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 --> 00:00:12,027 Speaker 1: from Newstalk zedb. 3 00:00:12,787 --> 00:00:15,947 Speaker 2: BE World Cup title defense tomorrow morning, four thirty our 4 00:00:16,067 --> 00:00:19,547 Speaker 2: time against Spain. Let's bring in sixty eight test former 5 00:00:19,587 --> 00:00:24,107 Speaker 2: Black Ferns halfback twenty eighteen Kel Tremaine Memorial Trophy winner 6 00:00:24,427 --> 00:00:28,227 Speaker 2: and Rugby World Cup winner in twenty ten, twenty seventeen 7 00:00:28,667 --> 00:00:31,987 Speaker 2: and twenty twenty two, Kendra Cox Edge of course, Kendra, 8 00:00:32,067 --> 00:00:35,587 Speaker 2: how optimistic should we feel about the Black Ferns chances 9 00:00:35,907 --> 00:00:38,307 Speaker 2: of winning what would be a third straight World Cup? 10 00:00:39,107 --> 00:00:42,547 Speaker 3: Well, I think we should be heavily optimistic obviously, you know. 11 00:00:42,627 --> 00:00:44,907 Speaker 3: I guess there's a lot a lot of pressure in 12 00:00:44,987 --> 00:00:47,387 Speaker 3: terms of obviously winning the last one and then obviously 13 00:00:47,387 --> 00:00:49,947 Speaker 3: England been in England and in England obviously performing pretty 14 00:00:49,987 --> 00:00:54,147 Speaker 3: well and potentially going up against them that. Yeah, I think, yeah, 15 00:00:54,187 --> 00:00:55,707 Speaker 3: I think we've got to be optimistic about it and 16 00:00:55,747 --> 00:00:56,547 Speaker 3: we did it last time. 17 00:00:56,627 --> 00:01:00,787 Speaker 2: So yeah. So just the four official tests for the 18 00:01:00,787 --> 00:01:03,427 Speaker 2: Black Ferns in twenty twenty five, in that game against 19 00:01:03,467 --> 00:01:06,747 Speaker 2: the New Zealand fifteen, is that sufficient build up? They 20 00:01:06,747 --> 00:01:07,547 Speaker 2: have liked a bit more? 21 00:01:08,467 --> 00:01:10,747 Speaker 3: No, I think the build up's been you know, being fine, 22 00:01:10,747 --> 00:01:13,627 Speaker 3: and I've obviously done stuff with their camps and whatnot, 23 00:01:13,667 --> 00:01:15,627 Speaker 3: and they've worked towards what they need and need to do. 24 00:01:15,747 --> 00:01:17,107 Speaker 3: I mean, it's always good if you can get as 25 00:01:17,147 --> 00:01:20,027 Speaker 3: many games as you can, but just just been able 26 00:01:20,067 --> 00:01:22,867 Speaker 3: to play, you know, I'll back that they've done enough 27 00:01:22,867 --> 00:01:24,667 Speaker 3: and it's probably no different to any other World Cup 28 00:01:24,667 --> 00:01:25,347 Speaker 3: prip that we've had. 29 00:01:25,667 --> 00:01:27,987 Speaker 2: Let's have a look at the New Zealand squad. The 30 00:01:28,027 --> 00:01:31,427 Speaker 2: outside backs on this team are so exciting. Renee Holmes, 31 00:01:31,427 --> 00:01:35,947 Speaker 2: Asha Littieinger Braxton Sorenson McGee, Caitlin Carlo and of course 32 00:01:35,947 --> 00:01:39,667 Speaker 2: Porscha Woodman Woodcliffe. How much of New Zealand's strategy will 33 00:01:39,667 --> 00:01:42,627 Speaker 2: be about getting the ball wide to such dangerous players like. 34 00:01:42,587 --> 00:01:45,507 Speaker 3: That, Well, I think that's probably how a New Zealand 35 00:01:45,547 --> 00:01:47,947 Speaker 3: play right. We've paid a lot of expensive footy and 36 00:01:48,027 --> 00:01:49,707 Speaker 3: I know that we wouldn't have exposed a lot of 37 00:01:49,707 --> 00:01:53,147 Speaker 3: our game plans throughout the game's previous to World Cup, 38 00:01:53,507 --> 00:01:55,187 Speaker 3: and there will be a few kind of tricks up 39 00:01:55,187 --> 00:01:57,347 Speaker 3: the sleeve. But I think you know, when you've got 40 00:01:57,387 --> 00:01:59,587 Speaker 3: a players on the out side like that that can 41 00:01:59,667 --> 00:02:01,547 Speaker 3: light it up. And at the same time, people are 42 00:02:01,587 --> 00:02:02,907 Speaker 3: going to think that we're probably going to do that, 43 00:02:02,987 --> 00:02:06,307 Speaker 3: so it might be an opportunity to use our quality midfielders, 44 00:02:06,507 --> 00:02:09,027 Speaker 3: you know, Sylvia, Stacey and Theresa set to find it 45 00:02:09,067 --> 00:02:11,467 Speaker 3: Amy do for Sue. We've got some quality midfielders as well. 46 00:02:11,907 --> 00:02:14,547 Speaker 3: That would be obviously to you know, take up in 47 00:02:14,547 --> 00:02:15,827 Speaker 3: the middle if we need to, and then we've got 48 00:02:15,827 --> 00:02:17,747 Speaker 3: a great board pack to do the same thing to. 49 00:02:17,667 --> 00:02:20,947 Speaker 2: Your old position. Kendra halfback. All three half backs off 50 00:02:20,987 --> 00:02:24,547 Speaker 2: to their first Rugby World Cup at Attanajhire, Maya, Joseph 51 00:02:24,627 --> 00:02:27,587 Speaker 2: Rassiliana Poli Lane. How do you evaluate the half back 52 00:02:27,587 --> 00:02:28,507 Speaker 2: strength in the squad? 53 00:02:29,147 --> 00:02:31,107 Speaker 3: Oh, we go back the girls there. You know they're talent, 54 00:02:31,347 --> 00:02:33,387 Speaker 3: the town to athlete. You got someone like Resi who's 55 00:02:33,467 --> 00:02:36,267 Speaker 3: you know, done Pina cool events before the World Cup, 56 00:02:36,267 --> 00:02:38,867 Speaker 3: but been to Commonwealth and Olympics and you know that 57 00:02:38,947 --> 00:02:40,947 Speaker 3: kind of experience is great. The other two, you know, 58 00:02:41,027 --> 00:02:43,507 Speaker 3: they don't think it will face them the quality of players. 59 00:02:44,027 --> 00:02:45,707 Speaker 3: And the cool thing about these three half packs is 60 00:02:45,747 --> 00:02:48,267 Speaker 3: they all offer something slightly different with the whether the 61 00:02:48,307 --> 00:02:50,947 Speaker 3: way they want to play. I don't think anyone's necessarily 62 00:02:50,987 --> 00:02:53,747 Speaker 3: They haven't cemented the number nine jersey yet. I think 63 00:02:53,747 --> 00:02:55,547 Speaker 3: it will come down to how the team probably wants 64 00:02:55,587 --> 00:02:57,627 Speaker 3: to wants to play and what the game plan is 65 00:02:57,627 --> 00:02:58,187 Speaker 3: for each game. 66 00:02:58,547 --> 00:03:01,267 Speaker 2: And with the first fives only two named in the 67 00:03:01,307 --> 00:03:03,827 Speaker 2: squad or do I hate demand? Of course in Kellie Brazier, 68 00:03:03,867 --> 00:03:07,027 Speaker 2: who we know is hugely experienced, but before playing against 69 00:03:07,067 --> 00:03:10,587 Speaker 2: Australia this year, she hadn't played a test since November 70 00:03:10,627 --> 00:03:13,707 Speaker 2: twenty twenty one. Are we a little bit light? If 71 00:03:13,707 --> 00:03:16,507 Speaker 2: something were to happen to Je DeMont. 72 00:03:17,427 --> 00:03:18,947 Speaker 3: I think would be I think would be able to 73 00:03:19,027 --> 00:03:21,267 Speaker 3: be Okay, We've probably got Renee Holmes, I think should 74 00:03:21,307 --> 00:03:24,627 Speaker 3: be someone that could probably cover ten as well, So 75 00:03:24,707 --> 00:03:26,267 Speaker 3: you've got that cover there, and we know that she's 76 00:03:26,267 --> 00:03:29,027 Speaker 3: a talented, talented player too, so I think you know, 77 00:03:29,427 --> 00:03:30,587 Speaker 3: you know, you never want to be in cony of 78 00:03:30,587 --> 00:03:32,827 Speaker 3: the injuries if someone gets into someone potentially get called 79 00:03:32,907 --> 00:03:34,547 Speaker 3: up to. But we obviously got Kelly who's got the 80 00:03:34,907 --> 00:03:36,867 Speaker 3: hell of a lot of experience and can distribute and 81 00:03:36,947 --> 00:03:39,307 Speaker 3: kick well, which the team you may need as well. 82 00:03:39,627 --> 