1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,387 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Fine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:13,747 Speaker 1: from news Talks B one four. 3 00:00:13,787 --> 00:00:15,667 Speaker 2: It's around ambout this time on a Sunday that we 4 00:00:15,707 --> 00:00:19,027 Speaker 2: catch up with James mcconey from the Alternative Commentary Collective, 5 00:00:19,067 --> 00:00:21,267 Speaker 2: Greg goes Wild and various other bits and pieces. I 6 00:00:21,307 --> 00:00:23,507 Speaker 2: think you're actually working for the ACC today, are you? 7 00:00:23,587 --> 00:00:26,467 Speaker 2: But you've taken time out of that schedule to join us. 8 00:00:26,867 --> 00:00:29,387 Speaker 3: Yeah, I've escaped the ACC of come to see you, 9 00:00:29,507 --> 00:00:33,947 Speaker 3: piney and looking forward to a great afternoon's cricket with 10 00:00:34,587 --> 00:00:36,547 Speaker 3: Matt Henry so far looking the goods? 11 00:00:36,947 --> 00:00:40,827 Speaker 2: Yeah, isn't he just hasn't he just become this spearhead? 12 00:00:41,027 --> 00:00:41,227 Speaker 3: You know? 13 00:00:41,347 --> 00:00:43,867 Speaker 2: You think about the days of Sowdy and Bolton Wagner 14 00:00:43,867 --> 00:00:46,267 Speaker 2: which are almost at an end, and Matt Henry had 15 00:00:46,307 --> 00:00:49,347 Speaker 2: to be patient, hasn't he? But man, he's well two 16 00:00:49,347 --> 00:00:51,507 Speaker 2: for twenty nine so far in listenings. He's just our 17 00:00:51,627 --> 00:00:54,827 Speaker 2: he's our leading seam bowling light now he is. 18 00:00:54,907 --> 00:00:56,827 Speaker 3: And in fact, just before lunch I would have thought, oh, 19 00:00:56,867 --> 00:01:00,227 Speaker 3: maybe give Will O'Rourke an over or two, but I guess, you. 20 00:01:00,187 --> 00:01:03,787 Speaker 4: Know, this is Tim's test and that's fine. 21 00:01:03,867 --> 00:01:06,787 Speaker 3: But I just think it's looking like there's a chance 22 00:01:06,867 --> 00:01:09,347 Speaker 3: to strike while the iron's hot. But we were talking 23 00:01:09,467 --> 00:01:12,427 Speaker 3: last week Piney, you know what needs to happen, and 24 00:01:12,787 --> 00:01:15,107 Speaker 3: I think they've listened to us because we were talking 25 00:01:15,107 --> 00:01:20,147 Speaker 3: about will Young Mitt Santna. They've come in and they 26 00:01:20,147 --> 00:01:22,507 Speaker 3: did a job with the bat, did pretty well. So 27 00:01:23,307 --> 00:01:25,547 Speaker 3: now it's up to I wonder when Mitchell get chucked 28 00:01:25,547 --> 00:01:27,187 Speaker 3: the ball on his home pitch as well. 29 00:01:27,307 --> 00:01:29,987 Speaker 2: Yeah, yeah, I think that'll happen this afternoon, particularly if 30 00:01:29,987 --> 00:01:31,987 Speaker 2: the wickets start to dry up a little bit. You 31 00:01:32,027 --> 00:01:33,947 Speaker 2: get the feeling that Mitchell Santon will get the ball 32 00:01:34,387 --> 00:01:37,547 Speaker 2: in his hand. Hey, bit of a few topics to 33 00:01:37,627 --> 00:01:41,067 Speaker 2: talk about. Wanted to get your view on the A 34 00:01:41,227 --> 00:01:44,387 Speaker 2: League shortly, but can we start with rugby. Had the 35 00:01:44,427 --> 00:01:47,627 Speaker 2: delight of chatting to Wallace Satiti on the show yesterday 36 00:01:47,627 --> 00:01:51,387 Speaker 2: after he won All Blacks Player of the Year Hoskins 37 00:01:51,427 --> 00:01:55,227 Speaker 2: Setutu Super Rugby Player of the Year and again, you know, 38 00:01:55,267 --> 00:01:57,907 Speaker 2: we can revisit the topic of how the Super Rugby 39 00:01:57,907 --> 00:02:00,587 Speaker 2: Player of the Year can be overlooked for the All 40 00:02:00,587 --> 00:02:02,107 Speaker 2: Blacks exactly. 