1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,427 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport Podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:11,747 Speaker 1: from News Talk zed B. 3 00:00:12,747 --> 00:00:16,427 Speaker 2: James mcconey, Hello, James, Hello. 4 00:00:16,347 --> 00:00:20,667 Speaker 3: Piney, I saw you last night and doing great work. Obviously, 5 00:00:20,667 --> 00:00:23,987 Speaker 3: there's ZB team right beside the ACC team at Eden Park. 6 00:00:24,907 --> 00:00:27,947 Speaker 4: The ACC team just does I did. I did enjoy 7 00:00:28,067 --> 00:00:30,907 Speaker 4: a social media post I'm not sure if you've seen it. 8 00:00:30,947 --> 00:00:34,467 Speaker 4: You probably have of the comparison between your lead caller 9 00:00:34,547 --> 00:00:38,467 Speaker 4: at the ACC, Mike Lane and his his team notes 10 00:00:38,467 --> 00:00:40,907 Speaker 4: in front of him, which is basically just a list 11 00:00:40,907 --> 00:00:44,627 Speaker 4: of names alongside Elliott Smith, the ZB caller. With a 12 00:00:44,667 --> 00:00:46,067 Speaker 4: bit more detail, you might. 13 00:00:45,987 --> 00:00:49,147 Speaker 3: Say, yeah, we were, we were pretty much cheating like 14 00:00:49,187 --> 00:00:51,107 Speaker 3: you do, you know, like you shouldn't do in an 15 00:00:51,147 --> 00:00:55,787 Speaker 3: exam off Elliott's notes, which are impressive, and thank goodness, 16 00:00:55,827 --> 00:00:58,347 Speaker 3: the glasses right there so we can see him. We've 17 00:00:58,347 --> 00:01:02,747 Speaker 3: really just got nicknames listed for everybody. We won't we 18 00:01:02,787 --> 00:01:05,147 Speaker 3: won't have to go through those today. But how good 19 00:01:05,187 --> 00:01:06,787 Speaker 3: was cam Roygard? Goodness? 20 00:01:07,427 --> 00:01:10,867 Speaker 4: Honestly, I just you know, you don't want to sort of, 21 00:01:11,547 --> 00:01:14,547 Speaker 4: I guess credit the upswing of a team. You know, 22 00:01:14,667 --> 00:01:17,587 Speaker 4: we'll credit one guy with the upswing of a team, 23 00:01:17,667 --> 00:01:20,667 Speaker 4: But man, how much have we missed that guy? And 24 00:01:20,707 --> 00:01:23,507 Speaker 4: how much further ahead of all of the other halfbacks 25 00:01:23,547 --> 00:01:24,187 Speaker 4: is he at the moment? 26 00:01:25,027 --> 00:01:25,187 Speaker 5: Yeah? 27 00:01:25,187 --> 00:01:28,067 Speaker 3: I know, it's interesting because after only thirteen tests is 28 00:01:28,107 --> 00:01:30,947 Speaker 3: so important to the All Blacks. Theft is to go 29 00:01:31,027 --> 00:01:34,147 Speaker 3: back to people like Michael Jones and Jonah Lomo, even 30 00:01:34,187 --> 00:01:37,867 Speaker 3: Andrew Mertins early towards was really crucial to the All 31 00:01:37,907 --> 00:01:41,187 Speaker 3: Blacks right, And so that's where cam Royguard is right now. 32 00:01:41,667 --> 00:01:45,627 Speaker 3: And it's great. We're watching an athlete peaking and his confidence, 33 00:01:45,667 --> 00:01:48,587 Speaker 3: as an Stram mentioned, is at another level, just confidence 34 00:01:48,627 --> 00:01:52,187 Speaker 3: in his game. The good thing is that he's twenty four, 35 00:01:52,267 --> 00:01:54,947 Speaker 3: so twenty six at the next World Cup Earliot the 36 00:01:54,987 --> 00:01:57,787 Speaker 3: one after that. We hoped we've got a few more 37 00:01:58,707 --> 00:02:01,387 Speaker 3: years of cam Royguard. But you know, in a bigger 38 00:02:01,387 --> 00:02:04,427 Speaker 3: halfback as well, when everyone else seems to be going smaller. 