00:03:42,627 Speaker 2: At the other end of the experience scale, the hugely 83 00:03:42,707 --> 00:03:45,547 Speaker 2: exciting Georgia Miller, who of course has come across from 84 00:03:45,667 --> 00:03:48,987 Speaker 2: the Seven's program, but that trice, he's scored against Australia 85 00:03:49,067 --> 00:03:52,107 Speaker 2: and Wellington just a glimpse of what she is capable of. 86 00:03:52,467 --> 00:03:55,587 Speaker 2: What do you predict for Georgia Miller at this World Cup? 87 00:03:57,027 --> 00:04:00,267 Speaker 3: I predict that she's probably potentially could be the end 88 00:04:00,347 --> 00:04:03,227 Speaker 3: up being that player of the tournament, you know, you 89 00:04:03,267 --> 00:04:05,467 Speaker 3: call that nice and early. She's a freak. She makes 90 00:04:05,467 --> 00:04:08,587 Speaker 3: regular look easy. I think she'll know, she'll embrace it, 91 00:04:08,787 --> 00:04:10,827 Speaker 3: and I think she'll have a great World Cup and 92 00:04:10,827 --> 00:04:14,027 Speaker 3: she'll have another breakout season in their first fifteen's World Cup. 93 00:04:14,427 --> 00:04:17,347 Speaker 2: So to the schedule, Paul play New Zealand plays Spain first, 94 00:04:17,347 --> 00:04:20,707 Speaker 2: then Japan then Ireland, which will be their toughest Paul match. 95 00:04:20,787 --> 00:04:23,787 Speaker 2: Do you think Alan Bunting and his selectors will use 96 00:04:23,827 --> 00:04:25,547 Speaker 2: the first two games to come up with their strongest 97 00:04:25,627 --> 00:04:27,347 Speaker 2: side for the third game and then Ireland to the 98 00:04:27,427 --> 00:04:28,147 Speaker 2: knockout face. 99 00:04:29,387 --> 00:04:31,387 Speaker 3: I think what they'll do is that that first game, 100 00:04:31,707 --> 00:04:34,107 Speaker 3: I believe that they'll still give people an opportunity to 101 00:04:34,507 --> 00:04:36,427 Speaker 3: get some good game time under their bout and then 102 00:04:36,507 --> 00:04:40,587 Speaker 3: probably leading into Japan and in Ireland obviously by Ireland. 103 00:04:40,627 --> 00:04:42,227 Speaker 3: You probably want to have your top teams, so you 104 00:04:42,227 --> 00:04:44,027 Speaker 3: probably want them to be playing some good game time 105 00:04:44,347 --> 00:04:47,227 Speaker 3: together in that Japan game as well. I don't think 106 00:04:47,227 --> 00:04:50,667 Speaker 3: they've done that already this year. They've kind of, you know, 107 00:04:51,387 --> 00:04:52,947 Speaker 3: they've moved around the squad a lot, so they probably 108 00:04:52,987 --> 00:04:56,387 Speaker 3: do need to start cementing a top fifteen as early 109 00:04:56,427 --> 00:04:57,787 Speaker 3: as possible within the World Cup. 110 00:04:58,107 --> 00:05:01,827 Speaker 2: Apart from England obviously the hosts and world number one, 111 00:05:02,067 --> 00:05:04,227 Speaker 2: who are the other big threats to New Zealand at 112 00:05:04,267 --> 00:05:04,987 Speaker 2: this World Cup? 113 00:05:05,347 --> 00:05:07,667 Speaker 3: I think our biggest three for thinking about New Zealand's 114 00:05:07,667 --> 00:05:09,667 Speaker 3: I think currently as Canada, I feel like they're a 115 00:05:09,707 --> 00:05:12,187 Speaker 3: bit of a bogie team for us, and you know, 116 00:05:12,227 --> 00:05:14,227 Speaker 3: the last couple of years I drawing and a loss, 117 00:05:14,267 --> 00:05:15,787 Speaker 3: So I think, you know, we're going to potentially come 118 00:05:15,827 --> 00:05:17,867 Speaker 3: up against them in the semi final, and you know, 119 00:05:17,907 --> 00:05:20,227 Speaker 3: if all goes well and Anythingland, you know goes well 120 00:05:20,267 --> 00:05:22,467 Speaker 3: for England France, they'll be in the other one. So 121 00:05:22,867 --> 00:05:25,067 Speaker 3: I think that's probably going to be the biggest, biggest one. 122 00:05:25,067 --> 00:05:27,307 Speaker 3: And then if you know, Ireland's another one that's been 123 00:05:27,907 --> 00:05:30,467 Speaker 3: you know, they're coming up silently you know as well, 124 00:05:30,507 --> 00:05:32,187 Speaker 3: and you know we've got to play them in pool play, 125 00:05:32,227 --> 00:05:33,587 Speaker 3: and you know, you kind of want to top your 126 00:05:33,627 --> 00:05:36,027 Speaker 3: top your pool to make you make sure you get 127 00:05:36,067 --> 00:05:37,547 Speaker 3: that better semi final. 