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Nights' sports correspondent Richard Irvine joins Emile Donovan to recap a blistering win by Auckland FC over the Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand high schools' proposal to ban Year 14 students from competitive sport, and the loss of sports writer Chris Rattue as part of the NZME restructure.
Chris Rattue is one of New Zealand's most renowned and contentious sportswriters who has been a part of the NZ Herald sports team for over 35 years. His work has taken him around the world to cover major events including World Cups in rugby, cricket, league and netball, along with Olympic and Commonwealth Games. His analysis and opinion writing has placed his work at the centre of discussions about many sporting codes – Work that has at times provoked the ire of entire nations. Chris Rattue joined Simon Barnett & James Daniels for this week's Six and a Song. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Senior New Zealand Herald writers Michael Burgess and Chris Rattue join Newstalk ZB's Nathan Limm and Nick Bewley to go through all of the key issues ahead of the Warriors' first NRL Finals appearance since 2018. NZME's expert panel go through the loss to the Dolphins, Te Maire Martin's form, the new FastPass ticketing fee, Mt Smart versus Eden Park, how Penrith can be beaten and give finals predictions and analysis.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sky TV are on the receiving end of backlash over their recent business decisions. The Herald's Chris Rattue has labelled the Sky Box an 'absolute dog', lambasting its recording abilities and 'general clunkiness' Sky have also announced that their broadband and entertainment package prices will increase by 10 percent, starting October 1. Tech commentator Paul Spain says Sky is moving towards a new era, and any change is going to seem inconvenient or jarring. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sky TV are on the receiving end of backlash over their recent business decisions. The Herald's Chris Rattue has labelled the Sky Box an 'absolute dog', lambasting its recording abilities and 'general clunkiness'. Sky have also announced that their broadband and entertainment package prices will increase by 10 percent, starting October 1. Tech commentator Paul Spain says Sky is moving towards a new era, and any change is going to seem inconvenient or jarring. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In episode three, Nathan Limm is joined by Warriors captain Tohu Harris to discuss how coach Andrew Webster has transformed the culture of the club and what they need to improve on ahead of their return to Mt Smart Stadium against the Bulldogs. Senior NZ Herald writer Chris Rattue analyses the Warriors' bumper victory over the Cowboys and why he's never been so hopeful for the team's prospects. Rats also picks apart the tackle technique of injured hooker Wayde Egan, and discusses why the Melbourne Storm are suddenly struggling. Each Wednesday join rugby league nut and Newstalk ZB sports journalist Nathan Limm and NZ Herald lead league writer Michael Burgess as they jump aboard the Warriors bandwagon, looking at how the Warriors are tracking in the NRL. This new weekly podcast talks to the big names from the Warriors, discusses their performances plus the big issues hitting the headlines.A podcast for the league purist – Nathan and Michael discuss, debate and pontificate about this being the Warriors year. The Big League Podcast, powered by Newstalk ZB.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
All aboard the Sportstalk train for the 10th May 2022 On the show… - Nathan Brown – On the Sharks loss and team-naming Tuesday - Warriors Talkback - NZ Herald writer Chris Rattue – on why we aren't a fabulous sporting nation LISTEN ABOVE
EDITORIAL | On the back of an article from Chris Rattue, we're asking kiwis a really tough question... Is New Zealand the fantastic sporting nation that we claim it to be? Staffy reads the words of Chris and ellaborates on them.
Is New Zealand a fabulous sporting nation? We certainly like to think we are, but the New Zealand Herald's Chris Rattue said in his latest column that this simply isn't the reality on or off the field. He spoke to D'Arcy Waldegrave about why he felt compelled to write about this, and whether there is any hope things can improve. LISTEN ABOVE
Warriors coach Todd Payten is taking his foot off the brake as his side continues its unlikely bid to make the NRL playoffs.Optimism is sky high around the Warriors after they crushed the Knights 36-6, even though they remain 9-1 outsiders to make the top eight because their winning run may have come too late.The club's immediate task will be to retain the services of wing George Jennings and prop Daniel Alvaro, who are on loan from Parramatta, when they play the Eels on Sunday. And the third-placed Eels are unlikely to be in a generous mood, after being crushed 38-0 by the Rabbitohs.Jennings has been in terrific form for the Warriors, and provided a match highlight on Saturday when he smashed through Newcastle playmaker Mitchell Pearce. Pearce was pivotal to the hopes of the injury-hit Knights, and while he carried on the battered captain did not exert any influence on the game in the second half.Alvaro has been part of a Warriors pack which, ironically, appears to have been strengthened by the addition of loan players this year.Roger Tuivasa-Sheck celebrates with teammates after scoring. Photo / Photosport.co.nzThe Warriors may have to win all four of their remaining games to have a chance of overhauling the eighth-placed Sharks but interim coach Payten said he did not want pressure to shackle his side."We're a good team, we're building, I think the belief is definitely growing, and they are enjoying themselves," he said."It's possible (making the finals) but we play a Parramatta team who are going to be desperate, they are physical, they're big, I reckon that will be our biggest test coming up this week. We'll see where we're at."We haven't had a conversation (about the finals) although it's probably going to start in the media. But for us it's pretty simple - my message is about everyone getting their job done. When it does, you get results like this, or at the very least come away with the win."We're pretty inexperienced (in dealing with hype) and it's my job to keep a lid on it. But in the same sentence our group enjoys freedom, and if I come down on them and try to rein them in it can hurt their footy."At the moment I'm letting them go and will run with what we're doing, see where it takes us."Payten said Jennings and Alvaro want to stay with the Warriors. Warriors chief executive Cameron George will work on resolving the issue today.One of the many impressive features in the latest win was the way the Warriors patiently kept a foot on the Knights' throat until they cracked.Inexperienced halfback Chanel Harris-Tavita played a huge part in that, an encouraging sign after veteran playmaker Blake Green left mid-season for the Knights.Payten said one moment in the Tamworth game showed that Harris-Tavita is making huge strides."I've said a few times how much I admire him as a person and a footballer," Payten said."He handled this year very well, didn't drop his head or kick stones when he was left out. He was very professional, worked on his game, he soaks up information."He followed Greenie around, picked up a lot of stuff in terms of talk and direction and I've seen that unfold."What I did like about Chanel today came when there was an opportunity to shift through the midfield and Tohu Harris didn't pass him the ball."I actually saw him give Tohu a rocket and a mouthful which is the development we needed from him."It's a tough gig for young halves to tell those senior players where to go and what to do and I'm starting to see that."- text by Chris Rattue, NZ Herald
Sharks 46Warriors 10This is supposed to be a match report. It's tempting to make it a plea for mercy.The Warriors are on the ropes in Australia, after getting smashed up 46-10 by the Cronulla Sharks. Bad is turning to worse for the NRL nomads.If this was a real conflict, it would be time to send the Marines to get them out of there - get them home to safety before the inevitable carnage.To rub salt into the wounds, former Warrior Shaun Johnson played his hand nicely, and dealt a few killer blows to his old club.The exceptional Sharks led 24-4 at halftime on the Central Coast and carried on their merry way in the second. When the Warriors lose, as they most often do, they lose big.Next week the Warriors play the champion Roosters, who have three days extra rest, and will be hellbent on bouncing back from a shock loss to the undermanned Raiders.Then four Warriors players head home, including their absolutely crucial wings Ken Maumalo and David Fusitu'a.Owner Mark Robinson has been sacking people left right and centre. Forward Jack Hetherington is on report. The club often feels match officials are against them. Coach Todd Payten is a rookie first-grade boss in the middle of a maelstrom.And you don't want to see the fixture list for the Warriors. Almost all the easy games - if there is such a thing in the NRL - are behind them. Only the Bulldogs offer anything like relief.And mid-table Cronulla were in no mood for charity.A spectacular long range try from Sione Katoa, set up early in the second half by Johnson, was among the many match highlights for the victors. An obstruction foul from Blake Green, who was sin-binned, only made life harder for the Auckland club in the second half.About all the Warriors could dwell on with any fondness was a massive hit by interchange forward Agnatius Paasi on Toby Rudolf, who is trying to get out of his agreement to join the Auckland club. Little wonder.It almost goes without saying these days that the Warriors blew scoring chances in the first half which left them with an uphill battle in the second.Chief among them: Patrick Herbert failed to ground the ball properly for a try in the sixth minute with the Sharks leading 6-0. It was a heartbreaking moment for a struggling team.And Cronulla quickly struck to double the agony when William Kennedy scored from a scrum move aimed at the often shaky defensive combination of Peta Hiku and Maumalo. At 12-0 the writing was on the wall inside the 10-minute mark.The killer blow was provided by Johnson, when he chased his own kick to score just inside the dead-ball line in the 28th minute.Johnson is the NRL's try assist king but this was his first try of the year and he celebrated with outstretched arms.With Johnson goalkicking beautifully, the Sharks led 24-4 at the break and there was no way back from there.Errors from Jamayne Taunoa-Brown and Karl Lawton on attack didn't help the Warriors' cause. Nor did a late hit from Hetherington which saw him put on report.While the Warriors may have blown early chances, their attack was often stilted anyway. Sharks fullback Josh Dugan showed them how to do it, scooping a great pass out of a double tackle to set up a try to the impressive Ronaldo Mulitalo.The only light relief for the Warriors came via a Maumalo try, after a Kennedy defensive howler. But it never seemed anything more than a match curio for a team which managed to blow yet another try chance even when it didn't count, in the final minutes although they did get a last-second score to Wayde Egan.Sharks 46 (S. Katoa 2, J. Ramien 2, B. Hamlin-Uele, W. Kennedy, R Mulitalo, S. Johnson tries; Johnson 7 goals)Warriors 10 (K. Maumalo, W. Egan tries; R. Tuivasa-Sheck goal).Halftime: 24-4- text by Chris Rattue, NZ Herald
Warriors 26Broncos 16The Warriors have won the Battle of the Bottom to show that their spirit is well and truly alive, even if other parts of their game are not so healthy.The nomad Warriors piled more misery on Brisbane with a 26-16 victory on the Central Coast, handing the glamour club their sixth straight NRL loss.Ken Maumalo, among three players who want to return home early, was among the Warriors' stars, as they powered home with an impressive second half against a collapsing Broncos effort.The Warriors' victory came without suspended captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, while they lost playmaker Kodi Nikorima to a head injury in the opening minutes.The result gave interim coach Todd Payten his first win in charge of a first grade side, and the Warriors their third win of the disrupted NRL season.There were so many crucial moments in the second half, including captain's challenges which went for and against the Warriors in front of about 2500 spectators.When Peta Hiku let an Anthony Milford bomb bounce, gifting a try to Herbie Farnworth, the Warriors looked in trouble.But hooker Wayde Egan came to the rescue, ripping the ball free of two tacklers to score a try which gave the Warriors an 18-16 advantage. It was all the Warriors in the final stages.No one could complain about the entertainment, and that was before the game had even started.The drama surrounding Brisbane's horror run of results included a claim by the club's greatest player Wally Lewis that the current squad was divided over pay.Not to be outdone, Warriors owner Mark Robinson entered the fray during the week, effectively packing the bags for Blake Green - who was an increasingly dominant figure in the match - and Gerard Beale at the end of the year.Neither side will go close to troubling the NRL trophy engraver on this form, but it was a captivating battle between two desperate sides.The Broncos dominated possession in the first half but led by just 10-6 after a 39th minute try to Maumalo gave the New Zealand side the boost they had been desperately but ineptly chasing.Maumalo and Chanel Harris-Tavita had bombed a try minutes earlier, but with Gerard Beale providing a sharp pass, they made amends this time.Brisbane were never convincing but had taken a 10-0 lead through tries to flying right wing Xavier Coates.The second seemed to predict a frustrating night for the Warriors, who gifted Coates the ball when in sight of the Brisbane tryline.With giant Broncos prop Payne Haas setting the early tone, Coates also scored in the eighth minute, when their disorganised attack suddenly sharpened and they created an overlap for the wing.The Warriors had already lost Nikorima at this point. The little five-eighth had advanced to confront big Tevita Pangai jnr and suffered a head clash, his head also smacking into the ground.Despite their awkward attack Brisbane looked in the box seat to set up a victory, until Maumalo's late first-half try changed the mood.And it was the Warriors who came out of the blocks fastest in the second spell, and they carried on to a stunning win.Warriors 26 (K. Maumalo 2, A. Paasi, W. Egan, I. Papali'i tries; C. Harris-Tavita 3 goals)Brisbane 16 (X. Coates 2, H. Farnworth tries; J. Isaako 2 goals)Halftime: 6-10text by Chris Rattue
The time Rattue accidentally deleted a match report a minute before deadline at the World Cup, how much ‘hate mail’ he receives, if he ever manufactures opinions, the time he pissed off a whole country and his battles with alcohol.
We learn about Scotland rugby with Cammy Black the host of the Scottish Rugby Podcast, Chris Rattue is in studio talking tackles and offsides, It’s rambler day!!!!, Nigel informs us about a Japanese food bargain in the Rugby Diaries and does Rugby need lasers and Hawkeye? @CammyBlack @ScotRugbyBlog @NigelYalden @StafNZ @TAB_Sport
This week on the Monday Agenda Panel Daniel McHardy is joined by Chris Rattue & Reuben Mama to discuss the weekend in sport.This looked at were, the Sliver Ferns triumph, Warriors & All Blacks winning performances plus much more.
This week on the Monday Agenda Panel Daniel McHardy is joined by the New Zealand Hera;d's Chris Rattue and Steven Holloway to discuss the big topics of the weekend. These included..The Women's Football World Cup.Sevu Reece and his All Blacks selection.The Crusaders 10th Super Rugby title and Scott Robertson's future.The Bunker and NRL controversy. And Blackcaps angst.
Wow, do we have a podcast for you.This week we have employed the great mind of Chris Rattue to offer his take about where the Warriors this season and in general.A team loved by so many but can never seem to find consistent success, we ask Rats what he thinks it would take to find a winning formula as a New Zealand NRL side.Plus a few takes on the PGA Championship, our Kiwi surfers ripping and obviously Game Of Thrones. Get around it & Stay Stoked!
The NZ Herald's Chris Rattue and NZME.'s Matt Brown join Daniel McHardy on the Agenda, with a focus on the struggles of both the Warriors and the Blues with both side's suffering disappointing losses on the weekend.LISTEN TO CHRIS RATTUE AND MATT BROWN TALK WITH DANIEL MCHARDY ABOVE.
Warriors and Blues fans will have an opportunity to watch both codes live this weekend for the price of one ticket.Members and fans of both the Warriors and the Blues will be able to attend each other's matches this weekend with their single ticket.The Warriors take on the Gold Coast Titans at Mt Smart Stadium at 8pm on Friday while the Blues host the Waratahs in the at Eden Park at 7.35pm on Saturday.Anyone who has a valid ticket to Friday's game against the Titans, including membership cards and corporate tickets, will be able to gain entry to the Blues game on Saturday night, and likewise ticketholders and members of the Blues can scan their match ticket for entry to Mt Smart Stadium a day earlier.Seating for fans at the reciprocal venue will be available in specified General Admission areas."We are hugely excited about this initiative and what it means for our members and sports fans in Auckland," said Warriors CEO Cameron George."We are always searching for new ways to add value for our fans and encourage them to attend games. We don't see the Blues as our competition."We'd prefer to work with them and hopefully this is just the start of things to come. Ultimately, we want fans in Auckland to get along to live sport and get behind both teams."The Blues are also right behind what is a unique opportunity in New Zealand sport."The two clubs work together and explore opportunities when we can," said Blues CEO Michael Redman."Some of our loyal fans also follow the fortunes of the Warriors and this is a chance to support them."Likewise, this is an enormous opportunity for the general sports fan to support the Warriors on Friday and the Blues on Saturday for the price of one ticket."It's a great chance for fans to show their support for the two oval ball teams in this city."A valid match ticket for either Vodafone Warriors v Titans on Friday, April 5 or Blues v Waratahs on Saturday, April 6 is required for entry at the respective venues.Seating at the reciprocal venues will be in specified General Admission areas regardless of the seating category selected at the original point of purchase. GA capacity is limited, and patrons will be admitted on a first come basis.Warriors and Blues ticketholders can use their match ticket on Friday, April 5 to travel to Mt Smart Stadium on trains only. Blues and Vodafone Warriors ticketholders can use their match ticket to travel to Eden Park on Manukau/Botany/Pakuranga special events buses, the NX1 bus services to Britomart and trains on Saturday, April 6.
Stoked 39 is here and if you thought we would phone it in as the year peters out, you were WRONG!This week we are so lucky to be joined by one of New Zealand's greatest sports columnists, Chris Rattue.A lot of people read Chris' pieces and a lot of people don't agree with what he writes but as we learnt in this podcast it's not manufactured and his takes come from a genuine place.We talk the current sports media landscape, the All Blacks, his career, sustainability and Lime Scooter swith the great man. Have a listen and tell us you can't appreciate the genius which is, Chris Rattue!Stay Stoked!
It was a weekend where there was much to take pleasure in.Friday saw the Warriors make the post season for the first time since 2011. That is a long time between drinks. Warriors players have come and gone without knowing the thrill of finals play. That Simon Mannering will finally be back at the business end after racking up 300 appearances is very sweet. But the people I’m happiest for are the faithful fans. Crowds have been up this season as fairweather fans came back to Mt Smart, but in amongst them are the 10,000 or so who kept the faith. They deserve this.Saturday saw the All Blacks wallop the Wallabies even though they had less possession. This side are the most vicious counter attackers on the planet. As many have pointed out there is even more upside for this team which must be putting the wibble wobbles under everyone else. Chris Rattue this morning said just give next years World Cup to us now. You got to love Mr Rattue. He’s either too grumpy or too enthusiastic.The Black Ferns also thumped the Wallaroos. They needed a big crowd as a calling card to score the hosting rights for the Women’s World Cup tournament. They got close but they could have done with more. But the 2 matches against the Aussies have been seen by a big audience and it’s been a great advertisement for the women’s game. I enjoy women’s rugby. It’s a great watch and here’s to it going from strength to strength.Possibly the best performance of the weekend is Rose Matafeo winning the best comedy award at the Edinburgh Festival. This is massive. Previous winners have included Steve Coogan, Dylan Moran and Demetri Martin. This puts Rose on the map globally. It’s an award flight of the Conchords did not win. The Netflix special can’t be too far away. It makes me particularly happy because Rose’s Mum taught my kids and I’ve known of Rose since she was at intermediate school. I know how hard she worked and how supportive her family has been. And what I love the most about Rose’s comedy is that it’s simply the truth. The truth about being a 20 something woman in 2018. She’s doing more for feminism than thousands of others who trumpet themselves as standard bearers for the F word.And finally on the subject of the truth, John McCain died yesterday. This morning Richard Arnold played some audio from his last speech to Congress which reminded me why I liked himNow I know from time to time I’m one of those bombasts he disliked but what I liked is that you never died wondering what John McCain thought. Alone amongst almost all politicians in the world today he thought of the clients. The people who vote the politicians there. He was a lone voice of truth who will be missed.