1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,387 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. 3 00:00:11,707 --> 00:00:17,467 Speaker 2: B Sundays Mean James mconey, Hello mate, get a piney. 4 00:00:17,587 --> 00:00:20,787 Speaker 3: Hey him. By the way, congratulations on your radio awards 5 00:00:20,827 --> 00:00:22,107 Speaker 3: gone very well deserved. 6 00:00:22,667 --> 00:00:24,907 Speaker 2: Thank you James, Thank you. You were a large part 7 00:00:24,947 --> 00:00:27,347 Speaker 2: of my entry. Actually, in fact, all I did was 8 00:00:27,387 --> 00:00:29,787 Speaker 2: just sending our bit from every Sunday. 9 00:00:31,027 --> 00:00:33,147 Speaker 3: Really. Oh so it's my award. 10 00:00:33,467 --> 00:00:36,467 Speaker 2: I think we can share it. I think that's fair. 11 00:00:37,387 --> 00:00:39,467 Speaker 3: No, that's fine. Look, I think it was great. I 12 00:00:39,467 --> 00:00:42,507 Speaker 3: mean the agenda podcast that I do with the acc 13 00:00:42,707 --> 00:00:46,867 Speaker 3: that was beaten by Mile Boss Rexolito was a sports 14 00:00:46,907 --> 00:00:49,187 Speaker 3: cafe s so you know, it was one of those 15 00:00:49,307 --> 00:00:51,107 Speaker 3: nights where I just had to sort of eat apple 16 00:00:51,187 --> 00:00:52,947 Speaker 3: pie and you know me, I love pies. 17 00:00:53,627 --> 00:00:56,827 Speaker 2: Well, I did enjoy catching up with you. You know, 18 00:00:56,867 --> 00:00:59,307 Speaker 2: we normally just talk on the phone, but the chance 19 00:00:59,387 --> 00:01:02,787 Speaker 2: to chat about various things was something I really enjoyed. 20 00:01:03,347 --> 00:01:05,187 Speaker 2: But can we do it around a more structured basis 21 00:01:05,227 --> 00:01:08,027 Speaker 2: as we normally do on the radio and start with 22 00:01:08,067 --> 00:01:10,667 Speaker 2: Super Rugby. How are you feeling about last night's section? 23 00:01:11,947 --> 00:01:15,827 Speaker 3: Great? I think it's a perfect result. The Chiefs lost 24 00:01:16,067 --> 00:01:19,467 Speaker 3: and they avoid the Hurricanes. This is the best news 25 00:01:19,467 --> 00:01:20,947 Speaker 3: the Chiefs have had for some time. 26 00:01:21,027 --> 00:01:21,467 Speaker 2: I know that. 27 00:01:22,507 --> 00:01:24,307 Speaker 3: You know, the Blues got up and good on the Blues. 28 00:01:24,387 --> 00:01:26,707 Speaker 3: I was actually a great game. It was a thrilling 29 00:01:26,907 --> 00:01:30,147 Speaker 3: end in some clutch moments. But just knowing that the 30 00:01:30,227 --> 00:01:32,787 Speaker 3: Hurricanes are the team that beat the Chiefs just about 31 00:01:32,787 --> 00:01:36,827 Speaker 3: three four weeks ago by eighteen points. So by avoiding 32 00:01:36,867 --> 00:01:39,187 Speaker 3: them and having to host the Brumbies, I think they've won. 33 00:01:39,787 --> 00:01:42,627 Speaker 2: See, that is the way to find a silver lining. 34 00:01:42,747 --> 00:01:44,467 Speaker 2: I love it. I love it. And then you look 35 00:01:44,507 --> 00:01:46,987 Speaker 2: back to when the Chiefs have played the Brumbies, which 36 00:01:47,067 --> 00:01:49,027 Speaker 2: was quite near the start of the season, and they 37 00:01:49,067 --> 00:01:51,307 Speaker 2: nearly put fifty on them. So you're basically in the 38 00:01:51,307 --> 00:01:53,787 Speaker 2: Grand Final already, exactly. 39 00:01:53,827 --> 00:01:55,507 Speaker 3: That's why I'm looking at it, Poney. And look, I 40 00:01:55,547 --> 00:01:57,907 Speaker 3: know for weeks you've been baiting me, trying to talk 41 00:01:58,067 --> 00:02:00,587 Speaker 3: up the Chiefs and stuff, and I know that you're 42 00:02:00,587 --> 00:02:04,507 Speaker 3: a master Beta, but I'm not going to fall for it, Poney. 43 00:02:04,667 --> 00:02:07,787 Speaker 3: You can bait me all your life. I've been saying 44 00:02:07,827 --> 00:02:10,307 Speaker 3: it all. Yeah, the Chiefs are just okay. We have 45 00:02:10,387 --> 00:02:12,227 Speaker 3: to wait to the playoffs, and I think they've got 46 00:02:12,467 --> 00:02:15,347 Speaker 3: a few issues up front and the crack started to appear, 47 00:02:15,587 --> 00:02:20,507 Speaker 3: although it didn't help having Luke Jacobson eliminated at the 48 00:02:20,587 --> 00:02:24,147 Speaker 3: last in the eleventh hour. So he is a huge loss. 49 00:02:24,347 --> 00:02:26,747 Speaker 3: You lose your captain and you lose your whole loose 50 00:02:26,787 --> 00:02:27,667 Speaker 3: forward trio mix. 51 00:02:27,747 --> 00:02:30,027 Speaker 2: Really yeah, he has been big for them, hasn't he 52 00:02:30,587 --> 00:02:33,347 Speaker 2: really really good? And yet it was late to wasn't it? 53 00:02:33,387 --> 00:02:36,587 Speaker 2: Was it like on match day? So you've done the 54 00:02:36,707 --> 00:02:38,867 Speaker 2: entire week's prep and all of a sudden you don't 55 00:02:38,867 --> 00:02:42,307 Speaker 2: have a pretty significant member of your team. So Brumby's 56 00:02:42,347 --> 00:02:46,427 Speaker 2: come to Hamilton next weekend. I'm not baiting your surely 57 00:02:46,467 --> 00:02:48,387 Speaker 2: you'll win that well. 58 00:02:48,627 --> 00:02:50,507 Speaker 3: I don't mind your baiting, Pony, because it's what you 59 00:02:50,947 --> 00:02:52,627 Speaker 3: do so well, it's your job as the host. But 60 00:02:52,707 --> 00:02:54,867 Speaker 3: I think I think the Chiefs can roll the Brumbies. 61 00:02:55,427 --> 00:02:58,027 Speaker 3: I really don't care who wins out of the Blues 62 00:02:58,107 --> 00:03:01,427 Speaker 3: and the Crusaders. I would say the Blues just sort 63 00:03:01,427 --> 00:03:06,067 Speaker 3: of getting their act together nicely. Hoskins Atutu playing, you know, 64 00:03:06,427 --> 00:03:10,067 Speaker 3: starting to show that championship pedigree of last year is 65 00:03:10,147 --> 00:03:12,507 Speaker 3: an awkward year because I know he's been trying to 66 00:03:12,547 --> 00:03:16,027 Speaker 3: leave New Zealand Rugby. They've kept him here, I think 67 00:03:16,027 --> 00:03:18,627 Speaker 3: that even if he plays the house down in the 68 00:03:18,667 --> 00:03:21,907 Speaker 3: playoffs for the rest of the playoffs, he won't get 69 00:03:21,947 --> 00:03:23,987 Speaker 3: pack for the Orblacks because I think he doesn't want 70 00:03:24,027 --> 00:03:26,027 Speaker 3: to play for the or Blacks. That's my feeling is 71 00:03:26,067 --> 00:03:29,747 Speaker 3: that he will say no even if Raser says you're in. 72 00:03:30,387 --> 00:03:34,827 Speaker 3: So that'll be quite an interesting situation to monitor for Hoskins. 73 00:03:34,827 --> 00:03:37,707 Speaker 3: But that try where he was crawling along the ground, 74 00:03:38,227 --> 00:03:40,507 Speaker 3: I mean, I know that was disallowed, but I'm pretty 75 00:03:40,507 --> 00:03:44,587 Speaker 3: sure they would have given Ardie that. You know, I 76 00:03:44,707 --> 00:03:47,987 Speaker 3: just feel like he's didn't never quite the supercised star status, 77 00:03:48,027 --> 00:03:48,227 Speaker 3: you know. 78 00:03:50,787 --> 00:03:54,387 Speaker 2: Yeah, no, I agree. It's like it's like sometimes Leonel 79 00:03:54,467 --> 00:03:58,387 Speaker 2: Messi gets gets fouls against him that other players, you know, 80 00:03:58,547 --> 00:04:01,147 Speaker 2: just get the big play off from the referee. So yeah, 81 00:04:01,307 --> 00:04:03,347 Speaker 2: now maybe there is a status thing here. Hey, well, 82 00:04:03,347 --> 00:04:05,187 Speaker 2: did you get the chance to watch the Warriors? Well, 83 00:04:05,227 --> 00:04:07,787 Speaker 2: I mean, I know you were in the coverage of 84 00:04:07,827 --> 00:04:10,307 Speaker 2: the of the Chiefs against the Blues. Have you had 85 00:04:10,307 --> 00:04:12,987 Speaker 2: the chance to catch up on the Warriors went over 86 00:04:13,027 --> 00:04:13,547 Speaker 2: the Sharks? 87 00:04:14,427 --> 00:04:16,307 Speaker 3: Well? No, actually I took the night off the Chiefs 88 00:04:16,547 --> 00:04:19,827 Speaker 3: off the a SEC Alternative commentary because I knew that 89 00:04:20,027 --> 00:04:22,227 Speaker 3: the Blues were going to get up you see Pony, 90 00:04:22,267 --> 00:04:24,747 Speaker 3: and so I didn't want to be there for that, 91 00:04:24,827 --> 00:04:28,147 Speaker 3: but it was I did watch the Wars and to 92 00:04:28,187 --> 00:04:30,947 Speaker 3: be honest, they just they're a well oiled machine. And 93 00:04:30,987 --> 00:04:32,867 Speaker 3: there's two things I was going to talk about. One 94 00:04:32,907 --> 00:04:35,907 Speaker 3: of the emergents of Lecqua Hala Sima. You know when 95 00:04:35,907 --> 00:04:38,707 Speaker 3: the Australian commentators start to call him by his first name, 96 00:04:39,187 --> 00:04:42,347 Speaker 3: that they even they appreciate that this kid is going 97 00:04:42,387 --> 00:04:45,307 Speaker 3: to be a superstar. He's nineteen years old, you know, 98 00:04:45,467 --> 00:04:49,587 Speaker 3: straight out of tong He's just free kishing his ability 99 00:04:49,667 --> 00:04:52,827 Speaker 3: and you know, seems to be able to He's a trimagnet, right. 100 00:04:53,147 --> 00:04:54,067 Speaker 2: Yeah, yep. 101 00:04:54,147 --> 00:04:55,787 Speaker 3: That's one thing. And the other thing I was going 102 00:04:55,787 --> 00:04:59,827 Speaker 3: to say is watch the space. Sky Sport has a 103 00:04:59,867 --> 00:05:03,227 Speaker 3: new League show with Sean Johnson as the host. League 104 00:05:03,267 --> 00:05:06,787 Speaker 3: Lounge with Sean Johnson sponsored by Ford, and it's going 105 00:05:06,867 --> 00:05:09,987 Speaker 3: to be on Wednesday nights. I think eight eight thirty. 