128 00:05:37,707 --> 00:05:41,907 Speaker 2: And you yourself. Kendra. Three Rugby World Cup wins, but 129 00:05:42,027 --> 00:05:44,627 Speaker 2: that last one, man, what a night it was. How 130 00:05:44,707 --> 00:05:46,947 Speaker 2: often do you think back to that last Rugby World 131 00:05:46,987 --> 00:05:49,107 Speaker 2: Cup final, the win over England eed in part November 132 00:05:49,147 --> 00:05:51,427 Speaker 2: twenty twenty two turned out to be your last test 133 00:05:51,427 --> 00:05:54,187 Speaker 2: for New Zealand and one of the most memorable nights 134 00:05:54,627 --> 00:05:55,667 Speaker 2: in our sporting history. 135 00:05:56,867 --> 00:06:00,067 Speaker 3: Yeah, it definitely does that. Obviously, we've been World Cup. Yeah, 136 00:06:00,427 --> 00:06:02,547 Speaker 3: I mean I've been doing a lot of speaking, you know, 137 00:06:02,587 --> 00:06:04,667 Speaker 3: speaking things and stuff, and everyone kind of talks about 138 00:06:04,667 --> 00:06:06,307 Speaker 3: it and I just love I love talking about it, 139 00:06:06,507 --> 00:06:09,227 Speaker 3: love throwing myself back into that World Cup and you know, 140 00:06:09,307 --> 00:06:11,587 Speaker 3: going through that experience all again and it was something 141 00:06:11,587 --> 00:06:14,507 Speaker 3: pretty incredible. And I think we've got an opportunity again, 142 00:06:15,147 --> 00:06:17,027 Speaker 3: you know, to make something for this one and do 143 00:06:17,067 --> 00:06:17,467 Speaker 3: it again. 144 00:06:17,587 --> 00:06:19,867 Speaker 2: Absolutely all right, So to circle back to finish, as 145 00:06:19,867 --> 00:06:21,987 Speaker 2: we stick up on the coffee and get ready to 146 00:06:22,027 --> 00:06:24,667 Speaker 2: chair the Black Ferns on from twelve thousand miles away, 147 00:06:25,147 --> 00:06:26,867 Speaker 2: you feel like we should do so with a sense 148 00:06:26,907 --> 00:06:27,547 Speaker 2: of confidence. 149 00:06:27,987 --> 00:06:29,347 Speaker 3: Yeah. I think the team's got what it takes. I 150 00:06:29,347 --> 00:06:30,867 Speaker 3: think we've got the players to be able to do it. 151 00:06:30,867 --> 00:06:33,947 Speaker 3: I think we should definitely be optimistic. You never know 152 00:06:34,027 --> 00:06:35,707 Speaker 3: that you've got a bit of an uphold about playing 153 00:06:35,707 --> 00:06:38,587 Speaker 3: a quality team like England highly and you know we're 154 00:06:38,587 --> 00:06:40,187 Speaker 3: saying that, we're already talking about the final, but there's 155 00:06:40,187 --> 00:06:41,787 Speaker 3: a lot of games that's could have gone before that, 156 00:06:42,507 --> 00:06:43,987 Speaker 3: you know. But playing a team at home, you know, 157 00:06:43,987 --> 00:06:45,867 Speaker 3: we had that and we had that crowd and what 158 00:06:45,907 --> 00:06:47,987 Speaker 3: that gives you and their boost that gives you. So 159 00:06:48,027 --> 00:06:50,227 Speaker 3: if it is in England and New Zealand final, you know, 160 00:06:50,387 --> 00:06:52,507 Speaker 3: I still I still want to be optimistic. You know, 161 00:06:52,547 --> 00:06:53,987 Speaker 3: we did it last time and I believe that they 162 00:06:54,027 --> 00:06:54,587 Speaker 3: can do it again. 163 00:06:54,747 --> 00:06:57,147 Speaker 2: All Right, an exciting few weeks ahead, Kendra, thanks so 164 00:06:57,227 --> 00:06:59,947 Speaker 2: much for joining us on Weekend Sport. Can't wait to 165 00:06:59,987 --> 00:07:01,667 Speaker 2: see how it all plays out at the Rugby World Cup. 166 00:07:01,667 --> 00:07:03,907 Speaker 2: Thanks for your time, all right, Thank you, See Ladder 167 00:07:03,947 --> 00:07:06,747 Speaker 2: see a lot of Kendrack Kendrick cox Edge there a 168 00:07:06,747 --> 00:07:09,187 Speaker 2: a member of the broadcast team. So you'll hear a voice, 169 00:07:09,187 --> 00:07:11,307 Speaker 2: no doubt, coming back from the other side of the 170 00:07:11,347 --> 00:07:13,947 Speaker 2: world when the Black Ferns get under way. So tomorrow 171 00:07:13,947 --> 00:07:16,307 Speaker 2: morning is when they have their first game. They take 172 00:07:16,347 --> 00:07:22,147 Speaker 2: on Spain in York the line of Community Stadium in York, 173 00:07:22,507 --> 00:07:24,507 Speaker 2: four pot thirty tomorrow morning. Look, this should be the 174 00:07:24,507 --> 00:07:27,067 Speaker 2: easiest of the three Paul games. And I think the 175 00:07:27,107 --> 00:07:29,947 Speaker 2: team that Alan Bunting has named for this one has 176 00:07:29,987 --> 00:07:33,427 Speaker 2: certainly got the look about it of giving a few 177 00:07:33,467 --> 00:07:37,787 Speaker 2: players a game, certainly nowhere near their top side. You 178 00:07:37,787 --> 00:07:40,387 Speaker 2: look at the players who are on the bench and 179 00:07:40,507 --> 00:07:43,907 Speaker 2: you find Hee Dumont there on the bench, the co captain, 180 00:07:43,947 --> 00:07:47,707 Speaker 2: Porscha Woodman Whickliffe, and the reserves as well, Georgia Ponsonby. 181 00:07:47,787 --> 00:07:50,147 Speaker 2: You know, those are three players who probably are in 182 00:07:50,187 --> 00:07:53,667 Speaker 2: the strongest fifteen but won't play against Spain. So that's 183 00:07:53,827 --> 00:07:56,947 Speaker 2: tomorrow morning. Then next Monday it's Japan. It's a one 184 00:07:56,947 --> 00:07:59,147 Speaker 2: o'clock in the morning game, and then Ireland on the 185 00:07:59,147 --> 00:08:01,467 Speaker 2: morning of Monday, September the eighth, that one forty five. 186 00:08:01,507 --> 00:08:04,027 Speaker 2: So New Zealand should really, in theory get through those 187 00:08:04,067 --> 00:08:07,267 Speaker 2: games okay, and then they're into quarters semis in final. 188 00:08:07,707 --> 00:08:09,907 Speaker 2: That's the business end of this Rugby World Cup already. 189 00:08:09,907 --> 00:08:13,067 Speaker 2: As I mentioned before, some big score lines in this 190 00:08:13,307 --> 00:08:15,947 Speaker 2: Rugby World Cup, as the as the haves and have 191 00:08:16,107 --> 00:08:19,427 Speaker 2: nots of women's rugby sort of sort themselves out, England 192 00:08:19,467 --> 00:08:23,587 Speaker 2: already looking ominous and look, I know you can't predict 193 00:08:23,627 --> 00:08:26,307 Speaker 2: anything when it comes to World Cups, but it feels 194 00:08:26,347 --> 00:08:29,227 Speaker 2: as though if New Zealand are to retain that title, 195 00:08:29,267 --> 00:08:31,787 Speaker 2: then they've got to get past the very, very big 196 00:08:31,827 --> 00:08:36,187 Speaker 2: obstacle that is England. The final at Twickenham already sold out. 197 00:08:36,307 --> 00:08:40,227 Speaker 2: Eighty two thousand tickets already sold for the final could 198 00:08:40,227 --> 00:08:43,027 Speaker 2: well be England against New Zealand and a rematch of 199 00:08:43,027 --> 00:08:43,827 Speaker 2: the last one. 200 00:08:44,307 --> 00:08:47,467 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 201 00:08:47,587 --> 00:08:50,867 Speaker 1: to News Talk sed B weekends from midday, or follow 202 00:08:50,907 --> 00:08:52,547 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio