,627 Speaker 2: I've got the Hurricanes winning the whole thing, but I 121 00:06:24,787 --> 00:06:27,867 Speaker 2: have for most seasons. I think I think they're looking 122 00:06:27,907 --> 00:06:30,187 Speaker 2: all right though, I've. 123 00:06:30,027 --> 00:06:33,587 Speaker 3: Got the Hurricanes winning as well, Piney, because it means 124 00:06:33,707 --> 00:06:36,747 Speaker 3: that when you find if you do win, I steal 125 00:06:37,187 --> 00:06:39,147 Speaker 3: some of the thunder from you and my good mate 126 00:06:39,147 --> 00:06:41,787 Speaker 3: Andrew Mulligan, and I say, hey, I picked it you guys, 127 00:06:42,187 --> 00:06:46,267 Speaker 3: you know love it. The chicks win, I'll just go well, 128 00:06:46,547 --> 00:06:47,107 Speaker 3: sorry about it. 129 00:06:47,507 --> 00:06:50,347 Speaker 2: Yeah, No, you're right. It's a no lose situation for you, 130 00:06:50,467 --> 00:06:54,147 Speaker 2: unless the Crusaders would. Of course, Hey, the Tea twenty 131 00:06:54,187 --> 00:06:55,987 Speaker 2: World Cups coming up? You did you? Were you aware 132 00:06:55,987 --> 00:06:56,187 Speaker 2: of that? 133 00:06:57,467 --> 00:06:59,387 Speaker 3: I am aware of it, and it is in India, 134 00:06:59,547 --> 00:07:02,587 Speaker 3: I believe, and it's in so New Zealand's have the 135 00:07:02,587 --> 00:07:06,827 Speaker 3: perfect preparation playing India in India of course, losing for one. 136 00:07:06,987 --> 00:07:09,267 Speaker 3: But did you see the match overnight, Pony, did you 137 00:07:09,347 --> 00:07:10,467 Speaker 3: see what fin Allen did? 138 00:07:10,667 --> 00:07:13,947 Speaker 2: Come on eighty and about thirty balls. He's just in 139 00:07:14,267 --> 00:07:16,507 Speaker 2: in this rich vein of form, isn't he fine Allen? 140 00:07:17,187 --> 00:07:20,267 Speaker 3: Yeah? And that is how to play T twenty. It's 141 00:07:21,907 --> 00:07:24,187 Speaker 3: six sixes and four fours, so that's sixty eight of 142 00:07:24,307 --> 00:07:28,147 Speaker 3: the eighty runs and boundaries. And that's another good way 143 00:07:28,187 --> 00:07:29,947 Speaker 3: to play in the heat of India as well. I 144 00:07:30,107 --> 00:07:34,147 Speaker 3: think it is not run so much exactly right. Yeah, 145 00:07:35,187 --> 00:07:37,827 Speaker 3: for the boundary Mark Richardson. 146 00:07:37,907 --> 00:07:40,667 Speaker 2: No, absolutely not No. I don't think he'll be running 147 00:07:40,667 --> 00:07:42,947 Speaker 2: too many quick singles. Just stand and deliver. And we're 148 00:07:42,947 --> 00:07:45,347 Speaker 2: about a week away from the Winter Olympics. I'm excited 149 00:07:45,347 --> 00:07:47,067 Speaker 2: about the recon. We could win a few medals. 150 00:07:47,707 --> 00:07:51,587 Speaker 3: Yes. The Winter Olympics opening ceremony on February seven our time. 151 00:07:52,147 --> 00:07:54,387 Speaker 3: It's on Sky and Sky open all the action. It's 152 00:07:54,427 --> 00:07:56,747 Speaker 3: going to be pretty exciting. I don't know if the 153 00:07:56,827 --> 00:08:00,267 Speaker 3: topless tonguen will be there for the opening ceremony, all 154 00:08:00,387 --> 00:08:03,867 Speaker 3: oiled up, but Mariah Carey will be probably not topless, 155 00:08:04,427 --> 00:08:08,067 Speaker 3: and she's singing at the sea ceremony. And then for us, 156 00:08:08,347 --> 00:08:10,867 Speaker 3: we've got well we all. We've got to look out 157 00:08:10,907 --> 00:08:13,987 Speaker 3: for Zoey Sadowski Senate. She is the best in her field, 158 00:08:14,387 --> 00:08:16,027 Speaker 3: definitely in the slope style, should be in the big 159 00:08:16,067 --> 00:08:19,387 Speaker 3: air as well. Bintley Melville Ives who won the half 160 00:08:19,427 --> 00:08:22,947 Speaker 3: pipe golden last year's free ski half Pipe World Champs 161 00:08:23,067 --> 00:08:25,907 Speaker 3: our World Cup at the age of eighteen. And Alice 162 00:08:25,987 --> 00:08:28,547 Speaker 3: Robinson of course at the giant slalom, who won a 163 00:08:28,587 --> 00:08:31,307 Speaker 3: World Cup two months ago. And you can also look 164 00:08:31,347 --> 00:08:34,667 Speaker 3: out for Campbell right, a Kiwi competing for the USA 165 00:08:34,747 --> 00:08:38,307 Speaker 3: and the biathlon that's the skiing shooting event. And even 166 00:08:38,347 --> 00:08:41,427 Speaker 3: the Americans are calling him fun loving Kiwi Campbell, right 167 00:08:41,587 --> 00:08:43,667 Speaker 3: and stuff. I was looking at the Rocky Mountain, the 168 00:08:43,707 --> 00:08:46,707 Speaker 3: Outlook newspaper. This is the research I do for you, pony, 169 00:08:47,187 --> 00:08:50,667 Speaker 3: and so they're pretty much calling him a Kiwi. But 170 00:08:50,827 --> 00:08:54,467 Speaker 3: he's an American now. But all I'll say is Zoey 171 00:08:54,467 --> 00:08:57,587 Speaker 3: Sadowski Senate at five foot five, same height as Lydia Coe. 172 00:08:57,987 --> 00:09:00,067 Speaker 3: Even if you've got a kid who thinks they're too 173 00:09:00,147 --> 00:09:03,587 Speaker 3: short to be a champion, No, our greatest athletes are 174 00:09:03,667 --> 00:09:05,747 Speaker 3: five five, Pony, they are. 175 00:09:05,747 --> 00:09:08,307 Speaker 2: Indeed they are, and d greater Jed as always mate 176 00:09:08,547 --> 00:09:10,747 Speaker 2: James bccardi part of our Sundays for. 177 00:09:10,867 --> 00:09:13,987 Speaker 1: More from Weekends Sport with Jason Fine. Listen live to 178 00:09:14,147 --> 00:09:17,347 Speaker 1: News Talk zed B weekends from midday or follow the 179 00:09:17,427 --> 00:09:18,867 Speaker 1: podcast on iHeartRadio