106 00:05:10,067 --> 00:05:12,587 Speaker 3: I'm going to get killed for not knowing, but that'll 107 00:05:12,587 --> 00:05:15,107 Speaker 3: be on Sky Sport and it's amazing getting somebody who 108 00:05:15,147 --> 00:05:18,947 Speaker 3: you can tell speaking of Ozzie's identifying talent, Shawn Johnson's 109 00:05:18,987 --> 00:05:20,667 Speaker 3: all over Fox sport right now. 110 00:05:20,907 --> 00:05:23,507 Speaker 2: Yeah, he is. They love him, don't they. They absolutely 111 00:05:23,547 --> 00:05:25,547 Speaker 2: love the man. And you know, I'm looking forward to 112 00:05:25,547 --> 00:05:27,787 Speaker 2: watching that as well. I've seen the promos, so now 113 00:05:27,787 --> 00:05:29,627 Speaker 2: looking forward to to watching that. And you're right about 114 00:05:29,747 --> 00:05:32,827 Speaker 2: about Lecqua. It's like Roger, isn't it. You only need 115 00:05:32,867 --> 00:05:33,347 Speaker 2: the first. 116 00:05:33,227 --> 00:05:36,027 Speaker 3: Name, that's right. They know, they know he's a star, 117 00:05:36,227 --> 00:05:39,147 Speaker 3: and so do we. And I think you know, Webbe, 118 00:05:39,467 --> 00:05:41,547 Speaker 3: Andrew Webster deserves a lot of credit for the way 119 00:05:41,547 --> 00:05:43,627 Speaker 3: he's managed him. He hasn't thrown him at all the time. 120 00:05:43,827 --> 00:05:47,667 Speaker 3: He doesn't start every game. It's it's really nicely done. 121 00:05:47,787 --> 00:05:50,787 Speaker 3: So long May at last, because it just feels like 122 00:05:50,867 --> 00:05:54,827 Speaker 3: with Leka we've finally got that cutting edge. There's something 123 00:05:54,867 --> 00:05:57,667 Speaker 3: out of nothing, guy who can break the line. And 124 00:05:57,707 --> 00:06:02,347 Speaker 3: some of those other youngsters. I noticed Jacob Laban starting 125 00:06:02,387 --> 00:06:05,347 Speaker 3: to do the same, so you know, they're really young kids. 126 00:06:06,347 --> 00:06:07,827 Speaker 2: Now a year from now, the All Whites will be 127 00:06:07,867 --> 00:06:11,827 Speaker 2: at the World Cup in Canada, Mexico or the United States. 128 00:06:11,867 --> 00:06:13,987 Speaker 2: This morning, in fact, in the last couple of hours, 129 00:06:13,987 --> 00:06:18,147 Speaker 2: they've beaten Cote Devoirs the Ivory Coast, a team ranked 130 00:06:18,147 --> 00:06:20,987 Speaker 2: forty first in the world. We're eighty six. They've beaten 131 00:06:20,987 --> 00:06:23,107 Speaker 2: them one nill significant result. This is the kind of 132 00:06:23,147 --> 00:06:25,507 Speaker 2: thing that could happen at a World Cup. We might 133 00:06:25,507 --> 00:06:28,947 Speaker 2: get drawn into a group with somebody like Ivory Coast. 134 00:06:29,187 --> 00:06:31,587 Speaker 2: It's a really significant result. This isn't it. 135 00:06:32,307 --> 00:06:34,387 Speaker 3: I know, I I've just been watching it, and I 136 00:06:34,427 --> 00:06:38,467 Speaker 3: need to defer to your expertise. Pine. Now we're coping 137 00:06:38,547 --> 00:06:42,107 Speaker 3: by Ivory Coast at the strongest. Because I saw a 138 00:06:42,107 --> 00:06:44,627 Speaker 3: couple of stars on the bench. I noticed, Yeah, I. 139 00:06:44,627 --> 00:06:48,427 Speaker 2: Mean, I don't think they were greatly depleted. I must 140 00:06:48,427 --> 00:06:49,547 Speaker 2: have better. I've sort of been trying to do a 141 00:06:49,627 --> 00:06:53,907 Speaker 2: radio show as well, so I wasn't keeping forget the 142 00:06:53,907 --> 00:06:55,947 Speaker 2: bosses are listening. I wasn't watching the football. I was 143 00:06:55,947 --> 00:06:59,227 Speaker 2: doing the radio. But yeah, I think, but they weren't 144 00:06:59,267 --> 00:07:02,507 Speaker 2: a bad they Certainly there's no bad Ivory Coast team, 145 00:07:02,547 --> 00:07:04,987 Speaker 2: I don't think so. And Chris Wood only came on 146 00:07:05,107 --> 00:07:07,267 Speaker 2: with about ten minutes to go for us, so these 147 00:07:07,427 --> 00:07:09,467 Speaker 2: be playing a minimal. 148 00:07:09,227 --> 00:07:14,227 Speaker 3: Role exactly that. And also, Eli, just we need to 149 00:07:14,227 --> 00:07:16,347 Speaker 3: talk about this guy because he should be a household name. 150 00:07:16,467 --> 00:07:19,187 Speaker 3: I know he isn't a household name really, but he 151 00:07:19,267 --> 00:07:21,267 Speaker 3: scored the goals. Damn. And it took the three ball. 152 00:07:21,707 --> 00:07:26,427 Speaker 3: Eli Just is a legitimate international star, emerging star. He's 153 00:07:26,427 --> 00:07:29,787 Speaker 3: from Parmerston, North, He's a Parmi Boys kid. I think 154 00:07:30,427 --> 00:07:32,907 Speaker 3: he's a wee fellow. He's about sixty five kg. He's 155 00:07:32,987 --> 00:07:38,147 Speaker 3: dripping wet. He's I think his mum's Chinese. He's kind 156 00:07:38,147 --> 00:07:40,867 Speaker 3: of come through the system in New Zealand all the 157 00:07:40,907 --> 00:07:44,107 Speaker 3: age group teams, but ended up over in Europe and Denmark. 158 00:07:44,187 --> 00:07:46,067 Speaker 3: Is he playing in Austria piney you can correct me. 159 00:07:47,387 --> 00:07:49,187 Speaker 2: He is playing in Austria, bang On yep. 160 00:07:49,987 --> 00:07:52,027 Speaker 3: So there you go. And so that's Eli justin. If 161 00:07:52,027 --> 00:07:54,907 Speaker 3: you're wondering what's so good about him, I think he's 162 00:07:54,947 --> 00:07:59,107 Speaker 3: just got well, he's quick, he's accurate, he's good off 163 00:07:59,147 --> 00:08:02,147 Speaker 3: both both feet. But he's just got composure. You know, 164 00:08:02,387 --> 00:08:05,067 Speaker 3: you see him on the ball. This was really comfortable 165 00:08:05,067 --> 00:08:06,907 Speaker 3: and it's been a while since we've had you know, 166 00:08:07,187 --> 00:08:09,427 Speaker 3: I'm I don't want to compare him to you know, 167 00:08:09,627 --> 00:08:12,227 Speaker 3: Le Migna male, but just when you see someone who 168 00:08:12,227 --> 00:08:14,387 Speaker 3: comes through and just looks like they belong at that level, 169 00:08:14,427 --> 00:08:15,867 Speaker 3: that's what Eli Just's like. 170 00:08:16,227 --> 00:08:18,587 Speaker 2: And eight six goals in his last seven matches. Hi 171 00:08:18,747 --> 00:08:21,147 Speaker 2: just to finish. Do you remember talking to me about 172 00:08:21,147 --> 00:08:22,667 Speaker 2: Oli Mathis on Thursday night? 