The All Sport Breakfast

A setback to the All Whites Football World Cup preparations, going down 2-nil to Finland at Eden Park.  The Finns scored from a corner after 25 minutes and added a second late in the game.  They’ll be facing Chile at Eden Park on Monday – their final home encounter before the FIFA World Cup later this year.  Former All Whites Coach Ricki Herbert joined D’Arcy to reflect on last night’s defeat, and look ahead to the next clash.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The White Ferns wrapped up their T20 series against South Africa in style, a dominant 92 run victory in the final match resulted in them winning the series 4-1.  Now a three match ODI series against the Proteas is looming to wrap up the team’s home summer.  Captain Amelia Kerr played a fantastic knock in the final T20 clash, hitting a career high of 105, and she joined D’Arcy to reflect on her form and look ahead to the ODI series.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Warriors winning streak has come to an end.  They stumbled last night in their clash against the Wests Tigers at Go Media Stadium, losing their first game of the season 32-14. The Warriors started hot, scoring two quick tries to take a 10-0 lead, but the Tigers struck back, outscoring the Warriors 32-4 throughout the rest of the game. Former Kiwis player and rugby commentator Richie Barnett joined D’Arcy to review the game.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last night's Warriors loss illustrated how incredibly difficult it is to gain and keep ascendancy in the NRL.   The result also reaffirmed —underlined, in bold, and in italics— that the crazed notion the Warriors fan base have clung to for generations, this is our year, can only ever be applied retrospectively, i.e., that was our year. Not a question for the future, but a statement of the past.   In the NRL, 5% off is all it takes for a team to be made to look a little ‘village’ in the wash up.    Even the perennial great teams of the comp can get their pants pulled down in a flash, exposing their tender buttocks to the world.   The Warriors didn't get trousered last night, nor were they embarrassed, it was an almost confused display from a team that appeared to not have a great understanding of what was happening to them on the park.    So far this season they had done an impressive job of leaving the previous week’s result in the past —where it belongs— and focusing only on the present. The display against the Tigers though smacked of a team that had a sneaky look at the press and started believing that it was indeed their year.   There are upsides to the limp showing of course. No-one got stretchered off or fell afoul of the judiciary. The 6-7 pairing had a game to bed in their combo, even though it looked like neither player was sure which way to roll to keep the duvet in place.    They need to park that game, reload, and charge on.    It wasn’t a disaster; it shouldn’t have any bearing on the season as a whole.   Don’t ever forget, ‘our year’ should only ever be a season to look proudly back on, not a dangerous roll in a soothsayer's suit.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last weekend saw the Northern League football tournament get underway for 2026.  Auckland City started strong, claiming victory over their rivals Western Springs, 3-0, and are back in action this afternoon as they take on the Eastern Suburbs at home.   Mario Ilich is captain of the side, and joined D’Arcy for a chat.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Blues are flying high after coming up from behind to defeat the Waratahs 35-20 last weekend.   There’s silverware on the line as they’re set to take on the Fijian Drua tonight, the teams competing for the Joeli Vidiri Memorial Trophy for the first time.  Vidiri was a Fijian international who played for the Blues between 1996 and 2001, in which he scored 43 tries in 61 games for the franchise.    Sam Darry is captaining the Blues tonight, and joined D’Arcy to preview the match.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland FC have continued their strong charge to the finish line in the A-League.   They picked up a massive win last weekend against the top of the table Newcastle Jets and are back home this week to take on Macarthur this afternoon.  On top of that, five of their players have been named in the All Whites side for their World Cup warm up fixtures next weekend. One of those players is Callan Elliot, and he joined D'Arcy for a chat about it.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Super Rugby Pacific rolls on this weekend.  A few thrilling clashes have already passed, with the Hurricanes stunning the Highlanders 507, and the Brumbies celebrating James Slipper’s 203rd Super Rugby match in style with a 33-24 win over the Chiefs.  Tonight, Moana Pasifika is taking on the Crusaders while the Blues cross the ditch to Syndey for a clash against the Waratahs.  Rugby Commentator Tony Johnson joined D’Arcy Waldegrave to look back on the previous matches and preview tonight's clashes.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

King of the Ring action returns this weekend with the Super Cruiserweights taking the spotlight at Eventfinda stadium tonight.   Dhcamad Armstrong will be fighting in the event and he joined D'Arcy to preview the tournament.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The White Ferns are back on track.  After losing their second T20 clash to South Africa, they put on a strong performance last night at Eden Park to take a 2-1 lead in the series.  They now have the chance to wrap the series up cleanly tomorrow in Wellington.  Sophie Devine hit an unbeaten 55 off 38 balls in an unbeaten 84-run partnership with Maddy Green, and joined D’Arcy Waldegrave for a chat.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Warriors are flying high after going two for two to start their NRL season.   They claimed a 42-18 victory over the Roosters in Round 1 and defeated the Raiders 40-6 in Round 2 – both games won at home.  Tonight is their first away game of the season, facing the Newcastle Knights across the ditch.  Assistant Warriors Coach Richard Agar joined D’Arcy Waldegrave to preview the clash.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Let’s talk about joy. Releasing the demons of expectation, the pressures of desire, the need to justify sporting existence through results alone. To be fair, this all sounds a bit new age, a bit woowoo, counter to the traditional muted celebration of living the grind, suffering to succeed. Increasingly, sportspeople are eschewing the concept of the strong silent athlete assassin, an unsmiling, full focussed, dead shark eyed harbinger of your defeat. I believe this comes from the acceleration of women’s sport. Over the last 25 odd years, I’ve watched the rise and rise of their game. The increase in media coverage, the sponsorship, the exponential growth in income, the positive narrative change, the acceptance that women’s sport is not men’s sport in a different uniform. Wāhine bring a change in perception. Their game is neither better nor worse. Comparative size, strength, speed are no longer the determiners of quality. The paradigm adjustment is bringing a new and uplifting look at sport. It’s bringing a whole new set of achievement parameters. Results are still incredibly important; they are after all the reason to play at the highest level. They are still the why, but the how has evolved. In my years of broadcasting, women bring a glow of positivity to their chosen sport and choose to express that. They speak freely of their ups and downs, wholly unafraid to bring emotion to the fore. By and large they are in touch with their inner spirit and are not encumbered by showing it. An absolute of sport is this: loss is not only inevitable, it is the dominant result in sporting theatre. There is one champion. There is one gold medallist, there is one world record holder. The rest are merely cogs in the wheel. To travel the distance, there must be joy, if not, the exercise is pointless. Strive to win, play the game. You want to win, but don’t need it. Your experience has given you everything.  Don’t judge your worth on the final result. Celebrate the adventure. Your game, your experience, your decision. Keep smiling.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Warriors have won two on the trot to start off their NRL season for the first time since 2018.  Last night’s 40-6 thrashing of the Raiders followed on from a decisive victory over the Roosters last week.   Scores were locked at six-all due to the wet conditions, before the Warriors laid on a six-try blitz in the second spell.  Former Warrior Motu Tony joined Piney to review the clash.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's time for the final manu showdown.  After 12 events across New Zealand and Australia’s Gold Coast, the Z Manu World Champs Grand Final is taking place this weekend on Auckland’s waterfront.   Jahrome Rapata-Taipari was the winner of the Whangarei qualifier, and joined Piney ahead of today’s Grand Final.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Black Caps are hopping straight from one challenge to another.  They’re fresh off the plane after the T20 World Cup and are preparing for a five set T20 series against South Africa, beginning Sunday.  It’s a double header, with the White Ferns also taking on the South African team.  Black Cap Cole McConchie joined Piney to reflect on the World Cup and look ahead to the South Africa series.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Blues will be aiming to keep their momentum rolling after a 29-13 victory over the defending champions, the Crusaders, at Eden Park last weekend.   They’re at home again this Sunday when they take on their cross-town rivals, Moana Pasifika.  Loose forward Malachi Wrampling is looking to make his debut, and joined Piney to discuss the match.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Crankworx mountain biking festival is well and truly underway, with plenty more action to come over the weekend.   The event offers a range of elite competitions, participatory events, and cultural celebrations, catering to every level of rider.  This year, athletes are battling for crucial points in the King & Queen of Crankworx standings.   Australian mountain biker Jackson Frew is competing in this year’s event, and joined Piney to chat about it.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland FC is facing a huge task this weekend.  They’re set to take on the table topping Newcastle Jets in a game that holds plenty of importance heading into the final six rounds of the A-League.  Sam Cosgrove, a striker for the Auckland side, joined Piney to preview the clash.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The richest horse race in New Zealand is taking place today.  Ellerslie Racecourse is hosting the NZB Kiwi this afternoon, as part of Champions Day in Auckland.  Ellerslie’s CEO, Paul Wilcox, joined D’Arcy to discuss the event.  LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is this the Warriors’ year?  The team put on an emphatic performance, smashing the Sydney Roosters 42-18 in their NRL season opener last night.   Chanel Harris-Tavita grabbed two of the Warriors seven tries, as they refused to settle on their 22-6 halftime lead.  Former Captain Tohu Harris joined D’Arcy to unpack the clash.  LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.