Weekend Sport with Jason Pine

The DRS, with Martin Devlin on Newstalk ZB on Saturday's and Sunday's from 12pm until 3pm, compacted into a podcast for Sunday the 22nd of November. Brought to you by Access Solutions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Martin Devlin chats to former Australian wicket keeper Ian Healy, ahead of the start of the much anticipated cricket series between India and Australia starting Friday.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Pumas backed up their first win over the All Blacks with a 15-15 draw against the Wallabies in Newcastle on Saturday night.The draw leaves all three Tri Nations teams on six points, with New Zealand top on points differential, although Argentina have a game in hand.Australia dominated territory and possession in the first half but Argentina, looking to win back-to-back games in the Southern Hemisphere competition for the first time, again defended superbly to keep the hosts tryless, while Australia were left ruing mistakes as impatience and continual errors broke down multiple forward surges.The Wallabies ramped up the pressure either side of the break and and hooker Julian Montoya was sin-binned early in the second half after the Pumas conceded a string of penalties close to their own tryline.The boot of Reece Hodge pushed Australia out to a 15-6 lead but the Pumas wrested back the initiative as Nicolas Sanchez levelled the scores at 15-15.Hodge had a late chance to snatch victory for the Wallabies but missed with his 78th-minute penalty — just as he did in the first Bledisloe test last month.The miss was Hodge's first of the night, while Sanchez also kicked five penalties from six attempts, and has scored all 40 of his team's points in their first two Tri Nations tests.The draw was the second between the Wallabies and Pumas, 33 years after the first in Buenos Aires.The Pumas valiant effort in the series is taking a turn for the worse with their outstanding captain Pablo Matera at the centre of the storm.Matera has been widely criticised for pulling the hair of the Wallaby hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa during the boring 15-all Tri-Nations draw with the Wallabies in Newcastle.And one Australian writer has turned the heat up further, accusing the Pumas of operating a dirty tricks campaign.Julian Linden, in the Daily Telegraph, wrote: "Discipline remains Australia's biggest problem. The Wallabies still give away too many stupid penalties and cough up possession by pushing passes that aren't on."Worst of all, they keep taking the bait and retaliating to off the ball incidents that blow up in their faces."The Pumas get a lot of praise for their passion but they deserve plenty of stick for their dirty little tricks – which include pulling hair, kicking players and blatantly lying on the ball."The Wallabies know that but still fall for it every time and it cost them dearly in Newcastle."It raises the spectre of a spiteful return bout between the All Blacks and Pumas in Newcastle on Saturday.Veteran All Black hooker Dane Coles was roundly criticised for losing his cool against the Pumas, conceding a penalty reversal after slapping an opponent in the face. And the once invincible All Blacks get rattled under pressure, something all opponents will play on.The Argentinians are using a spoiling game suited to their strengths and weaknesses which increases the chances of bad blood flowing in their matches.text by NZ HeraldSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All Blacks head coach Ian Foster's addressed the controversial comments made by captain Sam Cane.Cane came under scrutiny this week for calling into question how much All Black fans know about rugby.The comments came after the side's poor start to the Tri Nations, in which they've lost two consecutive games and their first-ever to Argentina, has disgruntled supporters.Foster admitted to Martin Devlin that he doesn't agree with Cane's comments and says criticism's part of the job."He's moved forward. He's got to get used to and treat with respect that process, and takes fans with us and say 'hey guys, we're hearing you, and trust us, we're working on it'."Foster himself says he welcomes the criticism, and they need to take it on board."When the All Blacks lose, we know we're going to cop it. I've got no complaints of that. I think it's right."I love the fact our fans are passionate, I've said it all along. They believe in this team, and when we don't perform to the levels they want, they give it to us." On the reasons for the loss, Foster says he wants the team to avoid the argy-bargy that has overshadowed their recent performances."We're going back to bad of days where the only person being seen by the refs is the retaliator, and the person who are doing the initial stuff are getting away with it."But that is what it is, and quite frankly, we've got to get better at dealing with it."LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Martin Devlin chats to former Black Caps captain and now part of the Spark Commentary team, Stephen Fleming ahead of the start of the NZ summer of cricket.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Martin Devlin chats to one of the voices of modern day football on our televisions, Peter Drury. Peter discusses the current Premier League season, how he sees VAR and it's influence in the game as well as a bit about his commentary life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Martin Devlin chats to former All Black captain Murray Mexted about what he saw from the All Blacks historic loss to Argentina in Sydney last weekend.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The DRS, with Martin Devlin on Newstalk ZB on Saturday's and Sunday's from 12pm until 3pm, compacted into a podcast for Sunday 15th of November. Brought to you by Access Solutions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

They were representing a country in a Covid lockdown since March. Half a dozen players, plus inspirational head coach Mario Ledesma, have had the virus. They haven't played a game together since the Rugby World Cup 13 months ago. They have just beaten the All Blacks for the first time.No wonder emotions were running high on the Bankwest Stadium pitch in Western Sydney even before the final whistle blew for their epic 25-15 victory over a full-strength All Black side presumably highly motivated to respond to last weekend's defeat to the Wallabies in Brisbane.There was singing in grandstand and tears in the coaching box. In the final moments before referee Angus Gardner signalled fulltime, Ledesma, having congratulated his fellow coaches, including former Wallabies head coach Michael Cheika, looked at his players on the pitch and quickly looked away, overcome."It's kind of surreal what just happened out there," Ledesma said afterwards. "Not just the result, but even playing the game was surreal for us."It is one of the biggest upsets in test rugby history because it's difficult to imagine a more challenging build-up to a test. The Pumas are the only team in the Tri Nations in Australia to go through a strict quarantine which meant they couldn't train as a team for weeks. Their lack of game time meant the players suffered multiple soft tissue injuries in training.Cheika, the Aussie who delivered a key message to the squad on his arrival, often had to view trainings from a coaches' box away from the field and communicated via Zoom meetings.And that's before we get into what's happening at home; there are more than 1.1 million cases of Covid in Argentina and more than 35,000 people have died from the virus."It's tough over there at the moment," captain Pablo Matera said. "It was difficult for us to be all together here in Australia. We're representing a lot of things. I think that was a blessing in the energy we had."With monstrous flanker Matera in charge they took control from the opening whistle. They showed greater discipline and composure – problem areas in the past, but better than the All Blacks on Saturday – and dictated terms through their first-five Nicolas Sanchez, who scored all their points.Fundamentally, though, the win was due to a defensive wall built on pride and trust and the All Blacks had no answer to it. From a New Zealand perspective, there will be real concern it could happen again at Newcastle's McDonald Jones Stadium in a fortnight."We felt the trust," Matera said. "We were confident without the ball. We were disciplined and knew the guy beside us would do the job."How did they do it? "There's no magic formula," Ledesma replied."We started working in January with Pablo and some of the boys around what team we wanted and we talked about identity and culture. The big difference I guess is that they own it now. It's their team. It's always the players and they've been great through the pandemic situation, just going from quarantine to quarantine – some of the boys haven't seen their families for four months. They haven't complained once."Ledesma agreed it was the coaching highlight of his career. "It has to be up there – 100 per cent – for the emotional journey we've been on and everything we've experienced."I think it's the only team we haven't beaten. I think we'll remember this for a long time coming, not only because of the game but for the special situation that got us to the game."Asked about the influence of Cheika, the former Wallabies head coach who was sacked last year, Matera revealed a key piece of advice delivered by the Australian."Seeing us as a team from the outside, he came to us on the first day and said 'hey, what are you waiting for? You've got everything – you've got big players, physical players, young players, a lot of energy, go and take it. Just take it.' That made us believe in...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"It doesn't get any worse."Martin Devlin did not hold back in his assessment of the All Blacks loss to the Pumas last night. The 25-15 loss was the first time the All Blacks have been defeated by the Argentinian side, despite the South Americans having not played since the Rugby World Cup last year. Devlin started strong, calling them "weak" before tearing into the attitude of the All Blacks he described as too focused on Instagram accounts and overseas contracts. "I blame all the players. I blame all the coaching staff. Talk about complacent. Talk about thinking you are a lot better than you are."Devlin says Argentina was magnificent and won every single contest - and "thanked his lucky stars" that South Africa wasn't part of this tournament, given that an Australian team that's in rebuild mode managed to best the All Blacks. "That side yesterday was worse than a rabble. They were disjointed, they were unorganised, they were flat, they had no ideas. They lacked anyone that was a follow me character."LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Martin Devlin chats to former Wallabies great Simon Poidevin about the future of the rugby relationship between New Zealand and Australia, on the back of the news there will be Super Rugby between the two countries in 2021.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Martin Devlin chats to Team INEOS skipper Sir Ben Ainslie about where his crew is at a month out from the start of the America's Cup Christmas regatta.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Martin Devlin chats to Talksport Scotland correspondent David Tanner,See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The DRS, with Martin Devlin on Newstalk ZB on Saturday's and Sunday's from 12pm until 3pm, compacted into a podcast for Saturday 14th of November. Brought to you by Access Solutions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The DRS, with Martin Devlin on Newstalk ZB on Monday nights, compacted into a podcast for Monday 9th of November, featuring Bryan Fletcher and Joel Caine from the SEN Drive Show in Sydney.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Martin Devlin chats to Team New Zealand trimmer Glenn Ashby, a month or so out from the start of the Americas Cup pre-regattas, on where they are at with the AC75's ahead of the Christmas Race Regattas in December.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Martin Devlin chats to the great British and Irish Lions coach Sir Ian McGeechan, about the state of World Rugby as he sees it as well as his time involved with the Lions and what a special place it holds in the hearts of Rugby fans.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A week after losing by a record margin to concede the Bledisloe Cup, Australia rebounded with a 24-22 win over New Zealand on Saturday to give Dave Rennie his first win as Wallabies head coach.It was described by some as a dead-rubber match, but there's no such thing when it comes to a trans-Tasman contest.A brutal first half contained two early tries and two red cards for dangerous tackles, ending with the score locked at 8-8 and New Zealand holding a one-man advantage with 14 against Australia's 13. The second half featured three tries — including one for each team in the last five minutes — and ended with 14 Wallabies on the field against 13 All Blacks.The New Zealanders clinched the Bledisloe Cup for the 18th consecutive season last weekend with a thumping 43-5 win in Sydney, giving them two big wins over the Wallabies after the series-opening 16-16 draw in Wellington. They made wholesale changes for the fourth Bledisloe test, which also doubled as the second in a Tri-Nations series that also involves Argentina.The Wallabies were leading 8-5 in the 23rd when New Zealand prop Ofa Tuungafasi was red carded after a review for a high tackle on Wright, who was making an angled run off the wing.It got worse for the Australians when rookie flanker Lachie Swinton was red carded in the 35th for a dangerous, no-arms hit on Sam Whitelock and then winger Marika Koroibete was yellow carded for a ruck infringement just before halftime.Sky Sport commentator Tony Johnson told Martin Devlin that referee Nick Berry showed guts by making the calls, as there should have been two red cards in last week's games."What is lacking is consistency. I think they are reffing far too much on outcome." Johnson says Swinton's red card was "open and shut" and there was malicious intent, but he says that intent never seems to factor in. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer began his childhood as Greco-Roman wrestler, following in his father's footsteps.Though he only trained between the ages of eight and 10, Solskjaer will need to apply everything he learned in those formative years as he attempts to wrestle back control of a Manchester United team that has woefully underperformed in recent matches.The beleaguered coach is under pressure following successive defeats to Arsenal and Istanbul Basaksehir, with a crucial Premier League clash against Everton coming up on Saturday.At Friday afternoon's virtual press conference, Solskjaer was asked whether he still remained confident of being able to deliver success to Manchester United."Yeah, why shouldn't I be?" he responded. "If I don't trust my belief and values and [my] staff's quality and players' quality, who else should?"Perhaps therein lies the problem. While Solskjaer might still believe in his abilities to take Manchester United back to the top, the list of other people who do appears to be getting shorter with each passing game.Vast sums of money spent badly by chief executive Ed Woodward means United's squad remains light years behind its top English and European rivals, but it's impossible to argue that Solskjaer shouldn't be getting more out of the players at his disposal.This, after all, is a side that last season reached the FA Cup and Europa League semifinals and finished third in the Premier League ahead of Chelsea and Leicester.While this season's results are no doubt concerning and have left United a lowly 15th in the Premier League, the actual performances on the pitch are arguably an even greater cause for concern.The defending for Istanbul Basaksehir's first goal in the midweek Champions League defeat was nothing short of comical -- and the second wasn't much better."You wouldn't see this on Hackney Marshes!" former United defender Rio Ferdinand lamented after the game. Such was United's ineptitude, that is surely an insult to the hundreds of talented amateur players who compete on the famous East London pitches every weekend.Hot and cold"I don't look at one or two results and fall like a house of cards," Solskjaer added. "It's a setback, definitely."There's been too much made of not scoring against Arsenal and Chelsea, there has been nothing in those games and it's not long ago we were the best thing since sliced bread against Leipzig and PSG."Solskjaer has a point. The Norwegian's time in charge has certainly been unusual, with his players turning in the kind of impressive performances they did against Paris Saint-Germain and RB Leipzig in the Champions League just when it looks as though his job is on the line.However, that inconsistency -- which is perhaps the most baffling element of Solskjaer's reign -- will certainly do nothing to appease a group of fans that have suffered through mediocrity ever since Alex Ferguson retired as manager in 2013.After reports emerged earlier this week that Solskjaer would be sacked if United fail to beat Everton on Saturday, the club has since insisted that this weekend's result will have no bearing on its coach's future.Those British media reports indicated that the club is already eying up either former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino or Leipzig coach Julian Nagelsmann as potential replacements should Solskjaer be unable to turn things around.Despite the fevered speculation, the 47-year-old Solskjaer remains defiant that he retains the club's support."You have to have that belief," he said. [The] club have been very positive and shown me their character and strong leadership. I'm looking to Saturday morning, that's another matter we can talk about."In English football, that is known as the 'dreaded vote of confidence,' a phrase derived from the practice of clubs publicly supporting their beleaguered managers only to sack them soon...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The DRS, with Martin Devlin on Newstalk ZB on Saturday's and Sunday's from 12pm until 3pm, compacted into a podcast for Sunday 8th of November. Brought to you by Access Solutions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The DRS, with Martin Devlin on Newstalk ZB on Saturday's and Sunday's from 12pm until 3pm, compacted into a podcast for Saturday 7th of November. Brought to you Access Solutions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Elliott Smith, standing in for Martin Devlin has a chat to in-form Silver Ferns shooter Maia Wilson on the back of a clean sweep series victory against England in the Taini Jamison Trophy, the first international netball to be up and running since Covid.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Wellington Phoenix will be based in Australia for at least the start of the 2020/21 A-League football season.Due to travel restrictions brought on by Covid-19, the club's players and coaching staff have begun to assemble in New South Wales to begin preparations for the new campaign, starting on December 27. That'll give the Phoenix eight weeks to get up to speed ahead of their first game, with the playing schedule to be released next month.Amongst the team is All White Clayton Lewis. It will be his time playing with his hometown team, Lewis has years of experience across New Zealand as well as several years in the UK.He joined Martin Devlin to discuss joining the Phoenix and the move to Australia, as well as touching on the mental toll playing overseas can take on you.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Martin Devlin chats to former All Black captain Murray Mexted, reflecting on that magnificent All Blacks victory against the Wallabies in Sydney, with the All Blacks winning by a record margin of 43-5.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

England ticked the boxes in beating Italy 34-5 with a bonus point on Sunday then had to wait before learning it was enough to be crowned Six Nations champions.France and Ireland both missed their chances to pip England in the final game of the tournament.Ireland could have won the title if they had beaten France by seven points.France also were in the hunt but it needed to beat Ireland by 32 points with a bonus point. They did get the bonus point but the 35-27 victory in Paris meant England had that title yet againIt is England's third title in five years but first since 2017.England did what it needed to do on a balmy evening at Stadio Olimpico but it wasn't the romp most predicted by a team which put 40-plus on Italy in its last three visits.England dominated again but played the first half poorly, kicking away possession 22 times, and led only 10-5. It was much more intense and accurate after the break in scoring four tries. Owen Farrell landed four of his six goalkicks, hitting the post twice."We've done our job," Farrell said. "I thought we went at them. But there was a large chunk of the first half when we couldn't get our hands on the ball, and we couldn't get our game on the field. We got the job done in the end."Scrumhalf Ben Youngs marked his 100th appearance with two tries and hooker Jamie George celebrated his 50th match with one of his own. Flanker Tom Curry got the all-important fourth with 13 minutes to go, and center Henry Slade added the last.But they came up against an Italy side that was spirited and awkward, and stayed in touch through the first half thanks to a try by English-born No. 8 Jake Polledri.Italy was outgunned in the end, and finished a fifth consecutive tournament without a win. Italy has lost a record 27 straight matches since its last win in 2015.Things appeared to be going to plan when England scored the first try in the fifth minute. Farrell benefited from a decoy run to slice open the Italy defense and send Youngs to the posts.But prop Kyle Sinckler spilled the ball, Italy's Carlo Canna pounced, and Polledri scored in the corner.England flanker Jonny Hill, on debut, then went to the sin-bin for a dangerous tackle on Edoardo Padovani but Italy couldn't take advantage.Polledri was issued a yellow card for a professional foul just before halftime, and Italy thought it scored, but Federico Mori lost a chase against England fullback George Furbank.England returned from the break with much-needed greater intent, and Youngs scored again after a Hill chargedown.Polledri came back to even up the forwards, but England's pack blew through Italy's to carry George over in a maul.The all-important fourth try was delivered after England earned a scrum penalty and went for an attacking lineout. Curry went blind from a ruck and went untouched into the left corner. Relieved, Eddie Jones left the sideline to return to the coaches' box.Slade finished the scoring with a try from a Farrell grubber.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The DRS, with Martin Devlin on Newstalk ZB on Saturday's and Sunday's from 12pm until 3pm, compacted into a podcast for Sunday 1st November.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Martin Devlin chats to former Wallabies midfielder Tim Horan, ahead of the 3rd Bledisloe Cup game between Australia and the All Blacks in Sydney.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Martin Devlin chats to Sir Clive Lloyd, the former West Indian captain from the 1970's and 1980's, ahead of the West Indian tour of New Zealand starting later on in November.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The DRS, with Martin Devlin on Newstalk ZB on Saturday's and Sunday's from 12pm until 3pm, compacted into a podcast for Saturday, 31st October. Brought to you by Access Solutions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Martin Devlin chats to Silver Ferns captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio on the back of a successful Cadbury Netball Series, while looking ahead to the upcoming Taini Jamieson Series against England, starting on Wednesday in Hamilton.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Martin Devlin chats to All Blacks coach Ian Foster ahead of the side's departure to Australia for the rest of the Rugby Championship, as well as taking talkback from Newstalk ZB's listeners.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Martin Devlin chats to former Black Cap and now cricket commentator Danny Morrison on life in the IPL in 2020, being played in the UAE for the first time, as well as an update on the form of the current New Zealand players in the IPL with a NZ summer of cricket on the horizon.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Martin Devlin chats to Eddie McGuire, the president of Collingwood in the AFL and host of Millionaire Hot Seat, ahead of the 2020 AFL Grand Final, hosted in Brisbane for the first time.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It is NRL Grand Final day in Sydney today which kicks off at 9.30 pm our time.With the unexpected year 2020 has been it is a real shining light that the NRL Grand Final goes ahead today.Chairman of the Australian Rugby League Commission Peter V'landys, fought through the Covid-19 pandemic and lead the NRL to be one of the first competitions to resume after the first initial lockdown crisis.One of Rugby League’s most iconic players Johnathan Thurston joined Mark Devlin to talk about the biggest day in the NRL calendar.Thurston lead the North Queensland Cowboys to glory in 2015 winning their maiden premiership by one point… in golden point! Johnathan Thurston. Photo / Getty Images. He says the experience of the Melbourne Storm players and their attacking weapons on the edges may create a huge impact for the Victorians against the red hot Penrith Panthers.Thurston has no doubt that the two best teams of this year are playing in the Grand Final.He talked about the likes of power house Justin Olam and speedster Josh Addo-Carr on the left edge of Melbourne, which completely blew the Canberra Raiders off the park last week.The former halfback also says that the left edge of the Panthers are as deadly and enthusiastic with the likes of x-factor Jarome Luai and skilful young gun Stephen Crichton out playing experienced NRL players in their first full year in the competition.With the speculations of Cameron Smith retiring JT certainly hopes ‘the best player in the game’ play on next year.JT told Devlin that he thinks the Panthers lack big game experience and expects the Storm to take out this year’s competition.“I think the big game experience will get the Melbourne Storm home in the end.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The DRS, with Martin Devlin on Newstalk ZB on Saturday's, Sunday's and Monday's, compacted into a podcast for Monday 24th October. Martin speaks to All Blacks coach Ian Foster and TV personality Eddie McGuire.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The DRS, with Martin Devlin on Newstalk ZB on Saturday's, Sunday's and Monday's, compacted into a podcast for Monday 19th October.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Martin Devlin chats to Graeme Agars, Newstalk ZB's longtime Tennis correspondent about the significance of Rafael Nadal winning his 20th Grand Slam, including a record 13th French Open.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The DRS, with Martin Devlin on Newstalk ZB on Saturday's and Sunday's from 12pm til 3pm, compacted into a podcast for Sunday 18th October. Brought to you by Access Solutions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Martin Devlin chats to Mark Larkham, the trackside expert on Fox Sports in Australia for the Supercars, ahead of the biggest motor racing event in Australasia, the Bathurst 1000.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Martin Devlin chats to All Blacks Codie Taylor, Akira Ioane and Will Jordan in the studio a day out from the 2nd Bledisloe Cup match between the All Blacks and the Wallabies.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The DRS, with Martin Devlin on Newstalk ZB on Saturday's and Sunday's from 12pm until 3pm, compacted into a podcast for Saturday 17th October. Brought to you by Access Solutions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The DRS, with Martin Devlin on Newstalk ZB on Saturday's, Sunday's and Monday's, compacted into a podcast for Monday the 12th October.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The DRS, with Martin Devlin on Newstalk ZB on Saturday's and Sunday's from 12pm until 3pm, compacted into a podcast for Sunday 11th October. Brought to you by Access Solutions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Not even a grand slam champion who has carved out a reputation for being one of the top competitors around could stop a surging Iga Swiatek in the French Open final.Swiatek raced to her first major and became Poland's first grand slam singles winner thanks to a 6-4, 6-1 victory in Paris over Sofia Kenin, who said she was hindered by a lingering leg injury."I just feel like I kind of made history but I still think that (Agnieszka) Radwanska, she achieved a lot because she played on the top level of the WTA for, I don't know, 12 years," Swiatek said, referring to the recently retired 2012 Wimbledon finalist and top 10 regular. "I don't even know the number."I know there's going to be a lot of people who is going to compare us. But I think I have to be really consistent for the next couple years to everybody to name me like the best player in Poland because still I have a lot to do."But for now, Swiatek also became the first female to win the tournament without dropping a set since Justine Henin in 2007 and the youngest champion in southwest Paris since her favorite player, Rafael Nadal.The Spaniard was also 19 in 2005."Every year I was watching how Rafa lifts the trophy so it's crazy that I am in the same place," Swiatek said during the trophy presentation.Another accolade?At No. 54, no women's player had ever been ranked as low and cradled the trophy.If her junior career is anything to go by, none of this should be a massive surprise.Swiatek triumphed in the Wimbledon juniors in 2018, a few weeks after capturing the junior doubles title at Roland Garros.Sports run in her family, as her dad represented Poland in rowing at the Olympics in Seoul in 1988. He was in attendance Saturday along with other family and the player's sports psychologist, whose birthday it was.The one thing missing was her cat."I'm so happy," Swiatek. "And I'm so glad my family was here finally.""It's just overwhelming for me. Two years ago I won a junior grand slam and right now I'm here. It's been like such a short time."Swiatek is good friends with Naomi Osaka, who upped her grand slam tally to three by winning the US Open last month. She is an aggressive player like her pal, seeking to dictate with her powerful, heavily spun forehand.Fast starts have been a hallmark of her play in Paris and seemingly without any nerves in her first major final, she duly took a 3-0 lead. Maybe her pre-match song, 'Welcome to the Jungle' by rock band Guns N'Roses, has helped, although she did admit the nerves were there.Mostly sunny conditions greeted the players in fall temperatures of around 15 degrees Celsius after the event shifted its date from late May due to the coronavirus pandemic.It was the sixth time in her seven outings Swiatek led by a break prior to the first sit down, including when she stunned pre-tournament favorite Simona Halep in the fourth round.But the gutsy Australian Open champion did mount a comeback.Kenin broke to stay in the set for 4-5 with a sizzling backhand return, only to drop serve immediately.The American broke serve to start the second but once again the response was immediate from Swiatek.Already sporting tape to her left leg, Kenin took a medical timeout at 1-2 and returned with heavy strapping but it did little to change her fortunes."She obviously played a really good match," the 21-year-old said. "She's, like, really hot right now, playing some really great tennis."I'm not going to use this as an excuse, but my leg obviously was not the best. It's obviously disappointing."Even if she was fully healthy, Swiatek would have been difficult to stop.During the medical timeout, some fans in attendance -- they were capped at 1,000 -- gave Swiatek yet more encouragement.Swiatek sealed the contest in one hour, 24 minutes with a 25th winner -- compared to only 17 unforced errors --...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All Blacks fans may be excited the team is playing again, but one Wellington bar owner says that it doesn't feel like they are.The All Blacks faced the Wallabies in Wellington today at Sky Stadium, in their first match all year.However, the benefits of a test match are not visible on the ground, with the game the first since 2012 not to sell out. Nic Mills told Martin Devlin there was no influx of people, and that it just felt like a normal Saturday after Covid."Cuba Street at 11pm last night was as dead as a doornail."He says that the officials got it wrong putting the test on a Sunday afternoon - and if it should have been an afternoon, they should have done it on a Saturday.Mills says that some of the establishments that he owns are not opening today, as they do not see the point. "It's wrong - it's great for sport, fantastic for rugby, but if you were trying to help hospitality that really needs some help, you would have played it Saturday afternoon."LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Martin Devlin chats to former Wallaby Rod Kafer ahead of the opening match of the 2021 Bledisloe Cup in Wellington.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Martin Devlin chats to Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley, on where they're at a few months out from hosting the 2021 Australian Open and the level of support they've received from both the Victorian and Australian government.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Martin Devlin chats to prominent Australian cricket commentator Mel Jones about the recent White Ferns-Australia series in Melbourne, which saw the White Ferns comprehensively beaten in both the T20's and ODI's 3-0.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The DRS, with Martin Devlin on Newstalk ZB on Saturday's and Sunday's from 12pm until 3pm, compacted into a podcast for Saturday 10th October. Brought to you by Access Solutions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Caleb Clarke's utilising the vast experiences on offer from New Zealand's best players in his first All Blacks camp.The rising winger was named in coach Ian Foster's first squad last month following a standout season with the Blues in Super Rugby.Clarke told Martin Devlin one of the biggest things he's learned in 'Camp All Blacks' is the professionalism."Getting to room with someone like Aaron Smith, it's all the small things that really matter when it comes to being a professional. Like timing, looking after the body."Also the importance of learning your role, as the All Blacks is one big machine." He says he's nit-picked his game and noticed some areas in need of improvement, mainly his work off the ball."I always watch myself and see what I do and sometimes I feel like I can just get off my wing and run off. "And also connections with my inside, whoever that centre is, or loose forward is on defence." The first Bledisloe test is a week from today in Wellington.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.