The All Sport Breakfast

Standing at the base of El Capitan. A sheer granite face in Yosemite National Park in the US. 2300 meters of near-death experience.

The film Free Solo documented the outrageous ascent of that overwhelming rock face by free climber Alex Hannold. Watch it, it’ll bend your mind. Alex scales the monster unaided. A free climb. No ropes, no fear. No second chance. Climbing shoes and chalk – that’s it.

The All Blacks won’t fall to their deaths if they slip on the face during their ascent of their El Capitan, the scaling of South African rugby.

Every step, every foothold, every crimp, pinch, pocket, or sloper negotiated without fail. One wrong move for a free climber; the game is over.

So far the All Blacks have negotiated their treacherous climb with only the odd misstep or slip. Some loose grips and sketchy holds have left them hanging by chalk coated fingertips, but they have not lost their grip on the face.

Whether this team can continue their climb to the tour’s summit is unknown, but we’ll all be watching, craning our necks to get a good view of what will be a stupendous achievement. 

Let us not forget the mass pessimism expressed by the rugby public when this Greatest Rivalry Tour was announced, the fear of inevitable defeat, the remote hope of at least taking one win from the many exchanges. The All Blacks had been faltering, showing an almost expected vulnerability at every turn, with the halcyon days of global domination a dearly held but distant memory of what the All Blacks meant to us. A colossus. An unflinching, merciless and relentless group of men hell bent on conquering all.

Under Dave Rennie, for those who dare to dream, the All Blacks may scale those dizzying heights again.

Unlike free climbing, mistakes aren't punishable with a fatal fall into the yawning emptiness, and although a successful climb in this instance looks as unlikely as a free climb of El Capitan, this seemingly impossible task is looking more likely with every carefully taken step and cautious hold.

Fortune favours the brave.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The All Blacks are braced for a South Africa backlash in the second test of four in Cape Town tomorrow morning. 

They'll be aiming for a repeat of last weekend's dominant victory and to keep their winning streak alive.   

Dave Rennie has made three changes to his side, including bringing Simon Parker on to the blindside flank due to the injury to Josh Lord. 

Former All Black Reuben Thorne joined D'Arcy to preview the clash. 

LISTEN ABOVE  

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Black Ferns are back in action this afternoon. 

They're going head-to-head to the Wallaroos at GoMedia Stadium this afternoon – their first international match since they last clashed in April. 

Mererangi Paul is starting on the wing for the side and joined D'Arcy to preview the clash. 

LISTEN ABOVE  

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A dominant victory over the Broncos last week has put the Warriors in a good position in their quest to claim a top two spot.  

However, a win against the Rabbitohs tonight is of utmost importance to keep that dream alive. 

Joe Vagana, former Warriors prop, joined D'Arcy to discuss the season and the upcoming clash. 

LISTEN ABOVE  

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The New Zealand Rally Championship is rolling on. 

The Hawke's Bay Rally is returning to the region for the first time since 2022, when it was cancelled due to Cyclone Gabrielle.  

Hayden Paddon is taking part in today's race, and joined D'Arcy Waldegrave to discuss. 

LISTEN ABOVE  

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The action is nearing, with the first test in the Greatest Rivalry Tour kicking off tomorrow morning. 

The All Blacks are going head-to-head with the Springboks at Johannesburg's Ellis Park at 3am Sunday. 

Anton Leinert-Brown has been named to come off the bench for the Kiwi side, and joined D'Arcy to preview the clash. 

LISTEN ABOVE  

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Log o’ Wood. A generational continuum.   

From the dawn of time —okay, 1904— NZ rugby teams have competed for a slab of oak, donated to NZR by Uchter John Mark Knox, the 13th Governor of New Zealand, the 5th Arl of Ranfurly.   

The magic and the presence of the Shield hasn't dimmed in all those years.    

Thursday night’s fireworks at New Zealand’s newest sporting toy, Tahi Aotearoa Whare hakinakina kei Te Kaha (One New Zealand Stadium at Te Kaha) was a wonderful collision of the old and the new. The Shield and the stadium. Another stich in the rich and varied tapestry that is New Zealand rugby.   

The explosion of joy from the Taniwha, both players and fans, illustrated the hold this elusive trophy has on our national game. The stark difference in reaction from last week's losing captain, Bay of Plenty's Naitoa ah Kuoi and this week’s triumphant skipper Rivez Reihana, encompass what victory in these fierce exchanges mean to the game.   

As a young fella, growing up in the 70’s in Otautahi Christchurch, the Sheild to me was fringed with an almost indescribable aura. There was not a great deal of books at our place, but of the few, one stood out. Can’t remember the name of it for the life of me, but on the cover was a picture of the Shield. It intrigued me and has ever since, through decades of domestic encounters. The 1985 game between Canterbury and Auckland in front of over 50,000 fans was a game that has reached legendary status, a game that every Christchurch man and his dog claimed to have attended.   

In the office on Thursday night, one of my colleagues, a young man from the north, cried as his team did the unthinkable and won the Shield. Billy is as engaged as I was, decades later.  

The game’s highlight for me was a shot of ex-Northland players Eric Rush and David Holwell in the stands, watching their kids in Cambridge blue lift the log. The joy was infectious.  

Intergenerational continuum.  

The Ranfurly Shield, the greatest trophy in New Zealand sport, by the length of the straight.   

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The New Zealand Darts Masters is in Auckland this weekend, showcasing some of the best darts players in the world. 

It kicked off today at Spark Arena, and PDC Commentator Mark Webster joined D’Arcy to chat about the all the action expected over the weekend. 

LISTEN ABOVE  

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The bar has been set for the Warriors as they look to content for a Premiership this season. 

Coming off a dominant win over the Panthers, the Warriors are looking to back that up against the Broncos in Brisbane tonight. 

Chanel Harris-Tavita plays in the halves for the team, and joined D’Arcy to preview the clash. 

LISTEN ABOVE  

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The All Blacks have gone two for two to begin their first tour of South Africa in three years. 

They have one last chance to refine their game before taking on the Springboks – facing the Bulls tomorrow morning at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria. 

Assistant Coach Tamati Ellison joined D’Ary to discuss their preparations and preview the clash. 

LISTEN ABOVE  

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.