Radio Sport Extra Time: Recent Episodes
Radio Sport
Join the Radio Sport team as we celebrate 22 years of sport. Jason Pine hosts a special 3 part podcast as we reflect on 22 years of sport on the radio. The losses, the wins, and the fans. The voices that became so famous with sport on the radio over 22 years. Radio Sport Extra Time Podcast – delivered thanks to KFC
In the final part of Radio Sport Extra Time with KFC, Jason Pine chats with night show host Eli Mwaijumba and weekend producer Mark Kelly who take you behind the scenes of Radio Sport as they share their sport memories. Martin Devlin the man who was Radio Sport’s original breakfast host 22 years go and in recent years the host of the DRS takes Radio Sport Extra Time to the finish line. Devlin chats to the voice of cricket Bryan Waddle, Rugby Commentator Nigel Yalden and his old producer Hayden O’Neil. As voted by the listeners with Top 5 sporting moments from 22 years, plus some old Radio Sport and sporting voicing Stephen Donald, Tim Southee, Sophie Devine, Katey Martin, Simon Doull, Micheal Luck, Blair Tuke, Rowena Duncum and Paul Allison.
In the second part of Radio Sport Extra Time with KFC, Daniel McHardy and Louis Herman-Watt share their sporting moments from the Radio Sport afternoon show and a chat with Phil Tataurangi from Tee Time. Daniel and Wellington rugby co-commentator Ross Bond share some of their great sporting commentary highlights with a tribute to the late, great Graeme Moody. D'Arcy Waldegrave a 20 year veteran of Radio Sport is joined by his drive producers Angus Mabey to reflect on sporting moments from the drive home, which includes a chat with old mates driven co-host Bob McMurray, former drive producer Goran Paladin and James Parsons. Plus some old Radio Sport and sporting voicing from the past 22 years Ian Foster, Graeme Agars, PJ Montgomery, Craig Cumming, Tabai Matson, Brian Ashby, Andrew Dewhurst, Steve Hansen, Eric Murray, Andrew Alderson and Mark Richardson.
In the first part of Radio Sport Extra Time with KFC, the Radio Sport Breakfast team of Kent Johns, Nathan Rarere and Marc Peard reflect on their time at Radio Sport including the mince on toast tour, time in Arizona and The Rambler with Mark Stafford. Jason Pine is joined by Miles Davis and his morning producer Sam Hewat as they look back on 22 years of sport including the big All Whites moment in South Africa in 2010. Plus some old Radio Sport and sporting voicing from the past 22 years Brendan Telfer, Grant Elliott, David Chote, Rikki Swannell, Kevin Hart, Graeme Hill, Doug Golightly and Dane Coles
Kai Kara-France talks about Peard’s Stink birthday present, Dan Dibley has a roster set up for his lounge, Enda Brady is having a beer and Warriors Superfan Ivan tells us if he wants his money back@dandibley@SkyEnda
@NRL
@NZWarriors
@kaikarafrance
Staffy has shaved his head, Eric Murray’s 8 year old is trying to take a chunk out of the wall with a Sabre Saw, Martin Gillingham is trying hill runs and NZOC Boss Kereyn Smith is trying to figure out how to progress in these COVID times.PLUS our weirdest rambler ever! The RSB is still on-air@StafNZ
@TAB_Sport
Cameron George, Warriors CEO, who does believe the NRL has had the players' welfare as a priority. The Warriors are due home today.
Kereyn Smith, NZOC Secretary-General, who thinks it looks likely the Olympics will indeed be postponed. She thinks that would be a better decision than a cancellation.
Jonathan Macri, Sports Illustrated NBA writer in lockdown in NY City, on the strangeness of a very quirt New York City.
Andrew Voss, Fox NRL commentator, who thinks the NRL were probably told by the Australian PM privately to suspend the season.
Jennie Wyllie, Netball NZ CEO, who said if a player or coach tests positive for covid-19 that would be the game-changer that could potentially be damaging for the ANZ Championship.
Isaac Fotu, Tall Blacks basketballer, who is self-isolating at home after returning from Italy. He thinks NZ's response to the outbreak has been far swifter and more effective than Italy's.
Andrew Voss, Fox NRL commentator, who suspects if an NRL player returns a positive covid-19 test the house of cards will fall over. He doesn't think there is an expectation placed on the Warriors to stay in Australia.
Garry Carnachan (Carn-ar-hin), CEO School Sports NZ, who is hopeful school sport will continue to go ahead on Saturdays despite all major events on the national calendar being suspended. yesterday.
Tony Iro is here to give us the lowdown on the Warriors team and also give Nate shit about the Raiders, Bryan Waddle checks in before departing to Australia for the Chapell-Hadlee, A heated discussion breaks out about the Bulldogs teen-sex scandal AND we discuss Coronavirus’s effect on World Sport (again) AND Staffy’s back with a Rambler!@NRL
@NZWarriors@BLACKCAPS@StafNZ
@TAB_Sport
Joe Marler’s genital grab is still making news with us today and TalkSport’s Andrew McKenna is here from the UK to discuss it, Ant Strachan talks Blues rugby and Piston Attacks, it’s the return of VOSSSSYYYYYYYY and it’s Chuck Norris’s birthday.
@AndrewVossy
@BluesRugbyTeam
@Hurricanesrugby
@talkMacca
Batesy discusses bad rugby uniforms and penis touching, Russ Hargreaves gives us his take on Joe Marler’s actions, ESPN’s Phil Murphy is live from Vegas after the Adesanya fight AND we give away a BUNCH of cash from a successful Rambler!!!!
@BluesRugbyTeam
@Hurricanesrugby
@crusadersrugby
@ChiefsRugby
@Highlanders
@Russ_Hargreaves
@Phil_Sports
@TAB_Sport
@StafNZ
Taranaki’s Coastal Rugby club have a HUGE game coming up against Southern. We have their coach Kane Barrett telling us how he’ll manage his new recruit Beauden Barrett.
Blake Green talks about being plant based and the NRL Captains challenges, Enda Brady tells us about empty stadiums and London tube rides AND James McOnie tells us when Beaudy is debuting for the Blues.
Also, Happy 20th Birthday to the PlayStation 2
@NRL
@NZWarriors
@BluesRugbyTeam
@JamesMcOnie
@beaudenbarrett
@TaranakiRugby
Gavin Larsen is here to talk about the BlackCaps 1 Day squad for Australia, Hurricanes Boss Avan Lee tells us his least favourite thing about Auckland, Staffy is here with the 1970 Rambler, Kent puts up a case to be proven wrong
and how come you guys know so much about bad movies from 2001?
@BLACKCAPS
@BluesRugbyTeam
@Hurricanesrugby
@StafNZ
@TAB_Sport
Black Cap Kyle Jamieson talks about beating India and school photos, Frankie McKay reports on the White Ferns World Cup exit from her sickbed, Craig McMillan gives his thoughts on coin tosses in Test Matches and we hear from the newest player looking to get into the sports streaming market
DAZN.com
@BLACKCAPS
Kent is happy that his Blues are coming back undefeated from Africa, Daniel Bowden gives his whakaaro on the Highlanders inside back situation, Lesley Murdoch has seen the greatest catch this century, Joseph Parker is sure he can beat Wilder AND we break the news to Russ Hargreaves that NZ is stealing Joe Marchant. He’s Hohepa Marchant now, Russ!!!
@BLACKCAPS
@BluesRugbyTeam
@Russ_Hargreaves
@danbowden_
@Hurricanesrugby
@Highlanders
Kevin Barry lets us know if Joseph Parker will wear a heavy costume to the ring this Sunday, Staffy spoke with Ardie and gives his whakaaro as to whether he will actually go to the NRL, Marc sets the txt line alight after a call from NetballNZ CEO Jennie Wyllie AND what the hell does Expostulating mean?
@joeparkerboxer
@NetballNZ
@stafNZ
Enda Brady has the inside word on which city wants Fury v Joshua, Tana Umaga is live from Cape Town, The Green Jacket previews the NZ Golf Open and the Director of Sport for Westlake Boys High Paul Strang tells us about The Let’s Play Initiative
@SkyEnda
@BluesRugbyTeam
@guyheveldt
@NZOpenGolf
Enda Brady has the inside word on which city wants Fury v Joshua, Tana Umaga is live from Cape Town, The Green Jacket previews the NZ Golf Open and the Director of Sport for Westlake Boys High Paul Strang tells us about The Let’s Play Initiative
@SkyEnda
@BluesRugbyTeam
@guyheveldt
@NZOpenGolf
Craig McMillan and Black Caps bowling coach Shane Jurgenson review the big win over India, Brad ‘Quake’ Riddell talks about the excitement of a UFC victory at home and also the Tom Lathams of CBHS, Russ Hargeaves has an “interesting” description for Eddie Jones’ interview quotes and we talk heading footballs and Ardie as a leaguie
@BCCI
@BlackCaps
@Tomlatham2
@TheQuakeRiddell
@Russ_Hargreaves
@cmacca10
Peard is fizzed after his UFC Auckland experience, Joseph Parker checks in to review the Fury win over Wilder, Frankie McKay talks Test Cricket and the Women’s T20, The BatesBus pulls into the station AND it’s Monday, so we play TweetBix!
@UFC
@BLACKCAPS
@BluesRugbyTeam
@crusadersrugby
@ChiefsRugby
@BrumbiesRugby
Peard bets Tom Walsh $400, Sam Cane answers the door mid-interview, Jeff Wilson is excited about the under-85kg comp and we commiserate about the end of the Summer of Cricket on radio with Bryan Waddle
@bawads
@ChiefsRugby
Huw Beynon schools us up on the Tall Blacks, Lesley Murdoch looks forward to the Women’s T20 World Cup, Enda Brady speaks on UEFA suspensions and still being on Hotmail AND 888 Boss Roland Dane plays the blame game
@TallBlacks
@Huw_Beynon
@SkyEnda
Trent Boult tells us how fast he bowls at club cricketers, Bryan Waddle prepares for the upcoming Test Match against India, One Word Wednesday is B A CK back!!!, A website called the Irish ugly (we stick up for them), Its a Rambler Wednesday and did Nato use up his Lotto luck by winning Div 6 yesterday ?
@BLACKCAPS
@StafNZ
@TAB_Sport
@Lotto_NZ
Greg Murphy is here to farewell Holden, Craig McMillan talks about the Black Caps test squad and we upset the nation with a statement about Eden Park. Also Happy Birthday, John Travolta
@BLACKCAPS
Russ Hargreaves tells us about UEFA punishment and his favourite English accent, Ant Strachan and Dan Bowden look back at Blues failure and the Super Rugby weekend, Breakers boss Matt Walsh reflects on the incredible Breakers season Peard skilfully avoids talking about the Warriors flaming out at the Nines and the boys play the Monday Morning Twitter game
@mattyvincent44
@danbowden_
@Russ_Hargreaves
@NZBreakers
NZ Cricket CEO David White gives us his position on late starts and coach resting, Rob Nichol discusses Beauden’s late start and player resting, Steve Kearney talks 9s and pre-seasons, Enda Brady has a yarn about a Football ref AND we’ve got ourselves a new newsreader! Hint: It’s Angus Ta’avao
@BLACKCAPS
@ChiefsRugby
@angustaavao
@SkyEnda
@AllBlacks
@NRL
@NZWarriors
On today’s Pod Peter McGlashan discusses confident cricketers, Damien McKenzie plays a straight bat at the airport and HOLY HECK THAT RAMBLER IS SO MASSIVE IT BLOCKS OUT THE SUN!!!
@PeterMcGlashan
@ChiefsRugby
@StafNZ
@TAB_Sport
On today’s pod the boys workshop a new competitor for the NRL with XRL Commissioner Blake Ayshford, Hugh Basketball-Beynon explains the maths behind the Breakers making the Playoffs, Luke Ronchi discusses fielding and Green Day concerts, and Craig McMillan gives his verdict on the last week of Black Cap success. We still hate the Grey Super Rugby jerseys!
@BLACKCAPS
@NZBreakers
@Huw_Beynon
Are the Boks REALLY off to England? Russ Hargreaves and Liam Napier bring us the latest on that. The Bates Bus rolls into town and we find out if he thinks the Chiefs niggle is “real”, and we go into tweet world. Also, lets go JoJoRabbit !
@NewYorkNixon
@HDiddyNZ
@liamnapiernz
@Russ_Hargreaves
We have a couple of guests in studio with cricket in their hearts, Black Caps batting coach Peter Fulton describes the feeling after the team’s first win in months and Scott McLaughlin talks to us in a Mustang live from Indianapolis
@BLACKCAPS
@CWC19winner
@smclaughlin93
Gary Stead has some time off, Jeremy Coney comes off the long run-up to give us his opinion on it and NZCricket’s High Performance Manager responds. Casey Frank reviews the Breakers RJ Hampton experiment, Enda Brady has the latest on the Folau situation and Peard was surprised to find himself in the middle of a Pub Quiz last night
@BLACKCAPS
@NZBreakers
As the boys recover from the Super Bowl half-time show Kent noticed a spectator at the game that irked him, Russ Hargreaves was left disappointed by Eddie Jones’ England, Dan Dibley was left disappointed by his 49ers and Craig McMillan tells us what the One Day series is useful for
@BLACKCAPS
@dandibley
@Russ_Hargreaves
@BluesRugbyTeam
Super Rugby is here and the boys have Nigel Yalden on to predict the NZ finishing order, we ask Gary Stead if Tim Southee can be the Black Caps SuperOver bowler again, Dan Dibley is LIVE from Radio Row at the SuperBowl and Jeff Wilson tells us who the greatest Highlander ever is.
@NigelYalden
@BLACKCAPS
@NZRugby
@dandibley
We lost another Super Over, Black Caps bowling coach Shane Jurgensen and ND coach Gareth Hopkins are on deck to break it down. New Blues CEO Andrew Hore is keen for the locals to get proud of being Aucklanders, Enda Brady is at Heathrow and so so glad to get to talk sport and the mention of Akira Ioane sends the txt line into overdrive.
@BLACKCAPS
@BluesRugbyTeam
@SkyEnda
Jack Goodhue is here to talk about a cause that is close to his heart. Get in behind it! txt the word SAVE or SHAVE to 206 and you’ll donate $3 to Bald Angels, The boys are a bit glum about the BlackCaps chances and speak to Peter McGlashan for comfor ALSO Folau is back in League, Federer squeezes out another one AND It’s Rambler day #LETITRIDE
@PeterMcGlashan
@BLACKCAPS@StafNZ
@chahuahua
@TAB_Sport
We reflect on the tragic Kobe Bryant news of his death. We chat with Zach Schwartz from Yahoo Sports in LA and Sean Marks (the Kiwi Brooklyn Nets GM) who both talk about Kobe. Ross Taylor compares the situation to the time NZ cricketers chose not to play against Pakistan after the death of Phil Hughes.
Gina Crampton is fresh off the court and live from Birmingham after the Ferns huge win over Jamaica, Bob Ryan counts down to Zion Williamson’s NBA debut, Peter Fulton and Jacob Oram look ahead to the upcoming local series for the White Ferns and Black Caps and Dallas Fisher is here ahead of this weekend’s Hamilton Sevens
@SilverFernsNZ
@GlobeBobRyan
@BLACKCAPS
@WHITE_FERNS
@Zionwilliamson
@NZ_Sevens
@BlackFerns
All Blacks George Bridge and Luke Jacobson launch Super Rugby, we interrupt Tim Southee at a sponsors breakfast, Matt Brown talks Aus Open and debuts his snazzy Christmas Shoes annnnnnnnnnnnnnnd IT’S RAMBLER TIME
@BLACKCAPS @ChiefsRugby @crusadersrugby @chahuahua @StafNZ
Craig McMillan ran through the good the bad and the ugly of the BlackCaps hapless tour of Australia and previews the upcoming Indian series. Super Rugby launches today and NZRugby’s Chris Lendrum is here to talk contracts and availability AND Brent Sobleski of Bleacher Report talks NFL playoff games, the metric system and answers our question “Why can’t NFL players tackle?”
@BleacherReport
@brentsobleski
@NZRugby
@BLACKCAPS
40 Second Shoulder KO Conor McGregor is BACK baby! We talk knockouts and niceness with Dan Tom from MMAJunkie, Silver Fern shooter Maia Wilson was here fresh off a smashing of England, Saracens aka Cheato McCheatyclub are being relegated and Russ Hargreaves is from TalkSport to give us the latest AND Browny has some SHOCK picks for the Oz Open that will STUN you! (Maybe), while new friend Jedd Zetzer talks air quality and hailstones in Melbourne
In our final show of 2019 we say bye to Steve Tew, commiserate with Lochie Ferguson and find out about Jack Goodhue’s holiday road trip
Merry Xmas !
Its the Second to last show of the year. Steve Mintz gives us baseball and life advice, Ian Potter talks funding for Basketball and it’s Enda Brady’s Birthday!!!
@skyenda
@AucklandTuatara
Dan ‘Darts Man’ Dawson is with us .. from the Darts, Alders is back from W.A. with tails of Perth, High Performance Sports NZ funding is out for 2020 CEO Michael Scott talks us through them, Staffy is here for the annual Super-Huge long term mega-multi .. and just what the heck did Booger McFarlane draw on a telestrator????
@BLACKCAPS
@StafNZ
@TAB_Sport
Craig McMillan and Ken Rutherford have reckons on what to do with the BlackCaps, the GOAT Wynton Rufer reveals something shocking about Sarpreet Singh as a young player and Andrew McKenna finds another reason why there could be a sticking point around the release of Brad Mooar from his contract in Wales
@BLACKCAPS
@talkMacca
@NZRugby
The Black Caps were so well beaten Nate is downcast and our 5009 txtline wants Raval GONE! Peter McGlashan brings his thoughts on how things get better in the second test, Bryan Waddle gave his assessment and spoke with Kane Williamson. On the flipside it has been a stonker of a weekend for the Sevens in South Africa with victory for the Black Ferns and Mens 7s, coach Laidlaw is on the show and it’s a Mele Kalimaka to our mate Russ Hargreaves from Talksport
@bawads
@BlackCaps
@NZRugby
All Blacks coach Ian Foster is on the show, his Boss Brent Impey is here too AND former coach and member of the ABs coaching panel of selectors Sir Ted Henry is with us, and Liam Napier comes is on the line from England.
We also get the latest from Wads on the Perth Pink Baller and Nate celebrates Jennifer Connely’s birthday
@AllBlacks
@BLACKCAPS
@liamnapiernz
Ewen Chatfield is a legend and joins us on the show today .. and is still a legend, Terry Davis runs the stadiums in Dunedin and is here with his thoughts on the Christchurch Indoor Stadium proposal, will the AFL cutting their half-time fix their falling TV ratings? and it’s Wednesday so we ramble responsibly
@stafNZ
@TAB_Staff
@BLACKCAPS
The boys talk to Warriors boss Cameron George about NRL rule changes, Dan Shamir off the back of last night’s win, Martin Gillingham on Russia getting the boot again from WADA and Craig McMillan about the BlackCaps
Also .. Does a cowboy hat positively effect a pigeon’s chances of mating?
@BLACKCAPS
@NRL
@NZWarriors
@NZBreakers
The boys discuss Anthony Joshua’s win with Mike Angove, Blair Tuke talks about being the Champ Champ Champ Champ Champ of the World, Rusty Hargreaves is cock-a-hoop about Joshua, The Tuatara’s Steve Mintz celebrates the Tuuts series win and also has some life advice for Marc and we talk about the greatest Celebrity Golfers
@AucklandTuatara
@Russ_Hargreaves
We spoke a lot of Brain stuff today. Professor Sir Richard Faull spoke to us about the latest Brain Injury studies, 4 time Super-Bowl winner Jesse Sapolu stopped by, we got excited about Andy Ruiz Jr AND Kento had the top quotes of the Year. Also, Happy Birthday, Finland
UPTOWN GIRL
Black Caps Boss, Gary Stead is confident that 3 practices is enough, Murray Olds is confident that Aussie Rugby has had enough of Raelene Castles, Ufuk Talay is confident that the Phoenix will be too much for West Sydney and Nate got lost in google image search in a quest to find out if Andrew Alderson was correct that Uptown Girl was written about Elle MacPherson
@BLACKCAPS
@WgtnPhoenixFC
@SkyEnda
@liamnapiernz
@aldersonnotes
@murray_olds
Peter McGlashan brings us his thoughts on Jeet Raval, Spencer Fearon tells us who will win this weekend’s Ruiz v Joshua II, Alex Chapman reveals the dilemma of which Xmas tree to buy for the “Plastic Free” flat that he shares with Louis Herman-Watt and it’s Rambler Day!!!!
@PeterMcGlashan
@Spencer_Fearon
@AlexChapmanNZ
@LouisHWatt
@stafnz
@anthonyfjoshua
@Andy_destroyer1
A comment from TalkSport’s George Dobell fires up Jeremy Coney and Craig McMillan, we head to the water to talk Olympic yachting qualifying and is there any real answer to the lack of excitement in Test Cricket?
@GeorgeDobell1
@nzolympics
@BLACKCAPS
Brian Waddel gives us his side of the Joe Root Sit-down Saga, Jim Dolan warns us that the Baggy Greens are looking ominous, Russ Hargeaves talks about the Euro draw and the Group Of Death & Aiden McLauchlin tells us how the Breakers are still filling Spark Arena
@NZBreakers
@BLACKCAPS
@Russ_Hargreaves
@womble101
@JimDolanSport
John Bracewell says Australia isn’t a tough place to debut, Peter McGlashen is ready to commentate the HECK out of the Hamilton test today, Enda Brady has the latest on the Not-Guilty Hillsborough decision, Brian Ashby’s name is still Brian but will the Crusaders name still be the Crusaders? and Herschel Fruean is in Auckland for the Condor Sevens and stops by to stick up for the Roller Mills tournament
@PeterMcGlashan
@BLACKCAPS
@BrianAshby2
@SkyEnda
@hstop200
Neil Wagner is in the World’s Top 20 All-Rounders but he’s our #1 guest today, Phoenix Captain Steven Taylor is here and he smells like victory, Tohu Harris is finally out of the fitness room and is back practicing with balls AND Josh Price ruins his chances of an invite to Daryl Mitchell’s house
@BLACKCAPS
@NRL
@NZWarriors
@WgtnPhoenixFC
@Pricejosh34
Karl Budge is here with the ASB Open’s Best Field Ever!, Is it too late to say “you’re gonna get it now!” when someone’s got you out 7 times, should we follow Mehrts advice and GTFOSanzaar? and we have a Rambler for the ages!
@StafNZ
@TAB_Sport
@JimDolanSport
@ASB_Classic
The boys enjoy the taste of humble pie after Mitch Santner’s Super Duper Sunday, Russ Hargreaves welcomes back The Humble One, We make Casey Frank relive the 03-04 Breakers season and BK talks V8s
@PeterMcGlashan
@BLACKCAPS
@Russ_Hargreaves
@Kseefrank
It’s Friday and Kent has come to work in full-kit as a Tuatara baseballer, Wadds sums up day one of the Test Match, Jamie Wall talks about the embarrassing situation that NZRugby find themselves in, Tuatara Manager Steve Mentz is out snapper fishing with an All Black AND the boys are stunned to learn that Superman couldn’t always fly
@AucklandTuatara
@BLACKCAPS
@JamieWall2
Its the opening day of the Test Series against England AND Opening Day in the Auckland Tuatara’s tilt at the Ozzy MLB title and Nate’s got that ‘First Nut Feeling’ as he waits for the opening balls, Peter McGlashan stops in Tahuna to give us his thoughts on the BlackCaps bowling line-up and The Guardian’s Ali Martin, Jim Dolan welcomes Dave Rennie to Australia and Enda Brady is live in the UK with the latest from Spurs
@Cricket_Ali
@PeterMcGlashan
@BLACKCAPS
@AucklandTuatara
@SkyEnda
@JimDolanSport
Dan Hooker is with us to predict which opponent he’ll meet at UFC Auckland, Breaker’s coach Dan Shamir talks about the ill behaviour, Craig McMillan is in his new slot in the line-up and has thoughts on bowling line-ups and All Black coaches and we find out which footballer has the greatest goal scoring percentage of all time
@UFC
@danthehangman @felderpaul
@cowboycerrone
@Justin_Gaethje
@NZBreakers
Breaker’s boss Matt Walsh is here to talk about Glen Rice Jr going all “Glen Rice Jr”, Dan Wolken from USA Today tells us Kaepernick probably doesn’t have a shot at the NFL, Rusty Hargreaves tells us about Saracens and English football AND Kent’s back, baby!
@DanWolken
@USATODAYsports
@mattyvincent44
@NZBreakers
@Russ_Hargreaves
Gavin Larsen and Andrew Alderson enthuse over the Black Caps pacemen, Harry Ngata and Enda Brady are on opposing sides of the All Whites v Ireland game, We find out what life’s like in a Japanese rugby club and Peard is super happy with his latest celebrity purchase
@BLACKCAPS
@SkyEnda @NZ_Football @aldersonnotes
Jackson Garden-Bachop talks about filling the big boots of Beauden, Matt Walsh talks about the suspension the NBL have given him, Dean Lonergan tells us about the time Graham Lowe deserted him at a game in New Guinea, Reuben Mama’s mate was campaign manager for the Falcon’s unsuccessful tilt at ‘Bird Of The Year’, and it’s Time For Tuatara Baseball!
@reubenmama88
@AucklandTuatara
@Hurricanesrugby
@mattyvincent44
Ryan Thomas tells us the difference between Te Puke and Eindhoven, Leon McDonald and Jason Holland discuss their talk Blues and Hurricanes squads, Dan from San Fran tells us that they are indeed keeping an eye on the NBL and its Rambler Day!
@Hurricanesrugby
@BluesRugbyTeam
@NZ_Football
@dandibley
@957thegame
@StafNZ
Warren Gatland talks about coaching careers and the All Blacks, Matt Cooper gave us a story about Gats but will it be in the autobiography, Vossy isnt impressed with Nate’s sweepstake idea, The Green Jacket gives us the hot tip for the NZ Trotting Cup, Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski hopes his Kiwi buddies are okay after the World Cup and just how many jerseys do the Warriors want us to buy?
@AndrewVossy
@brentsobleski
@GuyHeveldt
@BleacherReport
@ChiefsRugby
How long is a Loaf of Bread?, why did Tim Southee bowl the Super Over?, how do we practice for yorkers? What sort of player have the Blues landed in Joe Marchant? You’ll find all those answers and more on today’s Podcast
@PeterMcGlashan
@BLACKCAPS
@Russ_Hargreaves
We speak to an exec from SBW’s new league club, We find out about Warren Gatland’s plan for the Chiefs, Macca talks T20, Michael Maguire gets us amped about the Kiwis game against the Lions and Hugh Beynon relives last night’s Breakers game.
Also, would you eat a camel?
@BLACKCAPS
@SonnyBWilliams
@TOwolfpack
@NZRL_Kiwis
@ChiefsRugby
@NZBreakers
@huw_beynon
Jimmy Neesham lets us in on a conversation he had with Tim Southee, Enda Brady is in Old South Wales talking Saracens, Paul Ellison loves the idea of the Highlanders getting band back together to coach the All Blacks
@JimmyNeesham
@tim_southee
@SkyEnda
We find out that it costs a ridiculous amount of money to get into the Melbourne Cup, how many runs is enough in a T20, that the Breakers have landed a brilliant talent, and we ponder the All Blacks coaching candidates. @mattyvincent44 @NZBreakers @JimDolanSport@BLACKCAPS
On today’s show we discover that Louis might have rumbled us all out of $5 in the Melbourne Cup sweepstake, Trackside’s Brendan Poppelwell interprets the Form Guide for us. Brian Waddle is up and ready to call today’s T20 in Nelson, we have a think tank with Vossy about fixing International Rugby League and what will Rugby look like at the 2023 World Cup in France
@b_popplewell @AndrewVossy
Sias du Plessis spoke to us about the significance of the Springboks' win at the RWC. The next step for South African rugby is to convert this success into excitement for next season's Super Rugby competition, given recent apathy in the republic.
Plus, Russell Hargreaves, Shane Jurgensen, Tony Kemp and Jeff Wilson!
We're joined by Bryan Habana, former Springbok winger and RWC winner in 2007, Daryl Mitchell, Black Caps T20 allrounder, ahead of the opening game of the international cricket season vs England tomorrow, and Keiran Read, Rieko Ioani and Brad Weber who are all playing tomorrow night for a Bronze medal.
Will Greenwood, RWC winner with England in 2003 and raconteur, with a really engaging and comprehensive analysis of England's win over the ABs and why England has been so good.
Plus the T.A.B Rambler - Yeeehawww
We came to Tokyo and the All Blacks lost - yeah sorry about that. We talk all things rugby and poor barbecue form.
Tom Burgess talks about shifting burning hotels and League tests, Matt Walsh warns us there’s only 300 tickets left to tonight’s Breakers game, and we preview World Cup semi-finals with Talksport’s Andrew McKenna and SparkSport’s Isa Nacewa.
@SparkSport1 @mattyvincent44 @NZBreakers @talkMacca
Eddie Jones entertained everyone at the Press Conference yesterday, Scott Hamilton admits to a few nerves ahead of the England game, Brenden Nel isn’t super thrilled with Jerome Garces reffing the Boks v Wales semi and Staffy is here to Ramble Responsibly
@BrendenNel
@StafNZ
@NigelYalden
@EnglandRugby
@AllBlacks
Our favourite Welshman Paul Williams schools us on up on Warren Gatland’s legacy, Laurie Mains remembers the 95 game against England, Vossy can’t figure out where we can put the 9s and Nato loves Jaco Peyper’s Elbow picture
@thepaulwilliams
@AllBlacks
@WalesRugby
@AndrewVossy
Talksport’s Russ Hargeaves tells us where the English have the wood on the All Blacks, Jeff Wilson and Ant Strachan both pay their respects to the upcoming English semi-final, a jubilant Yvonne Willering is amped after the Ferns late win over the Diamonds and WHAT THE HELL WAS VAHAMAAHINA THINKING??
@allblacks
@SilverFernsNZ
@Russ_Hargreaves
@irishrugby
@FranceRugby
@EnglandRugby
Isa Nacewa ranks the remaining 8 teams at RWC2019, Nigel Yalden has thoughts on the All Black team that’s been named, we say a Happy Birthday to the Great Jason Pine and Tasman assistant coach Gray Cornellius tells us about the winning sausage at last night’s Mako coaching team ‘Sausage Party’
@rugbyworldcup
@allblacks
@SparkSport1
@TasmanRU
@pineyZB
@Mitre10Cup
Henry Winter of @TimesSport tells us what it was like in the stadium when England played Bulgaria, Yvonne Willering is hungry for another Ferns victory against Australia, Staffy lets us know if anyone is “Panic punting” on Ireland and Kent wasted 25 minutes of his life at the movies yesterday
@HenryWinter
@SilverFernsNZ
@StafNZ @TAB_Sport
Lee Calvert, host of the "Mud and Blood" rugby podcast, with a scatter-gun look at the RWC quarter-finals and various rugby issues.
RS rugby editor Nigel Yalden with today's "Rugby diaries".
Jane Watson, Silver Ferns defender, who revealed coach Noeline Taurua only informs the squad as to who is in the starting line-up minutes before games when she writes the team on the white board.
Andrew Voss, Fox rugby league commentator, on the fate of Nelson Asafa- Solomona once the NRL's integrity unit issues it's findings into his behaviour in Bali. Voss is unsure what to do, given we don't have all of the information from the incident.
Buck Shelford and Leon McDonald enthuse about the beautiful game that Japan are playing, Mark Palmer of the Sunday Times looks back at Scotland’s exit from the World Cup, TalkSport’s Russ Hargreaves holds no fears for England against the Wallabies and we can’t get enough of Scott McLaughlin at Bathurst
@MarkPalmerST
@Russ_Hargreaves
@JRFURugby @smclaughlin93
@elliottNZ
OKC Thunder GM Sam Presti talks about their Kiwi connection, Stephen Prescott from the 1014 warns that Ireland are a far more dangerous team with Sexton, Justin Marshall is officially annoyed with the yellow cards and Nate shares his dream with the Minister of Broadcasting for a nationwide Radio Sport FM Network
@The1014Rugby
@okcthunder
@NZBreakers
@Enda Brady, Sky News UK correspondent, playing the role of weatherman for us. He also told us the great story of a dust-up between two footballers' wives now dubbed "Wagatha Christie".
Elliott Smith, RS rugby commentator, with today's "Rugby Diaries".
Kevin Putt, former representative halfback and RS rugby analyst, who disagrees with WR's Augustine Pichot's idea of moving defensive lines back two metres. Putt thinks it'll encourage teams to be less expansive with ball-in-hand, not more so.
Gareth Widdop, Great Britain Lions league player, ahead of the Pacific Cup series starting October 26th. He is hugely disappointed Sam Burgess has been ruled out through injury.
We learn about Scotland rugby with Cammy Black the host of the Scottish Rugby Podcast, Chris Rattue is in studio talking tackles and offsides, It’s rambler day!!!!, Nigel informs us about a Japanese food bargain in the Rugby Diaries and does Rugby need lasers and Hawkeye?
@CammyBlack
@ScotRugbyBlog
@NigelYalden @StafNZ @TAB_Sport
With the spate of Yellow Cards we talk with Leon McDonald about how rugby players are supposed to tackle now, Andrew Voss is backing the NRL Grand Final refs, Greg Murphy is off to Bathurst, Elliott Smith samples the exotic fare in a Japanese Foodhall and Kent and Nate can’t remember that guy’s name ... that singer guy ... the one with the mural ...
@AndrewVossy @NRL @elliottNZ
@gmracing51
The boys discuss last night’s @NRL final and why Nate thinks the refs dudded his Raiders, Kempy thinks Nate should just deal with it and the great Peter Peters said it was the loudest GF he’s ever been to.
Jeff Wilson shares our confusion about how rugby players are supposed to tackle now, Russta Hargreaves from TalkSport is enthused about England’s World Cup march and we are STOKED that Israel Adesanya is the UFC Champion of the World! The Woooorrrrrrrlllllllld!
@UFC @stylebender
@Russ_Hargreaves
@talkSPORT
The All Blacks won their 2nd Rugby World Cup pool match against Canada last night, so we discuss everything to do with the game including SBW, Ioane and Barrett x3
On today’s show we meet Ian McKinley the Italian 1st 5/8 who pioneered the wearing of rugby goggles, Canadian rugby legend Gareth Rees is live from Oita,
Zac Guildford reminisces about scoring World Cup tries against Canada and the East Coast derby against Poverty Bay and it’s Rambler Day!
@ianmck7
@RugbyCanada
@zacguildford11 @PovBayRugby
Lockie Ferguson and Martin Guptill were in studio, Vossy woke up at an Ungodly hour to talk footy, Nigel Yalden went to an entertaining press All Blacks conference
@BLACKCAPS
@NigelYalden @AllBlacks @AndrewVossy
TalkSport’s Andrew McKenna brings the British perspective on a crazy weekend at Rugby World Cup, Tony Kemp makes us reminisce about the olllllld days of Raiders Rugby League, Elliot Smith and Goldie give their lay of the land (of the rising Sun), Nate has had enough of ‘interfering Ben Skeen’ & we head to ScornHub to hear the thoughts of the Irish supporters
@talkMacca
@talkSport
@RaidersCanberra
@sydneyroosters
@elliottNZ
It’s NRL preliminary-final weekend and Terry Kennedy is live from Sydney, Enda Brady has a Manchester United update, Marshy’s Juice Truck is back and we found the worst Saxophone solo of all time
@SkyEnda
@ManUtd
@TK_BSB @NRL
The boys celebrate Uruguay’s upset RWC win over Fiji. Putty talks box kicks and the Boks’ kicks. New Warriors owner Mark Robinson wants to make the Warriors a destination club and Tony Kemp picks his NRL finalists AND Elliott Smith goes to court in Tokyo.
@RugbyUruguay
@NZWarriors
@elliottNZ
Gareth Dineen from the 1014 schools you up on The Springbok’s ruck tactics, Peard went to the Warriors awards, It’s a Rambler Day, Nigel has today’s Rugby Diaries and we find out Russia’s rugby captain is awesome and that Caleb Clarke needs the Spark Sport app @The1014Rugby @NigelYalden @SparkSport1 @StafNZ @TAB_Sport @VA_rugby
Brayden Mitchell is here to celebrate Southland breaking the MItre 10 Cup duck. The Great Andrew Vos visits us in studio, Elliott Smith has a fitness challenge for us, Isa Nacewa gives us his Rugby World Cup Power Rankings and Tom Brady has love for the wrong Rugby World Cup team
@RugbySouthland @AndrewVossy @elliottNZ @SparkSport1 @TomBrady
What happened to the Spark Sport stream on the weekend? Were Ireland awesome or Scotland terrible? What was the Arsenal game like? .. and is Neptune the ‘Wing Defence’ of planets?
@NigelYalden @Russ_Hargreaves @SparkSport1
Most things rugby get covered, with Mitre 10 Cup, Heartland Championship (including a West Coast jersey) and, oh yeah, RUGBY WORLD CUP!!!
The Rugby World Cup starts in just 1 day, and the All Blacks are 2 days away from their biggest pool game ever.
The Welsh cop the first bombshell of the Rugby World Cup, Laurie Mains tells us how disruptive Rob Howley’s expulsion could be for Wales and Elliott Smith is on stuck on a monorail in Disneyland. Cam McMilan is here with his World Cup viewing guide and it’s Wednesday so Ramble responsibly
@elliottNZ @StafNZ @TAB_Sport
We're days away from the Rugby World Cup - and if you can't tell, we're bloody excited!
We talk RWC and carp fishing with Stephen Donald. Tonga’s league situation is making Tony Kemp sad, Scott McLaughlin is amazing to everyone even Paul Radisich, Russ Hargreaves likes Liverpool’s chances to win it all from here and we hear the story of an Armenian hero
@smclaughlin93
@LFC
@OfficialFPL
@Russ_Hargreaves
@TAB_Sport
Ronaldo vs Ronaldo, The Spark Sport Boss wants you to take your app for a test drive, Courtney Tairi is ready for the NRL W comp, Liam Napier talks about his World Cup rankings article in the Herald, We asked the Giz and Jamie Whincup about V8 racing and Tongan Rugby League, your clue to win a SPARK SPORT WORLD CUP PACKAGE is in this episode .. also, it’s hot in Japan.
@NRL @NZWarriors @CourtneyTairi @jamiewhincup @liamnapiernz
The draw is out for Super Rugby 2019 and Peard already hates it. SANZAAR boss Andy Marinos talks us through the schedule, TalkSport’s Andrew McKenna has a warning about England at the World Cup, It’s Rambler Day and
The GOAT Greg Murphy reacts to the news that Peard will arrive at this weekend’s V8s in a helicopter
@StafNZ
@TAB_Sport
@talkMacca
@gmracing51
Gareth from 1014 gets ultra tactical, as the Breakers GM leaves NZ Rugby’s new CEO arrives, Hale T-Pole talks the plight of the Pacific and is seeing the words ‘Bonus Ticket’ the most disappointing sight in New Zealand?
@The1014Rugby
@mattyvincent44
@NZBreakers
Could Tonga beat Southland at rugby? Was it wrong to bring Ryan Crotty off after 65 minutes. The Warriors are goooone, but will 2020 be better or more of the same? Rusty warns us that the Irish have their mojo back, Jon Norman gets mistaken for an Australian Cricket fan and the txt line gets mad about the Block Finale
@AllBlacks @NRL @Russ_Hargreaves @FulhamJon
Jack Goodhue IS BACK!!! Also, we find out how to build an America’s Cup yacht, Enda Brady talks about bitter old Roy Keane, Its NFL season is here and so is Bleacher Report’s Brett Sobleski and is Miss Venezuela the Melbourne Storm of the Miss Universe pageant?
@allblacks @brentsobleski @SkyEnda @BleacherReport
Kent reminds Pita Alatini of an afternoon loss, Steve from 1014 introduces us to the Pool Curve, Steve Kearney felt the Warriors ‘Weren’t Good Enough’ in 2019, and Peard and Nato declare themselves MedHeads
@The1014Rugby @NZWarriors
Jeff Wilson continues the ‘Play Lots Of Different Sports’ discussion, Zico Coronel gives us hopes of a Tall Blacks win over Greece and we talk to Tom Bruce off the back of the Black Caps bizarre win in Sri Lanka this morning.
Also,if you are an electric chair guy and someone on death row accidentally electrocutes themselves can you invoice for it anyway?
@NZRugby @TallBlacks @BLACKCAPS
How do we keep kids interested in Sport? 5 sports orgs have come together with an idea, BUT WILL IT WORK?
Graeme Agars farewells Naomi Osaka from the US Open PLUS Michael Burgess and Andrew Voss talk us through the ownership spat at the Warriors
@BLACKCAPS @NetballNZ @NZRugby @NZ_Football @HockeyNZ @AndrewVossy @mikeburgess99
Today the boys tackle the thorny issues of US Open Tennis, the EPL being a 2 horse race already, how much should we care about a T20 win, How can the TallBlacks beat Montenegro and goings on at the Warriors ownership table . Seriously, WTH is going on at the Warriors ownership table???
@TallBlacks @NZWarriors @BLACKCAPS @Russ_Hargreaves
Pita Alatini and Nasi Manu talk Tongan rugby and All Black midfields, Budgey talks Warriors and Vegan KFC, Enda Brady raced against a horse AND Kent bought 5 key questions but we only used 4. Also, Marc asks “Do Frogs have nipples?”
@NZWarriors @SkyEnda @kfcnz @playtheballnz @frogfactsforkids @officialTongaRU
World Cup All Black Angus Ta’avao is here to talk about the ecstasy of selection, Justin Marshall and Steven Prescott tell us what they found out interesting about the All Black selections and we pose the question “Has no-one covered Kool & The Gang’s Celebration because it’s already perfect?”
@The1014Rugby @angustaavao @AllBlacks
Is this Warriors team the worst one ever? Is Ngani going to miss the World Cup and its Winter and you know what that means! Cricket Cricket Cricket!
@Russ_Hargreaves @BLACKCAPS
A disaster at the Basketball in Melbourne last night, Jon Norman and Lord Bryan Waddle on all things cricket, Jon Wertheim from SI on the Serena bull****, Caleb Clarke talks about ditching Super Rugby for a shot at Olympic GOLD! Plus Justin's Juice Cart is back to sell us all sorts of rugby bits and bobs.
We talk about Serena Williams coming to New Zealand, and not having to face a certain umpire. Alama Ieremia talks Auckland v B.O.P in the M10 Cup, and Huw Beynon loves the Tall Blacks
Andrew Alderson on the cricket, Jennie Wyllie on re-signing Noeline Taurua, Matt Brown on all things ASB Classic and the T.A.B RAMBLER
Simon Thomas, a rugby correspondent from Wales on how they became the number 1 side in the world, Bryan Stronach talks cricket helmets, Andrew Voss says the Warriors are a slight chance (WHAT?!?!) and some Darting legends, Rob Cross and Michael Van Gerwen join us in studio for some banter
Kent, Craig and Louis talk to Russ Hargreaves about the Ashes and test rugby, Lord Bryan Waddle on the Black Caps loss to Sri Lanka, Ant Strachan and Jeff Wilson on the All Black shutout of the Wallabies.
Jon Norman from the UK, Isa Nacewa, Spark sport rugby analyst, Christy Doran, an Aussies point of view on the rugby, Lord Bryan Waddle, Justin Marshall's Juice Bar does the rounds and Angus Ta'avao spoke about the week the team has had since the defeat to the Wallabies
The AB's team is out for Bledisloe 2 - so Nigel Yalden joins us, along with Mils Muliaina and Tim Horan. Plus we speak to Lord Bryan Waddle after day 1 of the first test between Sri Lanka and New Zealand
Alison Mitchell ahead of the second Ashes test at Lords, Lord Bryan Waddle is leaving out Colin de Grandhomme from his test 11 to play Sri Lanka, Mitchell Santner would bat seven and they would play three spinners and two pace bowlers. Plus, Ian 'Kamo Kid' Jones thinks the All Blacks need to have the self-belief to match the Wallabies in the physical areas this Saturday and wants to see Patrick Tuipulotu dominate for 50-60 minutes. He also thinks George Bridge might come in for Rieko Ioane on the wing.
Alastair Eykyn, rugby journalist in England, talking about Eddie Jones' RWC squad. He said Willie Heinz has come from nowhere to make the team and thinks Jones has made a "pig's ear" of his halfback selection, and Kendra Cocksedge, Black Ferns halfback, who told us they are sharing a dinner with the All Blacks tonight. They will try and lift their spirits!
Lewi Brown makes his debut off the bench and confesses as to what gave him game at the local discos as a child... Start of the Premier league this weekend so sky sport UK Enda Brady stops by, Warriors Coach Stephen Kearney with his take on the towel kick and Breakers head of Basketball operation talks about the pressure of coaching RJ Hampton to an NBA draft berth next season.
Oscar Kightley was in studio with his new book ‘Machete and the Ghost’, we get fizzed about this year’s Breakers line-up with Dillon Boucher MNZM and we remember models of cars that have a particular knack for running over birds
@KightleyOscar @dbouch24
Kent poses a question that makes Warriors fans mad at us. Steven Bates talks about All Black loosies, John Norman discusses Aussie Ashes dominance, Vossy talks penalty counts and Tony Kemp finally answers his phone.
@FulhamJon @AllBlacks @NZWarriors @AndrewVossy
With the passing of Sir Brian Lochore we hear from 3 of his 87 World Cup winning squad, AJ Whetton, Grant Fox and captain David Kirk.
Grant Fox talks about culling All Blacks, Sam Burgess and Brandon Smith are pumped for the Oceania Cup, we meet our new favourite sports Dad Rod Hampton and Kent has terrible taste in Adam Sandler films
@SamBurgess8 @RjHampton14 @ALLBLACKS
Peard hit the Warriors up about referee bias. Ant Strachan played the guessing game with us about who gets dropped from the All Blacks squad today. Aiden has a tough choice to make with today’s Rambler, and Peard went with music from Beverly Hills 90210 that made Kent and Nate sad
@AllBlacks @NZWarriors @StafNZ @TAB_Sport
Vossy talks @NRL refs and Balltearers. We find out that the Breakers and Warriors have entered the world of E-Sports. Mitch Santner is off to Sri Lanka, Dan Bowden goes in-depth on the ABs “Double-Driver” plan and super-brain Ian Taylor tells us about ball-tracking on TV. Also we were really really bad at birthdays today.
@SheepOCE @AndrewVossy @NRL @NZWarriors @NZBreakers @danbowden_ @BLACKCAPS
Do the @NRL refs hate the Warriors? Cameron George and Tony Kemp speak form the heart on it. Jeff Wilson and Kamo review the All Blacks draw with the Boks and our cycling Nostradamus Enda Brady is in Paris for the finish of LeTour
@NRL @NZWarriors @AllBlacks @Springboks @SkyEnda @aldersonnotes
Sky News UK correspondent Enda Brady joins the Breakfast team to talk about the Tour de France so far.
Frenchman Julian Alaphilippe currently leads the general classification after 19 stages, with Colombian Egan Bernal in second and Brit Geraint Thomas in third.
Former All Black and Sky rugby commentator Justin Marshall joins the Breakfast team to preview the All Blacks-Springboks test match in Wellington.
It's a return to the venue the Springboks beat the All Blacks in last year.
Marshall says he 's surprised with the team Rassie Erasmus has named for the match, having expected the South Africa coach to rest some key players.
Enda Brady talks about the Jet Pack man’s attempt to fly over the English Channel, We ask if Dogs should be allowed in restaurants and we get fizzed for the All Blacks v Boks game with Justin Marshall, Ross Bond and Angus Ta’avao
@AngusTaavao @SkyEnda @AllBlacks @Springboks
The All Blacks team for the South Africa test is out, we got Liam Napier out of the shower and woke Matt Pearce from his slumber to talk about the AB and Bok teams and Harbour swims, Stephen Bates answers the question “No Ardie, No Cane .. what the Hell?”, Kempy talks the NRL and we celebrate with Russ Hargreaves as he welcomes a son to the World
@MattP555 @liamnapiernz @AllBlacks @Springboks @NZWarriors
Phoenix Karaka of the Silver Ferns is home with the trophy!, We review the Lion King (poorly), Kent talks about death in boxing AND it’s Wednesday so we’re Ramblin, Baby!
@SilverFernsNZ @phoenixkaraka @StafNZ @TAB_Sport @AlexChapmanNZ
Is Slash a “Poser”? We dive into the murky world of swimmers smashing vials of blood, Breakers boss Matt Walsh is here to talk about the club’s new signing, Jenny Woods is live from Dublin and NOT being bothered by small dogs and is there ANY Blue Food that is delicious?
@mattyvincent44 @NZBreakers
The @SilverFernsNZ are the Champions Of The World. Noeline Taurua and Katrina Rore shared the victory with us straight after the win, Liam Napier checked in live from the venue and Mils Muliaina was supposed to only talk @allblacks but was so high off the Netball
@liamnapiernz @silverfernsNZ @AllBlacks
Did that guy say “Peanuts?”. Ryan Fox joins us straight off a record setting back 9, Alama Ieremia previews the Gallaher Shield final and the All Blacks midfield, we asked Yvonne Willering about Netball until she ran out of voice AND Justin Marshall has the juice van open in Buenos Aires
@AllBlacks @ryanfoxgolfer @cummingcraig1
Jenny Woods braved a rabid Corgi while talking to us abut netball, Phil Tataurangi introduced us to the term ‘Breakfast Holes’, Enda Brady gave us an Irish History lesson, Kempy was pretty positive about the Warriors AND Craig made Peard love Dido
@PhilTataurangi @cummingcraig1 @SkyEnda
Did you now that a man can jump further than a horse? Did you know that commentating Carp catching is a “thing”? and did you know what Mark Tookey is up to now? All that, the TAB Rambler AND MORE on today’s RSB pod!
@BenRansomSky @cummingcraig1 @stafnz @NigelYalden
Craig McMillan and Kane Williamson join us to talk post World Cup life. Vossy reckons the Warriors are hitting the Sharks at the right time. Kendra Cocksedge and the Black Ferns are on their way home with a trophy and Maori All Blacks coach Clayton McMillan makes us want to run through a brick wall!
@kenj0119 @AndrewVossy @MaoriAllBlacks @BLACKCAPS
Dang it.
Today’s podcast breaks down the @BLACKCAPS heartbreaker of a loss in the Cricket World Cup final. We speak to players, coaches, angry commentators and happy Brits.
Craig McMillan laid out the BlackCaps plans for the Final, Jon Norman gave us some stunning English honesty, Adobe Wilson got us fizzed about the Ferns, Enda Brady prepared a meal from scratch for this weekend’s TDF and Craig Cumming told a less convincing lie than yesterday
@FulhamJon @cummingcraig1 @aldersonnotes @PeterMcGlashan @BLACKCAPS @SilverFernsNZ
It’s “Eat Your Words Thursday”.Gary Stead and Matt Henry phone in from England, Jeremy Coney shares his emotions of the commentary box, Alders drops in from the media centre, the Swamp Foxes Ben Bonnar interrupts life on the farm to talk about this weekend’s Ranfurly Shield challenge, Terry Kennedy proves to be an Oracle and Craig Cumming told a really convincing lie.
@cummingcraig1 @aldersonnotes @BLACKCAPS @TVRFUSwampfoxes @BigSportsBrekky
Is Sofia Vergara the greatest human to be born on the 10th of July? Who’s in the Silver Ferns World Champs squad? What are we supposed to make of the cricket? And will the Rambler winner “Let it ride”?
@SilverFernsNZ @cummingcraig1 @aldersonnotes @PeterMcGlashan @StafNZ
What happens when you run at a Skyscraper window? The Black Caps are into another World Cup semi. Wads and Alders bring us the latest from the UK, Vossy is left bemused by the Bunker, and Browny thinks he can already see the finalists for Wimbledon
@chahuahua @bawads @aldersonnotes @AndrewVossy
How much cocaine was in their Original Coca Cola? How is Gary Stead feeling ahead of the Cricket World Cup semi? What does Jeff Wilson think the future holds for Razor? What does the UK think of the USA being better at Women’s football? And does Kempy think the Warriors season still has legs? Oh. And Happy Birthday Kevin Bacon
@BLACKCAPS @Russ_Hargreaves
Sure, we spoke about the Super Rugby Final with Gash and Marshy, sure Browny and the Hairy spoke Wimbledon and the Cricket World Cup, BUT... every sports achievement on Planet Earth today was overshadowed by the GOAT. Joey Chestnut!
@originalnathans @joeyjaws @grantelliottnz @chahuahua @brianashby2
The BlackCaps heavy defeat to England means another morning of mounring. Jimmy Neesham, Craig Cumming, Alders and Enda Brady help us deal with that the disappointment. Also It’s 4th July. Murica!
@JimmyNeesh @BLACKCAPS @cummingcraig1 @SKYEnda @aldersonnotes
Happy Chatfield-Hadlee birthday! The boys delve into the All Blacks 39 man squad with Ant Strachan. RTS and Patrick Herbert are in studio, we ask Patrick how he feels about his schoolmate Breydon Ennor making the All Blacks? Wads comes off the long run-up about tonight’s Black Caps team. And is it a Let It Ride kind of a Day?
@AllBlacks @NZWarriors @bawads
All of New Zealand heads to the Nets train! Our new friend Anthony Puccio of SBNation celebrates the Sean Marks Miracle as Dan Dibley bids farewell to K.D. Nate celebrates the birthday of one of his heroes, and we play WWPMD (what would Peter McGlashan do?) Plus a black T-Shirt.
@APOOCH @dandibley @AndrewVossy @BLACKCAPS @WendysNZ
On today’s pod ... We get excited about “Netball LeBron”, Ross Taylor talks wickets and predictions, MMA legend Steve Oliver is in studio ahead of the Combat World Cup AND Justin Marshall is excited about the big Warren Gatland story today.
Olivermma.com @silverfernsNZ @BLACKCAPS
Many things happened on the show today, but most of them involved Cricketing Angst after the Black Caps loss to Pakistan. Jeff Toomaga-Allen stopped by to try to make us feel better about the cricket and talk about the challenge of the Crusaders Super Rugby semis.
@Hurricanesrugby @crusadersrugby @BLACKCAPS
Ever hugged a Koala? Does Peter McGlashan think we should stick with Kane as captain? Do the Warriors have a cash to buy a Lodge? What are the Radio Sport Olympic Breakdancing commentator rankings? Who chooses sponge cake when Chocolate Mud Cake is on offer?
@playtheballnz @PeterMcGlashan @aldersonnotes @stafNZ
Is this Crusaders forward pack the best ever? Are you worried that Solomone Kata is going to excel at the Storm? Will the Black Caps be tempted to make changes? Will TK be donating money to Folau? Is Marc’s new addiction healthy?
@BLACKCAPS @storm @The1014Rugby @crusadersrugby @TK_BSB
Today was a morning of feelings. Andrew Fifita got us misty eyed, Brad Weber made us believe in ChiefsMana, We commiserated with Football Ferns coach Tom Sermanni. Liam Napier made us mad at Scotland and Justin Marshall got us thinking bout juice
@andrewfifita @brad_weber9 @NZ_Football @liamnapiernz
We celebrate The BlackCaps beating South Africa with Wads, Alders and Colin de Grandhomme, Does Marc “over exaggerate”? Our part-time co-host Jack Goodhue of the Crusaders gives us his thoughts on the Super Rugby Quarter Final, and we give him some cricket conversation topics for his breakfast with David Havili
@crusadersrugby @SuperRugbyNZ @DavidHavili @goodhue_jack @aldersonnotes @BLACKCAPS @bawads
Neil Manthorp, South African cricket commentator, who thinks South Africa is the only team capable of denying NZ a place in the semi-finals. He is sticking to his pre-tournament pick of NZ to win because they are flying under the radar. Andrew Alderson, NZ Herald cricket writer from Birmingham. He thinks Colin Munro will again open for NZ tonight and the only change to the team might be Ish Sodhi coming in for an allrounder. He said to expect overs to be lost to rain tonight. Tony Kemp, RS league analyst, who slammed the state of international rugby league's eligibility rules. He thinks it is an embarrassment for the NZRL they named two players who then pulled out to play for Samoa.
Craig McMillan, Black Caps batting coach, who said the team is eager to play after a few days without a game. Stephen Prescott, from the 1014 Rugby, breaking down the key areas of the playoff match ups in Super Rugby this weekend. And Vossy thinks international rugby league has stubbed it's toe again with players changing allegiances at the last minute. He also thinks Brad Fittler is coaching for his Origin future in game two vs Queensland on Sunday night in Perth.
John Hopoate talks regrets and culture, Kiwis coach Michael McGuire and Jessie Bromwich get revved up for this weekend’s test, Duckworth Lewis leaves Pakistan an impossible task, Jeff Wilson is a happy Highlander, Marc and Nato fight over a celebrity birthday AND the boys review their Sight Unseen 2019 Super Rugby Picks
@SuperRugby @TongaRL2013 @NZRL_Kiwis @Ba wads @Russ_Hargreaves
Birthday Barnsey makes an appearance for Nigel Yalden. Tui Lolohea talks about the power of the Tongan crowd, Alders talks hovercrafts, The Green Jacket is BACK !!! and Brendon Pongia has a request for Steven Adams
@NigelYalden @NZRL_Kiwis @GuyHeveldt @brendonpongia @aldersonnates
Enda Brady tells us about the jumping walls of France, Liam Napier with the scoop on Gats, Wads and Aggers are the best cricket tandem since Hadlee and Chatfield, has Jack Tame lied to the Nation? and we are graced with the presence of Sir Michael Jones
@SKYEnda @liamnapiernz @bawads @Aggerscricket @1NewsNZ
Grumpy Nate is gutted about Dura leaving the Phoenix and the thin-skinned nature of Kiwi journalists, Dan Dibley is riding high after the Golden State Warriors Game 5 win, Football Fern Annalie Longo joined us after a late loss to Holland, Black Caps coach Gary Stead talks rain and it’s 100 days out from the Rugby World Cup so we spoke to the man with 100 All Blacks Caps, Mills Muliaina
@957thegame @dandibley @NBA @warriors @WgtnPhoenixFC @deadspin @annalielongo @NZ_Football @BLACKCAPS
How important is a spine to a rugby team? Can Nigel Yalden work out who makes the Super Rugby playoffs? Is Alders coping with the English Summer? Is 80 Grand too much to spend on a TV? Oh, and Happy Birthday Liz Hurley!
@nigelyalden @aldersonnotes @ElizabethHurley @The1014
A little bit a Lockie Fer-gu-son , a little bit of Jefferey Wil-son, a little bit of Wads who’s in Lon-don
A little bitta Kemp on Warri-orrrs, a little bitta Brown doin what he does, a little bitta Hargreaves’ English buzz .. and the Salem Witch trials just because
Justin Marshall talks about Banana skins and Steve Tew’s legacy, Mitch Santner admits he wasn’t expecting to bat against Bangladesh, Tony Iro previews the Storm game and Nate names the only food on earth that isn’t made better by adding Bacon
A shortened show today as the boys wrap up the near disaster that was the Black Caps 2nd Cricket World Cup match in England.
RSB Wednesday 5th June 2019 - On the podcast today: Joe Parker tells us who hits harder out of Andy Ruiz and Anthony Joshua, and gives us his take on the Ruiz Joshua rematch ... Browny talks up Federer v Nadal. Staffy tells us how a punter backing Andy Ruiz Jr was terrible for the TAB about a big winner .. Alders uses a fancy word for Greeny Yellow, and we ask the question “Is Tom Latham guilty of being overpolite?”
@joeboxerparker @Andy_destroyer1 @anthonyfjoshua @stafnz @chahuahua @aldersonnotes @BLACKCAPS
RSB Tuesday 4 June 2019 - On the podcast today: The guys are still revelling in Andy Ruiz Jr’s win over Anthony Joshua, celebrating the sweet taste of Victory with Katrina Rore and Lord Sir Viscount Bryan Alexander Waddle’s Queens Birthday Honours Medal, Russ Hargreaves annnd the Final Clue n our competition to WIN the Signed Black Caps 2015 World Cup Cricket Bat. And drink bottle.
@bawads @pulsenetball @andy_destroyer1 @Russ_Hargreaves
RSB Friday 31st May - On the podcast today:
Craig McMillan reacts England’s start of the Cricket World Cup, Kiwis coach Michael McGuire is in studio to talk up the Kiwis v Tonga game in June, we delay Justin Marshall from buying Duty Free facial scrub, annnnnd we have Clue 3 in our “Win the signed Black Caps 2015 World Cup bat!” competition. And the drink bottle.
@NZRL_Kiwis, @BlackcapsNZ, @aldersonnotes
RSB Thursday May 30th - On the podcast today:
UEFA Football finals with Sky Sport UK’s Enda Brady live from Sicily, Peter McGlashan makes a choice in the Black Caps “Which Tom?” conundrum, NCAA Insider JeffGoodman on RJ Hampton’s big gamble in coming to the NBL PLUS Brownie in Paris, Alders in London, Sensible motor racing and much much more
@GoodmanHoops ,@Peter McGlashan , @chahuahua, @SKYEnda , @Blackcaps, @NZBreakers
RSB Wednesday 29th May 2019 - On the podcast today: @RJHampton14 is joining the @NZBreakers is on today’s pod to share our excitement. Also today, @BLACKCAPS century scorer Tom Blundell and BLUES number 10 Harry Plummer
RSB Tuesday May 28th - On the podcast today: We freak out about the NZ Under 20s wonder Goal, Ross Taylor is loving the swing in England, our new Canadian friend Blake Murphy talks @Raptors AND Have the @NZBreakers landed a big fish?
On Today’s pod, @allblack7s Clark Laidlaw on the potential excitement of true speed in NZ rugby, Kempy thinks the Warriors won’t make the 8, Nate hates on the French Open and we dive into angry Indian Cricket tweets
On the podcast today: Anna Stanley talks about the Silver Ferns World Cup Squad, Justin Marshall opens the Juice Bar, we talked “Frills and Willys” and it’s your second clue to win a the signed Black Caps World Cup cricket bat from the 2015 World Cup
RSB Thursday May 23rd - On the podcast today: Jimmy Barnes interview, Jenny Woods on the upcoming Silver Ferns squad. Jimmy Barnes. The audience’s choice for Greatest Sports Movies Ever and Jimmy Barnes! Also Barnsey
RSB Wednesday May 22nd - On the podcast today: @nzwarriors Blake Green and RTS talk about battling old mates, Tabai Matson of @chiefsrugby talks about the run home, we learn how to investigate a scandal AND we get your votes for the best sports movie of all time
RSB Tuesday May 21st - On the podcast today: We remember the great Quentin Pongia, the 1014 boys have us concerned about a Keiran Read replacement and we discover the amazing Origin story of Mr T
RSB Monday May 20th - On the podcast today: Is Steven Bates as baffled by the Lions home penalty count as we are? Is Tony Kemp as convinced by Kodi Nikorima as we are? and did Nate’s kid set a new record for eating donuts?
RSB Friday May 17th 2019 - On the podcast today: The RSB check in with Coach Gary Stead of The Black Caps, Justin Marshall brings his Juice, The boys encounter an Alabama accent AND it’s clue #1 to win a signed bat from the 2015 Cricket World Cup squad - exclusive to this podcast
RSB Thursday May 16th - On the podcast today: The Warriors’ Tony Iro on interchange trends, The Crusaders’ Bryn Hall wants your costume ideas, Ant Strachan talks school rivalries AND Nate gets mad at Bing
Warriors assistant coach Tony Iro joins the Radio Sport Breakfast team to talk about the team's performance against the Dragons last week, and their upcoming match against the Panthers.
The Warriors head into their match against the Panthers with a three-and-six record on the year, while the Panthers are languishing in last place with just two wins so far.
Newly appointed Black Ferns captain Eloise Blackwell joins the Radio Sport Breakfast team to talk about the Women's Rugby Super Series in San Diego in next month.
New Zealand will travel to San Diego to compete against England, Canada, France and the USA.
After that they have a double-header against Australia, that will run alongside the All Blacks-Wallabies matches in Perth and Auckland.
RSB Wednesday May 15th - On the podcast today: Jimmy Neesham and Marty Guptill talk about the Cricket World Cup and being ginger, Bo Brack from FOX 910 in Phoenix has fingers crossed for Zion and Darts King Na na na na na na naaa Peter Peter Wright wants to meet hobbits.
Fox Sports' Bo Brack joins the Radio Sport Breakfast team to talk about today's NBA draft lottery, which will determine who will pick where from selections one to 14 in the first round of the NBA Draft.
Duke's Zion Williamson is the prized product available at next month's draft, regarded as one of the game's best talents coming out of college in the recent past.
The New York Knicks, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers and Phoenix Suns are just a few teams who could potentially land the top pick.
Former All White David Chote joins the Radio Sport Breakfast team to talk about the Wellington Phoenix, and what life will be like with a new coach and a different looking roster.
Coach Mark Rudan's departed the club, with Ufuk Talay taking over, as well as goalkeeper Flip Kurto.
Speculation continues to circle around Roy Krishna potentially leaving the club as well.
Krishna and Kurto were recently awarded A-League Player of the Season and Goalkeeper of the Year respectively.
Dan Dibley joins the Radio Sport Breakfast team to talk about the NBA, including the Toronto Raptors victory over the Philadelphia 76ers yesterday and the Warriors' chances with no Kevin Durant.
LISTEN TO DAN DIBLEY TALK WITH THE BREAKFAST TEAM ABOVE.
Fox Sports Rugby League analyst and commentator Andrew Voss joins the Radio Sport Breakfast team to talk all things NRL, touching on who the new face of the game is as well as last weekend's magic round.
LISTEN TO ANDREW VOSS TALK WITH THE BREAKFAST TEAM ABOVE.
RSB Tuesday May 14th - On the podcast today: Dan Dibley had to pause GoT to talk NBA, The 1014 boys spoke with Razor and ROG, and the audience pick their modern cult heroes (not including us)
NZME sports writer Liam Napier joins the Radio Sport Breakfast team to talk about the European Champions Cup final between Saracens and Leinster on the weekend.
Saracens secured their third title in four years as they beat Leicester 20-10 in the final.
LISTEN TO LIAM NAPIER TALK WITH THE BREAKFAST TEAM ABOVE.
RSB Monday May 13th - on the podcast today: Russ Hargreaves steps out of the pub to discuss the EPL season, Kempy talks the magical MAGIC round, and we hear Liam Napier's fancy 'English' accent
On the podcast today: Lavina Good is GREAT on the league, Brodie Retallick can open a pottle of yoghurt, and is Justin Marshall being straight with us or is he telling Duck Tails?
On the podcast today: Enda Brady on all things football, Mils Muliaina is in studio to tell us who are the greatest ever Blues players and Aaron Smith gives New Zealand an update on Ben Smith's injury.
Highlanders and All Black fullback Ben Smith may have played his last game for the Highlanders, but he should be fine for the World Cup.
Smith has been ruled out for six to eight weeks with a high hamstring injury gained in the last 10 minutes of the side's draw with the Chiefs on Saturday night.
His Super Rugby season is over, but All Blacks assistant coach Ian Foster is confident he will be ready for the Rugby World CuP.
hE told Radio Sport Breakfast that they were quickly in contact with the Highlanders team to find out how Smith was.
"We got some information very quickly about where the body was at, and reassured us reasonably quickly
Foster says that they know there will be injuries, and the first thought they have is whether the player's are alright.
"In the cold light of day, we've found out it's a significant injury but one that's going to get him back in time."
He says that they are "99 per cent sure" that Smith will come along to the boot camps in preparation for the Rugby World Cup.
"He's a pretty important part of the whole team, so we're pretty desperate to have him here."
Smith, who has played more than 150 games for the Highlanders, is playing his final season with the Highlanders before heading to France after the World Cup to play for Pau.
A disciplinary hearing ruled Tuesday that Wallabies fullback Israel Folau committed a "high-level breach" of Rugby Australia's code of conduct when he used social media to criticise gays.
"The panel has today provided a judgment that Israel Folau committed a high-level breach of the Professional Players' Code of Conduct with his social media posts on April 10, 2019," the Rugby Australia statement said.
"The panel will now take further written submissions from the parties to consider the matter of sanction."
The 30-year-old Folau appeared before the hearing to contest Rugby Australia's decision to terminate his contract after he posted in mid-April on social media that gay people, along with other "sinners," will face damnation unless they repent.
The hearing was originally scheduled for one day last Saturday, but was extended to Sunday and it went into a third day on Tuesday.
It ended as the chairman of the New South Wales Waratahs, Folau's Super Rugby franchise, called for "common sense" and a settlement.
"This is a no-win situation for the game and fans and I'd like to see it resolved as quickly as possible," Roger Davis told the Sydney Morning Herald.
"I think a settlement is a common-sense approach ... it would be smart. If this goes for a long time there are definitely no winners."
for the Wallabies against England in June 2016. Photo / AP
No time frame has been given for an announcement on the sanction.
There have also been reports in Australian media that Folau was offered 1 million Australian dollars ($704,000), the reported amount of his annual salary, as a settlement on the first day, but that he turned down the offer.
Folau has played 73 test matches for Australia. In his most recent match for the Waratahs, Folau scored his 60th try, the most of any player in Super Rugby, breaking the record of former All Blacks winger Doug Howlett.
In February, Folau signed a contract extension to remain with the Waratahs and Australian rugby until the end of 2022. Folau, a devout Christian, has argued that his contentious social media post contained a passage from the bible.
Featured in today's podcast: Alex Chapman on the IPL and hire a hubby? Peter Fitzsimons on Israel Folau being found guilty of breaching his contract and Ben Hearing's excellent adventure. Plus Jim Dolan, Jeet Raval, Ian Foster and the TAB Rambler.
Featured in today's podcast: Sky Sport UK's Ben Ransom, What is the All Blacks Kryptonite? Gareth Dinnenn from The 1014, Ian 'Kamo' Jones joins Instagram and Andrew Vos on what we can expect from Kodi Nikorima.
Sky Rugby analyst Karl Te Nana joins the Radio Sport Breakfast team to talk about the Super Rugby action over the weekend.
Three New Zealand sides were involved in draws. The Crusaders drew with the Sharks 21-21 in Christchurch while the Chiefs came from behind to draw with the Highlanders 31-31 in Dunedin.
The Hurricanes were the only Kiwi victors with a 29-19 win over the Rebels in Wellington.
Meanwhile the Blues continued their struggles away from home, suffering a 26-21 loss to the Brumbies in Canberra.
LISTEN TO KARL TE NANA TALK WITH KENT, NATHAN AND MARC ABOVE.
Warriors coach Stephen Kearney joins the Radio Sport Breakfast team after his side's 36-18 loss to the Newcastle Knights yesterday.
It was the Warriors fourth consecutive defeat and their sixth in eight games, making it their worst start to an NRL season since 2013.
LISTEN TO STEPHEN KEARNEY TALK WITH KENT, NATHAN AND MARC ABOVE.
Talk Sport's Russell Hargreaves joins the Radio Sport Breakfast team to review the weekend's Premier League action.
The top four was all but confirmed this morning, with Arsenal and Manchester United both suffering draws against bottom four teams, while Chelsea's 3-0 victory over Watford saw them climb to third on the table. Tottenham Hotspur still have a firm grip on fourth.
At the top, Liverpool continued their pursuit of their first Premier League title, and first top division title in 29 years with a 3-2 away win over Newcastle. The Reds currently sit top of the table with a two point lead over Manchester City.
However, City will have a chance to retake top spot tomorrow morning when they take on Leicester City at home.
LISTEN TO RUSSELL HARGREAVES TALK WITH KENT, NATHAN AND MARC ABOVE.
Former Chief and Sky Rugby analyst Steven Bates joins the Radio Sport Breakfast team to talk about the Crusaders game pans as well as the need for Dane Coles in the Hurricanes.
LISTEN TO STEVEN BATES TALK WITH THE BREAKFAST TEAM ABOVE.
Sky Rugby League analyst Richie Barnett joins the Radio Sport Breakfast team to talk about the Warriors upcoming NRL match against the Newcastle Knights on Sunday.
The Warriors have won two of seven to start the year, coming off a tight 13-12 loss to the Melbourne Storm on ANZAC Day.
Barnett says it's a must win game against the Knights given the gulf already opening on the table.
"I think it's probably pivotal you start getting some wins together. You look at the top five, four or six points away from the top five, if you start losing this weekend particularity, you start to edge away."
LISTEN TO RICHIE BARNETT TALK WITH THE BREAKFAST TEAM ABOVE.
Beauden Barrett will know where his future lies in the coming weeks.
Like many All Blacks, the incumbent first five-eighth is off contract at the end of the season and likely to have a number of lucrative contract offers from clubs abroad.
A two-time World Rugby player of the year, Barrett told Radio Sport Breakfast he and his team had been assessing their options.
"Hopefully we can get something across the line and announce it in a couple of weeks' time."
Late last year reports emerged out of France that clubs were willing to pay the 27-year-old upwards of $2 million a year to lure him overseas, while a sabbatical in Japan was also reported as a possibility.
Barrett wouldn't be the only All Blacks star to take a sabbatical in Japan. Yesterday it was announced Sam Whitelock had re-signed with New Zealand Rugby for four years, however his contract had a few points of interest included.
Whitelock will play in Japan following this year's World Cup, which will see him miss the 2020 Super Rugby season. He has also been granted exit clauses in his contract, with NZR admitting they needed to show flexibility in their negotiations with top players.
Speaking about Whitelock's contract, NZR boss Steve Tew said: "We know our players have a number of choices to make when it comes to where they play their rugby and we have to be flexible when it comes to renegotiating with our leading players."
Barrett said Whitelock's contract could lead to a number of other players trying to negotiate extras into their own clauses going forward.
"There's no harm in asking. NZR will have some tough decisions to make on where they draw the line. A lot of players will push as hard as they can but it comes down to the protocols or rules the NZR have and they'll make the decisions at the end of the day."
The sports world's highest court ruled this week that Olympic champion Caster Semenya and other female runners like her with unusually high testosterone must take medication to reduce their levels of the male sex hormone if they want to compete in certain events.
In a landmark 2-1 decision, the Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld proposed rules issued by track's governing body, the IAAF, saying that they are discriminatory but that "such discrimination is a necessary, reasonable and proportionate means" of "preserving the integrity of female athletics."
The IAAF argued that unusually high, naturally occurring levels of testosterone in athletes like Semenya with "intersex" characteristics that don't conform to standard definitions of male and female give them an unfair competitive advantage, and it decreed a maximum level for females.
The 28-year-old South African runner whose sculpted biceps and super-fast, blow-away-the-competition times have led others to question her accomplishments declared she will not be stopped by the ruling.
"I know that the IAAF's regulations have always targeted me specifically," Semenya said in a statement. "For a decade the IAAF has tried to slow me down, but this has actually made me stronger. The decision of the CAS will not hold me back. I will once again rise above and continue to inspire young women and athletes in South Africa and around the world."
The two-time Olympic champion in the 800 meters will have to lower her testosterone levels if she wants to defend her world title in September in Doha, Qatar.
Semenya was travelling to Doha on Wednesday for the first Diamond League track meet of the season, where she is expected to race in the 800 on Friday. The Diamond League is an annual series of meets for the top athletes in the world, and the event is the last one before the new rules apply.
Testosterone strengthens muscle tone and bone mass. Because of that, it is against the rules for athletes to inject or swallow testosterone supplements. Some women have what is known as hyperandrogenism, meaning they have naturally occurring levels that are unusually high.
The IAAF rules require women to reduce their levels below 5 nanomoles per litre of blood. According to the IAAF, most females, including elite athletes, have levels of testosterone circulating naturally in their bodies of 0.12 to 1.79 nanomoles per liter, while men have levels that can be dozens or even hundreds of times higher — typically 7.7 to 29.4.
Semenya's level is considered private medical information and has not been disclosed.
The South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee decried the ruling, saying, "We maintain that the rules are ill-thought and will be a source of distress for the targeted female athletes."
"This decision marks a massive turning point as it now redefines what a female athlete in particular is," said Natalie du Toit, head of the organization's athletes commission, adding: "Knowing Caster and the hard work she has put into her sport, we support all her endeavours, and we are all behind her."
The IAAF went into the case arguing that female runners with high testosterone have an unfair advantage in events from 400 meters to the mile. However, the court suggested that the IAAF apply the rules only up to the 800 because the evidence was not clear that women with hyperandrogenism have an edge in the 1,500 meters.
That could give Semenya a route to compete at the world championships without taking medication, such as birth control pills.
A further appeal is possible to Switzerland's Supreme Court in Lausanne. But judges rarely overturn decisions of the world sports court.
Ross Tucker, a sports science consultant who testified on Semenya's behalf and boasts of a Ph.D. in exercise physiology, said the scientific evidence that the fairness of women's athletics is being compromised is insufficient to justify the rule.
"Is the evidence strong enough and good enough to back the policy? I don't see...
Beauden Barrett, Hurricanes and All Blacks number 10, who would back his own ability to start at fullback for the ABs if required. He also said he hopes to announce his future in the next couple of weeks.
All Blacks lock Samuel Whitelock has admitted he was 'probably gone' a few months ago when considering his rugby future before re-signing a four year deal with New Zealand Rugby today.
The two-time Rugby World Cup champion and Crusaders skipper will anchor a core group of All Blacks who have signed with NZR post 2019.
The 30-year-old admits until recently he was likely to be one of the players to leave New Zealand following this year's World Cup.
The new deal includes a break from New Zealand rugby to play a season in Japan later this year and exit clauses which provided some flexibility.
"To tell you the truth if you asked me a couple of months ago what we're doing, we were probably gone. Got to give full credit to the NZRU and their staff. They had a sit-down catch-up with me and put it out there what would it take for me to stay and the big one was a bit of flexibility…they've come back with that so without going through everything we've got some flexibility in there going to Japan next year.
"That's something my family and I, even though it's a young family, were quite excited about going over and experiencing something different."
Under the terms of the deal, Whitelock will take a break from New Zealand rugby at the end of this year to take up a short-term contract with Japanese club Panasonic. He will miss the 2020 Super Rugby season and return to New Zealand at the end of the Japanese Top 14 season in May 2020.
Whitelock's older brother George previously played for Panasonic in 2014 while the side is currently coached by former Crusaders coach Robbie Deans. Current Crusaders teammate Matt Todd also had a stint at the club last season.
"Being involved with a club that we have some family ties with. My brother's played over there for a season and obviously the connection with Robbie and some other current players that are there at the moment. That was probably one of the big things."
"I've got those options in there and we're just going to approach that year by year.
NZR CEO Steve Tew said: "This is a major re-signing for us and we're absolutely delighted that Sam has chosen to sign a four-year deal. He's a world-class player, an All Blacks Centurion, the most capped All Blacks lock of all time and he carries immense mana.
"His recommitment alongside a number of other key players gives us a strong foundation for the next four years. I know the news will be welcomed by fans here in New Zealand and around the world.
"As well as Sam, I'd like to thank his wife Hannah and his agent Warren Alcock who played a key role in the contract negotiations and were fantastic to deal with."
Tew said: "We know our players have a number of choices to make when it comes to where they play their rugby and we have to be flexible when it comes to renegotiating with our leading players, and that's what we have done with Sam."He'll have a short break away with his young family and experience a different culture, before returning to New Zealand. We think having a short playing stint in Japan as part of a long-term, four-year commitment is a win-win for him and us."
Tew said NZR's Board had also given NZR approval to allow Whitelock to be selected for the All Blacks in 2020, a decision made on the basis of his long-standing and outstanding service to New Zealand Rugby and the fact he had signed a four-year deal.
Whitelock also has exit clauses in his contract. Whitelock had already been signed through to 2020 but had decided to negotiate a longer contract early.
Whitelock added: "I'm grateful to New Zealand Rugby, the Crusaders and Canterbury Rugby for their support of myself and my family in making this decision, and I'm really proud to commit to these teams for the next four years.
"Ultimately, this decision allows me to take some time with my family to experience a new rugby environment in Japan, before coming back refreshed and ready for the remainder of 2020 and beyond. I'm pleased there is clarity around my playing future, so I can f...
Kodi Nikorima could be a Warrior by the end of this week.
The switch of the Kiwis halfback to Mt Smart now seems like a matter of when, not if.
The Warriors have made a formal offer to the 25-year-old for the 2020 season and beyond, and it's a lucrative one, a significant upgrade on his current deal at Brisbane.
Nikorima is currently signed at the Broncos until the end of next year, but has an option in his favour for next season.
However, his agent Issac Moses will pursue an early release for the 13-test Kiwi, and the Herald understands that is likely to be granted.
The final step is up to the Broncos — who are under pressure following a less than ideal start to their 2019 campaign — but they are expected to grant Nikorima an early release, with several promising youngsters among their halves contenders.
Once that happens, Nikorima will be free to ink what will be a long term deal with the Warriors.
Nikorima has been in the Warriors sights since December last year, after the surprise departure of Shaun Johnson in late November.
Warriors football manager Brian Smith said by text on Tuesday he had "no comment on the situation", while CEO Cameron George wasn't able to be contacted.
Coach Stephen Kearney admitted the club was chasing Nikorima for 2020, but couldn't speculate on the prospect of him arriving before that.
"We've had an interest in Kodi for a while — I've been working with him for a while about getting him here for 2020, where he has an option on his contract at the Broncos,"
Kearney told D'Arcy Waldegrave on Radio Sport. "Anything before then is in the hands of the Broncos and his agent. So I can't anything about questions before 2020 but I will say we had an interest in him for next year and beyond."
Kearney added that he has been extremely impressed with the work of young half Chanel Harris-Tavita, and the Nikorima move is just about adding depth to a crucial area.
Harris-Tavita will again be key on Sunday against the Knights, but the teenager is expected to have Blake Green back beside him, after the Australian has missed the last three matches will a groin injury.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and David Fusitu'a have also been named, though they will have to pass fitness tests later in the week.
A notable feature of the 17 is the retention of Patrick Herbert in the centres, after his impressive debut against the Storm.
Veteran Adam Blair has also been demoted to the bench.
He was much improved in Melbourne — with a huge effort on defence — after intense criticism of his recent performances.
However Isaiah Papali'i will offer much more of an offensive threat, and has been named to start in the second row.
Fox Sports NRL commentator, Andrew Voss, told Radio Sport Kodi Nikorima would be a nice pick-up for the Warriors but isn't the long-term answer in the halves.
Radio Sport league analyst, Tony Kemp, says he isn't convinced Kodi Nikorima from the Broncos would be a good signing for the Warriors. He thinks this is a more intricate story than it appears, and the Warriors may be struggling to balance their salary cap.
Peter Peters is a Sky Sports Radio league analyst in Sydney.
He joined Radio Sport Breakfast to explain why he doesn't think the Warriors will make the eight this year, as they don't have enough good players. He thought they should have won last night in Melbourne.
LISTEN TO THE AUDIO ABOVE
Liam Napier, NZ Herald rugby writer in London, joined Radio Sport Breakfast this morning to explain why he thinks it is very unlikely Aaron Cruden will end up back in NZ this season.
Napier also thinks NZR would be reticent to let Warren Gatland coach in NZ and continue in his Lions role.
LISTEN TO THE AUDIO ABOVE
Former All Blacks coach John Hart joined Radio Sport Breakfast this morning.
Hart doesn't think the ABs selectors would take a young, inexperienced player to the World Cup to cover for Damien McKenzie. He likes the form of Hayden Parker at the Sunwolves and could NZR get him back into the NPC so he may be eligible for a call-up?
LISTEN TO THE AUDIO ABOVE
Former Warriors coach and Radio Sport Rugby League commentator Tony Kemp joined Radio Sport Breakfast to review the Warriors' disappointing performance against the Cowboys on Saturday.
Kemp would like to see Roger Tuivasa-Schek move to five-eighth vs the Storm if Blake Green isn't fit. He said the Warriors forwards just aren't good enough and the coaches are confused as to who to play hooker.
LISTEN TO THE AUDIO ABOVE
Former All Black and Sky Rugby analyst Justin Marshall joined Radio Sport Breakfast to dissect the latest news in Rugby.
Marshall wouldn't discount a Beauden Barrett / Richie Mo'unga 10-15 combination for the All Blacks. He said they will certainly have to pick another player who is capable of playing at 10.
LISTEN TO THE AUDIO ABOVE
Herschel Fruean, from HSTop200.com joined Radio Sport Breakfast to share his picks for the high school rugby season.
LISTEN TO THE AUDIO ABOVE
Damian McKenzie's ruptured knee ligament, which will keep him out of all rugby for the rest of the year, will force the All Blacks selectors to up their search for the country's next-best first-five, an individual who is not immediately obvious.
They will want to take another specialist No10 to the World Cup in Japan which starts in September to cover for Beauden Barrett and Richie Mo'unga, and the beauty of McKenzie was his impact value from the bench and his ability to cover fullback as well.
It goes without saying that his extended period on the sidelines following the ACL injury which he sustained while trying to tackle Blues first-five Otere Black during the Chiefs' 33-29 thriller in Hamilton on Saturday will also hinder a franchise which has re-found its mojo over the past three weeks.
Brett Cameron, Mo'unga's back-up at the Crusaders and a replacement in the test against Japan last year, is the only other capped first-five specialist currently playing in New Zealand and his form this season, particularly when starting in his team's defeat to the Waratahs in Sydney, suggests he has plenty of developing to do yet.
Other possibilities are the Blues' Black, a 23-year-old New Zealand Maori player and former under-20s representative, and Josh Ioane and Bryn Gatland, also both 23, at the Highlanders.
Stephen Perofeta, 22, has yet to play a competitive match for the Blues this year after suffering a pre-season chest injury, a latest problem in a fairly long list. Had he been fit at the end of last year he probably would have gone to Japan instead of Cameron, while Blues' teammate Harry Plummer, 20, has promise but isn't ready.
Of them all, it is perhaps Black who strikes as the best bet for his composure and consistency over the past couple of weeks when starting for the Blues. His recent rise ahead of Plummer, with whom he swapped the No10 jersey initially, has clearly given him confidence and he is thriving on the responsibility and game time.
The selectors could be forgiven for casting a rueful glance at 28-year-old Hayden Parker, the former Highlanders first-five now doing incredible things for the Sunwolves with not only his goalkicking, which is nearly flawless this season, but his general play for the perennial battlers. Under New Zealand Rugby's regulations, Parker isn't eligible for the All Blacks as he isn't playing for a Kiwi franchise.
For McKenzie, who didn't attend the All Blacks' foundation day in Wellington today, the news will be devastating and it has a strange echo to four years ago when Chiefs No10 Aaron Cruden suffered the same injury in Christchurch almost to the day.
"He's done an ACL so it looks like he might be out for eight to nine months which is a real shame for him," said All Blacks coach Steve Hansen today in announcing McKenzie's diagnosis. "His Word Cup opportunity is gone.
"He's still young enough to probably make the next two so it's just important that he gets his knee right and takes the time to come back so he can achieve the dreams he wants to achieve. It's sad for him obviously it creates an opportunity for somebody else. We've got to accept injuries and there will be more than just him [before the World Cup] I'd suggest."
Cruden's injury on April 17 before the All Blacks 2015 World Cup defence was a huge blow for himself, the Chiefs and the national team, but Hansen had three very clear options for his playmaker in the form of Daniel Carter, Beauden Barrett and Colin Slade.
Lima Sopoaga also went very close to making the trip to England and Wales after leading the Highlanders to their first Super Rugby title and impressing in his test debut in Johannesburg.
Four years later, however, Hansen's options are not so obvious and an injury to either Barrett or Mo'unga, or heaven forbid both, would be potentially catastrophic to the team's chances of making history again, this time by winning three in a row.
Spark has revealed what it will cost to watch the 2019 Rugby World Cup through its Spark Sport app - plus a cover-its-bets approach that will see 12 games screen live or delayed on free-to-air partner TVNZ, including all pool games for the All Blacks, the AB's assumed quarter final, the semis and the final (see full list below).
Those who purchase a "super early bird" pass in May will pay $59.99 to watch live every Rugby World Cup match.
From June to early September, the price will be $79.99.
Then in the "final few days" before the tournament starts in Japan, the cost will rise to $89.99.
Single match passes will also be available for $24.99 once the tournament is underway.
Source / Spark Sport.
Pubs and clubs will be charged the same amount as individual consumers - meaning a bar could screen the tournament to patrons for as little as $59.99 but Spark warns "future sporting events will be priced at commercial levels" for commercial premises.
Spark has also confirmed rumours it will take a conservative approach, with 12 games also screening on free-to-air partner TVNZ, and a fallback plan - as first revealed by the Herald on February 15 - for other games to be transferred to TVNZ's Duke channel "within a few minutes" in the event of technical glitches like those that ruined Optus' attempts to stream the FIFA World Cup to an Australian audience last year.
The free games will be a mix of live and one or two-hour delay, following the model that Sky used with its Prime channel.
The free-game line-up:• Friday 20 September / Pool A, Match 1 (opening match) / Japan v Russia / LIVE
Saturday 21 September / Pool B, Match 4 / NZ v South Africa / Delayed by 1 hour
Saturday 28 September / Pool C, Match 13 / Tonga v Argentina / LIVE
Wednesday 2 October / Pool B, Match 20 / NZ v Canada / Delayed by 1 hour
Friday 4 October / Pool B, Match 23 / South Africa v Italy / LIVE
Sunday 6 October / Pool B, Match 27 / NZ v Namibia / Delayed by 1 hour
Wednesday 9 October / Pool D, Match 32 / Fiji v Wales / LIVE
Sunday 12 October / Pool B, Match 34 / NZ v Italy / Delayed by 1 hour
One quarter final: TBC, but will be the NZ match, assuming the team progress past the pool stage / Delayed by 1 hour
Saturday 26 October / Semi-finals, Match 45 / LIVE
Sunday 27 October / Semi-finals, Match 46 / LIVE
Saturday 2 November / Final, Match 48 and medal ceremony / LIVE
Rugby World Cup matches streamed on Spark Sport free-to-view
Wednesday 25 September / Pool D, Match 10 / Fiji v Uruguay / Delayed by 2 hours
Monday 30 September / Pool A, Match 18 / Scotland v Samoa / Delayed by 2 hours
Spark has so far released web, iOS (iPhone, iPad) and Android versions of its Spark Sport app.
Spark Sport was launched for the Melbourne Grand Prix in mid-March, priced at $19.99 a month. That price included all the sports in the Spark Sport stable bar the Rugby World Cup.
Spark says you won't have to buy its $19.99 plan if you want the World Cup; you can choose to buy a RWC pass only.
The insurgent sports streamer had a few technical wobbles with the second race of the Grand Prix with some on-demand footage freezing, but Spark said it was a process and human error issue rather than a technical problem and pledged to use the next few months to smooth everything out.
Last week, Samsung said it would be the first smart TV maker to support the Spark Sport app, which will be added to models going back to 2016.
Other TV makers are expected to announce their plans shortly, and Spark is expected to announce the availability of the Spark Sport app for more devices before RWC kick-off.
Departing MD Simon Moutter has noted that Lightbox, Netflix and other streaming services have educated hundreds of thousands of households about streaming. That is true, but that still leaves an equal number who don't know Airplay from their elbow. A huge education campaign is needed between now and RWC kick-off on September 21.
Mid-March, Spark said it had around 9000 Spark Sport subscribers. The co...
Graeme Agars spoke to Radio Sport Breakfast live from the US Masters at Augusta.
He says Tiger Woods' win is one of those stories "that is almost too big for you". He thinks it is simply one of sports all-time great stories.
LISTEN TO THE AUDIO ABOVE
Tony Kemp, former Warriors coach and RS league analyst joined Radio Sport Breakfast to look back on Saturday's loss to South Sydney.
Kemp thinks the Warriors are horribly short of depth in the hooker and halves areas. He would also replace Solomone Kata with Gerard Beale in the centres.
LISTEN TO THE AUDIO ABOVE
Justin Marshall, former All Black and Sky rugby analyst joined Radio Sport Breakfast to give his take on everything rugby.
Marshall expects Wallabies coach Michael Chieka will be filthy with Israel Folau, given he would have thought his behaviour was adequately dealt with last year.
Marshall also thinks Ma'a Nonu is knocking on the door of the All Blacks, given the continued injury troubles of Sonny-Bill Williams.
LISTEN TO THE AUDIO ABOVE
Israel Folau could be in hot water again with his employer, Rugby Australia, after more controversial comments about homosexuals and the gender debate.
Yesterday Tasmania became the first Australian jurisdiction to make gender an option on birth certificates.
After the announcement, the Wallabies star took to Twitter to tell people to "turn away" from their evil ways after the announcement.
"The devil has blinded so many people in this world, REPENT and turn away from your evil ways. Turn to Jesus Christ who will set you free," Folau posted.
The devil has blinded so many people in this world, REPENT and turn away from your evil ways. Turn to Jesus Christ who will set you free. pic.twitter.com/BWSWTMye98
— Israel Folau (@IzzyFolau) April 10, 2019
Rugby Australia released a statement shortly after saying the post was 'unacceptable'.
"Rugby Australia is aware of a post made by Israel Folau on his Instagram account this afternoon," Rugby Australia said in a statement.
"The content within the post is unacceptable. It does not represent the values of the sport and is disrespectful to members of the Rugby community.
"The Rugby Australia Integrity Unit has been engaged on the matter tonight."
Sydney Morning Herald columnist Peter FitzSimons wrote that Folau's latest post should see Rugby Australia cut their ties with the 73-test Wallaby.
"Israel Folau has to go, and will go," the former Australian test player wrote.
"Quick. Clean. Gone. At least until such times as he repents."
"Rugby Australia simply has no choice. They cannot go through one more time the agony of last year when Folau's social media comments trumpeting that gays would go to hell, saw rugby lose sponsors, fans and support," FitzSimons said in the Sydney Morning Herald.
According to rugby.com.au, there was a reported clause in Folau's contract negotiations last year that was specific to his use of social media.
The tweet has been widely shared and commented on, with most people responding having a negative view of his comments.
"Why would Jesus have wanted more detail in birth records? How is that possibly connected to his faith, or the religion of his followers?" one user asked.
"Folau needs a social media team to do all his posts for him, you're extremely religious we get that but might be best to stay out of subjects that could easily offend in today's world," said another.
Retired England prop Joe Marler simply responded with an image of two men kissing.
❤️ @IzzyFolau pic.twitter.com/7Kxdt8Ucu8
— Joe Marler (@JoeMarler) April 10, 2019
However, others have come out in Folau's defence.
"Load of nonsense isn't it? They are confusing kids so much these days with all these gender nonsense," one man wrote.
Meanwhile, on Instagram, the Waratahs Super Rugby star warned sinners would be going to hell unless they repented.
The image he posted reads "warning" in bold, before listing "drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists, idolaters, hell awaits you".
The former league and AFL player, now a rugby union star, created tension on social media last year for his stance on homosexuality.
Six months after tweeting his opposition to same-sex marriage, the Wallabies fullback posted on Instagram last April that gays would go to hell.
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Those that are living in Sin will end up in Hell unless you repent. Jesus Christ loves you and is giving you time to turn away from your sin and come to him. _______________ Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these , adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21 KJV _______________ Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you...
Support from a long-time, high-profile fan of the Crusaders as they contemplate a name change.
The Christchurch-based Super Rugby franchise announced on Wednesday that they will engage independent research company, Research First, to seek feedback and provide recommendations on the Crusaders team name and brand.Crusaders CEO Colin Mansbridge said they are committed to taking the process seriously and doing the right thing.
"This is an event that rocked our community and brought some important issues to the fore," Mansbridge said. "One of the contentious issues that has been brought up in the aftermath of the Christchurch attacks is the name of our rugby team – the Crusaders.
Former Christchurch resident, sports commentator and fan Phil Gifford told Radio Sport Breakfast that he applauds the Crusaders for having the discussion.
He says that he is a little startled that some of the changes, such as removing the knights on horses from the pre-game entertainment, have already been decided on.
Gifford says that he never really thought about the history of the name.
"Since 1996 when the Crusaders were founded, I can't remember anyone down there that I chatted with saying they were uncomfortable."
He says that he understands there are a large number of people who are horrified by a name change.
"I don't think it's anywhere near the same number of people who understand the significance of changing the horses and the symbolism."
To anyone who says they wouldn't support the team if they changed their name, Gifford has a simple message: "Get over yourself!"
Warriors and Blues fans will have an opportunity to watch both codes live this weekend for the price of one ticket.
Members and fans of both the Warriors and the Blues will be able to attend each other's matches this weekend with their single ticket.
The Warriors take on the Gold Coast Titans at Mt Smart Stadium at 8pm on Friday while the Blues host the Waratahs in the at Eden Park at 7.35pm on Saturday.
Anyone who has a valid ticket to Friday's game against the Titans, including membership cards and corporate tickets, will be able to gain entry to the Blues game on Saturday night, and likewise ticketholders and members of the Blues can scan their match ticket for entry to Mt Smart Stadium a day earlier.
Seating for fans at the reciprocal venue will be available in specified General Admission areas.
"We are hugely excited about this initiative and what it means for our members and sports fans in Auckland," said Warriors CEO Cameron George.
"We are always searching for new ways to add value for our fans and encourage them to attend games. We don't see the Blues as our competition.
"We'd prefer to work with them and hopefully this is just the start of things to come. Ultimately, we want fans in Auckland to get along to live sport and get behind both teams."
The Blues are also right behind what is a unique opportunity in New Zealand sport.
"The two clubs work together and explore opportunities when we can," said Blues CEO Michael Redman.
"Some of our loyal fans also follow the fortunes of the Warriors and this is a chance to support them.
"Likewise, this is an enormous opportunity for the general sports fan to support the Warriors on Friday and the Blues on Saturday for the price of one ticket.
"It's a great chance for fans to show their support for the two oval ball teams in this city."
A valid match ticket for either Vodafone Warriors v Titans on Friday, April 5 or Blues v Waratahs on Saturday, April 6 is required for entry at the respective venues.
Seating at the reciprocal venues will be in specified General Admission areas regardless of the seating category selected at the original point of purchase. GA capacity is limited, and patrons will be admitted on a first come basis.
Warriors and Blues ticketholders can use their match ticket on Friday, April 5 to travel to Mt Smart Stadium on trains only. Blues and Vodafone Warriors ticketholders can use their match ticket to travel to Eden Park on Manukau/Botany/Pakuranga special events buses, the NX1 bus services to Britomart and trains on Saturday, April 6.
Tony Kemp, former Warriors coach and RS league analyst, who thinks it is going to be a long, long season for the Warriors. He thinks coach Stephen Kearney has very few options in reserve grade to call on after their 46-12 defeat to Manly.
Former All Blacks halfback and Sky rugby analyst Justin Marshall joins the Radio Sport Breakfast team to talk this weekend's Super Rugby action including the Blues confidence and Kieran Read's return.
LISTEN TO JUSTIN MARSHALL TALK WITH THE BREAKFAST TEAM ABOVE.
Sky Sports commentator and Manly stalwart Peter Peters joins the Radio Sport breakfast team to discuss this weekend's NRL match between the Sea Eagles and Warriors in Christchurch, as well as Manly's chances for the coming season.
LISTEN TO PETER PETERS TALK WITH THE BREAKFAST TEAM ABOVE.
Former Hurricane first-five David Holwell joins the Radio Sport Breakfast team ahead of tonight's Super Rugby match between the Hurricanes and Crusaders in Wellington.
LISTEN TO DAVID HOLWELL TALK WITH THE BREAKFAST TEAM ABOVE.
Fox Sports Phoenix radio host Bo Brack joins the Radio Sport Breakfast team, talking about the Arizona Cardinals NFL team allowing their players to use their cellphones during team meetings, believing it's a good move.
Incoming coach Kliff Kingsbury, who used the same method when he coached Texas Tech, will give his players timeouts to check their phones.
LISTEN TO THE BREAKFAST TEAM TALK WITH BO BRACK ABOVE
Crusaders centre Jack Goodhue joins Radio Sport Breakfast to explain why he is excited to play the Hurricanes but didn't want to "throw fuel on the fire" by reminding the 'Canes they are two-time defending champions, despite losing five straight games in Wellington!
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Protectionism is alive and well in the north. Not solely with Brexit, either.
World Rugby's Nations Championship proposal seems more destined by the day to hit an immovable Six Nations blockade with reports the RFU have told Southern Hemisphere officials that they are opposed to the overhaul.
The Daily Mail reports that the RFU 'will not support' a change to the current test structure. This comes after RFU interim chief executive Nigel Melville claimed relegation would be "catastrophic" for England.
Convincing the Six Nations powers to support promotion relegation for the global league has always been the major sticking point but as the April 5 deadline looms to reach an agreement, Melville today put the biggest opposition stake in the ground.
World Rugby's proposal comes with the promise of £7.5 million (NZD$14.6m) in additional annual revenue per-union, thanks to an investment pledge of £5 billion (NZD$9.7b) over 12 years from global sports marketing company Infront.
WR have also suggested a potential parachute payment to any relegated union.
Those potential financial windfalls, so desired by struggling Southern Hemisphere nations, haven't been enough to sway England, who believe relegation would bring huge losses in ticketing, hospitality and sponsorship.
With the Six Nations needing to vote unanimously to alter their competition in any form, World Rugby's attempts to pressure and persuade the north appear to be falling on deaf ears.
"For us it could be catastrophic being relegated, commercially," Melville said at Twickenham today. "To be relegated, the catastrophe isn't just the team being relegated, it's our ability to fund the game as a governing body in England.
"In order to make it work Six Nations-wise, you need a credible tier two tournament. I don't know what you'd be relegated into at the moment. That tier two tournament is something we've got to build, World Rugby has a responsibility to build that because that's critical and having worked for tier twos I know how hard it is to do that."
Asked about the extreme suggestion that, in the unlikely event of relegation, England would be forced to sell Twickenham, their cash cow, Melville went further with his opposition.
"I think we make sure it doesn't arise. That solves that problem.
"You just don't want to get into a situation where you're making decisions like that. You've got to look at it as an opportunity to have a global competition, how can you get there, how quickly can you get there, what are the key points to get there."
Melville initially praised the "narrative" of the Nations Championship, only to rattle off a host of concerns that, given the timeframes, appear likely to kill off the concept for the foreseeable future. He later questioned whether the proposal would undermine the Six Nations identity.
England's apparent objections centre on clashes with the European club season; player welfare concerns due to the potential of teams from the north having to travel to three different countries in the July window, and the prospect of languishing in a tier two competition for at least two years, with the Nations Championship not being contested when the Lions tour or in World Cup years.
"It's not quite up and down, one season on the naughty step and go back up, it's actually two years and that could be a disaster for people. But a credible tier two, when you've got a buoyant competition, you can see that working."
In something of an about-face, given the refusal of the Six Nations to open its competition, Melville questioned whether the Nations Championship held the best interests of tier two at heart.
"Tier twos no longer get tier one games. So how does that help them develop? Because the previous model was give them more tier one games, and commercially that's good when you're at home, to bring them up to speed for a World Cup.
"This changes that model into just tier twos versus tier twos and then go to a World Cup. Does that make them more competitiv...
Matt Cooper, former All Black midfielder and Sky rugby analyst, joined Radio Sport Breakfast this morning to preview this weekend's blockbuster between the Crusaders and Hurricanes.
Cooper is intrigued by this weekend's midfield match-up between Laumape and Goodhue but thinks Ryan Crotty is still the preferred option at number 12.
LISTEN TO THE AUDIO ABOVE
On this evidence, the big win over the Bulldogs last week was a bit of a mirage.
The Warriors have fallen to their first defeat of the season, and it was a horrible one, as they barely fired a shot, slumping to a 34-6 loss to the Tigers on Sunday night.
It continued an awful record at Campbelltown, where the Auckland team have only won one of their last six games.
It was a forgettable evening, as anything that could go wrong, generally did. Their handling was poor, in admittedly wet conditions, their defensive line was loose and they lacked intensity in their work on both attack and defence. The Tigers were much more desperate, and man for man the Warriors were completely outplayed.
And while they could hardly create anything themselves, they fell victim to a Robbie Farah masterclass with the 35-year-old completely dominant from dummy half, with three try assists and a cheeky touchdown from dummy half.
Of most concern was the Warriors attack. Sure, they were hurt by mistakes, which killed momentum, but they were terribly predictable when they did have opportunities, especially in the first half when the match was still in the balance. The ball was just shuttled from side to side, and it made for easy pickings for Tigers defenders.
While everyone at Mt Smart wants to put the departure of Shaun Johnson behind them, performances like this will only highlight his absence, as they desperately missed his creativity, flair and pace. After the promising fare last week, the Warriors in the first half were untidy and uninspired. They lacked the focus and intensity of round one and crippled any momentum they built up with errors. Any time the Tigers made a mistake, the Warriors invariably came up with one on the next set.
There was a knock on straight after the Warriors had earned a penalty, and another fumble a couple of plays after Blake Green forced a repeat set. Both Green and Keighran gifted seven tackle sets with kicks that went way too long and on another occasion the Warriors had a chance for six more tackles, but didn't hear the referees call and chipped ahead instead.
The Warriors had their moments, with Ken Maumalo set free down the left wing by Keighran, only to be stopped by a desperate Esan Marsters tackle, and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck looked dangerous on the right edge.
But the Tigers always seemed more likely — with Farah, Benji Marshall and Luke Brooks making inroads up the middle — and took the lead after a sustained spell of pressure. Farah showed all his experience with an exquisite cut-out ball to send Corey Thompson over metres from the line, though Solomone Kata and David Fusitu'a were guilty of misjudging the numbers.
Worse was to come in the dying minutes of the first half, as the Warriors seemed to switch off. They were caught out by a close range Farah grubber, which squeezed through the line and was forced by Robert Jennings. There was nothing conclusive at all about the replays, but referee Ashley Klein had made the on field decision of try. The Warriors had to respond early in the second half, and they did initially. Tuivasa-Sheck's pace gave Peta Hiku an opportunity to release Maumalo, who did well to finish just inside the touchline in the 45th minute.
But that was as good as it got. They couldn't captialise, giving up a cheap penalty then a soft try, with Farah exploiting chinks in the Warriors right edge again, in what was almost a carbon copy of the first Thompson try.
From there the second half was a procession for the Tigers, as Marshall created a try for Mahe Fonua, before Farah dived over from dummy half. Michael Chee-Kam was put into space by Marshall — again on the right edge — to give the scoreline an embarrassing feel.
Tigers 34 (Corey Thompson 2, Robert Jennings, Mahe Fonua, Robbie Farah, Michael Chee-Kam tries; Esan Marsters 5 goals)Warriors 6 (Ken Maumalo try; Adam Keighran goal)Halftime: 12-0.
St Kent's has been criticised by an independent judicial panel for "sustained" poaching of other schools' rugby players - but has won its case that a threatened match boycott by rivals was a breach of the rugby code.
The decision means the private Auckland high school can play in this year's 1st XV competition but it has to stand-down new-to-school players from outside of Auckland for the first six games of the season, and has additionally agreed to stand two of them down in any semi-final or final.
In December, the Herald revealed a coalition of schools had agreed to not lace-up against the high school due to an "immoral" recruitment policy.
In a decision released today, the independent judicial panel criticised St Kent's for undertaking a sustained period of "annual" strengthening of its 1st XV.
"This has included providing scholarships for players to move from competing schools to bolster St Kent's chances of 1st XV rugby success," said the panel, made up of barrister Tim Castle (chairman), former Auckland college principal Gail Thomson and former All Black Ian Jones.
The panel said St Kent's had "strenuously denied targeted recruiting" but found the school had not adequately responded to "a changed mood" and concerns from other schools and the Auckland Rugby Union.
However, the independent panel also upheld a complaint from St Kent's that a proposed new code of conduct by other schools, and a threatened boycott of St Kent's matches if that code was not met, breached the existing rules.
"The new code was driven by 10 participating schools, and aimed at preventing excessive player recruitment. It used the threat of defaulting games against St Kent's, unless St Kent's agreed to new rules restricting their tactical player recruitment practices."
The panel said this code was unauthorised and in breach of College Sport Auckland rules and bylaws.
The new code sought to stand-down any new-to-school players - who had transferred from an NZRU 1st XV competition - for the first six 1A games plus any potential semi-final or final.
The panel said St Kent's had intended to field up to three new-to-school players - established talented stars from provincial schools.
It said that a threatened default of matches by other schools would negatively impact on all 30 members of the St Kent's squad, "a result that would not have had the best interests of the students at heart".
The panel upheld the St Kent's complaint and went further, saying the school had not broken any existing rules.
However, it did not escape criticism.
"Relationships between participating schools have suffered," said Castle. "We find that St Kentigern is in significant respect the author of its own misfortune in not adequately taking on board the changed mood amongst the participating schools community."
The panel said other schools were not necessarily immune from similar allegations.
"Enough is enough," Castle said. "This practice must stop."
The panel said the schools had not fulfilled their requirements under current rules to resolve their issues.
To resolve the overall issue, the panel recommended that St Kent's did not play new-to-school players for the first six games of the 2019 competition and the school, and King's College, agreed to this.
The other 10 schools rejected that option and still intended to default against St Kent's. The panel found this another breach of the current rules but after further discussions with the panel - and in the interests of the competition - St Kent's agreed to the stand-down for any semi-final and final as well.
The independent judicial panel criticised St Kent's for undertaking a sustained period of "annual" strengthening of its 1st XV. (Photo / Photosport)
"We reached a draft determination, we put that to the principals, they did push back on a number of our findings," Castle told Radio Sport. "We reviewed carefully what they had to say but ultimately reached the view that there were breaches of the rules by them.
"To be...
Organisers have begun nutting out the logistics for next year's Hamilton Sevens.
New Zealand Rugby has been awarded a licence to host an integrated men's and women's event for the next four years.
Both will be World Series events for the first time.
Organiser Dallas Fisher believes the variety of fans will increase following the renegotiation of the World Series contract.
Fisher was asked by Radio Sport Breakfast what it will do for ticket sales.
"There's no question that what we did this year with four teams was to get those wonderful athletes on the paddock, and people reacted to it well."
He says the event will start earlier and finish later.
"People who came to both so far have seen significant change in the event every year. We are putting new entertainments, new ways of doing things, new structures, new spaces."
There's no guarantee the four events will be played in New Zealand.
NZR is negotiating to outsource the event from Hamilton to Fiji on alternate years.
Fisher says knowing he'll host at least two events helps long-term planning.
"I think Fiji will get there. I think the long term plan is to put your lavalava in your bag one year and your crazy clown costume in the next, so I think it's a great outcome."
Former All Black and regular contributor to the show Jeff Wilson joined Radio Sport Breakfast to look back on the Weekends Super Rugby action.
Wilson believes the captaincy was good for Blues star Sonny Bill Williams, with the side battling it out to record a hard-fought win over the much-improved Sunwolves.
But in contrast, Wilson thought Chiefs captain Brodie Retallick struggled against a powerful and dominant Crusaders side.
LISTEN TO THE AUDIO ABOVE
Listen to the audio above as Radio Sport yachting commentator PJ Montgomery speaks to Radio Sport Breakfast
Rising tensions between America's Cup defenders Team New Zealand and Challenger of Record Luna Rossa seem to have cooled following a protocol announcement on Tuesday.
As reported by the Herald, the two camps weren't exactly seeing eye-to-eye over a few issues for the 2021 America's Cup event, however, a meeting in Auckland last week should put those differences to bed.
The teams have reached "an agreement to resolve a series of issues in the best interest of the event" a statement said today.
Team New Zealand and Patrizio Bertelli, CEO of the Prada Group and Chairman of the Challenger of Record, mutually agreed on a settlement to the America's Cup Arbitration case filed on February 12 regarding the dispute on the validity of late entries.
Up to three of the six challengers for the 2021 America's Cup in Auckland were the target of legal action heard by the Cup's arbitration panel. The Herald previously reported the case involved late payments by up to three teams — certainly the Dutch challenge, possibly that of Malta and even the American Stars & Stripes syndicate.
The change means teams that filed late entries, have been given the chance to pay the US1m late fee in two instalments.
Instead of US$1m needed to be paid in one go, it can be paid over two instalments - NZ$250,000 by April 1 and $750,000 by October 1.
"The settlement therefore clears the way for the Defender and Challenger of Record to continue to work progressively on planning the 36th America's Cup presented by Prada as well as all associated events between now and the end of the event in March 2021," a statement read.
"It is no secret there have been some outstanding issues that needed to be resolved, but the fact that Mr. Bertelli took the time to personally come down to Auckland is testament of the mutual respect between us, which bodes well for the event in general," Team New Zealand CEO Grant Dalton said.
"The path is therefore now clear for the late entries to continue building their respective campaigns to try to participate and the Defender and Challenger of Record will give whatever support they can."
The Herald stated last year that the announcement of the Dutch challenge may be the first real test of the relationship between Team New Zealand and Prada.
"While the defender has an obvious motivation for allowing another challenger entry, Prada (and other challengers, come to that) has an equally obvious incentive to decline. Why would a competitor spending mega-bucks on an America's Cup challenge open the door for someone who could potentially beat them to challenge the defender?"
At that time, only the Dutch challenge seemed in question – but if the case in point is late payment fees, perhaps spread over a period longer than foreseen in the protocol, that could take the wind from the sails of Malta and Stars & Stripes. Both syndicates were rumoured to have a job to do to raise all the money needed for the challenge when they entered ahead of the late entry deadline.
The six challengers so far are: Prada, Ineos UK, Stars & Stripes, American Magic, Malta Altus and the Dutch.
Chiefs halfback Brad Weber says their recent losses has been "one of those things".
The team has currently lost three games in a row, including a 50 point loss to the Brumbies and handing the Sunwolves their first ever away win.
NZ Herald sports writer Patrick McKendry wrote yesterday that it was a stunningly poor game, and they could be set for more difficulty.
"Given the Chiefs' draw over the next four weeks – four difficult away matches, including a trip to South Africa and Argentina - the question is, can the Blues avoid the New Zealand conference wooden spoon this year? Will it be the Chiefs who take that dubious honour? In what is looming as a crucial game in the context of the booby prize, the two teams play each other on April 13."
Weber told the Radio Sports Breakfast that there are no easy games in the Super Rugby competition, and he remains optimistic for their chances.
He says that they aren't focused on injuries and exiting players and how that will affect them.
"It's nothing we read into, personally."
Weber says that they are confident of their chances against the likes of the Crusaders.
"To be fair, in my time here at the Chiefs, we've had a good run with the Crusaders. It's not hard to find motivation to get up and play against them."
North Harbour Rugby has the support of New Zealand Rugby.
The Auckland rugby club has axed its junior reps team, in a bid to focus more on participation and less on performance.
It's the first provincial union to make such a move, but it might not be the last.
Steve Lancaster, Head of Participation and Development for NZ Rugby, told Radio Sport Breakfast that the policy could work for other clubs.
"We're talking at a national level, with all of our unions, and others are certainly asking the same questions presently about the right time for players to go into representative programmes and how that impacts on participation."
Lancaster does not want to speculate on the future of the Roller Mills tournament, but thinks that there could be changes.
"[North Harbour] aren't saying the competition itself is problematic, but some of the behaviours around it need some work."
He said participation drop off is a huge concern to them and they have their own ideas, to be released soon, as how to arrest the slide.
Spark will launch its Spark Sport app in early March, in time for the Melbourne Grand Prix on the 14th to 17th of that month.
You won't have to belong to Spark to use the app.
Spark Sport head Jeff Latch said the app would cost $19.99 per month and be an all-you-can-eat service that includes all of the codes the telco has signed so far, from motorsport to NBA TV to English soccer and European rugby (see full list below).
There's a single, glaring exception: the 2019 Rugby World Cup, which will be priced separately. Latch - a 23-year TVNZ veteran who joined Spark late last year - said pricing and other details around the Japan tournament will be revealed in April.
However, Latch told Radio Sport Breakfast that they have already worked out how much it will cost.
"We have been working very hard on this for the last six months plus. We will be sharing in April all the information that you would want."
Meanwhile, Spark will be covering its bets with the Melbourne Grand Prix - which will also broadcast live on TVNZ's Duke channel.
Latch says like any service, there will be bugs at launch, which is styled as a "beta" or test launch. Everyone who tries it will go on a one-month free trial, during which he says he hopes people provide feedback (the Herald suspects that will not be an issue; those who have problems will not hold back on social media).
But he hopes Spark Sport will be robust enough that the second race in the 2019 Grand Prix series in Bahrain, March 28-31) to be offered through the app only.
Last week, the Herald reported that Spark's fall-back plan if the stream goes haywire during the Rugby World Cup will be to shift a game onto TVNZ's Duke channel within five minutes.
Latch refuses to confirm that. He says Spark will detail its fallback plan in April.
He says that they will be making changes and improve the platform as they go along, and they are very open to feedback.
"These are living platfoms. They continually adapt and improve as you go forward."
Latch says they are launching now so that the platform is in better shape in time for the World Cup.
To help build subs ahead of that date, a "freemium" model will see some content offered at no cost, even for those whose one-month trial has expired.
For example, Formula 1 practice sessions will be available via the freemium part of the site – but if you want to watch the qualifier and final race, you'll need to be a subscriber.
Spark got an unexpected boost this morning, too, as rival Sky announced a price hike for its sports channels (although a parallel move to scrap its $9.99 a month HD fee could see some subs come out ahead).
Spark head of sport Jeff Latch says he's confident the telco's streaming service will work, but he is organising a fall-back plan - which will be revealed in April. Photo / Jason Oxenham
For its early March launch, Spark Sport content will be available through the Spark Sport website, plus apps for Apple and Android smartphones and tablets, which will be available through Apple and Google's app stores.
Spark Sport will also work with Google Chromecast, a $70 gadget for getting internet-delivered content to a regular telly and Apple Airplay (Apple's technology for wirelessly beaming content from an iPad, MacBook or iPhone to a TV, as long a that TV has an Apple TV unit attached).
Latch says support for certain brands of Samsung smart TV will be added shortly after the initial launch. Support for LG, Sony and Panasonic TVs will be added down track, along with a version of the Spark Sport app for Apple TV.
With just over 200 days to go before the Rugby World Cup, there's not much "track" left to fill in those caps.
Despite widespread qualms from industry insiders, and high profile streaming failures at events from the FIFA World Cup last year to the Superbowl just gone, Latch maintains he's confident Spark's livestreaming of World Cup games will be a success.
He says services like Netflix and Lightbox have familiariesed many Kiwis with th...
Who are the nominees?
Of the nominees Lisa Carrington is the only one to have previously won the supreme award (2016), as she looks at winning sportswoman of the year for a third straight year. All the other woman in that category are first time nominees.
Scott Dixon, who previously won sportsman of the year in 2008 and 2013, is looking to join Danyon Loader and Rob Waddell as a three-time winner in the category. Mahé Drysdale holds the record with five.
Sophie Pascoe could win the Disabled Sportsperson of the Year for a sixth time, having been nominated every year since the category was introduced in 2011.
Kiwi-born Irish coach Joe Schmidt has been named as a finalist for coach of the year, while not a single link to the All Blacks' 15-player code could be seen across the six categories.
It's the first time since 2007 that neither an All Blacks player, coach, or the team as a whole has made the final shortlist.
New Zealand Rugby's hopes for taking home an award lay on the shoulders of the men's and women's sevens teams, who are both up for Team of the Year, as well as Allan Bunting and Clark Laidlaw, who are finalists alongside Schmidt for coach of the year.
The majority of the categories are dominated by wider codes, with the likes of Winter Olympics heroes Zoi Sadowski-Synnott and Nico Porteous up for Sportswoman and Sportsman of the Year respectively, and two of the four finalists in the Sportsman of the Year category being motorsport athletes.
Full list of finalists:
Sportswoman of the Year
(Eligible for the supreme Halberg Award)
Joelle King (squash), Jonelle Price (equestrian), Lisa Carrington (canoe racing), Zoi Sadowski-Synnott (snowboarding).
Sportsman of the Year (Eligible for the supreme Halberg Award)
Nico Porteous (freeskiing), Scott Dixon (motorsport), Scott McLaughlin (motorsport), Tom Walsh (athletics)
Para Athlete/Team of the Year (Eligible for the supreme Halberg Award)
Adam Hall (Para alpine skiing), Corey Peters (Para alpine skiing), Scott Martlew (Para canoe racing), Sophie Pascoe (Para swimming).
Team of the Year (Eligible for the supreme Halberg Award)
All Blacks Sevens (rugby union), Black Ferns Sevens (rugby union), NZ Football Under 17 Women (football), NZ Women's Kayaking Team (canoe racing), Black Sticks Women (hockey).
Coach of the Year
Allan Bunting (rugby union), Clark Laidlaw (rugby union), Gordon Walker (canoe racing), Joe Schmidt (rugby union), Leon Birnie (football).
Emerging Talent
Amelia Kerr (cricket), Anna Leat (football), Josh Armit (yachting), Lewis Clareburt (swimming), Maddison-Lee Wesche (athletics).
New Zealand's Favourite Sporting Moment of the Year1. Nico Porteous and Zoi Sadowski-Synnott medaling at the Olympic Winter Games within two hours of each other (Pyeongchang)
David Liti breaking a Commonwealth record and winning gold in the men's 105kg+ weightlifting division at the Commonwealth Games (Gold Coast)
Kelly Brazier scoring a long range solo try in extra time to secure gold for the Black Ferns Sevens against Australia at the Commonwealth Games (Gold Coast)
Black Sticks Women penalty shootout over Olympic champions England in semifinal at the Commonwealth Games (Gold Coast)
Amelia Kerr blasting a record breaking 232 not out against Ireland for the White Ferns, achieving the highest score in women's ODIs (Dublin)
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck receiving an impromptu haka after winning the Dally M Player of the Year (Sydney)
Auckland Rugby winning the Mitre 10 Cup Premiership final after a dramatic finish in extra time against Canterbury (Auckland)
Black Caps winning the first test against Pakistan by four runs (Abu Dhabi)
Anna Leat's successful penalty shootout against Japan, leading New Zealand into the semifinal of the Fifa Under-17 Women's World Cup (New Zealand vs Japan, Uruguay)
How to watch
Live on Sky Sport 1 from 8pm. Free-to-air coverage on Prime from 11.35pm. nzherald.co.nz will be live blogging the event with video from the red carpet.
Sir Owen Glenn has frozen funding to the Black Sticks women's hockey programme because of dissatisfaction with the sport's governance.
In October the businessman committed $1 million each to the country's top male and female teams over the next two years.
That figure doubles this year with the taxpayer contribution through High Performance Sport New Zealand.
This month's Glenn payments, which are distributed directly to the 25-strong contracted squad members, have been suspended. Hockey New Zealand has dipped into its reserves while negotiations continue.
Glenn was a key supporter of former women's coach Mark Hager. Hager resigned last month to take over as coach of the British and English teams leading to the Tokyo Olympics.
His decade-long Black Sticks tenure culminated in a maiden gold medal at April's Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. Hager also took the team to two Olympic fourths, two World League finals and a Champions Trophy bronze.
However, a review into the women's environment was launched in September by employment lawyer Maria Dew after allegations of negativity. The findings are expected on Monday.
Hager, a former Australian international, accidentally sent an email to the entire team in August, admonishing individuals for their World Cup performance where the team finished 11th.
Glenn felt compelled to defend a beleaguered friend.
"I thought 'hang on a minute'. I supported Mark and persuaded him to stay, I backed him and inadvertently supported him financially.
"If I'm putting $2 million behind hockey [across the next two years] I think there should at the very least be courtesy and respect so I know what's going on. I put my terms and conditions to the hockey board of what I want to see, including the report [review] which has been mysteriously under wraps.
"I want proper governance and transparency, and I think the whole of hockey does too. The guy [Hager] took us from 12th in Beijing [Olympics] to winning the Commonwealth Games gold medal. What did he do wrong?"
Hockey New Zealand board chairman Mike Bignell was part of a delegation which met with Glenn recently in Sydney to discuss the funding issue.
"He's gone out of his way to help the players. It's a tough gig [being a top-level hockey player] so any support they get is really important.
"He's entitled to his views and we have to work them through with him. We respect those opinions and it's only reasonable in a partnership that we have that proper give-and-take.
"We've got to make him feel comfortable that his investment into hockey and the players is well worth it."
Bignell defended the decision to keep review details under lock and key, even away from Glenn's eyes.
"We've been mindful of everyone's privacy and confidentiality. That's why it's taken us until Monday to release this. We have to wait for players and others [consulted] to be in a position where they can hear those findings first."
Glenn says he struggled to find any issue with the team, and used the Commonwealth Games as an example.
"I was at every game, I'd talk to the players and coach – in fact Mark and I would talk every week – and for this to happen…
"The hockey board said they supported him, but thank God they're not in the trenches next to me."
Glenn also donated $3 million to the New Zealand Olympic Committee for their Tokyo 2020 campaign at a gala function in December.
Australian Rugby League commission chair Peter Beattie has sounded out the Australian Olympic Committee as he considers a seachange in policy for the sport.
The commission meets next week to discuss standing down players charged with serious offences, such as Jack de Belin who has pleaded not guilty to aggravated sexual assault.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports Beattie has been in contact with AOC president John Coates, who cut swimmer Nick D'Arcy from the 2008 Olympic team after he was charged with assault occasioning grievous bodily harm.
The league commission needs to determine whether they have the power to suspend players for such action, even though they are still to go before the courts.
In the view of Fox NRL commentator Andrew Voss, de Belin needs to be dropped.
He told Radio Sport Breakfast that is a difficult situation and should be a case-by-case basis, but things are clear here.
"If I was in charge of the St George Dragons, I'm not letting Jack de Belin play. Surely I'd be saying to de Belin 'Mate, you're not playing for the club'."
Voss says that damage has already been done, and de Belin needs to sort things out with his partner.
He says if you look at what was presented in court, there are a lot bigger things than rugby.
Former All Black Julian Savea is just one of many Kiwi rugby stars under-delivering while playing in Europe, according to Talksport UK correspondent Russell Hargreaves.
Savea was told he was "not welcome" at French club Toulon yesterday despite having a year left on his contract, with owner Mourad Boudjellal making explosive comments over the former All Black winger's performance.
The 28-year-old's shock sacking comes less than a month after French club Montpellier boss Mohed Altrad revealed that former All Black Aaron Cruden wasn't what the team expected and Lima Sopoaga's lack of notable performance since signing with English club Wasps.
Aaron Cruden. Photo / Photosport
Speaking on the Radio Sport Breakfast yesterday, Hargreaves said he felt underwhelmed by the current Kiwi stars playing in Europe.
"The current crop are probably under-delivering and one or two of the new ones that have been signed for next season, I'm not entirely sure are going to be an awful lot better," Hargreaves said.
"I just wonder with the consistency, the application, the fitness, the mental stimulation of being over here, are some of those guys making the most of it? I'm not entirely sure.
"You just want quality overseas players that come, give it their best, reflect well on those that play around them, galvanise the crowd and get that right balance for a couple of seasons before they go home or retire."
Savea, who scored 46 tries in 54 tests for the All Blacks, has since responded to damning criticism from the owner of his French rugby club on social media.
"Heading into this week with a positive attitude, whether I am welcomed or not I am still contracted to my team and I will continue to train week in and week out with my brothers #endofstory #letsmoveon," the winger posted.
Putting all the negativity behind me and heading into this week with a positive attitude🤘🏾whether I am welcomed or not I am still contracted to my team and I will continue to train week in and week out with my brothers #endofstory #letsmoveon pic.twitter.com/y7QBqLOyVV
— Julian Savea (@juliansavea7) February 17, 2019
Savea's brother and fellow All Black, Ardie, retweeted the post in support.
Savea signed a four-year deal with New Zealand Rugby in May 2015 that made him one of the highest paid players in New Zealand history, earning an estimated $800,000 a year. He was released from that deal last year following the Super Rugby season after agreeing on a two-year deal with Toulon.
However, Savea has scored just one try in 10 matches since joining the club. Toulon currently sit 11th on the table with six wins from their opening 16 games.
Former Hurricanes teammate Nehe Milner-Skudder looks set to replace him at Toulon next season having signed a three-year deal.
Jeremy Coney, former NZ captain and Radio Sport analyst said Tim Southee is in serious danger of missing the World Cup squad based on form. He wants to see a hell of a lot more from the Black Caps in this series vs Bangladesh.
LISTEN ABOVE AS BREAKERS CEO MATT WALSH SPEAKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
The New Zealand Breakers' playoff aspirations are finally dead.
The Breakers had clung to a mathematical change of turning around their disappointing season, but a 114-107 defeat to the Adelaide 36ers at Spark Arena last night has ended their hopes of making the top four.
They fittingly went out with a poor defensive performance, as Adelaide shot 50 per cent from the field and hit 13 of their 25 three-point attempts. Nathan Sobey led the way with 27 points and nine assists for the 36ers, who moved to 14 wins with the victory, sitting in the fourth and final playoff spot.
The Breakers have just 10 wins, and with three games remaining have run out of possibilities to sneak in at the last minute. They are likely to finish in second-to-last on the table, ahead of only the hapless 4-21 Cairns Taipans.
The loss epitomised their season in some respects. Shawn Long put up gaudy offensive numbers (28 points on 11/13 shooting, with 12 rebounds), and got help from various role players, tonight's chosen two being Patrick Richard (24 points) and Finn Delany (16 points, six rebounds, five assists).
However, import Armani Moore was scoreless, Tom Abercrombie merely okay in his 300th game, and Corey Webster and Shea Ili's disappointing campaigns saw them combine for just seven points, one rebound and three assists.
There are still three - now utterly meaningless - games to go, but for a season which promised plenty with new ownership, new players and a new coach, the Breakers will now have to determine where they go from here.
Head NFL analyst for Bleacher Report Brent Sobleski joined Radio Sport Breakfast after Super Bowl 53 in Atlanta yesterday.
Sobleski thought the game was a chess match and was really only appealing to football nerds.
LISTEN TO THE AUDIO ABOVE
Former NZ cricket captain and Radio Sport analyst Jeremy Coney joined the Breakfast show this morning to provide an insight into the Blackcaps vs India series.
Coney says there can be too many distractions for a struggling team and the end-goal of "winning the game" can be overlooked. He wants to see the New Zealander's knuckle down and play for the team.
LISTEN ABOVE AS JEREMY CONEY SPEAKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
The Black Ferns Sevens could find themselves with regular fixtures on home soil in the future if a proposal to include a women's world series stop in New Zealand goes ahead.
World Rugby competitions operations manager Douglas Langley today confirmed there was "a very good chance" an event in New Zealand will be added to the women's series for its next four-year cycle.
The women's event would be run in tandem with the current men's tournament, with both to be contested across two days.
"New Zealand are interested in a combined event with 16 men's teams and 12 women's teams if that's the way we go with the new cycle," Langley said.
"The only thing for them is it has to be over two days, but that's aligned with us currently looking at what the tournament format should be in the new cycle."
It would be a welcome addition to the calendar for the New Zealand audience and players alike. This weekend saw the Black Ferns Sevens play their first matches on home soil in an exhibition Fast Four tournament against France, England and China.
The current cycle features just two combined events, with both men and women getting to do their thing in Dubai and Sydney, and comes to an end after this year's series.
Langley said developing more combined stops on tour was one area World Rugby was trying to work on for the next cycle.
"We're trying to be innovative and look at the modern day state of rugby sevens … we have to come up with more innovations if we want to do more combined events because the current situation is they're three days and they're very long days.
"If it's a two-day event, we'll look seriously at having a combined event (in New Zealand) next year and going on."
Black Ferns Sevens star Ruby Tui had spoken at length on how much it meant to her and the team to play on home soil, and said it would be amazing for World Rugby to give them the opportunity to make it an annual occasion.
"I know the French girls and the English girls are really enjoying getting out and about. We want to show them the rest of our beautiful country, there's so much more to see and do, and if we could get all 12 nations here as well, that's part of our legacy we're trying to create."
And while Langley addressed World Rugby's concerns over trying to fit two tournaments in over just two days, Tui had no such worries.
"You're asking a Kiwi. She'll be right, it'll be all good."
World Rugby are expected to announce the layout for their next cycle around March or April, and while Langley confirmed that while there would be some changes in the countries that host the events, New Zealand had a "very good" chance of remaining on the schedule.
However, it might become a biannual affair, as Langley also confirmed there were talks of the Hamilton tournament being held in Fiji in alternate years.
As reported by the Herald in July last year, New Zealand Rugby have been in talks with the Fijian Rugby Union over a deal that would see both countries hosting the tournament.
"There's some negotiations going on," Langley said, "They've got to look at the feasibility of that happening and once they have an idea of what they want to do, (World Rugby) will come in and look at their recommendations.
"It's not an 'it will happen' but it's certainly not an 'it won't happen' – it's certainly something we will look at."
Former NZ captain and Radio Sport cricket analyst Jeremy Coney joined Radio Sport Breakfast this morning to preview the Blackcaps series against India which starts in Napier today.
LISTEN TO THE AUDIO ABOVE
Black Caps coach Gary Stead joined Radio Sport Breakfast this morning.
He told the team they are a little further along in the World Cup squad selections after the recent series against Sri Lanka, and he expects all 14 players in the squad to play India to see action.
LISTEN ABOVE AS GARY STEAD SPEAKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
LISTEN TO NOELINE TAURUA DISCUSS THE WIN WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST ABOVE
Silver Ferns 62 South Africa 60 (after extra-time)
They did it the hard way but the Silver Ferns eventually delivered clinical composure to down South Africa in extra time of their final Quad Series match.
Sixty minutes was not nearly enough to separate the teams in dramatic scenes at London's sold out Copper Box Arena.
There were so many twists and turns it is hard to know where to begin.
With seconds remaining in regular time, Ferns shooter Ameliaranne Ekenasio hit the long shot tie the game and force extra time.
Down by two in the second seven-minute period of extra time, the Ferns somehow clawed their way back; Maria Folau dropping a long bomb to bring her side level and force the match to continue until one side established a two-goal lead.
Bongiwe Msomi (left) and New Zealand Silver Ferns Karin Burger battle for the ball. Photo /Getty
With both teams out on their feet, finally the Ferns found a break and put the match to bed and take extra time 17-15.
South Africa's only previous victory in 33 attempts against New Zealand came at the 1995 World Cup in Birmingham. Ironically, Ferns coaches Noeline Taurua and Debbie Fuller featured that day.
One day after they shocked hosts England, South Africa threatened to repeat those efforts on New Zealand.
But in a much-needed confidence boost after successive losses to England and Australia, Taurua's side refused to crumble.
Much work remains with the World Cup in Liverpool only six months away but one win is certainly better than none.
This time, the Ferns started with such promise.
Rectifying their tendency to start slowly, they burst out of the blocks to score the first eight goals and justify Taurua's ploy for continuity in maintaining the starting seven which combined well for three quarters of yesterday's loss to Australia.
Laura Langman dominated the middle, and Karin Burger again impressed at wing defence; her tall, strong presence nabbing three intercepts in the first quarter and one crucial tip in the final period with South Africa up by one.
Burger is not the finished product but if there is one bright spark to come from this event it is her rapid emergence.
In those early stages the Ferns were in total control. Sensing the game slipping away, Norma Plummer pushed Lenize Potgieter from goal attack back to her more accustomed goal shoot role – the switch allowing South Africa to quickly adjust and find their feet.
Taking a five goal buffer into the first break, the Ferns started the second quarter in a shambolic state. Just as Ekenasio was due to return to court she suffered a bleeding nose. The confusion saw the Ferns start with six players, eventually injecting Maia Wilson at goal shoot and moving Maria Folau to goal attack.
Wilson, in her first appearance of the tournament, struggled to shake the nerves. She hit 5/6 but two fumbles were turned over and she also gave away one penalty.
The Ekenasio disruption, combined with too many erratic moments from the Ferns on attack with ball thrown away or squandered, gave South Africa regular chances to chip away at the lead.
They did just that, taking the second quarter 11-8 and heading to half time two points adrift.
Once again, problematic inconsistency plagued the Ferns.
Ekenasio returned after the interval. By that stage, though, South Africa found their tempo and applied further pressure to take the third quarter by two goals and draw level for the final turn.
South Africa nailed their centre pass and, so, all the pressure fell on the Ferns to chase the game from then on.
This time they delivered.
Crusaders player and member of "Team Rugby" for the "Black Clash " Israel Dagg joined Radio Sport Breakfast this morning to explain why he has placed limited expectations on himself for the coming rugby season.
While Dagg is philosophical about missing out on the All Blacks, he is determined to cement his place in the Crusaders for the 2019 season.
LISTEN ABOVE AS ISRAEL DAGG SPEAKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Silver Ferns coach Noeline Taurua joined Radio Sport Breakfast this morning, and made a point of noting yesterday's use of all 12 squad players vs England was not experimental.
She also said her team need these "off days" before playing Australia on Sunday.
LISTEN ABOVE AS NOELINE TAURUA SPEAKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Black Caps allrounder Jimmy Neesham joined Radio Sport Breakfast this morning to explain why he was extremely candid about his return to the NZ team.
Neesham spoke about adjusting his attitude and focus, and is particularly proud of the effort he has put in over the past 18 months to make it back to the top level.
LISTEN ABOVE AS JIMMY NEESHAM SPEAKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
A chance for Henry Nicholls to do some reconnaissance ahead of New Zealand's five-match one-day international cricket series against India.
In his Black Caps downtime, he's intending to play a Twenty20 match for Canterbury against Central Districts at Napier on Saturday.
The squad to play India has not been selected, but McLean Park returns to international duty the following Thursday for the opening match.
Nicholls says it'll be handy to see how the pitch and outfield plays - McLean Park has been re-turfed after not seeing international cricket since 2015.
The January 23 forecast is for fine weather.
LISTEN ABOVE AS HENRY NICHOLLS SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Crystal Collins is most notable in this country for her unfortunate butchering of the NZ national anthem at the Denver league test earlier this year.
She called Radio Sport Breakfast this morning and sung "The Christmas song" live on air, and Crystal more than redeemed herself with a magical performance!
LISTEN TO THE AUDIO ABOVE
Black Caps captain Kane Williamson joins Radio Sport Breakfast to explain why he doesn't believe in setting lofty individual goals (like centuries scored) in a team sport and doesn't have a list of things he wants to achieve.
Williamson didn't give much away as to the make up of his bowling attack this weekend but did say as they are essentially playing five consecutive tests an element of rest /rotation has been considered.
LISTEN ABOVE AS KANE WILLIAMSON SPEAKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Warriors CEO Cameron George joins Radio Sport Breakfast In-studio for a robust discussion about the future of the club.
George was extremely optimistic about the club's future in the halves despite them not knowing who will replace Shaun Johnson, but admit failure if they miss the playoffs next season.
LISTEN ABOVE AS CAMERON GEORGE SPEAKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
LISTEN TO JIM DOLAN TALK WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST ON ALL THINGS AUSTRALIA
Australian rugby is run by "goons" with an "ever smug chairman" according to the man leading the charge against embattled Wallabies coach Michael Cheika.
Longtime Australian rugby writer Greg Growden has launched into the organisation after the Rugby Australia media conference to update Cheika's position.
Growden, a fiery critic of Cheika's, said RA had treated the public with "complete disdain".
Rugby Australia chairman Cameron Clyne spent just 50 seconds updating the media on Cheika, after taking a break from a long board meeting this week.
On ESPNscrum, Growden wrote:"...you would expect something compelling from an organised media gathering when the Rugby Australia board has assembled to decide whether their national coach, support staff, plus important managerial figures should be sacked or not. It's a big, big day.
"Their ever smug chairman Cameron Clyne waltzed in, told the bleeding obvious that the board had heard a presentation from Michael Cheika, there had been some data gathered, and that they had 'all the information we need.'
"So if they have all the information, clearly a competent board of directors would be able to make a decision.
"No, no, no. We forgot that we are dealing with the master muddlers. Instead it was the usual Clyne gobbledegook about 'going through a fairly thorough review process' and that it 'will be done by Christmas.'
"Then within 45 seconds, no questions allowed, and with a smirk as he uttered 'Thanks very much guys', Clyne exited, no make that fled, saying he had important board business to attend to. Thanks for nothing.
"It was just another time wasting exercise by these procrastinators. No wonder Cheika has been able in his four flawed years in the job to completely play this board off a break, and do exactly what he wants."
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Former Wallaby forward Brendan Cannon summed up the situation by tweeting a photo of a vehicle trapped in deep mud.
LISTEN TO SHANE JURGENSEN TALK WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST ABOVE
The Black Caps don't have to look far for good omens as they fight for victory in the third and deciding test against Pakistan.
Back at the scene of their first test victory in Abu Dhabi, the Black Caps trailed by 74 runs at the conclusion of both teams' first innings – the exact deficit they faced in the first test. And – just like the first test – they're in that position thanks to a major Pakistan batting collapse.
At 286-3, Pakistan had cruised into a first innings lead thanks to Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq, who added 201 for the fourth wicket, with both batsmen bringing up chanceless centuries.
62 runs later, Pakistan were bowled out. After struggling in their first 44 combined wicketless overs, spinners Ajaz Patel (2-100) and Will Somerville (4-75) first broke the pivotal partnership, then ripped through a weak tail order to drag the Black Caps back into the test.
However, by stumps, the Black Caps had lost both openers, with Jeet Raval being trapped lbw for a duck - his first in test cricket - before a moment of madness from Tom Latham saw him aggressively sweep Yasir Shah, picking out Haris Sohail at deep square leg who took an excellent low catch.
Kane Williamson and nightwatchman Somerville saw the visitors through to stumps at 26-2, still trailing by 48 runs, but considering even a lead of 150 would put pressure on Pakistan in the fourth innings, they at least hold a slim chance of repeating their first test victory.
Of course, the Black Caps needed a miraculous comeback to win that test, and they'll be hoping to be in a situation where such a similar method of victory isn't required.
But, for that to be even a discussion worth having is a notable turnaround from how things were tracking, after Ali and Shafiq bossed the Black Caps bowlers to put Pakistan in control.
Resuming the day at 139-3, the pair dictated the first session, aggressively playing Pakistan out of possible peril and placing them in a dominant position.
Ali looked untroubled as he continued a superb series, adding a classy 134 to the 81 he compiled in the second test, and his one-man effort in the first test, where he made 65 in the eventual losing effort.
His 15th test century came off 210 balls, and was much-needed after he arrived at the crease with Pakistan at 0-1. Shafiq proved the perfect foil, starting slowly before building into the innings for his 12th test ton, also looking at ease in his 104 as the pair combined to annoy the Black Caps bowlers for over two-and-a-half wicketless sessions.
Trent Boult and Tim Southee showed a bit of spark with the second new ball, but any edges they could muster didn't go to hand, and they were forced into heavy workloads as they battled away on the slow surface.
Just when things were looking grim for the Black Caps, their spinners finally came to the party. Having resorted to bowling to legside fields, Somverville's first test wicket saw the trap work, with Ali caught at short fine leg, before Patel trapped Shafiq lbw shortly afterwards.
The spinners then had their fun with Pakistan's tragic tail, ending up taking six of the last seven wickets to fall. The other was a runout – it wouldn't be a Pakistan cricket extravaganza without a comical runout – as Yasir Shah lost his shoe, and his wicket, when he couldn't reach his ground coming back for a second run.
From 286-3, Pakistan were all out for 348, and suddenly the Black Caps had renewed hope for a first away test series victory over Pakistan in 49 years.
The dismissals of Latham and Raval significantly dimmed those hopes, and victory would still require a resolute fight from the Black Caps batsmen, and a strong fourth-innings bowling performance.
Just like the first test.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has no desire to fill the hole in the Warriors halves left by the departure of Shaun Johnson.
After Johnson was released by the club late last month, suggestions have been thrown around about who might replace him.
Tuivasa-Sheck's name has come up in the conversation, but the reigning Dally M player of the year told the Radio Sport Breakfast he wasn't a likely option.
"At this stage I'm playing fullback," Tuivasa-Sheck said. "That's the position I prefer to play. I think a lot of the boys, we like to joke about it and say I'll move into the halves, but I don't see myself there.
"[I'll] just stay at the back and catch bombs."
While the question remains whether or not the side will look to bring in a tested first-grade half, the Warriors have a number of players already on the books that could fill the vacant spot.
Talented youngsters Chanel Harris-Tavita and Hayze Perham could make a play for the spot during the pre-season, as could 21-year-old Adam Keighran who joined the club this year from the Penrith Panthers.
Of their experienced first-graders, centre Peta Hiku would be the likely choice to fill the role, having played in the halves intermittently throughout his NRL career. However, second-rower Tohu Harris could be considered for a temporary shift to the halves.
Tohu Harris has shown his ability as a playmaker and a kicker at the NRL level. Photo / Getty Images
While best utilised in the forwards, Harris' playmaking and kicking ability has been well displayed in the past, and he has playing in the halves during his NRL career as well as on the international stage.
So, while Harris-Tavita, Arona and Keighran get up to speed, Hiku or Harris could find themselves lining up alongside Blake Green.
However, Tuivasa-Sheck believes there's plenty of time before the season begins for the young players to show they're serious candidates for the vacant position.
"We've still got quite some time in the preseason, so if they can look to impress the coaches and maybe they'll get that start.
"Then if the recruitment manager and the coaches believe they need to bring someone in, that's in their hands."
The Warriors admit they were caught off guard by Shaun Johnson's request for a release.
The halfback was granted one, after meeting with senior club figures last week.
General manager Brian Smith told the Radio Sport Breakfast they had hoped to discuss where-to-next for Johnson within the club.
"We didn't expect that for a response to what we were hoping would be a discussion with the future with him. We were surprised but not shocked."
Smith says the club isn't as competitive without Johnson, who last weeked signed up with the Cronulla Sharks last week.
Smith says losing a player of that calibre is significant, given their current status in the NRL ranks.
"Maybe not quite win a premiership, but we felt we were moving towards that. And now it;s the job of me and the other executives to make sure that we've re-established ourselves at least at that level."
The team is eyeing the Melbourne Storm as who they would like to emulate in 2019.
Smith says the Storm went on to make this year's grand final.
"They came up with a method that most clubs wouldn't have the kahunas to do. They used two or three guys in that role, and that's something that could come up for us as well."
Chanel Harris-Tavita, Hayze Perham or new recruit Adam Keighran are all halfback options.
LISTEN TO BRIAN SMITH TALK WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Joseph Parker, who has touched back down in NZ after being in LA for the Fury versus Wilder fight, told Radio Sport breakfast he still considers himself the best heavyweight in the world and therefore could match it with both fighters.
Tall Blacks coach, Paul Henare, told Radio Sport he doesn't think he will have access to his best available squad for the World Champs in August, as any NZ coach knows they never get all their best guys in the same squad.
He said he is still unsure if Steven Adams will make himself available.
Boxing promoter and Sky Sports UK analyst, Spencer Fearon, told Radio Sport Breakfast he has no doubt Tyson Fury beat Deontay Wilder yesterday.
He said Joseph Parker can still be relevant in the heavyweight division because he will get the chance to fight young "up and coming" fighters.
LISTEN ABOVE AS PETER PETERS SPEAKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
A veteran rugby league commentator has launched a sensational attack on the Warriors management - and in particular the club's chief executive Cameron George - for cutting ties with star halfback Shaun Johnson.
Johnson was granted a release from the final year of his contract on Wednesday, after the club informed him they wouldn't extend his deal next year, despite eight seasons at Mt Smart.
Former Manly official and Sky Sport radio commentator Peter Peters has slammed the move for being "stunning, undignified, unnecessary, and overreactive" and claims the Warriors have stolen thousands of young New Zealand league fans' hero.
Warriors CEO Cameron George and head coach Stephen Kearney have been slammed by Peter Peters. Photo / Getty
"Thousands of kids must be waking up in New Zealand today with the No 7 jersey, wondering what the heck is going on. They've had their hero stolen from them - virtually kicked out of the club he's been so much a part of," Peters told the Radio Sport Breakfast.
"He's a special player. He's the highest point scorer in the history of the club. He is to New Zealand rugby league what JT [Johnathan Thurston] was to Australian rugby league."
The controversial Peters blames the "Australian influence" at the Warriors for Johnson's departure.
"From this side of the ditch, it seems the Aussie influence of Brian Smith (the Warriors' general manager football), Todd Payton (new assistant coach), Peter O'Sullivan (recruitment manager), and a wet-behind-the-ears in terms of being a rugby league CEO shoving the face of the game in New Zealand [in it] and Shaun Johnson out the door.
"There's no other way to look at it. They virtually did it while he [Johnson] was on tour in the UK with the Kiwis. That makes it worse, it appears the Warriors have fallen in the old trap of having too many influential people."
Peters is particularly severe in his criticism of George, who joined the Warriors last year after great success as CEO of Auckland Racing, and head coach Stephen Kearney.
"The coach has been significant in his absence in all this. He hasn't said a word. It's all come back to a bloke who was running the races there in Auckland just 12 months ago. It doesn't add up."
Controversial former Manly official and commentator Peter Peters. Photo / Getty
The Warriors will struggle to find a replacement of Johnson's quality, Peters warned.
"While they're beating their own chest now and letting Shaun Johnson go, I can't see them getting anywhere near the top 8 next year," he said.
"Just don't think there's any planning at the Warriors. We talk about this new regime at the Warriors, about how everyone's accountable …well they came in eighth. Are we celebrating eight? If we are, you might as well not be in the NRL."
Johnson is expected to ink a three-year deal with the Cronulla Sharks and on Friday thanked his (now former) captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck for his support on social media.
"Damn its gonna be weird playing the boys. Thanks bro, pleasure has been all mine skip," Johnson posted.
Former Tall Black and basketball analyst Brendon Pongia joins Radio Sport Breakfast to share his thoughts on NZ comfortably beating Jordan last night.
Pongia suggested Steven Adams might be available for the World Champs if NZ qualifies, with the "Bring back Steven Adams " call even coming out during the game.
LISTEN ABOVE AS BRENDON PONGIA SPEAKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Fox Sports NRL commentator Andrew Voss joins Radio Sport Breakfast live from Sydney.
Voss explains why is "incredibly disappointed" Johnson is leaving the Warriors. He also thinks potential Warriors recruit ( and Eels youngster) Dylan Brown is a good option but not in the best five young halfbacks in Australia.
LISTEN ABOVE AS ANDREW VOSS SPEAKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Black Caps batsman Ross Taylor joins Radio Sport Breakfast to review day three against Pakistan.
Taylor says Yasir Shah was simply too good for the Black Caps lower order, and sounded hopeful they are good enough to save the test with a better batting performance in the second innings.
LISTEN ABOVE AS ROSS TAYLOR SPEAKS TO RADIO SPORT
Radio Sport Motorsport analyst Bob McMurray joins Radio Sport Breakfast to explain why he thinks Brendon Hartley is done as a Formula One driver having been dropped by the Toro Rosso team overnight.
Bob believes they have made the wrong call though in elevating Alexander Albon to a drive over Hartley.
LISTEN ABOVE AS BOB MCMURRAY SPEAKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Radio Sport Rugby editor Nigel Yalden joins the show live from London wrapping the All Blacks season. He believes the abiding memory of 2018 are the two losses suffered (as is often the case when reviewing an ABs season).
LISTEN ABOVE AS NIGEL YALDEN SPEAKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former All Black Justin Marshall joins Radio Sport Breakfast to explain why he is concerned the All Blacks haven't been playing with great shape this season.
LISTEN ABOVE JUSTIN MARSHALL SPEAKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Listen to the Radio Sport Breakfast interview of author of Jack Reacher novels Lee Child.
Lee joined Kent and Nathan in the studio where he reveals which former rugby great he resembled the Jack Reacher character on, and which New Zealand sportsman would resemble him the most.
Auckland Rugby coach Alama Ieremia joins Radio Sport Breakfast to explain why the modern game of rugby requires coaches to be confident in the "systems" they employ but team selection is even more important. Ieremia believes coaches have to be able to trust their players to make the correct "instinctive" decisions in pressure situations.
LISTEN ABOVE AS ALAMA IEREMIA SPEAKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Black Fern Kendra Cockesdge is thrilled that New Zealand will be hosting the 2021 Women's Rugby Cup.
The halfback told Radio Sport Breakfast that there was a lot of screaming and yelling from the team when they heard the news.
"The girls are really excited about having a World Cup at home turf."
Cockesdge she is excited to see how the game is growing in prominence throughout the country.
New Zealand's pitch to host the six-week tournament received strong Government support from sports minister Grant Robertson, and a personalised video message from Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who expressed her delight at the outcome.
"I'm hugely excited the event will be held here. New Zealand is the home of women's rugby, the Black Ferns captured our imaginations again when they won their fifth World Cup title last year, and our entire country will get behind the tournament and all the teams participating in 2021," Ardern said in a statement from the South East Asia Economic Forum.
"This Government is committed to more women and girls getting involved in sport, so we are enthusiastic supporters of bringing this elite women's tournament to New Zealand and inspiring a new generation of women and girls to get involved in rugby."
The bid also featured a pledge to run a Pacific Nations tournament alongside the World Cup, with the aim of unleashing that region's untapped female talent.
LISTEN TO KENDRA COCKSEDGE TALK WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST ABOVE
New Zealand will host the 2021 women's Rugby World Cup, or to be more accurate Auckland and Whangarei.
New Zealand was overnight awarded the hosting rights to the tournament, the first to be staged in the Southern Hemisphere.
Matches will be staged in Auckland and Whangarei - Waitakere Stadium, the Northland Events Centre and Albany - from July to August, with the final and, possibly, semifinals to be played at Eden Park.
All 12 teams will experience the same training facilities and hotels used to host the 2011 World Cup and last year's British and Irish Lions tour.
New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Tew told the Radio Sport Breakfast they looked at the option of holding games throughout the country but it proved unfeasible.
"We made an early decision that the bid would not be successful if we tried to play it across the country.
"It would have been logistically difficult for the players and also very expensive to run so therefore much more difficult to balance," Tew said.
"So we went out effectively to the market and got a lot of interest which we're grateful for but chose to base the tournament in Auckland and in Whangarei, which have proven track records around these events."
Tew said it was 'the passion and Kiwi approach' that seemed to win the bid for New Zealand.
"In the end I think World Rugby was spoilt for choice with two very compelling bids. Both very capable of delivering outstanding tournaments. At the end I think the councillors probably connected a little better with passion and the Kiwi approach we put in front of them. But who knows?"
"You can't turn up to these things and pretend you have a good bid if you haven't. No amount of show ponying will fix a weak bid. So we had a very strong bid. A country that has a proven track record now of hosting these big international events. People enjoy coming to New Zealand and one thing we pushed very hard was if you want to be the best in any particular sport you go where the game is strongest.
LISTEN TO STEVE TEW TALK WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST ABOVE
LISTEN TO RTE IRELAND COMMENTATOR MICHAEL CORCORAN TALK WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST ABOVE
There's clearly a bit of ill-feeling in Ireland about the way things played out the last time the All Blacks were in Dublin.
It was an unforgettably brutal test that saw three Irishmen concussed, two All Blacks yellow carded and an edgy post-match interview where Steve Hansen asked his questioner if she was trying to get him to admit he was in charge of a dirty team.
The day after the All Blacks' 21-9 victory, Irish team manager Mick Kearney suggested 12 incidents had been put in front of the citing commissioner, 11 of which had been committed by the All Blacks.
Two incidents in particular had upset the Irish: the first was early in the game when Sam Cane's shoulder collected Robbie Henshaw's head in a clash that the officials saw as accidental but the crowd didn't.
And the second was a high tackle by Malakai Fekitoa on Simon Zebo after 60 minutes that was yellow carded when a judicial panel later ruled it should have been red.
On balance, the Irish had good reason to feel a touch aggrieved as the result may well have been different had the All Blacks been forced to play out the whole of the last quarter rather than half of it with 14 men.
The fact it was Fekitoa, back after his spell in the bin, who scored the All Blacks decisive third try only fuelled the sense of injustice.
It's not quite water under the bridge, as evidenced on Monday when Ireland's talismanic first-five Johnny Sexton said about that game: "It was physical. I think that game probably went over the edge.
"But I think it did change a lot going forward. It was a massive game where high tackles were assessed in terms of what was acceptable and what was not. After that, I feel things changed."
It was, indeed, a watershed game in the sense it heightened the need for World Rugby to lower the tackle point and for referees to be stronger in policing contact with the head.
And Sexton was also right when he said: "In some ways it was a sign of respect. They may have been hurting from a few weeks previously. But you only get the respect if you beat them. You feel that when you beat them."
The All Blacks were hurting after losing to Ireland in Chicago two weeks earlier.
That loss got into a few All Blacks' heads and their response when they met Ireland again two weeks later was to rely too heavily on their fury to extract the victory they craved.
The All Blacks were too much bludgeon, not enough rapier and they learned as much in beating Ireland as they did losing to them.
"We went out there and really tried to bash them and we ended up making so many tackles and played the game that way. It was a gutsy win," Cane said a few weeks ago.
"What I learned from that is we don't want to go out there and bash them. Use our skill-set, some of our game management things we learned and play smart as well as physical."
And that's helping this game generate as much interest as it is. The All Blacks, in their inimitable way, had an honest review after that test in Dublin and accepted the need to be more balanced in their approach: to understand that they can hurt teams as much with their movement and timing as they can their physical intent.
They know that to win in Dublin again they will need to find the right mix of physicality and creativity.
The red mist can't come down and blind them to space and opportunity. Their offloading has to be prominent, so too their subtle slip passes that often put the big runners into holes.
But nor can they afford to be passive. They can't concede an inch to Ireland in any of the collision areas and they can't buy entirely into what is a slightly altered narrative of what happened in 2016.
The inference has been strong in the Irish view of what happened in 2016 that they were guiltless victims.
Which is not quite true. Sexton himself would, in the current regime of zero tolerance, have been yellow carded possibly even sent off if he lucked out with a ji...
The New Zealand Trotting Cup is underway in Christchurch at Addington Raceway.
Commentator Matt Richens told Radio Sport Breakfast today is a big day for Christchurch.
"This is kind of our Thanksgiving, it's the start of our holiday period. The weather is always good. It's kind of chance to go out and start celebrating ...and start winding down for Christmas."
He said it's also a day for the horse racing industry to show off and celebrate.
"It's days like this that keep this industry going. This is their party. This is their way of showing the industry off."
"This is the day to show everyone how good we are and to have a big party."
LISTEN ABOVE AS MATT RICHENS SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
A double injury blow for Ireland ahead of this weekend’s test with the All Blacks
The possibility of halfback Conor Murray returning from a neck injury has been quashed, while centre Robbie Henshaw is out for the remainder of the autumn internationals.
Henshaw injured his hamstring during the warm-up against Argentina at the weekend.
There was initial optimism he’d be fit, but coach Joe Schmidt has ruled him out.
Henshaw's likely replacement is Garry Ringrose, who missed the Pumas test with injury.
He's expected to be available to partner Bundee Aki against the world champions.
LISTEN TO NIGEL YALDEN TALK WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST ABOVE
Jeff Wilson, former All Black and Sky analyst, who thought the AB's locks were outstanding yesterday. He also thinks the coaches will be unlikely to substitute Beauden Barrett for Richie Mo'unga and leaving Damien McKenzie at fullback anytime soon.
LISTEN ABOVE AS JEFF WILSON SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Michael Maguire, Kiwis' coach, after an impressive 34- nil win over England in Leeds. He thinks Kodi Nikorima and Shaun Johnson can form a halves combination for years to come. He was also particularly impressed by the Kiwis' defence in the first half and thinks it was based on 3-4 weeks of hard work and finally some cohesion.
LISTEN ABOVE AS MICHAEL MAGUIRE SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Black Caps batting coach Craig McMillan joined Radio Sport Breakfast to discuss the adjustment required by his batsmen in the ODI series vs Pakistan. He also explained why Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls and George Worker will add some strength and experience to the batting order, something they missed in the T20 series.
LISTEN ABOVE AS CRAIG MCMILLAN SPEAKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
LISTEN ABOVE AS ANDREW VOSS SPEAKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
George Burgess' rudimentary search for Dallin Watene-Zelezniak's optic nerve will undergo more scrutiny.
The England prop has been summoned to appear at a disciplinary hearing over an alleged eye-gouging incident during the second test against the Kiwis in Liverpool.
The match was held up while the Kiwis captain had treatment after coming into contact with him on the ground.
It went unpunished by referee Gerard Sutton at the time.
The Rugby Football League announced that Burgess had been referred to a disciplinary hearing.
"The Match Review Panel appointed by the Rugby Football League for the series determined that the incident merits a Grade D charge of behaviour contrary to the true spirit of the game," it said in a statement.
A grade D offence carries a suspension of three to five matches, which puts Burgess' place in the team for Sunday's third test against the Kiwis at Elland Road in doubt.
Any further bans will be carried over into the 2019 NRL season.
Watene-Zelezniak confirmed the fingers of Burgess plunged into his eye but brushed it off in his post-match interviews.
"I felt a finger go in my eye," Watene-Zelezniak said. "That's football. Lucky the doctor was there to give me something. It was a bit blurry after that. Whatever he gave me it helped a lot.
"That's international football. I'm a tough boy, I'm an adult, I'm a man so I can take those kinds of things but what I can't take is a loss."
Watene-Zelezniak was unsure if Burgess' act was intentional.
"I have no idea I'd have to watch the video back. He's a big boy and he's got some big fingers too. I think his whole hand would probably cover my whole face.
"I'm sure he didn't do it on purpose him and his brothers are good guys and they've done really good things for the game. I don't think that's in their kit bag but it is what it is you just have to deal with it.
"I'm pretty sweet now. The doctor gave me some kind of eye drops. I'm sure it was accidental. It didn't really mess with the game much but that's football."
Black Caps' paceman Seth Rance couldn't offer up much of an explanation following their loss to Pakistan.
Gary Stead's side fell to their third straight Twenty20 defeat at the hands of Pakistan, and there were familiar themes running throughout the loss.
It was a third straight game where the Black Caps wasted a superb innings with the bat, a third time they couldn't make the most of a brief period of pressure with the ball, and shambolic run outs made unlucky appearance number three.
This time, it was a stellar innings from Kane Williamson which was left unsupported, as the Black Caps fell to an eventual 47-run defeat, losing the series 3-0, and suffering their ninth defeat in their last 10 Twenty20 clashes.
Williamson was at his ball-striking, innovative best in a masterclass in timing, crafting 60 from 38 balls as he dragged his side back into the clash after the loss of two early wickets.
Chasing a challenging 167 for victory, Williamson gave the Black Caps a sniff. In dire straits at 32-2 in the eighth over – and Williamson scratching around on 14 off 17 balls – he rapidly accelerated, taking apart Pakistan's star spinning duo of Shadab Khan and Imad Wasim.
Balls were flayed to the boundary with beautiful precision, mixing two powerful sixes with some more sedately slayed fours, as for the first time, a successful chase looked plausible.
Then, the Pakistan spinners got their revenge, and the Black Caps collapsed.
From 96-2, the visitors slumped to 119 all out after Williamson couldn't clean Babar Azam at long-on off Shadab's bowling. Glenn Phillips needed to take over, but he fall two balls later for 26, and it got worse from there, with six wickets falling in 17 balls as the Black Caps' batsmen couldn't keep pace with the required rate.
Tim Seifert picked up his second golden duck of the series, then Tim Southee was run out without facing a ball; adding to Colin De Grandhomme's horrendous run out earlier in the innings as Pakistan ripped through the tail.
It all culminated in another missed opportunity – something the Black Caps bowling attack will specifically be ruing after letting Pakistan off the hook once again.
The bowlers have been somewhat found lacking this series, failing to possess the wicket-taking threat required to fully apply pressure on a composed and experienced Pakistan batting lineup.
This time, the seam attack of Seth Rance, Southee and Lockie Ferguson executed the opening overs perfectly – bowling smartly into the pads of the Pakistan openers and restricting them to 38-1 after seven overs.
However, the slower bowlers couldn't match their quicker counterparts. Ish Sodhi took a battering from Mohammed Hafeez (53*) and only bowled two overs, and the medium pace offerings of De Grandhomme (2-41) and Colin Munro (0-21 from 2) were ruthlessly put away by Azam.
Azam became the fastest player to 1000 Twenty20 runs, perfectly timing his innings with 79 from 58 balls, and completely removing the pressure that had been applied earlier in the innings as the hosts eased through to 166-3.
In the end, once Williamson's resurgence was vanquished, that proved more than enough for Pakistan to continue their dominance and send the Black Caps to what is becoming a familiar feeling in this format – defeat.
LISTEN ABOVE AS SETH RANCE SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT
Former NZ Supercars driver Paul Radisich told Radio Sport Breakfast he doesn't think Scott McLaughlin will be thinking about his season-ending capitulation last year, given he will go to Newcastle in a similar position for the finish of the 2018 season.
LISTEN ABOVE AS PAUL RADISICH SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Kiwis' assistant coach Ben Gardiner joins Radio Sport Breakfast ahead of their first test vs England in Hull on Sunday. Gardiner says he expects a very similar 17 named to play to the team that beat Australia.
LISTEN ABOVE AS BEN GARDINER SPEAKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Nick Sautner, Eden Park CEO confirmed the All Blacks vs Wallabies test will be shown live at Eden Park on the big screen after the Mitre 10 Cup final.
The New Zealand, Australian and English cricket boards are among those looking to go upstairs to justice's version of the DRS, in relation to Al Jazeera's latest match-fixing allegations.
The television network claims matches from a variety of formats were subject to potential spot-fixes in 2011 and 2012.
Thirteen of the 15 games involve either England or Australia.
New Zealand only feature via their 2011 test victory over Australia at Hobart.
David Harrison, the investigative journalist behind the documentary, told Radio Sport Breakfast only one reason has prevented them naming those involved.
"What we don't have is the money trail. We don't have the money, the account details of that money being played to an individual player so it would be irresponsible of us to name that player. We don't have 100 per cent evidence of that."
Al Jazeera claim to have a dossier of 42 incriminating recordings.
They allege the illegal bookmaker they spoke to got 25 out of 26 spot fixes correct.
LISTEN ABOVE AS DAVID HARRISON SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Justin Marshall, former All Black and Sky rugby analyst joins Radio Sport Breakfast to preview the Mitre 10 Cup semi-finals this weekend.
LISTEN ABOVE AS JUSTIN MARSHALL SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Crusaders player and new All Black halfback Bryn Hall joins Radio Sport Breakfast live in-studio this morning. Hall explains that even though his ancestry allows him to, he has never considered playing for another country, even when he thought he was unlikely to make the ABs.
LISTEN ABOVE AS BRYN HALL SPEAKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Tongan league coach Kristian Woolf joins Radio Sport Breakfast to explain why he believes young Tongan players in the future will choose to play for Tonga as their first preference (as opposed to using the team as a springboard to the likes of NSW, Queensland and Australia or NZ).
LISTEN ABOVE AS KRISTIAN WOOLF SPEAKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Gareth Evans thought it was all a prank.
The Hawke's Bay loose forward has been named as part of a 19 strong group to travel with the All Blacks and be available for the first two tests of the end-of-year tour.
He told the Radio Sport Breakfast he was having lunch when he started getting messages from Magpies teammates.
"I like tried to look on the internet but couldn't see anything and then 20 minutes to 30 minutes later I got a text from my manager, and I thought it was one of my teammates pranking me but then I got an email and it started sinking in."
Evans will be available for the Magpies Mitre 10 Cup championship semi-final against Otago on Saturday.
LISTEN ABOVE AS GARETH EVANS SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
LISTEN TO KIWIS HALFBACK KODI NIKORIMA TALK ABOUT THE FANS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST ABOVE
The Kiwis deserved to have won by more, and there should have been more people at Mt Smart Stadium to witness it.
So where have test league crowds gone?
Saturday night was a victory and a defeat.
The Kiwis turned around a dreadful few years with an emphatic victory over Australia, a new young team delivering the sort of performance we should come to expect.
But the crowd was put at a mere 12,763, an almighty embarrassment quite frankly and even more so when you consider how rarely the Kiwis play at home. Compare that to the Warriors, who averaged around 11,700 during a troubled 2017 season, and played before an average home crowd of nearly 17,500 this year (according to the club's official release).
There was a lack of spark to the test build-up last week, with attention already focusing on the predicted Australia-Tonga sellout this Saturday.
And the reaction to Saturday night's win is nothing compared to the surge of interest a young Kiwi team created with a shock victory over Australia in Melbourne in 1991. Something has definitely changed.
Where has it all gone so wrong for the Kiwis?
Thirty years ago, the New Zealand Rugby League nervously booked giant Eden Park for the World Cup final against Wally Lewis and the Australians and sold the ground out.
There was an unprecedented build-up to that game, and the Kiwis included some famous players even if a few were past their prime.
That was a one-off occasion, but it does portray how bad the decline has been.
And it's not just here. Check media coverage of Australia's shock defeat on Saturday night — it is hardly a headline-grabbing moment across the Tasman either.
Australia talks State of Origin selections endlessly. In comparison, tests hardly rate.
Potential reasons for a lack of spectators at Mt Smart Stadium for Saturday night's test.-
1) The Kiwis constantly fail and are often well beaten by Australia. Their public image is dreadful. 2) They have lost a connection with the public because players emerge out of Australian clubs, even if they were brought up here. 3) Test football is seen as an NRL sub-plot, consciously or sub-consciously. 4) Players swapping teams dilutes international "tribalism". (It's still going on - Agnatius Paasi quit Mate Ma'a Tonga for the Kiwis recently). 5) Once the NRL grand final is played, the league season is considered finished by many. 6) Poor promotion. 7 The weather (poor excuse, but we're struggling for ideas). 8) Stadium crowds are no longer a good barometer for actual support 9) Pass - it is not fully explainable. 10) Traffic (It's an ingrained Auckland thing) 11) ...BUT NZ v Tonga will be a sellout next year. Thank you....Tonga.
LISTEN TO RUSSELL HARGREAVES TALK WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Deprived of a seat inside the stadium through no fault of their own, a small band of loyal England supporters watched the game from a hilltop overlooking the virtually empty ground.
There wasn't much to see.
England and Croatia played to a 0-0 draw in the UEFA Nations League on Friday, a lackluster match that took place in front of no fans as the Croats completed a stadium ban imposed in 2015.
While this was Croatia's fifth behind-closed-doors international, it was a first for England, and that made it a somewhat bizarre experience for not only the players but the few dozen fans who decided to travel to the coastal city of Rijeka to support their team.
The shouts of the players and the thud of a kicked ball could be heard distinctly, as could the occasional chants of "Enger-land" and "God Save The Queen" that drifted into the stadium from outside. The only people in the stands were match delegates and members of the media.
Given the eerie atmosphere, perhaps it was no surprise the game was such a dud. England struck the goal frame twice — through Eric Dier and Harry Kane — and Marcus Rashford wasted two golden opportunities when one-on-one with the goalkeeper as England had the better of the chances.
This was a repeat of the World Cup semifinal won by Croatia in July, and it seemed a world away from that tense, nerve-jangling night in Moscow.
The two teams are searching for the form they showed at that tournament, in particular the Croatians. This result came after last month's 6-0 loss to Spain in their opening match of the Nations League. England lost 2-1 to Spain its Group 4 opener in the top-tier League A.
Looking to the future, England coach Gareth Southgate gave a debut to Jadon Sancho as a late second-half substitute, and the 18-year-old Borussia Dortmund winger impressed with some surging runs down the right flank.
Croatia had received the stadium ban from UEFA three years ago when a swastika was painted on its field ahead of a game.
LISTEN TO JENNY WOODS TALK WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST ABOVE
It's the moment Kiwi netball fans have been waiting for.
The Silver Ferns finally put an end to their near-historic nine-game losing streak against the Australian Diamonds to claim their first win 55-44 in the 2018 Constellation Cup at Hamilton's Claudelands Arena.
After showing patches of promise throughout the first two tests in Australia, losing 57-42 in Brisbane and 56-47 in Townsville, the Ferns finally proved they know how to win – and how to win well.
Silver Ferns captain Laura Langman said it was very special to claim the win on home ground.
"It's really nice to be fair and I think there's no place like home to do it," Langman said after the clash, "Ultimately for us, it just reinforced that what we're doing, we're on the right track."
"We knew it was there and we just had to be patient … for me the win is really a reinforcement that our processes, when we get them right [and] when we have the discipline and the patience to stick to them, the scoreboard takes care of itself."
Silver Ferns head coach Noeline Taurua was pleased to add a win against Australia to her short record in charge of the national side but was hesitant to get too excited, urging that there were still plenty of areas to address.
"From my end, I can just see the gaps, I know that sounds terrible, but I can see room for improvement," Taurua said.
"It's within our grasp to not only win the [final] but also the cup as well so I'm absolutely rapt that we're still in the game but we've got to be able to put it into action.
"Great improvements from where we were and it's great to get the [win] on the board … [but] time will tell whether we can back ourselves up."
Taking a narrow one-goal lead after the first quarter, the Ferns took control with Maria Folau and Te Paea Selby-Rickit's shooting efforts.
In a bid to settle her side, Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander called Caitlin Bassett on at goal shoot after starting her on the bench, but even the Australian captain couldn't stop the Ferns' fast pace with an uncharacteristically average shooting performance.
Meanwhile, Folau and Selby-Rickit played on with a 100 per cent shooting rate in the second quarter aided by a forceful Ferns midcourt featuring stellar efforts by Gina Crampton and Samantha Sinclair.
Ferns defender and player of the match Jane Watson was in sublime form picking up vital rebounds and intercepts. And, unlike in the past few games, the Ferns treasured possession - capitalising from almost every opportunity they were given to stun their opponents and put the World Champions in unfamiliar territory.
Pulling ahead to their biggest lead in the series so far, the Ferns made sure they kept the pressure on their rivals right until the final moments to steal the show and finally deliver a passionate home crowd that winning feeling.
The decisive win restores hope that the Silver Ferns could claim the annual Constellation Cup for the first time since 2012 but need at least a massive 14-goal win on Thursday night in Wellington to pull it off.
Former Warriors coach and Radio Sport league expert Tony Kemp joins Radio Sport Breakfast to explain why he thinks the Kiwis are a good shot in the test against Australia tomorrow night. Kemp also says that Shaun Johnson's kicking game is going to be crucial
LISTEN ABOVE AS TONY KEMP SPEAKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former All Black and Sky rugby analyst Justin Marshall joins Radio Sport Breakfast to explain why he believes the Springboks' made too many substitutions in the final few minutes against the All Blacks.
Marshall also stated that if Malcolm Marx and Faf de Klerk had stayed on the park they would won, and believes too many coaches are emptying their benches unnecessarily.
LISTEN ABOVE AS JUSTIN MARSHALL SPEAKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former All Blacks coach and Auckland Rugby assistant coach Sir Graham Henry joins Radio Sport Breakfast after his team thumped Southland last night.
Graham spoke about the changes they will make for the game vs North Harbour on Sunday, and thinks World Rugby's idea of a "League of Nations" has some merit and anything that grows rugby internationally is a good thing.
LISTEN ABOVE AS GRAHAM HENRY SPEAKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former Silver Fern shooter and Radio Sport analyst, Donna Wilkins told Radio Sport Breakfast she is hoping the Silver Ferns will play better tonight.
She said the Ferns are capable of winning but they need to play much better than they did on Saturday.
"I'm just hoping that for this game tonight that we do close that margin, and do improve on some things."
LISTEN ABOVE AS DONNA WILKINS SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
The Kiwis are gearing up for their test against Australia on Saturday.
The side has already made headlines, after Dillan Watene-Zelezniak was named as the team's youngest captain ever.
Brandon Smith and Kemmy Bromwich talked with Radio Sport Breakfast about his suitability for the role, and how coach Michael Maguire's style differs from past coaches.
Smith remained mum on his role as starting hooker, but says he doesn't think he has to outplay Damien Cook.
LISTEN TO KENNY BROMWICH AND BRANDON SMITH TALK WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST ABOVE
Former All Blacks coach John Hart joins Radio Sport Breakfast to explain why he is concerned South Africa has been so competitive this season against the men in black. He also spoke about the fact 51 players will travel to Japan and Europe, and thinks it might be "overkill", but understands the reasons for selecting so many players.
LISTEN ABOVE AS JOHN HART SPEAKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Fox league commentator Andrew Voss joins Radio Sport Breakfast to explain why he believes most of Australia's league fans have clocked-out of the sport (now the NRL Grand Final has been and gone) ahead of the test match this weekend.
Voss also spoke to his frustration of Ivan Cleary potentially going to Penrith as early as next season and how meaningless a written contract actually is.
LISTEN ABOVE AS ANDREW VOSS SPEAKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Ryan Anderson is an American professional basketball player for the Phoenix Suns in the NBA, and joins Radio Sport Breakfast to reveal how he knows NZ very well after coming here with his wife and drinking a lot of Central Otago Pinot.
LISTEN ABOVE AS RYAN ANDERSON SPEAKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Super Sports South Africa rugby commentator Matt Pearce joins Radio Sport Breakfast to preview the All Blacks - Springbok match in Pretoria, which has already sold out following the Springbok win over the Wallabies and All Blacks in recent weeks.
LISTEN ABOVE AS MATT PEARCE SPEAKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Fox Sports NRL commentator Andrew Voss joins Radio Sport Breakfast to discuss the current situation with Greg Inglis after the NRL superstar was charged with drink driving soon after being named the captain of the Kangaroos.
LISTEN ABOVE AS ANDREW VOSS SPEAKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Black Caps cricketer Colin Munro joins Radio Sport Breakfast and explained why he is glad he made the decision to ditch red ball cricket ahead of a big summer of ODIs and T20s.
LISTEN ABOVE AS COLIN MUNRO SPEAKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Radio Sport rugby editor Nigel Yalden is in Argentina and caught up with Radio Sport Breakfast this morning. Yalden thinks Steve Hansen has named his best back three of Smith, Naholo and Ioane.
LISTEN ABOVE AS NIGEL YALDEN SPEAKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former Warriors player and Radio Sport rugby league analyst Tony Kemp joins Radio Sport Breakfast and explains his reasons for picking the Storm to win comfortably over the Roosters on Sunday. He thinks also believes Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is a worthy winner of the Dally M award.
LISTEN ABOVE AS TONY KEMP SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
LISTEN ABOVE AS NRL COMMENTATOR GREG ALEXANDER SPEAKS TO RADIO SPORT MORNINGS
Billy Slater is free to take his place in the Melbourne Storm's grand final side, his farewell game in the NRL.
Slater was allowed to take his place after a judiciary hearing which took just under three hours with almost 50 minutes of deliberation.
But former referee's boss Greg MacCallum was a guest on NRL 360 and slammed the shoulder charge rule.
"I think there's too much emphasis on the potential outcome rather than what happens on the field," MacCallum said.
"When you look at tonight's one, you see there's no impact on the head, there is some flex of the neck but was there intent to really put a hit on him?
"I don't think so and I think that's where the 200 points is probably the thing that's going to challenge the game after tonight."
Daily Telegraph journalist and NRL 360 host Paul Kent argued the severity of the charge is what is needed to eradicate it from the game.
"In order to eliminate a tackle in the game that we don't want in the game for valid reasons you have to put in a penalty that is enough of a deterrent that people don't want to do it," he said.
"To suddenly put the rule in and then when we get the result we're seeking to achieve, and then say that's not fair, and bring down the penalty, you're actually removing the incentive for players not to do it."
Kent continued after the decision, slamming the NRL as the call has now established a new normal for the league.
"This now goes into the game as a precedent in a not guilty decision," Kent said.
"Next year when there are similar instances to this, there will be other people around the game championing that decision saying they got it right, but from now on, as we go forward, this is a legal tackle in the game."
Slater led an impassioned defence in the judiciary hearing, according to the NRL.com.
The Melbourne fullback stood in front of the panel to explain the move and why he had no choice but to tackle like he did.
"The whole time my intention was to make a tackle," he said. "It happens earlier than I expected to do but I'm still attempting to wrap my right arm. Even with my left arm is trying to wrap underneath. I was still trying to get my body in a position to get between the ball and the try line."
"I've got a duty to make a tackle, the duty of care is to myself and player Feki. To ensure I don't make a high tackle is a duty to Feki. I feel the contact that was made was unavoidable once he veered back in. I think the decisions I made ensured the safest possible contact was made."
It was a lengthy speech from Slater who fought for his fairy tale finish in the NRL with a grand final on the line.
Retiring Sharks star Luke Lewis was a key defender of Slater straight after the match.
He reiterated his defence of Slater and said the matter should have been dealt with during the match.
"I don't condone shoulder charges but what do you do in that situation, he's got to put his body on the line to stop a try so his team can get through to a grand final," Lewis said.
"We've grown up playing football for a long time and we've been taught to stop tries. A try stopped is probably better than a try scored. I think they should have sent him off for 10 minutes and given us an advantage."
Twitter exploded during and after the hearing with plenty of people wanting to put in their two cents.
Reckon Slater will shoulder charge Cronk in the first minute of GF and end it for both players. #NRL
— Rhys O'Neill (@Rhys_ONeill_) September 25, 2018
Billy Slater to hit the line on Sunday straight from the kick-off with the biggest shoulder charge ever seen in rugby league, killing every Sydney player instantly. He then wails, "YOU NEVER SHOULD HAVE TRUSTED ME!" and disappears into the darkness, never to be seen again.
— Dan Anstey (@Dan_Anstey) September 25, 2018
LISTEN ABOVE AS KIWIS COACH MICHAEL MAGUIRE SPEAKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
The Kiwis have suffered a significant blow ahead of the upcoming international season, with Roger Tuivasa-Sheck being ruled out of contention.
The Herald understands that the Warriors fullback won't be available for the test against the Kangaroos on October 13 and also won't make the subsequent trip to the Northern hemisphere, where the Kiwis will play three tests against England.
Tuivasa-Sheck injured his knee in the first half of the Warriors elimination semi-final loss against the Panthers three weeks ago, after being caught in an awkward position in a tackle.
He left the field and scans later revealed a medial ligament strain.
The 25-year-old had struggled with niggles in the latter half of the campaign, and didn't train in the week leading up to that match with an ankle sprain.
Tuivasa-Sheck has since had surgery, but won't be recovered in time to play for the Kiwis.
His withdrawal isn't completely unexpected, as he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in the same knee back in 2016, and no one wants to take any chances.
But his absence will leave a vacuum, especially in the leadership area.
He was one of the strong contenders to be named Kiwis captain, and would have been a senior player in what is expected to be a transitional New Zealand squad.
Tuivasa-Sheck has also proved himself to be one of the best fullbacks in the sport over the last couple of years, and has taken his game to a new level over the past season.
He had eight try assists, 112 tackle breaks, and 13 line breaks in 2018, along with three tries.
Tuivasa-Sheck was second across the NRL for kick return metres with 1,366 and only two other players ran for more metres than his 178.4 metres per game.
However, the bright news for the Kiwis is that Dallin Watene-Zelezniak will be a more than capable deputy.
Watene-Zelezniak has enjoyed a strong season for the Panthers, and was one of the best players for Penrith in their recent finals campaign.
Fox Sports NRL commentator Andrew Voss joins Radio Sport Breakfast and explains why he is picking the Storm to beat the Roosters in the Grand Final. He also thinks Billy Slater will be free to play and avoid suspension.
LISTEN ABOVE AS ANDREW VOSS SPEAKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Talksport UK correspondent Russell Hargreaves joins Radio Sport Breakfast to discuss all the latest from the EPL and Stuart Barnes’ column which was extremely critical of the appointment of John Mitchell to be an assistant to Eddie Jones.
LISTEN ABOVE AS RUSSELL HARGREAVES SPEAKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
LISTEN TO JUSTIN MARSHALL TALK ABOUT THE SIGNING WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST ABOVE
All Blacks wing Rieko Ioane has agreed a new four year deal with New Zealand Rugby.
World Rugby's breakout player of 2017, and a player considered the best wing in the world, Blues finisher Ioane has been a high-priority signing for the national organisation.
His new deal will be announced alongside that of his brother, Akira, a loose forward on the cusp of the All Blacks squad this morning. Akira is to commit for three years.
With 18 tries in 18 tests, Rieko has become a key attacking weapon for the All Blacks.
"I feel incredibly privileged to get the opportunity to play my rugby here for another four years. I want to give it my best shot at serving the black jersey and, hopefully, I'll get the chance to play at the Rugby World Cup in the future. That's a huge motivator for me," he said.
"It was obviously tough this year for the Blues, but I feel we're on the verge of something special and I want to be a part of that journey. Auckland is my home, it's where I grew up and it's the city that made me as a rugby player, so I want to do my bit to help it move forward."
The All Blacks coaching staff clearly have big wraps on the winger who became the eighth youngest All Blacks test debutant when he came off the bench against Italy at the age of 19 years and 239 days in November 2016.
"He's a vital component of our plan going forward," said assistant coach Ian Foster in Sydney last month before a Bledisloe Cup test in which Ioane strained a hamstring.
"I can't speak highly enough about him. He came in with a bit of a swagger and he has learned about the All Blacks. What I like is he has got real maturity about him, he hasn't got ahead of himself, and he quietly goes about his work.
"He's learning how to prepare better and better every test match, and when he goes out and plays he seems to enjoy doing what he's done since he was a kid. As long as we can keep him in that mode it's really exciting."
Rieko could have virtually named his price on the open market but is determined to leave a lasting legacy in the All Blacks jersey.
New Zealand Rugby's next priorities will be to lock in first-five Beauden Barrett, locks Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock, and loose forward Sam Cane, all of whom come off contract at the end of next year. All are likely to want to extend their time in New Zealand and perhaps as far out as the 2023 World Cup in France.
Whitelock, 29, with 102 tests behind him, will be earmarked as the next All Blacks captain once Kieran Read, 32, calls it quits.
LISTEN TO LIAM NAPIER TALK WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST ABOVE
England coach Eddie Jones has described South Africa's shock victory over the All Blacks as great for world rugby but resisted the urge to stoke fires ahead of a showdown with Steve Hansen's men later this year.
"The All Blacks' losses are quite cyclical. They're batting 90 per cent. They lose one test every year. Everyone's excited but they're still a great team," Jones said today in response to the All Blacks' 36-34 defeat in Wellington.
England and the All Blacks will clash at Twickenham on November 10, the first time in four years the two sides will meet as well as the first under Jones.
"It was a great effort from South Africa. The thing that always strikes me – and I've been coaching 20 years – is the value of emotion in our game. South Africa are under the pump, the coach is going to get sacked, they go to Wellington, they can't win. They come out with this unbelievable defensive effort. New Zealand are just slightly off their game, and they win.
"The test is: can you keep batting at that intensity? At the World Cup you've got to win seven games in a row. "Who's going to have the consistency to get up there and challenge. We're aiming to be that team. Like any great team they are beatable. Every team is beatable but you've got to have the consistency to sustain that effort. "South Africa have done it this year but can they sustain that? We've seen Australia do it last year, we've seen Ireland do it." England's chance arrives soon. With newly appointed assistant coach John Mitchell they may be better placed to cause an upset. But with two big coaching personalities, they could just as easily implode over the next 12 months. All bets are off which way this dice will roll.
Mitchell's arrival in England camp next week shapes as something of make or break for Jones' coaching tenure. Winning one of the past six tests is dire for any major test nation, let alone one with the world's greatest resources. Jones is, therefore, under significant pressure to find an immediate when England welcomes the Springboks, All Blacks, Japan and Wallabies to Twickenham in November. And, so, after many of his core management team deserted him, one year out from the World Cup Jones has turned to Mitchell, a man he has known for 20 years, to help spark a revival and restore confidence. It is an intriguing move. Whatever lavish praise Jones shelled out today there is no denying Mitchell's polarising history. His time with the Lions in South Africa and Perth-based Western Force were marred by allegations of player mistreatment and revolt which, ultimately, led to his exit. With Mitchell on board, it seems England can expect more stick than carrot. "I don't know the circumstances, unfortunately what you read is not necessarily the truth, as some politicians say," Jones said after naming his 36-man squad for a three-day camp in Bristol. "I'm sure he's had difficult situations with teams - we all have. Any coach who's been successful has, but you move on and learn from it and I don't expect that to be an issue with our team or with John. "Do we need that? No. We need good relationships. That's not a hand on the knee and lovey-dovey. You need to have robust conversations. And robust conversations drive better performance, which is what we are after." With 17 jobs in the last 24 years, Mitchell has a colourful CV but his long-time association with Jones now sees him take on the defensive responsibilities previously held by Paul Gustard, who left to coach Harlequins this season.
England's RFU forked out £200,000 (NZD$398,000) to extract him from the Bulls, and despite Jones suggesting he always wanted to recruit another experienced coach, the disruptive turnover of management makes Mitchell's appointment appear the last roll of the dice.
"If you look at the last three World Cups, how many senior coaches has each team had that's won them? 2007, 2011, 2015 all had two senior coach...
LISTEN TO DAVID HOWMAN TALK WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST ABOVE
Former World Anti-Doping Agency director-general David Howman has lambasted the poor principles involved in the decision to usher Russia back into the WADA programme.
The World Anti-Doping Agency declared Russia's scandal-ridden drug-fighting operation back in business Thursday, a decision designed to bring a close to one of sports' most notorious doping scandals but one bitterly disputed by hundreds of athletes and described as "treachery" by the lawyer for the man who exposed the corruption.
On a 9-2 vote, the executive committee took the advice of the agency's compliance review panel and declared RUSADA as having satisfied conditions of reinstatement that were gradually softened over the summer.
In most tangible ways, the decision doesn't change much: RUSADA has been up and running for a while, bringing one of the world's largest testing programs back on line with the help of officials from Britain and elsewhere. And Russia's Olympic committee was brought back into the fold after the Pyeongchang Olympics, where athletes who could prove they were clean were able to compete as "Olympic Athletes from Russia."
But RUSADA's reinstatement, after nearly a three-year suspension, now clears the country to again bid for major international events — although soccer's World Cup was held there this summer despite that restriction.
Howman says they haven't satisfied critical conditions, and people are dreaming if they think Russia will cough up evidence in the next six months that leads to the sanctioning of athletes.
WADA have granted the concession at an executive committee meeting in the Seychelles.
Howman told Radio Sport Breakfast how the politics work.
"What the Russians have been able to do is put pressure on through saying 'look, we will be able to hold international events if we were compliant, and the IOC is saying 'that's pretty important, because international federations want to hold their world championships at no costs."
The IOC form half of the WADA board.
Howman says he was once a cynical optimist about doping in sport, now he says he's a cynical pessimist.
The move also clears a major hurdle for Russia's track team to be declared compliant by that sport's international governing body (IAAF) — one of the few to take a strong, consistent stand against the doping — though IAAF released a statement saying there were other milestones still unmet and its next update isn't due until December.
Perhaps most importantly, hundreds of athletes and dozens of world anti-doping leaders see it as a stinging rebuke to the ideal of fair play.
"WADA's decision to reinstate Russia represents the greatest treachery against clean athletes in Olympic history," said Jim Walden, the attorney for Grigory Rodchenkov, the former Moscow lab director who exposed much of the Russian scheme.
WADA had been telegraphing the move since Sept. 14, when it released the recommendation of its compliance review committee. Olympic champion Beckie Scott resigned from that committee afterward.
"I'm profoundly disappointed," Scott said to Canadian broadcaster CBC after the decision. "I feel this was an opportunity for WADA, and they have dealt a devastating blow to clean sport. I'm quite dismayed."
Ben Hawes, chairman of the British Olympic Association's Athletes' Commission, said: "It is clear the process of the removal of these sanctions whilst key criteria has yet to be fulfilled has angered the athlete community."
Even in Russia, where the news was welcomed, it came with a sense that there's still work to be done.
"These questions will always follow us," said RUSADA CEO Yuri Ganus, whose appointment to the job was part of the housecleaning at the agency that WADA demanded. "These aren't the kind of skeletons which can lie unnoticed in the closet. These are the skeletons which will be banging on the closet door all the time."
The two biggest roadblocks to RUSADA's reinstatement (and still pen...
Fox Sports NRL commentator Andrew Voss joined Radio Sport Breakfast and explain predictions of a Storm vs Rabbitohs Grand Final.
LISTEN ABOVE AS ANDREW VOSS SPEAKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Jeff Wilson, Sky rugby analyst, told the Breakfast team this morning that he believes there are conversations to be had regarding Beauden Barrett’s goal kicking. He also likes Ben Smith at fullback for future games with Waisake Naholo on the wing.
LISTEN ABOVE AS JEFF WILSON SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Gary Teichmann, former Springboks captain, joins the Radio Sport Breakfast and tells the team he thinks that The All Blacks loss on the weekend was a great result not just for South Africa, but for rugby itself, as uncertainty is good for sport.
LISTEN ABOVE AS GARY TEICHMANN TALKS TO THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
All Blacks winger Rieko Ioane joins Radio Sport Mornings ahead of his return to the side taking on the Springboks tomorrow night in Wellington. Ioane talks about the confidence he gets from hearing Steve Hansen call him the best winger in the world.
LISTEN ABOVE AS RIEKO IOANE SPEAKS TO JASON PINE
Former All Black and Sky rugby analyst Justin Marshall joins Radio Sport Breakfast as he explains why he believes the All Blacks will beat the Springboks by 20 points this weekend.
LISTEN ABOVE AS JUSTIN MARSHALL SPEAKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Lee Radovanovich, former NZ tennis player and commentator, who said there has never been a discussion in the game about Serena Williams (and others) perception of sexism from umpires. He thought she was petulant and had no problem with the actions of the umpire in question.
LISTEN ABOVE AS LEE RADOVANOVICH SPEAKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Fox Sports NRL commentator Andrew Voss joins Radio Sport Breakfast to share his thoughts on the Warriors meekly finishing their season. He believes they are in a good position for next season. Voss also spoke about the sensational performance of the Panthers’ James Maloney and the fact he wins everywhere he goes.
LISTEN ABOVE AS ANDREW VOSS SPEAKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Jeff Wilson, Sky rugby analyst joins Radio Sport Breakfast and makes the bold prediction that Argentina is capable of beating Australia next weekend. He also could only give Richie Mo’unga a pass mark after a mixed performance against Argentina.
LISTEN ABOVE AS JEFF WILSON SPEAKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Radio Sport rugby league analyst Tony Kemp joined Radio Sport Breakfast to discuss the Warriors disappointing loss to the Panthers on Saturday night, bringing an end to their season.
LISTEN ABOVE AS TONY KEMP SPEAKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former All Blacks and Sky Sport rugby commentator Justin Marshall joins Radio Sport Breakfast to discuss the changes to Steve Hansen’s All Blacks squad to play Argentina. Marshall also believes the Wallabies’ had to drop Bernard Foley but is surprised by the choice of Kurtley Beale rather than Matt Toomua.
LISTEN ABOVE AS JUSTIN MARSHALL SPEAKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Father Filipe Seluini, who brought new All Black Shannon Frizzell from Tonga to NZ on a junior rugby tour in 2014. It is a truly inspiring story from extremely humble beginnings
Tennis correspondent Graeme Agars joins Radio Sport Breakfast LIVE from the US Open to discuss the sublime performance from Rafa Nadal in what many are calling the match of the tournament.
LISTEN ABOVE AS GRAEME AGARS SPEAKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Fox Sports NRL commentator Andrew Voss joined Radio Sport Breakfast and announced who he believes the Warriors are favourites to beat Penrith on Saturday. He is also disappointed drunken and naked Bulldogs players (from Mad Monday) are splashed on the back pages of the paper, saying professional footballers have to be above that behaviour nowadays.
LISTEN ABOVE AS ANDREW VOSS SPEAKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former All Black and Sky rugby analyst Jeff Wilson joins Radio Sport Breakfast to discuss potential All Blacks selections for the test against Argentina this Saturday. Wilson believes the All Blacks may need to pick Sam Cane at 7, as there is a clear gap between himself and Ardie Savea.
LISTEN ABOVE AS JEFF WILSON SPEAKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Radio Sport rugby league analyst Tony Kemp joined Radio Sport Breakfast to discuss the warriors win over the Raiders on Friday night. Kemp believes the Warriors will make some serious noise in the playoffs if they beat the Panthers on Saturday.
LISTEN ABOVE AS TONY KEMP SPEAKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Diamond League shot put champion Tom Walsh joins Radio Sport Breakfast after his dominant performance in Zurich this morning.
Kiwi shot putter Tom Walsh has claimed his second overall Diamond League title while breaking a record in the process.
The Kiwi shot putter has beaten the all-time Diamond League record by four centimetres, with a throw of 22.60 metres in his second effort at the season-ending event in Zurich
The win sees the reigning world champion clinch the overall title and a purse of NZ$75,000, after also winning in Oslo and Morocco.
Walsh's throw was just seven centimetres shy of his personal best, set earlier this year in Auckland.
LISTEN ABOVE AS TOM WALSH SPEAKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Warriors assistant coach Stacey Jones joins Radio Sport Breakfast ahead of tommrow nights match against the Canberra Raiders.
Jones acknowledged Simon Mannering’s achievement earlier this week (joining the 300 game club) and also thinks at the age of 32 if Mannering played in Sydney and didn’t have the same amount of travel he would be a good chance to play 350-400 games.
LISTEN ABOVE AS STACEY JONES SPEAKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Sky News football reporter Ben Ransom joins Radio Sport Breakfast to discuss bizarre comments of Jose Mourinho yesterday.
Ben thinks Manchester United are in some trouble because any natural choice to succeed Mourinho won’t be available, as they are already at other big clubs.
LISTEN ABOVE AS BEN RANSOM SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Warriors CEO, Cameron George speak with Radio Sport Breakfast about the plans to celebrate Simon Mannering’s 300th NRL game this weekend. He also confirmed the Warriors will play a home semi-final at Mt Smart Stadium and not Eden Park.
LISTEN ABOVE AS CAMERON GEORGE SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Joel Stransky, former Springbok and Supersport commentator told Radio Sport Breakfast he remains optimistic the All Blacks are beatable (but teams will have to deliver an 80 minute performance).
LISTEN ABOVE AS JOEL STRANSKY SPEAKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former Warriors coach and Radio Sport commentator Tony Kemp joins Radio Sport Breakfast to discuss the Warriors dominant performance over the Panthers, and makes the bold prediction from his crystal ball of a Storm vs Warriors Grand Final.
LISTEN ABOVE AS TONY KEMP SPEAKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Tomorrow night, Owen Franks will become the latest All Blacks to reach the centenary.
He will play his 100th test at Eden Park tomorrow night.
Talking to Marc Peard, he talks about his first matches as an All Black, the less glamorous side of the job, and the matches he regrets.
LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW ABOVE
LISTEN TO NIGEL YALDEN TALK WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST ABOVE
To no one's surprise, after all eight players left Sydney with a clean bill of health, the All Blacks have selected the same pack to start at Eden Park as they did in the Bledisloe opener.
No surprise because the All Blacks destroyed the Wallabies at set piece. It wasn't annihilation but it was close: a definite victory by knockout rather than a points decision.
The Wallabies didn't ever really enter the scrummaging battle, preferring instead to mostly drop before the engagement rather than endure the humiliation of being physically buckled for all to see.
They didn't shy away at the lineout, though, but were instead out-thought by a unit that was tactically smarter and athletically more able.
The insult added to injury was the lack of influence either David Pocock or Michael Hooper were able to have at the tackled ball. Neither managed to pilfer much — nothing memorable or momentous anyway — and if anything, the All Blacks looked more capable on the floor through Sam Cane, Kieran Read and of course Brodie Retallick.
If the All Blacks backs had attacked better off scrum and lineout it would have been easier to appreciate the dominance of the forwards.
Instead all six tries came from broken play and hence the awareness, skill execution and timing of the backs have won the popular vote as to why the All Blacks were able to surge in the second half.
But victory in Sydney was built on the colossal performance by the pack and with that should come the realisation that the All Blacks of 2018 are one of the great collective units.
Quite how good they are has perhaps snuck up on everyone. It was only last year the British & Irish Lions felt they could target the All Blacks forwards and own them physically.
Their initial thinking prior to arriving in New Zealand was that the pack was vulnerable - beatable at set-piece but that the All Blacks backs were in a class of their own.
And it's not just the Lions who have gravitated to this view in recent years. Most teams, especially from the Northern Hemisphere, have fancied they could dominate the All Blacks' forwards.
There is global appreciation for the marvellous ability of Retallick and ball-playing skills of Read but the general narrative from opposition teams is that they pin their hopes of victory on being able to exploit the All Blacks' forwards.
It's not that no one rates them, more that the All Blacks are seen as a team that builds its success on its speed, ball handling and natural athleticism rather than set piece grunt and expertise in the rugged chores.
But that's a misconception if ever there was one as the All Blacks pack that will run out at Eden Park is formidable in every sense.
There hasn't been a scrum in the last three years that has got the better of them.
The lineout is largely unflappable and probably the best defensive unit in the world game with Sam Whitelock and Read quite brilliant at stealing opposition throws.
Mostly, but not always by any means, they win the battle of the gainline and collectively they have 526 caps which is only 10 behind the pack that started the 2015 World Cup final.
If and when Dane Coles returns, the All Blacks will be regularly picking in 2018 the same tight five that started that World Cup final in 2015, with Read having also been at No8 in that game with Cane coming off the bench.
Owen Franks, Coles, Whitelock, Retallick and Read are already considered among the best ever All Blacks in their positions.
Moody is emerging into a world-class force, Liam Squire isn't so far behind and Cane, playing in a position that has yielded an unrivalled list of brilliant players such as Richie McCaw and Michael Jones is already sitting as high up it as a 26-year-old could be expected.
They are a vastly experienced, supremely drilled, highly competent, brutal, intimidating group of forwards who far from being the All Blacks' weak link are the foundation on which everything is bui...
Cory Jane, former All Blacks fullback and winger, who said he totally expected Jordie Barrett to be named at fullback and Nehe Milner-Skudder to miss out. Knowing the All Blacks environment as he does he thinks Nehe’s return to play Argentina in two weeks’ time is appropriate. Cory also had a great scheme to get Owen Franks a try in his 100th test.
LISTEN ABOVE AS CORY JANE SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
A former league and union player says that Ryan Crotty probably shouldn't play again this season.
There is concern for the All Black after he suffered another head injury over the weekend.
Former Warriors player Shontayne Hape was forced to retire in 2013 after more than 20 concussions.
He offered Radio Sport Breakfast his expertise on the matter, and says it's ultimately Crotty's decisions to retire regardless of the medical advice.
LISTEN TO SHONTAYNE HAPE TALK WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST ABOVE
Former Warriors coach and Radio Sport commentator Tony Kemp joins Radio Sport Breakfast to discuss the Warriors heartbreaking last-minute loss to the Canterbury Bulldogs, and how they can bounce back to remain competitive leading into the final rounds of the regular NRL season.
Former Warriors coach Frank Endacott joins Radio Sport Breakfast to discuss the unrest among coaches in NRL circles. Endacott believes it works in the Warriors favour, as they have stability compared to the other NRL clubs.
LISTEN ABOVE AS FRANK ENDACOTT SPEAKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Yvonne Willering, former NZ netball coach, who believes expected Silver Ferns coach Noeline Taurua could also coach the Sunshine Coast team (as she is contracted there for 2019). She also favours the return of Casey Kopua as the World Champs are only next year and the Ferns can’t afford a rebuild yet.
LISTEN ABOVE AS YVONNE WILLERING SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
The flying dirt has settled at the PGA Championship, and now people are looking to the future.
It was expected to be Tiger Woods big comeback, but he was nipped to the trophy by Brooks Kopeka.
Former New Zealand number one golfer Greg Turner told Radio Sport Breakfast that Woods changed the game, and his revival is likely to effect the game again.
He says that it is unknown yet how long lived this revival will be.
LISTEN TO GREG TURNER TALK TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST ABOVE
Steel captain Wendy Frew speaks with Radio Sport Breakfast her teams’ improbable win over the Pulse yesterday.
She doesn’t remember ever playing in a comeback win like that and she says she was “peer-pressured” into a Kurt Bakeresque photo in the sheds.
LISTEN ABOVE AS WENDY FREW SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former All Black Jeff Wilson speaks to Radio Sport Breakfast about the suggestion from ex All Blacks, in Peter Bills’ new book “Jersey”, they felt like the Haka had become overdone and commercialised.
Wilson says to an extent the Haka has lost its lustre.
LISTEN ABOVE AS JEFF WILSON SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
SKY Sport commentator Jenny Woods joins Radio Sport Breakfast to give us a mighty preview of tonights elimination final in the Netball Premiership between the Steel and Tactix at Wendy Frew Stadium, Invercargill.
LISTEN ABOVE AS JENNY WOODS SPEAKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Warriors CEO Cameron George joins Radio Sport Breakfast to discuss Friday's blockbuster league action for the club, with the Women’s team hitting Mt Smart Stadium for the first time along with the Warriors.
LISTEN ABOVE AS CAMERON GEORGE SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Sky Sport commentator and former Crusaders halfback Justin Marshall joins Radio Sport Breakfast to chat about his memories of playing in Super Rugby finals, and what he remembers from those early years and the game tomorrow.
Sky Sport commentator and former Crusaders halfback Justin Marshall joins Radio Sport Breakfast to chat about his memories of playing in Super Rugby finals, and what he remembers from those early years and the game tomorrow.
Lydia Ko’s coach, Ted Oh, discusses her game prior to the Women’s British Open beginning.
LISTEN ABOVE AS TED OH SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Lydia Ko’s coach, Ted Oh, discusses her game prior to the Women’s British Open beginning.
LISTEN ABOVE AS TED OH SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Kiwi motocross star Levi Sherwood joins Radio Sport Breakfast to discuss his latest heel injury, and also a study which says the ‘Shoey’ is very unhygienic and some alcohols are better to drink out of your shoe than others!
LISTEN ABOVE AS LEVI SHERWOOD SPEAKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Kiwi motocross star Levi Sherwood joins Radio Sport Breakfast to discuss his latest heel injury, and also a study which says the ‘Shoey’ is very unhygienic and some alcohols are better to drink out of your shoe than others!
LISTEN ABOVE AS LEVI SHERWOOD SPEAKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
New Zealand have said 'thanks, but no thanks' to Pakistan officials trying to persuade them to visit to play the T20 leg of their tour later this year.
And there can be no surprise in that.
New Zealand are going to the United Arab Emirates late this year to play a full series against Pakistan in their de facto home. Indeed NZC officials are waiting for Pakistan to release the schedule, expected to be three matches in each form of the game.
The Pakistan board had suggested New Zealand play the T20 leg in Pakistan. Their last visit to Pakistan was in 2003 when they were flogged 5-0 in an ODI series. A year earlier a bomb blast near their hotel cut short their test visit.
Since the Sri Lankan team bus was attacked by terrorists in Lahore in 2009, visits to Pakistan have been sporadic, short, heavily-fortified engagements against a handful of teams, totally nine T20s and three ODIs from 2015 until April when the West Indies were there in Karachi for three T20s.
Security concerns remain the major issue for countries invited to Pakistan.
The PCB will be disappointed by the decision but they can't be blamed for putting the idea out.
As NZC chairman Greg Barclay put it Pakistan would have seen a visit as a way for them to start to build an international home programme.
NZC had received security information on the situation in Pakistan but had not sent their own experts.
So there's plenty of sympathy for Pakistan, and continued support for moves to get more international cricket back there, but no more.
One issue to consider is insurance cover for players who would go there. That is problematic.
So for now, it's the status quo, and that's unlikely to change any time soon.
Fox Sports Australia NRL commentator Andrew Voss joins Radio Sport Breakfast to discuss the Warriors poor performance against the Titans last weekend, and how they can bounce back to stay in the top eight, only five weeks out from the finals.
LISTEN ABOVE AS ANDREW VOSS SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Fox Sports Australia NRL commentator Andrew Voss joins Radio Sport Breakfast to discuss the Warriors poor performance against the Titans last weekend, and how they can bounce back to stay in the top eight, only five weeks out from the finals.
LISTEN ABOVE AS ANDREW VOSS SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Warriors coach Stephen Kearney has slammed his side's woeful showing against the Titans.
Kearney's men shipped 28 unanswered second-half points on the Gold Coast to lose 36-12, their fourth loss in their last five games.
The Warriors will stay on in Australia this week ahead of Saturday's match against the Dragons in Wollongong.
Sky Sport Warriors commentator and former NRL player Richie Barnett joins Radio Sport Breakfast to discuss yesterday's disappointing performance.
LISTEN ABOVE AS RICHIE BARNETT SPEAKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Warriors coach Stephen Kearney has slammed his side's woeful showing against the Titans.
Kearney's men shipped 28 unanswered second-half points on the Gold Coast to lose 36-12, their fourth loss in their last five games.
The Warriors will stay on in Australia this week ahead of Saturday's match against the Dragons in Wollongong.
Sky Sport Warriors commentator and former NRL player Richie Barnett joins Radio Sport Breakfast to discuss yesterday's disappointing performance.
LISTEN ABOVE AS RICHIE BARNETT SPEAKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Herschel Fruean, from High School Top 200.com, on his rankings of High School rugby looking ahead to the big playoff games around NZ. He also spoke of his desire to have a draft for players to go into the NPC. It should be in the off-season and keep rugby in the headlines.
LISTEN ABOVE AS HERSCHEL FRUEAN SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Herschel Fruean, from High School Top 200.com, on his rankings of High School rugby looking ahead to the big playoff games around NZ. He also spoke of his desire to have a draft for players to go into the NPC. It should be in the off-season and keep rugby in the headlines.
LISTEN ABOVE AS HERSCHEL FRUEAN SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Joseph Parker, ahead of his heavyweight fight with Dillian Whyte on Sunday. He admits this is a must-win fight, given he is coming off a defeat vs Anthony Joshua and knows this is an opportunity to get himself in position to have another title crack.
LISTEN ABOVE AS JOSEPH PARKER SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Joseph Parker, ahead of his heavyweight fight with Dillian Whyte on Sunday. He admits this is a must-win fight, given he is coming off a defeat vs Anthony Joshua and knows this is an opportunity to get himself in position to have another title crack.
LISTEN ABOVE AS JOSEPH PARKER SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former Warriors coach and Radio Sport commentator Tony Kemp joins Radio Sport Breakfast to discuss the close and controversial win for the Storm over the weekend. Kemp gives the Warriors a 6/10 grading after their 12-6 loss to the Storm.
LISTEN ABOVE AS TONY KEMP SPEAKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former Warriors coach and Radio Sport commentator Tony Kemp joins Radio Sport Breakfast to discuss the close and controversial win for the Storm over the weekend. Kemp gives the Warriors a 6/10 grading after their 12-6 loss to the Storm.
LISTEN ABOVE AS TONY KEMP SPEAKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Talksport UK correspondent Russell Hargreaves joins Radio Sport Breakfast live from Carnoustie in Scotland. Hargreaves says there is a noticeable change in the air when Tiger Woods is contending at a major.
LISTEN ABOVE AS RUSSELL HARGREAVES SPEAKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Talksport UK correspondent Russell Hargreaves joins Radio Sport Breakfast live from Carnoustie in Scotland. Hargreaves says there is a noticeable change in the air when Tiger Woods is contending at a major.
LISTEN ABOVE AS RUSSELL HARGREAVES SPEAKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Dan Dibley, from 95.7 The Game in San Francisco, who told the Radio Sport Breakfast there is a genuine 'buzz' of local interest in the World Sevens tournament being held in the city weekend.
LISTEN ABOVE
Dan Dibley, from 95.7 The Game in San Francisco, who told the Radio Sport Breakfast there is a genuine 'buzz' of local interest in the World Sevens tournament being held in the city weekend.
LISTEN ABOVE
Bryn Hall, Crusaders halfback, talked to the Radio Sport Breakfast team ahead of their semi vs the Sharks, a team they haven't played for two years.
He also spoke of the respect the team had for their 'superfan' Doreen Searle who passed away at the age of 96 and has followed the team since their beginnings in 1996.
The team also got him to tip the other upcoming matches this weekend.
LISTEN ABOVE TO HEAR HIS VERDICTS
Bryn Hall, Crusaders halfback, talked to the Radio Sport Breakfast team ahead of their semi vs the Sharks, a team they haven't played for two years.
He also spoke of the respect the team had for their 'superfan' Doreen Searle who passed away at the age of 96 and has followed the team since their beginnings in 1996.
The team also got him to tip the other upcoming matches this weekend.
LISTEN ABOVE TO HEAR HIS VERDICTS
Warriors CEO, Cameron George spoke to Radio Sport Breakfast about Simon Mannering’s retirement.
He also said the money saved on Mannering’s salary will have absolutely no bearing on the possible re-signing of Issac Luke.
LISTEN ABOVE AS CAMERON GEORGE SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Warriors CEO, Cameron George spoke to Radio Sport Breakfast about Simon Mannering’s retirement.
He also said the money saved on Mannering’s salary will have absolutely no bearing on the possible re-signing of Issac Luke.
LISTEN ABOVE AS CAMERON GEORGE SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former Kiwis captain Mark Graham has been inducted into the NRL's hall of fame.
Graham is the first New Zealander to be recognised and will be formally inducted at a ceremony at the SCG early next month.
Graham will be inducted alongside Ricky Stuart, Petero Civoniceva, Gorden Tallis, Steve Menzies and Cliff Lyons.
The second rower played eight seasons for the Bears from 1981 to 1988. He was named New Zealand's player of the century in 2007.
LISTEN TO ALLEN MCLAUGHLIN TALK WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST ABOVE
Former Kiwis captain Mark Graham has been inducted into the NRL's hall of fame.
Graham is the first New Zealander to be recognised and will be formally inducted at a ceremony at the SCG early next month.
Graham will be inducted alongside Ricky Stuart, Petero Civoniceva, Gorden Tallis, Steve Menzies and Cliff Lyons.
The second rower played eight seasons for the Bears from 1981 to 1988. He was named New Zealand's player of the century in 2007.
LISTEN TO ALLEN MCLAUGHLIN TALK WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST ABOVE
Warriors assistant coach, Tony Iro says he expected the Warriors to perform the way they did vs the Broncos.
Iro said he hopes Simon Mannering sticks around next season and thinks his decision to play on is changing week to week.
LISTEN ABOVE AS TONY IRO SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Warriors assistant coach, Tony Iro says he expected the Warriors to perform the way they did vs the Broncos.
Iro said he hopes Simon Mannering sticks around next season and thinks his decision to play on is changing week to week.
LISTEN ABOVE AS TONY IRO SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Hurricanes CEO, Avan Lee told Radio Sport Breakfast the Hurricanes have sold 10,000 tickets for the home quarter final vs the Chiefs and are hoping for a crowd of 25,000.
He said Ardie Savea and Jordie Barrett have signed with NZR through 2019 to match-up with a “world cup cycle”.
Lee said he understands why but isn't a fan because he was hoping to resign both for longer than just one-year deals.
LISTEN ABOVE AS AVAN LEE SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Hurricanes CEO, Avan Lee told Radio Sport Breakfast the Hurricanes have sold 10,000 tickets for the home quarter final vs the Chiefs and are hoping for a crowd of 25,000.
He said Ardie Savea and Jordie Barrett have signed with NZR through 2019 to match-up with a “world cup cycle”.
Lee said he understands why but isn't a fan because he was hoping to resign both for longer than just one-year deals.
LISTEN ABOVE AS AVAN LEE SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
LISTEN TO GRAEME AGARS TALK WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST ABOVE
Novak Djokovic was disconsolate and injured when he left Wimbledon a year ago, quitting during his quarterfinal because of a painful right elbow that would need surgery.
Djokovic was so dispirited by his upset exit at the French Open last month that he vowed, in the heat of the moment, to skip the grass-court circuit.
Good thing he didn't stick to that. Just look at him now, back at his best and Wimbledon's champion for the fourth time. Djokovic ended a Grand Slam drought that lasted more than two seasons, grabbing a lead in Sunday's final right away against a weary Kevin Anderson and holding off a late challenge to win 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (3).
Anderson nearly managed to extend the match, five times standing just a point away from forcing a fourth set. Djokovic held steady on each one, then was as superior in the tiebreaker as he was most of the sun-drenched afternoon.
It is Djokovic's 13th major trophy, the fourth-highest total in the history of men's tennis, trailing only Roger Federer's 20, Rafael Nadal's 17 and Pete Sampras' 14.
But it's also Djokovic's first since he completed a career Grand Slam at the 2016 French Open.
During that time, he struggled with the first major injury of his professional career, one that forced him off the tour for the last half of 2017. He eventually had an operation this February, and as his losses accumulated, his ranking fell out of the top 20 for the first time in more than a decade.
At No. 21, Djokovic is the lowest-ranked Wimbledon titlist since Goran Ivanisevic in 2001.
Under a pale blue sky interrupted by only the occasional soft white puff of cloud, with the temperature at 86 degrees (30 Celsius), Djokovic started so well, and Anderson shakily.
That might have been easy to anticipate beforehand.
This was, after all, the 22nd Grand Slam final for Djokovic, and the second for Anderson, a 6-foot-8 powerful server who was the runner-up at last year's U.S. Open and was aiming to become the first South African man to win at Wimbledon.
Plus, Anderson could be excused for exhaustion. His semifinal was the second-longest Grand Slam match in history, lasting more than 6½ hours until he edged John Isner 26-24 in the fifth set. And that followed another extended fifth set in his 13-11 upset of eight-time champion Federer in the quarterfinals.
So it was no wonder that, with all of that time on court, all of that stress on his racket-swinging arm, Anderson was visited by a trainer after Sunday's opening set to get his right elbow massaged.
Anderson was so out of sorts, his strokes so off-the-mark, that Djokovic gathered eight of the first 10 games even though he only conjured up two winners. No need for more, because Anderson gifted him 15 unforced errors in that span.
By the conclusion of a third consecutive dud of a straight-set men's singles final at the All England Club, Anderson had made 32 unforced errors, and the steady Djokovic merely 13.
Another key: Djokovic was able to handle Anderson's big serves much better than previous opponents. Widely considered the top returner in the game today, Djokovic broke Anderson four times. Consider that Anderson held in each of his last 27 service games against Isner, and dropped his very first on Sunday.
And one more: Djokovic saved all seven break points he faced, including five that would have given Anderson the third set.
As much as Djokovic is known for his body-bending defense and unerring reads on opponents' serves, he's also someone who fills his matches with histrionics and exaggerated reactions, whether violently smacking the side of his shoe with his racket — as he did against Nadal — or tearing off his shirt to celebrate a victory.
This day was no different. Angered by fans making noise during points, he told the chair umpire to tell them to shut up, adding a colorful word in there. He pointed to his ear after winning one point, as if to say: "Who are you cheerin...
LISTEN TO GRAEME AGARS TALK WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST ABOVE
Novak Djokovic was disconsolate and injured when he left Wimbledon a year ago, quitting during his quarterfinal because of a painful right elbow that would need surgery.
Djokovic was so dispirited by his upset exit at the French Open last month that he vowed, in the heat of the moment, to skip the grass-court circuit.
Good thing he didn't stick to that. Just look at him now, back at his best and Wimbledon's champion for the fourth time. Djokovic ended a Grand Slam drought that lasted more than two seasons, grabbing a lead in Sunday's final right away against a weary Kevin Anderson and holding off a late challenge to win 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (3).
Anderson nearly managed to extend the match, five times standing just a point away from forcing a fourth set. Djokovic held steady on each one, then was as superior in the tiebreaker as he was most of the sun-drenched afternoon.
It is Djokovic's 13th major trophy, the fourth-highest total in the history of men's tennis, trailing only Roger Federer's 20, Rafael Nadal's 17 and Pete Sampras' 14.
But it's also Djokovic's first since he completed a career Grand Slam at the 2016 French Open.
During that time, he struggled with the first major injury of his professional career, one that forced him off the tour for the last half of 2017. He eventually had an operation this February, and as his losses accumulated, his ranking fell out of the top 20 for the first time in more than a decade.
At No. 21, Djokovic is the lowest-ranked Wimbledon titlist since Goran Ivanisevic in 2001.
Under a pale blue sky interrupted by only the occasional soft white puff of cloud, with the temperature at 86 degrees (30 Celsius), Djokovic started so well, and Anderson shakily.
That might have been easy to anticipate beforehand.
This was, after all, the 22nd Grand Slam final for Djokovic, and the second for Anderson, a 6-foot-8 powerful server who was the runner-up at last year's U.S. Open and was aiming to become the first South African man to win at Wimbledon.
Plus, Anderson could be excused for exhaustion. His semifinal was the second-longest Grand Slam match in history, lasting more than 6½ hours until he edged John Isner 26-24 in the fifth set. And that followed another extended fifth set in his 13-11 upset of eight-time champion Federer in the quarterfinals.
So it was no wonder that, with all of that time on court, all of that stress on his racket-swinging arm, Anderson was visited by a trainer after Sunday's opening set to get his right elbow massaged.
Anderson was so out of sorts, his strokes so off-the-mark, that Djokovic gathered eight of the first 10 games even though he only conjured up two winners. No need for more, because Anderson gifted him 15 unforced errors in that span.
By the conclusion of a third consecutive dud of a straight-set men's singles final at the All England Club, Anderson had made 32 unforced errors, and the steady Djokovic merely 13.
Another key: Djokovic was able to handle Anderson's big serves much better than previous opponents. Widely considered the top returner in the game today, Djokovic broke Anderson four times. Consider that Anderson held in each of his last 27 service games against Isner, and dropped his very first on Sunday.
And one more: Djokovic saved all seven break points he faced, including five that would have given Anderson the third set.
As much as Djokovic is known for his body-bending defense and unerring reads on opponents' serves, he's also someone who fills his matches with histrionics and exaggerated reactions, whether violently smacking the side of his shoe with his racket — as he did against Nadal — or tearing off his shirt to celebrate a victory.
This day was no different. Angered by fans making noise during points, he told the chair umpire to tell them to shut up, adding a colorful word in there. He pointed to his ear after winning one point, as if to say: "Who are you cheering for now?!" He ble...
Enda Brady is a Sky News reporter and joins Radio Sport Breakfast live from Moscow ahead of the highly anticipated semi final between England vs Croatia, to be played tomorrow morning.
LISTEN ABOVE AS ENDA BRADY SPEAKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Enda Brady is a Sky News reporter and joins Radio Sport Breakfast live from Moscow ahead of the highly anticipated semi final between England vs Croatia, to be played tomorrow morning.
LISTEN ABOVE AS ENDA BRADY SPEAKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Russell Hargreaves, Talksport UK football commentator, joins Radio Sport Breakfast to discuss the surprising success of England at the World Cup, including their World Cup wins at the U17 and U20 levels in 2017, and the story behind Gareth Southgate’s rise to the position of national hero.
LISTEN ABOVE AS RUSSELL HARGREAVES SPEAKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Russell Hargreaves, Talksport UK football commentator, joins Radio Sport Breakfast to discuss the surprising success of England at the World Cup, including their World Cup wins at the U17 and U20 levels in 2017, and the story behind Gareth Southgate’s rise to the position of national hero.
LISTEN ABOVE AS RUSSELL HARGREAVES SPEAKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Radio Sport league commentator, Tony Kemp, says he gives the Warriors a 2\10 after the thrashing by the Panthers. He doesn’t think Stephen Kearney will drop Peter Hiku, even after his shocking performance.
LISTEN ABOVE AS TONY KEMP SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Radio Sport league commentator, Tony Kemp, says he gives the Warriors a 2\10 after the thrashing by the Panthers. He doesn’t think Stephen Kearney will drop Peter Hiku, even after his shocking performance.
LISTEN ABOVE AS TONY KEMP SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
LISTEN ABOVE AS WIMBLEDON CORRESPONDENT GRAEME AGAR SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO BREAKFAST TEAM
Guido Pella of Argentina came from two sets down to stun third-seeded Marin Cilic at Wimbledon on Thursday, beating last year's finalist 3-6, 1-6, 6-4, 7-6 (3), 7-5 in the second round.
Cilic looked headed for a routine victory before the match was suspended by rain in the third set on Wednesday but the former U.S. Open champion couldn't find the same rhythm on Thursday.
"Yesterday he was playing so, so good, and hitting the ball so hard that I couldn't do anything," the 82nd-ranked Pella said. "So the rain helped me a lot."
Cilic was runner-up to Roger Federer last year and showed great form by beating Novak Djokovic in the Queen's Club final last month.
His early exit opens up Federer's path to the final even more, with No. 8 Kevin Anderson the highest-seeded player left in the Swiss star's half of the draw after No. 6 Grigor Dimitrov lost in the first round.
Stan Wawrinka also exited, losing to Italian qualifier Thomas Fabbiano 7-6 (7), 6-3, 7-6 (6). That match was also suspended on Wednesday with Wawrinka leading 6-5 in the third set, but Fabbiano wrapped up the victory quickly to equal his best Grand Slam result by reaching the third round.
Wawrinka, whose ranking has fallen to 224th following knee surgery, came from a set down to upset sixth-seeded Grigor Dimitrov in the first round for just his second Grand Slam victory since last year's Wimbledon.
Former champions Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal remained on course for a semifinal meeting.
Djokovic overcame an apparent thigh problem to beat Horacio Zeballos 6-1, 6-2, 6-3, while top-ranked Nadal defeated Mikhail Kukushkin of Kazakhstan 6-4, 6-3, 6-4.
Djokovic called for a trainer and had his left leg massaged when leading 4-3 in the third set. But he easily held serve in the next game and broke Zeballos again to close out the match.
Nadal won only 64 percent of points on his first serve and faced 13 break points — including three in the first game of the match — but he saved 11 of them and converted five of his own to wrap up the win in under 2 1/2 hours on Centre Court.
The 11-time French Open champion is looking for his third title at the All England Club and first since 2010.
Anderson hit 34 aces to beat Andreas Seppi 6-3, 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-4 and set up a third-round meeting with Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany.
Ninth-seeded John Isner hit 64 aces and saved two match points to beat Ruben Bemelmans 6-1, 6-4, 6-7 (6), 6-7 (3), 7-5 in a match that was also suspended overnight.
Isner's ace total was the third-highest ever at Wimbledon — behind his own record in a three-day epic against Nicolas Mahut in 2010, the longest tennis match in history. Isner had 113 aces in that match and Mahut hit 103.
Isner faced two match points against Bemelmans at 5-4 in the fifth set but held and then broke in the next game.
He was given a code violation in the fourth-set tiebreaker on Wednesday after losing his cool following a video review that went against him.
Meanwhile defending women's champion Garbine Muguruza is out of Wimbledon in the second round.
Muguruza, the No. 3 seed, was stunned 5-7, 6-2, 6-1 by 47th-ranked Alison Van Uytvanck of Belgium.
The surprise means only two of the top eight seeded women are still in the field after only four days of action at the All England Club.
Van Uytvanck entered this year's edition of Wimbledon with a 1-4 record in the grass-court tournament.
Muguruza, meanwhile, not only won her second career Grand Slam title in 2017 at Wimbledon, but also reached the 2015 final. She was the 2016 French Open champion, too.
LISTEN ABOVE AS WIMBLEDON CORRESPONDENT GRAEME AGAR SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO BREAKFAST TEAM
Guido Pella of Argentina came from two sets down to stun third-seeded Marin Cilic at Wimbledon on Thursday, beating last year's finalist 3-6, 1-6, 6-4, 7-6 (3), 7-5 in the second round.
Cilic looked headed for a routine victory before the match was suspended by rain in the third set on Wednesday but the former U.S. Open champion couldn't find the same rhythm on Thursday.
"Yesterday he was playing so, so good, and hitting the ball so hard that I couldn't do anything," the 82nd-ranked Pella said. "So the rain helped me a lot."
Cilic was runner-up to Roger Federer last year and showed great form by beating Novak Djokovic in the Queen's Club final last month.
His early exit opens up Federer's path to the final even more, with No. 8 Kevin Anderson the highest-seeded player left in the Swiss star's half of the draw after No. 6 Grigor Dimitrov lost in the first round.
Stan Wawrinka also exited, losing to Italian qualifier Thomas Fabbiano 7-6 (7), 6-3, 7-6 (6). That match was also suspended on Wednesday with Wawrinka leading 6-5 in the third set, but Fabbiano wrapped up the victory quickly to equal his best Grand Slam result by reaching the third round.
Wawrinka, whose ranking has fallen to 224th following knee surgery, came from a set down to upset sixth-seeded Grigor Dimitrov in the first round for just his second Grand Slam victory since last year's Wimbledon.
Former champions Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal remained on course for a semifinal meeting.
Djokovic overcame an apparent thigh problem to beat Horacio Zeballos 6-1, 6-2, 6-3, while top-ranked Nadal defeated Mikhail Kukushkin of Kazakhstan 6-4, 6-3, 6-4.
Djokovic called for a trainer and had his left leg massaged when leading 4-3 in the third set. But he easily held serve in the next game and broke Zeballos again to close out the match.
Nadal won only 64 percent of points on his first serve and faced 13 break points — including three in the first game of the match — but he saved 11 of them and converted five of his own to wrap up the win in under 2 1/2 hours on Centre Court.
The 11-time French Open champion is looking for his third title at the All England Club and first since 2010.
Anderson hit 34 aces to beat Andreas Seppi 6-3, 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-4 and set up a third-round meeting with Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany.
Ninth-seeded John Isner hit 64 aces and saved two match points to beat Ruben Bemelmans 6-1, 6-4, 6-7 (6), 6-7 (3), 7-5 in a match that was also suspended overnight.
Isner's ace total was the third-highest ever at Wimbledon — behind his own record in a three-day epic against Nicolas Mahut in 2010, the longest tennis match in history. Isner had 113 aces in that match and Mahut hit 103.
Isner faced two match points against Bemelmans at 5-4 in the fifth set but held and then broke in the next game.
He was given a code violation in the fourth-set tiebreaker on Wednesday after losing his cool following a video review that went against him.
Meanwhile defending women's champion Garbine Muguruza is out of Wimbledon in the second round.
Muguruza, the No. 3 seed, was stunned 5-7, 6-2, 6-1 by 47th-ranked Alison Van Uytvanck of Belgium.
The surprise means only two of the top eight seeded women are still in the field after only four days of action at the All England Club.
Van Uytvanck entered this year's edition of Wimbledon with a 1-4 record in the grass-court tournament.
Muguruza, meanwhile, not only won her second career Grand Slam title in 2017 at Wimbledon, but also reached the 2015 final. She was the 2016 French Open champion, too.
NZ Herald football writer, Michael Burgess, talked to the team from Moscow. He went to the England vs Colombia match yesterday. He is now travelling to Kazan and is reluctant to try the local delicacy there… horse.
LISTEN ABOVE AS MICHAEL BURGESS TALKS TO THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST TEAM
NZ Herald football writer, Michael Burgess, talked to the team from Moscow. He went to the England vs Colombia match yesterday. He is now travelling to Kazan and is reluctant to try the local delicacy there… horse.
LISTEN ABOVE AS MICHAEL BURGESS TALKS TO THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST TEAM
Wimbledon correspondent, Graeme Agars, says it wasn't Caroline Wozniaki's day on the fourth day of Wimbledon with flying ants and a tough draw contributing to her early exit from the tournament. Meanwhile Roger Federer wowed the crowd with 35 consecutive service points which he says was simply down to finding a 'good rhythm'.
LISTEN ABOVE AS GRAEME AGAR SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO BREAKFAST TEAM
Wimbledon correspondent, Graeme Agars, says it wasn't Caroline Wozniaki's day on the fourth day of Wimbledon with flying ants and a tough draw contributing to her early exit from the tournament. Meanwhile Roger Federer wowed the crowd with 35 consecutive service points which he says was simply down to finding a 'good rhythm'.
LISTEN ABOVE AS GRAEME AGAR SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO BREAKFAST TEAM
Basketball Australia chairman Ned Coten has praised the restraint of Boomers players in the aftermath of the brawl during their World Cup qualifier against the Philippines.
The team arrived in Melbourne from Manila this morning but players were too tired to speak.
Coten said the international body (FIBA) needed to go though a process over the incident.
"Obviously in any sporting environment we want to see sport as something that brings people together,'' he told news.com.
"All of us accept there is a level of responsibility when you enter any professional environment and the actions were out of character for a lot of players.
"I don't think anyone is shying away from the level of responsibility.
"It was an important game and so both teams were looking forward to playing."
Coten said some of the players' actions were "out of character" but praised them for their discipline in staying together during the ugly fight.
As FIBA begin their investigation into the incident, Coten praised the restraint shown by the playing group.
"The situation that occurred in Manila at the game was very unfortunate, Basketball Australia certainly accepts a level of responsibility for the things that happened, as do the players," Coten said.
"We're extremely supportive of the playing group and the players and the management, it was out of character for our players to act in the way that they did, but we are very proud of the way our group showed restraint."
Jim Dolan, Sports Director ARN, told Radio Sports Breakfast the disgust for the Boomers is now on-par with that felt towards the Australian cricket team after the ball tampering incident.
Basketball Australia chairman Ned Coten has praised the restraint of Boomers players in the aftermath of the brawl during their World Cup qualifier against the Philippines.
The team arrived in Melbourne from Manila this morning but players were too tired to speak.
Coten said the international body (FIBA) needed to go though a process over the incident.
"Obviously in any sporting environment we want to see sport as something that brings people together,'' he told news.com.
"All of us accept there is a level of responsibility when you enter any professional environment and the actions were out of character for a lot of players.
"I don't think anyone is shying away from the level of responsibility.
"It was an important game and so both teams were looking forward to playing."
Coten said some of the players' actions were "out of character" but praised them for their discipline in staying together during the ugly fight.
As FIBA begin their investigation into the incident, Coten praised the restraint shown by the playing group.
"The situation that occurred in Manila at the game was very unfortunate, Basketball Australia certainly accepts a level of responsibility for the things that happened, as do the players," Coten said.
"We're extremely supportive of the playing group and the players and the management, it was out of character for our players to act in the way that they did, but we are very proud of the way our group showed restraint."
Jim Dolan, Sports Director ARN, told Radio Sports Breakfast the disgust for the Boomers is now on-par with that felt towards the Australian cricket team after the ball tampering incident.
LISTEN TO GRAEME AGARS TALK WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST ABOVE
These are not the sorts of matches Maria Sharapova is supposed to lose, letting lead after lead slip away Tuesday against a qualifier ranked 132nd — and in the first round of Wimbledon, no less.
Then again, at this edition of The Championships, as they prefer to call the event around here, the initial 48 hours have provided more surprising exits than anyone's accustomed to: A total of seven top-10 men's and women's seeds departed in the opening round, more than in any previous year in the professional era's half-century.
That includes two-time champion and No. 8 seed Petra Kvitova, who was sent home by Aliaksandra Sasnovich of Belarus 6-4, 4-6, 6-0 a few hours before 2004 titlist Sharapova folded against Vitalia Diatchenko in a 6-7 (3), 7-6 (3), 6-4 loss she seemingly controlled time and again before dropping the last three games.
"Sometimes," Sharapova said, "you put yourself in a better or winning position, and you don't finish."
A 15-month doping ban kept her out of the grass-court Grand Slam tournament in 2016, and an injury sidelined her a year ago. It looked as if it would be a pleasant, straightforward return when she went ahead by a set and a break at 5-2.
Sharapova then served for the match at 5-3, but faltered. After being pushed to a third set, Sharapova went up a break at 2-1. That edge disappeared right away. She went up another break at 4-3. That advantage, too, was given right back. Sharapova's collapse eventually ended, perhaps fittingly, with her 11th double-fault.
How unlikely was this result?
Since losing the first two Grand Slam matches of her career as a teenager, Sharapova was 49-1 in openers at majors, 13-0 at Wimbledon.She's a former No. 1, now seeded 24th, who owns five Grand Slam titles.
And Diatchenko?
Repeatedly sidetracked by injuries of one sort or another — "I think I will write a book after I finish playing," Diatchenko joked about her health history — the 27-year-old Russian came into the day 0-2 at Wimbledon and 8-25 overall in main-draw matches at all tour-level events.
LISTEN TO GRAEME AGARS TALK WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST ABOVE
These are not the sorts of matches Maria Sharapova is supposed to lose, letting lead after lead slip away Tuesday against a qualifier ranked 132nd — and in the first round of Wimbledon, no less.
Then again, at this edition of The Championships, as they prefer to call the event around here, the initial 48 hours have provided more surprising exits than anyone's accustomed to: A total of seven top-10 men's and women's seeds departed in the opening round, more than in any previous year in the professional era's half-century.
That includes two-time champion and No. 8 seed Petra Kvitova, who was sent home by Aliaksandra Sasnovich of Belarus 6-4, 4-6, 6-0 a few hours before 2004 titlist Sharapova folded against Vitalia Diatchenko in a 6-7 (3), 7-6 (3), 6-4 loss she seemingly controlled time and again before dropping the last three games.
"Sometimes," Sharapova said, "you put yourself in a better or winning position, and you don't finish."
A 15-month doping ban kept her out of the grass-court Grand Slam tournament in 2016, and an injury sidelined her a year ago. It looked as if it would be a pleasant, straightforward return when she went ahead by a set and a break at 5-2.
Sharapova then served for the match at 5-3, but faltered. After being pushed to a third set, Sharapova went up a break at 2-1. That edge disappeared right away. She went up another break at 4-3. That advantage, too, was given right back. Sharapova's collapse eventually ended, perhaps fittingly, with her 11th double-fault.
How unlikely was this result?
Since losing the first two Grand Slam matches of her career as a teenager, Sharapova was 49-1 in openers at majors, 13-0 at Wimbledon.She's a former No. 1, now seeded 24th, who owns five Grand Slam titles.
And Diatchenko?
Repeatedly sidetracked by injuries of one sort or another — "I think I will write a book after I finish playing," Diatchenko joked about her health history — the 27-year-old Russian came into the day 0-2 at Wimbledon and 8-25 overall in main-draw matches at all tour-level events.
LISTEN TO GRAEME AGARS TALK WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST ABOVE
U.S. Open champion Sloane Stephens is out of Wimbledon after a 6-1, 6-3 defeat to Donna Vekic.
The fourth-seeded Stephens produced an error-strewn display on No. 1 Court as she exited in the opening round for a second consecutive year.
Having backed up her 2017 U.S. Open triumph by reaching the French Open final last month, Stephens was considered a contender for the title at the All England Club.
The 55th-ranked Vekic moves into the second round for the third time in her career after recording her first ever win over a top-five ranked player.
The 22-year-old Croat next faces Viktoria Kuzmova of Slovakia or Rebecca Peterson of Sweden.
Other results:
Serena Williams needed six match points to finish off a 7-5, 6-3 win over Arantxa Rus of the Netherlands.
Borna Coric became the highest seeded male to exit Wimbledon on Day 1 when he lost 7-6 (6), 6-2, 6-2 to Daniil Medvedev.
The eight-time champion Roger Federer began his title defense in style at the All England Club, brushing aside Dusan Lajovic 6-1, 6-3, 6-4 in 79 minutes on Centre Court.
Last year's runner-up Marin Cilic cruised to a 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 win over Japanese player Yoshihito Nishioka.
Five-time champion Venus Williams advanced to the second round with a 6-7 (3), 6-2, 6-1 victory over Johanna Larsson.
Australian Open champion Caroline Wozniacki cruised with a 6-0, 6-3 win over American Varvara Lepchenko.
LISTEN TO GRAEME AGARS TALK WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST ABOVE
U.S. Open champion Sloane Stephens is out of Wimbledon after a 6-1, 6-3 defeat to Donna Vekic.
The fourth-seeded Stephens produced an error-strewn display on No. 1 Court as she exited in the opening round for a second consecutive year.
Having backed up her 2017 U.S. Open triumph by reaching the French Open final last month, Stephens was considered a contender for the title at the All England Club.
The 55th-ranked Vekic moves into the second round for the third time in her career after recording her first ever win over a top-five ranked player.
The 22-year-old Croat next faces Viktoria Kuzmova of Slovakia or Rebecca Peterson of Sweden.
Other results:
Serena Williams needed six match points to finish off a 7-5, 6-3 win over Arantxa Rus of the Netherlands.
Borna Coric became the highest seeded male to exit Wimbledon on Day 1 when he lost 7-6 (6), 6-2, 6-2 to Daniil Medvedev.
The eight-time champion Roger Federer began his title defense in style at the All England Club, brushing aside Dusan Lajovic 6-1, 6-3, 6-4 in 79 minutes on Centre Court.
Last year's runner-up Marin Cilic cruised to a 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 win over Japanese player Yoshihito Nishioka.
Five-time champion Venus Williams advanced to the second round with a 6-7 (3), 6-2, 6-1 victory over Johanna Larsson.
Australian Open champion Caroline Wozniacki cruised with a 6-0, 6-3 win over American Varvara Lepchenko.
Talksport UK correspondent, Russell Hargreaves, speaks with Radio Sport Breakfast about all the action at the FIFA World Cup.
LISTEN ABOVE AS RUSSELL HARGREAVES SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Talksport UK correspondent, Russell Hargreaves, speaks with Radio Sport Breakfast about all the action at the FIFA World Cup.
LISTEN ABOVE AS RUSSELL HARGREAVES SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Fred de Jong, former All White and proud Dutchman, says there are a lot of celebrations happening across the Netherlands as fierce rivals Germany were knocked out of the World Cup this morning.
He says that although Germany deserves a lot of credit with how they have played over the years, it is now time for them to experience a feeling they are not familiar with.
"I thought the commentator summed it up really well when he had a shot at Thomas Muller when he said he was a World Cup winner, now he can experience the other side"
LISTEN ABOVE AS FRED DE JONG SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Fred de Jong, former All White and proud Dutchman, says there are a lot of celebrations happening across the Netherlands as fierce rivals Germany were knocked out of the World Cup this morning.
He says that although Germany deserves a lot of credit with how they have played over the years, it is now time for them to experience a feeling they are not familiar with.
"I thought the commentator summed it up really well when he had a shot at Thomas Muller when he said he was a World Cup winner, now he can experience the other side"
LISTEN ABOVE AS FRED DE JONG SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Pulse and Silver Ferns captain Katrina Grant talks to Marc Peard about sticking by the Pulse and now winning.
LISTEN ABOVE AS KATRINA GRANT SPEAKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Pulse and Silver Ferns captain Katrina Grant talks to Marc Peard about sticking by the Pulse and now winning.
LISTEN ABOVE AS KATRINA GRANT SPEAKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
New Zealand Herald Football reporter Michael Burgess updates the Radio Sport Breakfast crew with the latest from Moscow.
New Zealand Herald Football reporter Michael Burgess updates the Radio Sport Breakfast crew with the latest from Moscow.
The American singer who butchered the New Zealand national anthem, in Denver over the weekend, has apologised.
Crystal Collins' national anthem rendition was highly criticised by Kiwis so she's decided to give it another shot.
She joined Radio Sport Breakfast to apologise and perform the anthem again.
LISTEN ABOVE AS CRYSTAL COLLINS SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
The American singer who butchered the New Zealand national anthem, in Denver over the weekend, has apologised.
Crystal Collins' national anthem rendition was highly criticised by Kiwis so she's decided to give it another shot.
She joined Radio Sport Breakfast to apologise and perform the anthem again.
LISTEN ABOVE AS CRYSTAL COLLINS SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
CEO Wellington Stadium, Shane Harmon, on why the ice hockey classic flamed out over the weekend. He was a little non-committal but intimated the promoters used inferior fittings for the ice rink.
LISTEN ABOVE AS SHANE HARMON SPEAKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
CEO Wellington Stadium, Shane Harmon, on why the ice hockey classic flamed out over the weekend. He was a little non-committal but intimated the promoters used inferior fittings for the ice rink.
LISTEN ABOVE AS SHANE HARMON SPEAKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Radio Sport league analyst, Tony Kemp, described the Denver league test as a “dud”. He explained why the fixture can never happen again.
LISTEN ABOVE AS TONY KEMP TALKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Radio Sport league analyst, Tony Kemp, described the Denver league test as a “dud”. He explained why the fixture can never happen again.
LISTEN ABOVE AS TONY KEMP TALKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former Kiwis captain, Richie Barnett, tells the Radio Sport team the Denver league test on Sunday is a big deal. He also thinks the depth of international talent has never been deeper for NZ.
LISTEN ABOVE AS RICHIE BARNETT SPEAKS TO THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST TEAM
Former Kiwis captain, Richie Barnett, tells the Radio Sport team the Denver league test on Sunday is a big deal. He also thinks the depth of international talent has never been deeper for NZ.
LISTEN ABOVE AS RICHIE BARNETT SPEAKS TO THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST TEAM
Former All Blacks prop, Kees Meeuws, spoke to the Radio Breakfast ahead of the third test in Dunedin tomorrow. He says the French were very combative up front and still represent a big challenge, despite the series having already been won.
LISTEN ABOVE AS KEES MEEUWS TALKS TO THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST TEAM
Former All Blacks prop, Kees Meeuws, spoke to the Radio Breakfast ahead of the third test in Dunedin tomorrow. He says the French were very combative up front and still represent a big challenge, despite the series having already been won.
LISTEN ABOVE AS KEES MEEUWS TALKS TO THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST TEAM
CBS Denver sports host Michael Spencer talks about the league test between the Kiwis and England which will be held in Denver this weekend.
Nigel Yalden, Radio Sport editor, talks to the team about the changes to the All Blacks to play France in Dunedin this weekend.
LISTEN ABOVE AS NIGEL YALDEN SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST TEAM
Nigel Yalden, Radio Sport editor, talks to the team about the changes to the All Blacks to play France in Dunedin this weekend.
LISTEN ABOVE AS NIGEL YALDEN SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST TEAM
Spokesperson for the NZ Football Players Association,Harry Ngata, says they will have a big say in who will be the independent investigator (and the terms of reference) for the forthcoming review into the situation at NZ Football. He also says this is non-negotiable.
LISTEN ABOVE AS HARRY NGATA TALKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Spokesperson for the NZ Football Players Association,Harry Ngata, says they will have a big say in who will be the independent investigator (and the terms of reference) for the forthcoming review into the situation at NZ Football. He also says this is non-negotiable.
LISTEN ABOVE AS HARRY NGATA TALKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Simon Moutter (Mooter), Managing Director of Spark, says he is confident his company will deliver a quality RWC in 2019 despite issues faced by Optus in Australia over the weekend.
LISTEN ABOVE AS SIMON MOUTTER SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST TEAM
Simon Moutter, Managing Director of Spark, says he is confident his company will deliver a quality RWC in 2019 despite issues faced by Optus in Australia over the weekend.
LISTEN ABOVE AS SIMON MOUTTER SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST TEAM
Spokesperson from the Telecommunications Users Association NZ, Craig Young saysstill sceptical about Spark’s ability to deliver a flawless product. He told the Radio Sport Breakfast he hopes Spark hasn’t underestimated the issues facing them.
LISTEN ABOVE AS CRAIG YOUNG TALKS TO THE RADIO BREAKFAST SPORTS TEAM
Spokesperson from the Telecommunications Users Association NZ, Craig Young saysstill sceptical about Spark’s ability to deliver a flawless product. He told the Radio Sport Breakfast he hopes Spark hasn’t underestimated the issues facing them.
LISTEN ABOVE AS CRAIG YOUNG TALKS TO THE RADIO BREAKFAST SPORTS TEAM
Ben Ransom, Sky sports UK football reporter, after England’s win over Tunisia at the FIFA world Cup.
LISTEN ABOVE TO BEN RANSOM ON RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Ben Ransom, Sky sports UK football reporter, after England’s win over Tunisia at the FIFA world Cup.
LISTEN ABOVE TO BEN RANSOM ON RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Daniel Bowden, former Blues five-eighth and Sky rugby analyst, who said all professional rugby players were informed 18 months ago about how referees would adjudicate high-air collisions. He said Angus Gardner handing out a red card was exactly as he (and other players) would expect. Bowden would start Richie Mo’unga over Damien McKenzie at 10 for the All Blacks this weekend.
LISTEN ABOVE AS DANIEL BOWDEN SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Daniel Bowden, former Blues five-eighth and Sky rugby analyst, who said all professional rugby players were informed 18 months ago about how referees would adjudicate high-air collisions. He said Angus Gardner handing out a red card was exactly as he (and other players) would expect. Bowden would start Richie Mo’unga over Damien McKenzie at 10 for the All Blacks this weekend.
LISTEN ABOVE AS DANIEL BOWDEN SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Russell Hargreaves, Talksport UK correspondent, talks to Radio Sport Breakfast on the Germans losing at the FIFA World Cup, looking ahead to England’s first game, and the Boks beating the England rugby team again.
Russell Hargreaves, Talksport UK correspondent, talks to Radio Sport Breakfast on the Germans losing at the FIFA World Cup, looking ahead to England’s first game, and the Boks beating the England rugby team again.
Sky sports commentator and former All Black Justin Marshall says the All Blacks will be looking to fix a few performance issues from their game last week and this is why the team remains unchanged. Marshall also says young players need to be put into pressure situations to develop their depth and ways France may be looking to improve in this weeks test.
LISTEN ABOVE AS JUSTIN MARSHALL SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST TEAM
Sky sports commentator and former All Black Justin Marshall says the All Blacks will be looking to fix a few performance issues from their game last week and this is why the team remains unchanged. Marshall also says young players need to be put into pressure situations to develop their depth and ways France may be looking to improve in this weeks test.
LISTEN ABOVE AS JUSTIN MARSHALL SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST TEAM
Former All White, David Chote, spoke to the Breakfast team this morning with his predictions for the FIFA World Cup. Do you agree with his prediction?
LISTEN ABOVE AS DAVID CHOTE TALKS WITH THE RADIO BREAKFAST TEAM
Former All White, David Chote, spoke to the Breakfast team this morning with his predictions for the FIFA World Cup. Do you agree with his prediction?
LISTEN ABOVE AS DAVID CHOTE TALKS WITH THE RADIO BREAKFAST TEAM
Warriors CEO Cameron George told the Radio Sport Breakfast team the Warriors players released for the upcoming Kiwis international test against England will depend on who is fit enough after tonight's game.
LISTEN ABOVE AS CAMERON GEORGE SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORTS TEAM
Warriors CEO Cameron George told the Radio Sport Breakfast team the Warriors players released for the upcoming Kiwis international test against England will depend on who is fit enough after tonight's game.
LISTEN ABOVE AS CAMERON GEORGE SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORTS TEAM
Teenage cricket sensation Amelia Kerr celebrated her stunning world batting record by having a snooze in the middle of the White Ferns' match against Ireland.
The 17-year-old Wellingtonian blasted a world high 232 against the hapless Irish in Dublin, then took five for 17 with her leg spin after having a two minute kip on the physio's table.
It is the third highest ODI total ever, beaten only by India's Rohit Sharma (264) and Kiwi Martin Guptill's 237 against the West Indies in 2015.
Kerr, who made her ODI debut aged 16, told the Radio Sport Breakfast she was exhausted and exhilarated.
"It's pretty surreal. The day couldn't go any better. I can't really believe what happened," said Kerr, who was unaware of the record situation while she was batting.
"I had throw downs without a helmet, there was one short one I pulled which I had to watch really hard so my eye was in quite well.
"I didn't get off to a flyer, I had to work hard. But once I got through that it got a bit easier. I'm definitely going to use that bat again. It's pinging off nicely.
"I could hear announcements (about her records) being made over the loudspeakers but I couldn't hear because of all the clapping.
"I am quite tired. I had a wee nap after my innings, before going back on the field. I was a bit sore."
Kerr has always batted down the order for the national team, but was elevated to opener in Dublin and has long term aspirations to return there. Her previous highest score was 152 in under-21 cricket.
"I found I was opening a couple of days before the game which was a bit of a surprise," she said.
"In the future that's where I want to end up (opening). I've grown up in junior cricket as an opener who bowls leg spin. That is something I want to do at the international level. In the future I want to be equal at batting and bowling."
Kerr's parents arrived in Ireland too late to witness their daughter's amazing innings. The White Ferns are about to play England and South Africa in a tri-series.
Teenage cricket sensation Amelia Kerr celebrated her stunning world batting record by having a snooze in the middle of the White Ferns' match against Ireland.
The 17-year-old Wellingtonian blasted a world high 232 against the hapless Irish in Dublin, then took five for 17 with her leg spin after having a two minute kip on the physio's table.
It is the third highest ODI total ever, beaten only by India's Rohit Sharma (264) and Kiwi Martin Guptill's 237 against the West Indies in 2015.
Kerr, who made her ODI debut aged 16, told the Radio Sport Breakfast she was exhausted and exhilarated.
"It's pretty surreal. The day couldn't go any better. I can't really believe what happened," said Kerr, who was unaware of the record situation while she was batting.
"I had throw downs without a helmet, there was one short one I pulled which I had to watch really hard so my eye was in quite well.
"I didn't get off to a flyer, I had to work hard. But once I got through that it got a bit easier. I'm definitely going to use that bat again. It's pinging off nicely.
"I could hear announcements (about her records) being made over the loudspeakers but I couldn't hear because of all the clapping.
"I am quite tired. I had a wee nap after my innings, before going back on the field. I was a bit sore."
Kerr has always batted down the order for the national team, but was elevated to opener in Dublin and has long term aspirations to return there. Her previous highest score was 152 in under-21 cricket.
"I found I was opening a couple of days before the game which was a bit of a surprise," she said.
"In the future that's where I want to end up (opening). I've grown up in junior cricket as an opener who bowls leg spin. That is something I want to do at the international level. In the future I want to be equal at batting and bowling."
Kerr's parents arrived in Ireland too late to witness their daughter's amazing innings. The White Ferns are about to play England and South Africa in a tri-series.
Andrew Voss, Fox NRL commentator, who is disappointed in the attitude of the Warriors towards the Denver test, given Wayne Bennett has named a near-full-strength England squad.
LISTEN AS ANDREW VOSS SPEAKS TO RADIO SPORTS NEW ZEALAND ABOVE.
Andrew Voss, Fox NRL commentator, who is disappointed in the attitude of the Warriors towards the Denver test, given Wayne Bennett has named a near-full-strength England squad.
LISTEN AS ANDREW VOSS SPEAKS TO RADIO SPORTS NEW ZEALAND ABOVE.
Michael Burgess, a NZ Herald football writer talks ahead of the FIFA World Cup to add some thoughts on the attitude of Football Ferns coach Andreas Heraf (which has been heavily criticised).
LISTEN ABOVE AS MICHAEL BURGESS SPEAKS TO THE RADIO SPORTS BREAKFAST.
Michael Burgess, a NZ Herald football writer talks ahead of the FIFA World Cup to add some thoughts on the attitude of Football Ferns coach Andreas Heraf (which has been heavily criticised).
LISTEN ABOVE AS MICHAEL BURGESS SPEAKS TO THE RADIO SPORTS BREAKFAST.
Philippe Sella, French rugby legend, who thinks France will have to use the ball better this weekend in the second test.
He also thinks the “French flair” has gone from their rugby because they don’t produce playmakers who can play what is in front of them, like Beauden Barrett.
Why can't you blokes be more like Beauden Barrett?
That's the question former French midfielder Philippe Sella is asking, albeit in a more diplomatic manner, as his countrymen prepare for the second test against the All Blacks in Wellington on Saturday.
Sella was renowned for sparking counterattacks from anywhere during his 111-test career - he wants the current players to do the same.
He says that's something lacking in the French game.
Sella says Barrett knows what's in front of him, and adapts accordingly through different kicks or plays.
LISTEN ABOVE AS PHILIPPE SELLA SPEAKS TO THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Philippe Sella, French rugby legend, who thinks France will have to use the ball better this weekend in the second test.
He also thinks the “French flair” has gone from their rugby because they don’t produce playmakers who can play what is in front of them, like Beauden Barrett.
Why can't you blokes be more like Beauden Barrett?
That's the question former French midfielder Philippe Sella is asking, albeit in a more diplomatic manner, as his countrymen prepare for the second test against the All Blacks in Wellington on Saturday.
Sella was renowned for sparking counterattacks from anywhere during his 111-test career - he wants the current players to do the same.
He says that's something lacking in the French game.
Sella says Barrett knows what's in front of him, and adapts accordingly through different kicks or plays.
LISTEN ABOVE AS PHILIPPE SELLA SPEAKS TO THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Matt Cooper, Sky rugby analyst, who doesn’t see the French challenging the All Blacks in the next two test matches. He believes you have to find a spot for Damian McKenzie in the match-day 23.
LISTEN ABOVE AS MATT COOPER SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Matt Cooper, Sky rugby analyst, who doesn’t see the French challenging the All Blacks in the next two test matches. He believes you have to find a spot for Damian McKenzie in the match-day 23.
LISTEN ABOVE AS MATT COOPER SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
As Rafael Nadal and Dominic Thiem warmed up before the French Open final, the booming voice of an announcer at Court Philippe Chatrier called out each player's bona fides.
Nadal's introduction included a year-by-year accounting of every time he'd already won the title at Roland Garros. The crowd responded, initially offering polite applause, then adding their voices, rising into a full-throated roar.
Go ahead and 2018 to the lengthy list. Nadal won his record-extending 11th championship at the French Open on Sunday, overcoming a late problem with a finger on his racket-swinging hand and displaying his foe-rattling best for a 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 victory over No. 7 seed Thiem, the only person to beat the Spaniard on clay over the past two seasons.
Up a break at 2-1 in the third set, Nadal stopped serving after a fault because he couldn't straighten his left middle finger. At the following changeover, Nadal was given a salt pill by a doctor and had his left forearm massaged by a trainer.
"Tough moment in the third set when I got a little bit cramped on the hand," Nadal said. "I was very scared."
Nadal's form never wavered, though, and soon enough he was celebrating his 17th Grand Slam title overall, second among men only to Roger Federer's 20. The two stars have combined to win the past six majors.
The victory also allowed the 32-year-old Nadal to hold onto the No. 1 ranking, just ahead of Federer.
Nadal called it "not even a dream" to gather 11 titles in Paris, saying it was "impossible to think of something like this."
Thiem, a 24-year-old from Austria, was appearing in a major final for the first time. Not much more of a daunting task than doing so against this particular opponent at the French Open, where Nadal is now 11-0 in finals and 86-2 overall. The only losses came against Robin Soderling in the fourth round in 2009 and Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals in 2015.
"What you did and what you are doing," Thiem told Nadal during the trophy ceremony, "is one of the most outstanding things that any athlete is doing in any sport."
If there were any reason for a bit of intrigue entering Sunday's match, it was this: Thiem beat Nadal in two sets on red clay at Rome in May 2017 and again at Madrid last month.
"I am sure you will win here in the next couple of years," Nadal told Thiem afterward.
Nadal is so dominant and so impervious on clay, in general, and at this tournament, especially, it made sense for Thiem to go for broke as much as possible, accepting that there would be risks along with the rewards. If standard play would likely lead to a loss, why not try for the spectacular, instead?
So that's what Thiem tried. He pounded huge serves, topping 135 mph (220 kph) — about 25 mph (40 kph) more than Nadal's fastest — and that translated into seven aces, but also five double-faults. He attempted drop shots; some worked, some didn't. And he took the biggest of big cuts on his groundstrokes, his feet leaving the ground as he threw his whole body into them, as if the very outcome of the match — not any individual point, but the whole shebang — depended on the strength of that one whip of his white racket. That led to 34 winners (eight more than Nadal), but also 42 unforced errors (18 more than Nadal).
It worked. For a bit.
Thiem stayed with Nadal in the early going on a cloudy and steamy afternoon; the temperature was 77 degrees (24 Celsius), the humidity approached 70 percent. Midway through the opening set, Nadal's aqua T-shirt was so soaked with sweat it stuck to him, so he changed into a fresh one at a changeover, drawing catcalls from spectators.
From 4-all, 15-all in the opening set, Thiem faltered. After Nadal held there for 5-4, Thiem basically handed over the next game — and the set — by making four mistakes in a row. A volley into the net. A forehand wide. A forehand into the net. A forehand long. Just like that, Nadal was off on a five-game run that put him up 3-0 in the second set.
Soon, Nadal was f...
As Rafael Nadal and Dominic Thiem warmed up before the French Open final, the booming voice of an announcer at Court Philippe Chatrier called out each player's bona fides.
Nadal's introduction included a year-by-year accounting of every time he'd already won the title at Roland Garros. The crowd responded, initially offering polite applause, then adding their voices, rising into a full-throated roar.
Go ahead and 2018 to the lengthy list. Nadal won his record-extending 11th championship at the French Open on Sunday, overcoming a late problem with a finger on his racket-swinging hand and displaying his foe-rattling best for a 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 victory over No. 7 seed Thiem, the only person to beat the Spaniard on clay over the past two seasons.
Up a break at 2-1 in the third set, Nadal stopped serving after a fault because he couldn't straighten his left middle finger. At the following changeover, Nadal was given a salt pill by a doctor and had his left forearm massaged by a trainer.
"Tough moment in the third set when I got a little bit cramped on the hand," Nadal said. "I was very scared."
Nadal's form never wavered, though, and soon enough he was celebrating his 17th Grand Slam title overall, second among men only to Roger Federer's 20. The two stars have combined to win the past six majors.
The victory also allowed the 32-year-old Nadal to hold onto the No. 1 ranking, just ahead of Federer.
Nadal called it "not even a dream" to gather 11 titles in Paris, saying it was "impossible to think of something like this."
Thiem, a 24-year-old from Austria, was appearing in a major final for the first time. Not much more of a daunting task than doing so against this particular opponent at the French Open, where Nadal is now 11-0 in finals and 86-2 overall. The only losses came against Robin Soderling in the fourth round in 2009 and Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals in 2015.
"What you did and what you are doing," Thiem told Nadal during the trophy ceremony, "is one of the most outstanding things that any athlete is doing in any sport."
If there were any reason for a bit of intrigue entering Sunday's match, it was this: Thiem beat Nadal in two sets on red clay at Rome in May 2017 and again at Madrid last month.
"I am sure you will win here in the next couple of years," Nadal told Thiem afterward.
Nadal is so dominant and so impervious on clay, in general, and at this tournament, especially, it made sense for Thiem to go for broke as much as possible, accepting that there would be risks along with the rewards. If standard play would likely lead to a loss, why not try for the spectacular, instead?
So that's what Thiem tried. He pounded huge serves, topping 135 mph (220 kph) — about 25 mph (40 kph) more than Nadal's fastest — and that translated into seven aces, but also five double-faults. He attempted drop shots; some worked, some didn't. And he took the biggest of big cuts on his groundstrokes, his feet leaving the ground as he threw his whole body into them, as if the very outcome of the match — not any individual point, but the whole shebang — depended on the strength of that one whip of his white racket. That led to 34 winners (eight more than Nadal), but also 42 unforced errors (18 more than Nadal).
It worked. For a bit.
Thiem stayed with Nadal in the early going on a cloudy and steamy afternoon; the temperature was 77 degrees (24 Celsius), the humidity approached 70 percent. Midway through the opening set, Nadal's aqua T-shirt was so soaked with sweat it stuck to him, so he changed into a fresh one at a changeover, drawing catcalls from spectators.
From 4-all, 15-all in the opening set, Thiem faltered. After Nadal held there for 5-4, Thiem basically handed over the next game — and the set — by making four mistakes in a row. A volley into the net. A forehand wide. A forehand into the net. A forehand long. Just like that, Nadal was off on a five-game run that put him up 3-0 in the second set.
Soon, Nadal was finding his spots....
David White, NZ Cricket CEO, spoke this morning on the search for a new coach to replace Mike Hesson following his resignation yesterday.
LISTEN ABOVE AS DAVID WHITE TALKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST TEAM
David White, NZ Cricket CEO, spoke this morning on the search for a new coach to replace Mike Hesson following his resignation yesterday.
LISTEN ABOVE AS DAVID WHITE TALKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST TEAM
The Radio Sport Breakfast talk to Nigel Yalden on the naming of the All Blacks team for the first test. He thinks having Damian McKenzie named on the bench ahead of Richie Mo’unga could be considered overkill on the issue of fullback cover.
LISTEN ABOVE AS NIGEL YALDEN TALKS TO THE BREAKFAST TEAM
The Radio Sport Breakfast talk to Nigel Yalden on the naming of the All Blacks team for the first test. He thinks having Damian McKenzie named on the bench ahead of Richie Mo’unga could be considered overkill on the issue of fullback cover.
LISTEN ABOVE AS NIGEL YALDEN TALKS TO THE BREAKFAST TEAM
Justin Marshall, Sky rugby analyst, who thinks the Brumbies players wanted to be rested by Michael Chieka should play on Sunday. He thinks there is a soft underbelly to Australian rugby that needs to be toughened up.
LISTEN ABOVE AS JUSTIN MARSHALL SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Justin Marshall, Sky rugby analyst, who thinks the Brumbies players wanted to be rested by Michael Chieka should play on Sunday. He thinks there is a soft underbelly to Australian rugby that needs to be toughened up.
LISTEN ABOVE AS JUSTIN MARSHALL SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Paul Allison, RS commentator, looking at the Highlanders’ season and their game vs the Hurricanes tonight.
LISTEN ABOVE AS PAUL ALLISON SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Paul Allison, RS commentator, looking at the Highlanders’ season and their game vs the Hurricanes tonight.
LISTEN ABOVE AS PAUL ALLISON SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
The Wellington Phoenix believe they've found the man to turnaround the A-League football club's fortunes.
Australian Mark Rudan has penned a two year deal to be the Phoenix's new head coach.
The 'Nix have failed to make the playoffs in five of their last six seasons and finished second-to-bottom in the most recent campaign.
Phoenix general manager David Dome says they only have two more years to run on their A-League licence and they need to perform.
LISTEN TO DAVID DOME TALK WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST ABOVE
The Wellington Phoenix believe they've found the man to turnaround the A-League football club's fortunes.
Australian Mark Rudan has penned a two year deal to be the Phoenix's new head coach.
The 'Nix have failed to make the playoffs in five of their last six seasons and finished second-to-bottom in the most recent campaign.
Phoenix general manager David Dome says they only have two more years to run on their A-League licence and they need to perform.
LISTEN TO DAVID DOME TALK WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST ABOVE
Uncertainty remains over exactly how many syndicates will challenge for the America's Cup in 2021.
Luna Rossa is the challenger of record, while Ben Ainslie Racing and the New York Yacht Club also plan to enter.
Team New Zealand boss Grant Dalton says discussions are ongoing as to how many syndicates will ultimately enter.
However, he is dismissing the news Alinghi won't be involved in the next America's Cup.
Double winner Ernesto Bertarelli has confirmed he has no plans to mount a challenge, after last being in the mix in 2010.
Bertarelli won the America's Cup off Team New Zealand in 2003 and defended it in 2007.
He attacked the direction of the Cup and claims it's now a game for engineers.
Dalton told the Radio Sport Breakfast that's nonsense.
"The America's Cup is a contest that is put together by a defender and it's challenger of record. If you want it to be a different way, you better come and get it."
Radio Sport, along with Newstalk ZB, has secured the radio rights to the 2021 America's Cup and all lead-up events.
Television coverage will be on TVNZ.
LISTEN TO GRANT DALTON TALK WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST ABOVE
Uncertainty remains over exactly how many syndicates will challenge for the America's Cup in 2021.
Luna Rossa is the challenger of record, while Ben Ainslie Racing and the New York Yacht Club also plan to enter.
Team New Zealand boss Grant Dalton says discussions are ongoing as to how many syndicates will ultimately enter.
However, he is dismissing the news Alinghi won't be involved in the next America's Cup.
Double winner Ernesto Bertarelli has confirmed he has no plans to mount a challenge, after last being in the mix in 2010.
Bertarelli won the America's Cup off Team New Zealand in 2003 and defended it in 2007.
He attacked the direction of the Cup and claims it's now a game for engineers.
Dalton told the Radio Sport Breakfast that's nonsense.
"The America's Cup is a contest that is put together by a defender and it's challenger of record. If you want it to be a different way, you better come and get it."
Radio Sport, along with Newstalk ZB, has secured the radio rights to the 2021 America's Cup and all lead-up events.
Television coverage will be on TVNZ.
LISTEN TO GRANT DALTON TALK WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST ABOVE
Cameron George, Warriors CEO, on the letter sent to NZRL (amongst others) co-signed by NRL powerbrokers deriding the timing of the June test between NZ and England in Denver.
George said any Warriors player “not fit” would not be allowed to go. He has no idea how many potential Kiwis’ players would decline a test cap (but as long as the club thinks they are fit enough), it will be each individual’s decision.
LISTEN ABOVE AS CAMERON GEORGE SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Cameron George, Warriors CEO, on the letter sent to NZRL (amongst others) co-signed by NRL powerbrokers deriding the timing of the June test between NZ and England in Denver.
George said any Warriors player “not fit” would not be allowed to go. He has no idea how many potential Kiwis’ players would decline a test cap (but as long as the club thinks they are fit enough), it will be each individual’s decision.
LISTEN ABOVE AS CAMERON GEORGE SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Mark Hammett, Highlanders’ interim head coach, ahead of their game vs the Hurricanes in Dunedin. They have had a disrupted build-up but all of their All Blacks are available for selection for the game.
LISTEN ABOVE AS MARK HAMMETT SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Mark Hammett, Highlanders’ interim head coach, ahead of their game vs the Hurricanes in Dunedin. They have had a disrupted build-up but all of their All Blacks are available for selection for the game.
LISTEN ABOVE AS MARK HAMMETT SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
A first for South African rugby to further break down the old apartheid wall.
Siya Kolisi will be the first black player to captain the Springboks in their 127-year test history.
The 26-year-old flanker has been handed the role for the upcoming series against England.
He temporarily captained South Africa in a test last year when Eben Etzebeth was injured during a game.
LISTEN ABOVE AS BRENDAN NELL TALKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
A first for South African rugby to further break down the old apartheid wall.
Siya Kolisi will be the first black player to captain the Springboks in their 127-year test history.
The 26-year-old flanker has been handed the role for the upcoming series against England.
He temporarily captained South Africa in a test last year when Eben Etzebeth was injured during a game.
LISTEN ABOVE AS BRENDAN NELL TALKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Australian tennis player Bernard Tomic has won this morning's prize for word economy.
Argentine "lucky loser" Marco Trungelliti got a late entry into the French Open draw, drove 10 hours and 1000 kilometres from Barcelona, and defeated Tomic in four sets.
In the aftermath, Tomic has shot down suggestions he was only playing for the money, and provided 64 words in response to 10 media conference questions.
LISTEN ABOVE AS MATT BROWN TALKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Australian tennis player Bernard Tomic has won this morning's prize for word economy.
Argentine "lucky loser" Marco Trungelliti got a late entry into the French Open draw, drove 10 hours and 1000 kilometres from Barcelona, and defeated Tomic in four sets.
In the aftermath, Tomic has shot down suggestions he was only playing for the money, and provided 64 words in response to 10 media conference questions.
LISTEN ABOVE AS MATT BROWN TALKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Tony Kemp, Radio Sport NRL commentator, who thinks the Warriors are hoping Simon Mannering will either retire or leave the club at season’s end. That way they can avoid the awkward conversation of not wanting to offer him much of a contract.
LISTEN ABOVE AS TONY KEMP SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Tony Kemp, Radio Sport NRL commentator, who thinks the Warriors are hoping Simon Mannering will either retire or leave the club at season’s end. That way they can avoid the awkward conversation of not wanting to offer him much of a contract.
LISTEN ABOVE AS TONY KEMP SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
NZ Olympian rower, Eric Murray, says the Waterboy Pro Am annual regatta, a charity fundraising rowing event at Lake Karapiro in November, should be fun and aims to break down barriers to people getting into the sport.
LISTEN ABOVE AS ERIC MURRAY SPEAKS TO THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
NZ Olympian rower, Eric Murray, says the Waterboy Pro Am annual regatta, a charity fundraising rowing event at Lake Karapiro in November, should be fun and aims to break down barriers to people getting into the sport.
LISTEN ABOVE AS ERIC MURRAY SPEAKS TO THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Andrew McKenna, Talksport UK rugby commentator, looks at the strength of the French squad to tour NZ. He also finds it difficult to comprehend why Eddie Jones is rushing Brad Shields into the England team.
LISTEN ABOVE AS ANDREW MCKENNA TALKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Andrew McKenna, Talksport UK rugby commentator, looks at the strength of the French squad to tour NZ. He also finds it difficult to comprehend why Eddie Jones is rushing Brad Shields into the England team.
LISTEN ABOVE AS ANDREW MCKENNA TALKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Suzie Bates, White Ferns captain, who will be joined in the UK Super League by 17-year-old Amelia Kerr. She spoke about her recent time in India and the growth of T20 cricket for women.
LISTEN ABOVE AS SUZIE BATES SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Suzie Bates, White Ferns captain, who will be joined in the UK Super League by 17-year-old Amelia Kerr. She spoke about her recent time in India and the growth of T20 cricket for women.
LISTEN ABOVE AS SUZIE BATES SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Hurricanes assistant coach, John Plumtree looking ahead to their clash with the Crusaders. They are playing Jordie Barrett at centre and Plumtree said that is Barrett’s preferred position.
LISTEN ABOVE AS JOHN PLUMTREE SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Hurricanes assistant coach, John Plumtree looking ahead to their clash with the Crusaders. They are playing Jordie Barrett at centre and Plumtree said that is Barrett’s preferred position.
LISTEN ABOVE AS JOHN PLUMTREE SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former Wallabies coach Alan Jones has unleashed on the SANZAAR model and the state of Australian Rugby.
The NSW Waratahs were able to snap a 40 game losing streak by Australian Super Rugby teams against New Zealand franchises when they beat the Highlanders.
However, Jones is unhappy at how Australian Rugby is being run and what is being done to fix the teams he believes should be winning more games than they are.
LISTEN ABOVE AS ALAN JONES SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former Wallabies coach Alan Jones has unleashed on the SANZAAR model and the state of Australian Rugby.
The NSW Waratahs were able to snap a 40 game losing streak by Australian Super Rugby teams against New Zealand franchises when they beat the Highlanders.
However, Jones is unhappy at how Australian Rugby is being run and what is being done to fix the teams he believes should be winning more games than they are.
LISTEN ABOVE AS ALAN JONES SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Alan Jones, 2GB radio personality in Sydney and former Wallabies coach, on the dire state of Australian rugby and how to drag themselves up. He detests the SANZAAR agreement and under no circumstance should Australia sign on again after the 2020 season. He thinks the core task of the ARU is to “save Australian rugby and it’s five minutes to midnight”.
LISTEN ABOVE AS ALAN JONES SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Alan Jones, 2GB radio personality in Sydney and former Wallabies coach, on the dire state of Australian rugby and how to drag themselves up. He detests the SANZAAR agreement and under no circumstance should Australia sign on again after the 2020 season. He thinks the core task of the ARU is to “save Australian rugby and it’s five minutes to midnight”.
LISTEN ABOVE AS ALAN JONES SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
CBS Sports NHL analyst, Pete Blackburn on the rise of the Vegas Golden Knights. They are through to the Stanley Cup finals after starting the season at 500-1 odds to be champions.
LISTEN ABOVE AS PETE BLACKBURN SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
CBS Sports NHL analyst, Pete Blackburn on the rise of the Vegas Golden Knights. They are through to the Stanley Cup finals after starting the season at 500-1 odds to be champions.
LISTEN ABOVE AS PETE BLACKBURN SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
The Hurricanes were able to stretch the New Zealand super rugby winning streak over Australian teams to 40 matches, then it all came crashing down.
The Highlanders were crushed by the Waratahs over the weekend after a brain explosion by winger Tevita Nabura saw him sent off early in the match.
Being reduced to 14 men for the remainder of the match made it difficult for the southern men to come back and continue the streak against a classy Waratahs outfit.
Jeff Wilson dissects all the main talking points from the weekend rugby this morning on the Radio Sport Breakfast.
LISTEN ABOVE AS JEFF WILSON SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
The Hurricanes were able to stretch the New Zealand super rugby winning streak over Australian teams to 40 matches, then it all came crashing down.
The Highlanders were crushed by the Waratahs over the weekend after a brain explosion by winger Tevita Nabura saw him sent off early in the match.
Being reduced to 14 men for the remainder of the match made it difficult for the southern men to come back and continue the streak against a classy Waratahs outfit.
Jeff Wilson dissects all the main talking points from the weekend rugby this morning on the Radio Sport Breakfast.
LISTEN ABOVE AS JEFF WILSON SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
NZ Football CEO Andy Martin on the sudden retirement (for a second time) of Abby Erceg. He denies she has been advised not to publicly disclose her feelings and is free to say what she wants. He also thinks we have seen the last of her for sure for the Football Ferns.
LISTEN ABOVE AS ANDY MARTIN SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
NZ Football CEO Andy Martin on the sudden retirement (for a second time) of Abby Erceg. He denies she has been advised not to publicly disclose her feelings and is free to say what she wants. He also thinks we have seen the last of her for sure for the Football Ferns.
LISTEN ABOVE AS ANDY MARTIN SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Sky NRL analyst, Richie Barnett who thinks Karl Lawton should be on the bench as cover for Isaac Luke as opposed to Jazz Tevaga. He also told us about the time he missed the birth of his second child (In light of Roger Tuivasa- Schek missing tonight’s game vs the Eels).
LISTEN ABOVE AS RICHIE BARNETT SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Sky NRL analyst, Richie Barnett who thinks Karl Lawton should be on the bench as cover for Isaac Luke as opposed to Jazz Tevaga. He also told us about the time he missed the birth of his second child (In light of Roger Tuivasa- Schek missing tonight’s game vs the Eels).
LISTEN ABOVE AS RICHIE BARNETT SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Wellington Phoenix fans have every right to be wondering today what the hell is going on with their football club.
Media reports emerged late last week the club was in negotiations over some sort of absurd merger with a consortium from Southwest Sydney.
The Phoenix issued a statement in response to that, saying while they were talking to potential investors, they weren't interested in selling some or any of their A-League license.
But last night, the Sydney Morning Herald reported the club had indeed reached agreement to sell the license for $15 million and basically close the doors over this side of the ditch.
If the owners didn't want to sell, why have they even been discussing that notion with other parties, let alone actually reaching agreement?
If they're not flat-out lying to the fans, they're at the very least being economical with the truth.
The proposed sale looks likely to be blocked by Football Federation Australia anyway as they look to preserve the integrity of their own A-League expansion process, with two new teams to be added at the start of the 2019/20 season.
So the Phoenix are staying in Wellington for the meantime, but that won't really give too much comfort to Yellow Fever.
Because they now appear to have reluctant owners.
If these stories are true, Welnix want out of the club.
FFA has blocked their way, so they're stuck with a license they don't really want.
What motivation do the owners now have to invest any resource in the club over the next two seasons?
The Phoenix's existence beyond that point is dependent on reaching metrics around crowd numbers and TV viewership.
With a de-motivated ownership group, how is that going to happen?
Instead of looking for a way out, I would love to see the owners turn their focus inwards.
With the right people sharing the same philosophy, this club can be revived.
The Newcastle Jets didn't have a demonstrably better squad than the Phoenix this past season, but through Ernie Merrick's coaching, a galvanizing of the playing group and some quality imports they hosted the Grand Final after seven years of missing the top six altogether.
Why can't Wellington Phoenix do the same thing?
People might laugh and say it's never going to happen.
Why can't it happen?
It's not a quantum leap to reach a place where people can be proud of this football club again and start talking about it positively.
Forget about meeting with potential buyers.
Focus on the here and now.
Give your long-suffering fans a reason to be optimistic about what lies ahead.
Appoint a coach, get your recruitment sorted, get a pre-season going and turn this ship around.
LISTEN TO JASON PINE TALK ABOUT THE PHOENIX WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST ABOVE
Wellington Phoenix fans have every right to be wondering today what the hell is going on with their football club.
Media reports emerged late last week the club was in negotiations over some sort of absurd merger with a consortium from Southwest Sydney.
The Phoenix issued a statement in response to that, saying while they were talking to potential investors, they weren't interested in selling some or any of their A-League license.
But last night, the Sydney Morning Herald reported the club had indeed reached agreement to sell the license for $15 million and basically close the doors over this side of the ditch.
If the owners didn't want to sell, why have they even been discussing that notion with other parties, let alone actually reaching agreement?
If they're not flat-out lying to the fans, they're at the very least being economical with the truth.
The proposed sale looks likely to be blocked by Football Federation Australia anyway as they look to preserve the integrity of their own A-League expansion process, with two new teams to be added at the start of the 2019/20 season.
So the Phoenix are staying in Wellington for the meantime, but that won't really give too much comfort to Yellow Fever.
Because they now appear to have reluctant owners.
If these stories are true, Welnix want out of the club.
FFA has blocked their way, so they're stuck with a license they don't really want.
What motivation do the owners now have to invest any resource in the club over the next two seasons?
The Phoenix's existence beyond that point is dependent on reaching metrics around crowd numbers and TV viewership.
With a de-motivated ownership group, how is that going to happen?
Instead of looking for a way out, I would love to see the owners turn their focus inwards.
With the right people sharing the same philosophy, this club can be revived.
The Newcastle Jets didn't have a demonstrably better squad than the Phoenix this past season, but through Ernie Merrick's coaching, a galvanizing of the playing group and some quality imports they hosted the Grand Final after seven years of missing the top six altogether.
Why can't Wellington Phoenix do the same thing?
People might laugh and say it's never going to happen.
Why can't it happen?
It's not a quantum leap to reach a place where people can be proud of this football club again and start talking about it positively.
Forget about meeting with potential buyers.
Focus on the here and now.
Give your long-suffering fans a reason to be optimistic about what lies ahead.
Appoint a coach, get your recruitment sorted, get a pre-season going and turn this ship around.
LISTEN TO JASON PINE TALK ABOUT THE PHOENIX WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST ABOVE
The consortium that tried and failed to buy the Warriors, is interested in backing a Pacific Island Super Rugby team - based in Hawaii.
Head of the consortium Richard Fale has told the Radio Sport Breakfast that the consortium was initially established to start a Super Rugby team to Hawaii the last time the competition expanded.
"The prospect of an expansion Super Rugby franchise of Pacific Islands origin based in Hawaii was the original reason why our group came together in the first place," Fale said.
"We came together after all the excitement of the talk of the expansion of Japan and Argentina and then the talk of the next step was the United States."
Newshub reported on Monday that New Zealand Rugby and the government have funded a feasibility study on the establishment of a Pacific Islands Super Rugby team.
The team would be an independent franchise based in Suva, but also playing in Samoa, Tonga, Auckland and Sydney. The inference is that it would enter the competition in 2021, when a new broadcasting contract kicks in.
Fale said he doesn't believe a Fiji based side would be financial viable, but a Hawaiian bid would attract greater broadcast revenue.
"What we're looking at is to have the team based in Hawaii. It would still have the Polynesian-Pacific Island flavor to it but what has to be behind it is the economic feasibility of the team. By opening the door with Hawaii, it also grants you access to the US market.
"It would be particularly challenging to have it either based in Tonga or Fiji, those are just financial realities that have to be addressed. It would be the same idea but based in Hawaii," Fale said.
"It's kind of inevitable that the largest sporting market on planet Earth needs to be opened up to professional rugby," he added.
"Our proposition we think is a very viable one commercially, as well as filling the need for a Pacific Island team, and we would be able to bring the latest and greatest for not only the commercial operation of a franchise but also training, nutrition and all the other stuff that goes into it as well. Everybody else in Super Rugby would stand to benefit from what we could bring to the table as well."
LISTEN TO RICHARD FALE TALK WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST ABOVE
The consortium that tried and failed to buy the Warriors, is interested in backing a Pacific Island Super Rugby team - based in Hawaii.
Head of the consortium Richard Fale has told the Radio Sport Breakfast that the consortium was initially established to start a Super Rugby team to Hawaii the last time the competition expanded.
"The prospect of an expansion Super Rugby franchise of Pacific Islands origin based in Hawaii was the original reason why our group came together in the first place," Fale said.
"We came together after all the excitement of the talk of the expansion of Japan and Argentina and then the talk of the next step was the United States."
Newshub reported on Monday that New Zealand Rugby and the government have funded a feasibility study on the establishment of a Pacific Islands Super Rugby team.
The team would be an independent franchise based in Suva, but also playing in Samoa, Tonga, Auckland and Sydney. The inference is that it would enter the competition in 2021, when a new broadcasting contract kicks in.
Fale said he doesn't believe a Fiji based side would be financial viable, but a Hawaiian bid would attract greater broadcast revenue.
"What we're looking at is to have the team based in Hawaii. It would still have the Polynesian-Pacific Island flavor to it but what has to be behind it is the economic feasibility of the team. By opening the door with Hawaii, it also grants you access to the US market.
"It would be particularly challenging to have it either based in Tonga or Fiji, those are just financial realities that have to be addressed. It would be the same idea but based in Hawaii," Fale said.
"It's kind of inevitable that the largest sporting market on planet Earth needs to be opened up to professional rugby," he added.
"Our proposition we think is a very viable one commercially, as well as filling the need for a Pacific Island team, and we would be able to bring the latest and greatest for not only the commercial operation of a franchise but also training, nutrition and all the other stuff that goes into it as well. Everybody else in Super Rugby would stand to benefit from what we could bring to the table as well."
LISTEN TO RICHARD FALE TALK WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST ABOVE
The notion of a Super Rugby team based in the Pacific Islands is nothing new but the Pacific Players Union chairman believes the latest plan has more substance.
The Government's funded a feasibility study into a team that would see a team based in Suva and play some home games in Samoa, Tonga, Auckland and Sydney.
Pacific Union Players chairman Hale T-Pole told Radio Sport Breakfast the timing is better.
"Working hard trying to rectify and get the tournament more exciting and just the good timing of this pushing for a Pacific Island team, it's just the right time at the right spot."
Prime Minster Jacinda Ardern says the study was commissioned by the previous government.
"This was news to me as well, it was obviously before my time, Murray McCully instigated a review, a feasibility study around this option. I haven't seen the outcome of it, I've asked."
LISTEN ABOVE AS HALE T-POLE SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
The notion of a Super Rugby team based in the Pacific Islands is nothing new but the Pacific Players Union chairman believes the latest plan has more substance.
The Government's funded a feasibility study into a team that would see a team based in Suva and play some home games in Samoa, Tonga, Auckland and Sydney.
Pacific Union Players chairman Hale T-Pole told Radio Sport Breakfast the timing is better.
"Working hard trying to rectify and get the tournament more exciting and just the good timing of this pushing for a Pacific Island team, it's just the right time at the right spot."
Prime Minster Jacinda Ardern says the study was commissioned by the previous government.
"This was news to me as well, it was obviously before my time, Murray McCully instigated a review, a feasibility study around this option. I haven't seen the outcome of it, I've asked."
LISTEN ABOVE AS HALE T-POLE SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former Warriors coach and RS league analyst, Tony Kemp says Roger Tuivasa-Sheck should play at standoff if Mason Lino isn’t passed fit to play vs the Eels this weekend.
LISTEN ABOVE AS TONY KEMP SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former Warriors coach and RS league analyst, Tony Kemp says Roger Tuivasa-Sheck should play at standoff if Mason Lino isn’t passed fit to play vs the Eels this weekend.
LISTEN ABOVE AS TONY KEMP SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Sky rugby analyst and former All Black, Matt Cooper says he disagrees with the policy of All Blacks having to miss Super Rugby matches because of AB’s training. Four important players from the Chiefs are flying home from South Africa and will miss the game vs the Sharks.
LISTEN ABOVE AS MATT COOPER SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Sky rugby analyst and former All Black, Matt Cooper says he disagrees with the policy of All Blacks having to miss Super Rugby matches because of AB’s training. Four important players from the Chiefs are flying home from South Africa and will miss the game vs the Sharks.
LISTEN ABOVE AS MATT COOPER SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former All Whites goalkeeper and host of the Utter Football Podcast, Michael Utting speaks about the potential sale of the Phoenix and what it would mean for football in NZ. He thinks they would be sadly missed and the standard of the NZ Premiership isn’t good enough to generate enough interest.
LISTEN ABOVE AS MICHAEL UTTING SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former All Whites goalkeeper and host of the Utter Football Podcast, Michael Utting speaks about the potential sale of the Phoenix and what it would mean for football in NZ. He thinks they would be sadly missed and the standard of the NZ Premiership isn’t good enough to generate enough interest.
LISTEN ABOVE AS MICHAEL UTTING SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Will Greenwood with his thoughts on South African rugby looking to pull out of super rugby. He believes they are strung out enough and should stay in Super Rugby.
LISTEN TO THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH THE RSB ABOVE
Will Greenwood with his thoughts on South African rugby looking to pull out of super rugby. He believes they are strung out enough and should stay in Super Rugby.
LISTEN TO THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH THE RSB ABOVE
Classic Moet has picked the perfect time to produce her first clear showjumping round of her career in a big competition.
Jonelle Price has jumped clear in the final showjumping phase to win the prestigious Badminton Horse Trials in England.
It's her first four star victory and Price told the Radio Sport Breakfast the cross country specialist defied the odds to win.
She says her strength is not the showjumping and if you look at her record she's never jumped a clear round on the last day.
Price has become the first Kiwi woman and fourth New Zealand to win Badminton.
LISTEN ABOVE AS JONELLE PRICE SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Classic Moet has picked the perfect time to produce her first clear showjumping round of her career in a big competition.
Jonelle Price has jumped clear in the final showjumping phase to win the prestigious Badminton Horse Trials in England.
It's her first four star victory and Price told the Radio Sport Breakfast the cross country specialist defied the odds to win.
She says her strength is not the showjumping and if you look at her record she's never jumped a clear round on the last day.
Price has become the first Kiwi woman and fourth New Zealand to win Badminton.
LISTEN ABOVE AS JONELLE PRICE SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Richard Fale missed out on buying the Warriors this week but says money wasn't the issue.
Fale says they had more than triple the amount of money than what was being asked to purchase the Auckland based rugby league club.
"Without them being able to demonstrate the things we were looking for certainty on, we knew that we wouldn't be abler to push the deal forward."
"Finances weren't the problem, we just needed to make sure a lawyer wasn't going to come knocking on our door a week after we purchased the team saying that the court had awarded the team to some other person."
LISTEN ABOVE AS RICHARD FALE SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Richard Fale missed out on buying the Warriors this week but says money wasn't the issue.
Fale says they had more than triple the amount of money than what was being asked to purchase the Auckland based rugby league club.
"Without them being able to demonstrate the things we were looking for certainty on, we knew that we wouldn't be abler to push the deal forward."
"Finances weren't the problem, we just needed to make sure a lawyer wasn't going to come knocking on our door a week after we purchased the team saying that the court had awarded the team to some other person."
LISTEN ABOVE AS RICHARD FALE SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Australian comedy legend Chopper stopped by Radio Sport Breakfast this morning ahead of his upcoming tour as part of the International Comedy Fesitval.
He talked about terrible jobs, Bunnings burritos, laughing at his own jokes, and, of course, what sports teams he supports.
LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW ABOVE
Australian comedy legend Chopper stopped by Radio Sport Breakfast this morning ahead of his upcoming tour as part of the International Comedy Fesitval.
He talked about terrible jobs, Bunnings burritos, laughing at his own jokes, and, of course, what sports teams he supports.
LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW ABOVE
The Warriors will give Isaac Luke until Friday to prove his fitness for this Saturday's NRL match against the Wests Tigers.
Luke injured his knee in the ANZAC day loss to the Melbourne Storm, and was thought to be sidelined for several weeks.
However, he has been named to start this weekend, and assistant coach Tony Iro told the Radiosport Breakfast they will give him every chance to play.
"We'll probably make that call depending on how Isaac goes and just how training goes today and then on Friday the captain's run."
LISTEN TO TONY IRO TALK WITH RADIOSPORT BREAKFAST ABOVE
The Warriors will give Isaac Luke until Friday to prove his fitness for this Saturday's NRL match against the Wests Tigers.
Luke injured his knee in the ANZAC day loss to the Melbourne Storm, and was thought to be sidelined for several weeks.
However, he has been named to start this weekend, and assistant coach Tony Iro told the Radiosport Breakfast they will give him every chance to play.
"We'll probably make that call depending on how Isaac goes and just how training goes today and then on Friday the captain's run."
LISTEN TO TONY IRO TALK WITH RADIOSPORT BREAKFAST ABOVE
Former All Black Piri Weepu on his new TV show debuting tonight on Maori Television. He also spoke about the form of the ‘Canes and the Blues.
LISTEN ABOVE AS PIRI WEEPU SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former All Black Piri Weepu on his new TV show debuting tonight on Maori Television. He also spoke about the form of the ‘Canes and the Blues.
LISTEN ABOVE AS PIRI WEEPU SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd on the embarrassment of riches he has in the backs division with most of his top talent now fit. He also said they have their compulsory “resting “ of All Blacks sorted for the rest of the season. He is going to mix and match a fair bit over the next five weeks.
LISTEN ABOVE AS CHRIS BOYD SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd on the embarrassment of riches he has in the backs division with most of his top talent now fit. He also said they have their compulsory “resting “ of All Blacks sorted for the rest of the season. He is going to mix and match a fair bit over the next five weeks.
LISTEN ABOVE AS CHRIS BOYD SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Tony Kemp, RS league analyst, who isn’t convinced the Warriors sale is a good idea. He thinks the rest of NZ will be adversely affected if the ARL is in charge because they will not be obliged to take games away from Auckland.
LISTEN ABOVE AS TONY KEMP SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Tony Kemp, RS league analyst, who isn’t convinced the Warriors sale is a good idea. He thinks the rest of NZ will be adversely affected if the ARL is in charge because they will not be obliged to take games away from Auckland.
LISTEN ABOVE AS TONY KEMP SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Graham Lowe, consultant to the ARL’s bid to buy the Warriors. He is adamant there will not be a conflict of interest if the sale goes through later this week.
LISTEN ABOVE AS GRAHAM LOWE SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Graham Lowe, consultant to the ARL’s bid to buy the Warriors. He is adamant there will not be a conflict of interest if the sale goes through later this week.
LISTEN ABOVE AS GRAHAM LOWE SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former All Blacks coach, John Hart believes Auckland rugby is in a sorry state and the problems are endemic. He thinks NZ Rugby needs to do more to support the Blues and their coaching.
LISTEN ABOVE AS JOHN HART TALKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former All Blacks coach, John Hart believes Auckland rugby is in a sorry state and the problems are endemic. He thinks NZ Rugby needs to do more to support the Blues and their coaching.
LISTEN ABOVE AS JOHN HART TALKS TO RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Matt Brown, Radio Sport's tennis editor, on the findings of the independent review of integrity in tennis.
LISTEN TO THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH THE RSB ABOVE
Dale Budge, RS league analyst, who thinks the Storm would have put 30 points on any team last night.
Stephen Kearney also has some big decisions ahead with hooker Isaac Luke likely unavailable for six weeks.
LISTEN TO THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH THE RSB BREAKFAST ABOVE
Dale Budge, RS league analyst, who thinks the Storm would have put 30 points on any team last night.
Stephen Kearney also has some big decisions ahead with hooker Isaac Luke likely unavailable for six weeks.
LISTEN TO THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH THE RSB BREAKFAST ABOVE
Andrew Voss, Fox NRL commentator, on the significance of ANZAC fixtures including the Warriors game with the Storm.
He thinks the Storm are now the favourites to win the competition.
LISTEN TO THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST ABOVE
Dragons vs. Roosters Allianz Stadium, Sydney - 6pm LIVE COMMENTARY ON RADIO SPORT
Storm vs. Warriors - AAMI Park, Melbourne - 9pm LIVE COMMENTARY ON RADIO SPORT
Andrew Voss, Fox NRL commentator, on the significance of ANZAC fixtures including the Warriors game with the Storm.
He thinks the Storm are now the favourites to win the competition.
LISTEN TO THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST ABOVE
Dragons vs. Roosters Allianz Stadium, Sydney - 6pm LIVE COMMENTARY ON RADIO SPORT
Storm vs. Warriors - AAMI Park, Melbourne - 9pm LIVE COMMENTARY ON RADIO SPORT
Joel Stransky, Supersport rugby commentator in SA, on the Lions being the only decent team in Super Rugby and the fact it is damaging for the fan base there.
He thinks the Springboks may not run the All Blacks close this season but is optimistic about their chances next season at the RWC.
LISTEN TO THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST ABOVE
Joel Stransky, Supersport rugby commentator in SA, on the Lions being the only decent team in Super Rugby and the fact it is damaging for the fan base there.
He thinks the Springboks may not run the All Blacks close this season but is optimistic about their chances next season at the RWC.
LISTEN TO THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST ABOVE
Russell Hargreaves, Talksport UK correspondent, on Arsene Wenger leaving Arsenal at the end of the season. He thought it should have happened last season.
LISTEN TO THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH RSB ABOVE
Russell Hargreaves, Talksport UK correspondent, on Arsene Wenger leaving Arsenal at the end of the season. He thought it should have happened last season.
LISTEN TO THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH RSB ABOVE
Tony Kemp, RS NRL commentator, ahead of the ANZAC clash between the Warriors and the Storm. He thinks there is no need for the Warriors to rush back Shaun Johnson but there would be no real serious consideration given to Mason Lino replacing him as halfback permanently.
LISTEN TO THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH THE RSB ABOVE
Tony Kemp, RS NRL commentator, ahead of the ANZAC clash between the Warriors and the Storm. He thinks there is no need for the Warriors to rush back Shaun Johnson but there would be no real serious consideration given to Mason Lino replacing him as halfback permanently.
LISTEN TO THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH THE RSB ABOVE
Labour MP and former Black Fern Louisa Wall says Israel Folau's comments on homosexuals being condemned to hell are dangerous for young LGBTI rugby fans.
The Wallabies star reinforced his comments on Monday that he originally posted on social media that gays are destined for hell unless they repent their sins.
Wall told the Radio Sport Breakfast that Folau's comments were 'incredibly dangerous'.
"His comments are incredibly dangerous because essentially what he's saying if you're a young LGBTI person is that that identity is bad, it's wrong. And you should repent. Which is to denounce it. Because if you don't, you're going to suffer for the rest of your life," Wall told the Radio Sport Breakfast.
"Obviously in New Zealand we're 32 years now passed homosexual law reform. Just the other day we've expunged the historical convictions of about 1,000 men who were caught by laws that basically said 'if you were a young gay person, you were a criminal'.
"I think we live in this enlightened era where we accept everybody for who they are including their sexual orientation and identity. But the biggest issue for me is if you're a young LGBT person, we already know through research, you're four times more likely to self-harm and to attempt suicide. So when people like Israel Folau, with such a massive influence on society, he's got over 330,000 followers on his Instagram account, say what they do, it actually creates a really unsafe environment for our young people.
"Even though Israel said he was quoting from the Bible, I think what I'd ask him to do is to think about the influence that he has. Obviously the platform that he has to spread what he has to say and how negative that impact is on particularly young LGBTI people. If you're a minister and you say that in a church on a Sunday, you're preaching to the converted. He's not preaching to the converted he's preaching to a whole lot of people. A range of people who love rugby, who love Israel. That also includes young people who are incredibly vulnerable, they need their identity reinforced and they need to be supported through what is a harrowing journey if you're finding out you're a young gay person today and if role models like Israel Folau don't support our young people to be who they are then actually I think are suicide statistics highlight the issues we have as a society."
Australia Rugby CEO Raelene Castle yesterday said she was satisfied by a column in which Folau reiterated his religious convictions.
"In his article, Israel clearly articulated his religious beliefs and why his faith is important to him and has provided context behind his social media comment," Castle said in a statement on Tuesday.
"In his own words, Israel said that he did not intend to upset people intentionally or bring hurt to the game. We accept Israel's position.
"Rugby Australia will use the experience as an opportunity to remind all employees of their obligation to use social media in a respectful way."
Wall said Australia Rugby's stance made it seem Folau was a 'law into himself.
"They have compromised themselves and I think some of the sponsors are compromised as well. Many of those corporate giants now take inclusion and diversity really seriously and so all round I think the messages have been bad. It basically says Israel is a law into himself and he's really special and so we're not going to do what we should do which is adhere to our policies," she said.
Labour MP and former Black Fern Louisa Wall says Israel Folau's comments on homosexuals being condemned to hell are dangerous for young LGBTI rugby fans.
The Wallabies star reinforced his comments on Monday that he originally posted on social media that gays are destined for hell unless they repent their sins.
Wall told the Radio Sport Breakfast that Folau's comments were 'incredibly dangerous'.
"His comments are incredibly dangerous because essentially what he's saying if you're a young LGBTI person is that that identity is bad, it's wrong. And you should repent. Which is to denounce it. Because if you don't, you're going to suffer for the rest of your life," Wall told the Radio Sport Breakfast.
"Obviously in New Zealand we're 32 years now passed homosexual law reform. Just the other day we've expunged the historical convictions of about 1,000 men who were caught by laws that basically said 'if you were a young gay person, you were a criminal'.
"I think we live in this enlightened era where we accept everybody for who they are including their sexual orientation and identity. But the biggest issue for me is if you're a young LGBT person, we already know through research, you're four times more likely to self-harm and to attempt suicide. So when people like Israel Folau, with such a massive influence on society, he's got over 330,000 followers on his Instagram account, say what they do, it actually creates a really unsafe environment for our young people.
"Even though Israel said he was quoting from the Bible, I think what I'd ask him to do is to think about the influence that he has. Obviously the platform that he has to spread what he has to say and how negative that impact is on particularly young LGBTI people. If you're a minister and you say that in a church on a Sunday, you're preaching to the converted. He's not preaching to the converted he's preaching to a whole lot of people. A range of people who love rugby, who love Israel. That also includes young people who are incredibly vulnerable, they need their identity reinforced and they need to be supported through what is a harrowing journey if you're finding out you're a young gay person today and if role models like Israel Folau don't support our young people to be who they are then actually I think are suicide statistics highlight the issues we have as a society."
Australia Rugby CEO Raelene Castle yesterday said she was satisfied by a column in which Folau reiterated his religious convictions.
"In his article, Israel clearly articulated his religious beliefs and why his faith is important to him and has provided context behind his social media comment," Castle said in a statement on Tuesday.
"In his own words, Israel said that he did not intend to upset people intentionally or bring hurt to the game. We accept Israel's position.
"Rugby Australia will use the experience as an opportunity to remind all employees of their obligation to use social media in a respectful way."
Wall said Australia Rugby's stance made it seem Folau was a 'law into himself.
"They have compromised themselves and I think some of the sponsors are compromised as well. Many of those corporate giants now take inclusion and diversity really seriously and so all round I think the messages have been bad. It basically says Israel is a law into himself and he's really special and so we're not going to do what we should do which is adhere to our policies," she said.
The cost of seeing every match of next year's Rugby World Cup is likely to be about $100.
Spark and TVNZ have secured joint rights to broadcast next year's tournament.
TVNZ will show seven games live and free including the final, while Spark will stream all games online to paying subscribers.
Spark chief Simon Moutter told Radio Sport a full tournament pass is likely to sell for about $100 per user.
"We will create cut down versions, even a per-game price so you can watch just a single match."
It's possible some All Blacks matches will not air at all on conventional TV.
LISTEN TO SIMON MOUTTER TALK WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST ABOVE
The cost of seeing every match of next year's Rugby World Cup is likely to be about $100.
Spark and TVNZ have secured joint rights to broadcast next year's tournament.
TVNZ will show seven games live and free including the final, while Spark will stream all games online to paying subscribers.
Spark chief Simon Moutter told Radio Sport a full tournament pass is likely to sell for about $100 per user.
"We will create cut down versions, even a per-game price so you can watch just a single match."
It's possible some All Blacks matches will not air at all on conventional TV.
LISTEN TO SIMON MOUTTER TALK WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST ABOVE
Only seven matches of next year's Rugby World Cup will be live on free-to-air TV.
TVNZ and Spark have secured broadcast rights to the tournament after Sky was ruled out as the preferred bidder for rights.
Spark says it will stream all matches online to paying subscribers.
But TVNZ chief executive Kevin Kendrick told Radio Sport Breakfast the details of the free-to-air coverage are still being sorted out.
"There will be seven matches that will be shown live free-to-air TV.We will definitely have the first one, we will definitely have the last one and we will confirm the details of the ones in between over the next few months."
The deal also covers other tournaments, including the 2021 Women's World Cup.
LISTEN ABOVE AS KEVIN KENDRICK SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Only seven matches of next year's Rugby World Cup will be live on free-to-air TV.
TVNZ and Spark have secured broadcast rights to the tournament after Sky was ruled out as the preferred bidder for rights.
Spark says it will stream all matches online to paying subscribers.
But TVNZ chief executive Kevin Kendrick told Radio Sport Breakfast the details of the free-to-air coverage are still being sorted out.
"There will be seven matches that will be shown live free-to-air TV.We will definitely have the first one, we will definitely have the last one and we will confirm the details of the ones in between over the next few months."
The deal also covers other tournaments, including the 2021 Women's World Cup.
LISTEN ABOVE AS KEVIN KENDRICK SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Justin Marshall previews this weekend's Super Rugby matches, which is headlined by Friday night's crunch clash between the Hurricanes and Chiefs.
LISTEN ABOVE AS JUSTIN MARSHALL SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Justin Marshall previews this weekend's Super Rugby matches, which is headlined by Friday night's crunch clash between the Hurricanes and Chiefs.
LISTEN ABOVE AS JUSTIN MARSHALL SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
From gold medalist to a tarnished reputation.
Sam Gaze's sportsmanship is under fire for comments after his otherwise outstanding gold medal finish in the men's mountain biking on the Gold Coast.
He's been forced to apologise to fellow Kiwi rider Anton Cooper - who claimed the silver - after calling him out for not stopping when Gaze had a puncture.
During the race, Gaze 'flipped the bird' when Cooper sailed past, even though he chased him down in a momentous effort to take out the gold.
Radio Sport reporter Brenton Vannisselroy told the Radio Sport Breakfast that Gaze's antics have completely overshadowed what should have been a wonderful 1-2 for New Zealand.
"It completely took away from what should be remembered as a sporting highlight of these Games.
"[It was] one of the great sporting comebacks from Sam Gaze, to comeback from a flat tyre on the final lap to win. Instead we're talking about the rather prattish behaviour of a completely ungracious winner."
LISTEN ABOVE AS BRENTON VANNISSELROY SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BBREAKFAST
From gold medalist to a tarnished reputation.
Sam Gaze's sportsmanship is under fire for comments after his otherwise outstanding gold medal finish in the men's mountain biking on the Gold Coast.
He's been forced to apologise to fellow Kiwi rider Anton Cooper - who claimed the silver - after calling him out for not stopping when Gaze had a puncture.
During the race, Gaze 'flipped the bird' when Cooper sailed past, even though he chased him down in a momentous effort to take out the gold.
Radio Sport reporter Brenton Vannisselroy told the Radio Sport Breakfast that Gaze's antics have completely overshadowed what should have been a wonderful 1-2 for New Zealand.
"It completely took away from what should be remembered as a sporting highlight of these Games.
"[It was] one of the great sporting comebacks from Sam Gaze, to comeback from a flat tyre on the final lap to win. Instead we're talking about the rather prattish behaviour of a completely ungracious winner."
LISTEN ABOVE AS BRENTON VANNISSELROY SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BBREAKFAST
Former NZ Sevens captain Karl Te Nana says Fiji will be favourites to win Commonwealth Games gold.
Fiji were one of the only nations to send a full strength team to the Hong Kong tournament last weekend, which they won.
Most of the other contenders decided to send B teams and spent the weekend training on the Gold Coast instead.
Former NZ Sevens captain Karl Te Nana says Fiji will be favourites to win Commonwealth Games gold.
Fiji were one of the only nations to send a full strength team to the Hong Kong tournament last weekend, which they won.
Most of the other contenders decided to send B teams and spent the weekend training on the Gold Coast instead.
Hurricanes coach John Plumtree spoke to the Radio Sport Breakfast ahead of the Canes' crunch clash with the Chiefs Friday night.
Hurricanes coach John Plumtree spoke to the Radio Sport Breakfast ahead of the Canes' crunch clash with the Chiefs Friday night.
Irene Van Dyk says there is still hope for the Silver Ferns after losing to England by the biggest margin ever.
Irene Van Dyk says there is still hope for the Silver Ferns after losing to England by the biggest margin ever.
The Warriors are anticipating a late surge in interest from fans for Saturday's NRL match against the Broncos at Mt Smart Stadium.
The ground sold out for the double header last weekend and with the club riding a high on the back of five straight wins to start the season, CEO Cameron George is expecting in excess of 20,000 will go through the gates.
"Why not? Gee, we'd love to sell the place out again. Certainly 20,000 plus, five o'clock Saturday afternoon, it's a great time for the families to come [and] the weather's looking good for Saturday."
George says this week's power cuts may have impacted on people's ability top buy tickets but sales are really starting to pick up no
"The [weather] we had during the week would have impacted upon on people's ability to buy tickets, so hopefully they really increase today. There's a lot of interest."
LISTEN ABOVE AS CAMERON GEORGE SPEAKS TO THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
The Warriors are anticipating a late surge in interest from fans for Saturday's NRL match against the Broncos at Mt Smart Stadium.
The ground sold out for the double header last weekend and with the club riding a high on the back of five straight wins to start the season, CEO Cameron George is expecting in excess of 20,000 will go through the gates.
"Why not? Gee, we'd love to sell the place out again. Certainly 20,000 plus, five o'clock Saturday afternoon, it's a great time for the families to come [and] the weather's looking good for Saturday."
George says this week's power cuts may have impacted on people's ability top buy tickets but sales are really starting to pick up no
"The [weather] we had during the week would have impacted upon on people's ability to buy tickets, so hopefully they really increase today. There's a lot of interest."
LISTEN ABOVE AS CAMERON GEORGE SPEAKS TO THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
MMA expert John Morgan on the rise of Kiwi fighter Israel Adesanya, who will feature in UFC Fight Night this Sunday morning.
MMA expert John Morgan on the rise of Kiwi fighter Israel Adesanya, who will feature in UFC Fight Night this Sunday morning.
Eric Murray, Hamish Bond's former teammate in the men's rowing pair, told the Radio Sport Breakfast that he foiled Bond's back up plan of returning to the pair or the men's eight by retiring.
LISTEN ABOVE AS ERIC MURRAY SPEAKS TO THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Eric Murray, Hamish Bond's former teammate in the men's rowing pair, told the Radio Sport Breakfast that he foiled Bond's back up plan of returning to the pair or the men's eight by retiring.
LISTEN ABOVE AS ERIC MURRAY SPEAKS TO THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former New Zealand cyclist Hayden Roulston told the Radio Sport Breakfast that Hamish Bond's performance at the Commonwealth Games was "phenomenal".
Roulston believes that if Bond wants to be competitive at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo he will need to join a professional team to develop greater strength and power.
LISTEN ABOVE AS HAYDEN ROULSTON SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former New Zealand cyclist Hayden Roulston told the Radio Sport Breakfast that Hamish Bond's performance at the Commonwealth Games was "phenomenal".
Roulston believes that if Bond wants to be competitive at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo he will need to join a professional team to develop greater strength and power.
LISTEN ABOVE AS HAYDEN ROULSTON SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
What now for Wallabies star Israel Folau?
Folau's post on social media, where he said 'gays should go to hell', caused outrage around the rugby world and was criticised by such figures as openly gay referee Nigel Owens, one of the top-ranked whistle-blowers in the game.
He has also got sponsors offside and put major backer Qantas – a vocal proponent of same-sex marriage - in a difficult position.
READ MORE: Nigel Owens on Folau - Being gay is not a choice
The ARU has not punished for the fullback for his comments with new boss Raelene Castle saying, "He wants to see everyone live in a positive world but needs to make sure he's respectful."
Australian Radio Network Sports Director Jim Dolan told the Radio Sport Breakfast that Folau's standing in Australian rugby - he is their biggest drawcard and is off contract at the end of the year - complicated matters for the ARU.
LISTEN ABOVE AS JIM DOLAN SPEAKS TO THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
What now for Wallabies star Israel Folau?
Folau's post on social media, where he said 'gays should go to hell', caused outrage around the rugby world and was criticised by such figures as openly gay referee Nigel Owens, one of the top-ranked whistle-blowers in the game.
He has also got sponsors offside and put major backer Qantas – a vocal proponent of same-sex marriage - in a difficult position.
READ MORE: Nigel Owens on Folau - Being gay is not a choice
The ARU has not punished for the fullback for his comments with new boss Raelene Castle saying, "He wants to see everyone live in a positive world but needs to make sure he's respectful."
Australian Radio Network Sports Director Jim Dolan told the Radio Sport Breakfast that Folau's standing in Australian rugby - he is their biggest drawcard and is off contract at the end of the year - complicated matters for the ARU.
LISTEN ABOVE AS JIM DOLAN SPEAKS TO THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Fox NRL commentator Andrew Voss on the Warriors' 5-0 start to the season. He also thinks Wayne Bennett has lost his shine at the Broncos.
The Brisbane side are in Auckland to face the Warriors on Saturday.
LISTEN ABOVE AS ANDREW VOSS SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Fox NRL commentator Andrew Voss on the Warriors' 5-0 start to the season. He also thinks Wayne Bennett has lost his shine at the Broncos.
The Brisbane side are in Auckland to face the Warriors on Saturday.
LISTEN ABOVE AS ANDREW VOSS SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former New Zealand heptathlete Sarah Cowley-Ross reacts to Tom Walsh's win and Laurel Hubbard competing as a female weightlifter.
Cowley-Ross says she is uncomfortable with Hubbard competing at the Commonwealth Games but understands no rules have been broken.
"She's ultimately satisfied the IOC and the international weightlifting criteria, so at the end of the day she's made her decision and as a nation we've got to be supportive of her.
"Whether it's right that she did compete as a man before, she is now Laurel. I don't necessarily agree with that, but that's the rules so good on her."
LISTEN ABOVE AS SARAH COWLEY-ROSS SPEAKS TO THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former New Zealand heptathlete Sarah Cowley-Ross reacts to Tom Walsh's win and Laurel Hubbard competing as a female weightlifter.
Cowley-Ross says she is uncomfortable with Hubbard competing at the Commonwealth Games but understands no rules have been broken.
"She's ultimately satisfied the IOC and the international weightlifting criteria, so at the end of the day she's made her decision and as a nation we've got to be supportive of her.
"Whether it's right that she did compete as a man before, she is now Laurel. I don't necessarily agree with that, but that's the rules so good on her."
LISTEN ABOVE AS SARAH COWLEY-ROSS SPEAKS TO THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Kendrick of Compton has inspired David of Auckland to Commonwealth Games gold.
David Liti offered nothing short of outrageous courage and brilliant theatre to secure gold in a sport he once thought was "boring".
The 21-year-old won the men’s over 105 kilogram weightlifting on the Gold Coast, combining a 174 kilogram snatch with a 229 kilogram clean and jerk in a Games record combined lift of 403 kilograms.
Liti says he listened to some inspiring music from Kendrick Lamar before competition to amp him up.
"[He] was just pumping me and some people think that he's an angry rapper, but I think he's a happy dude. Happy go lucky."
His first snatch saw him put 166kg on the bar – 1kg more than his own mass. He lifted it like lint off a jersey.
Bizarrely, Liti was denied a second lift courteous of a timing glitch. The origins of the error remain unknown as yet. He popped his earphones aside, returned to ping up 174kg and blew a kiss at the judges.
He duelled with Pakistan's Muhammad Nooh Dastgir Butt and Samoa's Lui Lauititi as they ratcheted up the plates and swapped the lead among themselves.
Lui sat in the gold medal position, but passed out on stage with his final lift. After medical staff had removed his groggy form via wheelchair, Liti was faced with a Commonwealth record 229kg from his final attempt.
His composure remain resolute and he posted the bar up to triumph with a combined weight of 403kg.
Butt lifted last, but unsuccessfully.
New Zealand needed a new champion to take the mantle from Richie Patterson. They found it in Liti.
Liti is over the moon he left rugby behind.
A promising young rugby player, his relationship with weightlifting has been topsy turvy.
"I went back to rugby and I came back to weightlifting and I just kind of liked it. [There's] not much running, don't have learn many plays all you do is lift weights and sit down!"
Earlier, one of the best sounds at the Games was the applause accompanying Laurel Hubbard's arrival onto the 90kg+ platform.
One of the worst was seeing her cry out as her elbow appeared to hyperflex while attempting a Commonwealth record 132kg for her final snatch lift.
In a triumph for human rights and open opportunity, the 40-year-old transgender athlete strolled out to Katy Perry's Firework.
She lit the fuse by nailing 120kg with her first lift. However, the pyrotechnics fizzled when she left the stage holding her elbow in agony. Hubbard decided she was unfit to advance to the clean and jerk round.
"As far as I can tell, I have ruptured a ligament in my left elbow, but until we get an MRI or further scanning, the extent of the injury is not known.
"It's obviously a difficult time, but the one thing I'm happiest about is that I tried to reach my best performance. This [the injury] happens sometimes, but that's sport.
"We can always go back and re-run these things in our heads, but the truth is unless we try to be the best person and athlete we can be, then really we're not being true to sport. I'm happy with the decision I made to take those weights."
Initially, a tactical duel built between Hubbard and 17-year-old Samoan rival Feagaiga Stowers as they upped the ante on their opening weights.
Hubbard cleared her first attempt with what looked relative ease. A wave to the crowd, a delighted smile and a saunter off stage encapsulated a genial welcome.
Stowers threw 113kg in the air, but failed to match Hubbard's 120kg with her third attempt.
The New Zealander added 7kg to her bar, failed, and then made the flawed attempt which triggered her departure.
Stowers went on to take the title.
"I'm unhappy having to withdraw from the competition, but I gave it everything I had. I can sleep well knowing that," Hubbard said.
"The Australian crowd was magnificent. They really made me try for that last lift. I regret I wasn't able to give them the result they wanted to see."
Hubbard was asked if she had been treated with respect and inclusivity at the Games, whose mantra is "humanity, equality,...
Kendrick of Compton has inspired David of Auckland to Commonwealth Games gold.
David Liti offered nothing short of outrageous courage and brilliant theatre to secure gold in a sport he once thought was "boring".
The 21-year-old won the men’s over 105 kilogram weightlifting on the Gold Coast, combining a 174 kilogram snatch with a 229 kilogram clean and jerk in a Games record combined lift of 403 kilograms.
Liti says he listened to some inspiring music from Kendrick Lamar before competition to amp him up.
"[He] was just pumping me and some people think that he's an angry rapper, but I think he's a happy dude. Happy go lucky."
His first snatch saw him put 166kg on the bar – 1kg more than his own mass. He lifted it like lint off a jersey.
Bizarrely, Liti was denied a second lift courteous of a timing glitch. The origins of the error remain unknown as yet. He popped his earphones aside, returned to ping up 174kg and blew a kiss at the judges.
He duelled with Pakistan's Muhammad Nooh Dastgir Butt and Samoa's Lui Lauititi as they ratcheted up the plates and swapped the lead among themselves.
Lui sat in the gold medal position, but passed out on stage with his final lift. After medical staff had removed his groggy form via wheelchair, Liti was faced with a Commonwealth record 229kg from his final attempt.
His composure remain resolute and he posted the bar up to triumph with a combined weight of 403kg.
Butt lifted last, but unsuccessfully.
New Zealand needed a new champion to take the mantle from Richie Patterson. They found it in Liti.
Liti is over the moon he left rugby behind.
A promising young rugby player, his relationship with weightlifting has been topsy turvy.
"I went back to rugby and I came back to weightlifting and I just kind of liked it. [There's] not much running, don't have learn many plays all you do is lift weights and sit down!"
Earlier, one of the best sounds at the Games was the applause accompanying Laurel Hubbard's arrival onto the 90kg+ platform.
One of the worst was seeing her cry out as her elbow appeared to hyperflex while attempting a Commonwealth record 132kg for her final snatch lift.
In a triumph for human rights and open opportunity, the 40-year-old transgender athlete strolled out to Katy Perry's Firework.
She lit the fuse by nailing 120kg with her first lift. However, the pyrotechnics fizzled when she left the stage holding her elbow in agony. Hubbard decided she was unfit to advance to the clean and jerk round.
"As far as I can tell, I have ruptured a ligament in my left elbow, but until we get an MRI or further scanning, the extent of the injury is not known.
"It's obviously a difficult time, but the one thing I'm happiest about is that I tried to reach my best performance. This [the injury] happens sometimes, but that's sport.
"We can always go back and re-run these things in our heads, but the truth is unless we try to be the best person and athlete we can be, then really we're not being true to sport. I'm happy with the decision I made to take those weights."
Initially, a tactical duel built between Hubbard and 17-year-old Samoan rival Feagaiga Stowers as they upped the ante on their opening weights.
Hubbard cleared her first attempt with what looked relative ease. A wave to the crowd, a delighted smile and a saunter off stage encapsulated a genial welcome.
Stowers threw 113kg in the air, but failed to match Hubbard's 120kg with her third attempt.
The New Zealander added 7kg to her bar, failed, and then made the flawed attempt which triggered her departure.
Stowers went on to take the title.
"I'm unhappy having to withdraw from the competition, but I gave it everything I had. I can sleep well knowing that," Hubbard said.
"The Australian crowd was magnificent. They really made me try for that last lift. I regret I wasn't able to give them the result they wanted to see."
Hubbard was asked if she had been treated with respect and inclusivity at the Games, whose m...
Talksport UK commentator Russell Hargreaves reviews an interesting week of Premier League action which saw Chelsea draw with West Ham and Manchester City lose to Manchester United ahead of another tough Champions League match with Liverpool this week.
Talksport UK commentator Russell Hargreaves reviews an interesting week of Premier League action which saw Chelsea draw with West Ham and Manchester City lose to Manchester United ahead of another tough Champions League match with Liverpool this week.
Former All Black Jeff Wilson recaps the weekend's Super Rugby action.
He still has the Hurricanes as favourite to win the New Zealand Conference, despite the Crusaders keeping the heat on following their win over the Jaguares in Argentina.
Wilson also thinks the Blues spent too much time on defence in training during the week and forgot how to attack against the Chiefs!
Jeff even passes the phone to his wife, and former Silver Ferns captain, Adine who turned the netball off at halftime last night and was surprised to see they had lost to Malawi.
LISTEN ABOVE AS JEFF (AND ADINE) WILSON SPEAK TO THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former All Black Jeff Wilson recaps the weekend's Super Rugby action.
He still has the Hurricanes as favourite to win the New Zealand Conference, despite the Crusaders keeping the heat on following their win over the Jaguares in Argentina.
Wilson also thinks the Blues spent too much time on defence in training during the week and forgot how to attack against the Chiefs!
Jeff even passes the phone to his wife, and former Silver Ferns captain, Adine who turned the netball off at halftime last night and was surprised to see they had lost to Malawi.
LISTEN ABOVE AS JEFF (AND ADINE) WILSON SPEAK TO THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Tony Kemp is all aboard the Warriors hype train following the NRL side's 22-12 win over the Cowboys on Saturday night.
Kemp says he's a 9.5 on the Kempometer.
However he is a little concerned over the impending sale of the club and he fears that is the only thing that could derail the Warriors at the moment.
"No-one's talking about [the sale of the club]. It'll be in the background, niggling away at people. The CEO will be worried about his job, the coach will be worried about the structure of the football department.
"You'd have to be a brave man to come in here and changes, but what [the sale] means for the club and footy department is an unknown."
LISTEN ABOVE AS TONY KEMP SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Tony Kemp is all aboard the Warriors hype train following the NRL side's 22-12 win over the Cowboys on Saturday night.
Kemp says he's a 9.5 on the Kempometer.
However he is a little concerned over the impending sale of the club and he fears that is the only thing that could derail the Warriors at the moment.
"No-one's talking about [the sale of the club]. It'll be in the background, niggling away at people. The CEO will be worried about his job, the coach will be worried about the structure of the football department.
"You'd have to be a brave man to come in here and changes, but what [the sale] means for the club and footy department is an unknown."
LISTEN ABOVE AS TONY KEMP SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former All Black and Sky analyst Justin Marshall has a look at this weekend's Super Rugby matches.
Marshall says Tana Umaga and the Blues will be hurting after their hiding at home to the Chiefs however, there probably isn't a worse opponent for them to face this weekend.
"If the Blues think they're going to go into the game where it becomes free flowing and they can express themselves, the Chiefs won't let them do that. They are too well disciplined
"It's not the ideal game for the Blues to bounce back."
Ahead of the Hurricanes' match against the Sharks he is tipping another high-scoring affair but the Canes will provide a much sterner test than the Blues did at Eden Park.
LISTEN ABOVE AS JUSTIN MARSHALL SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former All Black and Sky analyst Justin Marshall has a look at this weekend's Super Rugby matches.
Marshall says Tana Umaga and the Blues will be hurting after their hiding at home to the Chiefs however, there probably isn't a worse opponent for them to face this weekend.
"If the Blues think they're going to go into the game where it becomes free flowing and they can express themselves, the Chiefs won't let them do that. They are too well disciplined
"It's not the ideal game for the Blues to bounce back."
Ahead of the Hurricanes' match against the Sharks he is tipping another high-scoring affair but the Canes will provide a much sterner test than the Blues did at Eden Park.
LISTEN ABOVE AS JUSTIN MARSHALL SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former Manly and Kiwis coach Graham Lowe ahead of the Warriors match against the Cowboys at Mt Smart Stadium.
Lowe also thinks Geoff Toovey would make a great coach for the Kiwis, as Toovey has apparently put his name forward to replace David Kidwell.
LISTEN ABOVE AS GRAHAM LOWE SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former Manly and Kiwis coach Graham Lowe ahead of the Warriors match against the Cowboys at Mt Smart Stadium.
Lowe also thinks Geoff Toovey would make a great coach for the Kiwis, as Toovey has apparently put his name forward to replace David Kidwell.
LISTEN ABOVE AS GRAHAM LOWE SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Napier is eyeing up a day-night cricket test when international sport return to the Hawkes Bay.
The region has been starved of international cricket over the past two summers, due to an unreliable drainage system at McLean Park.
The turf is being ripped up and replaced after this weekend's Super Rugby match between the Hurricanes and the Sharks.
Napier City Council Chief Executive Wayne Jack told the Radio Sport Breakfast once finished it will become a perfect spot for day-night test cricket.
"We've got great weather, also Hawkes Bay is fantastic for food and wine so we could make it a real experience for people to come along and experience a day-night Test match."
Jack is promising Napier sports fans that the drainage issues will be a thing of the past as it's not just the soil being replaced at McLean Park.
"We're also replacing all the drainage [and] putting in a complete new irrigation system. It's going to have computerised monitoring systems for soil moisture for when it needs to be irrigated."
Napier is eyeing up a day-night cricket test when international sport return to the Hawkes Bay.
The region has been starved of international cricket over the past two summers, due to an unreliable drainage system at McLean Park.
The turf is being ripped up and replaced after this weekend's Super Rugby match between the Hurricanes and the Sharks.
Napier City Council Chief Executive Wayne Jack told the Radio Sport Breakfast once finished it will become a perfect spot for day-night test cricket.
"We've got great weather, also Hawkes Bay is fantastic for food and wine so we could make it a real experience for people to come along and experience a day-night Test match."
Jack is promising Napier sports fans that the drainage issues will be a thing of the past as it's not just the soil being replaced at McLean Park.
"We're also replacing all the drainage [and] putting in a complete new irrigation system. It's going to have computerised monitoring systems for soil moisture for when it needs to be irrigated."
Graham Agars is at the US Masters, which starts tomorrow, and he believes Tiger Woods is one of multiple golfers who has a really good shot at winning the famous green jacket this weekend.
Graham Agars is at the US Masters, which starts tomorrow, and he believes Tiger Woods is one of multiple golfers who has a really good shot at winning the famous green jacket this weekend.
Jim Dolan, Sports Director ARN, on the lack of hype around the Comm Games and the disastrous Aussie cricket tour of SA.
Jim Dolan, Sports Director ARN, on the lack of hype around the Comm Games and the disastrous Aussie cricket tour of SA.
Simon Mannering, returning Warriors player, on how the team has been going in his absence.
He also thinks too much has been made of the club hiring the renowned fitness trainer Alex Corvo. Mannering apologised for having to “put a lid” on the hype as it’s still early in the season.
LISTEN ABOVE AS SIMON MANNERING SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Simon Mannering, returning Warriors player, on how the team has been going in his absence.
He also thinks too much has been made of the club hiring the renowned fitness trainer Alex Corvo. Mannering apologised for having to “put a lid” on the hype as it’s still early in the season.
LISTEN ABOVE AS SIMON MANNERING SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Ish Sodhi hasn't cemented his place in the New Zealand Test side, according to David Leggat.
The NZ Herald cricket writer says the ball just didn't go the leg spinner's way in Christchurch.
"He bowled 16 overs in the whole. Things just didn't really roll his way. When it comes to the next time they pick the test team, what are they going to think about?
"They're going to think about his bowling. They're not going to think about, 'oh, this guy made a half century to save us the Test, boy we'd better have him in the team for that."
Complicating matters is Mitchell Santner's role in the team and his injury along with the overall depth in the Black Caps bowling attack with Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Doug Bracewell, Todd Astle and even Northern Districts' Scott Kuggeleijn all in the mix.
LISTEN ABOVE AS DAVID LEGGAT SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Ish Sodhi hasn't cemented his place in the New Zealand Test side, according to David Leggat.
The NZ Herald cricket writer says the ball just didn't go the leg spinner's way in Christchurch.
"He bowled 16 overs in the whole. Things just didn't really roll his way. When it comes to the next time they pick the test team, what are they going to think about?
"They're going to think about his bowling. They're not going to think about, 'oh, this guy made a half century to save us the Test, boy we'd better have him in the team for that."
Complicating matters is Mitchell Santner's role in the team and his injury along with the overall depth in the Black Caps bowling attack with Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Doug Bracewell, Todd Astle and even Northern Districts' Scott Kuggeleijn all in the mix.
LISTEN ABOVE AS DAVID LEGGAT SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Andrew Voss is blaming the coaches and and players for the spate of penalties we have seen in the NRL this season.
"Who's to blame for the penalties? Coaches and then the players," Voss says.
"I will bag Melbourne right now, and that's a pretty rare thing to happen. You knew the crackdown was on, players have been told since December - if eight and nine weeks later you are still giving away the penalties, who is to blame?"
LISTEN ABOVE AS ANDREW VOSS SPEAKS TO THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Andrew Voss is blaming the coaches and and players for the spate of penalties we have seen in the NRL this season.
"Who's to blame for the penalties? Coaches and then the players," Voss says.
"I will bag Melbourne right now, and that's a pretty rare thing to happen. You knew the crackdown was on, players have been told since December - if eight and nine weeks later you are still giving away the penalties, who is to blame?"
LISTEN ABOVE AS ANDREW VOSS SPEAKS TO THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Warriors CEO Cameron George says this weekend's NRL double-header will be the biggest event on the calendar for Warriors fans this season.
Benji Marshall and Cameron Smith will face off at in the curtain raiser at Mt Smart when the Tigers play the Storm, which will be followed by the Warriors playing the Cowboys.
George told the Radio Sport Breakfast that Saturday's matches will be massive for all sports fans, not just league fans.
"Why wouldn't you be here? The stars have really aligned, the West Tigers are going really great, Melbourne Storm [have] superstars across the park.
"And the Cowboys, Jonathan Thurston and the likes are going to be here and they're up against our great team who are undefeated as well."
LISTEN ABOVE AS CAMERON GEORGE SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Warriors CEO Cameron George says this weekend's NRL double-header will be the biggest event on the calendar for Warriors fans this season.
Benji Marshall and Cameron Smith will face off at in the curtain raiser at Mt Smart when the Tigers play the Storm, which will be followed by the Warriors playing the Cowboys.
George told the Radio Sport Breakfast that Saturday's matches will be massive for all sports fans, not just league fans.
"Why wouldn't you be here? The stars have really aligned, the West Tigers are going really great, Melbourne Storm [have] superstars across the park.
"And the Cowboys, Jonathan Thurston and the likes are going to be here and they're up against our great team who are undefeated as well."
LISTEN ABOVE AS CAMERON GEORGE SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former All Black and Sky analyst Jeff Wilson isn't convinced the Blues are actually better with Tana Umaga as coach.
For the second successive game the Blues' coaching staff are embarrassed after losing 63-40 to the Sharks at Eden Park on Saturday night.
Wilson told the Radio Sport Breakfast that he doesn't think the Blues are in a better state this season.
"Sir John Kirwan made some gains when he was there, Pat Lam took them to the playoffs and it was the moment the season didn't go as planned, he was fired...and didn't get the opportunity to right the ship.
"Are they prepared to stick with Tana and his coaching team to right the ship through the season?
"The trend is so poor with Auckland and the Blues they can't at the moment, in anyway shape or form, bring the fans into the stands to support them, and why would you?"
LISTEN ABOVE AS JEFF WILSON SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former All Black and Sky analyst isn't convinced the Blues are actually better with Tana Umaga as coach.
For the second successive game the Blues' coaching staff are embarrassed.
LISTEN ABOVE AS JEFF WILSON SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former All Black and Sky analyst Justin Marshall previews this weekend's Super Rugby action.
LISTEN ABOVE AS JUSTIN MARSHALL SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former All Black and Sky analyst Justin Marshall previews this weekend's Super Rugby action.
LISTEN ABOVE AS JUSTIN MARSHALL SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
BBC boxing podcaster and Independent writer Steve Bunce says Joseph Parker has a good chance in Sunday morning's title fight because he's "the better boxer".
However, despite giving Parker a good chance to win, he is still thinks Anthony Joshua is the favourite due to his larger size and bigger power.
LISTEN ABOVE AS STEVE BUNCE SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
BBC boxing podcaster and Independent writer Steve Bunce says Joseph Parker has a good chance in Sunday morning's title fight because he's "the better boxer".
However, despite giving Parker a good chance to win, he is still thinks Anthony Joshua is the favourite due to his larger size and bigger power.
LISTEN ABOVE AS STEVE BUNCE SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Sydney Sky Sports Radio radio breakfast host Terry Kennedy says the Australian ball tampering saga has finished David Warner's career for the national team.
Cricket Australia have banned Warner and Smith from all professional cricket for 12 months, and Cameron Bancroft for nine months.
Smith has been banned from the captaincy for at least two years, while Warner has been told he will never lead Australia ever again.
Darren Lehmann has even called for the Australian team to play more like the Black Caps.
Kennedy believes we have seen the last of Warner, however he is more optimistic of Smith's chances of returning to the national team.
"Steve Smith will recover from this but he won't ever captain Australia again.
"David Warner won't ever recover from this again, and I don't think we'll see Dave Warner back in the Test team again, automatically like we will with Smith.
"Warner will only get another start if it's pure weight of runs and Australia are desperate for an opening batsman. We could have seen the last of Dave Warner.
Sydney Sky Sports Radio radio breakfast host Terry Kennedy says the Australian ball tampering saga has finished David Warner's career for the national team.
Cricket Australia have banned Warner and Smith from all professional cricket for 12 months, and Cameron Bancroft for nine months.
Smith has been banned from the captaincy for at least two years, while Warner has been told he will never lead Australia ever again.
Darren Lehmann has even called for the Australian team to play more like the Black Caps.
Kennedy believes we have seen the last of Warner, however he is more optimistic of Smith's chances of returning to the national team.
"Steve Smith will recover from this but he won't ever captain Australia again.
"David Warner won't ever recover from this again, and I don't think we'll see Dave Warner back in the Test team again, automatically like we will with Smith.
"Warner will only get another start if it's pure weight of runs and Australia are desperate for an opening batsman. We could have seen the last of Dave Warner.
An extremely relaxed Joseph Parker has sounded a warning about how beneficial his surgery has been.
It was revealed last week that the Kiwi heavyweight had a double elbow operation in December to help with ongoing discomfort.
Parker's camp believe it will be a game-changer for Sunday's unification bout against Brit Anthony Joshua, and the boxer himself agrees.
READ MORE: Steve Bunce - Parker is the better boxer, but Joshua should win
"I can punch with no hesitation, I have no doubts that when I punch there will be no pain. I got my speed back, the movement that I had before is back and everything has gone up a level."
Parker told the Radio Sport Breakfast he doesn't even need to worry about getting aggressive yet.
"When I'm in that ring and we touch gloves, that's when I actually flick the switch on.
"Before that there's no point in switching it on because you've just got to stay relaxed and calm and that's the best way to approach the fight, you don't waste any energy doing that."
LISTEN ABOVE JOSEPH PARKER SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
An extremely relaxed Joseph Parker has told the Radio Sport Breakfast he "has over 1000 jabs" in him for his title fight against Anthony Joshua.
The Kiwi heavyweight boxer has arrived in Cardiff ahead of Sunday morning's unification fight against the Brit.
Parker says he doesn't even need to worry about getting aggressive yet.
"When I'm in that ring and we touch gloves, that's when I actually flick the switch on.
"Before that there's no point in switching it on because you've just got to stay relaxed and calm and that's the best way to approach the fight, you don't waste any energy doing that."
LISTEN ABOVE JOSEPH PARKER SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Sky NRL commentator Tash Ieremia on the Warriors gaining entry to the new NRL Women's competition to start this year.
Sky NRL commentator Tash Ieremia on the Warriors gaining entry to the new NRL Women's competition to start this year.
Trent Boult has called on the cheating Australian cricketers to learn a lesson from the spirit of Eden Park.
The opening bowler, who led New Zealand's demolition of England in the first test, was "amazed" at the blatant nature of Australia's ball tampering against South Africa, when Cameron Bancroft was caught by TV cameras rubbing the ball with yellow tape.
"To see someone take something like that out onto the ground and try to change the ball like that...it's not the smartest thing I've ever seen," Boult told the Radio Sport Breakfast.
"It was a bit of a shame to see that news come out of South Africa and it's not where test cricket needs to be. There is definitely no room in the game for that. It's disappointing. I don't see any need for that in the game.
"The game was played in good spirit at Eden Park and I don't see why everyone can't play along those lines."
Former England captain Michael Vaughan said on BBC 5 Live Sport that Australia could learn from the Black Caps.
"I look at New Zealand and think that's the way to play cricket. I've been in teams that have gone over the edge in terms of things we've done and said. New Zealand - they're the benchmark for how cricket should be played."
On the day-night test format which made its New Zealand debut in the first test, Boult said the pink ball was still an issue.
"There was a blatant difference between bowling throughout the afternoon and once the lights came on," he said.
"The pitch almost seemed to do a few quirky things, a bit more pace, when the due had settled on the wicket.
"There still needs to be a lot of work done with the ball. It swung for 10, 12, 15 overs then flattened out again. But it was a good starting point."
Fast bowler Trent Boult speaks to the Radio Sport Breakfast after being named Man-of-the-Match for taking nine wickets in the Black Caps' innings and 49-run win over England.
Warriors CEO Cameron George says fans won't hear any excuses from the Warriors this weekend despite having expensive gear stolen from a club van on Sunday.
Team jerseys, as well as expensive GPS tracking units and a drone were among the items stolen, but George says the club are already moving on.
"Look, there's a few operational things we need to get sorted pretty quickly, which we obviously have been since yesterday.
"But there's no excuses from us this year, don't worry about this stuff. Our training won't be impeded this week because of this, it's been pushed aside. We're focused on what we've got to achieve this weekend."
LISTEN ABOVE AS CAMERON GEORGE SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Warriors CEO Cameron George says fans won't hear any excuses from the Warriors this weekend despite having expensive gear stolen from a club van on Sunday.
Team jerseys, as well as expensive GPS tracking units and a drone were among the items stolen, but George says the club are already moving on.
"Look, there's a few operational things we need to get sorted pretty quickly, which we obviously have been since yesterday.
"But there's no excuses from us this year, don't worry about this stuff. Our training won't be impeded this week because of this, it's been pushed aside. We're focused on what we've got to achieve this weekend."
LISTEN ABOVE AS CAMERON GEORGE SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
NRL commentator Andrew Voss says it seems odd that the Manly Sea Eagles haven't been docked for breaking the NRL salary cap.
The Sea Eagles have been fined almost $800,000, of which $250,000 is suspended, after the NRL claimed it found instances where a total of 13 players were promised a combined $1.5 million in payments outside the cap, usually through a third-party system.
However, many people are questioning how the NRL can find Manly guilty of breaching the salary cap, but not dock them points.
LISTEN ABOVE AS ANDREW VOSS SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
NRL commentator Andrew Voss says it seems odd that the Manly Sea Eagles haven't been docked for breaking the NRL salary cap.
The Sea Eagles have been fined almost $800,000, of which $250,000 is suspended, after the NRL claimed it found instances where a total of 13 players were promised a combined $1.5 million in payments outside the cap, usually through a third-party system.
However, many people are questioning how the NRL can find Manly guilty of breaching the salary cap, but not dock them points.
LISTEN ABOVE AS ANDREW VOSS SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Radio Sport netball commentator Jenny Woods, reacts to the Silver Ferns' disappointing loss to Jamaica in the Taini Jamison Trophy.
Woods says New Zealand's shooting was really poor and Jamaica's accuracy never let the Kiwis back in the game.
LISTEN ABOVE AS JENNY WOODS SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Radio Sport netball commentator Jenny Woods, reacts to the Silver Ferns' disappointing loss to Jamaica in the Taini Jamison Trophy.
Woods says New Zealand's shooting was really poor and Jamaica's accuracy never let the Kiwis back in the game.
LISTEN ABOVE AS JENNY WOODS SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former All Black Justin Marshall has a look at this weekend's Super Rugby action, which kicks off Friday night when the Crusaders face a tricky match at home against the Bulls - could the weather play into the Bulls hands in Christchurch?
He also can't pick a winner in Saturday night's clash between the Highlanders and Hurricanes.
LISTEN ABOVE AS JUSTIN MARSHALL SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former All Black Justin Marshall has a look at this weekend's Super Rugby action, which kicks off Friday night when the Crusaders face a tricky match at home against the Bulls - could the weather play into the Bulls hands in Christchurch?
He also can't pick a winner in Saturday night's clash between the Highlanders and Hurricanes.
LISTEN ABOVE AS JUSTIN MARSHALL SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former Black Cap and Radio Sport commentator Peter McGlashan on day one of the first test at Eden Park.
He says that Trent Boult and Tim Southee bowled so well that the English batsmen didn't quite know how to combat them, and looked like 'rabbits in the headlights'.
LISTEN ABOVE AS PETER MCGLASHAN SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former Black Cap and Radio Sport commentator Peter McGlashan on day one of the first test at Eden Park.
He says that Trent Boult and Tim Southee bowled so well that the English batsmen didn't quite know how to combat them, and looked like 'rabbits in the headlights'.
LISTEN ABOVE AS PETER MCGLASHAN SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
A defining five days for test cricket in Auckland.
The day-night match between the Black Caps and England is the first test at Eden Park in over four years.
New Zealand Cricket CEO David White told the Radio Sport Breakfast the day-night match is important for the ground's future as a test venue.
"We need it to be successful because it is very expensive to open the gates and for it to be economical for us.
"Other ones around the world, particularly in Australia, have been hugely successful so it's a milestone moment for us. Hopefully it's going to be very, very successful."
NZ Cricket is forecasting a total crowd of 50-60,000 people for the test so White says more than 10,000 fans per day would be a good result for them.
"We think we're probably around 12 or 15,000 today and Friday and Saturday but that will depend on a reasonable walk up as well."
The day-night test is scheduled to start at 2pm, with ball-by-ball commentary on Radio Sport.
LISTEN ABOVE AS DAVID WHITE SPEAKS TO THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
A defining five days for test cricket in Auckland.
The day-night match between the Black Caps and England is the first test at Eden Park in over four years.
New Zealand Cricket CEO David White told the Radio Sport Breakfast the day-night match is important for the ground's future as a test venue.
"We need it to be successful because it is very expensive to open the gates and for it to be economical for us.
"Other ones around the world, particularly in Australia, have been hugely successful so it's a milestone moment for us. Hopefully it's going to be very, very successful."
NZ Cricket is forecasting a total crowd of 50-60,000 people for the test so White says more than 10,000 fans per day would be a good result for them.
"We think we're probably around 12 or 15,000 today and Friday and Saturday but that will depend on a reasonable walk up as well."
The day-night test is scheduled to start at 2pm, with ball-by-ball commentary on Radio Sport.
LISTEN ABOVE AS DAVID WHITE SPEAKS TO THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Radio Sport netball Jenny Woods previews the Silver Ferns' match against Jamaica tonight.
Radio Sport netball Jenny Woods previews the Silver Ferns' match against Jamaica tonight.
BBC cricket commentator Simon Mann and gives us his thoughts on the English squad ahead of this afternoon's day-night test against the Black Caps at Eden Park.
Mann says how Ben Stokes has recovered from his back injury is crucial to England's chances today.
"He hasn't been able to bowl very much, so there's a bit of a question mark there.
"He is so important to this England side. I see him as five cricketers in one, because he doesn't just bat, bowl and field - he also gives balance and sense of aggression to the team. He's such an important player."
Can England afford to risk to carry Stokes if he is too under-done?
LISTEN ABOVE AS SIMON MANN SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
BBC cricket commentator Simon Mann and gives us his thoughts on the English squad ahead of this afternoon's day-night test against the Black Caps at Eden Park.
Mann says how Ben Stokes has recovered from his back injury is crucial to England's chances today.
"He hasn't been able to bowl very much, so there's a bit of a question mark there.
"He is so important to this England side. I see him as five cricketers in one, because he doesn't just bat, bowl and field - he also gives balance and sense of aggression to the team. He's such an important player."
Can England afford to risk to carry Stokes if he is too under-done?
LISTEN ABOVE AS SIMON MANN SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Black Caps opening batsman Jeet Raval doesn't think it is vital that he scores runs in the opening test, he is focusing on contributing to a decent performance in any way he can.
Raval admits his recent form has been poor, but he's all set to go.
"All I want to do is contribute on the team, and hopefully if I can contribute to the team then I can take a lot of confidence from that.
"I'm not looking that far ahead, in terms of getting a hundred or a big score, I'm making sure that I'm getting a good start and lay the foundation for the team to build on."
LISTEN ABOVE JEET RAVAL SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Black Caps opening batsman Jeet Raval doesn't think it is vital that he scores runs in the opening test, he is focusing on contributing to a decent performance in any way he can.
Raval admits his recent form has been poor, but he's all set to go.
"All I want to do is contribute on the team, and hopefully if I can contribute to the team then I can take a lot of confidence from that.
"I'm not looking that far ahead, in terms of getting a hundred or a big score, I'm making sure that I'm getting a good start and lay the foundation for the team to build on."
LISTEN ABOVE JEET RAVAL SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
South African cricket commentator Neil Manthorp is gobsmacked that Kagiso Rabada is free to play in the third Test against Australia.
Kagiso Rabada had his two-test ban overturned on appeal, after Kiwi QC Mike Herron wasn't 'comfortably satisfied' that Rabada intended to make contact with Australian captain Steve Smith and downgraded Rabada's charge.
"I wasn't surprised," Manthorp told the Radio Sport Breakfast, "I was absolutely stunned. I did not expect that, I did not see it coming and to be fair, almost nobody did here.
"With there being no precedent of a successful appeal, I thought that they were wasting their money, and time, and effort. I was completely shocked."
LISTEN ABOVE AS NEIL MANTHORP SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
South African cricket commentator Neil Manthorp is gobsmacked that Kagiso Rabada is free to play in the third Test against Australia.
Kagiso Rabada had his two-test ban overturned on appeal, after Kiwi QC Mike Herron wasn't 'comfortably satisfied' that Rabada intended to make contact with Australian captain Steve Smith and downgraded Rabada's charge.
READ MORE: Rabada has two-game ban overturned
"I wasn't surprised," Manthorp told the Radio Sport Breakfast, "I was absolutely stunned. I did not expect that, I did not see it coming and to be fair, almost nobody did here.
"With there being no precedent of a successful appeal, I thought that they were wasting their money, and time, and effort. I was completely shocked."
LISTEN ABOVE AS NEIL MANTHORP SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former Scottish international Jim Hamilton and former England international Andy Goode from 'The Rugby Pod', on what is happening with the England rugby team after three straight defeats.
They also address the issue of the English players' workload on the back of the Lions tour last year.
LISTEN ABOVE AS JIM HAMILTON AND ANDY GOODE SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former Scottish international Jim Hamilton and former England international Andy Goode from 'The Rugby Pod', on what is happening with the England rugby team after three straight defeats.
They also address the issue of the English players' workload on the back of the Lions tour last year, and what was going as Spain lost to Belgium in a highly controversial result in RWC qualifying.
LISTEN ABOVE AS JIM HAMILTON AND ANDY GOODE SPEAK WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
NRL commentator Andrew Voss says NRL clubs don't care one iota about international rugby league.
"[The clubs] support State of Origin 100 per cent, with their heads stuck up their backsides - like absolutely jammed up their own a***s.
"They cannot see through to try and advance international rugby league, and I say that without apology."
Voss also ponders who could be the latest player - or players - to be inducted as an Immortal later this year.
LISTEN ABOVE AS ANDREW VOSS SPEAKS TO THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
NRL commentator Andrew Voss says NRL clubs don't care one iota about international rugby league.
"[The clubs] support State of Origin 100 per cent, with their heads stuck up their backsides - like absolutely jammed up their own a***s.
"They cannot see through to try and advance international rugby league, and I say that without apology."
Voss also ponders who could be the latest player - or players - to be inducted as an Immortal later this year.
LISTEN ABOVE AS ANDREW VOSS SPEAKS TO THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
England has some potentially very big issues facing Eddie Jones after England slumped to a fifth-placed finish in the Six Nations, their worst result since 1987.
Hargreaves says cracks have been appearing for while but had they had been papered over by earlier wins.
"It's a pretty bleak state of affairs. I think the biggest concern is that there are several problems.
"It's not as if there are one or two obvious things that need to be sorted, there are five or six things that have crept up on the team.
"Cracks have been appearing but because England kept on winning, we glossed over them and suddenly because they've gone on this [losing] streak it's really coming out to bear in a fairly dramatic manner."
Hargreaves says the biggest issue facing England is the breakdown and the penalty count, but Jones also needs to address the 'listlessness' and their toothless attack.
There have been issues raised with players' workloads, with several claiming the Lions' tour has unduly affected the English players.
England provided the bulk of the touring squad but Hargreaves says unlike Ireland and Wales who can rest their players, English clubs don't have that luxury.
"The only slight difference is the attritional nature of the Aviva Premiership. It's got very strong strength in depth, so rarely can you risk playing you're best players when they're available.
"The perfect example is Jonny Sexton has only played two 80 minute games of rugby for Leinster since the Lions tour, while [England opposite] Owen Farrell has played 16 80 minute matches for Saracens since the Lions tour.
"It's not an excuse but it is a factor."
However, with 18 months until the Rugby World Cup there is still time for Jones and England to turn their form around.
LISTEN ABOVE AS RUSSELL HARGREAVES SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
England has some potentially very big issues facing Eddie Jones after England slumped to a fifth-placed finish in the Six Nations, their worst performance since 1987.
Hargreaves says crack have been appearing for while but had they had been papered over by earlier wins.
"It's a pretty bleak state of affairs. I think the biggest concern is that there are several problems.
"It's not as if there are one or two obvious things that need to be sorted, there are five or six things that have crept up on the team.
"Cracks have been appearing but because England kept on winning, we glossed over them and suddenly because they've gone on this [losing] streak it's really coming out to bear in a fairly dramatic manner."
Hargreaves says the biggest issue facing England is the breakdown and the penalty count, but Jones also needs to address the 'listlessness' and their toothless attack.
However, with 18 months until the Rugby World Cup there is still time for Jones and England to turn their form around.
LISTEN ABOVE AS RUSSELL HARGREAVES SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Radio Sport NRL analyst Tony Kemp says the Warriors are a good chance to win their opening three games of the season for the first time in their history.
After comfortably beating the Rabbitohs and the Titans in their opening two matches, the Warriors now face the winless Raiders on Saturday afternoon, and Kemp says their is a different vibe to the Warriors in 2018.
But Kemp believes that the Wests Tigers are the surprise package after the first two rounds of the NRL.
LISTEN ABOVE AS TONY KEMP SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Radio Sport NRL analyst Tony Kemp says the Warriors are a good chance to win their opening three games of the season for the first time in their history.
But Kemp believes that the Wests Tigers are the surprise package after the first two rounds of the NRL.
Saturday's victory over the Gold Coast Titans ensured the Warriors have begun the season with two victories, the first time the side has done so since 2009.
3-0? That would be a first if they beat the Raiders in Canberra on Saturday. In their previous 23 seasons the Warriors have never started the year with three victories.
The Warriors best start to a season was in 2003. After dropping the opening game at home to the Knights, the Warriors won their next five for a 5-1 start. They ended up finishing sixth on the table before losing the preliminary final to eventual winners Penrith.
Canberra have started the season with two two-point defeats and currently sit 12th on the table, the best of the NRL's five winless teams. However, the trip to Canberra has never been easy for the Warriors.
They have won just three encounters in 15 trips to Canberra including a 20-8 round seven defeat last year. The Warriors last won at GIO Stadium in round two three years ago.
The Warriors also haven't won consecutive games in Australia since 2015.
- additional reporting Cameron McMillan, NZ Herald
LISTEN ABOVE AS TONY KEMP SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
It's clear that the Blues haven't learned or improved from last season, says Jeff Wilson.
After back-to-back tight losses against New Zealand rivals the Highlanders and Chiefs and a surprise win over South African leaders the Lions, the bumbling Blues reverted to type with a disappointing 37-20 loss to the Stormers.
Wilson told the Radio Sport Breakfast that 2018 will be another season where the Blues are same old the Blues.
"They could come back and play brilliantly in two weeks' time...actually I don't know that for a fact because they didn't play brilliantly against the Lions, they were very fortunate and they took an opportunity.
"They've got to be bitterly disappointed with that performance, and I don't know how takes repsonsibility for this.
"Here's the funny thing, I think we should focus on the other great games of the weekend. That wasn't a great game because one team didn't show up."
Wilson also questioned how both teams were allowed to wear blue.
LISTEN ABOVE AS JEFF WILSON SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
It's clear that the Blues haven't learned or improved from last season, says Jeff Wilson.
After back-to-back tight losses against New Zealand rivals the Highlanders and Chiefs and a surprise win over South African leaders the Lions, the bumbling Blues reverted to type with a disappointing 37-20 loss to the Stormers.
Wilson told the Radio Sport Breakfast that 2018 will be another season where the Blues are same old the Blues.
"They could come back and play brilliantly in two weeks' time...actually I don't know that for a fact because they didn't play brilliantly against the Lions, they were very fortunate and they took an opportunity.
"They've got to be bitterly disappointed with that performance, and I don't know how takes repsonsibility for this.
"Here's the funny thing, I think we should focus on the other great games of the weekend. That wasn't a great game because one team didn't show up."
Wilson also questioned how both teams were allowed to wear blue.
LISTEN ABOVE AS JEFF WILSON SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
NZ Football CEO Andy Martin on the All Whites' fixtures against Canada in Spain next weekend.
He explained the logic and logistics of the fixture and why certain players are unavailable - you can actually go to the game if you're holidying on the Spanish coast.
LISTEN ABOVE AS ANDY MARTIN SPEAKS TO THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
NZ Football CEO Andy Martin on the All Whites' fixtures against Canada in Spain next weekend.
He explained the logic and logistics of the fixture and why certain players are unavailable - you can actually go to the game if you're holidying on the Spanish coast.
LISTEN ABOVE AS ANDY MARTIN SPEAKS TO THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Highlanders CEO Roger Clark says he is expecting a huge turnout for tomorrow night's Super Rugby match against the Crusaders.
He believes the Highlanders may average 18,000 people this season.
LISTEN ABOVE AS ROGER CLARK SPEAKS TO THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Highlanders CEO Roger Clark says he is expecting a huge turnout for tomorrow night's Super Rugby match against the Crusaders.
He believes the Highlanders may average 18,000 people this season.
LISTEN ABOVE AS ROGER CLARK SPEAKS TO THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former All Black and Sky rugby analyst Justin Marshall reckons the Blues will go well against the Stormers because generally the second leg of the African tour is the easier game.
Marshall asks if the John Mitchell-coached Bulls be a banana peel for the Chiefs this weekend, and he's tipping the Crusaders to beat the Highlanders in Dunedin.
He also reviews the Hurricanes' thrilling win over the Crusaders and the concussion concerns over Ryan Crotty and Sam Whitelock.
LISTEN ABOVE AS JUSTIN MARSHALL SPEAKS TO THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former All Black and Sky rugby analyst Justin Marshall reckons the Blues will go well against the Stormers because generally the second leg of the African tour is the easier game.
Marshall asks if the John Mitchell-coached Bulls be a banana peel for the Chiefs this weekend, and he's tipping the Crusaders to beat the Highlanders in Dunedin.
He also reviews the Hurricanes' thrilling win over the Crusaders and the concussion concerns over Ryan Crotty and Sam Whitelock.
LISTEN ABOVE AS JUSTIN MARSHALL SPEAKS TO THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
A surge in ticket sales following the Warriors' season-opening NRL win over the Rabbitohs.
CEO Cameron George says there's a sense of optimism around Mount Smart and it's led to plenty of interest in Saturday's home opener against the Titans.
He says they are up over 13 and a half thousand tickets sold but they continue to get more and more phone calls.
The Warriors often struggled to break 10 thousand last year.
LISTEN ABOVE CAMERON GEORGE SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Warriors CEO Cameron George says the they are expecting at least 13,000 to be at the home opener against the Titans on Saturday.
He says a huge drive for the club has been to "win back their fanbase" and he is proud to see some early positive responses.
LISTEN ABOVE CAMERON GEORGE SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
There's little surprise from Ish Sodhi after being overlooked for the two cricket tests against England.
The Black Caps spinner has been snubbed for the series, with Todd Astle's batting ability seeing him given the nod as Mitchell Santner's replacement.
Sodhi told the Radio Sport Breakfast Astle deserved to be picked.
READ MORE:Black Caps selectors explain why Todd Astle was picked
"Todd Astle's been a performer in domestic cricket with the red ball for a long time and he'd been part of the Test make-up over the past couple of series.
"I definitely thought that would be the case, I guess I have to go back and keep putting performances on the board."
Sodhi's taking the snubbing in his stride and says there's no point crying over spilt milk.
"You either can take it two ways. You can get really frustrated and down or you can get up and be like 'okay, what do I need to do to get back to that team'? That's the approach I'm looking at at the moment."
The legspinner will play for Northern Districts against Otago in the four day Plunket Shield competition this weekend determined to improve on his batting.
There's little surprise from Ish Sodhi after being overlooked for the two cricket tests against England.
The Black Caps spinner has been snubbed for the series, with Todd Astle's batting ability seeing him given the nod as Mitchell Santner's replacement.
Sodhi told the Radio Sport Breakfast Astle deserved to be picked.
READ MORE:Black Caps selectors explain why Todd Astle was picked
"Todd Astle's been a performer in domestic cricket with the red ball for a long time and he'd been part of the Test make-up over the past couple of series.
"I definitely thought that would be the case, I guess I have to go back and keep putting performances on the board."
Sodhi's taking the snubbing in his stride and says there's no point crying over spilt milk.
"You either can take it two ways. You can get really frustrated and down or you can get up and be like 'okay, what do I need to do to get back to that team'? That's the approach I'm looking at at the moment."
The legspinner will play for Northern Districts against Otago in the four day Plunket Shield competition this weekend determined to improve on his batting.
Surprise at Jimmy Spithill's latest move.
The former Team USA skipper Jimmy Spithill will join challenger of record Luna Rossa for the 2021 America's Cup regatta.
The Australian was part of the Italian syndicate in 2007, before switching to Team USA with whom he won the Auld Mug in 2010 and 2013 but lost to Team New Zealand last year.
Yachting commentator Peter Lester told the Radio Sport Breakfast it is an interesting decision.
"They're showing three helmsmen at the moment, with Francisco Bruni, Chris Draper and Adam Minoprio so Spithill will put that up to four helsmen on board."
LISTEN ABOVE AS PETER LESTER SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Surprise at Jimmy Spithill's latest move.
The former Team USA skipper Jimmy Spithill will join challenger of record Luna Rossa for the 2021 America's Cup regatta.
The Australian was part of the Italian syndicate in 2007, before switching to Team USA with whom he won the Auld Mug in 2010 and 2013 but lost to Team New Zealand last year.
Yachting commentator Peter Lester told the Radio Sport Breakfast it is an interesting decision.
"They're showing three helmsmen at the moment, with Francisco Bruni, Chris Draper and Adam Minoprio so Spithill will put that up to four helsmen on board."
LISTEN ABOVE AS PETER LESTER SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Ish Sodhi remains on the outer with the Black Caps test squad.
Despite strong recent form, the leg spinner has been left out of the 12 to face England in the two-test series starting next week.
Canterbury's Todd Astle has been picked as the lone spinner for the series, with fellow-tweaker Mitchell Santner ruled out of cricket for six to nine months following knee surgery.
Selector Gavin Larsen insists Sodhi is still in consideration.
"He played very, very well in the white ball cricket, as we saw. Ish is still a young leg spinner and developing his craft and the next step for him is to move that red ball game going forward."
Larsen told the Radio Sport Brekafast that Astle's batting saw him get the nod ahead of Sodhi.
"His bowling we believe is top drawer, but we've always seen Toddy as our incumbent second spinner behind Mitch. With Mitch out now with injury, Toddy will take his role and it's an all-rounder's role."
Sodhi has been released from the two New Zealand XI two-day matches to return to Northern Districts for the Plunket Shield.
LISTEN ABOVE AS GAVIN LARSEN SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Ish Sodhi remains on the outer with the Black Caps test squad.
Despite strong recent form, the leg spinner has been left out of the 12 to face England in the two-test series starting next week.
Canterbury's Todd Astle has been picked as the lone spinner for the series, with fellow-tweaker Mitchell Santner ruled out of cricket for six to nine months following knee surgery.
Selector Gavin Larsen insists Sodhi is still in consideration.
"He played very, very well in the white ball cricket, as we saw. Ish is still a young leg spinner and developing his craft and the next step for him is to move that red ball game going forward."
Larsen told the Radio Sport Brekafast that Astle's batting saw him get the nod ahead of Sodhi.
"His bowling we believe is top drawer, but we've always seen Toddy as our incumbent second spinner behind Mitch. With Mitch out now with injury, Toddy will take his role and it's an all-rounder's role."
Sodhi has been released from the two New Zealand XI two-day matches to return to Northern Districts for the Plunket Shield.
Black Ferns fullback Selica Winiata on the semi-professional contracts for the women announced by NZ Rugby.
Winiata doesn't think the 12-14 hours per week high performance commitment will make things difficult for her or most of her teammates in their day-to-day jobs.
LISTEN ABOVE AS SELICA WINIATA SPEAKS TO THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Black Ferns fullback Selica Winiata on the semi-professional contracts for the women announced by NZ Rugby.
Winiata doesn't think the 12-14 hours per week high performance commitment will make things difficult for her or most of her teammates in their day-to-day jobs.
LISTEN ABOVE AS SELICA WINIATA SPEAKS TO THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Commentator Andrew Voss reviews round one of the NRL, where the league created history as all four bottom teams from last season won their first-round matches in 2018.
He covers the Warriors' win in Perth, as they now face a tough trip home and a match against the Titans on Saturday afternoon, and much more.
Voss says he was most surprised by the Roosters' loss to the Tigers.
LISTEN ABOVE AS ANDREW VOSS SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Commentator Andrew Voss reviews round one of the NRL, where the league created history as all four bottom teams from last season won their first-round matches in 2018.
He covers the Warriors' win in Perth, as they now face a tough trip home and a match against the Titans on Saturday afternoon, and much more.
Voss says he was most surprised by the Roosters' loss to the Tigers.
LISTEN ABOVE AS ANDREW VOSS SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
CBS golf commentator Luke Elvy says if Tiger Woods wins The Masters next month, it will be the greatest comeback in sports history.
READ MORE: Woods finishes second at Valspar Championship
Woods is now second favourite at the TAB to win at Augusta but Elvy is not convinced will actually get back to the standards we expected a decade ago, especially considering other players think they can beat him now.
However, is a Tiger Woods at 80 or 90 per cent still enough for him to win?
CBS golf commentator Luke Elvy says if Tiger Woods wins The Masters next month, it will be the greatest comeback in sports history.
Woods is now second favourite at the TAB to win at Augusta but Elvy is not convinced will actually get back to the standards we expected a decade ago, especially considering other players think they can beat him now.
However, is a Tiger Woods at 80 or 90 per cent still enough for him to win?
Reuben Thorne, former Crusaders captain, on the injuries to the Cantabs and what they’ll need to do to cope with them.
Reuben Thorne, former Crusaders captain, on the injuries to the Cantabs and what they’ll need to do to cope with them.
Talksport UK commentator Russell Hargreaves says Eddie Jones' extended honeymoon period is over after England lost to France in the Six Nations on Sunday morning.
"The lack of comosure to see games out, somehow that's just gone over the last few games. That;s a big worry," Hargreaves says.
"Missed tackles is a worry, turnovers and problems at the breakdown and as a result the penalty count is a massive, massive concern. [England] are just generally toothless in attack, averaging just a try every other game at the moment, having scored them for fun [earlier].
"Some fundamentals that were strong are crumbling, and one or two unanswered questions that have never really been truly answered and are now coming home to roost."
Hargreaves believes that England's form is just following the usual trend for Jones' teams.
"We know there is a chance this could all blow up.
"Let's be quite honest, we've talked about the whole-Jose Mourinho kind of cycle of coming in like a whirlwind, success for a couple of years and then it all falling apart. Eddie Jones's rugby history is pretty similar to that.
"At the moment it's been great, are we now on the precipice where things could go either way?"
One thing's for sure, England's next match against Ireland at Twickenham will not feel like a dead rubber.
Talksport UK commentator Russell Hargreaves says Eddie Jones' extended honeymoon period is over after England lost to France in the Six Nations on Sunday morning.
"The lack of comosure to see games out, somehow that's just gone over the last few games. That;s a big worry," Hargreaves says.
"Missed tackles is a worry, turnovers and problems at the breakdown and as a result the penalty count is a massive, massive concern. [England] are just generally toothless in attack, averaging just a try every other game at the moment, having scored them for fun [earlier].
"Some fundamentals that were strong are crumbling, and one or two unanswered questions that have never really been truly answered and are now coming home to roost."
Hargreaves believes that England's form is just following the usual trend for Jones' teams.
"We know there is a chance this could all blow up.
"Let's be quite honest, we've talked about the whole-Jose Mourinho kind of cycle of coming in like a whirlwind, success for a couple of years and then it all falling apart. Eddie Jones's rugby history is pretty similar to that.
"At the moment it's been great, are we now on the precipice where things could go either way?"
One thing's for sure, England's next match against Ireland at Twickenham will not feel like a dead rubber.
Jeff Wilson, former All Black and Sky analyst, reviews this weekend's Super Rugby action.
He says the Blues were outplayed for much of their match against the Lions, but did enough to come away with a comeback win in Johannesburg.
Wilson also believes that we're already seeing a gap develop between the New Zealand sides and the rest, as well as touching on the Black Caps and Eddie Jones' struggles in the Six Nations this season.
Jeff Wilson, former All Black and Sky analyst, reviews this weekend's Super Rugby action.
He says the Blues were outplayed for much of their match against the Lions, but did enough to come away with a comeback win in Johannesburg.
Wilson also believes that we're already seeing a gap develop between the New Zealand sides and the rest, as well as touching on the Black Caps and Eddie Jones' struggles in the Six Nations this season.
Radio Sport NRL commentator Tony Kemp gave the Warriors a 9/10 in their win against the Rabbitohs.
Kemp singled out Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Shaun Johnson, Tohu Harris and Blake green for praise but he said the entire team seemed to have more energy than at any point last season.
READ MORE: Warriors must back up - Luke
He also reviews this weekend's opponents the Gold Coast Titans, who made the largest comeback in the NRL club's history by beating the Raiders 30-28 Sunday night.
Radio Sport NRL commentator Tony Kemp gave the Warriors a 9/10 in their win against the Rabbitohs.
Kemp singled out Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Shaun Johnson, Tohu Harris and Blake green for praise but he said the entire team seemed to have more energy than at any point last season.
READ MORE: Warriors must back up - Luke
He also reviews this weekend's opponents the Gold Coast Titans, who made the largest comeback in the NRL club's history by beating the Raiders 30-28 Sunday night.
Former Black Cap Peter Fulton says there is no way Ross Taylor will be risked tomorrow if there is any danger he would be out the Test series.
Former Black Cap Peter Fulton says there is no way Ross Taylor will be risked tomorrow if there is any danger he would be out the Test series.
Radio Sport rugby league analyst Tony Kemp has the Warriors finishing ninth this season because of a lack of depth in their squad.
He also gives us his take on the odd decision to only appoint Tony Iro as Warriors assistant coach this week.
Radio Sport rugby league analyst Tony Kemp has the Warriors finishing ninth this season because of a lack of depth in their squad.
He also gives us his take on the odd decision to only appoint Tony Iro as Warriors assistant coach this week.
Crusaders halfback Bryn Hall, who has a look ahead to their crunch Super Rugby match against the Hurricanes on Saturday.
He says not much will change with first-five Mitchell Hunt coming in for the injured Richie Mo'unga.
LISTEN ABOVE AS BRYN HALL SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Crusaders halfback Bryn Hall, who has a look ahead to their crunch Super Rugby match against the Hurricanes on Saturday.
He says not much will change with first-five Mitchell Hunt coming in for the injured Richie Mo'unga.
LISTEN ABOVE AS BRYN HALL SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Terry Kennedy, Sky Sports Radio NRL commentator in Sydney, is tipping the Warriors to finish last this season - and that coach Stephen Kearney will be sacked by round eight.
"The Warriors - it's time to put up or shut up.
"I'm sure you guys are well aware Stephen Kearney is the red hot favourite to be sacked. I don't think he'll get beyond round number eight."
However, Kennedy believes that Blake Green is a fantastic signing for the Warriors as the Australian half will run the team, allowing Shaun Johnson "to run the ball".
LISTEN ABOVE AS TERRY KENNEDY SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Terry Kennedy, Sky Sports Radio NRL commentator in Sydney, is tipping the Warriors to finish last this season - and that coach Stephen Kearney will be sacked by round eight.
"The Warriors - it's time to put up or shut up.
READ MORE:Warriors not worried by Perth hoodooMannering ruled out of Warriors' season opener
"I'm sure you guys are well aware Stephen Kearney is the red hot favourite to be sacked. I don't think he'll get beyond round number eight."
However, Kennedy believes that Blake Green is a fantastic signing for the Warriors as the Australian half will run the team, allowing Shaun Johnson "to run the ball".
LISTEN ABOVE AS TERRY KENNEDY SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Ross Taylor admits there's no way he will be 100 percent but still hopes to play in Saturday's one day series decider against England in Christchurch.
Taylor's 181 not out led New Zealand to a dramatic five wicket win to level the five match series in Dunedin.
But he again battled a quad strain which kept him out of the third match in Mount Manganui.
Speaking on his 34th birthday,Taylor told the Radio Sport Breakfast he's hopeful being ok to play, but intensive physio will be on the cards over the next couple of days.
"Obviously won't be 100. We'll just have to wait and see over the next cuple of days and see how it pulls up and give it the best chance possible.
"I'll just out ice directly on the area. I keep getting hit on the leg, so hopefully I won't have to do it in training."
LISTEN ABOVE AS ROSS TAYLOR SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Ross Taylor admits there's no way he will be 100 percent but still hopes to play in Saturday's one day series decider against England in Christchurch.
Taylor's 181 not out led New Zealand to a dramatic five wicket win to level the five match series in Dunedin.
But he again battled a quad strain which kept him out of the third match in Mount Manganui.
Speaking on his 34th birthday,Taylor told the Radio Sport Breakfast he's hopeful being ok to play, but intensive physio will be on the cards over the next couple of days.
"Obviously won't be 100. We'll just have to wait and see over the next cuple of days and see how it pulls up and give it the best chance possible.
"I'll just out ice directly on the area. I keep getting hit on the leg, so hopefully I won't have to do it in training."
LISTEN ABOVE AS ROSS TAYLOR SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
ARN Sports Director Jim Dolan on the potential punishment to David Warner after the first test against South Africa.
He also speaks at length on controversial NRL player David Lodge who has had numerous run-ins with the law and will play for the Broncos on Friday night.
ARN Sports Director Jim Dolan on the potential punishment to David Warner after the first test against South Africa.
He also speaks at length on controversial NRL player David Lodge who has had numerous run-ins with the law and will play for the Broncos on Friday night.
John Plumtree signed on as Hurricanes coach three weeks ago.
The current assistant coach's elevation to the top role replacing Chris Boyd from 2019 to 2021 has been officially confirmed.
READ MORE: John Plumtree named new Hurricanes head coach
Chief executive Avan Lee says Plumtree completed his deal, along with assistant coach Jason Holland before the season got underway.
"Since that time, Plum has already taken a much closer interest in our contracting of players and in our development so that's a natural progession."
Lee is adamant John Plumtree is the man to lead the franchise forward and says there was no influx of CVs on his desk.
"I think most people would have probably predicted that Plum would have taken over. That's what we've always talked, that's what Boydy and Plum have always taked about t but if we weren't performaing that wou;dn't have been a fait accompli either."
The rest of Plumtree's backroom staff is yet to be revealed, with the remainder of the coaching staf (except Holland) off contract.
John Plumtree signed on as Hurricanes coach three weeks ago.
The current assistant coach's elevation to the top role replacing Chris Boyd from 2019 to 2021 has been officially confirmed.
READ MORE: John Plumtree named new Hurricanes head coach
Chief executive Avan Lee says Plumtree completed his deal, along with assistant coach Jason Holland before the season got underway.
"Since that time, Plum has already taken a much closer interest in our contracting of players and in our development so that's a natural progession."
Lee is adamant John Plumtree is the man to lead the franchise forward and says there was no influx of CVs on his desk.
"I think most people would have probably predicted that Plum would have taken over. That's what we've always talked, that's what Boydy and Plum have always taked about t but if we weren't performaing that wou;dn't have been a fait accompli either."
The rest of Plumtree's backroom staff is yet to be revealed, with the remainder of the coaching staf (except Holland) off contract.
Breakers GM Dillon Boucher spoke to Kent, Nate and Marc after the team lost to Melbourne last night to end their ANBL season.
Boucher paid tribute to the retiring Kirk Penney and spoke about the future of the club under new ownership.
Breakers GM Dillon Boucher spoke to Kent, Nate and Marc after the team lost to Melbourne last night to end their ANBL season.
Boucher paid tribute to the retiring Kirk Penney and spoke about the future of the club under new ownership.
NRL commentator Andrew Voss is picking the Warriors to finish in the top eight this season, and he is picking the Cowboys to be champions.
"I've got the Warriors in my eight.
"I know a lot of Australian pundits have them wooden spooners but I just keep looking at their roster. [Roger] Tuivasa-Sheck, [Shaun] Johnson, Blake Green - perfect for the side - Tohu Harris [is] a massive signing.
READ MORE: Simon Mannering out of Warriors' opener against Rabbitohs
"Let me tell you, Tohu Harris could be the signing of the year for the Warriors. I look at the roster and say 'they couldn't finish bottom four, they're going to be challenging for the finals."
However, Voss doesn't expect the Warriors to win their opening match against a good-looking Rabbitohs side in Perth.
NRL commentator Andrew Voss is picking the Warriors to finish in the top eight this season, and he is picking the Cowboys to be champions.
"I've got the Warriors in my eight.
"I know a lot of Australian pundits have them wooden spooners but I just keep looking at their roster. [Roger] Tuivasa-Sheck, [Shaun] Johnson, Blake Green - perfect for the side - Tohu Harris [is] a massive signing.
"Let me tell you, Tohu Harris could be the signing of the year for the Warriors. I look at the roster and say 'they couldn't finish bottom four, they're going to be challenging for the finals."
However, Voss doesn't expect the Warriors to win their opening match against a good-looking Rabbitohs side in Perth.
Team Sky's reputation is in tatters, following a damning report from British MPs.
A select committee has concluded the cycling team cynically abused the anti-doping system to allow the administration of performance-enhancing drugs.
READ MORE: Wiggins - I'd have more rights if I'd murdered someone
Daily Mail chief sports reporter Matt Lawton says their reputations have been obliterated.
"Team Sky was all about ethics, it was all about image, it was all about 'doing it the right way', it was all about staying on the right side of the line."
Former Team Sky rider Bradley Wiggins has told the BBC that not at any time during his career did they cross the ethical line.
Matt Lawton, Daily Mail cycling journalist, on the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) select committee’s findings into doping in sport in the UK.
The report focussed on the use of TUEs and corticosteroids for Sir Bradley Wiggins and Team Sky in grand cycle tours.
Lawton told us the reputations of Wiggins and others have been “obliterated”.
Former All Black and Sky analyst Jeff Wilson, who thinks the Blues don't have a belief they can win games yet.
The Auckland-based side have already lost a tight match to the Highlanders, and then couldn't get past an injury-riddled Chiefs side at home.
"[The Blues] will be bitterly disappointed once again," Wilson says.
"They just made a couple of reckless passes in the game, and the Chiefs defended stoically and they've come out the wrong side. They just haven't hit the ground with a Super Rugby win to give them some confidence."
READ MORE:
Nigel Yalden on the injury crises affecting New Zealand sides
Winners and losers from Super Rugby week 3
The Blues now travel to South Africa for tough assignments against the Stormer and Lions, without captain Augustine Pulu which has Wilson "fearing for their first month in this competiton".
Wilson also questions the timing of many substiutions in Super Rugby, with many appearing to be pre-mediated.
Hooker James Parsons, who was arguably one of the Blues' best players, was taken off by coach Tana Umaga after less than an hour.
"Maybe it is time that you do consider the fact that, you do need your guys to stay out there."
Former All Black and Sky analyst Jeff Wilson, who thinks the Blues don't have a belief they can win games yet.
The Auckland-based side have already lost a tight match to the Highlanders, and then couldn't get past an injury-riddled Chiefs side at home.
"[The Blues] will be bitterly disappointed once again," Wilson says.
"They just made a couple of reckless passes in the game, and the Chiefs defended stoically and they've come out the wrong side. They just haven't hit the ground with a Super Rugby win to give them some confidence."
READ MORE:
Nigel Yalden on the injury crises affecting New Zealand sides
Winners and losers from Super Rugby week 3
The Blues now travel to South Africa for tough assignments against the Stormer and Lions, without captain Augustine Pulu which has Wilson "fearing for their first month in this competiton".
Wilson also questions the timing of many substiutions in Super Rugby, with many appearing to be pre-mediated.
Hooker James Parsons, who was arguably one of the Blues' best players, was taken off by coach Tana Umaga after less than an hour.
"Maybe it is time that you do consider the fact that, you do need your guys to stay out there."
Former New Zealand captain Ken Rutherford thinks the Black Caps' will stick with Henry Nicholls over Mark Chapman when Ross Taylor comes back into the team.
He also thinks it's a tricky situation for NZ Cricket to know where to schedule games in Wellington, after another pretty average turnout over the weekend.
Former New Zealand captain Ken Rutherford thinks the Black Caps' will stick with Henry Nicholls over Mark Chapman when Ross Taylor comes back into the team.
He also thinks it's a tricky situation for NZ Cricket to know where to schedule games in Wellington, after another pretty average turnout over the weekend.
Rugby Editor Nigel Yalden on the injury toll suffered by the New Zealand Super Rugby franchises.
The Chiefs in particular have a horrific injury list, and lost two more props on Friday night with Atu Moli taken to hospital and Nepo Laulala breaking his arm against the Blues.
The Blues have also lost captain and halfback Augustine Pulu, who has not travelled with the team to South Africa for matches against the Stormers and Lions, while Richie Mo'unga also faces a lengthy stint on the sidelines with a broken jaw.
Rugby Editor Nigel Yalden on the injury toll suffered by the New Zealand Super Rugby franchises.
The Chiefs in particular have a horrific injury list, and lost two more props on Friday night with Atu Moli taken to hospital and Nepo Laulala breaking his arm against the Blues.
The Blues have also lost captain and halfback Augustine Pulu, who has not travelled with the team to South Africa for matches against the Stormers and Lions, while Richie Mo'unga also faces a lengthy stint on the sidelines with a broken jaw.
Former Kiwi golfer Phil Tataurangi on the ridiculous ease of the course at the NZ Open - Australian Daniel Nesbit won the title with a score of 27 under.
Former Kiwi golfer Phil Tataurangi on the ridiculous ease of the course at the NZ Open - Australian Daniel Nesbit won the title with a score of 27 under.
Talksport UK football commentator Russell Hargreaves thinks Arsene Wenger is a dead man walking, and the Arsenal manager will finish out the season and then be gone.
Talksport UK football commentator Russell Hargreaves thinks Arsene Wenger is a dead man walking, and the Arsenal manager will finish out the season and then be gone.
Former Black Cap and Radio Sport analyst Jeetan Patel thinks Colin Munro needs to temper his aggression at the start of his innings' in ODI cricket.
Patel also says that the Black Caps won't win an ODI match unless three or four players stand up.
Former Black Cap and Radio Sport analyst Jeetan Patel thinks Colin Munro needs to temper his aggression at the start of his innings' in ODI cricket.
Patel also says that the Black Caps won't win an ODI match unless three or four players stand up.
Football expert and former All White Harry Ngata on the dire situation at the Wellington Phoenix.
Football expert and former All White Harry Ngata on the dire situation at the Wellington Phoenix.
Radio Sport commentator on the win by England last night.
He says Black Caps opener Colin Munro may need to change his approach to batting in ODIs.
"He's been given a license, let's be fair. You've got to be able to make good decisions and give yourself the chance to do that, that's the only thing I would say.
READ MORE: Martin Guptill - We were 50 or 60 runs short
"The two shots are very similar that he's got with, so there's a kind of a re-offending that he's got going on there. We just need to get more out of him.
"I would just encourage him to have a little pocket of time in order to just get the best value out of him, he's quite an important component in those first 10 overs."
Coney says that when it pays off, it's brilliant but when it doesn't it puts a lot of pressure on Martin Guptill, especially when Kane Williamson isn't there.
Radio Sport commentator on the win by England last night.
He says Black Caps opener Colin Munro may need to change his approach to batting in ODIs.
"He's been given a license, let's be fair. You've got to be able to make good decisions and give yourself the chance to do that, that's the only thing I would say.
READ MORE: Martin Guptill - We were 50 or 60 runs short
"The two shots are very similar that he's got with, so there's a kind of a re-offending that he's got going on there. We just need to get more out of him.
"I would just encourage him to have a little pocket of time in order to just get the best value out of him, he's quite an important component in those first 10 overs."
Coney says that when it pays off, it's brilliant but when it doesn't it puts a lot of pressure on Martin Guptill, especially when Kane Williamson isn't there.
Former Blues coach Sir John Kirwan on Jerome Kaino finishing up with New Zealand rugby.
LISTEN ABOVE AS JOHN KIRWAN SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former Blues coach Sir John Kirwan on Jerome Kaino finishing up with New Zealand rugby.
LISTEN ABOVE AS JOHN KIRWAN SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Black Caps opener Martin Guptill says the Black Caps 'were 50 or 60 runs short' against England last night.
Guptill also touches on his opening partnership with Colin Munro, Ross Taylor's injury and what was behind all of the Black Caps' run-outs.
Black Caps opener Martin Guptill says the Black Caps 'were 50 or 60 runs short' against England last night.
Guptill also touches on his opening partnership with Colin Munro, Ross Taylor's injury and what was behind all of the Black Caps' run-outs.
Bryan Waddle previews this afternoon's second ODI between the Black Caps and England.
Will Kane Williamson play? What would that mean for the Black Caps' batting lineup? Will Ish Sodhi keep his place? And will Wads be eating his porridge and peaches in the bath?
Bryan Waddle previews this afternoon's second ODI between the Black Caps and England.
Will Kane Williamson play? What would that mean for the Black Caps' batting lineup? Will Ish Sodhi keep his place? And will Wads be eating his porridge and peaches in the bath?
While the Warriors are celebrating the signing of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, they've let another young player go.
Five-eighth Ata Hingano has been released by the club on the eve of the 2018 season, Warriors chief executive Cameron George confirmed.
George insists Ata Hingano's departure is not a significant hit to their depth.
READ MORE:NZRL confident NRL clubs will release players for Denver testWarriors CEO: We will only release Kiwi players for Denver if they are 100% fitRoger Tuivasa-Sheck: I was seriously tempted to sign with the All Blacks
The Tongan five-eighth has been granted a release to join Canberra, despite only re-signing last year until 2020.
Hingano sees his pathway blocked by new recruit Blake Green.
George has told the Radio Sport Breakfast they have depth in the halves beyond Green and Shaun Johnson.
"Ata obviously had a view with the Blake Green signing that it might have impeded in his pathway forward. We certainly didn't believe that. We thought it would benefit Ata's longterm future.
"But at the end of the day we just want Ata to be happy. He sought that release and it's been granted. We wish him all the best. He's been a wonderful contributor to the club," George said.
"We've got some tremendous young kids coming through, there's Mason Lino, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Hayze Perham. There are so many kids here who are just starting to realise their potential."
Hingano was forced to wait behind Kieran Foran last year, with his opportunities expected to be limited again this year behind new signing Green.
His future was again speculated in the off-season but had been active in pre-season training and trials with the Warriors.
In October his agent Peter Brown told the Herald they would be disappointed if the club signed Green from Manly.
"If he is going to be third or fourth wheel then he might as well look elsewhere," Brown said.
Hingano has played 15 games for the Warriors and was a member of the Tongan side that stunned New Zealand to reach the Rugby League World Cup semifinals.
While the Warriors are celebrating the signing of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, they've let another young player go.
Five-eighth Ata Hingano has been released by the club on the eve of the 2018 season, Warriors chief executive Cameron George confirmed.
George insists Ata Hingano's departure is not a significant hit to their depth.
READ MORE:NZRL confident NRL clubs will release players for Denver testWarriors CEO: We will only release Kiwi players for Denver if they are 100% fitRoger Tuivasa-Sheck: I was seriously tempted to sign with the All Blacks
The Tongan five-eighth has been granted a release to join Canberra, despite only re-signing last year until 2020.
Hingano sees his pathway blocked by new recruit Blake Green.
George has told the Radio Sport Breakfast they have depth in the halves beyond Green and Shaun Johnson.
"Ata obviously had a view with the Blake Green signing that it might have impeded in his pathway forward. We certainly didn't believe that. We thought it would benefit Ata's longterm future.
"But at the end of the day we just want Ata to be happy. He sought that release and it's been granted. We wish him all the best. He's been a wonderful contributor to the club," George said.
"We've got some tremendous young kids coming through, there's Mason Lino, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Hayze Perham. There are so many kids here who are just starting to realise their potential."
Hingano was forced to wait behind Kieran Foran last year, with his opportunities expected to be limited again this year behind new signing Green.
His future was again speculated in the off-season but had been active in pre-season training and trials with the Warriors.
In October his agent Peter Brown told the Herald they would be disappointed if the club signed Green from Manly.
"If he is going to be third or fourth wheel then he might as well look elsewhere," Brown said.
Hingano has played 15 games for the Warriors and was a member of the Tongan side that stunned New Zealand to reach the Rugby League World Cup semifinals.
Paul Blackwell, selling owner of the Breakers, on the future of the club.
He thinks there is big growth in the NBL and the new owners will do well. He also thinks there is room for improvement in their delivery of the game day experience as he thinks they’ve gone a little stale.
Paul Blackwell, selling owner of the Breakers, on the future of the club.
He thinks there is big growth in the NBL and the new owners will do well. He also thinks there is room for improvement in their delivery of the game day experience as he thinks they’ve gone a little stale.
Andrew Voss, Fox NRL commentator, for the first time this season.
He gives us his view on the Warriors' pre-season campaign but he warns All Blacks fans not to be too dismissive of the SBW-to-Roosters story.
He says SBW has a history of doing as he pleases and mucking people around.
Andrew Voss, Fox NRL commentator, for the first time this season.
He gives us his view on the Warriors' pre-season campaign but he warns All Blacks fans not to be too dismissive of the SBW-to-Roosters story.
He says SBW has a history of doing as he pleases and mucking people around.
Wendell Sailor, part of a new show Spartan on TV 2, on his new gig but more importantly where the Warriors will finish this season.
He has them missing the playoffs and finishing ninth because he doesn’t trust them to deliver.
"Every year they let me down.
"[The Warriors] have some of the most wonderful young talent there and for some reason it just doesn't work. I just don't trust the Warriors, until they show me something I'll have them missing the eight."
Wendell Sailor, part of a new show Spartan on TV 2, on his new gig but more importantly where the Warriors will finish this season.
He has them missing the playoffs and finishing ninth because he doesn’t trust them to deliver.
"Every year they let me down.
"[The Warriors] have some of the most wonderful young talent there and for some reason it just doesn't work. I just don't trust the Warriors, until they show me something I'll have them missing the eight."
It's going to be a tight race to the finish as the leading two boats round the top of the North Island in the sixth leg of the Volvo Ocean race from Hong Kong to Auckland.
Team Scallywag have closed in on AkzoNobel with just over 175 nautical miles to go to the finish.
Third placed Turn The Tide on Plastic are 12 nautical miles off the lead.
Race director Grant Calder says they may arrive earlier than expected.
"The guys have just rounded the Cape, so we're expecting them in later tonight. So after 10 o'clock, 11 o'clock tonight we're expecting the first boat in."
It's going to be a tight race to the finish as the leading two boats round the top of the North Island in the sixth leg of the Volvo Ocean race from Hong Kong to Auckland.
Team Scallywag have closed in on AkzoNobel with just over 175 nautical miles to go to the finish.
Third placed Turn The Tide on Plastic are 12 nautical miles off the lead.
Race director Grant Calder says they may arrive earlier than expected.
"The guys have just rounded the Cape, so we're expecting them in later tonight. So after 10 o'clock, 11 o'clock tonight we're expecting the first boat in."
Jeff Wilson, former All Black and Sky rugby analyst, on the controversial yellow card and penalty try in the Crusaders and Chiefs game.
He said the referees are stuck with having to follow protocol in those situations.
"I don't think you can criticise Ben O'Keeffe in any way, shape or form," Wilson says.
READ MORE:
Colin Cooper: It should only have been penalty
Super Rugby week two - winners and losers
"What's a player supposed to do? Reality was the Chiefs would have been better off letting him score in the corner, make the conversion hard and then at least they've got 15 men on the field.
"The reality is as well, if this appears more and happens more then I think we're going to have a serious issue surrounding the game. We have to protect the players, we understand that."
He also spoke to the difficulty defenders face when tackling on their own line and whether we will ever see defenders allowing attackers to score tries?
Jeff Wilson, former All Black and Sky rugby analyst, on the controversial yellow card and penalty try in the Crusaders and Chiefs game.
He said the referees are stuck with having to follow protocol in those situations.
"I don't think you can criticise Ben O'Keeffe in any way, shape or form," Wilson says.
READ MORE:
Colin Cooper: It should only have been penalty
Super Rugby week two - winners and losers
"What's a player supposed to do? Reality was the Chiefs would have been better off letting him score in the corner, make the conversion hard and then at least they've got 15 men on the field.
"The reality is as well, if this appears more and happens more then I think we're going to have a serious issue surrounding the game. We have to protect the players, we understand that."
He also spoke to the difficulty defenders face when tackling on their own line and whether we will ever see defenders allowing attackers to score tries?
Black Caps all-rounder Mitchell Santner is aware he needs to work on his celebrations after leading his side to a thrilling last over win over England in yesterday's opening ODI in Hamilton.
Santner edged a four before smashing a six over mid wicket to lead New Zealand to a three wicket win with four balls remaining.
The New Zealand left-arm spin bowler finished with 45 from 27 balls to complete the victory set up by a 178-run partnership between Ross Taylor (113) and Tom Latham (79) for the fourth wicket.
READ MORE: Black Caps late heroics take down England
After hitting the winning runs off English bowler Chris Woakes, Santner told the Radio Sport Breakfast he wasn't too sure how to react.
"I actually didn't know what to do. I just panicked and put my arms in the air. I don't usually celebrate so it's something weird for me," he told the Radio Sport Breakfast.
"I always freak out. I don't know what to do. Maybe next time the bat flip."
Santner had a slow start to his innings, three runs from his first nine balls before connecting with the first of his four sixes.
"Obviously it was quite a hard wicket to start on so I just tried to take it as deep as I could. I got to that last over and I was just thinking if it's there I'm just going to go.
"The way that Ross [Taylor]and Tommy [Latham] set it up gave us a chance and it's nice to actually get over the line in the end."
Black Caps all-rounder Mitchell Santner is aware he needs to work on his celebrations after leading his side to a thrilling last over win over England in yesterday's opening ODI in Hamilton.
Santner edged a four before smashing a six over mid wicket to lead New Zealand to a three wicket win with four balls remaining.
The New Zealand left-arm spin bowler finished with 45 from 27 balls to complete the victory set up by a 178-run partnership between Ross Taylor (113) and Tom Latham (79) for the fourth wicket.
READ MORE: Black Caps late heroics take down England
After hitting the winning runs off English bowler Chris Woakes, Santner told the Radio Sport Breakfast he wasn't too sure how to react.
"I actually didn't know what to do. I just panicked and put my arms in the air. I don't usually celebrate so it's something weird for me," he told the Radio Sport Breakfast.
"I always freak out. I don't know what to do. Maybe next time the bat flip."
Santner had a slow start to his innings, three runs from his first nine balls before connecting with the first of his four sixes.
"Obviously it was quite a hard wicket to start on so I just tried to take it as deep as I could. I got to that last over and I was just thinking if it's there I'm just going to go.
"The way that Ross [Taylor]and Tommy [Latham] set it up gave us a chance and it's nice to actually get over the line in the end."
Talksport UK commentator Russell Hargreaves on Scotland's Six Nations win over England as well as the League Cup final between Manchester City and Arsenal.
Talksport UK commentator Russell Hargreaves on Scotland's Six Nations win over England as well as the League Cup final between Manchester City and Arsenal.
NZOC Secretary General Kereyn Smith on the success of the Winter Olympians yesterday.
Smith is confident Snow Sports New Zealand is expecting to reap the benefits of Nico Porteous and Zoi Sadowski Synnott's bronze medal medal winning performances at the Winter Olympics.
The 16 year olds have won New Zealand's second and third ever Winter Olympics medals with the country rocketing up to a tie for 25th on the PyeongChang medal table alongside Spain.
NZOC Secretary General Kereyn Smith on the success of the Winter Olympians yesterday.
Smith is confident Snow Sports New Zealand is expecting to reap the benefits of Nico Porteous and Zoi Sadowski Synnott's bronze medal medal winning performances at the Winter Olympics.
The 16 year olds have won New Zealand's second and third ever Winter Olympics medals with the country rocketing up to a tie for 25th on the PyeongChang medal table alongside Spain.
Former All Black and rugby expert Justin Marshall says he can barely pick a winner from tonight's Super Rugby 'opener' between the Blues and Highlanders.
He is also tipping the Crusaders v Chiefs match to be a titanic clash and that the Lions are an outside chance to break New Zealand's strangle hold on the competition.
Former All Black and rugby expert Justin Marshall says he can barely pick a winner from tonight's Super Rugby 'opener' between the Blues and Highlanders.
He is also tipping the Crusaders v Chiefs match to be a titanic clash and that the Lions are an outside chance to break New Zealand's strangle hold on the competition.
Black Caps selector Gavin Larsen concedes they may need to take a leaf out of Australia's book when it comes to selections.
Australia used a green side in their successful Twenty20 tri-series campaign, made up nearly entirely of Big Bash players with their first choice players sitting out to focus on their test game.
Larsen says it's given them something to think about.
READ MORE:
Australia cover every Black Caps' twist and turn
Australia 'were always one step ahead of the Black Caps'
"We introrudced Mark Chapman and Tim Seifert, guys who had shot the lights out in our Super Smash competition.
"We don't quite have the depth that Australia have across the ditch. There were learnings, it was a disappointing end for us."
However, Larsen does concede they need to consider player schedules.
Unlike their Australian opponents who fielded a relatively inexperienced side, New Zealand's team for the Twenty20 tri-series was relatively similar to their first choice one-day squad.
"I do still firmly believe we had our best T20 players on the park but that does raise another question around workloads and players playing all three formats. Some big ticket items there we need to chew around."
Ish Sodhi has earned a recall to the ODI squad as cover for Mitchell Santner and Todd Astle who are both under injury clouds.
Black Caps selector Gavin Larsen concedes they may need to take a leaf out of Australia's book when it comes to selections.
Australia used a green side in their successful Twenty20 tri-series campaign, made up nearly entirely of Big Bash players with their first choice players sitting out to focus on their test game.
Larsen says it's given them something to think about.
READ MORE:
Australia cover every Black Caps' twist and turn
Australia 'were always one step ahead of the Black Caps'
"We introrudced Mark Chapman and Tim Seifert, guys who had shot the lights out in our Super Smash competition.
"We don't quite have the depth that Australia have across the ditch. There were learnings, it was a disappointing end for us."
However, Larsen does concede they need to consider player schedules.
Unlike their Australian opponents who fielded a relatively inexperienced side, New Zealand's team for the Twenty20 tri-series was relatively similar to their first choice one-day squad.
"I do still firmly believe we had our best T20 players on the park but that does raise another question around workloads and players playing all three formats. Some big ticket items there we need to chew around."
Ish Sodhi has earned a recall to the ODI squad as cover for Mitchell Santner and Todd Astle who are both under injury clouds.
No complaints from the New Zealand speed skating trio after narrowly missing out on a medal in the team pursuit at the Winter Olympics in PyeongChang.
Reyon Kay, Peter Michael and Shane Dobbin lost to South Korea by just 0.7 of a second in the semifinals after leading into the final lap.
They were then outclassed by the Netherlands in the bronze medal race.
Dobbin says they gave everything to come within a whisker of getting into the gold medal race.
"They managed to keep their composure.
"We still skated a 3.39.5 which I think was about 0.2 slower than we accomplished in training runs. We skated to more or less what we thought we were capable of, they just beat us.
"Unfortunately with half a lap to go, the entire stadium erupted with cheers. I think the three of us knew the writing was on the wall as soon [as] 10,000 Koreans start cheering from silence for the three minutes prior to that."
For his part, Dobbin is not ready to pull the pin on his speed skating career for a second time.
"Now is not really the time to be taking those decisions. I'll let all the emotions dwindle away before I take any decisions like that. I've got two young kids at home, who'll be missing their dad a bit, so I'll go home and spend some time with them."
Zoi Sadowski-Synnott, Byron Wells, Beau-James Wells and Nico Porteous are all in action for New Zealand this afternoon in the Snowboard Big Air Women's and men's freeski halfpipe finals respectively.
LISTEN ABOVE AS SHANE DOBBIN SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
No complaints from the New Zealand speed skating trio after narrowly missing out on a medal in the team pursuit at the Winter Olympics in PyeongChang.
Reyon Kay, Peter Michael and Shane Dobbin lost to South Korea by just 0.7 of a second in the semifinals after leading into the final lap.
They were then outclassed by the Netherlands in the bronze medal race.
Dobbin says they gave everything to come within a whisker of getting into the gold medal race.
"They managed to keep their composure.
"We still skated a 3.39.5 which I think was about 0.2 slower than we accomplished in training runs. We skated to more or less what we thought we were capable of, they just beat us.
"Unfortunately with half a lap to go, the entire stadium erupted with cheers. I think the three of us knew the writing was on the wall as soon [as] 10,000 Koreans start cheering from silence for the three minutes prior to that."
READ MORE: Kiwis finish fourth in men's skating pursuit
For his part, Dobbin is not ready to pull the pin on his speed skating career for a second time.
"Now is not really the time to be taking those decisions. I'll let all the emotions dwindle away before I take any decisions like that. I've got two young kids at home, who'll be missing their dad a bit, so I'll go home and spend some time with them."
Zoi Sadowski-Synnott, Byron Wells, Beau-James Wells and Nico Porteous are all in action for New Zealand this afternoon in the Snowboard Big Air Women's and men's freeski halfpipe finals respectively.
LISTEN ABOVE AS SHANE DOBBIN SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former Black Cap and Radio Sport commentator Peter McGlashan believes that Australia always appeared one step ahead of the Black Caps last night, and that Kane Williamson's side struggled to know when to attack and when to be conservative.
LISTEN ABOVE AS PETER MCGLASHAN SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former Black Cap and Radio Sport commentator Peter McGlashan believes that Australia always appeared one step ahead of the Black Caps last night, and that Kane Williamson's side struggled to know when to attack and when to be conservative.
LISTEN ABOVE AS PETER MCGLASHAN SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former Black Cap and now cricket commentator Grant Elliott on the tonight's tri-series T20 final between New Zealand and Australia.
He explains how he approached matches with Eden Park's odd-shaped boundaries but says the high run totals aren't down to the small field, but that the pitch is one of the best for batting in the country.
Grant Elliott's all too familiar with what's required to win at Eden Park.
The former Black Caps all-rounder scored an unbeaten 84 in New Zealand's 2015 Cricket World Cup semi-final win over South Africa.
Ahead of tonight's Twenty20 tri-series final between New Zealand and Australia, Elliott says at Eden Park, there's one method he banks on.
"You always want to chase, because you never know what a good total is so you're better off chasing. It's a tough ground to protect."
He says the high run totals aren't down to the small field, but the pitch, which is 'one of the best for batting' in the country.
Rugby league commentator Dale Budge says it is baffling that New Zealand Rugby League want to schedule a Kiwis test against in England in Denver, when a match against Tonga in Auckland makes so much sense.
But why?
Budge believes the answer is simple - the Kiwis are scared of losing to last year's Rugby League World Cup darlings.
"The only thing I can think of, that I wrote this morning, is that I think they're scared.
READ MORE: Why a one-off test in Denver makes no sense
"I don't think they want to lose to Tonga again, I think they are concerned any chance they have of bringing the former Kiwi players back into the New Zealand fold would disappear if Tonga have any meaningful games this year.
"But none of that is even worth considering when you compare the benefit of staging of the game.
"I think there would be a far bigger appetite of a New Zealand v Tonga match. There is a huge Tongan fan base who is desperate to see their team play again."
LISTEN ABOVE AS DALE BUDGE SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Rugby league commentator Dale Budge says it is baffling that New Zealand Rugby League want to schedule a Kiwis test against in England in Denver, when a match against Tonga in Auckland makes so much sense.
But why?
Budge believes the answer is simple - the Kiwis are scared of losing to last year's Rugby League World Cup darlings.
"The only thing I can think of, that I wrote this morning, is that I think they're scared.
READ MORE: Why a one-off test in Denver makes no sense
"I don't think they want to lose to Tonga again, I think they are concerned any chance they have of bringing the former Kiwi players back into the New Zealand fold would disappear if Tonga have any meaningful games this year.
"But none of that is even worth considering when you compare the benefit of staging of the game.
"I think there would be a far bigger appetite of a New Zealand v Tonga match. There is a huge Tongan fan base who is desperate to see their team play again."
LISTEN ABOVE AS DALE BUDGE SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
The New Zealand pursuiters are hoping a radical technique can propel them to a huge upset when they take on hosts South Korea in the Olympic speed skating semifinal early Thursday morning.
Necessity was the mother of invention for the Kiwi trio of Shane Dobbin, kingpin Peter Michael and Reyon Kay, who as the fourth qualifiers must take on the top seeded Koreans.
New Zealand's chances of progressing to the gold medal race are not rated high. Their next assignment would be a race for bronze, against traditional powerhouse the Netherlands or Norway. Annelise Coberger won New Zealand's only Winter Olympics medal 26 years ago.
READ MORE: Winter Olympics Day 12: Kiwis in action - All you need to know
The 38-year-old Dobbin said the team has settled on a system of fewer lead changes with Michael anchoring the team by leading for a massive final five laps.
They tried the system because veteran Dobbin wasn't strong enough to hold up at the front, after coming out of retirement. Dobbin believes other teams might even consider incorporating what New Zealand is doing.
"We have a unique set up, with the anchor skater doing a few more laps than rest," he told Radio Sport.
"We run a bit different, a necessity of last season. I physically wasn't strong enough to pull steady leads and make it to the finish in good shape.
"We altered our lead schedule, Reon pulls the first three laps them, and Michael is on front for the final five laps.
"It is a challenge. While it is tough for the guys, every team loses .3 second every time you change the lead, so if we can minimise our lead change..."
Dobbin said their analysis shows the Koreans' big advantage over New Zealand is on the first and last laps. The Kiwis will make a particular effort to compensate for that. Their plan involves estimating the sort of time Korea can do, and coming up with average lap times to beat that.
"We're loving it at the moment, going into this semifinal," he said.
"They are the home nation with a crowd of 10,000 people cheering for them. It is their race to lose. The pressure is on them."
Team pursuit : Two teams of three athletes each start out from opposite sides and skate eight laps. Ranking is based on the time that the third skater passes the finish line.
The New Zealand pursuiters are hoping a radical technique can propel them to a huge upset when they take on hosts South Korea in the Olympic speed skating semifinal early Thursday morning.
Necessity was the mother of invention for the Kiwi trio of Shane Dobbin, kingpin Peter Michael and Reyon Kay, who as the fourth qualifiers must take on the top seeded Koreans.
New Zealand's chances of progressing to the gold medal race are not rated high. Their next assignment would be a race for bronze, against traditional powerhouse the Netherlands or Norway. Annelise Coberger won New Zealand's only Winter Olympics medal 26 years ago.
READ MORE: Winter Olympics Day 12: Kiwis in action - All you need to know
The 38-year-old Dobbin said the team has settled on a system of fewer lead changes with Michael anchoring the team by leading for a massive final five laps.
They tried the system because veteran Dobbin wasn't strong enough to hold up at the front, after coming out of retirement. Dobbin believes other teams might even consider incorporating what New Zealand is doing.
"We have a unique set up, with the anchor skater doing a few more laps than rest," he told Radio Sport.
"We run a bit different, a necessity of last season. I physically wasn't strong enough to pull steady leads and make it to the finish in good shape.
"We altered our lead schedule, Reon pulls the first three laps them, and Michael is on front for the final five laps.
"It is a challenge. While it is tough for the guys, every team loses .3 second every time you change the lead, so if we can minimise our lead change..."
Dobbin said their analysis shows the Koreans' big advantage over New Zealand is on the first and last laps. The Kiwis will make a particular effort to compensate for that. Their plan involves estimating the sort of time Korea can do, and coming up with average lap times to beat that.
"We're loving it at the moment, going into this semifinal," he said.
"They are the home nation with a crowd of 10,000 people cheering for them. It is their race to lose. The pressure is on them."
Team pursuit : Two teams of three athletes each start out from opposite sides and skate eight laps. Ranking is based on the time that the third skater passes the finish line.
Black Caps coach Mike Hesson looks ahead to the T20 final against Australia at Eden Park tomorrow night.
Black Caps coach Mike Hesson looks ahead to the T20 final against Australia at Eden Park tomorrow night.
New Zealand Cricket is defending Eden Park's status as an international venue.
The ground has copped stinging criticism from the likes of respected Australian commentator Jim Maxwell, due to its short boundaries.
NZC chief operating officer Anthony Crummy says it's a bit of a surprise.
"It does come up from time-to-time but I think [you] can't get caught up in the comments of some people.
"It always comes in for some discussion. [Eden Park] is quite unique, no doubt about it, but a lot of grounds are unique. It adds to the colour, players have to adapt."
Another bumper Eden Park crowd is expected for tomorrow night's T20 final although numbers will likely fall short of those for Friday's run glut between New Zealand and Australia.
Crummy says there was a big spike in sales when New Zealand confirmed its final place during the match against England.
"It will be another really strong crowd, I wouldn't think the same as Friday although we'd be pretty pumped if it was," he told the Radio Sport Breakfast.
"The appetite for T20 cricket is certainly there and the series has been fantastic so far. We expect the numbers will be pretty strong. All indications are that people are really enjoying T20 cricket and its going from strength to strength."
It is just continuing the trend of Twenty20 fast becoming the most important form of the game for NZ Cricket, with television figures better than ODIs and Test matches.
"I suggest the latest T20s might be even stronger than some of the of ODIs we've had, but they're over a shorter period of time so people are sitting there watching right through the whole game.
"Certainly [they] rate higher than a Test match, they may even rate to double that of a Test."
Both the Black Caps and Australia practice again today ahead of tomorrow's decider at 7pm.
LISTEN ABOVE AS ANOTHONY CRUMMY SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
New Zealand Cricket is defending Eden Park's status as an international venue.
The ground has copped stinging criticism from the likes of respected Australian commentator Jim Maxwell, due to its short boundaries.
NZC chief operating officer Anthony Crummy says it's a bit of a surprise.
"It does come up from time-to-time but I think [you] can't get caught up in the comments of some people.
"It always comes in for some discussion. [Eden Park] is quite unique, no doubt about it, but a lot of grounds are unique. It adds to the colour, players have to adapt."
Another bumper Eden Park crowd is expected for tomorrow night's T20 final although numbers will likely fall short of those for Friday's run glut between New Zealand and Australia.
Crummy says there was a big spike in sales when New Zealand confirmed its final place during the match against England.
"It will be another really strong crowd, I wouldn't think the same as Friday although we'd be pretty pumped if it was," he told the Radio Sport Breakfast.
"The appetite for T20 cricket is certainly there and the series has been fantastic so far. We expect the numbers will be pretty strong. All indications are that people are really enjoying T20 cricket and its going from strength to strength."
It is just continuing the trend of Twenty20 fast becoming the most important form of the game for NZ Cricket, with television figures better than ODIs and Test matches.
"I suggest the latest T20s might be even stronger than some of the of ODIs we've had, but they're over a shorter period of time so people are sitting there watching right through the whole game.
"Certainly [they] rate higher than a Test match, they may even rate to double that of a Test."
Both the Black Caps and Australia practice again today ahead of tomorrow's decider at 7pm.
LISTEN ABOVE AS ANOTHONY CRUMMY SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
It was a mixed result for the Black Caps last night. The team lost their T20 international match against England but still qualified for the finals against Australia this Wednesday.
Opening batsman Martin Guptill told Radio Sport Breakfast that New Zealand never considered the smaller total of 175 to progress to Wednesday’s final.
He was adamant that they only had eyes for 195.
READ MORE: Black Caps lose to England but qualify for final
"That was never on our minds. We got ourselves into a good position to chase that down and we just fell at the last minute.
He says he can’t remember ever scoring a century in a losing effort.
LISTEN TO MARTIN GUPTILL TALK WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST ABOVE
It was a mixed result for the Black Caps last night. The team lost their T20 international match against England but still qualified for the finals against Australia this Wednesday.
Opening batsman Martin Guptill told Radio Sport Breakfast that New Zealand never considered the smaller total of 175 to progress to Wednesday’s final.
He was adamant that they only had eyes for 195.
READ MORE: Black Caps lose to England but qualify for final
"That was never on our minds. We got ourselves into a good position to chase that down and we just fell at the last minute.
He says he can’t remember ever scoring a century in a losing effort.
LISTEN TO MARTIN GUPTILL TALK WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST ABOVE
The most recent Tui Catch a Million winner says he will split the $50,000 cash prize with his mates.
The lucky fan, Rudi Bosman, bagged $50,000 after a sensational one-handed catch in the crowd as the Black Caps faced England in their tri-series clash at Seddon Park.
Bosman, who caught David Malan's huge six over long-on, was ecstatic when interviewed by Laura McGoldrick after the catch.
"Feeling awesome. I'm very excited," Bosman said.
"I knew if the ball was coming my way I will catch it and so it proved to be."
When asked if he had a message to his wife who was watching at home, he had one simple request: "Please don't spend all the money yet."
However, Bosman revealed the catch was a strategic team effort and he would split the $50,000 win with his friends.
"The three mates of us went down there and we'd seen the footage from previous games and knew it's always a scramble trying to catch the ball," Bosman told Radio Sport Breakfast.
"I being the tallest said I should wear it [Tui Catch a Million shirt] and then we'll just share the money, so I get a bit of it."
"It's not worth losing friends over."
Bosman said he planned to put his share of the money towards a house deposit.
The fan's catch comes after student Mitch Grimstone grabbed a low left-handed catch to win himself $50,000 in the Black Caps' last match against Australia.
LISTEN TO RUDY BENSON TALK WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST ABOVE
The most recent Tui Catch a Million winner says he will split the $50,000 cash prize with his mates.
The lucky fan, Rudi Bosman, bagged $50,000 after a sensational one-handed catch in the crowd as the Black Caps faced England in their tri-series clash at Seddon Park.
Bosman, who caught David Malan's huge six over long-on, was ecstatic when interviewed by Laura McGoldrick after the catch.
"Feeling awesome. I'm very excited," Bosman said.
"I knew if the ball was coming my way I will catch it and so it proved to be."
When asked if he had a message to his wife who was watching at home, he had one simple request: "Please don't spend all the money yet."
However, Bosman revealed the catch was a strategic team effort and he would split the $50,000 win with his friends.
"The three mates of us went down there and we'd seen the footage from previous games and knew it's always a scramble trying to catch the ball," Bosman told Radio Sport Breakfast.
"I being the tallest said I should wear it [Tui Catch a Million shirt] and then we'll just share the money, so I get a bit of it."
"It's not worth losing friends over."
Bosman said he planned to put his share of the money towards a house deposit.
The fan's catch comes after student Mitch Grimstone grabbed a low left-handed catch to win himself $50,000 in the Black Caps' last match against Australia.
LISTEN TO RUDY BENSON TALK WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST ABOVE
Andre Adams, former NZ cricketer and bowling coach, on the game tonight and the evolution of T20 cricket.
He did say it’s challenging for young batsmen to know how to approach their batting given the different formats of cricket. He said it’s up to coaches to not place restraints on them.
Andre Adams, former NZ cricketer and bowling coach, on the game tonight and the evolution of T20 cricket.
He did say it’s challenging for young batsmen to know how to approach their batting given the different formats of cricket. He said it’s up to coaches to not place restraints on them.
Brendan Nel, Supersport South Africa rugby editor, on Super Rugby starting this weekend.
He doesn’t think the South African sides will necessarily be stronger this season. He also thinks if John Mitchell does well at the Bulls (and lasts one-to-two seasons) he might be a chance at the Springboks job.
Brendan Nel, Supersport South Africa rugby editor, on Super Rugby starting this weekend.
He doesn’t think the South African sides will necessarily be stronger this season. He also thinks if John Mitchell does well at the Bulls (and lasts one-to-two seasons) he might be a chance at the Springboks job.
Dan Dibley, from 95.7 The Game in San Francisco, on the re-build of the Cavaliers, the coaching of Steve Kerr at the Warriors, Steven Adams' 12 offensive rebounds for the Thunder, and his thoughts on the Winter Olympics.
Dan Dibley, from 95.7 The Game in San Francisco, on the re-build of the Cavaliers, the coaching of Steve Kerr at the Warriors, Steven Adams' 12 offensive rebounds for the Thunder, and his thoughts on the Winter Olympics.
The Black Caps expects they'll leave the dropsies behind before they get to Eden Park on Friday.
Mitchell Santner and Tim Southee both shelled catches in the deep in the 12-run Twenty20 tri-series win over England at Westpac Stadium.
READ MORE:
Williamson admits to 'uh oh' moment before setting NZ up for victory
Peter McGlashan reviews Black Caps' win over England
Batting coach Craig McMillan told the Radio Sport Breakfast that catches going down is frustrating.
"Westpac is prob the hardest catching ground in the country. It was windy last night, so the wind was swirling and you see guys under the ball, and then all of a sudden they're moving left, moving right."
The Black Caps travel to Auckland today, while Australia has also arrived in town ahead of Friday's match.
McMillan also says Kane Williamson had paid no attention to the pre-match questions over his position in the T20 side.
The Black Caps expects they'll leave the dropsies behind before they get to Eden Park on Friday.
Mitchell Santner and Tim Southee both shelled catches in the deep in the 12-run Twenty20 tri-series win over England at Westpac Stadium.
READ MORE:
Williamson admits to 'uh oh' moment before setting NZ up for victory
Peter McGlashan reviews Black Caps' win over England
Batting coach Craig McMillan told the Radio Sport Breakfast that catches going down is frustrating.
"Westpac is prob the hardest catching ground in the country. It was windy last night, so the wind was swirling and you see guys under the ball, and then all of a sudden they're moving left, moving right."
The Black Caps travel to Auckland today, while Australia has also arrived in town ahead of Friday's match.
McMillan also says Kane Williamson had paid no attention to the pre-match questions over his position in the T20 side.
The Canterbury Rugby Union and Crusaders have taken minority ownership stakes in American professional rugby side, the Seattle Seawolves.
The Seawolves formed in 2017 and will play in the new North American professional competition, the Major Rugby League, which starts in April.
Chief executive of the Canterbury Rugby Union, Nathan Godfrey, told Radio Sport Breakfast that the minor investment was made to "open doors in America" and "further develop the Canterbury Rugby franchise".
"Canterbury Rugby and the Crusaders have made a really small investment in the Seattle Seawolves franchise, probably about 1%, but clearly we see other in-direct benefits in that ownership long-term," Godfrey said.
"It's a really small investment, it's the equivalent of us having an employee based in America so at the end of the day the Crusaders and Canterbury Rugby have an international high-performance share."
Godfrey said that the Canterbury Rugby Union and the Crusaders ultimately hope to develop better fan experience in New Zealand through observation of the Seattle Seawolves' fan base interaction.
"We certainly think we can learn a few things from them around fan experience," he said.
"They have really successful sport franchises over there … We sent our commercial marketing team over to Seattle before Christmas and they spent a week over there just immersed in that environment ... They do it very well over there"
"It's that sense of the fan journey, from the cradle to the grave, and it's passed on through generations, but at the end of the day you've got to make sure you're putting on a good experience and a good product on game day."
"I do think there's room for improvement in terms of how we do things in New Zealand."
Godfrey said the investment would also help provide opportunities to both New Zealand and US players who were interested in gaining overseas experience.
"Players want to have that overseas experience so we certainly think that there's a pathway there and certainly on the flip side I think there's some talent over there that we'd love to tap into as well ... so there's a reciprocal benefit to both of us."
The Seawolves will have their first MRL game on April 22 against San Diego Legion in Tukwila.
The Canterbury Rugby Union and Crusaders have taken minority ownership stakes in American professional rugby side, the Seattle Seawolves.
The Seawolves formed in 2017 and will play in the new North American professional competition, the Major Rugby League, which starts in April.
Chief executive of the Canterbury Rugby Union, Nathan Godfrey, told Radio Sport Breakfast that the minor investment was made to "open doors in America" and "further develop the Canterbury Rugby franchise".
"Canterbury Rugby and the Crusaders have made a really small investment in the Seattle Seawolves franchise, probably about 1%, but clearly we see other in-direct benefits in that ownership long-term," Godfrey said.
"It's a really small investment, it's the equivalent of us having an employee based in America so at the end of the day the Crusaders and Canterbury Rugby have an international high-performance share."
Godfrey said that the Canterbury Rugby Union and the Crusaders ultimately hope to develop better fan experience in New Zealand through observation of the Seattle Seawolves' fan base interaction.
"We certainly think we can learn a few things from them around fan experience," he said.
"They have really successful sport franchises over there … We sent our commercial marketing team over to Seattle before Christmas and they spent a week over there just immersed in that environment ... They do it very well over there"
"It's that sense of the fan journey, from the cradle to the grave, and it's passed on through generations, but at the end of the day you've got to make sure you're putting on a good experience and a good product on game day."
"I do think there's room for improvement in terms of how we do things in New Zealand."
Godfrey said the investment would also help provide opportunities to both New Zealand and US players who were interested in gaining overseas experience.
"Players want to have that overseas experience so we certainly think that there's a pathway there and certainly on the flip side I think there's some talent over there that we'd love to tap into as well ... so there's a reciprocal benefit to both of us."
The Seawolves will have their first MRL game on April 22 against San Diego Legion in Tukwila.
Former Black Cap and Radio Sport commentator reviews last night's tight T20 win over England in Wellington.
The pre-match buildup was overshadowed by an odd-looking pitch which had a large bald spot on it.
However, McGlashan says it's a perfect example of why you can't judge a pitch by it's cover.
"There was nothing wrong with that surface really. There were a couple of balls early on that gripped a little bit, but [Kane] Williamson and Martin Guptill played so well on the surface, it didn't really matter who came in after that."
Former Black Cap and Radio Sport commentator reviews last night's tight T20 win over England in Wellington.
The pre-match buildup was overshadowed by an odd-looking pitch which had a large bald spot on it.
However, McGlashan says it's a perfect example of why you can't judge a pitch by it's cover.
"There was nothing wrong with that surface really. There were a couple of balls early on that gripped a little bit, but [Kane] Williamson and Martin Guptill played so well on the surface, it didn't really matter who came in after that."
Former England cricketer James Taylor has been left dumbfounded at the pitch for tonight's Twenty20 between the Black Caps and England.
Pictures have emerged of the Westpac Stadium wicket having a large bald patch in the middle of it, with the surrounding grass a very dark green.
Now a commentator with the BBC Taylor told the Radio Sport Breakfast it's hard to rescue a wicket like that.
"I just think they'll have to leave it or shave down much as they can, but I'm intrigued, I saw they spraying it with something yesterday.
"I'm really not sure how it's going to play at all, I've never anything like this in international cricket."
Pakistan coach was Mickey Arthur was critical of the Wellington wicket following last month's T20 loss to New Zealand.
Former England cricketer James Taylor has been left dumbfounded at the pitch for tonight's Twenty20 between the Black Caps and England.
Pictures have emerged of the Westpac Stadium wicket having a large bald patch in the middle of it, with the surrounding grass a very dark green.
Now a commentator with the BBC Taylor told the Radio Sport Breakfast it's hard to rescue a wicket like that.
"I just think they'll have to leave it or shave down much as they can, but I'm intrigued, I saw they spraying it with something yesterday.
"I'm really not sure how it's going to play at all, I've never anything like this in international cricket."
Pakistan coach was Mickey Arthur was critical of the Wellington wicket following last month's T20 loss to New Zealand.
John Hart was in studio to promote the NZ Golf Open, which he believes will be their srongest tournament yet.
As a former All Blacks coach, Hart also gave his opinion on this year's minicamps which will be held during the Super Rugby season.
He admits the minicamps are just a mordern reality, but aknowledges that Steve Hansen would not like the situation if he was a Super Rugby coach and not in charge of the All Blacks.
John Hart was in studio to promote the NZ Golf Open, which he believes will be their srongest tournament yet.
As a former All Blacks coach, Hart also gave his opinion on this year's minicamps which will be held during the Super Rugby season.
He admits the minicamps are just a mordern reality, but aknowledges that Steve Hansen would not like the situation if he was a Super Rugby coach and not in charge of the All Blacks.
Former All White and football commentator Harry Ngata thinks it is of concern Wellington Phoenix manager Dareji Kalezic is calling out his players and looking to next season already, when they still have eight games of a failed season to go.
Former All White and football commentator Harry Ngata thinks it is of concern Wellington Phoenix manager Dareji Kalezic is calling out his players and looking to next season already, when they still have eight games of a failed season to go.
Jordie Barrett's on track for his return to rugby.
Following an outstanding rookie Super Rugby campaign, the utility back's All Blacks debut season was cut short by a shoulder injury in August.
Barrett says he'll miss next weekend's start of Super Rugby with the Hurricanes, but has a return date in mind.
"I'm aiming to be back in three or four weeks, targeting round three. The boys are away round one and two in South Africa and Argentina, so I'll be staying home trying to tick some more boxes."
"That's the plan at the moment, it's been drafted in by coaches and medical staff, so that's the goal at this point in time."
The All Black rookie is also welcoming the much talked about get-togethers during Super Rugby.
Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd has voiced his discontent with the four All Blacks training camps that will take place during the upcoming season, in preparation for June's test series against France.
But Barrett believes they'll be hugely beneficial.
"It's just introducing new things and laying a foundation, not just waiting until it's time and we're a week out from a game and they're throwing a whole lot of information at us, that we may not have come across Super Rugby."
Super Rugby gets underway this weekend, but New Zealand sides don't play their first matches until next weekend.
LISTEN ABOVE AS JORDIE BARRETT AND MATT DUFFY SPEAK WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Jordie Barrett's on track for his return to rugby.
Following an outstanding rookie Super Rugby campaign, the utility back's All Blacks debut season was cut short by a shoulder injury in August.
Barrett says he'll miss next weekend's start of Super Rugby with the Hurricanes, but has a return date in mind.
"I'm aiming to be back in three or four weeks, targeting round three. The boys are away round one and two in South Africa and Argentina, so I'll be staying home trying to tick some more boxes."
"That's the plan at the moment, it's been drafted in by coaches and medical staff, so that's the goal at this point in time."
The All Black rookie is also welcoming the much talked about get-togethers during Super Rugby.
Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd has voiced his discontent with the four All Blacks training camps that will take place during the upcoming season, in preparation for June's test series against France.
But Barrett believes they'll be hugely beneficial.
"It's just introducing new things and laying a foundation, not just waiting until it's time and we're a week out from a game and they're throwing a whole lot of information at us, that we may not have come across Super Rugby."
Super Rugby gets underway this weekend, but New Zealand sides don't play their first matches until next weekend.
LISTEN ABOVE AS JORDIE BARRETT AND MATT DUFFY SPEAK WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
When it rains, it pours for the Wellington Phoenix.
Not only did they lose 4-0 in an abject performance against Western Sydney Wanderers last night, Radio Sport commentator Jason Pine says rumours are swirling that star player Roy Krishna could be leaving the club.
READ MORE: Furious Durante - Phoenix's playoff hopes are over
Krishna reportedly wanted to leave the Phoenix to join the Anthony Hudson-coached Colorado Rapids in the USA, but neither club could agree terms on the move.
Complicating matters is that Krishna is in the final year of his contract. The Phoenix have offered a lucrative new deal to the forward but a clause in Krishna's current deal triggers an extension to his current deal if he plays 15 games this season.
He's currently played 13 times and despite reports Krishna was cleared to play in last night's loss by two different specialists, he felt he he wasn't fit enough to play.
So is he trying to avoid triggering the clause so he can leave on his terms at the end of the season?
Pine says wahtever the issue the Phoenix have to get him back on the field.
"My understanding is that his agent, Rex Dawkins, is negoaiting with the club and the club has put a very, very big offer on the table. However, he is yet to sign that and I believe there is still a bit of a gap between what the Phoenix have offered and what Krishna and Dawkins have asked for.
"Normally these clauses are in contracts for the benefit of the player, they say 'play this many games and you'll get an extension' so it motivates the player to play those games.
"From I what I understand, the Phoenix might invoke this clause that if he plays these 15 games, then Roy Krishna is almost compelled to stay under the letter of the contract. That's not the intent of a clause like that.
"The word is, and people are putting two and two together, that [Krishna] is withholding labour, for want of a better phrase. However, Rex Dawkins says that is absolutley not the case. It really comes down to who you believe."
LISTEN ABOVE AS JASON PINE SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
When it rains, it pours for the Wellington Phoenix.
Not only did they lose 4-0 in an abject performance against Western Sydney Wanderers last night, Radio Sport commentator Jason Pine says rumours are swirling that star player Roy Krishna could be leaving the club.
READ MORE: Furious Durante - Phoenix's playoff hopes are over
Krishna reportedly wanted to leave the Phoenix to join the Anthony Hudson-coached Colorado Rapids in the USA, but neither club could agree terms on the move.
Complicating matters is that Krishna is in the final year of his contract. The Phoenix have offered a lucrative new deal to the forward but a clause in Krishna's current deal triggers an extension to his current deal if he plays 15 games this season.
He's currently played 13 times and despite reports Krishna was cleared to play in last night's loss by two different specialists, he felt he he wasn't fit enough to play.
So is he trying to avoid triggering the clause so he can leave on his terms at the end of the season?
Pine says wahtever the issue the Phoenix have to get him back on the field.
"My understanding is that his agent, Rex Dawkins, is negoaiting with the club and the club has put a very, very big offer on the table. However, he is yet to sign that and I believe there is still a bit of a gap between what the Phoenix have offered and what Krishna and Dawkins have asked for.
"Normally these clauses are in contracts for the benefit of the player, they say 'play this many games and you'll get an extension' so it motivates the player to play those games.
"From I what I understand, the Phoenix might invoke this clause that if he plays these 15 games, then Roy Krishna is almost compelled to stay under the letter of the contract. That's not the intent of a clause like that.
"The word is, and people are putting two and two together, that [Krishna] is withholding labour, for want of a better phrase. However, Rex Dawkins says that is absolutley not the case. It really comes down to who you believe."
LISTEN ABOVE AS JASON PINE SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Talksport UK commentator Russell Hargreaves wraps up the biggest talking points from this weekend's Six Nations action, which has been headlined by Warren Gatland's fury after Wales were controversially denied a Gareth Anscombe try against England at Twickenham.
"From an England point of view it is a great call but if I was in a red shirt I would feel pretty aggrieved"@CliveWoodward assesses Wales' ruled-out try pic.twitter.com/tdP7PP4yTf
— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) February 10, 2018
Hargreaves also says that Frances' Six Nations title bid is over following their loss to Scotland this morning.
He also reviews the Premier League which saw Arsenal lose the North London Debry to Tottenham, Manchester City score five more goals against Leicester City and Manchester United lose to Newcastle United at St James Park.
LISTEN ABOVE AS RUSSELL HARGREAVES SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Talksport UK commentator Russell Hargreaves wraps up the biggest talking points from this weekend's Six Nations action, which has been headlined by Warren Gatland's fury after Wales were controversially denied a Gareth Anscombe try against England at Twickenham.
"From an England point of view it is a great call but if I was in a red shirt I would feel pretty aggrieved"@CliveWoodward assesses Wales' ruled-out try pic.twitter.com/tdP7PP4yTf
— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) February 10, 2018
Hargreaves also says that Frances' Six Nations title bid is over following their loss to Scotland this morning.
He also reviews the Premier League which saw Arsenal lose the North London Debry to Tottenham, Manchester City score five more goals against Leicester City and Manchester United lose to Newcastle United at St James Park.
LISTEN ABOVE AS RUSSELL HARGREAVES SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Ryan “Chinglish” Dingle, Esports gamer from Sydney, giving us a crash course in Esports and how the industry is growing rapidly with billions of dollars being invested each year.
He is very interesting to listen to, even to the uninitiated!
Ryan “Chinglish” Dingle, Esports gamer from Sydney, giving us a crash course in Esports and how the industry is growing rapidly with billions of dollars being invested each year.
He is very interesting to listen to, even to the uninitiated!
Black Caps selector Gavin Larsen is defending Kane Williamson's place in the New Zealand Twenty20 side.
Former New Zealand international Simon Doull believes Williamson shouldn't be selected in Black Caps' T20 team, unless he's opening the batting.
Larsen says they won't be making a change at the top of the order and believes Williamson remains a class Twenty20 player.
"To me, he's an experienced, classy player; we know his record. He's still a world-ranked T20 player, he was New Zealand Cricket's T20 player of the year last year.
"He's missed out a couple of times but [I'm] very, very confident that the skipper will hit a couple out of the middle early on and he'll be away again."
Mark Chapman and Tim Seifert have been called up to the squad for the remainder of the tri-series against Australia and England, with Tom Blundell, Tom Bruce and Seth Rance dropped.
Australia's two from two in the tri-series after beating England by five wickets in Hobart.
LISTEN ABOVE AS GAVIN LARSEN SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Black Caps selector Gavin Larsen is defending Kane Williamson's place in the New Zealand Twenty20 side.
Former New Zealand international Simon Doull believes Williamson shouldn't be selected in Black Caps' T20 team, unless he's opening the batting.
Larsen says they won't be making a change at the top of the order and believes Williamson remains a class Twenty20 player.
READ MORE:
Chapman - I was quietly confident I was being called up
Chapman, Seifert called into Black Caps squad for tri-series
"To me, he's an experienced, classy player; we know his record. He's still a world-ranked T20 player, he was New Zealand Cricket's T20 player of the year last year.
"He's missed out a couple of times but [I'm] very, very confident that the skipper will hit a couple out of the middle early on and he'll be away again."
Mark Chapman and Tim Seifert have been called up to the squad for the remainder of the tri-series against Australia and England, with Tom Blundell, Tom Bruce and Seth Rance dropped.
Australia's two from two in the tri-series after beating England by five wickets in Hobart.
LISTEN ABOVE AS GAVIN LARSEN SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Dan Dibley, from 95.7 The Game in San Francisco, on the Golden State Warriors losing to Steven Adams and the OKC Thunder yesterday. The Warriors never had a lead in that game.
Dan Dibley, from 95.7 The Game in San Francisco, on the Golden State Warriors losing to Steven Adams and the OKC Thunder yesterday. The Warriors never had a lead in that game.
Captain Kane Williamson and coach Mike Hesson should be axed from the New Zealand T20 setup.
That's the call from leading commentator Simon Doull, the former international, who wants Martin Guptill installed as the new captain. Doull suggested New Zealand great Daniel Vettori — who coaches in the IPL and Big Bash — as a coaching candidate.
Doull says New Zealand is constantly found out when the pressure goes on against good sides, and believes the current T20 outfit has too many ties to the test squad.
He described Hesson as a great coach, but believes he needs more breaks while the T20 side needs a specialist, more up-to-date boss.
Doull said Australia had just one test player in their T20 side while the Black Caps had seven.
Williamson, Ross Taylor and Tim Southee were among the players who should be dropped, with the likes of Anton Devcich, Mark Chapman and Tim Seifert promoted. The only regular test players who should survive, in Doull's opinion, were Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner and Trent Boult.
Doull told the Radio Sport Breakfast: "I don't think we are getting the selections right — I've had some concerns for a while.
"I would like to see Colin de Grandhomme batting higher but it is the selections, not the batting order (which is the problem). We want dynamic players and should be giving them an opportunity at T20 level.
"If Kane Williamson doesn't open in T20 he shouldn't be playing. His record opening is very good, at three and four it's not that great. But he shouldn't be in the T20 side, there's a lot shouldn't be in the T20 side."
Williamson averages about 38 as a T20 opener, and 22 batting elsewhere. He had a shocker in the Tri-Series opener in Sydney, scoring eight off 21 deliveries against the Australians batting at number three.
Williamson was dismissed for just 8 runs from 21 balls in Sydney. (Photo \ Photosport)
Doull said Guptill was New Zealand's senior white ball specialist who would "relish the captaincy and responsibility". Coach Hesson, meanwhile, needed the chance to freshen up.
"He's a great coach who has done an amazing job, and has really grown into the job," Doull said.
"But he gets very little time off, only a small amount of time with his family. Give him T20 completely off, get a new coach, new ideas, a new bunch of players.
"(The coach) probably needs to have played the game to understand it a bit better. The Northern Knights had Gareth Hopkins solely as their T20 coach and he played until recently. The rest of the coaches around the country are a bit older, out of touch with T20."
On the Tri-Series, Doull initially picked England as the team to beat but was extremely impressed with an Australian side packed with rising specialists.
"They've got guys with great slower balls, variations, long batting power. It is a very, very good T20 side and I can see Australia upsetting England," he said.
Captain Kane Williamson and coach Mike Hesson should be axed from the New Zealand T20 setup.
That's the call from leading commentator Simon Doull, the former international, who wants Martin Guptill installed as the new captain. Doull suggested New Zealand great Daniel Vettori — who coaches in the IPL and Big Bash — as a coaching candidate.
Doull says New Zealand is constantly found out when the pressure goes on against good sides, and believes the current T20 outfit has too many ties to the test squad.
He described Hesson as a great coach, but believes he needs more breaks while the T20 side needs a specialist, more up-to-date boss.
Doull said Australia had just one test player in their T20 side while the Black Caps had seven.
Williamson, Ross Taylor and Tim Southee were among the players who should be dropped, with the likes of Anton Devcich, Mark Chapman and Tim Seifert promoted. The only regular test players who should survive, in Doull's opinion, were Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner and Trent Boult.
Doull told the Radio Sport Breakfast: "I don't think we are getting the selections right — I've had some concerns for a while.
"I would like to see Colin de Grandhomme batting higher but it is the selections, not the batting order (which is the problem). We want dynamic players and should be giving them an opportunity at T20 level.
"If Kane Williamson doesn't open in T20 he shouldn't be playing. His record opening is very good, at three and four it's not that great. But he shouldn't be in the T20 side, there's a lot shouldn't be in the T20 side."
Williamson averages about 38 as a T20 opener, and 22 batting elsewhere. He had a shocker in the Tri-Series opener in Sydney, scoring eight off 21 deliveries against the Australians batting at number three.
Williamson was dismissed for just 8 runs from 21 balls in Sydney. (Photo \ Photosport)
Doull said Guptill was New Zealand's senior white ball specialist who would "relish the captaincy and responsibility". Coach Hesson, meanwhile, needed the chance to freshen up.
"He's a great coach who has done an amazing job, and has really grown into the job," Doull said.
"But he gets very little time off, only a small amount of time with his family. Give him T20 completely off, get a new coach, new ideas, a new bunch of players.
"(The coach) probably needs to have played the game to understand it a bit better. The Northern Knights had Gareth Hopkins solely as their T20 coach and he played until recently. The rest of the coaches around the country are a bit older, out of touch with T20."
On the Tri-Series, Doull initially picked England as the team to beat but was extremely impressed with an Australian side packed with rising specialists.
"They've got guys with great slower balls, variations, long batting power. It is a very, very good T20 side and I can see Australia upsetting England," he said.
Dallas Fisher, co-promoter of the Hamilton Sevens, gave the event a 9 out of 10 for the weekend, despite the issues they had with the wrist band payments on Saturday.
LISTEN ABOVE AS DALLAS FISHER SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
READ MORE:
All Blacks Sevens 'bloody frustrated' after Hamilton loss
Sydney's Big Sports Breakfast host Terry Kennedy on the poor turnout in at the SCG for Australia's comprehensive T20 win over the Black Caps.
Kennedy says the scheduling by Cricket Australia is terrible, playing the match right in the middle of the Big Bashg finals, given there has been such an emphasis on the BBL.
LISTEN ABOVE AS TERRY KENNEDY SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
All Blacks Sevens coach Clark Laidlaw gives Kent, Nate and Marc his thoughts on New Zealand's efforts in Hamilton - and losing the bronze playoff on a drop goal penalty.
LISTEN ABOVE AS CLARK LAIDLAW SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
The Philadelphia Eagles will beat the New England Patriots to win Super Bowl LII, according to Bleacher Report's Brent Sobleski.
Sobleski spoke to the Radio Sport Breakfast and gave a rundown of where this afternoon's match will be won and lost, and who will win the biggest match in American sport.
Dallas Fisher, co-promoter of the Hamilton Sevens, gave the event a 9 out of 10 for the weekend, despite the issues they had with the wrist band payments on Saturday.
LISTEN ABOVE AS DALLAS FISHER SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
READ MORE:
All Blacks Sevens 'bloody frustrated' after Hamilton loss
PHOTOS:
Fans flock to Hamilton Sevens
Sydney's Big Sports Breakfast host Terry Kennedy on the poor turnout in at the SCG for Australia's comprehensive T20 win over the Black Caps.
Kennedy says the scheduling by Cricket Australia is terrible, playing the match right in the middle of the Big Bashg finals, given there has been such an emphasis on the BBL.
LISTEN ABOVE AS TERRY KENNEDY SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
The Philadelphia Eagles will beat the New England Patriots to win Super Bowl LII, according to Bleacher Report's Brent Sobleski.
Sobleski spoke to the Radio Sport Breakfast and gave a rundown of where this afternoon's match will be won and lost, and who will win the biggest match in American sport.
All Blacks Sevens coach Clark Laidlaw gives Kent, Nate and Marc his thoughts on New Zealand's efforts in Hamilton - and losing the bronze playoff on a drop goal penalty.
LISTEN ABOVE AS CLARK LAIDLAW SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
New Zealand rugby league great Tony Kemp on the review to be released by the NZRL.
He thinks it is important details released immediately to the public.
LISTEN ABOVE AS TONY KEMP SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
New Zealand rugby league great Tony Kemp on the review to be released by the NZRL.
He thinks it is important details released immediately to the public.
LISTEN ABOVE AS TONY KEMP SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Sam Dickson, from NZ Sevens team, who said they has been attention to detail in preparation for the Hamilton Sevens after they lost at the quarter-final stage in Sydney last weekend.
LISTEN ABOVE AS SAM DICKSON SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Sam Dickson, from NZ Sevens team, who said they has been attention to detail in preparation for the Hamilton Sevens after they lost at the quarter-final stage in Sydney last weekend.
LISTEN ABOVE AS SAM DICKSON SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
South African rugby journalist Mark Keohane has the latest on the ugly mess engulfing the Springboks' coaching staff right now.
Encumbent coach Alistair Coetzee launched an astonishing attack on his own rugby bosses criticising their handling of his situation and pinning the blame for his torrid two seasons in charge solely on the governing body.
Keohane says it appears Coetzee is deluded in his reasons, and hasn't taken any responsibility for the team's poor record over the past two seasons.
LISTEN ABOVE AS MARK KEOHANE SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
If the Black Caps play Australia in a T20 but no-one is there to see it, is it really on?
Australian Radio Network's Sports Director Jim Dolan says most of the focus in Australia has been on the Big Bash finals, and very little hype over Saturday's T20 at the SCG.
LISTEN ABOVE AS JIM DOLAN SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
South African rugby journalist Mark Keohane has the latest on the ugly mess engulfing the Springboks' coaching staff right now.
Encumbent coach Alistair Coetzee launched an astonishing attack on his own rugby bosses criticising their handling of his situation and pinning the blame for his torrid two seasons in charge solely on the governing body.
Keohane says it appears Coetzee is deluded in his reasons, and hasn't taken any responsibility for the team's poor record over the past two seasons.
LISTEN ABOVE AS MARK KEOHANE SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
If the Black Caps play Australia in a T20 but no-one is there to see it, is it really on?
Australian Radio Network's Sports Director Jim Dolan says most of the focus in Australia has been on the Big Bash finals, and very little hype over Saturday's T20 at the SCG.
LISTEN ABOVE AS JIM DOLAN SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Andrew McKenna, Talksport UK rugby commentator, on Chris Boyd inheriting a messy situation at Northampton and the Six Nations starting this weekend with severely depleted squads through injury.
LISTEN ABOVE AS ANDREW MCKENNA SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Jason Bird, manager of the Hastings Boys first fifteen rugby team, who said about half of his squad has signed with player agents.
LISTEN: NZ Sevens coach Clarke Laidlaw addresses Nanai-Seturo tug-of-war
He also thinks 15-16 year old boys aren’t mature enough to fully understand the ramifications of signing professional contracts.
LISTEN ABOVE AS JASON BIRD SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Dallas Fisher, joint promoter Hamilton Sevens, on ordering enough beer for the weekend! He also gave an emphatic ‘yes’ to having the facilities for hosting a Womens’ tournament run concurrently.
The sold-out New Zealand Sevens in Hamilton this weekend is estimated to bring more than $5 million of outside money into the city and leaves no-one in doubt about the quality of Waikato's events industry, says co-promoter Dallas Fisher.
The Waikato business leader, managing director of new private investor company 37 South, formed to own 25 per cent of the Sevens Hamilton event in a partnership with New Zealand Rugby, said the 45-game event at the FMG Waikato Stadium would be a festival of broad-based entertainment, live music and hospitality for all ages in a secure environment.
The two-day Sevens, lost by Wellington to Hamilton after years of wilting fan and corporate support, was costing about $2.5 million to hold, said Fisher.
Tickets had sold out in September, with 23,500 tickets "genuinely" sold to the first cashless rugby game in New Zealand, he said.
Ticket holders will wear electronic wristbands loaded with nominated spending amounts, intended to cut queues and help monitor alcohol purchases.
About 1500 children were expected among the families attending, and more than 1500 event staff and volunteers would be on site over each of the two days, Fisher said.
Families and children will be separated - and in their own large amusement ride area - screened from 9000 Sevens revellers who can move between their own viewing stand in the stadium and the designated R18 "party" area.
Unlimited admittance to entertainment areas for the respective groups was included in the ticket prices of $87 to $97, Fisher said.
He was "over the moon" at the corporate attendance response. Guests will include World Rugby chief executive Brett Gosper.
Montana Catering, co-owned by Fisher and Troy Reid, is New Zealand's biggest privately-owned caterer and holds the catering contract for Hamilton's stadium. It also employs 100 people in its Auckland operations under the company name Flame Tree Kitchen.
Forty Montana chefs and dozens of staff over the two days will serve up more than 1.5 tonne of chicken, beef and lamb, including 150 whole briskets to become Texas barbecue, and 20kg of salmon. Desserts include more than 21,000 hand-made gingerbread kisses and tarts.
Dallas Fisher, joint promoter Hamilton Sevens, on ordering enough beer for the weekend! He also gave an emphatic ‘yes’ to having the facilities for hosting a Womens’ tournament run concurrently.
The sold-out New Zealand Sevens in Hamilton this weekend is estimated to bring more than $5 million of outside money into the city and leaves no-one in doubt about the quality of Waikato's events industry, says co-promoter Dallas Fisher.
The Waikato business leader, managing director of new private investor company 37 South, formed to own 25 per cent of the Sevens Hamilton event in a partnership with New Zealand Rugby, said the 45-game event at the FMG Waikato Stadium would be a festival of broad-based entertainment, live music and hospitality for all ages in a secure environment.
The two-day Sevens, lost by Wellington to Hamilton after years of wilting fan and corporate support, was costing about $2.5 million to hold, said Fisher.
Tickets had sold out in September, with 23,500 tickets "genuinely" sold to the first cashless rugby game in New Zealand, he said.
Ticket holders will wear electronic wristbands loaded with nominated spending amounts, intended to cut queues and help monitor alcohol purchases.
About 1500 children were expected among the families attending, and more than 1500 event staff and volunteers would be on site over each of the two days, Fisher said.
Families and children will be separated - and in their own large amusement ride area - screened from 9000 Sevens revellers who can move between their own viewing stand in the stadium and the designated R18 "party" area.
Unlimited admittance to entertainment areas for the respective groups was included in the ticket prices of $87 to $97, Fisher said.
He was "over the moon" at the corporate attendance response. Guests will include World Rugby chief executive Brett Gosper.
Montana Catering, co-owned by Fisher and Troy Reid, is New Zealand's biggest privately-owned caterer and holds the catering contract for Hamilton's stadium. It also employs 100 people in its Auckland operations under the company name Flame Tree Kitchen.
Forty Montana chefs and dozens of staff over the two days will serve up more than 1.5 tonne of chicken, beef and lamb, including 150 whole briskets to become Texas barbecue, and 20kg of salmon. Desserts include more than 21,000 hand-made gingerbread kisses and tarts.
Andrew McKenna, Talksport UK rugby commentator, on Chris Boyd inheriting a messy situation at Northampton and the Six Nations starting this weekend with severely depleted squads through injury.
LISTEN ABOVE AS ANDREW MCKENNA SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Jason Bird, manager of the Hastings Boys first fifteen rugby team, who said about half of his squad has signed with player agents.
LISTEN: NZ Sevens coach Clarke Laidlaw addresses Nanai-Seturo tug-of-war
He also thinks 15-16 year old boys aren’t mature enough to fully understand the ramifications of signing professional contracts.
LISTEN ABOVE AS JASON BIRD SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Hurricanes chief executive Avan Lee is describing Chris Boyd's pending departure as emotional.
The head coach of the 'Canes is leaving after Super Rugby to take up the director of rugby role with English side Northampton.
Lee has told the Radio Sport Breakfast Boyd met with them last week about his future.
READ MORE: Chris Boyd leaving Hurricanes to take job with Northampton
"Chris is a staunch Wellington man, a staunch Hurricanes man so he probably thought he'd stay at the Hurricanes for the rest of his life.
"In an ideal world you wouldn't let any quality people go, but you can't keep everybody for ever."
The move essentially ends Boyd's coaching career in New Zealand, with the former Under 20s coach unlikely to take on another big job here.
Lee says there's so few jobs you can move to once you've coached Super Rugby.
"He's probably got one big job left in him, and unfortunatley for New Zealand rugby that looks like it's going to be in England. But you've got to see it from his perspective."
Boyd's replacement has to be decided, John Plumtree looms as the likely replacement to step up from assistant coach to take over, but the entire coaching staff is off contract this year.
"I can't go into details but I'm very confident that your listeners and our fans will have a very positive view of what the Hurricanes will look like in 2019. We are going to obviously very quickly start a very formal process [to appoint a new head coach]."
LISTEN ABOVE AS AVAN LEE SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former All Black and Commonwealth Games Sevens gold medallist Roger Randle gave Kent, Nate and Marc his thoughts on the New Zealand men's and women's Sevens campaign in Sydney, and whether the men will be able to turn it around in Hamilton this weekend.
LISTEN ABOVE AS ROGER RANDLE SPEAKS TO THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former All Black and Commonwealth Games Sevens gold medallist Roger Randle gave Kent, Nate and Marc his thoughts on the New Zealand men's and women's Sevens campaign in Sydney, and whether the men will be able to turn it around in Hamilton this weekend.
LISTEN ABOVE AS ROGER RANDLE SPEAKS TO THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Hurricanes chief executive Avan Lee is describing Chris Boyd's pending departure as emotional.
The head coach of the 'Canes is leaving after Super Rugby to take up the director of rugby role with English side Northampton.
Lee has told the Radio Sport Breakfast Boyd met with them last week about his future.
READ MORE: Boyd - 'I haven't spoken to Steven Hansen in three years'
"Chris is a staunch Wellington man, a staunch Hurricanes man so he probably thought he'd stay at the Hurricanes for the rest of his life.
"In an ideal world you wouldn't let any quality people go, but you can't keep everybody for ever."
The move essentially ends Boyd's coaching career in New Zealand, with the former Under 20s coach unlikely to take on another big job here.
Lee says there's so few jobs you can move to once you've coached Super Rugby.
READ MORE: Chris Boyd leaving Hurricanes to take job with Northampton
"He's probably got one big job left in him, and unfortunatley for New Zealand rugby that looks like it's going to be in England. But you've got to see it from his perspective."
Boyd's replacement has to be decided, John Plumtree looms as the likely replacement to step up from assistant coach to take over, but the entire coaching staff is off contract this year.
"I can't go into details but I'm very confident that your listeners and our fans will have a very positive view of what the Hurricanes will look like in 2019. We are going to obviously very quickly start a very formal process [to appoint a new head coach]."
LISTEN ABOVE AS AVAN LEE SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Simon Doull gives Nate, Kent and Marc and his thoughts on the Black Caps' T20 series loss to Pakistan.
Doully thinks Ross Taylor's aggressive style recently in T20 cricket has impressed the selectors, but the Black Caps need to work out the best way to bat with Martin Guptill, Colin Munro and Kane Williamson in the team.
He also believes Guptill realises he is no longer an IPL target and that Mitchell McClenghan's career is sadly going backwards.
LISTEN ABOVE AS SIMON DOULL SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Simon Doull gives Nate, Kent and Marc and his thoughts on the Black Caps' T20 series loss to Pakistan.
Doully thinks Ross Taylor's aggressive style recently in T20 cricket has impressed the selectors, but the Black Caps need to work out the best way to bat with Martin Guptill, Colin Munro and Kane Williamson in the team.
He also believes Guptill realises he is no longer an IPL target and that Mitchell McClenghan's career is sadly going backwards.
LISTEN ABOVE AS SIMON DOULL SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Ex-All Black and Chiefs captain Liam Messam for the Brisbane Tens and on his final season in New Zealand and the fact he is heading to France to play for Toulon.
He even suggested, tongue-in-cheek that Toulon were the only team who wanted to sign him.
LISTEN ABOVE AS LIAM MESSAM SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Ex-All Black and Chiefs captain Liam Messam for the Brisbane Tens and on his final season in New Zealand and the fact he is heading to France to play for Toulon.
He even suggested, tongue-in-cheek that Toulon were the only team who wanted to sign him.
LISTEN ABOVE AS LIAM MESSAM SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former Black Caps wicketkeeper on the T20 loss to Pakistan at Eden Park last night.
He says the team hardly turned up last night and there weren't many positives to take out of the heavy defeat.
"You just thought, 'oh well, Pakistan just turned up and our boys will have to play well'. [But] they didn't play well, they didn't play average, they barely played poorly."
McGlashan does feel the batsmen can be forgiven for a couple of poor decisions last night, but the bowlers' wides indicated "they didn't really have a plan".
He also touched on New Zealand's 202-run loss to Afghanistan the U19 World Cup is a bad result for NZC and the young players will forever remember it.
LISTEN ABOVE AS PETER MCGLASHAN SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former Black Caps wicketkeeper on the T20 loss to Pakistan at Eden Park last night.
He says the team hardly turned up last night and there weren't many positives to take out of the heavy defeat.
"You just thought, 'oh well, Pakistan just turned up and our boys will have to play well'. [But] they didn't play well, they didn't play average, they barely played poorly."
McGlashan does feel the batsmen can be forgiven for a couple of poor decisions last night, but the bowlers' wides indicated "they didn't really have a plan".
He also touched on New Zealand's 202-run loss to Afghanistan the U19 World Cup is a bad result for NZC and the young players will forever remember it.
LISTEN ABOVE AS PETER MCGLASHAN SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Radio Sport tennis expert David Mustard reviews last night's Australian Open and predicts what will happen today as we find out the remaining semi finalists.
Mustard believes Roger Federer is capable of winning his semi-final vs rising star Hyeon Chung tomorrow, but he won't find it easy against the Korean underdog who has nothing to lose.
However, he also thinks picking a winner from the women's four remaining players is very difficult.
LISTEN ABOVE AS DAVID MUSTARD SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Radio Sport commentator Joey Yovich previews Thursday night's T20 between the Black Caps and Pakistan at Eden Park.
He says the Black Caps' bench has really impressed him, especially batsman Tom Bruce and bowler Seth Rance.
Yovich believes the team that wins the toss has to bat first and get runs on the board.
LISTEN ABOVE AS JOEY YOVICH SPEAKS TO THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Radio Sport tennis expert David Mustard reviews last night's Australian Open and predicts what will happen today as we find out the remaining semi finalists.
Mustard believes Roger Federer is capable of winning his semi-final vs rising star Hyeon Chung tomorrow, but he won't find it easy against the Korean underdog who has nothing to lose.
READ MORE: Federer wary of 'Djokovic clone' Chung
However, he also thinks picking a winner from the women's four remaining players is very difficult.
LISTEN ABOVE AS DAVID MUSTARD SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Radio Sport commentator Joey Yovich previews Thursday night's T20 between the Black Caps and Pakistan at Eden Park.
He says the Black Caps' bench has really impressed him, especially batsman Tom Bruce and bowler Seth Rance.
Yovich believes the team that wins the toss has to bat first and get runs on the board.
LISTEN ABOVE AS JOEY YOVICH SPEAKS TO THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Dan Dibley, The Game radio host from San Francisco, doesn't believe Steven Adams deserves to be an NBA All-Star.
Adams has missed selection to other, more worthy players, and Dibley explains he this.
He also touches on what LeBron James' legacy will be when he retires, how the bad the Cleveland Cavaliers are right now and Dibley gives us his prediction on who will win the Easten and Western Conferences.
LISTEN ABOVE AS DAN DIBLEY SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Dan Dibley, The Game radio host from San Francisco, doesn't believe Steven Adams deserves to be an NBA All-Star.
Adams has missed selection to other, more worthy players, and Dibley explains he this.
He also touches on what LeBron James' legacy will be when he retires, how the bad the Cleveland Cavaliers are right now and Dibley gives us his prediction on who will win the Easten and Western Conferences.
LISTEN ABOVE AS DAN DIBLEY SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Black Caps 'spin twins' Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi joined Nate, Kent and Marc in studio and talked about the Black Caps' series against Pakistan so far.
LISTEN ABOVE AS MITCHELL SANTNER AND ISH SODHI JOIN THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
New Zealand Cricket concedes it probably got it wrong with the allocation of games for the Pakistan series.
A crowd of just over 8000 turned up for the first Twenty20 international at the Cake Tin with the capital having already hosted two one-day internationals at the Basin Reserve.
NZC chief operating officer Anthony Crummy told Radio Sport breakfast there were too many games too close together in the capital.
"No doubt we probably got an extra game or so than we would have liked in Wellington, just purely from a spirit of the games, because we lost that game at McLean Park."
However, NZC believe that having too many games in the capital wasn't the only factor, with the weather forecast also playing a factor.
"For whatever reason, Monday was signalled to be a pretty bad day for a while. We certainly know that has an impact, people keep an eye on that and it does impact their decisions."
Crummy expects the crowd for tomorrow's second Twenty20 against Pakistan at Eden Park will be significantly lower than what they will expect against Australia and England.
Black Caps 'spin twins' Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi joined Nate, Kent and Marc in studio and talked about the Black Caps' series against Pakistan so far.
LISTEN ABOVE AS MITCHELL SANTNER AND ISH SODHI JOIN THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
New Zealand Cricket concedes it probably got it wrong with the allocation of games for the Pakistan series.
A crowd of just over 8000 turned up for the first Twenty20 international at the Cake Tin with the capital having already hosted two one-day internationals at the Basin Reserve.
NZC chief operating officer Anthony Crummy told Radio Sport breakfast there were too many games too close together in the capital.
"No doubt we probably got an extra game or so than we would have liked in Wellington, just purely from a spirit of the games, because we lost that game at McLean Park."
However, NZC believe that having too many games in the capital wasn't the only factor, with the weather forecast also playing a factor.
"For whatever reason, Monday was signalled to be a pretty bad day for a while. We certainly know that has an impact, people keep an eye on that and it does impact their decisions."
Crummy expects the crowd for tomorrow's second Twenty20 against Pakistan at Eden Park will be significantly lower than what they will expect against Australia and England.
Former New Zealand wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi gives has expert view on the Black Caps' comprehensive T20 win over Pakistan and why the make up of each team may be contributing to the one-sided nature of the series.
LISTEN ABOVE AS LUKE RONCHI SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former New Zealand wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi gives has expert view on the Black Caps' comprehensive T20 win over Pakistan and why the make up of each team may be contributing to the one-sided nature of the series.
LISTEN ABOVE AS LUKE RONCHI SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Head NFL analyst Brent Sobleski joined the show and says almost all NFL fans will be rooting for the Philadaelphia Eagles to beat the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl.
LISTEN ABOVE AS BRENT SOBLESKI SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Black Caps batsman Colin Munro spoke to Kent, Nate and Marc about his excellent form this summer.
He admits that he had no idea he almost equalled the record for the most consecutive T20 fifties.
"When I got back into the shed yesterday, there was a text message saying I needed one more run to equal the record, but it doesn't really faze me too much."
Munro acknowledged that he's matured as a player and he's now reaping the benefits, and he is also philosophical about his chances at the IPL next weekend.
LISTEN ABOVE AS COLIN MUNRO SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Black Caps batsman Colin Munro spoke to Kent, Nate and Marc about his excellent form this summer.
He admits that he had no idea he almost equalled the record for the most consecutive T20 fifties.
"When I got back into the shed yesterday, there was a text message saying I needed one more run to equal the record, but it doesn't really faze me too much."
Munro acknowledged that he's matured as a player and he's now reaping the benefits, and he is also philosophical about his chances at the IPL next weekend.
LISTEN ABOVE AS COLIN MUNRO SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Bleacher Report's head NFL analyst Brent Sobleski joined the show and says almost all NFL fans will be rooting for the Philadelphia Eagles to beat the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl.
LISTEN ABOVE AS BRENT SOBLESKI SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former Black Cap and Sky commentator Simon Doull believes this current New Zealand side is so good there really isn't any point lamenting the quality of opposition they've faced.
He wonders why this Black Caps side isn't allowed to start singing their own praises.
"As you know, New Zealand sport, we're not allowed to be confident, we're not allowed to talk about positives and say we're on a winning streak and we're doing really well.
"We've got to enjoy it. They need to embrace it, and the public needs to get behind it and acknowledge it for what it is.
"Sometimes we possibly look at the opposition and say 'oh, they're not relly that good'. Let's just look at this Black Caps side and say they are good, and they're playing terrific cricket at the moment."
However, he admits the only question mark over this current side is the position of Tom Latham
LISTEN ABOVE AS SIMON DOULL SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
From the latest goal by the Harry Kane, to Watford having a crack at Everton after sacking manager Marco Silva, to Alexis Sanchez's deal to Manchester United gathers pace.
LISTEN ABOVE AS RUSSELL HARGREAVES SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former Black Cap and Sky commentator Simon Doull believes this current New Zealand side is so good there really isn't any point lamenting the quality of opposition they've faced.
He wonders why this Black Caps side isn't allowed to start singing their own praises.
"As you know, New Zealand sport, we're not allowed to be confident, we're not allowed to talk about positives and say we're on a winning streak and we're doing really well.
"We've got to enjoy it. They need to embrace it, and the public needs to get behind it and acknowledge it for what it is.
"Sometimes we possibly look at the opposition and say 'oh, they're not relly that good'. Let's just look at this Black Caps side and say they are good, and they're playing terrific cricket at the moment."
However, he admits the only question mark over this current side is the position of Tom Latham
LISTEN ABOVE AS SIMON DOULL SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
From the latest goal by the Harry Kane, to Watford having a crack at Everton after sacking manager Marco Silva, to Alexis Sanchez's deal to Manchester United gathers pace.
LISTEN ABOVE AS RUSSELL HARGREAVES SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former Tall Black Brendon Pongia reviews the NZ Breakers' win last night and the form of Steven Adams in the NBA.
LISTEN ABOVE AS BRENDON PONGIA SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former Tall Black Brendon Pongia reviews the NZ Breakers' win last night and the form of Steven Adams in the NBA.
LISTEN ABOVE AS BRENDON PONGIA SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former Black Cap and Sky cricket commentator Craig Cumming says New Zealand's domestic Twenty20 competition - the Burger King Super Smash is almost as good as the Big Bash in Australia.
Cumming says there are only two things the Super Smash lacks compared to the BBL - and that is the grounds are smaller and we can't get 40,000 people to the games.
"Our grounds are smaller so quite often it's a different style of cricket we play compared to the Big Bash.
"But the only difference is, and you talk to any of the players, the standard is really high. You just need to look at the pros we get over here and some of them get smashed.
"Our quality of cricket is as good as the Big Bash, what we lack is 40,000 people going to the ground. If we were able to get a few more thousand into each ground and create a little bit more atmosphere, everything would go together."
LISTEN ABOVE AS CRAIG CUMMING SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Radio Sport tennis commentator Matt Brown wraps up Wednesday's Australian Open action, as the debate over players grunting has spakred up once again.
Belarusian player, Aryna Sabalenka, drew mockery from the Melbourne Park crowd during her first-round defeat to home hope Ashleigh Barty and the umpire was forced to ask for quiet in the stands.
LISTEN ABOVE AS MATT BROWN SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Radio Sport tennis commentator Matt Brown wraps up Wednesday's Australian Open action, as the debate over players grunting has spakred up once again.
Belarusian player, Aryna Sabalenka, drew mockery from the Melbourne Park crowd during her first-round defeat to home hope Ashleigh Barty and the umpire was forced to ask for quiet in the stands.
LISTEN ABOVE AS MATT BROWN SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former Black Cap and Sky cricket commentator Craig Cumming says New Zealand's domestic Twenty20 competition - the Burger King Super Smash is almost as good as the Big Bash in Australia.
Cumming says there are only two things the Super Smash lacks compared to the BBL - and that is the grounds are smaller and we can't get 40,000 people to the games.
"Our grounds are smaller so quite often it's a different style of cricket we play compared to the Big Bash.
"But the only difference is, and you talk to any of the players, the standard is really high. You just need to look at the pros we get over here and some of them get smashed.
"Our quality of cricket is as good as the Big Bash, what we lack is 40,000 people going to the ground. If we were able to get a few more thousand into each ground and create a little bit more atmosphere, everything would go together."
LISTEN ABOVE AS CRAIG CUMMING SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Black Caps all-rounder Mitchell Santner is full of praise for Colin de Grandhomme after his match-winning performance against Pakistan last night.
Santner says that for a man who is very low-key and doesn't chase the spotlight, de Grandhomme's performance in his first match back this year certainly stole the limelight.
READ MORE: Grand-master - de Grandhomme blasts Black Caps to victory over Pakistan
Santner also explains how he came up with his new delivery - a carrom ball, which he used to completley flummox Pakistan batsman Fakhar Zaman.
LISTEN ABOVE AS MITCHELL SANTNER SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Why was Anthony Joshua so late to his press conference with Joseph Parker overnight? Was it mind games, or was his camp's explanation that 'that's just AJ always being late' genuine?
Former Radio Sport journalist Andy Rowe was at the Anthony Joshua and Joseph Parker press conference this morning and says he left Joshua high and dry after the British boxer attempted o shake his hand in London.
LISTEN ABOVE AS ANDY ROWE SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Why was Anthony Joshua so late to his press conference with Joseph Parker overnight? Was it mind games, or was his camp's explanation that 'that's just AJ always being late' genuine?
Former Radio Sport journalist Andy Rowe was at the Anthony Joshua and Joseph Parker press conference this morning and says he left Joshua high and dry after the British boxer attempted o shake his hand in London.
LISTEN ABOVE AS ANDY ROWE SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Black Caps all-rounder Mitchell Santner is full of praise for Colin de Grandhomme after his match-winning performance against Pakistan last night.
Santner says that for a man who is very low-key and doesn't chase the spotlight, de Grandhomme's performance in his first match back this year certainly stole the limelight.
READ MORE: Grand-master - de Grandhomme blasts Black Caps to victory over Pakistan
Santner also explains how he came up with his new delivery - a carrom ball, which he used to completley flummox Pakistan batsman Fakhar Zaman.
LISTEN ABOVE AS MITCHELL SANTNER SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
BBC and The Independent boxing pundit Steve Bunce rates Joseph Parker's chances against Anthony Joshua.
Bunce believes that Parker has the "better brain" than Joshua, and he will need to use it if he wants to win the world title on April 1.
He also believes Parker will have to tone down his language at the first press conference featuring both fighters tonight.
LISTEN ABOVE AS STEVE BUNCE SPEAK TO THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Bleacher Report's head NFL analyst Brent Sobleski is picking a New England Patriots v Minnesota Vikings Super Bowl in three weeks' time.
He also gives his expert's reaction to the Vikings' stunning match-winning touchdown as time expired against the New Orleans Saints.
.@STEFONDIGGS FOR THE WIN!!!!!!!!! #SKOL #NOvsMIN #NFLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/UAoNJ2NJ97
— NFL (@NFL) January 15, 2018
What was going through Saints defender Marcus Williams' head?
LISTEN ABOVE AS BRENT SOBLESKI SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
BBC and The Independent boxing pundit Steve Bunce rates Joseph Parker's chances against Anthony Joshua.
Bunce believes that Parker has the "better brain" than Joshua, and he will need to use it if he wants to win the world title on April 1.
He also believes Parker will have to tone down his language at the first press conference featuring both fighters tonight.
LISTEN ABOVE AS STEVE BUNCE SPEAK TO THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Bleacher Report's head NFL analyst Brent Sobleski is picking a New England Patriots v Minnesota Vikings Super Bowl in three weeks' time.
He also gives his expert's reaction to the Vikings' stunning match-winning touchdown as time expired against the New Orleans Saints.
.@STEFONDIGGS FOR THE WIN!!!!!!!!! #SKOL #NOvsMIN #NFLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/UAoNJ2NJ97
— NFL (@NFL) January 15, 2018
What was going through Saints defender Marcus Williams' head?
LISTEN ABOVE AS BRENT SOBLESKI SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Ice hockey promoter Kerry Goulet speaks with Nate, Kent and Marc ahead of the USA v Canada series to be played in New Zealand later this year.
LISTEN ABOVE AS KERRY GOULET SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Black Caps coach Mike Hesson can't help but smile at the rewards he's seeing.
Captain Kane Williamson and fast bowlers Tim Southee and Trent Boult were rested for parts of the West Indies tour of New Zealand, resulting in plenty of criticism and questioning of the reasoning.
But Hesson says the side's three comfortable one day international wins against Pakistan has shown the plan has worked.
"Without a doubt. I think that's part of what we do, we can't just roll out the same guys every single game for six-and-a-half months and expect the performance to stay the same.
"It's part of what we do, and the players have got to buy into that as well and they do."
The fourth ODI between the Black Caps and Pakistan is tomorrow in Hamilton.
LISTEN ABOVE AS MIKE HESSON SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Black Caps coach Mike Hesson can't help but smile at the rewards he's seeing.
Captain Kane Williamson and fast bowlers Tim Southee and Trent Boult were rested for parts of the West Indies tour of New Zealand, resulting in plenty of criticism and questioning of the reasoning.
But Hesson says the side's three comfortable one day international wins against Pakistan has shown the plan has worked.
"Without a doubt. I think that's part of what we do, we can't just roll out the same guys every single game for six-and-a-half months and expect the performance to stay the same.
"It's part of what we do, and the players have got to buy into that as well and they do."
The fourth ODI between the Black Caps and Pakistan is tomorrow in Hamilton.
LISTEN ABOVE AS MIKE HESSON SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Within hours of their heavyweight unification title fight being confirmed, Joseph Parker has raised the stakes by suggesting Anthony Joshua is a drugs cheat.
Joshua will put his WBA and IBF belts on the line against WBO champ Parker at Cardiff's Principality Stadium on the first of April New Zealand time.
Parker told Radio Sport Breakfast he's the king of pies and Joshua is the king of steroids.
''They call me the king of pies but I call him the king of steroids. Who knows, if you are that big and that muscly there's something wrong.
''I have heard word; I have looked at him and I have seen. He has been very close with Klitschko ... he has been a reigning champion for a long time. So I don't know ... it may be true maybe not.
Asked how he thought Joshua would respond to the drugs suggestions, Parker said: ''I don't know how he will he respond .. he may be angry or upset at what we have been saying. It's part of the game. I am not accusing him of using steroids but I am saying it is a possibility.''
Parker said there would be drug testing prior to the title fight in Wales but there ''there are a lot of ways you can dodge drug testing''.
The comeback comes after Joshua mocked Parker's weight alongside UK talk show host Graham Norton last week.
The two fighters will hold a joint media conference in London tomorrow night.
LISTEN TO JOSHUA PARKER TALK WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST ABOVE
Former New Zealand cricketer and Radio Sport commentator Joey Yovich thought the West Indies needed close to 300 runs to be competitive.
He says the West Indies hardly turned up at all yesterday, as their batsmen started slowly, their fielding was below par, Jason Holder couldn't create any pressure in the field and the Windies bowlers failed to front up.
LISTEN ABOVE AS JOEY YOVICH SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Bob Ryan, Hall of Fame basketball writer for the Boston Globe, joined the show ahead of a busy festive period in American sport.
He covers the LA Lakers' controversial decision to retire two Kobe Bryant jerseys, the remarkable story of NFL star Tom Brady this season and much more.
LISTEN ABOVE AS BOB RYAN SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former All White and Football Kingz goalkeeper Michael Utting has slammed the state of New Zealand Football.
He says there is "so much passion" missing at the top of NZF, and with the Wellington Phoenix and All Whites in the doldrums, he believes the state of football in New Zealand is "embarrassing".
LISTEN ABOVE AS MICHAEL UTTING SPEAKS WIHT THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former Black Cap and Sky commentator Simon Doull wraps up the third Ashes Test, which saw Australia regain the urn with two tests to play.
Doully believes Nathan Lyon's claim that this Ashes series "could end careers" has proven to be prophetic, with particular concern hanging over James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Alastair Cook.
He says it is very likely that a demoralised England side will come to our shores in February and they could be ripe for the picking.
As for the Black Caps, Doull says the West Indies will be competitive than the test series, but he can't see their limited overs results improving too much - especially if New Zealand get on top.
LISTEN ABOVE AS SIMON DOULL SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
From the grumpiest coach of the year, to the Snagglepuss 'exit stage left' award, to the American Pie Award for Being a Little Premature, James McOnie from the Crowd Goes Wild brings us his wrap of 2017.
James even found a way to give Jimmy Spithill an award...
LISTEN ABOVE AS JAMES MCONIE SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Talksort UK commentator Russell Hargreaves joined the show ahead of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards today, where he is picking Anthony Joshua to win.
He also spoke at length on the Premier League where Manchester City are laying claim to be best team in Premier League history.
Meanwhile Spurs are having another 'nearly' season, Arsenal fans have major fears over the long-term future of the club and Jose Mourinho is coming under some pressure at Manchester United.
LISTEN ABOVE AS RUSSELL HARGREAVES SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
All Blacks winger Julian Savea joined Kent, Nate and Marc in the Radio Sport studio where he had a look to the Brisbane Tens, spoke about his new daughter, playing for the Barbarians against the All Blacks and him wanting to see a “return of the bus” in 2018.
He has also been in awe of the performances of Rieko Ioane in the number 11 jersey this past season.
LISTEN ABOVE AS JULIAN SAVEA SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Jon Norman, Talksport UK cricket editor, with a quick look ahead to the third Ashes test in Perth starting today.
Norman has very little faith that England's "very brittle and inexperienced batting lineup" will be able to get a positive result at the WACA.
LISTEN ABOVE AS JOHN NORMAN SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Matt Lawton, Daily Mail cycling writer, suggesting Chris Froome is potentially in a very serious situation after his positive urine samples from the Tour of Spain.
Has his doctor prescribed way too much salbutamol for asthma? If not, how are his levels so high above what is normally acceptable?
READ MORE: Froome in doping shock
The 32-year-old British rider was found to have exceeded the permitted levels of the asthma drug salbutamol on a test taken on September 7, cycling's world governing body, the UCI, confirmed on Wednesday.
Under World Anti-Doping Agency rules, riders are allowed a level of 1,000 nanograms per millilitre. However, Froome was found to have twice that in a urine sample taken during the Tour.
Lawyers and scientists were meanwhile working on behalf of Froome and Team Sky to challenge the result, the Guardian reported.
However, if Froome is unable to offer a sufficient explanation for the abnormal finding or challenge the result itself he will forfeit his Vuelta title under UCI rules.
LISTEN ABOVE AS MATT LAWTON SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Nigel Yalden, Radio Sport rugby editor, who is picking Sam Whitelock to win the top award at the NZR awards tonight over Sarah Goss and Rieko Ioane.
LISTEN ABOVE AS NIGEL YALDEN SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Simon Doull joined the show and spoke to Nate, Kent and Marc on the futures of Mitchell Santer and BJ Watling in the wake of the Black Caps' easy Test series win over the West Indies. Will the selectors change anything for the England test series in March?
However, Doull is at a loss to explain the rationale behind resting key players like Kane Williamson and Tim Southee for the second and third ODIs against the Windies.
READ MORE: Guptill misses out on ODI squad, Williamson & Southee to be rested
"I get the point of view of New Zealand Cricket but I wonder whether it's a forced issue, or whether the players actually want that rest," he said.
"They've had no international cricket apart from a short tour to India this winter, and they've got no international cricket next winter.
"They all want to go away, they all want to play IPL, they all want to play in the [English] County season next year, but yet they want a rest in our home season?"
LISTEN ABOVE AS SIMON DOULL SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Michael Venus insists he won't be making up the numbers when he plays singles at next month's ASB tennis Classic in Auckland.
The French Open doubles champion has again been handed a main draw wildcard into the ATP tournament, despite not playing singles throughout the year.
Venus says he's still capable of competing with top 100 singles players.
"I practice with some of these guys throughout the year so I feel comfortable on the court with them. It's just going to be a matter of getting out there and trying to play well."
LISTEN ABOVE AS MICHAEL VENUS SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Sky News UK football correspondent Ben Ransom reviews the Champions League draw made overnight.
He believes Manchester City has the easiest draw of all five English teams, and he also has more information on 'milk gate' - the incident where Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho had some milk poured over him following United's loss to Manchester City on Monday morning.
Title-holders Real Madrid have been paired with Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16 of the Champions League while Chelsea meet Barcelona in the other tie of the round.
Last season's beaten finalists Juventus take on Tottenham Hotspur.
Basel meet Manchester City, Porto take on Liverpool and Sevilla play Manchester United in ties the Premier League sides will feel confident of winning.
Five-time champions Bayern Munich will also be happy to be last out of the hat against Besiktas of Turkey.
The round of 16 first legs will be played on February 13-14 and February 20-21, with return matches on March 6-7 and 13-14. The final takes place in Kiev on May 26.
LISTEN ABOVE AS BEN RANSOM SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former All Black Alama Ieremia explains why he's taking on the challenge of coaching Auckland in the Mitre 10 Cup.
LISTEN ABOVE AS ALAMA IEREMIA SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
The current conversation around Team New Zealand asking for a hosting fee is disappointing, former Team NZ sailor and yachting commentator Tony Rae said this morning.
Rae joined Radio Sport Breakfast to discuss the latest reaction around the developing story and how keen people are for the event to be held in New Zealand.
Rae and the hosts doubt that Grant Dalton is shopping the event around, and he needs to clarify his view on the matter.
He also acknowledged yachting can't shake the perception it's a 'rich, white man's sport' because it is actually partially true.
LISTEN TO TONY RAE TALK WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Fresh off his team's first victory in 21 months, Clark Laidlaw, coach of the NZ Men's Sevens team, joined Radio Sport Breakfast to discuss the result. It is the first tournament win for the team since March 2016.
Laidlaw told the boys that he wasn't expecting early success necessarily, but is satisfied to see the 2017/18 season start so well.
LISTEN TO CLARK LAIDLAW TALK WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Black Caps batting coach Craig McMillan previews the second Test starting in Hamilton tomorrow.
He says they had been waiting on Colin de Grandhomme to come good with the bat, McMillan also has an update on Tim Southee and explains why playing in Hamilton is such a bonus for this side.
LISTEN ABOVE AS CRAIG MCMILLAN SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former New Zealand wicketkeeper Peter McGlashan thinks cricket has to think carefully about how it packages Test cricket in modern times, especially in New Zealand.
After this weekend the Black Caps play around 20 games of white-ball cricket before their next Test against England in March. How do players like Jeet Raval and BJ Watling stay in the selectors' and fans' eye in that long period?
LISTEN ABOVE AS PETER MCGLASHAN SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Black Caps bowlers Ish Sodhi and Lockie Ferguson were in studio promoting the Tui “Catch a million” competition which is back this summer.
The duo give us a rundown on how this summer's competition will run for fans.
LISTEN ABOVE AS ISH SODHI AND LOCKIE FERGUSON SPEAK WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Cricket commentator Simon Doull wraps Australia’s easy win in the Ashes over England in Adelaide - can Joe Root start scoring hundreds to get England out of the hoe they've dug themselves?
He also thinks umpires should give more LBW decisions out safe in the knowledge batsmen can use the DRS to overturn the decision.
LISTEN ABOVE AS SIMON DOULL SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Radio Sport regular Jim Dolan believes Australia are feeling the pinch ahead of the final day of the second Ashes Test in Adelaide.
The ARN Sports Director says the Australian camp are distancing themselves from captain Steve Smith's decision not to enforce the follow on, and hanging the Aussie captain out to dry.
LISTEN ABOVE AS JIM DOLAN SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
UK athletics commentator Martin Gillingham on the decision by the IOC to ban Russia from the Winter Olympics next year.
He thinks it's a little half-baked given certain athletes will be allowed to compete under the Olympic flag, but he agrees the IOC had no choice but to ban the official team.
READ MORE: IOC bans Russia from Winter Olympics in unprecedented move
Gillingham says it is so serious that Russia's doping whistleblower is living in the United States in a witness protection program.
"The very fact that [the Russian whistleblower] lives in a US-run witness protection, goes to show how serious the threat is to his life...If that is deemed to be appropriate action, how on earth can anyone allow Russia, as a nation, to compete at sport?"
LISTEN ABOVE AS MARTIN GILLINGHAM SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Tony Stewart, three-time NASCAR champion, is in NZ for the international sprintcar series at Western Springs and Palmerston North.
He was very enlightening on NASCAR racing and why it’s popularity has waned. He also spoke about his reputation as a “hothead”.
LISTEN ABOVE AS TONY STEWART SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
The boss of the Wellington Phoenix is downplaying their dire situation in the A-League.
After eight games, the 'Nix are dead last on the ladder following a run of miserable results where they've often shot out to a comfortable lead only to give up three points.
Coach Darije Kalezić lambasted the playing group recently, saying they're not a side of winners.
General manager David Dome says it's not all doom and gloom.
"We've got 50 per cent of the job done, in terms of scoring goals.
"So we're relatively comfortable in terms of, you know, the building blocks are there, it's just how do you stop conceding the goals so that you can win games?
Dome says he's not worried about the Phoenix's poor attendance this season, as all of the A-League clubs are struggling.
LISTEN ABOVE AS DAVID DOME SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Black Caps bowler Neil Wagner joined Nate, Kent and Marc and says that, despite taking 7 for 39, he felt 'horrible' in the first innings, and he explains how he goes about bowling short to batsmen.
LISTEN ABOVE AS NEIL WAGNER SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Radio Sport cricket analyst Lesley Murdoch was at Rangiora to watch Ben Stokes' first appearance for Canterbury in their Ford Trophy match against Otago.
LISTEN ABOVE AS LESLEY MURDOCH SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former All White David Chote has lambasted the Wellington Phoenix, as they sit bottom of the A-League ladder.
Darije Kalezic's side have a record of one win, two draws and five losses through eight matches this year.
Chote says all of the players need to have a good hard look in the mirror.
"They are soft, the Wellington Phoenix.
"I've called them for 10 years and I don't think I've seen a softer centered side than this Nix side, they really don't like a side capable of holding on to anything."
LISTEN ABOVE AS DAVID CHOTE SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former New Zealand wicketkeeper Peter McGlashan on the performance of Tom Blundell at the Basin Reserve and what it means for BJ Watling in the test team.
McGlashan believes the Black Caps have to stick with Blundell for now.
LISTEN ABOVE AS PETER MCGLASHAN SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Cricket legends Ian Bishop and Simon Doull join the Radio Sport breakfast to preview the first test between the Black Caps and West Indies.
LIVE COMMENTARY: Black Caps vs West Indies on Radio Sport
UK correspondent Enda Brady joins the Radio Sport Breakfast, to talk about the predicament Conor McGregor finds himself in after allegedly getting into a bar-room brawl with the father of a notorious gang member.
Black Caps batting coach Craig McMillan believes Canterbury should play Ben Stokes against Otago in domestic one day cricket this weekend.
The England allrounder's flown to Christchurch to see his parents and is hoping to play some domestic cricket in preparation for a possible return to the England squad during the Ashes series.
Police in the UK have overnight asked the Crown Prosecution Service to advise them on a possible charge for Stokes, over his role in a fight outside a nightclub in September.
He's been suspended by the ECB from playing international cricket since.
But McMillan told Radio Sport Breakfast that shouldn't prevent him playing for Canterbury.
McMillan says he's one of the best cricketers in the world and hasn't been charged with anything at the moment.
Canterbury Cricket is expected to make a decision today.
The chances of England allrounder Ben Stokes playing in the third Ashes test in Perth next month have taken a hit.
Police investigating Stokes' involvement in a fight outside a Bristol nightclub in September, have passed the file onto the Crown Prosecution Service for advice on charging.
Stokes has been stood down by the English Cricket Board pending the outcome of the investigation which could now continue for several weeks.
The New Zealand born allrounder is in Christchurch visiting his parents, while he's also understood to be hoping to turn out for Canterbury in domestic cricket.
Australian cricket commentator Michael Slater told the Radio Sport Breakfast the ECB are making a lot of enemies, having recently said there's no update.
He says they are putting out a rhetoric that is false.
Former All Blacks midfielder Pita Alatini gives us his assessment on Rieko Ioane's chances of playing centre - he believes Ioane's biggest challenge will be on defence.
Alatini thinks Blues coach Tana Umaga is leaning towards playing him there next season and ultimately an All Blacks' midfield in five years' time will include Ioane and Jack Goodhue.
LISTEN ABOVE AS PITA ALATINI SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
The International Rugby Players' Association has been blind sided by World Rugby's latest policy.
The governing body has banned sevens players from writing personal messages on strapping tape around their wrists, in an effort to align with Olympic protocols.
Players' Association Chief Rob Nichol told Radio Sport Breakfast they weren't aware the policy was going to be introduced.
"By and large I think it adds a nice flavour to the game to see people and players in particular write small messages that mean something to them and aren't offensive in any shape or form."
Rob Nichol says they will try to understand the policy, before taking any action to address it.
The policy is in place for the World Series opener in Dubai this weekend.
LISTEN ABOVE AS ROB NICHOL SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Paul Henare, Breakers coach who has returned from also coaching the Tall Blacks in World Cup qualifiers, including an easy win in Hong Kong.
LISTEN ABOVE AS PAUL HENARE SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
On the edge of a Black Caps test debut, Lockie Ferguson is playing down his achievements for New Zealand A.
The Auckland paceman took seven wickets in the three-day match against the West Indies in Lincoln, which included a first innings five-for.
He's also taking 19 wickets through three Plunket Shield matches for the Aces.
READ MORE: Tom Blundell to make Test debut for Black Caps
Ferguson could be called into the New Zealand XI for the opening test in Wellington this week, with Tim Southee expecting his first child.
Ferguson is playing down his performance.
"One of those days when I guess where the catches were caught, it was nice. It was definitely nice to get a little bag, they definitely helped against a side which scored 450 against us in one day."
However, Ferguson may spend the majority of the build up to the Black Caps opening test against on the physio table.
"[I] need to get the body in shape and do all the recovery needed. Obviously I've just come off the three-dayer in Lincoln so I'll do what I can to get the body back to 100 per cent and go from there."
LISTEN ABOVE AS LOCKIE FERGUSON SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Andrew Voss thinks that if the NRL went to one referee, coaches would still find ways to manipulate games, so nothing would be gained by making the change.
Voss is furious with the reaction to Matt Cecchin's decision to not award a last-minute try to Tonga, and says people need to understand the laws of defamation.
LISTEN ABOVE AS ANDREW VOSS SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Radio Sport commentator Bryan Waddle previews the upcoming Test match between the Black Caps and West Indies.
Wads is wary of a West Indian side which has some promising players and has beaten England in England and will be facing a New Zealand side without BJ Watling and perhaps Tim Southee.
LISTEN ABOVE AS BRYAN WADDLE SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Black Ferns player Charmaine Smith spoke to Nate, Kent and Marc after the Black Ferns were named World Rugby's Team of the Year.
She thinks it has been a breakthrough for women's rugby as far as the public conversation goes.
LISTEN ABOVE AS CHARMAINE SMITH SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former V8 Supercars driver Paul Radisich reviews the final race of the season where Kiwi Scott McLaughlin blew his chance to secure a maiden title.
Radisich agrees McLaughlin was at fault for his collision with Craig Lowndes, but he feels Lowndes should have backed off the Kiwi in Newcastle - was it because Holden driver Lowndes was told not to let a Ford pass?
LISTEN ABOVE AS PAUL RADISICH SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former Kiwi and Warriors coach Tony Kemp would like to see more international matches for Tonga, perhaps against an NZ Maori side.
Kemp also can't understand the petition launched trying to overturn the controverisal decision to not award a last-second try to Tonga's Andrew Fifita in their RLWC semi final loss to England - but he says referee Matt Chechin was naive to at least not go to the video referee for the decision.
"I tend to agree that he got the call right, but...I've never liked Matt Chechin as a referee. I think he's average and I don't know why they tell him he's the best.
"He should have gone to the referee, just given the experience and the big occasion, he should have gone upstairs for the sake of it being the World Cup to see what would have happened, and they probably would have got it right."
LISTEN ABOVE AS TONY KEMP SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former All Blacks coach John Hart joins the Radio Sport Breakfast to grade the 2017 season and who is his player of the year.
Jeff Wilson says the All Blacks will be relieved Rieko Ioane made a stunning recovery from injury because they would have been concerned over who they would have had to name as his replacement.
Wilson also fears a little for Wales, who have their own injury crisis and look 'a little under-powered'.
LISTEN ABOVE AS JEFF WILSON SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former Kiwis and Tongan international Duane Mann is very excited about the World Cup semi final between Tonga and England tomorrow.
He believes Tonga will try to play an accurate game and back their superior completion rate to earn a spot in the final.
LISTEN ABOVE AS DUANE MANN SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Australian rugby league commentator Peter Peters believes England will beat Tonga in their RLWC semi final, and that Fiji have no chance against Australia.
He says, "Halfway through the second half, [Fiji] will not only be calling for kava but a nice little island to sleep on."
Peters also believes the Warriors have made a great signing in securing Blake Green for three years.
LISTEN ABOVE AS PETER PETERS SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former Black Cap Craig Cumming wraps up the first day's cricket action at the Gabba, and he says England were brave to bat first but they didn't look overawed as the Australian bowlers were made to toil.
LISTEN ABOVE AS CRAIG CUMMING SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
England batsman James Vince has made a brilliant start to his Ashes career, despite throwing his wicket away at the Gabba yesterday
In his first cricket test overseas and just his eighth overall, Vince hit an encouraging 83 during day one of the Ashes series opener before being run out by a spectacular piece of fielding from Nathan Lyon.
There are few tougher assignments for a novice batsman than facing Australia on a green-top Gabba wicket, but the 26-year-old looked calm and collected in his 238 minutes at the crease.
His inning helped England reach 196 for four when stumps were pulled with nine balls remaining in an extended day after an earlier rain delay. When bad light stopped play, Australia had just taken the new ball but could use it for only three deliveries before play ended with honours shared and Dawid Malan on 28 and Moeen Ali on 13.
Coming in at 1-2 after the early loss of Alastair Cook, first drop Vince steadied the ship for England and then forged a 125-run partnership with opener Mark Stoneman to frustrate the much-vaunted Australian pace attack.
Mocked as a no-name by local fans, Vince had also yet to win over English supporters, with selectors criticised for picking him in light of his poor test record. Before Brisbane, he was yet to surpass the half-century mark in his seven tests, with an average of 19.
His previous highest score was 42 off 49 balls against Pakistan at Lord's, while he tallied one and a duck in his last test in August 2016. He was also coming off a middling domestic campaign, averaging 33 this year for Hampshire in county cricket.
But he looked at home in his test recall against Australia, hitting 12 boundaries to announce his Ashes arrival emphatically.
He was fortunate when dropped on 68 by wicketkeeper Tim Paine, who failed to glove a simple catch off Lyon — his only suspect moment before his dismissal. But Lyon eventually had his man, leaving him agonisingly short of his maiden test century and England at 145-3.
Vince didn't need to take the risk after nudging one to the covers and Lyon made him pay dearly, scooping up the ball with one hand and shattering the stumps with an off-balance throw that brought the crowd alive.
Despite trudging off disappointed, Vince should be delighted with his display, considering how many other batsmen had crumbled under the same circumstances.
Simon Doull joined the show to preview the Ashes, which start this afternoon in Brisbane.
The former Black Cap believes Australia will start as favourites to win back the Ashes while England all-rounder Ben Stokes isn't playing.
Doull says if Stokes is cleared to play, following an investigation into his off-field incident in Bristol, it will come down to which side has the better bowlers but he feels Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad may struggle.
LISTEN ABOVE AS SIMON DOULL SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
ASB Classic tournament director Karl Budge says January's tournament has enough "star power" with the confirmed signings of Victoria Azarenka, Caroline Wozniakci and Agnieszka Radwanska - but he has funds and space available for Serena Williams, if she wants to come.
Budge has until the day before to confirm whether the 23-time Grand Slam winner will take a Wild Card, and rates his chances of signing her at 30-40 per cent.
LISTEN ABOVE AS KARL BUDGE SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
LISTEN ABOVE AS ROSS KEMP SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
BAFTA award-winning investigative journalist Ross Kemp was in studio to talk about his upcoming New Zealand tour in February.
In a global first, documentary maker, author and actor Ross Kemp will reveal the truth about how the extreme world works live on stage, delivering remarkable insights into the 73 documentaries that he has made with his team across the world in the last 15 years.
Kemp will tour New Zealand and Australia in February 2018 and you’re invited to hear him talk frankly about some of the world’s most dangerous people, the places he has visited and the humour that keeps him and his team going.
“I’m really excited to be speaking candidly about my experiences in some of the most extreme places on the earth,” says Kemp.
“It’s very easy for people to assume there is good and evil in the world, but I have often found it isn’t that simple. I’m looking forward to sharing my personal experiences, both humorous and heart breaking.”
Kemp has come face-to-face with some of the worst aspects of humanity. His award-winning documentaries examine some of the most extreme situations that exist on our planet and analyse who we are and why we do the things we do.
Driven by a sense of social justice, Kemp and his team have risked their lives to make these documentaries and have never shied away from asking the difficult questions.
Through his landmark TV series Extreme World, which has been broadcast on British TV since 2011 and is seen on BBC Knowledge on SKY Television in New Zealand, Kemp is a true voice who explains how our world is mapped with conflict, ranging from war to trafficking, drugs, violence and suffering.
Kemp will talk openly about how he became a documentary maker after meeting a member of the infamous American ‘Bloods’ who had been shot more than 20 times. This led him to make documentaries about gangs from El Salvador to East Timor and from Moscow to South Africa.
From witnessing the tribal violence in Kenya to the Democratic Republic of Congo and reporting on the frontline in Iraq, Syria, Libya and Afghanistan,Kemp and his team have spent time in some of the most dangerous places on the planet.
Revealing our troubled world on stage, Kemp will deliver the stories, the heroes, the villains and the bravery of ordinary people in extraordinary situations - and the humour that bonds us all together.
For the first time live ever, Kemp will deliver highlights from his back catalogue and his personal story of how an actor carved a new career in a world where there are no scripts.
In this no-holds-barred evening, Kemp delivers the brutal untold story of our diverse world.
Be prepared to laugh, cry and rethink who and what we are.
You’ll also have the chance to talk directly to Kemp about his experiences and what makes him tick in an audience Q&A.
Nothing will prepare you for ROSS KEMP - Extreme Tales Live on Stage.
The show is presented by Neptune Entertainment, Matt Van Rooy, BBC Worldwide and Andrew Kay.
Tickets on sale 9.00am Monday November 27.
Joseph Parker's promoter David Higgins was in the studio this morning, and dismissed the reaction to the 'cringeworthy stunt' as being whipped up by Anthony Joshua's PR company.
The Duco executive also hit back at the 'haters who jumped on the bandwagon' in New Zealand, and called the headlines here as clickbait.
READ MORE: 'Cringeworthy' Parker stunt slammed
LISTEN ABOVE AS DAVID HIGGINS SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Yachting match racer and Radio Sport commentator Chris Steele gives us his expert view on the new America's Cup yachts revealed yesterday.
LISTEN ABOVE AS CHRIS STEELE SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Ryan Thomas is making massive waves in Dutch football and there is a lot of talk of the young All White earning a big money transfer away from the Netherlands.
Some are even linking him with moves to clubs like Real Madrid. Is he really that good?
LISTEN ABOVE AS COEN LAMMERS SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Warriors CEO Cameron George joined the show to talk about the three-year deal signed by Blake Green.
LISTEN: Blake Green speaks with Darcy Waldergrave
Warriors management and coach Stephen Kearney have spoken to young playmkaer Ata Hingano and his agent about his future. George says Hingano has made no indication he wants to leave the Warriors.
LISTEN ABOVE AS CAMERON GEORGE SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
New Zealand Rugby League chairman Reon Edwards has apologised to Kiwi fans after senior players turned on supporters following the World Cup disaster.
Edwards issued an apology although he said coach David Kidwell, captain Adam Blair and senior playmaker Shaun Johnson would not be reprimanded.
Edwards blamed the heat of the battle for the trio's bizarre attack on fans and the media following disastrous losses to Tonga and Fiji which saw the 2008 champions exit before the semifinals.
Edwards told the Radio Sport Breakfast he felt "sick to the stomach" after the loss to Fiji "just like many of our fans out there".
"An apology to the league fans out there is required - I certainly don't think it was necessary or appropriate to make those comments," said Edwards, the former Canterbury chairman who took over as the NZRL head in August.
"I'd like to apologise to the rugby league fans out there. I don't think it was at all required, it wasn't necessary. Our league fans wear their heart on their sleeve like we all do and they have every right to be disappointed and upset about that result on the weekend.
"They are human beings...they have acknowledged they probably could have handled that in a much better way which we can all learn form.
"(We) have to understand what these players are going through. emotions are high immediately after the game. They have suffered a huge shock loss."
Edwards hoped fans would get behind the team as it tries to rebuild for the next World Cup.
"It will be a tough four years but we will rebuild," he said.
Kidwell, Blair and Johnson said they were upset by a supposed lack of support for the Kiwis during the tournament.
Former Kiwi and Radio Sport commentator Tony Kemp thinks the David Kidwell and the Kiwis obviously went into 'siege mode' during the tournament, and that there needs to be a total cleanout at the NZRL.
He can understand where Adam Blair, Shaun Johnson and Kidwell were coming from in their post-match comments because he feels the NZRL let the team down in "driving punters through the gate", however he is adamant they should "never have questioned the Kiwi supporter".
LISTEN ABOVE AS TONY KEMP SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Jeff Wilson reviews the All Blacks' tight win over Scotland from Sunday morning, where he said Sonny Bill Williams was outstanding.
He also believes that Scotland outplayed the All Blacks for most of the match, and who's left to replace Rieko Ioane on the wing?
LISTEN ABOVE AS JEFF WILSON SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
New Zealand Rugby League CEO Alex Hayton admits the Kiwis' results "haven't been the best" but has stopped short of saying that coach David Kidwell will lost his job.
Hayton has defended Kidwell's record, saying that the Kiwis faced Australia several times early in Kidwell's tenure after he was put into a difficult situation.
Hayton also believes that it wasn't Kidwell's fault players like ex-Kiwi Jason Taumalolo decided to represent Tonga and not New Zealand at the RLWC.
LISTEN ABOVE ALEX HAYTON SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Radio Sport rugby editor Nigel Yalden is in Edinburgh and says under Steve Hansen, blindside flanker is the most contestable position in this All Blacks team. This morning's team announcement sees Vaea Fifita force Liam Squire to the bench.
Nigel also caught up with World Player of the Year and Breakthrough World Player of the Year nominee Rieko Ioane.
READ MORE: All Blacks name strong side to face Scotland
LISTEN ABOVE AS NIGEL YALDEN SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Kiwis assistant coach Brian Smith has essentially promised that the Kiwis will perform better this weekend in the Rugby League World Cup quarter final against Fiji.
He says the coaches weren't impressed with any part of the Kiwis' performance against Tonga.
LISTEN ABOVE AS BRIAN SMITH SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Radio Sport football editor Jason Pine has his wrap on yesterday's game.
Pine believes Anthony Hudson would like to stay with the All Whites but probably won't because there just won't be enough football for them to play in the near future - the All Whites' next competitive match isn't scheduled until the 2022 World Cup qualifiers in three years' time.
LISTEN ABOVE AS JASON PINE SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
The boss of New Zealand Rugby concedes it's an odd decision to award the 2023 Rugby World Cup to France.
Steve Tew and the other New Zealand Council members voted for SANZAR partners South Africa, who had been given the tick of approval by World Rugby's independent evaluation committee.
But the 39 Council members voted overwhelmingly in favour of France who won the final vote 24-15 over South Africa after Ireland had been eliminated in the first round.
Tew said it does look odd and people can speculate around that as much as they want.
He says World Rugby now has an opportunity to review the process.
"We'll take that time to see what we can do better. I'm not sure I would be an advocate for a report being produced with a recommendation and then trying to keep it secret when it's gone through 36 people."
However, Tew doesn't beleive the decision smaller makets will no longer be able to host sport's showpiece as next time round they might have different criteria for hosting the World Cup.
He believes if France is commercially successful it sets the banks balance up for World Rugby and they might set different criteria and might want to take the game to a developing market.
LISTEN ABOVE AS STEVE TEW SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former manager and 1982 All White Brian Turner, says that as well as New Zealand played against Peru in Wellington, Lima is a completely different challenge and NZ sides traditionally haven't been suited to playing South American sides.
He compares this match to a country like Georgia thinking they have a chance against the All Blacks
LISTEN ABOVE AS BRIAN TURNER SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
RMC radio rugby commentator Laurent Depret, says even France weren't expecting such a win from their bid to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Depret believes the French learned from their failed 2012 Olympic Games bid, and it was their superior 'lobbying' which got them over the line, over Ireland and World Rugby's preferred host South Africa.
LISTEN ABOVE AS LAURENT DEPRET SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
There's dismay in South Africa at the result of the 2023 Rugby World Cup bidding process.
France has won the contest to host the tournament with Council members largely ignoring World Rugby's recommendation to award it to South Africa.
Veteran South African rugby journalist Mark Keohane said South Africans are stunned but not overly surprised.
"Why invest so much money in a bid, when we should have really just taken that money and gone and paid a visit to 26 members? Everything they wanted to avoid with the Fifa-type scandals, I feel has come to the fore in London today and it's very disappointing for the game."
LISTEN ABOVE AS MARK KEOHANE SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
NZ Herald and Radio Sport correspondent Liam Napier with the latest on the All Blacks' injured and ill.
With Dane Coles' season-ending injury, Napier is not picking rookie hooker Asafo Aumua to overtake Nathan Harris as the the third choice hooker, but he should get decent minutes tomorrow morning.
LISTEN ABOVE AS LIAM NAPIER SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Radio Sport football commentator Jason Pine is in Lima for the All Whites' qualifier against Peru and gives us the lowdown on how Anthony Hudson, Winston Reid and Chris Wood and co are preparing for the All Whites' biggest match in eight years.
In what could be a boost for All Whites fans, he reports that many locals are nervous because they believed Peru would be coming back with a two or three goal cushion and that Thursday's match would be a party.
LISTEN ABOVE AS JASON PINE SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Australian league commentator Andrew Voss still thinks the Kiwis are a good shot to beat Australia, provided both teams make the World Cup semi final.
He also dubbed England the 'Travelling Wilburys' of the RLWC, because they play France in Perth before facing tournament hotshots Tonga in Auckland in a likely semi final - and he believes the Tongans would beat England.
LISTEN ABOVE AS ANDREW VOSS SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former All Black Jeff Wilson has been charitable in his assessment of the All Blacks' victory over France, despite a poor second half.
LISTEN ABOVE AS JEFF WILSON SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former Kiwi and Warriors player and coach Tony Kemp is not happy with the Kiwis' loss to Tonga and isn't buying David Kidwell's line that the loss "was a blessing in disguise".
LISTEN ABOVE AS TONY KEMP SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former All White and Radio Sport commentator David Chote, is encouraged by the All Whites' performance vs Peru in Wellington.
He thinks we may see more of the same in the second game in Lima on Thursday.
LISTEN ABOVE AS DAVID CHOTE SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
There are three changes to the All Blacks starting side to play France from the one beaten in Brisbane three weeks ago.
Beauden Barrett and Luke Romano come in for Lima Sopoaga and Scott Barrett who drop to the bench.
Matt Todd replaces Ardie Savea on the bench while David Havili drops out of the 23 to accommodate Sopoaga.
But as Rugby Editor Nigel Yalden reports, it's the movement in the loose forwards that's the biggest talking point.
LISTEN ABOVE AS NIGEL YALDEN SPEAKS TO THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former Kiwi and Warrior Monty Betham believes that while the Kiwis won't be openly targeting former teammate Jason Taumalolo, Simon Mannering and co will be desperate to get one up on the Tongan forward.
LISTEN ABOVE AS MONTY BETHAM SPEAKS TO THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former All White Noah Hickey believes manager Anthony Hudson is looking for a clean sheet so he can head to Peru with a chance in the second leg.
LISTEN ABOVE AS NOAH HICKEY SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former All White Harry Nagata gives us an inside view on what will be going on inside the All Whites' camp, and explains just how the All Whites could beat world number 10-ranked Peru.
LISTEN ABOVE AS HARRY NGATA SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Tonga's passionate supporters may have got them over the line against Samoa last weekend in Hamilton, but will it work against the Kiwi's?
Forward Simon Mannering chatted with the boys about the bruising encounter he faces against a strong Tonga side, and how the teams tracking as the tournament progresses.
LISTEN ABOVE AS SIMON MANNERING SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Talksport UK rugby commentator Andrew McKenna, gives us a crash course on the France squad to face the All Blacks.
He says while French rugby is a shambles and under-pressure coach Guy Noves has picked a squad full of huge, immobile players - the All Blacks should be wary because nobody "ever has a clue as to what France are actually going to do."
LISTEN ABOVE AS ANDREW MCKENNA SPEAKS TO THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
The Black Caps' batsmen may have failed to fire in the T20 series-deciding loss to India, but Simon Doull says it is still time to move on from Ross Taylor in the shortest format of the game.
He also told Kent, Nate and Marc that the Black Caps were always up against it chasing a decent total because they don't deal well under pressure, but in positive news he believes that Ish Sodhi has made a compelling case to play more regularly for New Zealand.
LISTEN ABOVE AS SIMON DOULL SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Fox league commentator, Andrew Voss thinks the Kiwis are a genuine chance to beat Australia at the Rugby League World Cup.
He would also love to see a Tri-Series between New Zealand, Tonga and Samoa on at the same time as the State of Origin series.
LISTEN ABOVE AS ANDREW VOSS SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former Kiwis international Tony Kemp, who enjoyed the Tonga v Samoa game in Hamilton, is tipping Tonga to make the semi-finals while Scotland shouldn't even be at the Rugby League World Cup.
He thinks the Kiwis will go with their strongest team to play Tonga, which means Kodi Nikorima will partner Shaun Johnson in the halves ahead of Te Maire Martin.
LISTEN ABOVE AS TONY KEMP SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Greg Murphy, V8 Supercars commentator, who thinks the championship is now a two-horse race between Jamie Whincup and Scott McLaughlin with one round left, and what was Shane van Gisbergen doing in the pits?!
READ MORE: Whincup takes vital win at Pukekohe
Murph is also expecting a deal to be done soon to ensure a round each season stays at Pukekohe.
LISTEN ABOVE AS GREG MURPHY SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Talksport UK football commentator Russell Hargreaves on Manchester City as runaway leaders and the fact that Chris Wood's manager, Sean Dyche, is likely to leave Burnley to take the vacant manager's job at Everton.
LISTEN ABOVE AS RUSSELL HARGREAVES SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Rugby Editor Nigel Yalden has the latest update on the All Blacks from London, with Jerome Kaino and Reiko Ioane in doubt for France, how Steve Hansen will be feeling after the Barbarians win and more.
LISTEN ABOVE AS NIGEL YALDEN SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Carlos Spencer joined Nate and Kent and discussed why he decided to play for the Blues again, how tough it has been to watch his beloved team struggle and offers his insight on why the Blues have been unable to replace him at first-five.
He also remembers 'that' try against the Crusaders back in 2004.
LISTEN ABOVE AS CARLOS SPENCER JOINS THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST IN STUDIO
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen is keeping next year's clash with England in its proper place.
While the All Blacks are preparing to face the Barbarians this weekend, it's the test taking place in 373 days that local media want to talk about.
And rugby editor Nigel Yalden says Hansen wanted nothing of it.
Yalden also discusses what we are likely to see from the All Blacks on the pitch, which players have the most to prove, and believes we could be in 'for a heck of a game'.
LISTEN ABOVE AS NIGEL YALDEN TALKS TO THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
The Blacks Caps have lost their number one ranking after a 53-run defeat by India in the opening Twenty20 in Delhi.
Chasing 203 to win, New Zealand never came close in their reply, finishing on 149 for eight.
It's the first time India has beaten the Black Caps in the shortest format of the game.
LISTEN ABOVE AS SIMON DOULL SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Assistant coach Brian Smith spoke to Kent and Nate from inside the Kiwis camp as they prepare to face Scotland in this weekend's Rugby League World Cup match.
LISTEN ABOVE AS BRIAN SMITH SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Join V8 Supercars legend Craig Lowndes and Jamie Whincup in the studio as they chatted to Kent and Nate ahead of the ITM Auckland Supersprint this weekend.
LISTEN ABOVE AS CRAIG LOWNDES AND JAMIE WHINCUP SPEAK WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
All Blacks assistant coach Ian Foster is lamenting the composition of the Barbarians
Italian flanker Simone Favaro is the sole European representative with England and France refusing to release players for this weekend's fixture in London.
The other 25 players are either New Zealanders, South African or Australians.
Ian Foster says the game feels a bit more like a local derby and they would have liked more UK players in the mix.
"Even though we're playing most guys we recognise, it would have been nice to have a few more UK players in the team against us, but it's a great occasion."
LISTEN ABOVE AS IAN FOSTER SPEAKS WITH NIGEL YALDEN
The Black Caps assistant coach explains why Ross Taylor is back in the T20 side and how the Black Caps are recovering from their heartbreaking ODI series loss.
LISTEN ABOVE AS CRAIG MCMILLAN SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
A bold prediction from ASB Classic tournament director Karl Budge, after signing Denis Shapovalov.
He's confident he's secured the next Rafael Nadal or Roger Federer for January's men's tournament in Auckland.
LISTEN ABOVE AS MATT BROWN SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Veteran motorsport writer Mike Clark says the international response to Brendon Hartley's performances in Formula One have been overwhelmingly positive.
LISTEN ABOVE AS MIKE CLARK SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former Black Cap Simon Doull says New Zealand's 2-1 series loss to India is a bittersweet moment.
Doull believes the agonising seven-run loss to India in the deciding ODI was a result that "should have and could have gone the other way."
However he says that everyone in India is talking about this New Zealand side being a tougher team to play than the Australians.
LISTEN ABOVE AS SIMON DOULL SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Canterbury assistant coach Joe Maddock on a fantastic weekend for Canterbury and Crusaders rugby, the huge potential of first-five Richie Mo'unga and wing Braydon Ennor and whether the red and blacks can do it all again nest season.
LISTEN ABOVE AS JOE MADDOCK SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former Kiwi and Warriors coach Tony Kemp says not too much should be read into New Zealand's opening Rugby League World Cup win over Samoa.
"To be brutally honest, I thought Samoa were really poor. They looked well out of shape, like they enjoyed the first two weeks off too much and the Kiwis made thempar for it."
Kemp says Tonga will be a legitimate threat to beat the Kiwis when the sides clash in Hamilton.
Jason Taumalolo was at his devastating best for Tonga last night.
The North Queensland Cowboys forward ran for 197 metres in 57 minutes, as Tonga smashed Scotland 50-4 in Cairns.
Lebanon has beaten France 29-18 in Canberra.
LISTEN ABOVE AS TONY KEMP SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Sky Sports radio league commentator Peter Peters says there is almost no interest in the World Cup in Sydney and that the Kiwis have absolutely no chance of winning the RLWC.
LISTEN ABOVE AS PETER PETERS SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Justin Marshall on NZ Rugby re-signing halfback TJ Perenara for four more years and the Mitre 10 Cup finals tonight and tomorrow.
He also can't understand why new All Blacks Asafo Aumua and Tim Perry have been forced to miss their finals for Wellington and Tasman, respectively.
LISTEN ABOVE AS JUSTIN MARSHALL SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Warriors legend Jerry Seuseu gives us his verdict on the Kiwis' chances, as they kick off their Rugby League World Cup campaign against Samoa tomorrow.
Seuseu says the Kiwis' disrupted build-up to RLWC has galvanised the squad and he expects the team to get better as the tournament progresses.
He is also backing Shaun Johnson to bring the 'razzle dazzle' and leave his mark on the World Cup.
LISTEN ABOVE AS JERRY SEUSEU SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
All Blacks great Sir John Kirwan was in the studio to discuss his new eight-part documentary School of Hard Knocks.
School of Hard Knocks follows the progress of a group of disadvantaged young men from south Auckland as they try to turn their lives around through becoming involved in sport.
This year the charity is working with Mangere's Te Wananga o Aotearoa, so participants can gain an NCEA Level 2 qualification through their attendance. As well as classes in fitness-related subjects, they also have two rugby training sessions a week and a gym session.
The series reaches a climax with Kirwan's trainees playing a game of rugby against an invitational club team.
LISTEN ABOVE AS SIR JOHN KIRWAN JOINS THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
School of Hard Knocks, Sky Sport 1 on Tuesdays, 8pm, from October 24.
Simon Doull said there was very little the Black Caps got right against India overnight.
Indian conditions caught the Black Caps out in the second one dayer in Pune.
Batting first, New Zealand only managed 230 for nine as the top four batsmen made 45 runs between them.
The hosts levelled the three-match series, cruising to 232 for 4, with four overs to spare.
Doull can't understand the decision to bat first on a greenish wicket.
"New Zealand batted second in Mumbai and chased very, very well. India love to chase - that's another reason to send them in and stats tell you that batting second in Pune is highly advantageous.
"To me, I really don't know what the brains trust were thinking batting first, it didn't make a lot of sense."
He said there should also be major concerns over Kane Williamson's form, having only scored one fifty in 12 or 13 innings in India.
LISTEN ABOVE AS SION DOULL SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Defensive coach Ben Gardiner on what it's like to join the Kiwis coaching team less than two weeks before the Rugby League World Cup kicks off.
LISTEN ABOVE AS BEN GARDINER SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
The fields for Auckland's men's and women's ASB tennis Classic's are beginning to take shape following the signing of both defending champions.
Jack Sock and Lauren Davis join the likes of John Isner, Roberto Bautista Agut, Caroline Wozniacki and Agnieska Radwanska who have already signed on.
Sock is currently ranked 23rd and Davis 47th with a number of other leading American players set to join them.
Tournament director Karl Budge says there's at least one big name to come in the women's field while he's excited by what he's been able to secure for the men's classic.
"We're going to have a really good crop of top talent, like we always seem to get.
"Lauren's got a bit of a cult following here after her heroics last year and and Jack's always been probably the fan favourite on the men's side over the last a couple years.
"I'm still hoping for seven or eight players in the top 30, but the exciting piece for me is around these young kids coming through and getting them."
LISTEN ABOVE AS KARL BUDGE SPOKE TO THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Rugby league commentator Dale Budge says the Kiwis have made the best decision in partnering Kodi Nikorima in the halves with Shaun Johnson, but he doesn't believe either has the skillset to compliment the Warriors star.
LISTEN ABOVE AS DALE BUDGE SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Tasman lock Alex Ainley says Tasman's round one 39-0 loss to Mitre 10 Cup final opponents Canterbury will have zero bearing on Saturday's final.
LISTEN ABOVE AS ALECX AINLEY SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO PORT BREAKFAST
Brendon Hartley's moved a step closer to securing a fulltime contract in Formula One.
The Kiwi has been confirmed in Toro Rosso's team for this weekend's Mexican Grand Prix, after finishing 13th at the US Grand Prix in Texas.
New Zealand motorsport historian Michael Clark said Toro Rosso are impressed with Hartley and will be leaning towards giving him a drive next year.
"The fact that he has been given the second chance. The fact that he ended up with the eighth-fastest time in the race, that's the sort of data he'll be looking at."
Clark says Toro Rosso are probably over Daniil Kvyat who has picked up just five points through 15 races this year.
LISTEN ABOVE AS MIKE CLARK SPEAKS WITH DANIEL MCHARDY ON THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Brian Ashby wraps up a massive weekend of rugby, from the All Blacks squad announcement, Tasman's upset win to reach the Mitre 10 Cup final against Canterbury and how all the pressure will be on Wellington in their Championship final against Bay of Plenty.
LISTEN ABOVE AS BRIAN ASHBY SPOKE TO DANIEL MCHARDY ON THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Radio Sport commentary captain Bryan Waddle gives us his thoughts on the Black Caps' stunning victory over India Monday morning, from Trent Boult's brilliant spell to Tom Latham and Ross Taylor's 200-run partnership.
LISTEN ABOVE AS BRYAN WADDLE SPOKE TO THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
The All Blacks and Wallabies are facing off this weekend - but you might have no idea if you were living across the ditch.
Jim Dolan, Sports Director and Commentator for the Australian Radio Network, says that the Wallabies camp has high hopes, but the match is receiving little coverage in the Australian Press.
LISTEN ABOVE AS DOLAN TALKS WITH THE BOYS FROM RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Will the Wallabies finally get one up on the All Blacks?
Former All Black captain Rueben Thorne says the Wallabies have been improving, and with former All Blacks skills coach Mick Byrne now in the Aussies' camp, they may just ambush Steve Hansen's men.
LISTEN ABOVE AS REUBEN THORNE SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Rugby Editor Nigel Yalden gives us the rundown on the All Blacks team named to play Australia this Saturday.
He believes that Matt Todd has now overtaken Ardie Savea as the back up to openside flanker Sam Cane and he fears that with the options available to selectors, Jerome Kaino's international future may be over by the end of the year.
And Nige's tip for the weekend? That TJ Perenara will cover first-five and Richie Mo'unga will fly back to New Zealand on Friday...
LISTEN ABOVE AS NIGEL YALDEN SPOKE TO THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Breakers assistant coach Mike Fitchett joined the show to talk about the shocking injury to the Celtic's Gordon Hayward, the Chicago Bulls come to blows and the Breakers' game tonight against Sydney.
LISTEN ABOVE AS MIKE FITCHETT SPOKE TO THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
LISTEN ABOVE AS WARREN GATLAND SPOKE TO THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Warren Gatland "hated" the Lions tour of New Zealand and blames what he claims was an orchestrated campaign by local media to unsettle him.
The coach has revealed he was especially unhappy at coverage surrounding the British and Irish Lions' clash against his son Bryn's side.
He pinpointed a particular New Zealand Herald story that had upset him: a preview of the opening game where his son lined up for the Barbarians in Whangarei. The story was headlined "Gatland v Gatland".
"I felt there was a certain element that there was negativity... hearing some of stories that were written," he told Radio Sport Breakfast.
READ MORE: Dejected and bitter Gatland quits Lions, 'hated' tour of New Zealand
"If you go back and read some of the stories, people contacted me and let's say they were disappointed by some of the stuff that was written. That kind of put stuff into perspective.
"I was so excited as a Kiwi coming back to New Zealand playing the best team in the world in their own backyard. I was really looking forward to it but what surprised me was certain elements of negativity in the press. That kind of threw me a little bit.
"I can give you an example - the day before the first game against the Barbarians the headline in the New Zealand Herald was 'Gatland to target Barbarians' weakness - his son'. I thought it was a disgusting sort of headline. [I was] gutted by that."
Gatland congratulates his son Bryn after the Lions' match against the Provincial XV. (Photo / Photosport)
"To me there was almost like an orchestrated campaign from day one by certain elements to try and unsettle me. So that was definitely challenging.
"I've got to say the hospitality we had in New Zealand was unbelievable, the welcomes we had. I thought the games, in terms of the atmospheres, were incredible. Both sets of fans really took to that.
"Those sorts of things were memorable but, like I said, to start with as a Kiwi, I was so excited about leading the Lions coming to New Zealand and was really looking forward to that."
However the veteran coach has found a few silver linings in the clouds that descended over his experience of leading the British and Irish Lions around his homeland this year - and he says he still wants to coach a Super rugby team.
Gatland was on the warpath this week, hitting out at the New Zealand media over the tour coverage.
The former All Black hooker and Waikato stalwart also had Lions flanker Sean O'Brien and England forward Billy Vunipola in his sights over post-tour comments.
Gatland told Radio Sport Breakfast host Kent Johns that timing was everything when it came to the limited number of top coaching jobs in New Zealand.
But if everything fell into place, he would like to find a Super Rugby job after he takes Wales to the 2019 World Cup in Japan, and any All Black aspirations would depend on how that turned out.
Gatland is planning a six-month break at home after the 2019 World Cup.
"I'll come home, go to the beach, see what opportunities there are in Super Rugby. You've got to be in the right place at the right time in New Zealand," he said.
"Perhaps if there is nothing in New Zealand, maybe I'll be back in the UK, France or Japan. I'm a great believer in what will be will be.
"If there is an opportunity to get involved in Super Rugby and you are successful, other things open up for you. I promise you, there is not a strategy in place to coach the All Blacks.
"Hopefully there is a chance to come back home having been away for a significant amount of time."
Gatland has one of the great Lions coaching records, having won in Australia and drawn a series in New Zealand.
On his decision never to coach them again, he said: "You're only appointed as a Lions coach one year out from the tour so once that tour was finished I was no longer the Lions coach anyway.
"It's like everything. You get asked to apply for the position and that wo...
Kiwis internationals Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Jordan Rapana gave us an update on what will happen when they face former teammates against Tonga, how the Kiwis squad is shaping up for the World Cup, as well as what other international sides they could play for.
LISTEN ABOVE AS TUIVASA-SHECK AND RAPANA JOINED THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST BOYS IN STUDIO
Former Kiwi Formula 1 driver Howden Ganley on what Brendon Hartley needs to do to secure a drive in F1 next season, how the sport has changed since the 1970s and how he'd love a crack at the sport today.
LISTEN ABOVE AS HOWDEN GANLEY SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Jeff Wilson gave us his opinion on the final weekend of the Mitre 10 Cup which saw points galore in almost every match.
With the semi finals kicking off this week, have Taranaki replaced Canterbury as favourites for the competition?
LISTEN ABOVE AS JEFF WILSON SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Talksport UK Premier League commentator Russell Hargreaves gave Nate and Kent his opinion on Chris Wood and Burnley - the All White scored his third league goal in just his fifth start on the weekend.
He also wrapped up the rest of the weekend's Premier League action as Crystal Palace finally won, Chelsea and Arsenal slumped to further defeats while Watford and Burnley fly high.
LISTEN ABOVE AS RUSSELL HARGREAVES SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
LISTEN ABOVE AS NZF CEO ANDY MARTIN SPOKE TO THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
New Zealand Football hope their blockbuster World Cup home playoff with Peru can be staged on Saturday 11 November in the afternoon - but that is dependent upon negotiations over the next few days.
The All Whites' opponents for next month's intercontinental playoff were finally confirmed on Wednesday afternoon, after a frantic final round of South American playoff games.
NZF has been in discussions with Peru over the last few days - even before the Andean nation was confirmed as the opposition - and they also talked to Argentina, Colombia and Chile.
They have conveyed their preferences around the timings of the match to the Peru Football Federation, and also Fifa. If the two nations can find agreement then Fifa just needs to rubber stamp the dates, but if there is no common ground, then the Swiss governing body will make the final decision.
NZF CEO Andy Martin expects the match dates to be finalized by the end of this week.
"It's a complicated situation," NZF CEO Martin told the Herald. "To get to New Zealand for game one, and to get back to South America for game two, we need to be very careful with logistics, travel and expectations."
Martin confirmed that NZF's preference, both from a football and commercial point of view, is for the home leg to be staged on Saturday afternoon.
"We would absolutely prefer Saturday," said Martin. "If it was Friday it would be the same situation as last time [against the Solomons Islands] where a lot of the players are coming in late from Europe and America."
During the September window the likes of Chris Wood (Burnley) and Ryan Thomas (PEC Zwolle) didn't arrive in New Zealand until Tuesday, which meant they were limited to one full training session before the Friday night match at Albany stadium.
However, the final decision will depend on when the second leg playoff will be, and the logistics of getting to South America in good time, for both teams.
"We will be out as quick as we can...if it is Friday we will leave on Saturday," said Martin. "If it is Saturday [afternoon] we will try to leave late Saturday night or early Sunday morning. We have already done a lot of work on it on all the possibilities."
The broadcast arrangements also come into consideration. From a commercial point of view, an afternoon kickoff in New Zealand is preferable, to capture the massive television audience in South America at a favourable time.
But a Friday afternoon wouldn't work in Wellington in terms of a live crowd and New Zealand television, which is another reason why Saturday is the first choice for NZF.
But it all depends on the desires of Peru. If they push for a Monday match for the return leg (Tuesday NZT) then a Saturday game in Wellington would be logisitically impossible. However that is seen as unlikely, given the vast majority of their team ply their trade in Europe.
But despite NZF's stated preference and all the other factors that make Saturday a logical option, it's probably a 50-50 call between Friday night and Saturday afternoon. Fifa are naturally conservative and may see Saturday as too late in the window (which runs from the 6th to the 14th November) to stage the first game.
The 2013 Inter-continental playoffs with Mexico, which had the same logistical challenges, were held seven days apart, with the first leg on 13 November in Mexico and the return on the 20 November in Wellington.
But that was a longer Fifa window, and New Zealand's European based players (like Chris Wood and Tommy Smith) missed the preceding week's matches with their European clubs to assemble in North America much earlier than will be possible this time.
Westpac Stadium CEO Shane Harmon said he has no concerns over ticket sales for the All Whites' World Cup playoff against Peru, no matter what day or time the match kick offs.
But he said his preference is for a return to the 'bygone' era of a Saturday afternoon kick off for the first leg match.
LISTEN ABOVE AS SHANE HARMON SPOKE TO THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Nate and Kent spoke with Radio Sport's man on the ground in New Plymouth as Taranaki gear up to defend the Ranfurly Shield on Wednesday.
Phil Quinney said Ranfurly Shield fever has hit New Plymouth and that 'Naki centre Seta Tamanivalu saved his night from Coronation Street with his intercept try!
Can Taranaki defend the Shield or will Manawatu win the Log'o'Wood for the first time in 39 years?
LISTEN ABOVE AS PHIL QUINNEY SPEAKS TO THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Federation of International Cricket Associations head Tony Irish said Cricket South Africa could face legal action by players over the postponement of the global T20 league.
The league has embarrassingly been cancelled just a month from when it was supposed to start, leaving contracted players - including Kiwis Brendon McCullum and Mitchell McClenaghan - in the lurch.
CSA had opened a window for the tournament, meaning there is now no cricket - domestic or international - scheduled until around Boxing Day.
LISTEN ABOVE AS TONY IRISH SPOKE TO THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
There may be no more NRL but that doesn't mean there wasn't much to talk about in the world of rugby league.
Coach Wayne Bennett has been slammed over his England World Cup squad, there's no Sam Tomkins and fellow fullback Zak Hardaker has failed a drugs test and could be banned for up to two years. There are even genuine question marks over how much Super League Bennett has been able to watch.
Voss also gives us his two cents on the NRL's plan to bring in double headers and his applauding the decision to bring at least one of them to New Zealand, and his reaction to the glut of star players announcing their intention to play for Tonga.
LISTEN ABOVE AS ANDREW VOS SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Bleacher Report's head NFL analyst Brent Sobleski gives us a rundown on round five of the NFL. He's still picking a Chiefs v Falcons Superbowl - who's your pick?
LISTEN ABOVE AS BRENT SOBLESKI SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Kiwi motorsport great Paul Radisich on the mixed results for Kiwi drivers and explains just how hard Bathurst was on Sunday in treacherous conditions.
LISTEN ABOVE AS PAUL RADISICH SPEAKS TO THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST ON HIS BIRTHDAY
Joel Stransky said he thought the All Blacks would win Sunday's Rugby Championship test by 20 points but the Springboks's performance has restored pride and hope in the jersey.
LISTEN ABOVE AS JOEL STRANSKY SPOKE TO THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Rugby editor Nigel Yalden is in Cape Town ahead of the All Blacks clash with South Africa.
LISTEN ABOVE AS NIGEL YALDEN TALKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Tawerau Nikau discusses the Kiwis squad for the Rugby League World Cup and the fallout from Jason Taumalolo's decision to turn his back on New Zealand.
LISTEN ABOVE AS TAWERA NIKAU SPOKE WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Former Kiwis coach Frank Endacott says David Kidwell's amateurish start as national coach may have contributed to Jason Taumalolo's defection to Tonga.
LISTEN ABOVE AS FRANK ENDACOTT SPOKE TO THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Dale Budge told Kent, Nathan and Mark that Kiwi rugby league fans have been let down at all levels by the national organisation and they deserve better.
LISTEN ABOVE AS DALE BUDGE SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Greg Murphy spoke with the Radio Sport Breakfast team about 'that' Bathurst lap and who will win this weekend.
LISTEN ABOVE AS MURPH SPOKE TO THE RSB
Sam Whitelock says two weeks off test rugby has given him the break he needs to face the Springboks.
LISTEN ABOVE AS SAM WHITELOCK SPOKE TO RUGBY EDITOR NIGEL YALDEN
ASB Classic director Karl Budge has secured Caroline Wozniacki but said the WTA rules are hampering their efforts in signing top tennis talent.
LISTEN ABOVE AS KARL BUDGE SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Radio Sport rugby analyst and former All Black halfback, Ant Strachan spoke to Radio Sport Breakfast about the patchy display by the All Blacks versus Argentina yesterday.
LISTEN ABOVE AS ANT STRACHAN SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST
Nigel Yalden, Radio Sport rugby editor talks to the Radio Breakfast Team about the All Blacks team named to play Argentina. He believes this is a big opportunity for Kane Hames.
LISTEN ABOVE AS NIGEL YALDEN TALKS TO THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST TEAM
Jon Norman, Talksport UK cricket analyst, talks to the Radio sport Breakfast on the trouble Ben Stokes finds himself in, saying there is a definite possibility he gets dropped from England’s ashes squad.
LISTEN ABOVE AS JON NORMAN TALKS TO THE RADIO SPORT TEAM
Bradlee Ashby, NZ medley swimmer, stopped into the studio ahead of the NZ short course swim champs next week. He told the team he is comfortable to be the next face of NZ swimming.
LISTEN ABOVE AS BRAD ASHBY TALKS TO THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST TEAM
Aldora and Linda Itunu, sisters in the Black Ferns, before their civic reception in Manukau today. They told the Radio Breakfast Team they are both very proud and excited about being able to celebrate with their supporters, friends and family.
LISTEN TO THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH THE ITUNU SISTERS ABOVE
Radio Sport league commentator Dale Budge joins the show to talk about the possible sale of the Warriors to Auckland Rugby League.
LISTEN ABOVE AS DALE BUDGE SPEAKS TO THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST TEAM