Weekend Sport with Jason Pine

James McOnie from The Crowd Goes Wild host joined ZB's Elliott Smith to discuss the Wellington Phoenix loss, the ongoing Super Rugby season, the Warriors, the Auckland stadium debate and Scottie Scheffler. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nick Sautner, Jim Doyle and Richard Dellabarca join ZB's Elliott Smith to outline their pitches for Auckland's new national stadium. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Black Ferns expect a massive challenge in set piece and up front when they tackle unbeaten Canada in rugby's Pacific Four Series this afternoon in Christchurch. Black Ferns assistant coach Dan Cron joined Elliott Smith to discuss. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oleksandr Usyk  has claimed a split decision victory over Tyson Fury in their unification heavyweight title fight in Saudi Arabia. The undefeated Ukrainian was on the brink of victory in round nine - landing a series of big punches that had Fury stumbling against the ropes and back-peddling - before he received a standing eight-count and was saved by the bell. NZ Herald combat sport expert Christopher Reive joined Elliott Smith to discuss. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Black Ferns sevens star Michaela Blyde is hyping herself up for the Paris Olympics - but she aims to focus on her upcoming tournaments first. The team are gearing up for their Grand Final event in Madrid from May 31. Listen to Michaela Blyde discuss the topic further with ZB's Elliott Smith here today. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All eyes are on Brisbane, where the Warriors are expected to go up against the Panthers in this afternoon's NRL magic round. Fox Sports commentator James Graham joined ZB's Elliott Smith to discuss the hype around the event. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Phoenix's season has drawn to a close after last night's defeat. Wellington's dream season is over after a 2-1 extra-time defeat to Melbourne Victory in last night's second leg match in the capital. Former Phoenix forward Paul Ifill joined ZB's Elliott Smith to discuss. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the Phoenix prepare for their biggest game in their history, their supporters club, Yellow Fever, are also in preparations to cheer their team to victory.   Elliott Smith caught up with Dale Warburton of Yellow Fever to discuss the nerves and buzz around the capital.  He told him that they’re making a march to the stadium from down near the Beehive, trying to boost the atmosphere.  Warburton said there will be singing, chanting, and music, along with a few other secrets he’s got tucked away.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A kiwi cyclist is making a solo bid for a new world record.  Joanna Sharp is cycling solo from Darwin to Melbourne via Uluru, on a 4600km journey.  She’s aiming to complete this in the shortest time possible, setting a new world record and becoming the first person to complete this feat, as well as raising funds and awareness for Bowel Cancer NZ.  Sharpe joined Elliott to discuss the massive journey she’s undertaking, telling him that the current unofficial record is around three or four weeks, but she’s aiming to make it to Melbourne within 13 to 16 days.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Blues are flying high in Super Rugby as they prepare for their match against the Highlanders.  The two teams are facing off, both aiming to take the Gordon Hunter Memorial trophy.   Elliott Smith caught up Blues Lock Sam Darry whose family knew Gordon Hunter well.  He told him that on a personal note, it’s quite awesome to be able to be a part of this and hopefully get out there and do Hunter justice.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For the first time since 1999 a World Heavyweight unification fight will be taking place.  Britain's Tyson Fury is squaring off against Ukraine's Oleksander Usyk in Saudi Arabia.   Kiwi heavyweight Joseph Parker is there to witness the fight, and he joined Elliott Smith to share what he thinks will go down.  He told Elliott that the delay has given each fighter more time to prepare, and it’s more time for the buzz and excitement surrounding the event to grow.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's been a turbulent 24 hours for the A-League.  Not only were they preparing for the second leg of the semifinals, but they were also hit with a spot-fixing scandal involving three members of Macarthur FC, including current All White Clayton Lewis.  Our Australian correspondent Adam Peacock joined Elliott Smith to dissect the fallout from the scandal and discuss the latest in the NRLs Magic Round.  Peacock told Smith that it’s almost overshadowed the two semifinals coming up, which isn’t a great look for the A-League.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The A-League has been hit by a spot fixing scandal.  Three current players from Macarthur FC are involved, including the current All White Clayton Lewis.   Elliott Smith caught up with former All White David Chote to discuss the news and what it means for football in Australia and New Zealand.  Chote told him that the scandal is really challenging for a football fan to digest.  “And particularly if you’re passionate about the game and you’re passionate about New Zealand football, the involvement of Clayton Lewis is sort of a double blow.”  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's the biggest day in Wellington Phoenix history as they prepare for the second leg of their A-League semifinals.   The Nix are facing the Melbourne Victory tonight at Wellington’s Cake Tin, the stadium set to be packed.  Striker Kosta Barbarouses joined Elliott Smith to discuss how the team has been preparing for the upcoming match, and whether they can take the championship title.  He told him that football is a game of fine margins, and they’ve got every chance to win. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Peter Sloane, an All Blacks hooker, says he once bawled out his Hikurangi club flanker for allowing Sid Going, Mid-Northern’s halfback, to bump him off in the tackle in a game at Whangārei.  Later in the match Sloane faced Going running round the front of a lineout. “When I was sitting on my butt on the deck,” says Sloane, “I realised why the loosies found it so hard to tackle him.”  Sidney Milton Going, Super Sid to headline writers and Milt to his family, who died on Friday aged 80, was an All Blacks great, and one of the most exciting footballers to ever play the game.  As Sloane, and international players Going faced in 29 tests from 1967 to 1977 found, Going was startlingly powerful. His strength came naturally to him. He never darkened the doorway of a gym. But I once interviewed him in a changing shed in Whangārei, and got a good idea of why he could shrug off tackles from men who towered over him. He was only wearing a pair of shorts, and his upper body would have been envied by Arnold Schwarznegger.  Going was so old-school he wasn’t big on pre-season road running either. Just after he’d retired he said he hated road work so much he sought out every pre-season charity game he could find, and got fit by playing.  Sid Going appears for the All Blacks against the Springboks in 1976. Photo / Photosport  As a child growing up with four brothers in the Maromaku Valley, north of Whangārei, he learned early how to deal with rugby’s physicality. He’d say, on the family lawn “there were no beg pardons. We’d hit each other really hard”.  As well as rugby and family, the other great love of his life was the Mormon church. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel at the end of Marlow Rd in Maromaku was central to him.  He spent two years in Canada in the early 1960s as a Mormon missionary, switching to basketball. But on his return rugby quickly called again.  He was soon a fixture in the Northland side, and by 1966 was challenging for an All Black position. But he faced huge competition from Chris Laidlaw, a more traditional halfback with an impeccable pass.  When he was finally given the chance, Going could produce extraordinary moments at the highest level. In 1968 he scored two solo tries in the first 30 minutes of a test against France at Eden Park.  Many of us lucky enough to see Sid and his brothers, Ken and Brian, play together for Northland and the New Zealand Māori side will always believe a game-changing chance was missed by the All Black selectors of the early 1970s. The Goings’ Northland coach, Ted Griffin, swore that together behind an All Black pack they would have torn the world’s best teams apart.  Halfback Sid Going hoofs the ball during the New Zealand vs Southern Universities match during the All Blacks tour of South Africa in 1970. Photo / NZ Herald Archive  There’s never been a magic act quite like the one the trio used to put on, with just a footy ball for a prop. “Going, Going, Going, Gone” was the headline after one dazzling triple-scissors try for Northland.  They all had speed, skills and strength. But together they had something even more potent, a list of 30 or more carefully planned, well rehearsed moves, with every single one named.  The best, they called “The Special”.  This is an outline of how it worked. Sid passes wide to Brian. Ken works a scissors pass with Brian. Meanwhile Sid is tracking Ken, who would work another scissors with him. Now Sid has the ball from the final scissors pass, and scores the try. Occasionally one last defender, by luck or good management, was still in the way, so one more pass, or a step, was needed.  “The Special” almost made Northland the only provincial team to beat the 1971 Lions. But Sid thought Brian was likely to be caught and didn’t pass, and for once he struck a fullback in JPR Williams who was able to haul him down. The Lions sneaked in 11-5.  One of the many likeable aspects of Sid the rugby player was that, with his devout religious beliefs, he never swore, on or off the field. Talk with him when he was passionate and adjectives like “blinking” or “flipping” might appear, but never anything more vulgar.  Sid’s startling range of skills was probably best displayed in 1972 at Eden Park for Northland, when a penalty to win the Ranfurly Shield from Auckland was awarded.  Earlier in the game Sid had botched a tap kick and Auckland scored a try, so brother Ken, the usual kicker, was still angry. “You take the kick,” he snapped at Sid. “Okay, I blinking well will,” said Sid. From 45 metres out he kicked the winning penalty.  Super Sid was a nickname that fairly defined the man.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Wellington Phoenix fans are coming together to support the team ahead of their anticipated clash against the Victory in Melbourne. One supporter, Christian, joined Piney ahead of the big event. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Harlem Globetrotters are expected to tour New Zealand this July, stopping in Auckland, Wellington, New Plymouth, Christchurch and Hamilton. Globetrotter Wham Middleton joined Piney to discuss.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

James McOnie from The Crowd Goes Wild recaps the Blues v Hurricanes match, talks the Crusaders v Blues - and discusses the Wellington Phoenix and Richie Mo'unga's possible return to New Zealand shores. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Expect the Tactix to talk up a storm on court against the also-unbeaten Central Pulse in the ANZ Premiership this afternoon at Palmerston North. Tactix defender Paris Lokotui joined Piney to discuss. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Round 5 of netball's ANZ Premiership is expected to begin this evening. Accomplished defender Kelly Jackson joined Piney ahead of the event. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.