39 00:02:04,907 --> 00:02:10,547 Speaker 3: Of the major nations France and South Africa, even Australia 40 00:02:10,707 --> 00:02:13,867 Speaker 3: quite small, you know, so he bucks the trend. He's 41 00:02:13,907 --> 00:02:14,267 Speaker 3: a freak. 42 00:02:14,467 --> 00:02:17,627 Speaker 4: Yeah, just and heeh that robust nature that he brings 43 00:02:17,627 --> 00:02:20,227 Speaker 4: to to his play in all areas and just just 44 00:02:20,267 --> 00:02:22,907 Speaker 4: as little it had I'd forgotten. I watch the highlights 45 00:02:22,907 --> 00:02:24,907 Speaker 4: back this morning, a little little tap and go from 46 00:02:24,907 --> 00:02:26,907 Speaker 4: a penalty, just you know, putting doubt in the mind 47 00:02:26,947 --> 00:02:29,947 Speaker 4: of the opposition. He snipes for the tribe that Leroy 48 00:02:29,987 --> 00:02:33,147 Speaker 4: Carter scored. The second one he snipes, bring a couple 49 00:02:33,187 --> 00:02:34,787 Speaker 4: of defenders in and makes him at a room for 50 00:02:34,867 --> 00:02:37,507 Speaker 4: Leroy Carter, he's just he's just at the scene. 51 00:02:37,227 --> 00:02:37,707 Speaker 2: Of the crime. 52 00:02:37,747 --> 00:02:40,427 Speaker 4: Every time New Zealand have a significant moment. 53 00:02:41,227 --> 00:02:44,187 Speaker 3: Yeah, and exit on Leroy Carter and Simon Parker, I 54 00:02:44,227 --> 00:02:46,427 Speaker 3: just wanted to give a shout out to them because 55 00:02:46,467 --> 00:02:49,187 Speaker 3: they're taking on a lot early in their careers. And 56 00:02:49,227 --> 00:02:52,507 Speaker 3: I thought Leroy Carter's tackle on Corey Tool in full 57 00:02:52,507 --> 00:02:55,187 Speaker 3: flight when I mean Corey Tool is so rapid and 58 00:02:55,227 --> 00:02:58,907 Speaker 3: he was sidestepping Lero Carter read it and met him 59 00:02:58,907 --> 00:03:02,187 Speaker 3: and absolutely planted him in the ground. So you know, 60 00:03:02,267 --> 00:03:04,867 Speaker 3: having a defender like that is great out wide. And 61 00:03:05,027 --> 00:03:10,107 Speaker 3: Simon Parker, you can't underrate, overrate you know what he's 62 00:03:10,147 --> 00:03:14,107 Speaker 3: done because he's he's freeing out Artie Savia, he's freeing 63 00:03:14,147 --> 00:03:18,307 Speaker 3: up while he's doing the graft and and he's doing 64 00:03:18,347 --> 00:03:20,547 Speaker 3: it well. So shout out to them. And also I 65 00:03:20,587 --> 00:03:23,747 Speaker 3: thought out midfield, you know, played well, shutting down, so 66 00:03:23,907 --> 00:03:28,227 Speaker 3: Elity Jordi Barrett. I liked that hybrid role from fullback 67 00:03:28,907 --> 00:03:32,107 Speaker 3: you know, to a seeking five. I mean, why not. 68 00:03:32,307 --> 00:03:35,627 Speaker 3: First fights are always in the backfield, and Quinty Pyre 69 00:03:35,627 --> 00:03:38,587 Speaker 3: coming on was fantastic. But there was one moment Piney 70 00:03:38,947 --> 00:03:41,187 Speaker 3: and I know that you played a clipbook earlier of 71 00:03:41,307 --> 00:03:45,587 Speaker 3: Caleb Clark when he realized he was surprised by a 72 00:03:45,707 --> 00:03:49,467 Speaker 3: Ronnie Clark, his dad singing the anthem, what the voice 73 00:03:49,467 --> 00:03:52,387 Speaker 3: of an angel? But I know that you spoke to him, 74 00:03:52,387 --> 00:03:54,987 Speaker 3: but he also spoke the sky and this caught my attention, 75 00:03:55,147 --> 00:03:55,907 Speaker 3: so heiriots. 76 00:03:56,147 --> 00:03:57,547 Speaker 5: I had my eyes closed for most of us. I 77 00:03:57,587 --> 00:04:00,227 Speaker 5: wasn't crying, but then through the English prot probably halfway 78 00:04:00,227 --> 00:04:02,867 Speaker 5: through the English part of the anthem, I'm like, I 79 00:04:02,987 --> 00:04:05,067 Speaker 5: know this voice. I know this voice, and the whole 80 00:04:05,067 --> 00:04:07,147 Speaker 5: time while he's next to me being me on the shoulder, 81 00:04:07,147 --> 00:04:10,307 Speaker 5: going yes, and I was like, I opened my eyes 82 00:04:10,347 --> 00:04:11,747 Speaker 5: and I look at the screen, I see my dad, 83 00:04:11,787 --> 00:04:15,507 Speaker 5: I went. That's when I just sort of bawling my 84 00:04:15,547 --> 00:04:18,147 Speaker 5: eyes out. So I was real special. I was just 85 00:04:18,147 --> 00:04:19,947 Speaker 5: talking to my family. None of them knew either, so 86 00:04:20,747 --> 00:04:21,427 Speaker 5: that was real cool. 87 00:04:21,707 --> 00:04:24,547 Speaker 2: I love that. I love that it's so authentic, isn't it. 88 00:04:25,307 --> 00:04:27,827 Speaker 3: Yeah, it's just an amazing moment and you think, like, 89 00:04:27,947 --> 00:04:31,507 Speaker 3: you know how Americans do the do that quite well, 90 00:04:31,627 --> 00:04:36,147 Speaker 3: just you know, making things poignant. Whitney Houston singing the 91 00:04:36,227 --> 00:04:39,467 Speaker 3: national anthem at the Super Bowl, things like that, and 92 00:04:39,707 --> 00:04:42,987 Speaker 3: that was another level. So we are owning it in 93 00:04:43,067 --> 00:04:47,867 Speaker 3: terms of theatrics, feelings, the fields. We got everyone in 94 00:04:47,907 --> 00:04:50,267 Speaker 3: the fields with that. I defy anyone not to have 95 00:04:50,307 --> 00:04:54,667 Speaker 3: felt something when they saw a Ronnie singing and Caleb crying. 96 00:04:54,707 --> 00:04:57,107 Speaker 3: Come on now, it's one of the great moments in 97 00:04:57,187 --> 00:04:58,427 Speaker 3: New Zealand's sporting history. 98 00:04:58,547 --> 00:05:00,987 Speaker 4: And tens of thousands, if not more, of people have 99 00:05:01,067 --> 00:05:04,147 Speaker 4: said that video was gone as they say, James, it's 100 00:05:04,147 --> 00:05:08,267 Speaker 4: gone viral. So yeah, it's everywhere. It's everywhere, and you're right, 101 00:05:08,347 --> 00:05:11,347 Speaker 4: a very very special and very poignant moment. 102 00:05:11,667 --> 00:05:14,107 Speaker 2: Now, can the Broncos beat the Panthers tonight or not? 103 00:05:15,547 --> 00:05:18,547 Speaker 3: Well, it's interesting because you've got the two most influential 104 00:05:18,587 --> 00:05:22,827 Speaker 3: players on both sides similar roughly the same size, Nathan 105 00:05:22,867 --> 00:05:26,427 Speaker 3: Cleary and Reese Walsh, and they will have their hands 106 00:05:26,467 --> 00:05:29,147 Speaker 3: on everything and you couldn't think of two players who 107 00:05:29,147 --> 00:05:32,427 Speaker 3: are more different. Reese is just you know, lightning in 108 00:05:32,427 --> 00:05:37,187 Speaker 3: a bottle. He is rest lightning. He's you know, mercurial. 109 00:05:37,347 --> 00:05:41,227 Speaker 3: Sometimes things don't come off, but he's really got you know, 110 00:05:41,227 --> 00:05:45,427 Speaker 3: he shot out of a cannon speed. He's just so dangerous. 111 00:05:45,627 --> 00:05:47,907 Speaker 3: And then Nathan Cleary is the master at this level, 112 00:05:48,347 --> 00:05:52,987 Speaker 3: just the puppet master pulling the strings. And so I'm 113 00:05:53,627 --> 00:05:57,747 Speaker 3: I'm thinking the Panthers can get up. And I like 114 00:05:57,827 --> 00:06:00,067 Speaker 3: that because I know some people want the Broncos to 115 00:06:00,107 --> 00:06:04,867 Speaker 3: go through. But for me, it's like heavyweight boxing, You're 116 00:06:04,907 --> 00:06:06,587 Speaker 3: only the champ if you beat the champs. So I 117 00:06:06,667 --> 00:06:09,467 Speaker 3: actually do want the Storm to play the Panthers. 