41 00:02:02,147 --> 00:02:05,547 Speaker 3: I mean, I think Wallace Cetizi has been exceptional. It 42 00:02:05,667 --> 00:02:08,347 Speaker 3: had to be him. It was his award, made every 43 00:02:08,427 --> 00:02:12,067 Speaker 3: single post winner and also was given that freedom. So 44 00:02:12,147 --> 00:02:16,267 Speaker 3: I also feel that if Hoskins Stitutu had played in 45 00:02:16,267 --> 00:02:18,387 Speaker 3: the All Blacks, he might have done something similar. He 46 00:02:18,467 --> 00:02:20,867 Speaker 3: might have been given that roving commission that Wallace had 47 00:02:21,387 --> 00:02:25,067 Speaker 3: and just excelled as well. And I personally I think 48 00:02:25,107 --> 00:02:26,867 Speaker 3: there's room for both of them in the All Blacks. 49 00:02:26,867 --> 00:02:29,787 Speaker 3: And it's kind of still strange having someone who was 50 00:02:29,827 --> 00:02:32,747 Speaker 3: the super rugby player of the year on the outer, 51 00:02:32,907 --> 00:02:37,187 Speaker 3: but hey, look it's recognition. I think Hoskins Situtu still 52 00:02:37,267 --> 00:02:39,987 Speaker 3: wants to leave. I think his people are talking to 53 00:02:40,667 --> 00:02:44,987 Speaker 3: n Z Rugby and initially were rebuffed, but he'll play 54 00:02:45,027 --> 00:02:48,387 Speaker 3: another season for the Blues. I think he really wants 55 00:02:48,427 --> 00:02:52,187 Speaker 3: to win another title for vern Cotter and is it 56 00:02:52,387 --> 00:02:55,307 Speaker 3: you know they've got a great team chemistry there. But 57 00:02:55,347 --> 00:02:59,227 Speaker 3: then after that the officer on the table and all 58 00:02:59,307 --> 00:03:02,067 Speaker 3: roads are porting to England. I think for Hoskins, they 59 00:03:02,267 --> 00:03:03,787 Speaker 3: if he can get out of that contract. 60 00:03:04,627 --> 00:03:08,627 Speaker 2: Now, you turned up breaking news journalist during the week 61 00:03:08,707 --> 00:03:12,987 Speaker 2: on x formerly Twitter when you dropped a rugby bombshell, 62 00:03:13,067 --> 00:03:15,907 Speaker 2: letting us all that Shawn Stevenson is leaving the Chiefs 63 00:03:16,187 --> 00:03:17,147 Speaker 2: to play in Japan. 64 00:03:17,667 --> 00:03:20,427 Speaker 3: Yeah, apparently prematurely. I have been told off for that tweet. 65 00:03:20,467 --> 00:03:22,187 Speaker 3: I mean you're never too old to get told off, 66 00:03:22,227 --> 00:03:26,187 Speaker 3: pony No. But they are in talks and that is 67 00:03:26,587 --> 00:03:29,587 Speaker 3: Liam Williams, the Welsh fallback. It was at Kubota he 68 00:03:29,667 --> 00:03:31,867 Speaker 3: had to leave, so there was a big gap with 69 00:03:31,947 --> 00:03:36,307 Speaker 3: a massive salary attached in Japan and Seawan Stevenson. I 70 00:03:36,307 --> 00:03:39,187 Speaker 3: mean there have been stories of him stiffing around NRL, 71 00:03:39,867 --> 00:03:43,227 Speaker 3: the Warriors, the Roosters, but this one here is a 72 00:03:43,267 --> 00:03:45,907 Speaker 3: big money deal. I think it's going to go ahead. 73 00:03:46,347 --> 00:03:49,267 Speaker 3: Sean Stevenson will go up to Japan. I think he's 74 00:03:49,347 --> 00:03:52,387 Speaker 3: kissed as all blacks hopes goodbye. I mean the riding 75 00:03:52,427 --> 00:03:55,027 Speaker 3: was on the wall, I think when Schaffy Hackey was 76 00:03:55,027 --> 00:03:58,667 Speaker 3: called into the wider training group for the ABS. 77 00:03:58,787 --> 00:04:01,707 Speaker 4: So look, I think you want. 78 00:04:01,507 --> 00:04:04,507 Speaker 3: These players to obviously play in New Zealand because it 79 00:04:04,507 --> 00:04:07,747 Speaker 3: makes a competition so much better. He is electric and 80 00:04:07,827 --> 00:04:11,387 Speaker 3: excitement machine. But you just go well, to be honest, 81 00:04:12,027 --> 00:04:13,707 Speaker 3: you know that, how can you say no to that 82 00:04:13,787 --> 00:04:16,747 Speaker 3: money if there's a way to make it happen, I say, 83 00:04:16,787 --> 00:04:19,547 Speaker 3: fair enough, if you go there's always talent coming through. 84 00:04:20,067 --> 00:04:23,067 Speaker 2: This is such an interesting case study, isn't it, Because 85 00:04:23,107 --> 00:04:26,467 Speaker 2: it was after the twenty twenty three Super Rugby season 86 00:04:26,467 --> 00:04:30,347 Speaker 2: when Shawn Stevenson was probably the standout player in the competition, 87 00:04:30,387 --> 00:04:32,987 Speaker 2: and it would it just seems so obvious to pick 88 00:04:33,067 --> 00:04:34,467 Speaker 2: him for the All Blacks and he got he got 89 00:04:34,507 --> 00:04:35,947 Speaker 2: the one Test and he down in Dunedin? 90 00:04:36,067 --> 00:04:36,467 Speaker 4: Is that right? 91 00:04:36,587 --> 00:04:39,307 Speaker 3: That's right, played one Test in a World Cup year 92 00:04:39,347 --> 00:04:41,947 Speaker 3: which he would have been feeling pretty bullish about, but 93 00:04:42,547 --> 00:04:46,147 Speaker 3: missed out on the squad and a bit like Hoskins really, 94 00:04:46,227 --> 00:04:49,307 Speaker 3: you know, there was just, let's face it, probably the 95 00:04:49,747 --> 00:04:52,267 Speaker 3: two best Super Rugby players over the past two seasons 96 00:04:52,307 --> 00:04:54,707 Speaker 3: just can't get a looking at their next step up. 97 00:04:54,747 --> 00:04:56,147 Speaker 3: And I think it makes a big difference to how 98 00:04:56,187 --> 00:04:58,907 Speaker 3: you're feeling about your path or your. 99 00:04:58,787 --> 00:05:00,787 Speaker 4: Progression really in the sport. 100 00:05:00,947 --> 00:05:03,347 Speaker 3: And right now it's probably time as a twenty eight 101 00:05:03,387 --> 00:05:05,347 Speaker 3: year old fullback to go and make some money. 102 00:05:05,827 --> 00:05:07,907 Speaker 2: Absolutely right, we'll keep an eye on that, will keep 103 00:05:07,907 --> 00:05:09,787 Speaker 2: an eye on your Twitter account for the most to 104 00:05:09,907 --> 00:05:13,947 Speaker 2: dates breaking news if you are indeed still allowed to 105 00:05:13,987 --> 00:05:16,787 Speaker 2: tweet by Yeah, make these decisions. 106 00:05:17,067 --> 00:05:19,787 Speaker 3: I've got a shot collar now that's been given to me, 107 00:05:19,907 --> 00:05:25,107 Speaker 3: so normally my guideline for tweeting is don't tweet anything 108 00:05:25,187 --> 00:05:27,107 Speaker 3: or any joke that you couldn't tell your grandmother. I 109 00:05:27,107 --> 00:05:29,587 Speaker 3: thought that was a pretty good guideline, but now I've 110 00:05:29,627 --> 00:05:32,267 Speaker 3: got some new ones. So yeah, the shot collar is 111 00:05:32,307 --> 00:05:33,307 Speaker 3: on all right. 112 00:05:33,387 --> 00:05:33,787 Speaker 4: Excellent. 113 00:05:33,987 --> 00:05:37,387 Speaker 2: Other matters around the A League the derby last week 114 00:05:37,427 --> 00:05:40,107 Speaker 2: it continued to simmer, didn't it? The A League Derby 115 00:05:40,147 --> 00:05:43,107 Speaker 2: with the coach's war of words. I think the players 116 00:05:43,147 --> 00:05:46,027 Speaker 2: kind of moved on quite quickly. Jim CALLOWI Taliana and 117 00:05:46,067 --> 00:05:48,747 Speaker 2: Steve Coriicer continued to sort of, I guess go at 118 00:05:48,747 --> 00:05:50,747 Speaker 2: each other a little bit in the days that followed. 119 00:05:51,107 --> 00:05:54,187 Speaker 4: Oh absolutely, this is exactly what that sport needs. 120 00:05:54,227 --> 00:05:57,987 Speaker 3: So we were there for the twenty six thousand game, 121 00:05:58,027 --> 00:06:01,267 Speaker 3: the derby game, Piney and then poor old talk about 122 00:06:01,267 --> 00:06:06,627 Speaker 3: falling off a cliff. The Wellington Phoenix hosted MacArthur yesterday 123 00:06:06,747 --> 00:06:07,227 Speaker 3: and there. 124 00:06:07,147 --> 00:06:09,787 Speaker 4: Was seven thousand I think at the Captain yep. 125 00:06:10,187 --> 00:06:13,667 Speaker 3: So this is where the issue, I think for all 126 00:06:13,907 --> 00:06:16,547 Speaker 3: New Zealand sports really is how do you keep that interest? 127 00:06:16,547 --> 00:06:19,387 Speaker 3: How do you get people through the gates that There's 128 00:06:19,427 --> 00:06:21,627 Speaker 3: a lot of work to be done on the marketing side. 129 00:06:21,667 --> 00:06:24,827 Speaker 3: On the game day experience and now we watch with 130 00:06:24,867 --> 00:06:27,827 Speaker 3: interest because I think the battle is not just on 131 00:06:27,867 --> 00:06:31,827 Speaker 3: the field. I think off the field merchandise. The Auckland 132 00:06:31,867 --> 00:06:35,387 Speaker 3: NEFC have sold twenty thousand shirts. The Warriors I think 133 00:06:35,467 --> 00:06:39,267 Speaker 3: sold thirty nine thousand last season jerseys. So they're sort 134 00:06:39,267 --> 00:06:42,027 Speaker 3: of like that's their goal to get up to past 135 00:06:42,067 --> 00:06:46,467 Speaker 3: thirty nine thousand, and I'm sure the Wellington fence will 136 00:06:46,467 --> 00:06:48,387 Speaker 3: be acutely aware of the fact that they need to 137 00:06:48,427 --> 00:06:49,787 Speaker 3: keep up in that race as. 138 00:06:49,707 --> 00:06:53,147 Speaker 2: Well, have to and bumps on seats they have to. James, 139 00:06:53,227 --> 00:06:55,587 Speaker 2: do you have to lift their game? They do. They 140 00:06:55,627 --> 00:06:59,187 Speaker 2: have to. It's it's not negotiable. Now, you're so right, 141 00:06:59,227 --> 00:07:01,947 Speaker 2: the difference between what we saw last weekend and yes, 142 00:07:02,027 --> 00:07:04,107 Speaker 2: I know it wasn't a derby in Wellington yesterday, but 143 00:07:05,187 --> 00:07:07,627 Speaker 2: the differences start. They have to lift their off field 144 00:07:07,627 --> 00:07:08,667 Speaker 2: game the next they do. 145 00:07:09,227 --> 00:07:10,827 Speaker 4: And the thing is on the field. 146 00:07:10,867 --> 00:07:14,027 Speaker 3: The Knicks are looking okay, but still a lost yesterday, 147 00:07:14,067 --> 00:07:16,467 Speaker 3: a loss to Aukland the FC that's sliding down the table. 148 00:07:17,027 --> 00:07:19,987 Speaker 3: To be honest, if there was if both our New 149 00:07:20,067 --> 00:07:22,227 Speaker 3: Zealand teams make the playoffs, and I hope they do, 150 00:07:22,947 --> 00:07:26,907 Speaker 3: I actually think that the Phoenix are just as well 151 00:07:26,907 --> 00:07:29,627 Speaker 3: equipped to do to do really well to win it, 152 00:07:29,947 --> 00:07:34,347 Speaker 3: because imagine a fert Marco Rojas and obviously Costa Barbarusis 153 00:07:34,387 --> 00:07:37,307 Speaker 3: and Alex Rufer just getting and she gave the new 154 00:07:37,387 --> 00:07:40,107 Speaker 3: Japanese player. So you can't feel down in the dumps 155 00:07:40,147 --> 00:07:43,907 Speaker 3: about the results just yet. Phoenix fans, it just needs 156 00:07:43,947 --> 00:07:47,867 Speaker 3: to somehow get that alchemy that that chief he found 157 00:07:47,947 --> 00:07:48,867 Speaker 3: last year with the team. 158 00:07:49,227 --> 00:07:51,707 Speaker 2: Indeed, Hey, quick word on Caitlyn Clark. She's won the 159 00:07:51,827 --> 00:07:53,787 Speaker 2: Time magazine Athlete of the Year. 160 00:07:54,587 --> 00:07:58,107 Speaker 3: Yes, Caitlin Clark, the basketballer who all eyes were on 161 00:07:58,147 --> 00:08:00,347 Speaker 3: her when she was at Iowa. She's twenty two now, 162 00:08:00,587 --> 00:08:03,307 Speaker 3: played her first season in the WNBA, was named Rookie 163 00:08:03,347 --> 00:08:06,307 Speaker 3: of the Year, All NBA First Team of the Year. 164 00:08:06,747 --> 00:08:11,107 Speaker 3: She finished with an average of nineteen points and eight assists. 165 00:08:11,467 --> 00:08:14,347 Speaker 3: And now she's Time Athlete of the Year. And the criticism, 166 00:08:14,627 --> 00:08:16,507 Speaker 3: the Caitlin Clark haters are everywhere. 167 00:08:16,787 --> 00:08:17,307 Speaker 4: They're coming in. 168 00:08:17,347 --> 00:08:19,947 Speaker 3: They're coming in from the league itself, which I think 169 00:08:20,067 --> 00:08:24,427 Speaker 3: is just shocking. Really, You've actually got to just appreciate 170 00:08:24,907 --> 00:08:28,067 Speaker 3: sometimes there is such a thing as buzz. And look 171 00:08:28,107 --> 00:08:30,987 Speaker 3: at Reagan, She's probably Athlete of the Year, right, You know, 172 00:08:31,507 --> 00:08:37,027 Speaker 3: but in this case, she won the Olympics and she 173 00:08:37,107 --> 00:08:39,307 Speaker 3: got dead last. So I mean, in this case, we're 174 00:08:39,307 --> 00:08:42,347 Speaker 3: talking about someone who is outstanding. Yes, she's at the 175 00:08:42,387 --> 00:08:44,867 Speaker 3: start of this of her career. But I remember when 176 00:08:44,867 --> 00:08:47,347 Speaker 3: there was a young Indian go came here who just 177 00:08:47,427 --> 00:08:51,147 Speaker 3: made his debut age sixteen, Sashin ten Doolka, and I 178 00:08:51,227 --> 00:08:54,067 Speaker 3: got to interview him. He had two bodyguards with him 179 00:08:54,067 --> 00:08:57,707 Speaker 3: actually the Devon Hotel in New Plymouth. One was Mohammed 180 00:08:57,747 --> 00:09:00,587 Speaker 3: Azerdin and the other was Capal dev So they wouldn't 181 00:09:00,667 --> 00:09:03,547 Speaker 3: let him ask a question answer a question without sort 182 00:09:03,547 --> 00:09:07,587 Speaker 3: of vetting at first. But the buzz around him was similar. 183 00:09:07,627 --> 00:09:09,787 Speaker 3: Sometimes he wasn't the best in the world at that point, 184 00:09:10,147 --> 00:09:12,827 Speaker 3: but everyone was talking about this kid, and I think 185 00:09:12,867 --> 00:09:15,587 Speaker 3: that sometimes happened. It's not that it's been dragged into 186 00:09:15,667 --> 00:09:20,947 Speaker 3: a race based sort of argument and debate, and I 187 00:09:20,947 --> 00:09:23,787 Speaker 3: don't think that's necessarily a factor. I think she's just 188 00:09:23,867 --> 00:09:28,987 Speaker 3: kepture the imagination of basketball fans around the world, and 189 00:09:30,027 --> 00:09:31,787 Speaker 3: people need to sort of lay off because I think 190 00:09:31,787 --> 00:09:35,267 Speaker 3: it's the last thing you need, really when someone is 191 00:09:35,307 --> 00:09:35,907 Speaker 3: doing something. 192 00:09:36,147 --> 00:09:37,947 Speaker 4: I think that's really positive for the sport. 193 00:09:38,427 --> 00:09:40,707 Speaker 2: YEP, the buzz is real great to chant as always, 194 00:09:40,787 --> 00:09:43,467 Speaker 2: James Arlie stow it again next Sunday. Cheers Piney have 195 00:09:43,547 --> 00:09:45,067 Speaker 2: a good one, but you have a good one too, 196 00:09:45,147 --> 00:09:47,187 Speaker 2: James Spiccari part of our Sundays here on newst Talks. 197 00:09:47,227 --> 00:09:50,987 Speaker 1: Heb for more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine. Listen 198 00:09:51,107 --> 00:09:54,707 Speaker 1: live to News Talks EDB weekends from midday, or follow 199 00:09:54,747 --> 00:09:56,347 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio.