D’Arcy Waldegrave is back to round up this week’s sporting news. Highlights for tonight include:
Mike Whitney - Former Australian test player - On Australia v India five match test series.
Talkback
Sir Gordon Tietjens - Former All Black Sevens coach - On DJ Forbes being inducted in the World Rugby Hall of Fame + Svns side being announced today.
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You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Darcy Waldegrave from News Talks.
It'd be.
On Darcy Watergrave. I'm here through Teil eight o'clock to night. We're talking sport. Of course, no surprises in this program. From time to time I will deviate off the beaten track because Simon Loose coming up in the program tonight or the back end of the show, or talk with Knight of the Realm Titch. Sir Gordon Titchens, hugely successful and quite frankly scary as all hell when it comes to fitness. All Black seven's former head coach, joins us. The seven side has been named to try and wipe away the disappointment from last season. Didn't go well, so be it. He'll talk about the team and the debutants, and to be rudious not to talk about DJ Forbes, the man who's a skipper. Under Sir Gordon Titchens are being inducted into the Rugby or the World Rugby excuse me, hall of Fame. Gordy to join us. At the end of this We're going to get things going though with old mate Mike Whitney. I say old made because I've been talking to Mike Whitney for years. He's an absolute GC. He's a wonderful man, former fast bowler who gave us all sorts of trouble when he's playing for Australia way back. When we get him on to talk about the India Australia Test Series it gets under way tomorrow. It's a five test matt series that doesn't involve Australia and England's huge, bizarre, rare awesome, so much on the line when it comes to the World Test Championship. I don't want to say cannot wait because I know I have to. How about this, I'm keenly anticipating the first ball tomorrow. Mike Whitney's going to join us to talk about that and on the subject of tests, because we've only got three this year and they're all before Christmas. You okay with that? I get the feeling that it doesn't matter how much we can play and moan and grumble and beat our fists on the table, nothing will change. But it doesn't mean to say we don't have to go yes, stink, because it is regardless of the international schedule. Give me your feeling, give me your We've got this amazing test series coming up after this incredible test theories over in India and we go one test serious and then it's curtains to the end of the summer. Bugger. Anyway, enough of that, let's get amongst this Sport Today. In Sport Today to all blacks spring into action overnights and then quest to qualify for the Asia Cup that flavels and men take on the Philippines and Manila and center the go to break your guy. Sam and Inger is panging at the prospect of lining up in a black singlet with his bros.
It's like seeing some good mates. You know, nothing changes, everyone's cool, Everyone's happy to play together and put on that black singlet. And I'm just excited, especially under Judd first time coaching the Tillbacks. I'm excited to build a relationship and just keep growing the Tollbacks and aim for some big goals.
We have twelve thirty ten night. That game kicks off tomorrow. Morning's more the point, jaspt Bomber, He's been named the Indian skipper in the absence of Right Sharma, assistant coach of the Indian side. Morning Morkel has no issue with the appointment ahead of the first Test in Perth.
He's been very successfully in the past.
He knows what to expect me in the dressing room. He speaks well.
He's a guy that I know.
That's well with ball and will leave in the front and then the rest of the younger guys WI will follow it.
Right, it's fine. By the way, he's just home on daddy delivery duties. That makes sense that next left back Sam Sutton doesn't like being left out. He missed All White selection which burned, but he is the opportunity with the Phoenix to bodge on his way back into the national side.
Hopefully I can keep performing. Obviously girls are going to help. This is they're going to help. So again it's a few months away now, so it's focusing on the Phoenix. But if you do well, you get rewarded. And definitely got my eyes set on that and.
It's goodbye to blackstick. Simon Child. He's got a couple of non scratched itches after three hundred plus games, but essentially he's happy with his achievements on the turf as he should be.
What I have liked to have done better at the Olympic Games and will Cupsey of course, but ultimately, you know, Hoggie is a team game, and I finished my career you know, with over three hundred games and one hundred and forty eight goals, So I have a lot to be grateful for.
Shot judge. And that's sport today, Tom and it's after seven. Let's get a Manx. Mike Whitney joins us now a former Australian fast at bowler, as you look ahead to hopefully five spectacular Test matches as the Australians host the Indians. Getting underway in Perth tomorrow afternoon's on time from at three o'clock. Might great to have you back on board again. Doesn't get much bigger than this, doesn't make welcome to the show up dance.
I want to talk about New Zealand India. In India first, well.
You're not allowed to because I've already pulled that one completely apart, but you can give us a couple of sentences. How good, mate, We soften them up for you.
Mate.
I just well, I hope you just haven't poked the bear. That's my only problem. I hope they go We're not going to go through that in Australia. But would you have ever have thought in your wildest dreams that anyone could beat India three nil and a three three test series in India.
But our brothers.
Across the ditch Mate they played, Williamson didn't play. I mean there were players missing. They were just so good and that's got to be. I don't know, maybe Higanston is that the greatest series.
By New Zealand ever. It's got to be.
And I'm not a gambling man, Dars, but you would have got like thousands to one on that happening.
I mean, just unbelievable.
So I was so look and I actually was trading for emails with Sir Richard because we still talk a bit, and I use her up to nil at that stage and I went to Sir Richard, can you imagine if it's three nil?
And he went, oh, how unbelievable that be? Well a week later at three nil.
Nice name dropping there, Mike Whitney, class bro.
So I'm still reminding him that I blocked him out in eighty seven Melbourne and you know he doesn't like that.
Then we get on the nicer thiegs.
We'll never forget that, and you still have respect because it call him sir Richard, so absolutely good. There you go. So the big question here is three nil is so embarrassing for Indian hearing a silent Indian stadium. It's just incredible, but incredible. What are the takeaways? What do Australia take out of those three tests and try and apply in this five Test series? Was there any any big alarms, any big flags going this is what you need to do? Like, what did you see?
Look what I thought the Kiweiz did so amazingly was no matter what pitch they prepared, the Kweeze could bowl on that either with their seemas and your spin bowlers were just fabulous. The catching, the furl play things, I mean everything.
Was just really good.
So our guys will look at that, mind you. Our first Test is in Perth. Not sure whether that's going to turn too much, but look there, it's so interesting. Made Shama's not here, the captain's not here. So Jasper Boomra's captaining at least his first Test. When's the last time that two opening bowlers of captained two sides in a Test match?
I can't remember the last time.
If if Patrick and Jasper Boomra, you know, look dars As you know it's going to start at the toss. Who wins the toss and whoever wins the toss and what decision they make. Well that's the first hour in the first session and then the first day and that it rolls out like that, I think. But look, this is the incredible thing that's been happening. India have got a T twenty side playing in South Africa and those games have been incredible. They've also had an Indian A team, a full squad out here playing against our Australiana and a couple of other games, and then their full test squad comes out. Now these are three independent squads, Like there's not a lot of crossover in the players there. How big is the group of players they've got to play from pick from when you can have two or three international sides in each category traveling around the world and play, so they've got a very big pool. And after you guys whack them through nil, they're going to have a really good look in themselves and go, we're not going to do that again, So we need to go to Australia and beat them. And they've done that before here, so we've got to really be up for it. So are we up for it? Well, the question mark is is the openermc sweeney who captains he state?
But that's four for them? Is he going to be up for it?
Who else is the pressure on? Mike witn't he? Where else does it push? Where are the tinder places where India might choose to try and put an elbow in?
Well, you hear all this talk at the moment dark like Osmond's thirty eight? How long is going to be up for it? They're going to be chasing him off the wicket Boomer and those guys are world class bowlers, and they've got a couple of really good spinners as well. You know, let's not forget that. So how's was he going? He's got a few runs, probably not the start of the season. He won marnas well. He's been a bit down the last year and Humon he was averaging in the sixties. I think he's last couple of seasons he's averaged forty seven or something. That's not too shabby. But for his where he is and where his average is, he's a little bit down and he will want a big score. He wants to scross some runs. Then he got Steve Smith well, he's looked really good. I've watched Stephen very closely at the start of this domestic cricket and the internationals that he's played.
I can see that burning desire in his eye.
Not that he's ever lost that, but when Smudge's really locked on, he's really locked on, and I feel that he's going to be really locked on and then the rest go from there. I mean, those top three or four are the ones that have got to score with the bolg runs, and there's some question marks around how they're going. I mean, Smidy hasn't had the best couple of years either. Who's in the wings waiting? Well, there was a lot of talk about Vancroft and whole sorts of people coming into the side. Those guys are very experienced, you know, Marcus Harrison Bancroft have made ten thousand first class runs each but can't get in the side. They pick a young McSweeney hedging their bets. He bats four. How come we're letting him open? But the captain's free state and he can play. So there's a few mysteries around Dars. There's no doubt about that.
Oh you talked about the dates of the Indians. Sounds like it's pretty deep over there as well, when you met two guys like that with such great records. What about the fact that it's a five test series? We are so jealous over here in New Zealand. We never get the joy of a five tests. The reaction cricket fans summer, well, I don't know, maybe they don't want to get embarrassed life nil bias, but you've got it. So how keenly anticipated is this from the cricketing public. I don't think it gets big massive.
Look, people are starting to say it's equaling the Ashes, you know, and excitement and stuff like that. I don't think I could say that the Ashes sits alone in its spot and that'll always beyond for young and old, you know. But India in the last couple of years were the last ten years, as you know, they've lifted themselves in the cricket, the IPL, the money, the amount of players they've got now and stuff like that. The last five Test series we had against India here I actually played in ninety one two. Now why have we had to hate from ninety one to two to twenty twenty four to play another five Test series against India can't. I don't know why that happens to us. It's ridiculous because when you play a five Test series, you're pretty much guaranteed that you're going to get a series win, aren't you.
Well, you'd hope so. And from this little perspective, we need Australia to win three to two, taking points off each other so we might be able to qualify for the World Test Championship final. We've got a vest that interest to you, mate.
Mate, you should qualify for the World Test Championship on the fact you beat them three nil in India. That should be double points. That is that remarkable, that achievement. That should be double points for the World Test Series.
Who's going to win it? Then? You're only going to say Australia. You're greening gold right through to your very beating heart, Mike Whitney. But who do you like? Is it going to be one side? Is it going to be a balance, what's the guts?
It's impossible to predict.
I mean, you know, we say we're playing in Perth and we've got three fast bowlers who have taken an excess of two andre and fifty wickets each start three fifty five and then he's pushing up. But they've got some good fast ballers, team mate. They've got really good fast balls. They've got world class winners. They've got guys that can bat all day or score runs really quickly.
So have we. So I get back to who wins the toss, who decides to battle ball?
First first hour, first session, first day. Back at the end of that first day, I'd be able to make a bit more of a decision about how I think it's going to plan out.
The series is over in an hour. I love your work. Mike Whittney, thanks very much for your time.
Mate.
You look after yourself. We're talking again scene.
I'm sure love you to asking your brother my pleasure. Forget the riff's call.
You make the call of.
Eight Sports Talk on your home of Sports Talks.
Be love them to Mike Whitney, former Australian fast bowler. Great to have them on board. I love you to talk again. And apparently his two new knees are going just great because me hope for the future. Mike Whitney, thanks for your time looking ahead to It's bizarre, isn't it. You don't have five Test series unless you're playing the ashes and there's only two teams that get to play that. Then suddenly, as Mike points out, I didn't realize this till he said it. The last time of the was ninety nine, only one. It's thirty five odd years ago. So we've got a five Test series India during Australia salivate much hugely, even though our team is not involved in this. We've got three tests and is it not? That's it? Hasn't how disappoint him because there's a lot on them and it is England and traditional rivals and foes and it should be a good time. Then Christmas comes and that's it. Normal Test cricket. Cool, that's it. That is at the summer of cricket, isn't the summer of cricket is in pajamas? After that? Fourteen one day Internationals and T twenty eyes as well Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
That's it.
Now, there's good reason behind this, plainly, there is logic behind this. There's a big international meat coming up in Pakistani ICC champions Trophy. The top eight one dangs national sides will meet. Shridanka is not one of them, but they're better than us. At the moment, well better than our shadow team anyway. So we'll play Shri Danka even though I ain't play them again and the Champions Trophy. But this is what this is all aimed at. New Zealand Cricket want to aim at the big events. We'll try and win those. So you've got to build up your team looking toward these pinnacle events and give them the best preparation possible and that is not Test cricket. The problem of this is that between now and twenty thirty one, there is a major world cricketing event, one global tournament per year between now and twenty thirty one. A couple of those of the World Test Championship might be a bit of a stretch, but it's so jam packed the schedule now, and it's jam packed with popcorn, fast food cricket, easily digestible, easily understandable and done like that. I mean like one day International cricket seems like an age now, doesn't it. So what it's going to actually hold your attention right, let's trying to take away the fact they're training for or warming up for the champions Trophy. Get that as well, coming up for your summer which is the time to be jolly with cricket. It's all about short form pajama cricket. Sounds a bit rude, I know, but I'm being rude, right No tests? Will that drive you to the grounds? What do you prefer as a cricket fan? Happy enough with the way the structure has worked? It doesn't matter whether it's necessary or not. Are you happy enough with this lineup in the summer of cricket not going to change. No one's mine's going to change. I don't think it's going to. Listen and go it. They make a good point for better not do that again. But we can still bash the table with our fists and complain about it. Test cricket is cricket. It's where it all started. There's still the pinnacle. It's still the top. But if anyone says to me they're good the test because it's the real testing, I know, all right, fine, but it's the top. And I think it's grossly unfair, almost negligent, that there's no test cricket after Christmas, because it's probably going to rain from now to December. You late December anyway, no test cricket for us to watch at home. Like as an Auckland resident, I'm not really missing much because they'd even have test cricket up here anyway, because no one's built us a ground only in the biggest city in the country, Thank you very much. That's another story. Does it's not right? Is it? Tell me? Is this right that we have no test cricket? Are you okay with just a diet of T twenty ies and one day International? Is that all right with you? Are you're the paying public? I gotta ask, Oh, eight hundred eighty ten eighty, I'm not happy? Are you? You can text nineteen nine two z B z B as well. Stand a text charge does apply, of course? Coming up next here on News TALKSB, I want to know that baby.
For a couple of weeks, only want to see her.
We drink aware the days were the takeaway pizza before the text message was the only way to reach you.
Hear it from the biggest names and sports and men. Have your say one hundred eighty ten eighty sports Talk on your home of sports news Talk z it B.
I didn't think any sports talk on News Talks ABM does had Judy. I'm not going to stop winging watch tamas Darcy and stop winging. No, I don't think you quite grasped the escence of this program. Thanks anyway, thanks for spelling my name right, but not the winging. But gooday, Chris, how are you, mate? You're well?
I'm well mate. I feel for you and myself. I'm a Test cricket fan. But I'll go back to what my granddad said years ago when I was a young kid, you know, watching the likes of Nathan Estill, Stephen Fleming, Chris Harris, the rest of them. He said to me, he goes, whoever wins the one take crap are just sloggers of the team that wins the Test match are the true players of the game.
I'm not jumping to argue with you on this one, Chris. Sorry, I've got Judy living free head after that, text.
Me, that's right, You're forgiven.
And maybe it's a traditionalist thing you you'd liking. You're liking Test cricket to a degastation menu, right, eight courses with wine matches. Not that I've done that for years because I can't afford to do it, but that's eating right, And you say that and you enjoy each moment and each dish, as it comes out and each course and you remember it and you talk about it. It's a whole experience. T twenty is like McDonald's get your rock and stuff for burgery. It's good at the time, and then you go home feeling sick. That's just not the same.
And then you're going to cook yourself and then you're going to cook yourself in a meal afterwards. I mean, I guess it like T twenty is good for people with short attentions, bands and younger people and it draws them into cricket. Now I like it for that, but the one day cricket for the World Cup cycle, I get that as well, and that should be a thing. But the heart of a proper cricket lover should always be with Test cricket. Sorry I'm losing my voice, but Test cricket, the ebbs and flow of a Test match far outweigh the ebbs and flows of six or out of those other two components of the game. And that's what the game is so special.
It's not it's just a tidal wave that breaks over your head, isn't it, But that it serves a purpose, crisp because people haven't got time and they want to be entertained like that, and that's why T twenty is so popular. So I was bringing eyeballs to the game. Can't complain that much or.
Do what Like a cricket lover like yourself and eye, we need to respect that some people can only watch one form of the game. But that's better than nothing, right, Yeah, But if you're a true cricket lover, if you got to play the New Zealand, what time you would play against Australia at the MCG.
In a test in a test match?
I'm with you, Chris Hondi, and I find it difficult that over some of there's not some tests to indulge in. It's something about five days. It's something about the way unfolds. Is a talk piece, a conversation piece. It lingers, it's something you carry through the week. It's mos you've got a couple of weeks off and you really want to ignore your family perfect excuse, I shouldn't say that. It's a terrible thing to say, but it's not there. And then, as producer Andy points out, then you get stuffed in your face supersmash and big bass for the whole time you're like, OK, stop it. None of this means anything anymore, just a blur. Hi Glenn, how are you? Oh go, what's up?
Oh yeah, no, I'm just I heard you talk about five or ten minutes ago about you know, test cricket and you know the different formats. I'm a purist that at heart like test cricket is cricket. But like you were saying before that, you know, this time of the year, coming up to silly season, you know, we've all got a lot on and as much as I love test cricket, it's always good to know that at the end of the night you've got a tea to a need to watch, you know, certainly with the BBL or you know, whether it be the IPL or whatever.
It's any important the storm, isn't it. That's what you're saying. Small amounts of cricket has better than no cricket at all, because you confess it in it's achievable.
Absolutely. Yeah, that's right. That's what I mean. You know, like an hour and a half you've got a tea to any done and dust and you know there's a winner or you know at the end of the night, and.
Does that replace the need for proper test cricket, even though you can only watch maybe a session or two of it every now and then, you can see it unfold on cricket for you can read about it in the paper. You can you can dine on it for a long time because you're always going to have the big best league in supersmas. There's always going to be there. But I don't think it replaces the loss of long format game, which is again something you have to watch every ball of unless you're border on insane like I am. But something can always keep up with and you can follow online. You read about in the paper. There's something about that.
Yeah, Like I say, you know, I love Test match and if I could, I would sit down and watch every ball, but you know, sometimes you know, with life the way it is, you can't, and so that's why I enjoy. You know, at this time of the year, we're you know, we've had a couple of Test matches and we know that there's going to be a lot more after January. But in the interim, like while waiting, that's great to see, you know, a couple of one dayers, but certainly and not a lot of T twenty, you know, and you get games you get to see the best doing what they can.
You know what I mean, Yeah, I mean I.
Look purest cricket, Test cricket, Absolutely fantastic. It's something I've been doing the last couple of weeks. I missed the game so much. I've been watching hepes of WBBL and all loving it from over in Australia. It's been fantastic and I'll tell you what's been brilliant about it is the fact there is not a great deal of comment from males, that most of the commentary team are women, and it's a different level of commentary. It brings something different to the pictures. Really really enjoyable. Anyway, enough already, we're going to come back. More of your calls on oh e one hundred and eighty eighty. It's a free phone number nationwide. You need test cricket, don't you somewhere somehow in New Zealand's not right if we even got.
It s.
To the cor we've reinvented the wheel.
Just to father sneak adding.
Someone call me, I'm a dumb shaded wishes.
The Sports Talk care and Newstalk's ebo eight hundred and eighty ten eighty lines are open a couple of texts. It's not a summer of cricket without the cricket, correct it isn't we need more test so it's the pinnacle of cricket. The fact there's no New Zealand test over the New year period is rubbish. Nothing more enjoyable than a summer of test cricket. I'm just grateful that the one hundred hasn't crept in the yet yet. You wait, let's get back to the phones now, Jamie, welcome high it mate. How are you happy as a clam kind of what's on your mind?
Get rid of test cricket?
Listen?
I went to the I went to the cricket and uh at discussed stadium with Australia one one point wonder man. That was awesome. Doesn't know test cricket, it's rubbish.
Okay, Well, well let's let's talk a little bit about your your cricketing background. And we started to watch it and why you watch it. I'm interested because a lot of people who listen to the station consider themselves traditional old school cricket watch They love test. You don't, So where does that come from?
That's what that's what you said, traditional old school cricket watcher. But I'll make you a cricket watcher that watches when it's when it's at the stadium.
You know what, somebody you come from that background, But you don't like test cricket. No, I hate it? So why what what do you hate about?
Well?
Look at the Super the Rugby, the Super fifteen, sixteen whatever it is. Now, why did we Why did we watch that because there was a new thing that was going on. There's no new with cricket.
Well, yeah, there is T twenty that's new, and then there's one hundred and that's new too. But do you like it because it's over very fast? Do you like it because they wear colorful clothes? Or what do you like about it?
Jamie?
That was faster?
It's faster.
It's not it's not it's not old.
You know what I mean.
So it's over quicker. It takes you. It takes three and a half hours of your time as opposed to five days exactly.
Yes, that's what it does. And it makes me. It makes me feel feel good when I when I see my team win, right, But when it takes five days, it's too long, you know what I mean?
I know lot and thank you for ringing and saying that I disagree with you, but I'm not. You can't make your mind up for you again, it's Giga station menu, fast food, fast foods quite at the time. I don't know how satisfied you feel afterwards.
Hi Mark, Oh, hello Darcy? How are you.
I'm very well. What's on your mind?
Yes, I totally emphasize with you. I'm also a big Test cricket fan myself, and the things that I've said about the lack of Test cricket the summer. But what is making me quite satisfied. Well, what's ahead is that it's actually a three Test series against England, which is a change. I'm so used to having two Tests and what's the point of that really? And also we have played five Test matches in Asia recently. It could have been six, but there was the washout against Afghanistan, so I mean we must take them into account as well. That we have had quite a bit of Test cricket recently.
Well we have, but it's not been here. It's been in the middle of the night on the other side of the world. I think when it's home and you want to I want to go to the basin I'm going to go to Hagley. I want to go to Seedon Park, but to beautiful grounds. I'm very well atteamed that I might add, you want to go there? That that's cricket not I mean, I don't mind middle of the night watching and I'm sweet with that. That's what I do.
Well, how about but.
As a Test cricket for Sinado, I'm really looking forward to Australia India. So there's five tests there, you can. I mean, as a neutral, it's it's great to watch that. So much to look forward to, I mean, and so many great battles, very colleague against Cummings and and it's going to be really really exciting. So I tell you right now, Well, I know, but a thing as that India is one of the last four Test series against Australia. That's phenomenal. And so they they like they like it because Australia gives them a hard time and they they respond when it's a real fight. And we're nice guys, you know, we go over there and we don't we don't sledge, but when Australia does, it sort of brings out the best.
Of them in the way.
So I think it's going to be, could be, could be quite closer, I think, especially if they bring bea a pajara with some stage. I mean, I don't know if I they're retired, but.
Well, regardless who's back, I think it needs to be three to two to Australia for it to work for us and make you make an interesting point around the focus of cricket will be taken away from New Zealand because people are probably going to be more interested in Test cricket in Australia, which is a bit of a shame. See the conversation started, what's the state of play? Can only be asked of a test man. It's right, like maybe I'm just a boring old foggy possibly am I stew God.
Ask good to chat with you again as always.
Thanks of your time cricket.
Cricket is one of the few sports that you get different theaters in the same arena and they are the type of theater because to me anyway, because it is a really different thinking one shows you've got no longer extent attention span. The fact that you can actually stay concentrating for five days where the player be a the spectator as long as whereas the shorter game. Of course, it's when thanks Man, big hits and we go home. It's not wrong, none of them are wrong, but they are very different. I think, as long as the subcontinent, as long as we've got the Indians, the pakistanis, you know, those wonderful people playing test cricket, and as long as it's as big a market as it is, it'll never die.
And you've got to think forward as well. You've got to plan what you do. You've got to be cognizant of what happens mid afternoon when the pitch slowly changes and the conditions change. And if you don't and you're not thinking that way, you can really trip up. It's a long term game, really.
Is it is.
It's it's not like golf, but it is like you know, what you do today is going to affect you tomorrow, which are going to effect you the next day. And you can stuff it up on day one and still be a hero in day five. You stuff have a T twenty or your stuff have a fifty game game. She said, there is no coming back. You've really got to work hard. You're going to work hard for a lot longer, and it's going to test you a lot longer. And let's face it, you ask any cricketer, any cricketer worth his or her soul, and say to them, have you walked through the long room? But Lord, they said to you, yes I have. You're not going to take.
That away either, Stu, We're gonna fly mate. Plenty of calls online. Thanks for yours, Hi, Alan, what have you got for us?
I was just thinking, Darcy, like I'm thinking commentators on you know, news talk, said, but you got Wisse McCarthy. You know, you got Alan McLaughlin and you guys are right up to you, Darcy, You and Elliott and all that light. So you're talking about test cricket. Okay. You made the point that the top of the conversation tonight was no test cricket after Christmas. I totally agree with. It's terrible, it's shocking. And also, Darcy, hang on, just slide down that Auckland does not have a test a cricket venue. So okay, now I've got a question for you.
Now.
I went to Seaton Park last year and watched South Africa get beaten by New Zealand, who was the most best experience I've ever had, And I just encourage everybody in Auckland just to go down the motorway. And the most beautiful ground was Tim Soud he rates as one of his three best grounds in the world.
I'm with you on that one, Ellen, And ever since they decided to actually build a proper road between Auckland and Hamilton and suddenly became viable to do so. Before that, no, never ever, he his news talks b goodon did George us next serge the Night of the Realm? As we talk Seven's Rugby? That are DJ Fords, but a lot of the new kids on the plot. This is Newstik's EB twelve away from eights Kids up nine minutes to eight former All Black Seven's head coaches Sir Good and Titchens it joins us now All back seven Side has been named today for the start of the twenty four to twenty five seventh series starts in Dubai next week, and DJ Forbes inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame. So good and Titchens you mate, yeah?
Good things do I say?
Yeah?
And no no, very good and probably exciting to see the first round of the World series starting up in a couple of weekends.
Time and studying in Dubai and South Africa.
Three debutantes have been named in the side for this series, and it's quite funny when you look through the team and you know some of the old heads are just not there anymore. It's it's quite bizarre. But looking at the new guys, that's what we're here for. Joey toment Tina, he's got history with the build up. You've got us a fight marker who comes with well a lot of props around what he can do. And of course Olie mathis the name on everybody's lips with what he did in the MPC. Can you tell us much about these three characters, Gordon.
I've heard so much about Onnie mathis obviously as being a loose forward and then full Whitecattow in the ITM Cup, and you know he was obviously playing out on the wing.
So he's very very quick.
And I was at one of their trainings just recently and I was watching him and you know, he does look he's very descend If he looks quick and he can play in both positions, then he'll certainly say seven would be great for his development, no question there. And also a supply Marker who's a fullback coming through the Auckland system as well, and he's got a very very good skill set. And sometimes if you do your scouting and you're out there looking, there is the odd player that sometimes can slip through the net. But you know, he's done a lot of work, and so muss he knows a good seventh player when he sees them, and I'd be very surprised if they don't perform. But it's an ideal time and probably if I had I suppose it's not so much a criticism. But when Scott Curries and you know, and the Sam Dixon's and those guys were still involved with the team, I think that's when we needed to bring these new players to Jaden Kiellen's and that through so to get learn off them.
But they're no longer part of the team now, you know.
And so I suppose it's Dylan Colliers still there and tiny Mnungshu, but and Lewis Orman I suppose there as well. But for a young player to develop and to become a very good seventh player, it's so good to have the.
Curries and the Dixons there to help them along.
What about Joey tom ting name because he has been around. He's played for the under eighteen seven side Development seven, so out of Wesley Cottage. He's really he's part of the conveyor belt. Matt's got to be heartened to see that players that have been you know, looked after Eric She now developing and moving to that to the bigger team.
Oh yeah, no question, And I'm excited as anyone to see them play and to step up to that level. And I mean there's a certainly it looks a very strong site considering you know, you've got guys like a Rock and Sola who's not there is out through injury, Reagan where also.
I think is out injured as well.
But it's great when you can still look at guys like Joe Webber he's out there as well, Ian and Johnny Maleia who was there when I was there, narahe mcgavey black as another.
Certainly another guy with a lot of seven's experience.
Now, I think it's a very well balanced site which is going to give those new younger players a real opportunity to stand up and be counted. You know, they'll gradually build themselves into that and do what as a great tentlement to start with.
What last year didn't get the cookies? What do you think needs to change, if anything, as far as attempting to pick up the main prize this time around.
Gordon, Well, we've seen the development of a lot of the other countries now they've crept up on us and it's not all about I mean, Fiji's got a lot to prove this year. They had probably their worst year in many, many seasons last year and so a lot of those players have got a lot to prove in Fiji as a country, as we know, that's their game.
And summer's not there anymore, you know.
So in South Africa had a probably a lean year as well, but then they tipped us out at the Olympics, so you know it's it'll be tough.
I mean, it's anyone's game really going into the tournament.
You can't just stand back and say, well, it's going to be New Zealand Fiji in the final. I think you've got a few teams now that are certainly going to put their hand up and challenge them, and even someone like Kenya that's come out of the Challenger Series that they've qualified back into the World Series and they had a very young side in the Challenger Series because I was at a couple of those tournaments and they look potentially very very good. So it's going to be competitive, and thank going into the first two tournaments, it could be anyone's tournament.
And finally, Gordon, great to see DJ Forbes. He's going to be inducted into the Rugby Hall of Fame. Great reward for a massive man and a number of respects, including his beard in and around sevens. He's had a crazy old career. This is deserved.
Oh yeah, you're so well deserved.
I mean, such a great ambassador of the game of sevens and obviously played a number of seasons for me and win income Games and a World Series championships as my captain and commands a huge amount of respect and still does keeps himself still very very fat, And I mean, I couldn't have gone to a better guy and certainly well deserved.
And I'd send you right to congratuated mine ear if I can as well.
You just did so, Gordon Intentions, Thanks so much for your time and that winds the program up another day. Thanks for joining us. Up next, Marcus Lush, Thanks to Digital Midnight Tonight, must listen to Wild Talk ABOUTE Radio. I've been listening for years. I'm still i still don't know where half that comes from. Are you're an interesting character? Lash you really are curious? I think it's the way he likes to use. Thank you any doubt for producing the program, thanks to the call of sex, the texts. Thanks to the listeners. Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you. Good night.
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