Welcome to another episode of the George Sports Podcast, brought to you by the TAB! Join your favorite armchair experts Lee, Beccie B, and Searley as they tackle a packed week in sports.

In this episode, the crew previews NRL Round 22, including the Warriors' trip to the Gold Coast for "Warriors World" and Adam Doueihi's dramatic return for the Tigers. We kick off the National Provincial Championship (NPC) season as the hosts pledge their provincial allegiances, recap Lando Norris’s victory at the F1 Hungarian Grand Prix, and celebrate Zoe Hobbs’s historic Commonwealth Games 100m Gold!

Plus, special guest Laurie Daley stops by to talk State of Origin glory, grassroots rugby league, and why he thinks the Warriors can win the premiership. Finally, All Blacks trio Luke Jacobson, Quinn Tupaea, and Simon Parker drop in to share locker room stories before heading off on their high-stakes South African tour.

Show Notes1. NRL Round 22 Preview & Warriors Banter

• Cowboys vs. Roosters: Searley calls out the second-placed Roosters as "frauds" and predicts an upset by North Queensland, despite the Cowboys missing Tom Dearden and Reed Mahoney.

• Warriors World: The Warriors head to the Gold Coast to face the Titans at Dreamworld (rebranded "Warriors World" for the week). The crew breaks down Andrew Webster’s tactical tweaks and the return of key players.

• Tigers Drama: Analysis of Adam Doueihi walking out of training after being shifted to lock, only to be reinstated as starting half—and what it means for team culture.

• NRLW & Indigenous Round: Apii Nicholls makes her Warriors NRLW debut, and the team unveils special jerseys for the upcoming clash with the Panthers.

2. NPC Kickoff & Provincial Allegiances

• The National Provincial Championship (NPC) kicks off free-to-air on TVNZ+!

• The Hosts Pledge Allegiances:

  • Producer Mouse: Waikato

  • Beccie B: Canterbury

  • General Lee: Counties Manukau

  • Searley: North Harbour

• Big-name All Blacks returning to domestic action, including Richie Mo'unga (Canterbury), Ethan Blackadder, and David Havili (Tasman).

3. Formula 1: Hungarian GP Recap

• McLaren On Top: Lando Norris secures his first GP win of 2026 in a dominant 1-2 finish for McLaren.

• Drama on Track: Oscar Piastri’s race affected by Carlos Sainz blue-flag incidents; George Russell falls out of the points early.

• Lawson's Charge: Liam Lawson finishes 8th for Racing Bulls, continuing his strong form at the top of "Formula 1.5."

4. Commonwealth Games: Historic Sprint Gold

• Zoe Hobbs: Wins Gold in the women's 100m sprint in pouring rain, setting a personal best in tough conditions.

• Team NZ Highlights: Celebrating medal runs across the pool and field events.

5. Special Guest: Laurie Daley (NSW Blues Coach)

• Origin Decider Debrief: Reflecting on the Blues' Game 3 victory at Suncorp Stadium.

• Grassroots Growth: The rise of rugby league in New Zealand, Shaun Johnson’s academy, and youth participation.

• Warriors Verdict: Laurie gives his honest assessment on why Andrew Webster’s squad has what it takes to go all the way.

6. All Blacks Corner: South Africa Tour

• Guests: Luke Jacobson, Quinn Tupaea, and Simon Parker.

• Heading to the Cauldron: Preparing for hostile crowds, rowdy buses, and Ellis Park.

• 1996 Reunion Stories: Lessons passed down from All Black legends and initiation rituals in camp.

7. TAB Mega Multi (feat. Guest Punter Darcy)

• Darcy (standing in for the suspended Corbin): Bay of Plenty Steamers Head-to-Head vs. Waikato @ $1.67

• Searley: Alofiana Khan-Pereira & Dallin Watene-Zelezniak to combine for 2+ tries @ $1.75

• General Lee: Adam Doueihi Anytime Try Scorer @ $3.50

• Beccie B: Canterbury 1–12 Margin vs. Auckland @ $3.25

• Total Multi Return: $772.39 off the $50 TAB bonus cash!

Text BET to 966 for your chance to win TAB bonus cash! Get your bet on. R18. Bet responsibly.

Welcome back to the George Sports Podcast, brought to you by our mates at the TAB! Join armchair experts Lee and Beccie B, alongside closest-thing-to-an-actual-expert Searley, as they break down another massive week in world sport. In this episode, the crew celebrates Ryan Fox’s historic golf win, recaps the All Blacks’ electric atmosphere at Eden Park, looks ahead to the NPC kickoff, and analyzes the high-stakes NRL run-in for the Warriors. Plus, special guest Corbin joins the studio to help build this week’s TAB Mega Multi, and the team unveils a wild crowdfunding plan in The Bunker!

Show Notes (Ep #106)1. Ryan Fox Makes History

• The Comeback Kid: The crew sings the praises of Sir Ryan Fox after his unbelievable tournament victory, coming back from 500-1 odds mid-tournament.

• The Ultimate Bad-Luck Cashout: Hearing about the punter who cashed out a $1,500 bet for a $200 loss—missing out on a $224,000 payout!

• Pat McAfee Show & Kiwi Pride: Foxy’s iconic media circuit, drinking wine from the trophy till 3 AM, and why global golf fans are falling in love with his rapid-play style.

2. All Blacks & NPC Rugby Roundup

• Eden Park Recap: The hosts reflect on their night at Eden Park, sitting right behind the posts and celebrating another strong All Blacks performance.

• South Africa Tour Preview: The All Blacks expand their squad from 34 to 44 players ahead of a 7-game South African tour.

• NPC Kickoff: With 130 games free-to-air on TVNZ, the crew gets hyped for the provincial season, including a rivalry matchup between North Harbour and Counties.

3. NRL: Warriors vs. Bulldogs

• Consistency in Selection: For the first time all season, the Warriors name an unchanged lineup in back-to-back weeks as they travel to Sydney to face Canterbury.

• Ladder Crunch: With only eight rounds remaining before the finals, every game is a must-win as teams fight for a top-4 spot.

4. Formula 1: Spa Recap & Hungarian GP Preview

• Kimi Antonelli Dominates: Mercedes’ 18-year-old phenom takes his 6th win of the season while teammate George Russell crashes out on lap one.

• Red Bull & Mid-Pack Drama: Isack Hadjar’s impressive drive from the back of the grid to 6th place, and Liam Lawson’s ongoing battle for upgrades at Racing Bulls.

5. TAB Mega Multi (feat. Special Guest Corbin)

• Guest Leg (Corbin): Ocean Crainey & Payton Takimoana to score 2+ tries combined duo (NRLW Warriors)

• Beccie’s Leg: Lewis Hamilton to finish on the Podium 

• Lee’s Leg: Xavier Savage Anytime Try Scorer (Raiders vs. Tigers)

• Searley’s Leg: Latu Fainu / Anytime Try Scorer Anchor Bet

• Total Multi Odds: Paying $9.45 (Potential payout of $430.00 off the $50 TAB bonus cash!).

6. The Bunker: "All In For The Chin"

• Digital Blunder: The Miami Heat accidentally pre-schedule a YouTube video titled "LeBron James Announcement" before any deal is official.

• The Nathan Cleary Campaign: The crew pitches an online crowdfunding campaign ("All In For The Chin") to buy out Nathan Cleary's contract and bring him to Mt Smart Stadium!

Text 'BET' to 966 to enter the draw for a share of the Mega Multi winnings! Please gamble responsibly (R18).

Show Notes: 

Introduction & TAB Mega Multi

• The Heartbreak: Lee and Searley commiserate over England's recent football loss after being up 1-0 with 10 minutes to go before a couple of late goals sealed their fate.

Formula 1 & Super League Updates

• Belgian Grand Prix: Beccie B previews the upcoming race at Spa, highlighting the fast-improving Ferraris and strong track history for Leclerc, while the crew debates the Mercedes' chances.

• NRL Player News: Sad news for former Warriors player Dalton Papali'i, who snapped his Achilles during a preseason Bronco test for his new French club and is out for nine months.

NRL: Warriors vs. Dragons & Ladder Dynamics

• Warriors Clash: The Warriors are set to face the bottom-of-the-table Dragons at Mount Smart Stadium in a massive triple-header.

• Injury Woes: The hosts look at the Warriors' extensive injury list, noting they haven't fielded this exact squad since the Magic Round. Key returns include Barnett, Capewell, and Dylan Walker, while Jacko Ford remains the only injured group member expected back soon.

Special Guest: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck

• Life Post-Op: Former Warriors captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck joins the studio, sharing an update that he is five weeks post-surgery and moving well.

• The Transition to Sky Sport: Roger talks about his new broadcasting role with Sky Sport, explaining how teammate Shaun Johnson advised him to approach broadcasting from a player's perspective.

• Game Preparation: Roger details the immense theory, review, and classroom work that goes into preparing the squad early in the week before hitting the paddock.

• Looking Ahead to the UK: Roger confirms he will be heading over to England in December to join the Super League.

Text 'BET' to 966 to enter the draw, and remember to gamble responsibly.

Origin: NSW Takes it out

• An Overview: Although biased, Searley gives us a deep dive on the deciding 2026 Origin match.

NRL: Warriors are BACK

• 5 Billion dollar deal: NRL Signs a record deal, confirming a 2029 team.

• WAHSLAND: The fellas have a whole bloody them park named after them.

Nations Championship

• ABs take on Italy: The boys head to Wellington for Game two!

• Nations Championship Upsets: A massive first week of the new Nation Championships, upsets galore and interesting "home" matches

World Cup

• TOP 8: The Top 8 Football teams are here, four games, we make our picks.

• What sport moment would you "Trump": If you could make call, what would you do?

Don't forget to text 'BET' to 966 to enter the draw, and remember to bet responsibly.

Rugby: All Blacks vs. France

• The Return to Christchurch: The hosts highlight that it has been 3,574 days since the All Blacks last played in Christchurch.

• Historical Stats: The team reviews the historical record, noting that only four players in the current squad have ever won a test match in Christchurch.

• Squad Naming & Tactics: Speculation runs high ahead of the 4:00 PM squad announcement. The hosts discuss potential captaincy roles and what to expect from coach Dave Rennie’s strategy against a depth-heavy French team.

• Quade Cooper on Commentary: The team shares their thoughts on Quade Cooper joining the broadcast team to provide analytical insights into his former Wallabies coach, Dave Rennie.

NRL: Warriors Bye Week & Ladder Update

• State of Origin Congestion: With the State of Origin period wrapping up, the hosts look at a heavily congested NRL ladder.

• Warriors Standings: The Warriors sit comfortably in second place on points differential but face intense competition, with just one win separating 2nd from 7th place.

• The Wooden Spoon: A quick look at the bottom of the table as the Brisbane Broncos look poised to make history for all the wrong reasons.

The "General Lee" Hair Update

• The Scruff Rules: It's the four-to-five-month marker of the infamous haircut bet. As it stands, the reset rule means General Lee needs back-to-back losses to finally get a trim before his upcoming October wedding.

• The Buyout Plan: The hosts debate a potential buyout involving tickets, food, and wearing an opposition jersey in the South Stand. Will General Lee cave?

NBA: Trade Rumors & LeBron James Free Agency

• Jayson Brown Trade: Deep dive into the massive trade sending Finals MVP Jayson Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers for Paul George and future draft picks.

• LeBron on the Move: The hosts discuss LeBron James entering free agency and his willingness to take a veteran minimum deal ($3.87M) to play for a championship contender alongside his son.

NRLW & Formula 1 Highlights

• NRLW Kickoff: Shoutout to the Warriors women's team as they kick off their season against the Bulldogs with a stacked roster.

• F1 British Grand Prix: Beccie B breaks down the controversy out of the Austrian GP involving George Russell's pole position and what it means heading into Silverstone.

Special Guest: Paddy Gower

• Exclusive Interview: Acclaimed journalist Paddy Gower joins the pod to talk about his upcoming Sky Sport special with All Blacks coach Dave Rennie. Paddy shares stories about trailing Rennie, learning about his background as an upper-hut publican, and his vision for bringing "brutality" back to the All Blacks' style of play.

Don't forget to text 'BET' to 966 to enter the draw, and remember to bet responsibly.

The crew gets back together following a massive weekend of rugby and racing, breaking down the historic All Blacks coaching staff lineup and the Hurricanes' absolute masterclass over the Chiefs. Plus, the team structures a hybrid "Missionary/Hail Mary" Mega Multi with a mind-blowing potential payout.

1. Super Rugby Final: Hurricanes Dominance

• The Masterclass: Searley and Lee break down the Hurricanes' 55-point thrashing of the Chiefs, labeling it arguably the best attacking rugby performance ever witnessed.

• Weathering the Storm: Despite extreme wind conditions where kicks were physically landing behind the kickers, the Hurricanes' skill set and speed across the park proved completely unstoppable.

• The Celebrations: The team highlights the viral post-match celebrations, featuring Warner Dearns flying back to Japan in full kit with a beer in hand.

• Christchurch Legacy: The team looks forward to the future of South Island rugby, noting that the new stadium will likely continue to attract premier talent from the schools pathways.

2. All Blacks Coaching Staff Announcement

• The Dream Team: Searley expresses ultimate confidence in the new-look All Blacks staff. The lineup features "No-Bullshit Barnsey" (Scott Hansen) from Taranaki, attack coach Mike Blair, Jason Ryan, Tana Umaga, and Dave Rennie.

• The Tana Factor: The crew highlights the massive "mana" and respect Tana Umaga brings back to the environment, noting his pedigree as a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt.

• New Faces: The squad features four new debutants, including the historic inclusion of Anton Segner—the first-ever German-born All Black, who came to NZ on a scholarship at age 16.

3. F1: Austrian GP & The Liam Lawson Resurgence

• The Rumor Mill: Beccie B opens up the "Bogan Corner" to address Spanish media reports (SoyMotor) suggesting Bulgarian junior driver Nikola Tsolov has signed with Racing Bulls for 2027.

• What it Means for Lawson: The team debates whether this signals Max Verstappen's retirement or a shuffle inside the Red Bull ranks, noting that Lawson continues to prove his worth every week by consistently finishing in the points.

• Austrian GP Preview: The crew looks ahead to Red Bull’s home ring, a track where Lawson historically performs well (finishing 6th in 2025).

• The Lego Challenge: Lee and Searley call out Beccie B for still not building the $400 Mercedes Lego kit her boyfriend bought her, officially instituting a weekly podcast punishment until it's completed.

The Episode 102 Hybrid Mega Multi 💸

This week, the team threw out the rulebook and split the $50 bonus cash into a $25 "Missionary" safe bet and a $25 "Hail Mary" long shot. Remember to text BET to 966 to get yourself in the draw!

Please bet responsibly. T&Cs apply.

The crew gets back together following a massive weekend of sports, analyzing New South Wales' tough loss in State of Origin Game 2 and looking ahead to the highly anticipated Super Rugby final. Plus, Hurricanes prop Pasioli Tosi joins the show to talk team vibes and his favorite pre-game playlists.

1. State of Origin Game 2 Review

• A Tale of Two Halves: Searley shares his experience watching the game from the comfort of his bed, noting that the Blues dominated early but completely collapsed in the second half.

• Pre-Game Speech Rumors: The team discusses a leak from the camp alleging that coach Laurie Daley's pre-game rev-up speeches have been less than motivating for the boys.

• Interchange Questions: Lee and Searley question some of Daley's substitution choices, including limited minutes for top performers and shifting players out of position.

• Looking to Game 3: The team discusses potential lineup changes for the decider at Suncorp Stadium, hoping for an SOS call to Ivan Cleary or the return of a healthy Latrell Mitchell.

2. Super Rugby: Warriors vs. Cowboys in Christchurch

• The Venue: For the first time ever, Te Kaha New Zealand Stadium is hosting a league game, which sold out in just 15 minutes.

• Matchup Concerns: The team discusses the speed of the Cowboys' outside backs and the potential threat of high-scoring under the roof.

• The Warriors Pop-Up Shop: Beccie B highlights the Warriors' temporary shop located near the stadium, open daily for fans to grab limited-edition merchandise.

3. The Super Rugby Grand Final: Hurricanes vs. Chiefs

• A Historic Final: Both the Hurricanes and the Chiefs are hungry for a title, with the Hurricanes seeking their first win in a decade and the Chiefs eager to snap a four-game final losing streak.

• The Blueprint: Searley points out that the team able to slow down the ruck on defense will likely secure the win.

• Fan Energy: For the first time ever, the stadium is permitting fans to bring cowbells inside, adding to what is already expected to be a packed, high-energy atmosphere.

4. Special Guest: Pasioli Tosi

Hurricanes prop and All Black Pasioli Tosi stops by the studio to talk about the upcoming final.

• Managing the Nerves: Pasioli shares how the team is dealing with the pressure by focusing on their usual routine and making their last week together last as long as possible.

• Team Songs: Pasioli laughs off the viral popularity of the team's victory songs on social media and admits to the pressure of keeping the rhythm on the wheelie bin.

• Pre-Game Tunes: Tosi reveals that his pre-game routine transitions from relaxing reggae music to fast-paced tracks once he hits the changing rooms to stretch.

The Weekly Mega Multi 💸

The team puts $50 of bonus cash on the line for this week's multi. Remember to text BET in all caps to 966 to get yourself in the draw!

• Corbin's Pick: Chiefs to win (Head-to-head)

• Beccie B's Pick: Warriors to win (Head-to-head)

• Lee's Pick: Newcastle Knights to win (Head-to-head)

• Searley's Pick: Melbourne Storm to beat the Raiders (Head-to-head)

A milestone episode! The team celebrates hit number 100 in style with a massive celebration, a special guest, and a high-stakes $100 Mega Multi that could return a whopping $1,408.

1. Super Rugby Semifinals: Battle in the Tron & The Canes' Dominance

• Chiefs vs. Crusaders: The team breaks down the massive semifinal clash down in "The Tron." While Beccie B is feeling the nervous energy, Searley drops a reality check stat: the Crusaders have bested the Chiefs in their last five playoff games. At $2.40 underdogs, is the value too good to pass up for a Crusaders 1-12 or an "either team under 7.5 points" bet?

• Hurricanes vs. Blues: The Blues are riding a brutal 4-game losing streak heading into a stadium-filling clash against a red-hot Hurricanes squad. The team eyes up a Hurricanes 13+ margin as the safest bet of the round.

2. NRL: Warriors’ Homecoming & The Legend of Little Noah

• Warriors vs. Sharks: After a staggering 56 days away from home, the Warriors finally return to Mount Smart Stadium. Searley analyzes the team's massive depth challenges with a wave of under-21 Christchurch talent stepping up into the squad.

• The Legend of Little Noah: The team recaps the bittersweet story of young Tigers fan Noah. After being caught crying on TV during a 50-point thrashing, Benji Marshall invited him as the guest of honor for the next game—only for the Tigers to suffer a historic 68-0 absolute drubbing.

3. Special Guest: Black Sticks Star Emma Findlay

Ahead of the FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup kicking off in North Harbour, Black Sticks legend Emma Findlay stops by the studio.

• The Reality of Regional Training: Emma opens up about the unique challenges of the self-driven, regional New Zealand training model compared to fully funded international programs like the USA and India.

• A True Hockey Dynasty: Emma shares the incredible story of her family’s hockey pedigree, featuring four Findlay sisters in the Black Sticks system, and her dad’s recent selection to the NZ Over-55 Masters squad.

• The Brutality of the Game: From split shins in China to dodging drag-flicks traveling over 100km/h from just 16 yards out, Emma gives us an insider look at why hockey goalies and defenders are built different.

4. Cricket Chat with Dean Campbell: Lord's Pitch & The Chelsea Lock-In

Cricket analyst Dean Campbell returns to break down the fallout of the Black Caps' first Test against England.

• Stat of the Week: Dean reviews the controversial Lord's pitch—statistically rated the worst pitch in 120 years, featuring a wicket every 25 balls.

• The Scandal: Dean breaks down the alleged timeline of the late-night Chelsea nightclub incident that saw England captain Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson stood down from the second Test after breaching team curfew.

We chat to Jacob Duffy ahead of the Black Caps game, Shawn Cleaver ahead of the Tennis champs and a stacked load of sports in between! Plus, a tape measure is involved.

Buckle up for another chaotic and action-packed episode of George Sports! This week, Lee, Beccie B, and Searley break down the wildest moments in local and international sports. The crew gives a massive shout-out to Kiwi racing sensation Liam Lawson for battling through a brutal weekend to secure an impressive finish. Then, things get intense—and hilarious—in the studio as IBF Cruiserweight title contender David Nyika stops by to discuss his upcoming high-stakes elimination bout against Floyd Masson. Plus, the one and only Manu Vatuvei drops in with his manager "Don Bean" to talk about his boxing comeback, the adrenaline rush of step-jumping into the ring compared to the NRL, and a potential mega-fight against another great. Finally, the team reacts to a jaw-dropping NRL commentary slip-up, tries to recover from a heartbreaking F1 TAB Mega Multi loss, and previews the highly controversial Enhanced Games.

Show Notes

• [0:00] F1 Drama & Liam Lawson’s Grit: The team chats about Toto Wolff laying down the law at Mercedes and celebrates Kiwi driver Liam Lawson fighting through hydraulic issues and clutch failures to snag a hard-earned P7 in the points.

• [1:10] David Nyika Interview: Kiwi boxing superstar David Nyika joins the studio ahead of his massive IBF Cruiserweight World Title Eliminator against Floyd Masson on August 8th. David talks about his training camp, his mutual respect for Floyd, and handles some "expert" head-movement boxing advice from the crew.

• [3:46] The NRL Commentary Blunder: The crew heads into the George Sports Bunker to dissect a shocking slip of the tongue from an Australian NRL commentator during a Cowboys game that left social media—and the hosts—completely stunned.

• [5:15] Manu Vatuvei & "Don Bean" Interview: The legendary "Beast" Manu Vatuvei and his manager, Don Bean, light up the studio. Manu opens up about the extreme nerves of boxing compared to league, sparring with Shane Cameron, and addresses the rumors of a stadium-sized Kiwi showdown with Nelson Asofa-Solomona.

• [9:11] The TAB Mega Multi: A look back at a devastatingly close F1 multi-loss that was ruined by George Russell's car "shitting the bed." The crew bounces back by locking in their risky, high-paying multi for the upcoming weekend of NRL and State of Origin action.

• [14:14] Previews & The Enhanced Games: A quick look ahead to the upcoming weekend games and a breakdown of the controversial, "fully-juiced" Enhanced Games kicking off live from Las Vegas.