Full Show Podcast: 20 September 2026

0:00Brenting a car always feels like a bit of a battle, but in the stuffy, slow-paced world of car rentals, Snap is an illegal song, so it's no surprise that Snap is the official car rental partner of the one New Zealand Warriors. When you rent with Snap, you're helping support the team that brings us all together, sweet-ass. For your next adventure, choose a car rental company that backs our boys. Visit snapbrentals.co.nz. Snap simply bit a car rental. Aaron Clark missed the mark a little bit.

1:00Whitey and Mr. The Havz definitely missed it. Douts have been raised. Pressure is mounting. Mounting. But Final's footy doesn't care about yesterday. It demands courage now. It is British-Lawney's day. The App's there. Change his direction. This is a chance. Liven! Stores the draw. The state needed that one. The 2026 season is on the line. The nights are here. Dangerous and ready to spoil the party. Don't die, Bady! Don't stop another one! They're going to die! They're going to die! They're going to die! But if this one thing we have learned, the Warriors never stand alone. Forty-eight thousand five hundred fans at Eden Park. Arleiter best fans in the competition. Whitey. A city buzzing. A nation believing. As our courageous captain, James Fisher Harris leads the wars towards NREL Premiership Glory. This afternoon, with interviews inside and analysis,

2:02you won't find anywhere else. Counting down to the Warriors' dual die semi-final, it's weekend sport with Jason Fein. Live at the Kingslander Auckland. On your home of sport, NewsTorke said being. Well, that's called Mayhipe. Good afternoon and welcome to a very special edition of weekend sport on NewsTorke's Airbnb. Coming to your live from the Kingslander on your north row. Just around the corner from Eden Park, Auckland is already beginning to feel like a rugby league city. Because tonight at 6, the Warriors run out on to Eden Park for one of the biggest games in club history. This is knockout football. This is the Warriors against the Newcastle Knights win and the season continues. And it's all over and look at the setting. Eden Park sold out more than 48 and a half thousand fans expected through those gates. You can feel the anticipation building already. And that's why we wanted to be here at the Kingslander today, right in the heart of it, talking to the people who make this club what it is.

3:03The Warriors have had an extraordinary regular season. 18 wins, the most I've ever recorded. A second place finish, the right to host a finals match. But then came last weekend. 16, 8 are head against the dolphins. 20 minutes to play and somehow the Warriors let that one slip away. So now there is no tomorrow. They've got to put that disappointment behind them. Rediscover the rugby league that made them one of the competition's best sides this year. And do it against a Newcastle team coming here with absolutely nothing to lose. The Knights know what is waiting for them. Newcastle centre Bradman Best said this week. He is expecting an origin like atmosphere. The Warriors know the support behind them will be enormous. And somewhere between now and kick off the nerves are going to turn into excitement. So over the next three hours we're going to build towards six o'clock. We'll hear from some terrific guests. We'll get the latest from inside the Warriors camp or dissect the Knights for you.

4:03We'll talk tactics and team selection. But most importantly, I want to talk to you. The Warriors fans who have been waiting all week for this. The nervous ones. The confident ones. The ones who think this finally could be the year. The ones who are hoping against hope that it will be. The Kingslander is our home for the afternoon. Eden Park is waiting. And the Warriors are 80 minutes away from either keeping this dream alive or saying goodbye to 2026. It is an all-star lineup for you today. One of the Warriors most important players. Somebody Martin leaches off shortly. Faith and Aster is on the show after two. So to another NRL legend at James Graham. And the only man to play in both the 2002 and 2011 Warriors teams to reach the Grand Final. Lance Huhaia joins us from his home in the United States after one o'clock. We're also checking with the man at the top. Warrior CEO, Cam George to see how he's negotiating the final few hours before kick off. It is though you who I'm really keen to hear from.

5:03Feel free to pop into the Kingslander if you're in the vicinity of 470 new North Road in the Auckland suburb of Kingsland. There's a rumor going around. There might even be a bar tab open. I haven't seen evidence of it yet. If not, you can reach us on the phone. 0880-1080. Flickish your thoughts by text 9292 or on email. Jason, it used talks ep.co.nzt-6hours. Until go time at Eden Park. This is weekend sport. Live from the Kingslander. Counting down to Warriors at Eden Park. It's weekend sport with Jason Vine and the Volkswagen Umorok V6. Uncompromised capability. Premium comfort on your home of sport. Newstalks at V. Biggest game of the Warrior season. Southern Death Final's clash with the Newcastle Nightseed in Park tonight. One of the men entrusted with steering the Warriors around the park joins us. To Marty Martin's been through plenty in his rugby league journey. He made his way to the end of the season. To Marty Martin's been through plenty in his rugby league journey. He made his NRL debut with the Panthers in 2016.

6:04Move to the Cowboys in 2017. But in April of 2019. At the age of just 23. He suffered a bleed on his brain. And nine months later, he hadn't improved to the point needed to receive a clearance to return to full contact. So in early 2020, he announced his immediate retirement. From rugby league. But two years later, he joined the Broncos on a development company. And returned to the field that year. He joined the Warriors in 2023. And has played 54 matches across the last four seasons. Becoming first choice half back after the magic round injury to Tanner Boyd. Aside from his own injury, which kept him out for four weeks last month. He's won the 7 jersey in the time since bringing experience and composure to this Warriors side. Alongside Chanel Harris-Tavita, he'll have a massive role to play tonight controlling the tempo. Managing field position. And when the opportunities come, providing that bit of attacking creativity. That can turn a finals game.

7:05Tomati Martin, welcome to Weekend Sport. Great to have you with us on this massive day as Eden Parker waits. Have you gone about bouncing back from last weekend's disappointing defeat to the dolphins? It's fair. There's two things there. But it's pretty simple. I'm missing a get back to what we do well. And I'll look too far ahead and go back to Wakarasi in the first place. And it's hard running and getting the footy that we get on and sort of went away from it and patches on the weekend. But didn't play our best. It was still in the fight there. Is there something that's been relatively straightforward to reset around, as you say? It's the footy you guys have played most of the year and have been really successful with. Have you ever been quite a straightforward reset as you look ahead to Newcastle? Yeah, there wasn't too many messages. It's just do what we do. What we've been doing all year and do it better for longer. It was a pretty straightforward review.

8:07When you're in review mode, Tomati, how long does that typically take before you then start completely refocusing on the next challenge that Newcastle will bring? Yeah, so we usually do review the next day. Get that out of the way and then today we're just focused on Newcastle from now on. So we just look forward now and we cleared a lot of things up on Sunday and review. And then, yeah, it's just taken in the sort of work on from that. And so this weekend now we just look forward to who's next and that's Newcastle. I remember the last time you lost was to the Bulldogs and the game after that. There was an excellent bounce back, a big win over the Titans. Do you take good lessons from that knowing that you can rebound from setbacks pretty quickly like you did that day? Yeah, it's sometimes you can get in that sort of mode where you forget what works and sort of get stuck going through the motions. And sometimes takes a bit of a reality to sort of kick you back into gear.

9:10Yeah, I think it's exactly what what Mitch Barnett, our captain said the other day is last time we lost against Bulldogs, we came out against Gold Coast firing and sort of, yeah, we're expecting the same sort of thing. And like I said, the easy fixes for this week to work on what we needed to from the dolphins. But yeah, I think everyone is just excited and really the play game. It wasn't that long ago that you played Newcastle just three weeks ago at the back end of the regular season. Does it help having recent experience against them in terms of knowing what to expect? Yeah, and it empaches it does. The sort of the video sort of the same. There got a few different players and a few different roles. But it's sort of hard to do the video from that game because obviously they had one player down for most majority of that game. But everything sort of stays the same. The sort of plan that we put in place. What was it three or three or so weeks ago? It's still the same.

10:11Like I said before, it's until for longer periods of time and better. The nature of rugby league, of course, and you've been a part of this as well as the injuries happen. They're inevitable throughout the season in the NRL. Sometimes you're out for a short time, sometimes for a long time. But there seems to be this mix, our next man up mentality at the Warriors. How do you as a team deal with the constant team changes which are brought about by injury? Yeah, well, we've got a system there and no matter who's what flag goes in there, they do the same role as the last person. So nothing much changes, nothing, not much changes in that role. But there's a system there and every one sticks to it. It's probably why that next man up sort of works because nothing changes and the game plan stays the same. And it feels like that is particularly relevant to your jersey, the seven jersey, the one you've got at the moment. A lot of different guys are warned that this year, pivotal role in the team. But it just seems to be that whoever wears it, kind of just knows what they have to do. Yeah, like I said, there's a system there and long as you get your defense right, there's a pattern there on defense too.

11:18But yeah, nothing changes no matter who wears the jersey. It keeps everything fresh and nothing needs to change. It keeps it awesome easy. Hey, enjoying your combination with Chanel Harris, Tavator and the Harves. Yeah, I really enjoy playing with which now I like playing with all the boys. There's definitely stuff to work on, but yeah, we're excited for this week. Looking at the review from the weekend, these things we could have done better. Yeah, we're just excited to get on to the next show. Eden Park for this one, 48,500 going to be packed in there. I know it's not your home, Grant. I know GoMedia has become the warriors fortress, but how much are you looking forward to playing in front of such a big crowd? Yeah, it's cool. I think I had a game last year we played QE's vestonger and it was unreal here. The atmosphere was unreal and I just get a few more people would be able to get into seats where it's going to be.

12:19You wouldn't be able to squeeze them into mouse and mouse. We get good crowds everywhere we go, but even down in crochet, it's Wellington. I think wherever we go, it's still our fans and we're still on home soil. So yeah, we're excited to get out there on Sunday. Yeah, I heard Cameron George say that, Andrew Webster as well, that regardless of the fact that you're not a GoMedia, it's still your home, your home's where your fans are. No degree of unfamiliarity in GoMedia, you know, how to get there, where the change rooms are, that sort of stuff. No degree of unfamiliarity, didn't park? No, it's all the same. The rugby field is the same length and it's the same width, not too much changes. Good to hear, Tom Hardy. Well, look forward to seeing how you go in this one. Hope you can earn yourself another Monday. Really appreciate you taking the time for a channel the best against Newcastle. Yeah, no, thank you very much. Take it easy. You take it easy to Tom Hardy. Not too easy, though, once you get out there, mate. Thanks indeed, Tom Hardy Martin joining us on weekend sport 12-19. All right, lines open to talk the Warriors. 0880, 1080, the texts are starting to come in.

13:21Kenda Chate, though, less than six hours until kick off now. The last few hours of talking about the game until it actually arrives. I feel like this is the worst part. You just got to sit here and wait. So let's pass some of that time together. If you're on a roadie to Auckland, if you're coming from outside of the city and you're on your way, I guess you could be depending on what time you want to arrive. You just don't know how far the furthest roadie is. Anyway, if you're on your way, give us a ring. 0880, 1080, if you're just getting through the hours until you can head off to the game or until you can watch the game, let's have your top line match day thoughts, your hopes and dreams, your nagging doubts, your deep-seated fears, your levels of optimism, your levels of anxiety, perhaps your levels of excitement. And the players who are most important tonight, who will have the biggest impact, who will ultimately come up with the moments of magic that decide this contest.

14:21I'll start there. Three for me in Warriors, Jersey, Wade Egan, so crucial to what the Warriors are all about from Dummy Half. His decision-making, his craftiness around the ruckus ability to hold markers, just in case he snipes, gives all sorts of options to his attackers. Aaron Clark, what a season he has had, an absolute powerhouse of the back of the scrum but mainly through the middle lock of the year, last year, big contender to win it again this season. His physicality is full-bladed commitment, making a follow me kind of teammate. And the other one is Chanel Harris-Tavita, who I'll be keeping a pretty close eye on, his kicking game will be under the spotlight tonight, whether it's those contestable kicks or at the ends of sets of six-seat-pumps for field position. Those are my three, who are yours? Well, last week was hugely deflating. Expectation was so high, everybody was talking about beating the dolphins

15:22and having this weekend off and then hosting a preliminary final next weekend. Instead, a very good dolphin side came to go media and spoiled the party. I think the main worry for the Warriors over the last month has been on defense. Their last four games, they beat the Rabadose 45-26, beat the Knights 46-32, beat the C-Eagles 31-30 and lost to the dolphins 26-16. That is an average of 28 and a half points conceded per game over the last four matches. Now that compares with just 15.7 per game in the 21 matches up until then. And when the opposition contains arguably the best attacking player in the game in Kailan Ponga and a support cast that includes Dane Gagai, Greg Marge, herb and others, she simply can't be defensively loose. But on the other side of the coin, here are some stats to give you a bit of comfort.

16:26The Warriors are on a full game winning streak over the Knights and have won seven of the last nine meetings. The Warriors have won 17 of their 19 games against the Knights in New Zealand going back to 2006. The last time the Knights won here was 2019. I mean, the Warriors are going to win this game, right? Surely everything just points that way. In fact, I feel like tonight will be like last night's game. Between the roosters and the sharks, the roosters came out fast at home. They were 12 nil up before you knew it, didn't help the sharks. Half-back Nico Heinz failed an HIA early on and a couple of other players went off injured. And even though the sharks came back into it, the roosters blew them away after half-time with five more tries. 46-10. That's a thumping anyway you'll look at it. That's what the Warriors have in them tonight. They put 46 on the Knights a few weeks ago. They won 38-12 in Newcastle in round three.

17:27And when these two met in their only previous finals match, at this stage of the comp in 2023, the Warriors won 40 points to 10 at Mount Smart. Tonight I would like to see them attack a little bit more rather than take shots at goal. Sure, take the two when the time is right, but keep the pressure on as well. Win the battle up the middle. As they have all year with this magnificent forward pack, lay the platform for the halves and finish the opportunities when they arrive. It is not rocket science. In fact, it's rugby league 101, if we're honest. With 48.500 packed into Eden Park off the back of last weekend and with the season on the line, I just can't see any other outcome. Then a comprehensive Warriors win. 0800.810.80 is our number. Let's kick this around. Mark, how you feeling? Not as confident as I was last week. Oh, cheapest. Well, is that because of last week, though, perhaps? I think they've got to find a way to play it in their forwards. That's been our strength all season.

18:32I think our back line has pretty been that I mean, last week, you know, you could see at the game that they were just trying to get the ball to their backs and sort of create one on situations where they sort of challenge shine. I think of all the teams left in the competition. The Warriors probably has the least effective back line. I don't mean to be disparaging there, but our strengths lies in our forwards and they're never really going to dominate the game. And I think they also have to get involved in the attack was seen like, you know, labelling getting involved and sort of the back line in place. And I think they're going to need to do that because it's going to be, you know, we're going to be similar to last week. We're going to be attacked. It means especially with Ponga there. I mean, he's a bit like Reese Walsh, but he's even more consistent. He just comes at every time he gets the ball. And he creates things that are nothing. So, you know, it's going to be a high for vigilant and defend. So I mean, you know, he's going to have his moments, but we've just got to have our moments like this.

19:34And I think that's going to what it's going to come down to. I don't think it's going to be a blowout to be here to be fair. I saw a stat about Kaelin Ponga, which I this won't add to your to your sense of anxiety, Mark. I'm afraid. But last week he ran for 243 meters and made 15 tackle buss that they were both career highs. For a goal at Kaelin Ponga, that career high last week. So he's coming in and form. I'm just pleased he's going to be playing for the keyways as well, but that's a conversation for another day. But you clearly have to lead just like for him. It's just an interesting dynamic. It's not when there's one obvious, most obvious threat on the other side. I guess the issue is if you if you bought too many plans in place for him, then you potentially lead gaps elsewhere. Oh, yeah, and they've got you know, the day and guy veteran player. He's just playing out standing well. Greg Mojus just he's just the beast of the hell. I mean, yeah, he's a bit like Manu Vadovai. Yeah, I mean, we know we've got a taking weapons. I think we're missing Della, obviously.

20:39And he used to run the ball back a lot. It's kind of weird to say, but but Leica, we're sort of missing him in the back line. You know, he's originally a forward, but you know, he bought so much to that center position. But yeah, we've got to a picky and I mean, I was a bit of a naysay with to a picky, but he has really just come on and he gets. He's a bit like Pome, he's really got better with every game this season. And last week, I thought he was one of the outstanding players and he continues to get better and better. So I mean, we have got attacking weapons, but yeah, as I said, we've just got to we've just got to dominate them in the forwards. And if we do that, I think we can win. Alright, keep the faith mark. Keep the faith. Let's hope we're talking next weekend about the warriors against the Panthers. Always good to hear from you mate. 188, 1080 is our number. It's 1227 here on weekend sport. I know that the time is dragging. I know that it seems like six o'clock is miles away. But if you want to pass the time with a bit of conversation, we're here for you. 188, 1080 just on Dallin, what, 10, he's a lesbian. He has been named on an extended bench.

21:48That doesn't necessarily, of course, mean that he'll play. The same goes for Lecker, Halle, Sema. He was a late withdrawal last week with that hamstring injury in the warm up. He has also been named on the extended bench. So there's a chance. I think Andrew whips to set after last week that Lecker was was unlikely or least likely than Dallin. Dallin, what's in his illusonia? Do we fractured his collarbone? That seems, remember when he did it, we had Andrew whips are on the show the next day. And he said, oh, no, no, no, Dallin's fractured his collarbone. I said, oh, well, that'll be season ending though. Then and he said, no, no, no, he'll be fine. He'll be back. I'm very interested to see. If one or both of Lecker, Halle, Sema and Dallin, what's in his illusonia? Are available tonight. If they are, I think that swings things even more in the warriors favor. 0880-1080-1229 will take a break. Come back with more of your calls. We're live at the Kingslander heading towards the Warriors' Knights final match tonight just after six at Eden Park. Back in the sec.

22:50Brenting a car always feels like a bit of a battle. But in the stuffy, slow-paced world of car rentals, snap is an illegal vizong. So it's no surprise that snap is the official car rental partner of the one New Zealand Warriors. When you rent with snap, you're helping support the team that brings us all together. Sweet-ass. For your next adventure, choose a car rental company that backs our boys. Visit snaprentals.co.nz. Snap. Simply better car rental. Live from the Kingslander at Auckland, counting down to Warriors at Eden Park. It's weekend sport with Jason Vine and the Volkswagen Amarok V6. Uncompromised capability. Premium comfort on your home of sport. Newstalks.v. Newstalks.v and weekend sport. Come and tell your life from the Kingslander Warriors' Knights tonight. 28 away from one. Gary says good day, Pinyy. After wasting two hours, yesterday watching your Wellington Lions on some exciting sport. Go the wires. Hope you're correct and they win by 13+.

23:51Keep out of a 12-point late game swing, which Newcastle are capable of. Thank you, Gary. Appreciate it. Kat says I have my daughter on a conticky and hungry at the moment. She'll be watching the Warriors. My three-year-old grandson, Mean Time, is waving his flag and singing their victory song. And my 11-year-old granddaughter is an elite competition next weekend. And two sons in Australia, crazy for the Warriors. So the fever has definitely been addictive. Thank you, Kat. Much appreciated. There's no way the boys will lose at the Waden of Egan today. The Waden of Egan. I don't think I want to call it the Waden of Egan. We talked about that yesterday. Andy made the very good point. That it sounds a bit like Waden, the world anti-doping agency. We don't want that associated with it. I know that they want to try and wire it up as it were. I think that was an exortness name for it. The Waden of Egan.

24:53Egan, I actually don't mind that you get Eatway Egan's name in there. And... Sonia says the name, oh, good God, man. Have you not heard of the pre-game commentators curse? Murray Deeker in 1998 said we will thrash them. I'm not sure I've got the power. I'm not sure I've got the power to jinx or not. An entire team, Sonia. But I thank you for your email. Phil, how are you feeling about tonight? Well, I have to say like your first cooler, Bonnie. I'm not quite as confident as you are. I'm a bit nervous and a bit more anxious about it. I want them to... I wish them all the best. I'll be watching it. And I want them to win for sure. So I'll be behind them. But after I go back to the manly game and just scraping through there.

25:55And then the way they fell apart in that last 15 minutes in that dolphin game where they just seem to... As soon as they missed that tackle, they just seem to drop off and just go missing. You know, there was like, I don't know what happened. It was like two different teams because they were playing so well up until then. And it's just like they got punched in the guts by a Mike Tyson punch and it just knocked the sails. The wind out of their sails and they just went to sleep on the defense. And that's a bit that worries me and I think it was mentioned about... I think you mentioned about their defense, you know, like for the whole 18 minutes, you know. And they keep that good defense up for the whole 18. Not 70, not 75, not 65, you know. Even if they get a lead up, they've got to keep hammering and nailing that defense. And that's where I think there are a bit of a fuss to worry. And that's what kind of makes me a bit nervous and worries me.

26:55But I am... What are you going to say? I'll just pick up on the defensive point fill and they were before the last month or so. They were very good defensively. I mentioned the last four games where they've considered 26, 30, 32 and 26 points. But before that, they considered 6, 12, 6, 18 with the loss to the balldogs, 12 and 6. So before that, they were actually... I think they were statistically up until the last four games, the best defensive side in the comp. Now they all say that defense wins championships and look, the warriors are also the best attacking team in the comp. They've scored more points per game than anybody else. So I guess, you know, they'll say, well, if we can see, 30, we'll just score 35. But in tight games like last week, you know, the 16 points never really felt like enough to me when they were 16. It always felt as though the dolphins would have what it took to create the opportunities to come over the top of the warriors and they did.

28:00So yeah, defense is a big part of what I'm sure Andrew Webster has been talking about this week. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And I must admit, I probably thought too that they needed more points as well. I didn't think they had enough points to be confident to say that they had the game either, like you say, with the quality of the dolphins attackers that they've got near. So yeah, that's good. Yeah, I probably felt a bit that way too. Now, what was I going to say? What was I going to say about kind of lost Matrana thought on the... Oh, Andrew, you know, I like to say that about what also worries me about what's mainly done is that those outside edges as well, you know, whether a bit sus or near and that seems to be a point where a lot of teams get them and it all breaks down, you know, from near in the defense side.

29:01So that's a bit of a concern. But I think, you know, I think they've got the big forwards, you know, we've got the players, got their tag in players and all the players you mentioned for me would be the key players too. And I think that I call them the we fella, but I think he's about five foot eight because the other ones are so big. He just looks smaller. Is the pecky, is it worth the pecky? Yeah, I think he's going to be big tonight as well Phil. I do. I think he's going to be important. He's been their best player. Well, he certainly was their best player last week. And I think it has, you know, when you think about that fallback battle with he and chance, Nicole Klickstab, you know, he's the one who's been retained in that role. Chances on the wing tonight. And I think it's goal kicking. Obviously, it's extremely important to the side. Like I said at the top though, I'd prefer if they didn't take quite so many shots at goal this week. I know you take the two points when they're there if it's appropriate. I know that. And in tight finals games, sometimes two to four points are the difference. And in previous games against the dolphins, that had absolutely been the case.

30:03But yeah, I'd like to see them continue with their sets of six and look to look to put pressure on in an attacking sense. Good to hear from you Phil. Enjoy the game tonight. No doubt we'll chat next weekend ahead of what we hope will be a preliminary final against the Penrith Panthers. We're going to get Cam George on the phone at a moment. I wonder how the CEO of the Warriors negotiate these few hours. I mean, if you think we're nervous. Imagine. I mean, I always comes across. I was so, so leveled, doesn't he? Cam George, he's one of the most level-aheaded sports administrators. I think that I, that I can remember really. He is the personification of not riding the highest too high. All the lows too low, but yet got to be at least a little bit nervous. Surely a little bit anxious. Imagine the butterflies tuning around. I mean, it's bad enough for us fans. Finally last week was a blip says Mike. A blip in the plan and strategy back to type this week. There'll be no penalty shots at goal. Just hit it up. Hit it up. Phil says they should keep the pressure on knocked.

31:14Don't the point. Jason the Warriors won't win. They are the Netherlands of the NRL. I think we're talking football. They are so close, but never quite get there. I hope they do for their fans, but I wouldn't put my house on it, mate. Well, I haven't put my house on it. Henry, but I still think they'll be good enough tonight. And numbers 0800 80 1080. Pick up the phone if you'd like to have a yarn about this. It's 20 to 1. We're back in a sec with more of your calls and Cam George, CEO of the Warriors. Come into your life from the Kingslander on a great, on new North Road, rather here on Weekend Sport. Live from the Kingslander in Auckland ahead of the Warriors, do a die clash in Eden Park. It's weekend sport with Jason Pine and the Volkswagen, Umorok V6 power and comfort combined on sale now. Use talks at V17 away from one coming to your life from the Kingslander, where I think they're just doing the sound check for the band later on tonight. So there's any noise in the background that sounds like drums and guitars. That's what it is.

32:15You guys are nervous as this text, the Warriors have this. They have this. Steve, are you nervous? No, not really mate. Not really. I'm a punter brother. Normally I ring you up and gloat that I've made some money the following day, but this time I'm going to ring you and tell you who I'm putting my money on. I love that. Steve, you put it. I love that, mate, because you know, I mean, it would be easy for you to to pump in and then not ring if you hadn't won, but you're doing it in advance. I love that. So what are you? What are you looking at? What are you looking at? Well, it really comes down to the new castle backs versus the Warriors forwards. Yep. That's what it comes down to. My heart's telling me the Warriors, but my money's going on you, Castle at 275 today. Good day. Wow. So look, I really do. It'll be. It'll be. I'll be happy to lose 500 if the Warriors won, but that's where I'm putting my money, but I just.

33:18I just think the new castle nights have been building quite nicely and the entry list is has come right and the key to this game is going to be. I send in for for the new castle nights. I think he's a bit like Sam Smith for the for the rest of the day that the injury, but he plays a very similar model and I just what I saw from Chanel and Martin last week did not give me confidence that our attack. And our taking game was up to the semi final levels at this at this stage of the season. See, Steve, this is now you're worrying me because you clearly haven't just looked at the odds and thought I'll chuck five handy on the nights because they're paying 275. You've thought this through and you're starting to reveal my biggest fears about this game, but that's okay. That's okay.

34:22And the other thing is fighting. Hello, sake and and that Dylan, they shouldn't be playing. They should keep them off the roster, bringing bringing the players that are 100% fit and they give them a good fighting chance. Otherwise, it's just the optics of having those players there and at this stage of the season, you don't need optics. You need 100% fit players. And that's where I think the worries have made a mistake is that the bench is probably 75% where it should be in terms of the fitness. And that's a big concern for me. And that's why I don't thank them. All right, Steve, hey, good analysis to mate and thanks for calling and look, I hope I hope for your bank balance that things go well. I hope for the rest of us that you're down 500. By the sounds of it, maybe it's one of those where you're a winner either way, either you're a win the money or you'll have the satisfaction of the Warriors winning.

35:32Well thought through though, mate. Thanks for thanks for calling in our numbers 0800 8010 80. Great to be joined on the show by Cam George warrior CEO on such a big day, such a busy day. Cam, thanks for joining us just a few hours away from kickoff. Take us inside your head. What's going through the mind of the warrior CEO? Fair bit to be honest. I'm anxious, nervous. I'm excited. I'm just really proud at the same time, but we're confronting a pretty big challenge this afternoon. And big crowds, big stadium and a big test on the field. So it's just going to be an epic afternoon, epic night. What are your responsibilities between now and kickoff? No, just just getting around the team. Staff that is and just making sure they're all supported understand very clearly what they need to do.

36:33And they do have a very very clear understanding so that helps in the very capable. So, you know, just supporting never being there. Everything goes wrong. A lot of media commitments between now and kickoff. Just getting down the bat. Also trying to enjoy it a bit as well. It's a pretty big occasion for our pretty club and our fans. I don't want to just be all that I had down and miss it. It's pretty exciting for us all. How much contact do you have with Andrew Webster and the players on game day? Not much. I spoke to Webby yesterday and look unless he needed to speak to me today. That's about it. But today I'm actually going to meet the guys and get on the bus with them to come to the stadium. So, you know, just he asked, could we all be together on that journey? And so I'm really looking forward to that experience.

37:34But yeah, normally I just leave the Webby, the 40 boys, same captain's run and that's it. They know they're doing it. You let them be and I'll save after the game. Can you imagine what that bus ride is going to be like? Can you imagine the fans as their bus gets closer to Eden Park? Yeah, it's going to be pretty cool experience and that's why Webby wanted us to be there. I think we'll ignore the flame with the boys once they see that. Because obviously when we play in our home, everyone turns up and they're our own car. And so on so it's going to be vastly different today and just a thousand of people. Who I know that are expecting the bus to arrive at a certain time will be there lining the street. So it's a real carnival, atmosphere, it's a big occasion. And then I'm sure once that bus pulls up, those boys will be really mentally prepared to go to battle.

38:36I'm sure they will. You've been around the club a long time. I'm came nine years now. What's the big occasions? This is a very big day. The emotions you listed at the start. How do you manage those emotions today? I just keep it. I just keep an eye on what's important to me. And that is to make sure everything's functioning properly, everything where we represent our car is done perfectly as best it can. Yeah, it is connected and engaged with the staff and support them. I go pretty quiet. I go, I go to my shell a bit because it's, you know, I just try and just have a million things to ask for my mind because yeah, it is a big thing for New Zealand sport. And it is a big thing across the trans-Tasmin. You know, we're going to channel nine here today, triple amp all the big dogs from Australia, media over here. And it's really important to me that we present ourselves so well to the Australian media and public that everyone wants to be a part of the Warriors bandwagon moving forward.

39:38All right, to finish. When the game kicks off, when kickoff arrives, can you stop being the CEO and just be a Warriors fan? Or does that not happen? Yeah, and I definitely turn into a fan and I definitely feel the emotion of the answer flows of the game. I don't view it as a business, I view it as a passion and I share it with everyone else in the grandstand. You know, grab a hurtful pals and away I go and I'm very ecstatic after a game if we win it. And I feel very pissed off if we don't win it. But as long as the boys try, that's the most important thing. And as a fan or as a CEO, regardless, that's all I care about. And if they try and I'm sure they do and will and just do as proud, that's all I can ask. But I ride the emotion of it for sure. In the middle of a very busy day, thanks for taking time for the call, Cam. All the best tonight.

40:38Thanks, Jace. Bye, mate. Bye, mate. Thanks indeed. That's Cam George. Keeping those emotions in check for the most part by the sounds of things as we approach one o'clock just over five hours until kickoff. No mention of the weather says this text. It's awful. This is from Bevan. Is it awful? I'm just looking outside. I mean, it's not, I don't think it would be awful, but then I come from Wellington and I flew out this morning and a howling southerly. I landed up here and it's all right. Showers becoming isolated this morning, clearing this evening. Cloudy periods remaining, strong and gusty, southwest alleys easing early this evening. That is the forecast for central Auckland, which is, I guess where we are, 15 degrees. The next service occasionally suggests how many clothing layers you should wear. They haven't done that today, but I'd say three. I'd say three. You know, obviously a warrior's replica, Jersey, something over the top of that and then a jacket. Maybe the jackets are replica warrior supported gear as well.

41:42Anyway, we digress. 7-1, you stalk ZB, back at a moment. Building up to the biggest game of league on home soil live from the Kingsland or Auckland. It's weekend sport with Jason Pine and the Volkswagen Amorock V6 on compromised capability premium comfort. News talks at B. Coming up 4-1, G'day Piney system. I'm really excited and nervous about our warriors. I said, he'll listen to you with such pride. They pride in where this club has come from to where it is going. I want to thank Cam George and Mick Watson and in where we trust, you've given us a club that we all love and adore, good like play hard, play well. We will be watching up the wires. Good on you Tim. Much appreciated. After 1 o'clock, the only man to play for the warriors in the 0-2 and 11 grand finals, Lance Hohair. Renting a car always feels like a bit of a battle, but in the stuffy, slow-paced world of car rentals, snap is an illegal song. So it's no surprise that snap is the official car rental partner of the one New Zealand warriors.

42:45When you rent with snap, you're helping support the team that brings us all together. Sweet as. For your next adventure, choose a car rental company that backs our boys. Visit snaprentals.co.nz. Snap. Simply better car rental. Bringing you the build up, the battle and the banter plus the stories you won't hear anywhere else, counting down to the warriors, do or die semi-final and eat in pie. What is the best, the best difference that works. From the heart of Kingsland where the supporters are gathering, where the anticipation is growing, and where the road to the grand final continues. It's weekend sport with Jason Fein, live from the Kingslander on your home of sport, News Talks at B. Hello there, welcome into eKidsport on News Talks at B. This is the Warriors build up show as we head towards a 6 o'clock kickoff tonight.

43:52We're just after 6 o'clock, the Warriors up against the Newcastle night. A lot of Warriors fans are starting to arrive now at the Kingslander. But a head of all of them in the queue to have a chat to us is a man who's made a flying visit with his lovely wife from Newcastle to be here for this one. Wayne, welcome into the show, good to see you mate. Thank you, thank you very much. Now tell me about the chain of events which has led to you being here in Auckland to watch your beloved nights against the Warriors at Eden Park tonight. After the South Game last week, when Newcastle won, my wife said to me she said, wherever they play next week we're going. So that was either Brisbane or Auckland, and here we are in Auckland. Well I guess from our point of view we would prefer that you be in Brisbane, but then that would have denied me the opportunity of meeting your good self. How long have you been on Newcastle night's fan? About 15 years, I suppose, we've been members. Yes, we go to most of the home games when we can. So yeah, we've been fairly passionate fans for all that time.

44:56Through the highs and the lows. Well, you're talking to a Warriors fan base, why they're all about highs and lows. Think about last season, what in spooners the Newcastle nights last season? So what were your expectations heading into 2026? I guess I thought if we could scrape into the 8, that that would be a pretty good year for us. So we just did that, but fortunately we've been on a bit of a roll, so I think that's held us in good stead over the last few weeks. The other thing you have is a gentleman by the name of Kaelin Ponga, who New Zealand rugby league fans are looking forward to seeing it a Kiwis jersey. But at the moment, we're quite worried about in terms of his impact on this game. How big a part of the Newcastle nights game plan is Kaelin Ponga? Oh, a huge part. When he's in the game, he brings the excitement, particularly that wraparound on the outside backs. It's beautiful to watch when he's involved in that.

45:57Tell us about last week and the one last week. What were your expectations heading into that one? Did you think, well, we've made the top 8 this might be it? Or were you actually genuinely expected and confident about last week? No, no. I thought it was probably a 50-50 game, especially playing South-Saway. But yeah, very pleased with the way that they went. I thought if we could get on a roll, then we'd go OK. Have you been, I know we're a need in part for this one tonight, but have you been to a Warriors game in Auckland before it at Mount Spar? No, no, we haven't. This is it. We've been to Auckland before, but this is the first time to watch your ugly league game. So how many of this, yourself and Bernadette? Yes. It's two. Yes. How many others do you think might be there in the 48-5,000? Well, we've got two Bays allocated in the Newden Park. Oh, that's good. But when we booked, obviously they weren't full, so I don't know. If we could get a thousand or a couple of thousand, we'd probably be doing really well.

47:00I'll tell you what you will get as a warm reception. I mean, you know, much as the Warriors fan base, like the Newcastle Knights fan base is very passionate. We love it when fans visit. It's the same, you know, because I guess we're a bit isolated for you. I mean, you're probably within driving distance of a dozen sides, you know, whereas you can't drive here, obviously. That's right. But I think you'll get a great reception. Are you looking forward to the occasion tonight? 48-5,000 going to be just down the road, you won't? Absolutely. We came with the mindset that a win was a bonus, and we were just coming for their experience. Well, it's been great to get you here. An unexpected appearance on New Zealand radio, I'm sure for you, Wayne. I'm pleased you didn't get to go to Brisbane for that reason alone. All the best tonight, mate, to you in Bernadette, I'll look out for you in the crowd there, and I hope you have a memorable night, whatever happens. Thank you very much, and may the best team win. Yeah, that's it. That's exactly it. Thank you. There you go, Wayne and Bernadette across from Newcastle. They made the decision last week after watching their side.

48:02Beat the south, Sydney Ravadas. You know what? We're going to go where this team goes, and it turns out it's international travel. Good thing your passports were up to date, as you travel across. Wayne, great to meet you, mate. Thanks for popping in and saying hi. All the best to you to Bernadette. Great to have you both here. 12 minutes past one. This is weekend sport on Newstalk's SB, as we come to you live. From the Kingslander, when you might have heard a bit of sound checking going on in the background there, they've obviously got a live band a bit later on tonight. But that's, let's focus back on to this game, and welcome in a man who occupies a special and very unique place in Warriors history, the only man to feature in both the 2002 and 2011 sides that reach the NRL Grand Final. Across ten seasons, they played 185 games for the club, scoring 57 tries and a massing 357 points. He then had four super league seasons at St. Helens and played 29 test matches for New Zealand, including the famous 2008 World Cup win over Australia.

49:06In all, he played over 300 first class matches in a professional career that spanned a decade and a half warrior. Number 99, Lance, Ohio is with us. Welcome in Lance, how are you doing? I'm doing great. Thank you, mate. It's great to be on the show, talking to the 40. 2002, your first year with the Warriors, 2011 was your last Grand Finals in both years. How similar or not are your memories of those two campaigns? Yeah, I've seen a lot of excitement around the team throughout the country and the excitement grew throughout each season. Obviously, with the 2002 Grand Final, I'd say a bit more of a passenger in terms of my memories and come 2011, I feel like I had a bigger role to play within the team, obviously being a senior player at the time. Being my last game for the Warriors, it was sad, but happy moment for me to be able to end on that note. It would have been nice to lift the trophy, but it wasn't to be, but you had a great time at the Warriors and I'm so stoked for the way they're playing at the moment and begins again for the boys.

50:14You were only 19, I think, when you were part of that 2002 team. What was it like coming into a side with players like Stacey Jones and Ivan Cleary and many other iconic names? It was a little daunting, to be honest. I'd been a part of the club for probably two or three years as a development player coming through the grades. I'd been around the guys a little bit. I'd had a full preseason with the team after I graduated high school in 2001. To be urban shoulders with guys like Stacey and Kevin Campion and Richie Blackmore and guys like that were in the squad back then when I was just 18, 19 years old and to be able to learn from those professionals at such a young age, I took a lot out of that and helped me a lot throughout the back end of my career too about professionalism and leadership and all those types of things. So yeah, invaluable really to be a part of it. So young. So that O2 side won the minor premiership in 2011 quite different. You came into the finals from outside the top four went all the way to the grand final.

51:15What did that 2011 team have that allowed it to produce, you know, really good football week after week when you were basically playing knockout football every time you went out there? I think we just said we had a really good nucleus of the team that had played together a lot. We had great coaches obviously at the time, either was there Craig Walker who was our kind of performance coach. He was a fantastic trainer for us. You know, we had the Beards in08, but we did the Beards, everybody grew Beards and the culture and the team was just like we just really love playing with each other and the quality of the team. You know, we had bringtates and guys like that and come through the club and Steve Price and the Ruben Wickeys and so we really had a chance to grow as a team and myself, Michael Luck, Simon Manor and guys like that. We sort of all finished around the same time or I know Simon continued, but James Mone and you guys like myself, we were all leaving for that 2011 season. Ivan was leaving, so we had we had plenty to play for, we had plenty of motivation in 2011 and you know, we just kind of got on a roll and you know, we're back to our against the wall.

52:23We played I think our last five out of six games we played on the road and we kind of used all of that as motivation to to spur us on. Across your career, Lance, you played in a number of different positions, five, eight, half back, full back. Hooker, I remember you're playing in the centers as well. How different or not were all the different positions and how much adjustment did you have to make when you were handed a bunch of different roles, you know, across your time. Yeah, it was very, you know, they're all very different roles and I think there was a period in time during my career where it was a little frustrating to have to switch between different spots and you know, train for different skill sets. I see full back is different to hooker hookers different to center. So got to a point where I had some good conversations with the coaches and they would basically just said like, don't worry about the number that's on your back. Just play your style wherever you're playing and get out on the field and try and create stuff and be confident and you know, obviously within our team structure and kind of systems that seemed to work really well and yeah, I think the freedom of that, you know, coaches allowing me to play however I wanted to play in each of those positions allowed me to do that, which was, which was great.

53:30Did you have a preference? Did you have a pre I just always loved your full back but that was my preference as a spectator. What I wanted. Where did you like to play the most? I did like the freedom of fullback for sure. I enjoyed that. I enjoyed playing essentially like a third half on the field and not having the responsibility of a half. So I enjoyed fullback. I did enjoy hooker as well, especially the 2009 season played a lot of hooker that year. Play to the key visa hooker and the sense of what played is probably a little more than I would would like in terms of you know tackling big bodies for 80 minutes, but I enjoyed. I enjoyed playing in the halves to I grew up in the half. So that's where I felt probably most comfortable earlier in my career, but I'd say fullback I enjoyed the most during my four warriors career. I think I played the best there. Let's talk about the 2026 side. They've had a week to steer on what happened against the dolphins 1680 head with 20 to go losing 20 616. What's the challenge now? Do you use that as motivation or do you have to simply forget that it happened and focus on the new other new castle nights?

54:33Yeah, I think there's just you know, there's things that they can learn from that game. Obviously I'm not within that in a sanctum right now, but you know, I could imagine that it had they had some pretty honest conversations about some areas where they let let themselves down and. You know, I think defensively I think we've talked about our edges needing to be really good in our middle and how forward pack is just so strong and I think that's going to be a dominant area for us in the game. We want to try and play off the back of that. Obviously we've got way to and a few other guys back from injury, which is good and yeah, the teams just going to have to get out there and start well. Obviously limit some of those opportunities for their back three who are pretty dangerous and you know the in impact factor obviously it's going to be pretty amazing atmosphere to have you know all those fans and. If they can get the crowd into the game early, I think that's going to be a good thing for the team and I think that will just have to settle into that. Absorb all their energy from the crowd and settle into their their style of playing. You know, I'm confident they can do well. You meet you and wait again there such an important player for the team and and obviously your time at hooker as well.

55:34How important is the dummy half-sability to control the rhythm of the game when when it gets a bit frantic? Yeah, I think it's super important and he's done a fantastic job this season. I think a lot of the stuff that all of the quality attack really starts with him. Obviously the Ford Packer laying that platform for the team and and they've been so dominant this year. The Warriors packed the they've they've they've done a fantastic job and they've got you know so many guys that can play quality football and and start for the team and do a good job. So you know, wait, wait, probably look at his lips knowing that those boys are going to do a good job for him this weekend and yeah, all of the attack comes off. And he's got such good subtlety with the way that he plays. He makes good decisions. He can play 80 minutes if he has to. Yeah, I read him highly, you know, probably the only thing he doesn't quite have is a kicking game. Most hookers don't necessarily need that now in the game. I mean, Harry Grant doesn't have a kicking game and he's right up there with one of the best hookers in the game if not the best. Yeah, I guess we'll we'll see how the game goes, but obviously I'm anticipating that Ford Pack will get a roll on and where it is going to get out and cause some cause and have it their own attack.

56:42When the opposition has a standout player, such a good player who's so important to them. I'm talking Kaelin Ponger of course for Newcastle. Do you lead just lights specifically for him or is that actually impossible to completely shut down someone with that much individual ability? Yeah, I think you'd be silly not to think about, you know, how to nullify his, you know, his impact on the game. And as you said, he's such a quality player, you know, he you're not going to stop everything that he does. He's going to get. He's going to get front football occasionally. He's going to have a goal in the edges with with time and space. So it's really just limiting his time and his opportunities. I think the guys, they probably have a plan for that. You know, don't want to say too much about what I would expect, but I would say, you know, we want to try and limit his impact on the game as much as possible. Shut down his options, you know, whether they're inside or outside him. But he is a quality player and I'm sure they've talked about this week. That's for sure. 31 years, the Warriors have waited for a premiership, the fans, everybody involved in the club. How do you make sure that's, that's not a burden, lanced that it's motivation rather than a burden?

57:51Yeah, I mean, there's pressure there, right? Obviously, the club wants to win a premiership, you know, every team that starts preseason at the beginning of any, you know, or else season wants, you know, to be lifting that trophy at the end of the year. And that's the ultimate goal. And, you know, there's a lot of talk that's gone on over the years, you know, the way that the teams played, you know, the fan base, the sellout crowds and everything. So, you know, I think there's a great opportunity for them, you know, playing at home. And, you know, I'm front of a record breaking crowd to, you know, to set a statement this weekend. And obviously they've got to go on to the pre-limp final against pinroth. And so, yeah, there's pressure there for sure. But that's part of playing in the NRL right. You're going to have to beat good teams. You're going to be under pressure. There's going to be media scrutiny. You know, you're going to play good teams with good players. And it's about, you know, stepping up to that challenge. And I think the boys look ready for that. They've certainly got the leadership in the team to pave the way in that regard. And I'm excited to see the boys play. I think they're ready to go. Yeah, well looking forward to it. Just before you go, rugby leg, World Cup coming up as well. You're part of that famous 2008 World Cup win over Australia.

58:55What not that was how special wasn't for the players to win the World Cup in our way. Yeah, my greatest achievement in my sporting life for sure. I think that that evening, you know, I still get goosebumps when I think about it and see video clips and highlights from that tournament. And, you know, super excited that there's a potential for the boys to go and get a second title this year. They've got, you know, spectacular group of players to pick from. You know, Stacey's got a bit of a tough job picking the best top 13 players to go out there and start each match. But that's a nice position to be in. And I'm excited for the World Cup as well. Hopefully we get a Warriors premiership in a Kiwi's World Cup title in the same year. Yeah, good. Yeah, good. And you're based in the US these days. Lance, what are you up to? Yes, mate. So I'm in Michigan. So my ex-wife is from this region, which brought me here. My kids are here. So yeah, this is home for me for the foreseeable future. I'm actually coaching rugby union. So I've been doing so for about eight years now, full time. So it's university rugby division on rugby. So we place a pretty quality teams.

59:56We've got student athletes from all around the world. And yeah, it's a good, it's a good gig. It's a lot of fun. We're actually middle of our first. Well, we just started our 15 season right now. So we've got big games tomorrow for us, which is Saturday morning. Fantastic. Well, you're fondly remembered by Warriors fans on the side of the world. Lancers, I'm sure you know. Thanks for joining us across New Zealand, mate, to give us your insight and Alex. Hope we're celebrating a win against other nights and another weekend for the Warriors. Thanks for your time. Yes, not a problem. Mate up the was up the was indeed. Good on your lance. Lance, Hawaier there. Yes, special place in Warriors history played in the O2 team played in the 11 team and some great thoughts there from Lance Hawaier. 124 Roscoe says, I live in Hamilton. It's super windy. Is it the same in Auckland? Well, I can tell you Roscoe has been. It's the southwester today in Auckland earlier on this morning. It was sort of 50, 60 up towards 70 kilometres an hour. At the moment, the net service tells us around 40. Around 40 kilometres now. It is meant to drop a bit by kickoff to somewhere in the 30s.

1:00:58So yeah, that's a long winded way of saying yes, it is a bit windy here. Hopefully not enough to impact things at Edden Park in a few hours. 125 will take a break. Come back and then as always on a Sunday joined live onsite here at the Kingslander by James McConey right after this. Brenting a car always feels like a bit of a battle, but in the stuffy slow-paced world of car rentals, snap is an illegal vizone. So it's no surprise that snap is the official car rental partner of the one New Zealand Warriors. When you rent with snap, you're helping support the team that brings us all together. Sweet as. For your next adventure, choose a car rental company that backs our boys. Visit snapbrentals.co.nz. Snap. Simply better car rental. Gearing up for the Warriors home, sudden death final live in the Kingslander in Auckland. It's weekend sport with Jason Vine and the Volkswagen Amorock V6 on sale now on your home of sport news talks at V.

1:01:59128 text air from Aaron Pining. It's windy as in Christchurch today, but the playing conditions in the new stadium are damn near perfect. I think I know which Aaron that is a storage advocate for his city. Thanks Aaron. Good to have you listening in mate. Appreciate you, you've flicking us a text. Our number's 0800 81080 text to 9292 Jason at Newstalks.co.nz. It is the email address, but is always on a Sunday and slightly earlier than usual because of other commitments. Yes. James McConey, it is so good to see you. Great to be here, Pining. Love the Kingslander. It made a mind runs this place, owns this place. Steve Gillett, very handsome man. He is. I was thinking that. He is a very handsome publicant. Yeah, he's a dill. He's pretty well put together. And I applaud him for maintaining that being a publicant. It's a lot of temptation out there, Pining. Now, let's start with the Warriors. Why? Because not far from here, a decent Chanel Harris-Devita kick from here at Eden Park in a few hours.

1:03:04Warriors Knights, what are you thinking around this one? Do you think the Warriors will win the game? I think they probably can. I think the Knights again are problematic. Obviously they were down to 12 men when we beat them last time. Could have been one of the greatest victories in NRL history if they got up to win that one. But the person who got sent off Syfety, he's gone because he got banned. That's helpful. And I did notice on our extended bench, Dalin Wattine, Lekker, Halasema. I'm excited about that. Just for pure ex-factor, we're lacking it. I think that's the reason why we were taking two points against the dolphins. Because you wouldn't, if you said, if you're going, well, we're going to either give it to Lekker here or to the fly in DWG. We've got options. You guys must be packing yourselves right now. But instead, we're kicking for the post. So I think if we can see those two out there, and I think it makes a big difference. Let's talk about Luke here at the start of the set having DWG running it like a maniac.

1:04:06Do you think they can, they, they, one or both of them will actually play? Well, Lekker, Halasema pulled a hammy last week in the warm-up. Hamstrings are never seven day of fairs. I don't reckon unless it's just a week tweak. Dalin Wattine's at least near fractured his collarbone. Are they actually, do you think a chance to play? Well, I hear they've brought in Ysaki in the hollow and his leaves to help. Lekker, Halasema, say there's a chance, Pinyy. Never say never. One thing that you touched on at the top of the show, though, is you said Auckland is currently a rugby league city. I think you're right. I think Auckland is a league city. The statistics will back it up. Even Park is packed out. And look, even though, for example, an all-black test here might be full as well. But I know people from all around New Zealand treat that as a trip up to Auckland for the big test. This is really just people of the city embracing a team. It's a movement. And I think the Blues have got their hands full if they want to compete.

1:05:08Yeah, I think also that teams can coexist, though, can't they? I mean, you often hear these conversations about I was league going to take over. The all-blacks will always be the all-blacks, even in this fine city. You know, we've got the breakers starting there. National basketball league campaign this afternoon. At five o'clock, the LWARA hawks are there, opponents. And as I understand, it's still tickets available for that. But a good crowd in coming there. Auckland FC will get underway soon. The Blues, Auckland Rugby, the Warriors. I think there is a coexistence that can go on as it does. Yes, Pampani. Everybody can eat. Right? They should be able to. In the city of 2 million, you should be able to fill that stadium really. We just need to tap into that tribalism that the Warriors have done. They've succeeded in that playbook. One thing I am concerned about because, I mean, Bradman Best, have you seen him? Yep. Absolute brutal of a centre. He looks like one of the thumb men out of Spikids. If that's a reference to anyone out there who have seen the movie Spikids. That's so niche, but I've seen it. It's, you know, like, arms as big as the legs.

1:06:10And also, when your surname's best and you decide to call him Bradman on Australia, that's a bit of pressure, isn't it? That's guts, isn't it? You're right. You're right. And look at him. And then Francis Manulay-Lua, he's actually from Auckland. And he's a second-rower who gave up KFC during the week. Now, this is something I aspire to do. And he's a role model for many of us in the community of KFC lovers. And he's restricted it to the weekends and look at him now. Lost 5KGs, lost a few pounds from his waist, like Missy Elliott looking really good. And I, so there's a lot to like, I guess, in the Knights team as well, is what I'm saying. Speaking of names, this is a complete tangent. Did you see the name of the referee in the Black Ferns Scotland right the International this morning? No. Her name is Holly Wood. Ah, outstanding, isn't it? I feel like that must be her married name. Because Mr and Mrs Wood would not have called their daughter Holly Wood.

1:07:13No, they might, because anything goes now, you know? There was a kid from Hastings Boys High called A1, you know? And people thought initially, oh, that's a Pacifica name and they tried to pronounce it A1. And they went, no, I'm A1. A1, A high from one. So anything goes now, I'll tell you that. But speaking of names, can I do the segue here, Pony? Please, if we go to the Farah Palmer Cup, I still reply a pain for your Wellington team. Are they the Storm? The Wellington Storm. No, they are the, I should know this one. The Wellington Pride. The Pride. And a winger called Anastasia Kerr. Anacur, they call her. She should stay with Anastasia, because she's an absolute star. She's called a hat trick of tries against Northland yesterday. She's year 12, so it's 16 or 17 years old from St Mary's College in Thorndon. Just up from the cake tin. Yep. Remember the name Pony. I should have a segment on the show that is called Remember the Name, with Ian Bishop saying,

1:08:14Remember the Name. You should. Anastasia Kerr. Anastasia Kerr. St Mary's is a really remember the name. Remember the name. Thank you, Andy. You're gonna play that. Play that. You know, whenever you like now, we do. What was it again? Remember the name. Yeah, Anastasia Kerr. That's the word. Remember the name. Okay, all right, Andy. We've got it. Also, do we have time for the hierarchy? Yes, of course. So, and I try to talk about sport with people this week, but everyone wanted to talk about this woman who sold herself during a, so it's like a crossfit competition. It's called Hierox, an Australian woman called Joanna Witttrick. Well, it kind of was a Witttrick. It was a very smelly Witttrick that she pulled because during the burpees, she shared herself. Can I say that? I've said it. Okay, she sold herself. Can I say feces on this show? Look, no, you're just breaking your ground, but you go for it. Because there was feces everywhere.

1:09:15And on the rowing machine, on the, because they're doing burpees and push-ups in that, and there was poo everywhere. And she completed, she stayed and carried on, because it was about halfway through that this happened, and she won the race. Now, not only was this disgusting, the organizers congratulated her and said that she sold, showed amazing stickability, probably the wrong thing, choice of words, very stickability. So when that thing, and then the outrage was massive, I mean, you must have been talking about it at work. Well, I know it was, it was like, you know, I think it's called water cooler chat, isn't it? Yeah, we've got water coolers in New Zealand, probably not as, it was being talked about in the kitchen at work. And yeah, you're right, everybody was talking about this, very unfa- because my first thought was, that's terrible, you know? That poor woman, you know, she's put so much effort into training and stuff like that. Yeah, but the bit about her carrying on, particularly in sort of a common area, it's a bit different, you hear about marathon runners sometimes. That's a bit different, though, isn't it? Yeah.

1:10:15Outside, you're away from other people? Yeah, it wasn't that solid either, like you could see it all down her legs, and stuff was pretty much a diarrhea situation. It was explosive. Anyway, all I'm going to say, Piny, is she actually, that she's come forward and apologise profusely, and so, and, and said that she doesn't want the points from the race, she's scratching her victory because, and also they're refunding the competitors who are affected by her trail of what would you like to call it, feces. And, but what it has done is, because we've all been there, Piny, we've all had an accident, we've all probably, you know, shattered ourselves at some point in our lives, and the best thing about this is now we've got a word for it. You can text someone and say, because you don't really want to text them and say, that you've crept your pants, but you can text them and say, I've had a, I've had a hierarchy situation, and if I won't be making it to your dinner party tonight. It's a good euphemous idea. It's a good, it's a good, it's a good word. So she's done us a favour. Indeed.

1:11:15A text asking, did James go to Hastings Boys? No, we went to Hamilton Boys actually. Yeah, I'll be right here at Hamilton Boys. Yeah, yeah. Come on now. What's the idea of Hastings Boys? Speaking of Hamilton Boys, Tomati Martin, who was on your show, Hamilton Boys from the Southside of Kaffir Harbour, which is where my mariah is. So I'm from Maraka Nui, that from Tahorua, just a bit further round. When I say they, this cousin came to a picky. So if you look at representation of a very small place, Tahorua represent two, the two picky and the Martin's. Very handsome people, aren't they? Tomati Martin is probably one of the best looking sports people I've ever seen. Yeah. Him and David Nika are probably the two hottest after the Kahui years in the Howlett. Yes, of course. And now, just on Tane to Ulpicky, there was a really cool little online promo I saw. It was a sky promo actually talking about the connection, you know, that the players have with their families and also with today. And Tane to Ulpicky said he loves it when his name is mentioned in commentary

1:12:16because it lifts his entire family. Yes. The name to Ulpicky is being celebrated. He loves that. I thought that was a really cool take on it. Yes, it might my dad had taught at Tahor Mutu College in Coach F. Iftinia was a two-o-picky who played there and might have been an uncle or a dad. But I haven't met Tane yet. I can't wait to meet him. And look, I know after the Hirocks chat, you're probably getting a few messages saying there's Makone bin on the source. I can confirm Kog Zero and Water, okay? That's it. There's no way I haven't gone to the bar yet. No, I can confirm. James, I'm having lunch here, mate. Sorry, I'm so sorry. It's a terrible time for that. I know, my apologies, but there's no other way to breach the subject. It has to be talked about because everyone's talking about Joanna Wetttrick of the Hirocks fame. And if you have a Hirocks situation, I sympathise, but now we've got a name for it.

1:13:16K. Williamson was Hamilton Boy's high too. Was he told on the boy's? Oh, I'm getting my boys high, some confused. We've got Scott McLeod, Scott Styrus, a lot of Scots. Yeah, Brindon Gatlin. I mean, I've just currently Josh Lorde, Quintu Pire, in the morning out of her in the Orblakes. So, you must be in what the top five schools for Orblacks represent of Jorling. Yes, and Kortez Atemat. We've actually made up Graham because Graham is Miles ahead in terms of Orblacks and Christchurch boys is up there. So, Hamilton Boy's really good teams for a long time. And now they're starting to turn up like those players that just mentioned. I know you've got to get away, but do you know what? I got on the plane this morning from Wellington up to Auckland. I don't normally talk to people on planes. It's not nothing against the people who sit next to me, but I get on and I put my headphones on and either listen to musical, watch something or just nod off. And do you know who sat down next to me? The last guy on the plane sat down in the seat next to me?

1:14:16Can I guess? Yes. I don't know who he did Jackson. No, it wasn't. It wasn't. It was Beaver. Ah, how lovely. I know. And so, I thought, this is just amazing. And he must have thought, oh man, I've got to sit for an hour listing to pining. Yeah. Talk about all sorts of wounding stuff. But now we had a great chat and he's a great man. He is a great man. Yeah, I do enjoy Beaver as a broadcast. He works for us at Sky. But by the way, we've probably run out of time to talk about the NPC. But I would say that New Zealand Rugby is saying that projecting a $66 million loss over five years, there are problems there. NPC wants to take over Super Rugby. They're going to try and do some kind of coup. But I think bottom line is they can only afford one competition. Watch this space. It's huge. But if you want more, why not have a look if you don't mind me plugging the breakdown. This afternoon, it's an earlier time of four o'clock, four to five, just because of the wires. And then it'll be replayed after the Warriors game. So they'll have all of that drama, lots of drama pony.

1:15:18So what you're doing is you get through weekend sport, which goes to three. Yes. Then you just have to fill in that hour. Yep. And then the breakdown and then the Warriors. Have you lunch then? Sorry. That to your listener. That's a good gap. Then we will not be talking about Joanna Wettrick. Great to see you, mate. James McHoney, massive part of our Sundays. Joining us live here at the Kingslander. 18 away from two. Grunting a car always feels like a bit of a battle. But in the stuffy, slow-paced world of car rentals, Snap is an illegal its own. So it's no surprise that Snap is the official car rental partner of the one New Zealand Warriors. When you rent with Snap, you're helping support the team that brings us all together. Sweet as. For your next adventure, choose a car rental company that backs our boys. Visit snaprentals.co.nz. Snap, simply better car rental. The build up and the banter live from the Kingslander at Auckland. As the Warriors prepare for their home semi-final.

1:16:18It's weekend sport with Jason Fine and the Volkswagen Amorock V6. Uncompromised capability. Premium comfort. Newstalks.fr. 145 here. Just four and a bit hours away from kickoff starting to really hype up and get a bit noisier here at the Kingslander. I must say there are quite a few new cars or nightspans here at the Kingslander. Plenty of Warriors jerseys as well as we build towards a six o'clock or just after kickoff. Just before we bring in our next guest, Charlie on Texpont. I heard you talking about remember the name in an old New Zealand truth newspaper. On the front of their sports section many years ago they printed a large print remember the name Andy Leslie of Wellington and they were right. Andy Leslie made the all blacks and capped them on a Toyota South Africa. Do you know if he's okay these days? Charlie I do. I saw Andy Leslie not long ago. He still lives in Patone. He's doing very, very well. Loves his golf. Loves his rugby and you're right. He, um, he kept them the all blacks on day boo actually.

1:17:19Not just captain them but on his day boo. Good day from it Charlie. Yep and Andy Leslie is doing very, very well. Our next guest doesn't need a lot of introduction to rugby league fans here in Australia or in England. He built his reputation over nine years at St. Hallins before making the move to the NRL six seasons with the Canary Bulldogs three with these sit George, Ilawira dragons more than 180 NRL games all up. A two time NRL grand finalists with the Bulldogs. He played for England and Great Britain more than 50 times all up over 470 first grade games of rugby league. Since hanging up the boots he's become one of the most recognizable voices in rugby league, including hosting the hugely popular The By Round podcast. Is here in Auckland as part of the triple in commentary team for this big game tonight? Who else but James Graham? Welcome into the show James. Thanks for taking our call. I listened with a lot of interest to your podcast after last weekend's worry is lost to the dolphins.

1:18:20How do you assess their ability to bounce back from that and go out and beat the nights tonight? Obviously not ideal circumstances for the Warriors. I think everybody in the game was telling them that all they needed to do was finishing the top two. They were featuring the grand final and obviously coming into playoffs, the dolphins had different ideas. I thought it was a fantastic game last week really in the balance. Just a few little lapses in concentration and some brilliance from the dolphins. I eventually got them over the line, but I think as the Rooster has proved yesterday that bounce back ability is there for teams that lose. How much do you think the Warriors will ride an emotional wave tonight? We can't help but not be inspired and moved by 50,000 people cheering you on. I know you know, usual home games that have been packed out so they're accustomed to playing in front of big and noisy crowds,

1:19:25but while 50,000 that's going to be incredibly special. If that doesn't move you and inspire you, then nothing will. Is this in some ways a free hit for the nights given the relatively low expectations on the wooden spooners last year? I guess they're playing with house money in many ways. Is this a bit of a free hit for them? You could say that. I mean that they come with an attitude of they've gotten off into lose and sometimes when teams have that mentality coming into a game, they can really find performances. I think that the nights they've been having the surprise package of the year, they've been absolutely sensational. They're forward-packers as really come on leaps and bounds. It's a young forward becoming some of the best in the business and then their speedy outside back. So they're a dangerous side. I know they do have a few injuries, but yeah, rate them off at your peril. What should we look for in the opening 10 to 15 minutes that will give us a clue as to the outcome of this one?

1:20:28Yeah, well, I don't know if we're going to get much clues in the opening exchanges. With the way that the game is, we've seen teams mount come back. Obviously in an ideal world, you look to start well, but with the frantic nature of NRL in 2026. Just because you're three try downs doesn't mean you're out of it. So look at those open exchanges. A look for the like official hardest to set the tone and to do some damage early. But yeah, it's an 80 minute game. It starts important, but yeah, you have lapses for 10 minutes later down the track and teams can chase down no problem. All right. To finish then, let's get to the 80 minutes and put you on the spot. Who wins and what's the main factor or factors that might decide it? Look, I think it's the atmosphere and the forwards of the wires that are going to get this over the line. I'm getting a predicting a wires victory in the museum.

1:21:28Auckland and New Zealand will be celebrating all the way to Paris. Got on your James Crate. Have you on the show? Thanks for taking the time. Cheers, Matt. Okay. Now you take care. Thanks, James. James Graham there. Check out his podcast. It's called The By-Round. He's part of the Triple M commentary team as you hit Cam Georgia. You were listening an hour or so ago when he was on the air with us saying that all the big dogs are over here. This is what happens in finals football. We've got our own broadcasters over this side of the ditch, of course, but Triple M. They broadcast all radio commentary and Sydney and James Graham as a part of their team. The Fox team will be over here. It is, I was talking to somebody at my organisation, NZME, the parent company for NewsTalk ZB during the weekend. Saying that they don't think there's anybody who's not going from the sports department that NZME. That's what happens on days such as this. It's 9 away from two. A real buzz building here at the Kingslander. We're bringing you the show live from here until 3 o'clock this afternoon.

1:22:30The text line's open 9292. We'll take your calls on 08801080 as well. Back in a moment. Live from the Kingslander and Auckland. Ahead of the warriors do or die clash in Eden Park. It's weekend sport with Jason Pine and the Foxfagan Amrock V6. Power and comfort combined on sale now. NewsTalk ZB. 154 here on NewsTalk ZB. After 2 o'clock joined by Brayth and Naster. There are very few people in the game of rugby league with a bigger profile. And as a bigger reputation as Brayth and Naster part of the Fox team, of course, NRL360 is absolutely compulsory viewing on both sides of the Tasman. He was a Premiership winner himself, of course, with the Bulldogs back in 2004. I was actually checking that O4 NRL season just in preparation for talking to Brayth and Naster. And they lost the first game in the finals as well, having finished second that year, the Bulldogs.

1:23:31They lost to the Cowboys in week one in the qualifying final. I don't know whether there was a similar optimism around the Bulldogs that year that they would, you know, breeze past that one and then go to the qualifying final and into the grand final. But they lost in the first week as well. But then they turned around and won the next two games and then won the grand final as well. So almost an identical set of circumstances to what the warriors will face if they are to win the grand final. I think there's a, after the last last week, the big problem people started talking about wasn't necessarily the Newcastle Knights today. It was what lies beyond and that is Penrith away next weekend for whoever wins this game. If it's the warriors or the Newcastle Knights, whoever emerges victorious later on tonight at Eden Park will have to very quickly refocus because seven days from now, next Sunday, they'll be taking on the Penrith Panthers. This powerhouse of NRL finals football, this beacon of success over the last several seasons.

1:24:37Anyway, that can all wait. First point of business is trying to win this game. There's a text there from Mozzie that says, if the warriors win the face, the Panthers not really a golden prize. Roosters all the way to commemorate the 50th anniversary of teachers, Eastern Roosters winning the Auckland Rakebeer Championship. Would that have been the only time a Rakebeer League emblem has featured on a Rakebeer Union jersey? Don't know, Mozzie, but good to have your text in, mate. You can keep sending them through 9292. We'll open the lines again after two o'clock as well. But following the news at 2, Brayth Anastah joins us here on weekend sport. Brenting a car always feels like a bit of a battle. But in the stuffy, slow-paced world of car rentals, snap is an a league of its own. So it's no surprise that snap is the official car rental partner of the one New Zealand warriors. When you rent with Snap, you're helping support the team that brings us all together. Sweet as. For your next adventure, choose a car rental company that backs our boys.

1:25:37Visit snaprentals.co.nz. Snap, simply better car rental. Brenting a car always feels like a bit of a battle. But in the stuffy, slow-paced world of car rentals, snap is an a league of its own. So it's no surprise that snap is the official car rental partner of the one New Zealand warriors. When you rent with Snap, you're helping support the team that brings us all together. Sweet as. For your next adventure, choose a car rental company that backs our boys. Visit snaprentals.co.nz. Snap, simply better car rental. For the New Zealand warriors, the road here hasn't been easy. The West is down on the outside, down the road, beat them. What a try! Last week, a major setback. The Dolphets have come to go. The media now smart, stay in the Northcloth. They have beaten the warriors. Questions have been asked. Aaron Clark missed the mark a little bit.

1:26:38Wait, Ian missed it. The Hards definitely missed it. It's out, so been raised. Pressure is mounting. Mounting. The final's footy doesn't care about yesterday. It demands courage now. It is for to score next egg. The atmosphere changes direction. This is a chance. Liven scores the draw. They needed that one. The 2026 season is on the line. The nights are here. Dangerous and ready to spoil the party. Don't get it, Liven! Stop! Another one! They've got you! And they've got you! Thought of this one thing we've learned. The warriors never stand alone. 48,500 fans at Eden Park. Arlay the best fans in the competition. Why far? A city buzzing. A nation believing. As our courageous captain, James Fisher Harris, leads the wars towards in our old Premiership Glory. This afternoon, with interviews inside and analysis,

1:27:39you won't find anywhere else. Counting down to the warriors dual die semi-final. It's weekend sport with Jason Fein. Live at the Kingslander Auckland. On your home of sport, News Talk said B. So, well, welcome back into the show. You're coming, or you join us. We're coming to you, live from the Kingslander. In New North Road, not far from Eden Park. Where the atmosphere is building towards this match. Just after six o'clock tonight, four hours away. There's UFC on the big screens here as well. So, if you hear some exuberance and hooting and hollering in the background, that's why we just had a large burst of enthusiasm. A few minutes before we came back on air. Some interesting things happening in the UFC inside the octagon there. It's really starting to buzz here in Auckland. I said at the top of the show Auckland feels like a rugby league city. Well, the Kingslander, I get the feeling and my onsite technical director Liam Simpson pointed this out to me.

1:28:41I think we've inadvertently landed in the Newcastle Knights supporters pub. Because there are a lot of Newcastle Knights fans here. Having said that, I can see as many, if not more, warriors replica jerseys. That's the other thing about the NRL compared to the New Year's Day. Compared to perhaps some other codes. I compare it to perhaps the All Blacks. Yes, you have All Black supporters here. But there are very, very few people in the Kingslander, which is filling up very nicely, who do not have a supporters jerseys on. That is the thing about rugby league fans and NRL fans. They love their merch. They absolutely love it. I heard the co-founder of Dynasty Sport, Tyler Rackachon, who was asking during the week, talking about how the merch that they sell, they can't make it fast enough in many respects. It just goes out the door, flies out the door. So, yeah, that's it evident here today. Braith and Aster is on the show very shortly, highly regarded,

1:29:41hugely respected voice in the game of rugby league. Also this afternoon in Auckland. At Spark Arena, the New Zealand breakers begin their Australian National Basketball League campaign. The Illawara Hawkes are their opponents. It's a five o'clock tip off at Spark Arena. Now, there was, I got a message before to say that if you go on to the website to buy tickets, it says it's sold out. That is in fact an error. It is not sold out. Tickets are available at the door from $20. So, if you want to get along and see the breakers this afternoon, and you're in Auckland, then that opportunity is there for you. The owner of the team is Mark Mitchell, the majority owner of the team. He's going to join us this hour as well with a look ahead to his aspirations for the season ahead. And of course, we'll open the lines again for your calls as we get closer to kick off at Eden Park. 0880-1080-9292 for your text messages, which I'll get to very shortly as well, before we do any of that, 11 past two.

1:30:43Let's catch you up with some of the things that you might have missed over the last little while. There's been a heck of a lot of sport on. So, in case you missed it, let's start in the NPC. The real bay has been decided. It's in the high and while it's waiting up for everyone and it's about the shortest lead for cold balls, the club racer Tain, have amber please aye for the corner, he's been since that. And that is why you do not let the ball basket cold balls bouncing all to the ball, accelerating and putting his jeepbouler ahead. So Bay of Plenty are the real bay for the moment anyway, taking down Hawks Bay 32-17. Waikato meantime, if kept Munawa 2 outside of the top 8. Waikato can almost put the game beyond doubt. Another picking go. Hold to leave the ball, driving to the line and they do score. Waikato get the try and it's Big Hamilton Burr.

1:31:43Yeah they ran at 36-27, winners the Mulu men, so Northland had the opportunity to move to the top of the table. Opportunity for him, Pussy Toa, Rayhana, that's a great ball to ram. He's just going to step go inside, that's too easy, it's another try for James Ram. That's the 50. Northland now just absolutely cut and copes. Yeah, a runaway 52-28 win over Wellington, the Tani Fa are at the top and have the Ram Fully shield. A 20-26 double incoming perhaps, to the NRL where the roosters are through to a preliminary final. Always going to offload, Toa rolls it in, Toa back it comes. Look at the Nauwazai, with the splash down. Oh, they're scoring in Saturday ways. Toa and the Ruggedeeta was a, they can't be stopped. This is an onslaught.

1:32:43The roosters finding form at just the right time. They'll face the dolphins on Friday after crushing the sharks last night. 46 points to 10. In the Northern Hemisphere overnight, the Black Furns kept their 20-26 winning run going. Brunt, into the hands of Saidee, who scores in the right hand corner. New Zealand score, the last player for game, 66 points to 14. Yeah, Scott will not even get in close. A big test next weekend though. England, the red roosters are waiting at Twickenham. In the Premier League, Tottenham finally scored a goal, but it was a case of two little, two late. When Dea... Well, he scored on both occasions that he played here last season. So the completion of a hatching of sorts certainly the cue from Matt's Exodus, from Tottenham's desperately disappointed supporters.

1:33:44It is going from bad to worse for Spurs. As to the Villa winning, they won three two sport-us-Burs in the run occasions. I don't mean to laugh. I shouldn't laugh at Spurs fans. I know a lot of Spurs fans, they're all fantastic people. Their team is letting them down at the moment. Brighton though, a right near the top after an impressive win over defending champions Arsenal. I got to walk the back post-it-3. And it's a goal on his first Premier League start for Gemma. What a day Brighton and Hove Albion are having. They lead the champions by three goals to now. Yeah, and one at three-neil Brighton over Arsenal and finishing this bumper addition of occasion, missed it. A game for the ages in the second, AFL preliminary final. They go in, they go in, comes. They've made ten positions. They're going to win. Escoch, Schrock, King, Lionel Max,

1:34:47Wishing to win the Grand Final, Paul Strait, and Watter and Mark of a game. A Canada, a Grand Japa Levin, Wishing to win the Grand Final, and it's just amazing. Is this the greatest game ever? I am very happy, is free. Live from the Kingslander at Auckland, counting down to warriors at Eden Park, it's weekend sport with Jason Vane, and the Volkswagen Unrock V6, uncompromised capability, premium comfort, on your home of sport, Newstalks.fv. 2015's soaking up the atmosphere at the Kingslander, as kick off draws ever closer at Eden Park, just on that AFL. Yeah, incredible win last night, by the Brisbane Lions over Hallforn, so it's the Lions against free-mental, in the AFL Grand Final next Saturday, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. We join now though on the show by a man who knows more than most about Big NRL games, Brathe and Aster played nearly 300 NRL matches,

1:35:50across a decade and a half-long career with the Bulldogs, the Roosters, and the Tigers, and played an integral role in Canterbury's Premier's ship, won in 2004. He also represented both New South Wales and Australia, since retiring. He's become one of the most prominent, and respected voices on Fox Sports NRL coverage, bringing that experience as a former player, into his analysis of the modern game, his co-hosting of NRL 360, compulsory viewing for league fans on both sides of the Tasman. He's here in New Zealand, as part of Fox Sports coverage, what should be a huge night ahead at Eden Park. He joins us now, Brathe, welcome to New Zealand. Great to have you here, and thanks for joining us on weekend sport. When you look at these two teams, what do you see as the fundamental battle that might well decide who wins this game tonight? Thanks for having me in this place. It's a pleasure to be over in New Zealand. I only got it last night, and I can't wait to get the Eden Park. But when I look at these two teams, I really do think that the middle third of the field,

1:36:53the forwards, is going to be where it's one or less, because that dictates who gets the ball, when they get the ball, and of course, if you're looking at someone like Caleb Ponger, trying to limit his time and space, it's very important. The Warrie is big, Fisher Harris. He's had a great year. He's led from the front. I think, obviously, Jackson 4B and out, isn't the best, but Barnett, the combination there in the pack, I think is a very important thing. It's sort of, get your own the front foot. You've got the home crown advantage over here in New Zealand. You want to use that to the best of your ability. You've got to start strong. You've got to start physical. I would say fundamentally, the forwards, and winning the battle and field position, and also the start. It's a key start to the game. It's going to be a full house of the park. You want to gain that advantage early. You want to bring the crowd into it. If the Warrie is, you want to take Newcastle out of it and take him to the depth, to the deep depth of the ocean. And draw on them.

1:37:56Love it. We saw the Warriors lose to the dolphins last week, Brayth. What did you see in that performance that would concern you going into tonight and what would give you confidence they can quickly bounce back? What could concern everyone? I think coming from that game was the edge defense. That's definitely an area that they need to improve on. They were a bit vulnerable and they've got to get that right. I think, essentially, they were too conservative. They dominated the game for a long period. They had the game in the bag, and they needed to keep playing 40. I know they took a few penalty goals, and they were in control, so they probably thought they were just going to see the game out. It's semi-finals football. You just can't do that. Especially against the team like the dolphins. And you're playing a similar team. Yes, Newcastle, and they were in the I believe, as dangerous in attack or have been as good as the dolphins this year, although they've been great, but they tend to play a similar style.

1:38:58You know, Fletcher, and then you've got a polymer, of course, which I've spoke to best. You know, they've got a lot of firepower. So if you play too defensive, and you don't continue to play your style of football, which the Warriors have done all year, they're so effective in attack. And there's created so many opportunities. So, you know, I obviously love to see a lot more out of Wade Egan. I think he's amazing, and I think he's been close to the best player or you're the most creative and around the rock, and of course, Aaron Clark as well. They had quite games, but that's unusual. But I think it was because they were trying to just be conservative, get the win and move on to the pre-limp. You just can't do that in semi-finals football. There's different levels. And they realised that last week, which is good, it's a bit of a slump in the face. They know where they're at now. Andrew Webster's done such a great job with the squad. And I think they bounced back this week. You mentioned in a couple of times,

1:39:59Kaelin Ponger, obviously the headline name for Newcastle, as an opposition team, how do you put plans in place for a player like that? Well, there's energies, and even in last week's game against South. For the first third of 20 or 30 minutes, he is their focal point. So there is, you know, you've got Sand and Smith there who does a really good job, but Kaelin is the one where the ball's going to go. So you've got to identify that wherever he is on the field, you've got to either put an extra man there or you've just got to make sure that you're up early in the limit his time and space. Of course, that comes back to your forwards and dominating that middle third of the field. But that's an advantage because you've been shouting down you win the game. I know that sounds a bit simple, and I think it's as not. But you know, that's really the key. The thing with Kaelin is that he's in, you could argue career best form, and he's had such a great career. But last week he was dangerous every time he touched it, and his footwork was sublime. He speed, you know, if you just over chase or you're getting a little bit lazy, you'll burn you. So he is the key to new cast with success.

1:41:01He's also the key to the Warriors. You're shouting down your wins. So that's a huge positive, and I'm sure it's in the game plan for the Warriors. But again, it just comes down to limiting his time and space, and making sure you're always watching him, because that's where the ball's going to go when they get a put on an attacking play. Let's get under the halves. How do you see the match up between Chanel, Harris-Tavita and Tomati Martin for the Warriors against Fletcher Sharp and Sandin Smith for Newcastle? Well, the Warriors got the venues there. You know, Harris-Tavita and Tomati Martin have been brilliant. You know, I mean, last week wasn't their best game, and okay, that's fair enough, but they've had a great year. So it can't just judge them on that. They're very creative, very schoolful, and they can really make Newcastle pay on the front foot, and again, playing positive football, really attacking the advantage line, going to the advantage line, playing second phase, and as I said, creating opportunities. And I think they've got to improve their long-king game.

1:42:02That's one area I did identify last week that they just weren't kick along deep into the corners, and they lost the field position, especially late in the game. So that's one area they've got to improve on. The other guy, you know, Sandin Smith is quite a conservative player. He just does his job. And he's going to do the same tonight. But he can put pressure on him, and he can force a few errors, and I'm saying. And then, you know, in a big game like this, if he can kind of put pressure on him early and put him off his game, then he can be of vulnerability. And Fletcher, he's dangerous. He was actually quite last week, and he hasn't been at his best for a while. He's shown glimpses of it throughout the year, and at times, he was a focal point of attack alongside of Kailyn, but that's sort of going away a little bit. But you don't want that to come back. So of course, you've got to pressure him, and he's very much a runner of the ball, not so much a creator, a tricec sort of half. He's a runner, so you've got to make sure

1:43:03you don't give him too much time in space like Kailyn, because he's very quick, and in open space, it's almost good boy. So, you know, it's a good matchup. I definitely think the advantage clearly goes to the Warriors, and that's somewhere they can take advantage of tonight and win the game. Massive crowd in coming, as you know, Brace sold out, 48,500 packed in. You've played in front of Big N or Al Krauts and Big Matches. How much can the atmosphere genuinely help a home team and affect a visiting team? It helps huge, hugely, because, you know, as an ex-flier, and someone who come over to New Zealand a lot throughout my career, even, you know, back when I was playing, a parochrome Kiwi crowd is very hard. You know, the drums are beaten, they're the most passionate fans in the game, and I just say that because I'm on miss. I'm over here, I can play. And no matter where the Warriors fan base here is, they are the most passionate and vocal,

1:44:03and that's where the event is lies. Even Park, you know, I've never been, right? So, this is a great experience for me. As soon as Fox lead asked me to come, I'm like, yep, book my flight. I want to experience this myself. So, you know, it's a distinct advantage. And you've got to capitalize on that, as I said. As an opposing team, very difficult, because, you know, you've got to travel, you know, 26, 27 degrees back in Sydney today, and yesterday was boiling hot. You come and have it all cold, windy, possibly rainy. Different, completely different conditions. You've got to play those conditions. It could be wet, it's going to be slippery. You know, whereas, you know, the Warriors have got the advantage of knowing these conditions well, playing it all year training in it. And of course, the crowd, which is just undenoyably a significant advantage that you just need to take advantage of. All right, Braith, we'll have to finish. Who wins the game? Who earns a tryptopena, or a thing? Of course, I mean, remembering, of course, you are on New Zealand radio, but you can pick the nights if you like. Listen, I think if you watch it on a 360,

1:45:04I tell you exactly how it is, whether you like it or not. And I said it last night with the game and the roosters. I said, the cream risers to the crop this time of year. You don't finish where you finish by accident or fluke. And the Warriors have done the hard work. They've got trust in their system. They've performed well all year. Last week, you know, they got caught off guard a little bit, just that last 20, 25 minutes. I expect them to be entirely different teams tonight. I expect them to be way too good for the new cast. When I tell everyone's talking up the nights, you're trying to find ways that they can win. But I truly believe, from the bottom of my heart, that the Warriors will be outspoken. We'll get through to the pre-lead. Enjoy your nights tonight. I know you're going to love Eden Park, Braith. Thanks for taking the time this afternoon. Start waiting. Enjoy the game. Yeah, you enjoyed the game too, Braith. Braith and Aston, what a man. G1, an analyst as well. Love watching NRL 360. Love his work on the TV. What a ploy he was too. 226 of those lines open. 0800, 188, 188. You've got to pass the time towards kick off.

1:46:04Now, Steven, you've got a family connection with the Warriors. Is that right? Yes, yes. Yeah. I've been watching them for a while now. They are actively, well, they've been a bit quiet, but I'm not saying too much, but either they're having good games at this year's free. Yeah. So, are you the cousin of a couple of these guys? Yeah, yeah. Who are your cousins? Somebody Martin and Tain Tulfiky. They're your cousins, man. So, when you were younger, did you always think that they were going to be as good as they were on the League field? Yep, yep, yep. I believe that, well, we've told the memories of being around them,

1:47:11playing on the field, and all that for years, to have been a consolation, like I've been grateful knowing my cousins that they've made it so far and the games for you. Amazing. All right. So, you've picking them to Winton White and earn themselves another week? I'm hoping that I'll take it out and move closer to glory. Yeah, I think this year they may take it this year. You can't feel looking dangerous, though. Yeah, I'm hoping that they'll win. I like the cautious optimism, Stephen. Good to hear from you, mate. Hope your cousins, Tain and Timidey and the rest of them do us proud tonight and certainly do your family proud. Thanks for calling in, mate. Good to hear from you.

1:48:11228. I've got a text here from Macapione. I'm blaming you for the Magpies at Trojus display yesterday. For your very unkind comments you made about them yesterday. Lift your game. They were listening to you. And you heard their feelings. Maca, I highly doubt that. I highly doubt that the Hawks Bay Magpies were anywhere nearer than the World Cup. Were anywhere nearer radio when I was talking about them yesterday. But look, I've got friends who support Hawks Bay. And I think I can count you in that. And friends who support Bay of Plenty. So, you know, I don't have any skin in the game. I was happy for whoever won, but I appreciate your text. The final episode of the 100 Years of ZB Podcast is out today. Hosted by Mike Hosking, the series brings you the famous names and the iconic moments of your radio station. And in the final episode, Mike sits down with Heather Duplosie Allen to chat about what has made Newstalks at the powerhouse in the current radio market and what will continue to make it strong in the future. To listen, find the 100 Years of ZB Podcast on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts.

1:49:15Lines are open, 229. Let's talk some warriors. 0800, AT-1080. Brenting a car always feels like a bit of a battle. But in the stuffy, slow-paced world of car rentals, Snap is an illegal its own. So it's no surprise that Snap is the official car rental partner of the one New Zealand warriors. When you rent with Snap, you're helping support the team that brings us all together. Sweet as. For your next adventure, choose a car rental company that backs our boys. Visit snaprentals.co.nz. Snap, simply better car rental. He too. This is a video that we'll be telling you later and we'll see you in the next video. 0800, AT-1080. For your next adventure, choose a car rental company that backs our boys. Visit snaprentals.co.nz. Snap, simply better car rental. Newstalk, AT-1080. For your next adventure, choose a car rental company that backs our boys.

1:50:18simply better car rental. Building up to the biggest game of league on home soil, live from the Kingslander in Auckland. It's weekend sport with Jason Pine and the Volkswagen Amorock V6 on compromised capability premium comfort. News talks at B. 232 here on News talks at B coming to your live from the Kingslander. It's just bubbling. It is just bubbling under the surface. The excitement is palpable. A number of Newcastle Knights fans are here. Plenty of warriors fans as well. And they're sitting at the same tables, chatting away to one another. The league fraternity, always a friendly one. The team at the Kingslander doing absolutely remarkable work here, keeping everybody hydrated and well fed and watered. It's called a broadcast for me. We thanks Stephen the team for being able to do it. When we talk warriors across this year, there have been callers who call in regularly and we chat about the team. I kind of feel like we've been on a bit of a journey together.

1:51:21A couple of the regulars, Paul is one. Having heard from Paul today, he lives up in Northland. No doubt we'll be driving to the game at some point. But the other one is Frank. I feel like we've been on a bit of a journey together, Frank. And I just hope that journey has a couple more chapters to it. What are you thinking about tonight? Yeah, when you go to Eden Park tonight, you'll see, parked in the corner, there'll be a rather large track. And I'll tell you what, there's going to be a clash of armour as the warriors Jagannaut rolls into Eden Park tonight. I just got a feeling that it's... I'm a bit of a sports better. I haven't got my house on the Warriors. I've got my garden shed on the Warriors and I've got my dandy on the Knights. LAUGHTER I love it, Frank. I love it. Look, I feel the same. I sort of feel as though, like I look at last night's game

1:52:21between the roosters and the sharks in a similar sort of situation. The roosters, they were losers in the first round of the finals. And so were the warriors. The roosters last night gave it to the sharks. I feel like there's a 40 pointer in our midst here. I really feel as though the warriors are going to be too good for the Knights tonight, whose season will really end in a few hours from now. Yeah, that was a hell of a game last night. One of those tries of the roosters scored was brilliant. That was about... I don't know, that about 10 passes. And it was a... Yeah, I actually had a premonition, a bit of a dream of a 50-20 game. And I don't know whether the... I got the wrong semi-final result. But yeah, I've got to feel... I think myself that maybe he's going to spill the boys. Look, have fun tonight. Play the game, you know you can play. You've got the firepower.

1:53:23They're not going to come through the front door. They're going to come through the back door. We've got to mark up on her and Kaguay and Frizel, all those good... Because I noticed the dolphins, they didn't let Perera either the blocks, as soon as you got the ball, they were on to him straight away. And I think we need to be a little bit more... Mark up a little bit more decisively. But yeah, I've got a... I feel that it's going to be a... I'm pretty confident that we've got this one. And then we can speculate the whole week. We can speculate on how we're going to beat the Panthers. We've beaten them once before. We can do it again. Good on you, Frank. I've loved talking league with you. I know it doesn't end today. Let's hope that there's more to chat about next week. The Panthers game, whoever plays the Panthers, that's next Sunday. So a week from now, hopefully you and I are talking about the warriors against the Panthers.

1:54:24That'll be tough. Let's get today out of the way first, mate. And I hope that dream of yours, the 50-20 all thereabouts, wars and relations, it's a night's game. Good to hear from you as always, mate. Enjoy the game. Now, Andy McDonald, producer Andy McDonald, is going to the game. And he'll be... I was going to say you'll be one of the few in a new cast, sort of, night's juicy, but mate, I'm telling you, that if you were here at the Kingsland, you would have many friends, Andy. I'll just nip down quickly, Pony. All right. Well, we're nearly done. What are we, 23 minutes away? Maybe you could pop, yeah, because honestly, you would be among friends here. I'm glad that finally my people have come along to enjoy what the great hospitality Auckland have. And don't worry, they haven't kicked me out yet, so hopefully, hopefully, despite a win to the night tonight, they still won't kick us out. For those who haven't heard the story, how did you land on the new castle nights as your team? What, I just...

1:55:24I just... Think about seven or so years ago, I was just started getting into league, and I just so happened to be watching with the mate that enjoyed watching the nights as well, and we watched quite a lot of the nights. And so that's kind of how they became my team. Yeah, there's no family connection. I thought, you're not a distant castle. I've got zero connection to the Hunter Valley. I've never been to Newcastle. I just like the team. I think that's kind of how... I mean, how did you start supporting Liverpool Piny? Well, that was... I mean, I was nine years old and back then, and it was... I was gonna say, the days of Black and White TV, it was just after that. There was one hour of English football on every week. It was big league soccer on a Sunday at midday, and I remember it was a nine-year-old boy watching this and thinking that team in Red looks quite good, and they were then. And so that was how I picked up so very different from you, and I just... I don't think... I jumped on a bandwagon, really. I don't think it's too different in the sense

1:56:25that that was just so happen to be Newcastle was the team. And I was well aware that the Warriors existed, but I just enjoyed watching Newcastle more. And they were awful. Don't give me... I was attracted to pretty rubbish rugby league, but that sees probably more about me as a person than Newcastle. I feel like that's a trend in your sports. In your sports. We don't need to get too deep into a Piny, but yes. Yeah, I don't often have much success to celebrate, do I? Well, I mean, who knows what's going to happen. You are going to the game this evening, I take it. Yes, yeah, I'm going along with a couple of mates. One of them's a Broncos fan, one of them's a Storm fan, and none of us can believe that my team of the three of us are the one playing finals, but... Along with my partner, who's a Warriors fan. So it's actually going to be quite a rainbow of rugby league support in our wee section. So I'm really looking forward to it. And probably equally as nervous as most Warriors fans are today. Well, I wish you all the best. I do. I wish you all the best.

1:57:26As I said to Wayne, who I spoke to before here at the pub, I wish you every success. And because it's the other thing as well as I think, we can get very caught up, can't we, in our own team. But I look around these Newcastle fans, and they're just normal people like us. Most family and sports teams in Chester, and other similar people. You wouldn't even know that they supported the night until game day to be honest. Exactly right. Exactly. Just normal like the rest of us are all right. I mean, all the best, you know, all the best. You know, I really mean that. 240 it is going to take a break. Come back with Mark Mitchell, not the politician. The majority owner of the break is, he's with us after this. Gearing up for the Warriors home, sudden death final, live in the Kingslander and Auckland. It's weekend sport with Jason Vine and the Volkswagen Amorock V6 on sale now. On your home of sport, Newstalks. It be Newstalks. It be weekend sport coming to you from the Kingslander. 17 away from three. And not the only game is port in town this afternoon.

1:58:26The new Australian National Basketball League season is upon us and the breakers. Start their season today. They have a new look, a new coach, plenty of new faces and a renewed emphasis on reconnecting one of New Zealand basketball's most successful sporting brands with its roots. At the centre of that reset is the man who took majority ownership of the club, a key we American businessman with a background in technology media and in sport, Mark Mitchell has talked about rebuilding the foundations of the breakers, bringing back the academy investing in the community and ultimately restoring the club to championship contention. He's brought in a World Cup winning coach in Gordon Herbert, reshaped the roster and given the club a fresh identity. So the breakers open their season to home against Illawara, Spock Arena this afternoon at five. Mark Mitchell is with us. Thanks for joining us. Mark, how are you feeling on the eve of a new season? Thanks, Pione. I'm feeling great. I was telling the guys yesterday, for me,

1:59:26the first game of the season is like Christmas morning, right? It's so much fun, all the work that's been put into the team on and off the court in the off season. We finally get to see that in action. And so it's one of my favorite days of the year. You went around the world looking for a coach you've landed with World Cup winning coach in Gordon Herbert. What was it about him that convinced you he was the right man to lead this team? Well, obviously it starts with his pedigree. So if we can get one of the world's best coaches, a World Cup winning coach got to give it a shot. And so once we started our conversations with him, it became clear that it was a two-way street. He wanted to come to New Zealand. He wanted to come to the NBL. He saw what we were building here. And we wanted him to be a part of that and to lead that. So for me, it was a no-brainer. If we could pull it off, we were going to do it. Everybody was doubting that little old New Zealand could bring this World Cup winning coach to its shores.

2:00:29But we pulled it off and he's been great. He's a great leader and a very, very respected coach. The preseason results have been great. The regular season about to begin. Because he's a new coach with a new team, Mark, do you expect patients to be required or do you expect results pretty quickly under Gordon Herbert? Well, I think we all know that this league is really, really tough. It's very, very close top to bottom. There's a lot of parity. So you can't come out of the gate slowly. So I think everybody recognizes that the team's been training with that in mind. We started the preseason well. The team is working well together. And so there is a little bit of a time period where you're ramping up as you're feeling things out at the beginning of the season. But I think we start knowing that we've got to come out of the gates ready to go right away. I've heard you say you want to bring the breakers back to their New Zealand roots. What does that actually mean in practical terms? It's everything. We look at our rebrand that we just did that we're very happy with.

2:01:30We've done an incredible film with Israel Adesanya doing the voiceover, another New Zealand legend. And I think the rebrand was about getting connected to our people and the land and the roots of the country. And so that's reflected in how everything looks. But more importantly, day to day, we're also doing things like bringing back our academy. That's something I promised from day one. And we are now doing it. We've got our first class of players who are playing in the academy. So these are players who are sort of at the elite level of high school. And hopefully one day there'll be breakers. But if they're not, they'll play basketball in different arenas. They'll play hopefully in college. They'll use basketball as a tool to see the world, to get an education, to learn about teamwork, sportsmanship and all the great lessons that come with the sport. You've also spoken about taking best practice from around the world and putting a little key we dust on it. I like that.

2:02:30What are some of the things you've seen overseas that you think can genuinely work here? Part of it is a fan experience. I think our fans on Sunday will see a completely different, not I shouldn't say completely, an enhanced game day experience that will be a lot of fun. I think it'll be very unique for what we see here in New Zealand. So that would be one. And all of the lessons that we've learned, in how we've staffed up our team on the front office side as well, come from best practices around the world. You've put a lot of faith in Dylan Boucher and the basketball department, obviously. As owner and a huge basketball fan, obviously, how how difficult is it to resist the temptation of getting involved in the basketball decisions when I guess ultimately you're the guy who's signing the checks? It's a good question, but I have complete trust in Dylan. He's been wonderful in his role, not only building the team on the court, but building the culture. So that starts with the hiring of Gordy, our staff, which is a mix of people from Germany,

2:03:34New Zealand, and obviously Gordy's from Canada and Finland, he's a dual citizen. So we've got a global staff, but two of our assistants have New Zealand roots. And that's really important to have that connectivity. We have several guys on our team who play for the tall blacks. We've got coaches who coach the under 19 team for the national New Zealand team. So for us, we're part of this larger ecosystem. And Dylan runs that from a basketball perspective. So I have complete faith in trust in him and he's done a wonderful job. I know that one of the priorities for you and for the basketball department was the retention of Park Ajax and Cartwright. What does he represent to the break is beyond the stats that he seems to produce night after night on the court. So this will be Parker's fourth year with the club. And I think that's rare. You'd usually don't see imports stay with a club for multiple years. So in our case, Parker is an MVP level player.

2:04:35We all know that he is dazzling on the court, so much fun to watch. But he absolutely loves New Zealand. And so when you have a player who considers this place home and wants to be here and we want him, we had to make sure that that happened. And my plan is for him to be around here for a long time. And so we're even working towards figuring out how he can become a New Zealand citizen and represent the tall blacks on the global stage. So that's how much he cares about this country and how committed he is. So good to have him on the roster again. You've talked about moving on from the previous era rebuilding foundations without wanting to dwell too much on the past mark. What specifically did you think had been lost that you felt needed to be restored? Well, the connection to the community, again, that starts with the academy. There's no reason that that should have ever gone away. And that was one of my first priorities. In addition to that, we've built out the Junior Breakers program. So we have hundreds and hundreds of kids who come through our facility every week,

2:05:36who play in leagues, who learn the game and learn all the lessons I come with the game. For us too, it was an entire refurbishment of our office. We had to build a whole new staff. And I feel great about how that has developed. So I think our staff is top notch. We've gotten people who've come in from all different countries who want to be a part of this. Obviously, it's mostly Kiwi, but there are people who have seen what we're building and want to be a part of it. And that's some of the coaching staff and some of the front-office staff as well. So to me, it's about getting world-class people to be a part of this organization. And I think that's what we're doing. How deep is your championship ambition? That's it. The end of the story, end of question. That's why we play. We want to lift trophies. When we redid our office here, we built a new display, displaying our four championship trophies. And of course, we also have the Lugins Bruton trophy

2:06:37and the Knight Cup trophy. But the championship trophies are the most important. So they are prominent. They are front and center in our office. And of course, we have space to add some more. So that is what drives everything. And that's the goal for our entire organization. It's on the court and off the court. And we want to be at a championship level on all parts. You've got the history of the banners, the trophies, a new identity, World Cup winning coach, a terrific roster and championship ambition. What would it mean to you personally, Mark, to walk into that building and see another banner go up there? See another trophy on display where you've made room for it? That's the goal. That's why we're working so hard. And so I know I would feel great. We've got a long way between now and then to get there. But that's what our ambition is every day we walk into work. Season opens on Sunday against the Ilaro Hawks. Can't wait to see how the team goes. Mark, thanks for chatting to us this afternoon. Look forward to catching up throughout the season.

2:07:39Thanks, Piny. I really appreciate it. Now, I appreciate you joining us, Mark. Mark Mitchell there, the majority owner of the New Zealand breakers who opened this season this afternoon against the Ilaro Hawks five o'clock at Spark Arena. Coming up, seven to three news talks, epic. The bandter live from the Kingslander and Auckland as the Warriors prepare for their home semi-final. It's weekend sport with Jason Fine and the Volkswagen Amorock V6 uncompromised capability premium comfort news talks. It be that'll do us from the Kingslander. Huge thanks to Steven as team for hosting us to show producer and him McDonald and on site technical director Liam Simpson taking us out a fresh take on an iconic piece of Warriors history. The club anthem matter of fate. Reimagined by the band Coteri, four Kiwi Brothers, matter of fate, two point O. Up the Was.

2:08:52For more from weekend sport with Jason Fine, listen live to News Talks at B. We cans from midday or follow the podcast on I Heart Radio. Printing a car always feels like a bit of a battle. But in the stuffy, slow-paced world of car rentals, snap is an illegal viz. So it's no surprise that snap is the official car rental partner of the one New Zealand Warriors. When you rent with snap, you're helping support the team that brings us all together. Sweet as. For your next adventure, choose a car rental company that backs our boys. Visit snaprentals.co.nz. Snap simply better car rental.