The Speakolies are a most coveted award, especially for individuals who covet golden microphone jpgs. We have a lot of fun nodding in the direction of great speeches in the calendar year. It’s not really a regular episode of the podcast because I’m the guest rather than the interviewer.

Some of the usual suspects are well in contention again. Barbados Prime Minister Mia Motley won a Speakolie in 2021, and she was outstanding again at COP 27 this year. I’ve made a fuss of Michael Sheen lately, and he is a jpg to the richer too. But an orator who has only just been drawn to my attention is this superstar, Ruby Tui, who has the pure charisma of the greatest speakers.

Geraint Davies @daviesGDD

Best ever post match interview? This is how you grow a sport.

Here’s the transcript for this one. Definitely worth watching the vid.

Kirsty: How was it New Zealand? How was it!
Ruby: I'm just so proud to be a New Zealander right now. They said nobody cared about women’s rugby. Well guess what? We are here. We are here firm. We’re going nowhere.
New Zealand … how are you? No for reals!
Thank you for letting us be here, have our presence here.
They said we couldn’t do it, Kirs, they said we wouldn’t. We all did it and honestly it took all of us. Anyone out there defended an England maul before? It aint easy in the last minute baby. But we all did it together. New Zealand was a part of that. And I’m so proud to be here right now.
Kirsty: Thank you for choosing this Black Ferns team over the sevens this year, thanks for everything you’ve done the sport in this country.
Ruby: It wasn’t easy, I got bloody shafted from Sevens, but here we are in Fifteens! New Zealand!
[Leads singing of Maori folk song Tūtira Mai Ngā Iwi]

The radio awards are a work in progress. I love getting suggestions from Speakola readers and listeners for favourites. This one isn’t English language, but it might be the gold Speakolie winner.

Grace Tame was outstanding here in Australia at the National Press Club. Write your suggestions in the comments.

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Thanks for having me Dylan and Kulja!

Thanks also to the very generous people who have become paid subscribers. It’s just the $5 a month, and if you can afford it, it’s a step towards making Speakola something other than a time consuming hobby!

Best wishes everyone!

Tony

The Speakolies 2022 — presented on 'The…