118 00:06:09,547 --> 00:06:10,987 Speaker 4: It's funny at the sort of at the start of 119 00:06:11,027 --> 00:06:13,787 Speaker 4: the season, even halfway through the season, we're like, hey, 120 00:06:13,787 --> 00:06:16,707 Speaker 4: there's some different teams. Canberra is going to do well, 121 00:06:16,747 --> 00:06:19,667 Speaker 4: and Brisbane are there or thereabouts, and the Bulldogs and 122 00:06:19,707 --> 00:06:21,947 Speaker 4: who knows even the Warriors. But here we are one 123 00:06:22,027 --> 00:06:24,307 Speaker 4: week away from having the Storm against the Panthers again. 124 00:06:25,147 --> 00:06:28,027 Speaker 3: Yeah, and that's that's a great narrative because I like 125 00:06:28,067 --> 00:06:30,147 Speaker 3: the fact that the cream rises to the top. You 126 00:06:30,147 --> 00:06:33,627 Speaker 3: don't want to have to have somebody who can't handle 127 00:06:34,347 --> 00:06:37,587 Speaker 3: the enormity of the Grand Final, because that's even more pressure, right, 128 00:06:37,667 --> 00:06:41,347 Speaker 3: so yeah, bring on the heavyweights and of course if 129 00:06:41,947 --> 00:06:44,227 Speaker 3: whoever goes through to that Grand Final. Now that jar 130 00:06:44,347 --> 00:06:47,307 Speaker 3: Orham Hughes is combining with Harry Grant, I mean, just 131 00:06:47,387 --> 00:06:51,107 Speaker 3: two of the best in history. And I think Jerome 132 00:06:51,227 --> 00:06:53,987 Speaker 3: Is I mean as a Kiwis player, I mean and 133 00:06:54,187 --> 00:06:57,707 Speaker 3: myself as a Kewis fan watching them all out there contributing, 134 00:06:57,867 --> 00:07:01,267 Speaker 3: I mean there's about five five on each side, you know, 135 00:07:01,387 --> 00:07:02,587 Speaker 3: five Kiwis maybe more. 136 00:07:02,827 --> 00:07:06,067 Speaker 4: Yeah, it's good to see the Kiwi's involved in the 137 00:07:06,467 --> 00:07:09,027 Speaker 4: n'derstand even if the Warriors aren't to be Hey are 138 00:07:09,067 --> 00:07:12,707 Speaker 4: the women's are black Funds come home with a bronze 139 00:07:12,747 --> 00:07:16,827 Speaker 4: medal from the Rugby World Cup beating France in the 140 00:07:16,827 --> 00:07:18,587 Speaker 4: game for third and fourth this morning? 141 00:07:18,747 --> 00:07:20,427 Speaker 2: How do you think they'll reflect on their tournament. 142 00:07:21,907 --> 00:07:24,987 Speaker 3: Yeah, they'll be bummed out because they definitely had the 143 00:07:25,027 --> 00:07:28,227 Speaker 3: potential to go and trouble England. I don't know if 144 00:07:28,227 --> 00:07:31,627 Speaker 3: they would have got up and beaten England, but that 145 00:07:31,907 --> 00:07:35,227 Speaker 3: it was really good to see them, you know, get 146 00:07:35,267 --> 00:07:37,827 Speaker 3: it together. Just plut there's some Champagne rugby. I mean, 147 00:07:37,867 --> 00:07:41,827 Speaker 3: the try Rene home score is a beautiful team try 148 00:07:41,907 --> 00:07:44,947 Speaker 3: so the skill level is elite, and I think there's 149 00:07:44,947 --> 00:07:47,547 Speaker 3: a few players who really stood out, and of course 150 00:07:47,547 --> 00:07:50,427 Speaker 3: we're just waiting for someone like Georgia Miller is a 151 00:07:50,427 --> 00:07:53,987 Speaker 3: bit like cam Royguard in terms of her influence on 152 00:07:54,027 --> 00:07:57,387 Speaker 3: that team already you know early doors and she's pretty 153 00:07:57,427 --> 00:08:01,467 Speaker 3: much the best player. So what's you know, her development 154 00:08:01,507 --> 00:08:04,907 Speaker 3: with interest? But I was caught by the fact that 155 00:08:04,987 --> 00:08:09,347 Speaker 3: John Mitchell redemptions sorry for Mitch, who coached the England 156 00:08:09,347 --> 00:08:11,907 Speaker 3: women to World Cup glory, and I know that, you 157 00:08:11,947 --> 00:08:14,587 Speaker 3: know he was made fun of when he was with 158 00:08:14,667 --> 00:08:17,347 Speaker 3: the or Blacks talking about the journey and also when 159 00:08:17,387 --> 00:08:21,107 Speaker 3: he was Western Force coach. He really wanted this a. 160 00:08:21,147 --> 00:08:28,227 Speaker 2: Proper rectangular stadium. I repeat, a proper rectangular stadium. 161 00:08:29,467 --> 00:08:32,867 Speaker 3: Well he got what he wanted, Pony. He was in Twickna. 162 00:08:34,067 --> 00:08:36,907 Speaker 3: You know what that is. It's a proper rectangular stadium 163 00:08:37,467 --> 00:08:41,147 Speaker 3: and he brought it home. So and he talked about 164 00:08:41,147 --> 00:08:43,347 Speaker 3: it in the press conference that it was like climbing 165 00:08:43,387 --> 00:08:45,267 Speaker 3: a mountain. So he hasn't let go of the journey 166 00:08:45,267 --> 00:08:48,067 Speaker 3: at all. He's just going up instead of across. So 167 00:08:48,747 --> 00:08:50,547 Speaker 3: good on you, Mitch. He was one of my childhood 168 00:08:50,627 --> 00:08:54,627 Speaker 3: heroes when he was captain of ye cuttle and I 169 00:08:54,707 --> 00:08:56,347 Speaker 3: as a fan, I actually send him a lot of 170 00:08:56,387 --> 00:08:59,067 Speaker 3: faxes back in the day, you know, remember that. But 171 00:08:59,107 --> 00:09:02,507 Speaker 3: I actually got found guilty of Mitch faxing so had 172 00:09:02,507 --> 00:09:02,987 Speaker 3: to stop that. 173 00:09:03,707 --> 00:09:05,147 Speaker 2: Just before you go, are you keeping an eye on 174 00:09:05,147 --> 00:09:05,827 Speaker 2: the Ryder Cup? 175 00:09:06,867 --> 00:09:11,467 Speaker 3: Yes, Scottie Cheffler has just got the worst record ever, 176 00:09:11,627 --> 00:09:13,747 Speaker 3: the first player in Ryder Cup history. You go, oh, 177 00:09:13,787 --> 00:09:17,587 Speaker 3: and for the first four sessions, so I can't believe that. 178 00:09:17,787 --> 00:09:20,947 Speaker 3: So yes, Europe incredible. It's hard to remember the golf 179 00:09:20,947 --> 00:09:24,107 Speaker 3: because everyone's pulling focus from wags to fans. But it's 180 00:09:24,147 --> 00:09:27,227 Speaker 3: a good theater and it finishes tomorrow morning, so if 181 00:09:27,227 --> 00:09:29,347 Speaker 3: you can get up early, it still might be worth 182 00:09:29,347 --> 00:09:30,107 Speaker 3: a watch. I reckon. 183 00:09:30,707 --> 00:09:32,587 Speaker 4: James, always good chatting to you. Great to see you 184 00:09:32,667 --> 00:09:34,747 Speaker 4: in person as well a couple of days ago. Hopefully 185 00:09:34,787 --> 00:09:37,147 Speaker 4: that happens again soon. Our will chat next Sunday if 186 00:09:37,187 --> 00:09:39,627 Speaker 4: that works with your very busy schedule. 187 00:09:40,227 --> 00:09:40,427 Speaker 5: Oh. 188 00:09:40,507 --> 00:09:42,947 Speaker 3: I was as emotional as Caleb seeing you at Sky 189 00:09:43,067 --> 00:09:45,827 Speaker 3: It was great for me, mate, beautiful, beautiful moment. 190 00:09:46,307 --> 00:09:49,547 Speaker 4: Thanks good to chat as always, James mccony, huge part 191 00:09:49,547 --> 00:09:52,267 Speaker 4: of our Sundays about this time every Sunday afternoon on 192 00:09:52,347 --> 00:09:52,907 Speaker 4: weekend Sport. 193 00:09:53,467 --> 00:09:56,667 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 194 00:09:56,747 --> 00:10:00,067 Speaker 1: to News Talk zed B weekends from midday, or follow 195 00:10:00,107 --> 00:10:01,707 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio