Weekend Sport with Jason Pine

James McOnie from The Crowd Goes Wild joined Piney to discuss Scott Robertson's dismissal as All Blacks coach, as well as Finn Allen's recent performance. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The newest recruit for the Wellington Phoenix has outlined how he'll help his new side push for playoff football. 30-year-old Norwegian midfielder Sander Kartum has joined on loan from Scottish side Hearts until the end of the A-League season. Kartum joined Piney to discuss further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the Weekend Sport with Jason Pine Full Show Podcast for Sunday 18 January. Get the Weekend Sport with Jason Pine Full Show Podcast every Saturday and Sunday afternoon on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ten nations have been competing for their spot at the Asia-Oceania qualifiers for this year's Floorball World Championships in Finland. NZ Floorball coach Christian Bertschinger joined Piney to discuss the Kiwi side's odds. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An array of personal bests and maiden titles have been claimed at the Potts Classic athletics event in Hawke's Bay. Sprinters Tiaan Whelpton and Zoe Hobbs took out their respective inaugural NZ Short Track Championships 60m titles. Whelpton joined Piney to discuss after the fact. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The third and final one-day international between the Black Caps and India in Indore is set to take place tonight. The match will take place at 9pm NZT and there's a chance the Kiwi side could make history. Black Caps batsman Daryl Mitchell joined Piney to discuss. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Black Foils have confirmed they've been deducted three championship points for their weekend-ending crash with Switzerland at the Sail GP season-opening event in Perth. The tail of the Kiwi boat was crunched by the Swiss in the first of four races - ending the opening day for Switzerland and putting the Kiwis out of the regatta entirely. NZ Herald sports reporter Christopher Reive joined Piney to discuss. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand Rugby stunned sports fans across the nation - and beyond - by dismissing Scott Robertson as All Blacks coach last week. The search is on for a replacement, but fans are reacting with surprise following Razor's removal. South African rugby expert Dan Hooton joined Piney to discuss further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More details are emerging about unrest within the All Blacks’ dressing room - and beyond - that ultimately led to Scott Robertson’s exit. Speculation is growing as to what inspired NZR to make this move, as well as who will replace Robertson in the role. Irish rugby correspondent Rúaidhrí O'Connor joined Piney to discuss. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The New Zealand track and field circuit kicks off today at the Potts Classic in Hastings.  Among the competitors is heptathlete Briana Stephenson, who starts off a potentially career-defining year today as she lines up for the 60m hurdles.  It follows on from her hitting the Commonwealth Games A standard last weekend in Brisbane.  She told Piney that while Athletics NZ and the NZ Olympic Committee still need to select the teams, she’s in a very good spot at the moment and is pretty confident she’ll be on that plane to Glasgow.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The OFC Pro League bursts into action today with a doubleheader at Eden Park.  There will be another 10 matches at North Harbour Stadium over the next seven days.  It features eight teams from Pacific nations, Australia and New Zealand, and is the first fully professional football league to be established in the Oceania region.   Roy Krishna is preparing to lead Bula FC into the first match, and told Piney it’s a huge moment for the Fijian club.   He says they’ve been waiting for these opportunities and struggling to get in the A-Leagues, so having something in the backyard is a great platform, especially for younger players.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Weekend Sport with Jason Pine Full Show Podcast for 17th January 2026, Scott Robertson has been axed as All Blacks Head Coach.  How did we get here? What next for the All Blacks? Is there another saviour? Piney offers his thoughts and discusses it all with the audience. Plus, Liam Napier, Jeff Wilson, and Adam Peacock all chime in on the subject.  Along with this we cover off the ASB Classic final, Aussie Open Tennis, OFC Pro League and the Potts Classic.  Get the Weekend Sport with Jason Pine Full Show Podcast every Saturday and Sunday afternoon on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The third youngest finalist in the modern history of the men's ASB Classic wants to put his name alongside the greats.  Czech 20-year-old Jakub Mensik is facing seventh-seed Sebastian Baez in the final.  Only Rafael Nadal and Juan Martin del Potrohave reached the decider at the ASB Classic with fewer days on earth than Mensik.  Former Tennis doubles star and commentator Michael Venus told Piney there’s going to be some really entertaining points scored today.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Scott Robertson’s departure from the All Blacks has come as a huge shock to the rugby world.   He’s been axed halfway into his four-year contract, following feedback in the end of season review, understood to be scathing towards Robertson and his coaching staff.  Our Australian Correspondent Adam Peacock gauges the reaction across the Tasman, and offers his thoughts on whether there’s anyone in particular the All Blacks may be targeting among the Wallabies coaching ranks.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After starting with much fanfare, Scott Robertson's tenure as All Blacks coach has come to an end after just two years.  He's parted ways with New Zealand Rugby after just two years in the job, which began in 2024 against England in Dunedin.  It comes following what is understood to be scathing feedback in the end of season review towards Robertson and his coaching staff.  NZ Herald’s Liam Napier was the one to break the news of the internal review, and he told Piney he understands the dissatisfaction was widespread among the team, not confined to one or two players.   “Some of the most stinging feedback came from a number of senior players, y’know, guys that have played 100 tests, have been around a long time, experienced the highs and lows of test football,” he explained.  “You can have bad years in test rugby, and you can have bad weeks, but I think this had steadily built the frustration over the two-year tenure.”  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Scott Robertson... gone as All Blacks coach.  The “nuclear option” taken. The slate cleaned. The last two years consigned to history.  Was it the right call to make a change? Yes.  Board chair David Kirk talked about “trajectory” on Thursday. The All Blacks were not heading upwards, they had, at best, plateaued, and were in fact trending dangerously downwards.  We were not more confident about the All Blacks at the end of 2025 than we were at the start of 2024.  The signs of improvement were sporadic at best, overshadowed by doubt and confusion around tactics, around selection, around progress, around potential World Cup success.  That’s the sole filter through which David Kirk and Co. examined things and made their decision.  Were the All Blacks on track? No, they were not. Has Scott Robertson suddenly become a bad rugby coach? No. But he clearly underestimated the enormity of the job and those who put him into the role overestimated his ability to do it.  Razor’s super-power is team culture, which he built superbly at the Crusaders, but consider how different that environment is. You have your players with you every day for six months. If you lose, you go again next week.  And the scrutiny, while certainly robust, pales in comparison to the white-hot spotlight of the All Blacks, which has paralyzed many before him. It’s unforgiving in its intensity, demanding in its 24/7 nature, and relentless in its scrutiny.  Many believe they have what it takes. They go in full of bullishness, bright ideas, bravado, and boldness, only to come to the realisation, either quickly, or over time, that their feet aren’t quite big enough for the enormous boots they’ve been assigned to wear.  And they realise in hindsight, they displayed an obvious naivety about exactly what it is they’d walked into.  There’s a reason this team is talked about in the manner in which it is. This is the All Blacks – there’s a legacy to uphold. A reputation to protect. A history to defend. A responsibility to carry.  Not everyone can do that job – in fact, very few can.  Scott Robertson took it on with every intention of enhancing the All Blacks’ story. Of taking this team to new heights, of winning World Cups.   But not everything you try on is going to fit, and sometimes it’s better to find that out quickly so that you and your employer can move on.  And that is now the question for the All Blacks. Move on... to what?  Or more correctly, to who?  Who has the tools, the knowledge, the fortitude and the resilience to take the job on and make a success of it? Not just a few years down the track, but almost immediately?  There’s no settling-in period, no gentle launch, no soft landing. There’s a World Cup next year and the most gruelling All Blacks schedule ever in the next 10 months.  Being able to coach scrums, line outs and back line moves is no longer enough, nowhere near enough for the enormous scope and complexity of this modern-day role.   Among other things, you need international experience, the ability to assemble an effective support staff, the man management skills to keep the best players in the country happy even when they're not playing every game.   And the charisma and communication skills to front the players, Super Rugby coaches, your bosses at New Zealand Rugby, the board, sponsors, the media and rugby fans.  Who will come forward with the same bravery, the same courage in their convictions, the same confidence in their CV, and do what their predecessor could not?  As the All Blacks often say, who will walk towards the pressure? And shine in its spotlight, rather than shrinking into the shadows?  Who will accept this poisoned chalice and attempt to make it their holy grail?  After what we’ve seen this week, who would want to? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former All Black and current Sky Sport pundit Jeff Wilson believes Jamie Joseph is the obvious candidate with the credentials to lead the team towards the Rugby World Cup.  The search for a new All Blacks coach is underway after Scott Roberson was sensationally relieved of his duties two years into a four-year contract, after a scathing review found multiple frailties within the team and reports of player unrest.  Joseph is set to coach the Highlanders in the upcoming Super Rugby Pacific season, with their pre-season game scheduled for January 30, and if he does get the role, it is unclear how it would impact his duties with the Dunedin-based franchise.  There is something similar over in Australia with Les Kiss to coach the Reds before replacing Joe Schmidt as Wallabies coach, but with the All Blacks set to tour South Africa this year, NZR might want Joseph earlier to ensure the team is best prepared.  Several other names have been suggested including Dave Rennie and Robbie Deans, while some have suggested they bring back Sir Steve Hansen.  Speaking on Newstalk ZB’s Weekend Sport, Wilson feels Joseph is the perfect candidate, given his track record at club, leading the Highlanders to Super Rugby glory in 2015, along with his time internationally with Japan and more recently the All Blacks XV.  “There are very few candidates who are immediately available and qualified to take the job,” Wilson said.  “Jamie’s record as an international coach, his experience, and his understanding of New Zealand Rugby and the international game really stand out.  Sky rugby commentator and former All Black Jeff Wilson.  “The key for me is whether he can put together the team he wants, the coaches he believes in, and that may include some of the current coaches.  “Joe Schmidt is committed to Australia until the middle of the year, and other coaches around the world are tied up contractually.  “For me, the logical choice is Jamie Joseph. He went head‑to‑head with Scott Robertson last time and, to my understanding, came close. Jamie Joseph is the obvious man.”  As things stand, Robertson’s assistants including Scott Hansen, Jason Ryan and Tamiti Ellison remain employed, however there is a chance the incoming coach will want his own coaching staff, meaning all their futures are up in the air.  If Joseph is to get the job, he would likely want Tony Brown to be his right-hand man, although that will be challenging with the former All Blacks playmaker currently working as an assistant with the Springboks as their attack coach.  While Wilson feels the decision to axe Robertson was harsh, he says the right call was ultimately made after a messy two years at the helm.  That includes seeing two assistants depart including Leon MacDonald and Jason Holland, while several changes have happened behind the scenes including Mark Robinson stepping down from his role as NZR chief executive.  “He deserves a lot of credit, because there were plenty of challenges along the way, but over the last couple of years this team never really gained any momentum,” Wilson said.  “There were performances that raised doubts about the direction the team was heading, and there was certainly uncertainty within the group. They looked unsettled and didn’t play with consistent confidence, so unfortunately a lot of that responsibility falls on the head coach.  “He’s not a bad rugby coach, it just hasn’t worked with this group of people and this team of players, and it was time to look forward with somebody else.”  Ben Francis is an Auckland-based reporter for the New Zealand Herald who covers breaking sports news.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the Weekend Sport with Jason Pine Full Show Podcast for Sunday 11 January. Get the Weekend Sport with Jason Pine Full Show Podcast every Saturday and Sunday afternoon on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

International sports coaching expert and author Wayne Goldsmith joined Jason Pine to give advice on keeping New Years resolutions... if you haven't already broken them.  Goldsmith said, "I think way too many people are looking for a magic key or a secret trick or a poster or something that's going to change and revolutionise their life instead of just saying, 'nah, let's get going'." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In October 2025 Karl Budge was appointed as the new Blues CEO.  Budge has previously served as the CEO of the ASB Classic, and been involved in the New Zealand Olympic Committee, SailGP, and the New Zealand Rugby Board.  He joined Jason Pine to chat about plans and strategies for the Blues in 2026.  On his relationship with other Rugby Union CEO's Budge said, "there's 80% that we get on like a house on fire, and want to collaborate and work together, and then there's 20% that we want to flog each other - and I quite like that dynamic." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.