173 00:08:23,547 --> 00:08:27,347 Speaker 3: Yes, Oli Mathis. Let's talk about this generational talent who's 174 00:08:27,427 --> 00:08:29,867 Speaker 3: kind of gone into the wilderness, well literally because he 175 00:08:29,907 --> 00:08:32,907 Speaker 3: loves hunting from why he loves to go up into 176 00:08:32,947 --> 00:08:34,427 Speaker 3: the bush and do that sort of thing. I think 177 00:08:34,427 --> 00:08:38,547 Speaker 3: he's there this weekend, but anyway he is. He's played 178 00:08:38,587 --> 00:08:40,747 Speaker 3: for New Zealand sevens. Didn't get much of a run. 179 00:08:40,827 --> 00:08:42,867 Speaker 3: He's the guy i'd come on in the last five minutes. 180 00:08:42,907 --> 00:08:45,547 Speaker 3: But that was a big call for someone who really 181 00:08:45,587 --> 00:08:48,347 Speaker 3: looks like he shot out of a cannon. An incredible 182 00:08:48,747 --> 00:08:52,107 Speaker 3: loose forward on the lighter side, but not that small, 183 00:08:52,227 --> 00:08:56,667 Speaker 3: similar probably to Henry Pollock, you know, the lucy open 184 00:08:56,747 --> 00:08:59,827 Speaker 3: side from Northampton has just made the Lion. So my 185 00:08:59,947 --> 00:09:03,187 Speaker 3: question is, Poney, what are we doing with this talent? 186 00:09:03,547 --> 00:09:06,147 Speaker 3: It just seems he's twenty years old, he's about to 187 00:09:06,187 --> 00:09:09,107 Speaker 3: go to the World Cup. But I just feel like 188 00:09:09,147 --> 00:09:11,427 Speaker 3: we've should have seen them maybe have a go at 189 00:09:11,427 --> 00:09:14,587 Speaker 3: super Rugby. Are they protecting him because he's not the 190 00:09:15,027 --> 00:09:18,267 Speaker 3: biggest Well I look around there are you know, there's 191 00:09:18,347 --> 00:09:22,867 Speaker 3: lots of players who aren't necessarily massive, but this talent 192 00:09:22,907 --> 00:09:25,347 Speaker 3: that he's got needs to be harnessed. And I think 193 00:09:25,387 --> 00:09:27,387 Speaker 3: Wayne Smith when he went down to why He Club 194 00:09:27,427 --> 00:09:30,147 Speaker 3: about six years ago, said to them your best player 195 00:09:30,227 --> 00:09:32,747 Speaker 3: is this fourteen year old. Now when the professor says 196 00:09:32,787 --> 00:09:35,027 Speaker 3: that there should be alarms going off at New Zealand 197 00:09:35,107 --> 00:09:38,747 Speaker 3: Rugby headquarters saying Smith, he's found one. The professor has 198 00:09:38,787 --> 00:09:43,627 Speaker 3: found you know, he's struck Gold and why he So 199 00:09:44,147 --> 00:09:46,947 Speaker 3: let's just see what happens. He will play in PC 200 00:09:47,307 --> 00:09:50,267 Speaker 3: for the Mollers, but not yet attached to a Super 201 00:09:50,347 --> 00:09:54,267 Speaker 3: Rugby franchise, although he did get a bit of training 202 00:09:54,267 --> 00:09:57,147 Speaker 3: and with the Crusaders recently the wider and the wider 203 00:09:57,187 --> 00:10:00,867 Speaker 3: training group. He please don't let them go to the Crusaders. 204 00:10:01,267 --> 00:10:04,187 Speaker 2: No, we can't let that happen. I do have to go. James, 205 00:10:04,187 --> 00:10:06,347 Speaker 2: great to chat as always, James mcconie's. 206 00:10:06,507 --> 00:10:09,667 Speaker 1: For more from Weekends Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 207 00:10:09,787 --> 00:10:13,067 Speaker 1: to News Talk Set B weekends from midday or follow 208 00:10:13,107 --> 00:10:14,707 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio