February 20, 2026 • 9 mins
Will it be a case of sixth time lucky for the Wellington Phoenix in the A-League Kiwi derby against Auckland FC?
The final all-Kiwi match up of the season is on Saturday at Sky Stadium, with the Phoenix still winless in the two sides' five matches so far.
To preview the match, Adam was joined by Phoenix defender Isaac Hughes.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
News LOOKSZB on the Allsport Breakfast Quarters and nine. Well
will it be a case of sixth time lucky for
the Wellington Phoenix and the A League Derby against Auckland FC.
The final all key we match up of the season
starts at five pm at Sky Stadium right here in
the Capital today. Of course, Auckland have won all five
of the side's meetings so far. Let's head into the
(00:20):
Phoenix camp now find out how they've been preparing through
the week. Defender Isaac Hughes is with me. Morning to
your Isaac, And there's always a lot of extra interest
in derby week around these matches. But if you guys
in camp, does anything change in your lead up during
the week?
Speaker 2 (00:36):
I mean some like some what we do in a
day to day at the training ground and Howard prepared. No,
you know, we prepare for it like any of the game.
But I suppose there is a bit more of a
feeling of excitement and am a bit more of a
desire to wear them when you're playing against you arrival and.
Speaker 1 (00:53):
Five derby's so far between the two sides, Isaac and
Auckland have very much dominated them all. So motivation is
there to change that with a when or even a drawer,
I guess I think.
Speaker 2 (01:06):
Yeah, the boys are really keen to go out and
try and win. I don't think anyone's going out to
play for a point. I think we want to go
and beat them. You know, we have lots in the
last five derbies, so yeah, we want to get out
for our funds.
Speaker 1 (01:21):
And from your discussions during the week, from what you've
learned from other derby results or other games through this season,
what do you believe is key for a good result tonight.
Speaker 2 (01:31):
I think just you know, communication on the field, making
sure we're all switched on and almo in the game,
managing each other and managing your emotions. We don't want
to go down to ten or do anything stupid that
couldjeopardize the results. So yeah, but I think we've also
spoke about just working as hard as we can and
(01:52):
really fighting for each other on the pitch.
Speaker 1 (01:55):
A lot of the goals you've conceded and the derbies
have happened quite early on in matches. How do you
sort of focus on making sure you start well and
don't set of let one slavilia.
Speaker 2 (02:07):
Yeah, I think that's like one of their strengths they
usually start well and score early, and for us this season,
we have conceded early goals I think, so yeah, we
have highlighted that make sure that we come into the
game really switched on and don't conceiving those open and
twenty minutes. And we know all season we've been finishing
games really strong. So yeah, I think that's a that's
(02:27):
a key thing for us, And you.
Speaker 1 (02:28):
Sumd it up well before, Isaac, making sure there's no
concentration lapses because you look at moments during the Phoenix
season and there have been some brilliant moments, but then
I guess some freak moments of games where you've conceded
goals against momentum. How does the team go about ensuring
that you minimize those lapses and concentration, Well, it's.
Speaker 2 (02:47):
Just exactly that, and it it's just lapses in concentration
I think. I guess people would say it's difficult to
say concentrated for ninety one hundred minutes, but you know,
that's our job and I think we can help each
other out in the team, you know, by communicating making
sure the other person next year's switched on. But yeah,
(03:08):
I think it's something that we need to get better
at one.
Speaker 1 (03:13):
And yourself, Isaac, there's obviously been a few personnel changes
in and out of the defensive light up this year.
How have you sort of felt you've been able to
contribute with your rolliet You're happy with how the season's
gone on a personal level for yourself, To be.
Speaker 2 (03:25):
Fair, I don't think. I don't think fans really care
how it's going personally for me at the minute. I
think what we need to do is is go out
and win the derby. So I don't think how I've
been playing really relevant to be.
Speaker 1 (03:39):
Honest, Okay, fair enough, Well, speaking of the fans then,
how much of a difference is home advantage in big
derbies like these? The noise, the passion that's there not
just on the field, but off the field and the
stands as well. How important is getting another chance for
a win here in front of home fans?
Speaker 2 (03:57):
The the energy in the derby's has been really really good,
even the traveling support. You know, we can hear them,
you know, fighting in their in their numbers, over the
over the port and over the organ of Stefans. But
I think at home especially, you know you really feel
whenever they scored, you know, the place erupted, and you
know that that drive, that energy, that volume, it's certainly
(04:21):
it's hard to play against the opposition. It certainly drives
us on.
Speaker 1 (04:24):
Obviously a few personnel changes this week, we know that
term pain out for this game. How much does that
sort of I guess, how do you sort of titter
for that during as he prepared now to know you'll
be without him for a big game like this. How
does the race of the defeasive line kind of rally
around each other?
Speaker 2 (04:40):
Well, pain Painting's a top player. You know, he's a
all white international. You know he's going to be a
big miss to any squad. But I think with the
business that's been done in January, we have a really
good squad and you know we have good backup in
those positions. We have you know, Matt Sheridan, we have
schwe Low, we have we have a I think our
(05:00):
bench in the last few games, especially because we've been
in the last few we haven't had as many injuries
barren obviously the weekend, but our benches looking starting to
up really really strong. So I think, you know, I've
got a lot of trust in our squad and.
Speaker 1 (05:15):
You see someone like Corbyn Piper when he said to
come in either through injuries or just as a sub
off the beach tell us about you know what you
see from him when he brings on a bit of
energy onto the field.
Speaker 2 (05:25):
Oh yeah, I love playing mccorbyn. He's you know, he
gives you everything. He chased down lost causes. I think
when he came on. He came on early against Western Sidney,
early in the second half, and you know, defenders really
struggle with him because they try and fight with him
and there's no one there's no defender in the league
(05:45):
who's winning a fight against Colin Piper, So you know
they try and get physical with him and he just
dominates them. So when you've got someone with that like
physicality and also the mentality which Corbyn has, he's yeah,
pleasure to play with.
Speaker 1 (06:00):
Mentioned some of the January training by the club and
obviously everyone was stoked to see Bill tu Iloma Beck.
What kind of influence has he had, I guess on
and off the field for a play like yourself as
is someone that I'm sure you've watched a lot of
football of his growing up.
Speaker 2 (06:14):
Yeah, Bill's Bill's a top top player and had a
top career. He's also a top person, which really helps
you know when you're trying to when you're young, when
you're trying to learn off him, like like I am.
You know, when someone's as approachable as Bill is and
has as helpful as he is, then yeah, you can
learn a lot from him. And I think I'm just
(06:34):
I'm very lucky to have, you know, experienced players around
me to learn us, like Bill, like payin Me, like Ruth,
like Mandraker, like Kazu. I have a lot of experienced
players that I can learn from.
Speaker 1 (06:49):
Yeah, sap rate. Obviously we've got to see him very
you know, briefly last week in sadly another injury. How
devastating is that, you know, someone that we know can
offer so much has to be on the on the sideline.
How's it fell on the team.
Speaker 2 (07:03):
Yeah, it's it's a big loss because obviously we just
brought them in. It was his first start. I think
it was his first start against Questions for me. But yeah,
and obviously I've played with sur pre at the Olympics
as well. I know how much quality he has and
you know, like I said, with pain me be a
big loss for any squad. But again, you know, this
(07:26):
is football. These sort of things happened. You know, they
happen to every team. We need to manage it. We
have a good squad and you know, I trust the
players that we have to come in and his.
Speaker 1 (07:35):
Spoteah got And with a congested table as it is,
you know, a win can mean so much and to
sort of keep you in there sort of top six fights,
does that add extra motivation for all these games knowing
that you know this table is still incredibly close.
Speaker 2 (07:52):
I think last time I checked, we were six points
off third, which considering I think we're sitting in at ten,
is is like quite remarkable to think about. I think
there's so many moments in the season where if we
had if we'd won this game, or if that all
had gone in, or if we've got a point there,
(08:13):
you know, we could think like we'd be much higher.
But you know, you can't really think like that because
every team could think like that. We've just got We've
got nine games left now, and I think, you know,
we need to get as many points as possible from them,
and if we win more than we loose, will definitely
be in that top six. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (08:28):
Absolutely, And Isaiah, just to wrap up. There'll probably be
a few listeners on game day hearing this just just
give us the sense of the motivation and this team
and how much you guys really just want a big
Derby when it's sky Stadium this weekend.
Speaker 2 (08:41):
Yeah, the all week, the intensity has been there in
training and everyone everyone knows the job, everyone knows the intention.
I think even after the Western Sydney game, we spoke
in the changing room about how it's a big week
for us and how we need to go and get
that win. So yeah, all the fans can know that
we're going to give everything. And then we've been given
everything all week and you know, we really are desperate
(09:03):
to win for the funds.
Speaker 1 (09:05):
Eye Zac always appreciate your time here on News Talks EDB.
Thanks for chatting and all the very best for the
big game this weekend. Thanks for your time.
Speaker 2 (09:12):
Perfect cheers Adam.
Speaker 1 (09:14):
For more from News Talks EDB, listen live on air
or online, and keep our shows with you wherever you
go with our podcasts on iHeartRadio
News LOOKSZB on the Allsport Breakfast Quarters and nine. Well
will it be a case of sixth time lucky for
the Wellington Phoenix and the A League Derby against Auckland FC.
The final all key we match up of the season
starts at five pm at Sky Stadium right here in
the Capital today. Of course, Auckland have won all five
of the side's meetings so far. Let's head into the
(00:20):
Phoenix camp now find out how they've been preparing through
the week. Defender Isaac Hughes is with me. Morning to
your Isaac, And there's always a lot of extra interest
in derby week around these matches. But if you guys
in camp, does anything change in your lead up during
the week?
Speaker 2 (00:36):
I mean some like some what we do in a
day to day at the training ground and Howard prepared. No,
you know, we prepare for it like any of the game.
But I suppose there is a bit more of a
feeling of excitement and am a bit more of a
desire to wear them when you're playing against you arrival and.
Speaker 1 (00:53):
Five derby's so far between the two sides, Isaac and
Auckland have very much dominated them all. So motivation is
there to change that with a when or even a drawer,
I guess I think.
Speaker 2 (01:06):
Yeah, the boys are really keen to go out and
try and win. I don't think anyone's going out to
play for a point. I think we want to go
and beat them. You know, we have lots in the
last five derbies, so yeah, we want to get out
for our funds.
Speaker 1 (01:21):
And from your discussions during the week, from what you've
learned from other derby results or other games through this season,
what do you believe is key for a good result tonight.
Speaker 2 (01:31):
I think just you know, communication on the field, making
sure we're all switched on and almo in the game,
managing each other and managing your emotions. We don't want
to go down to ten or do anything stupid that
couldjeopardize the results. So yeah, but I think we've also
spoke about just working as hard as we can and
(01:52):
really fighting for each other on the pitch.
Speaker 1 (01:55):
A lot of the goals you've conceded and the derbies
have happened quite early on in matches. How do you
sort of focus on making sure you start well and
don't set of let one slavilia.
Speaker 2 (02:07):
Yeah, I think that's like one of their strengths they
usually start well and score early, and for us this season,
we have conceded early goals I think, so yeah, we
have highlighted that make sure that we come into the
game really switched on and don't conceiving those open and
twenty minutes. And we know all season we've been finishing
games really strong. So yeah, I think that's a that's
(02:27):
a key thing for us, And you.
Speaker 1 (02:28):
Sumd it up well before, Isaac, making sure there's no
concentration lapses because you look at moments during the Phoenix
season and there have been some brilliant moments, but then
I guess some freak moments of games where you've conceded
goals against momentum. How does the team go about ensuring
that you minimize those lapses and concentration, Well, it's.
Speaker 2 (02:47):
Just exactly that, and it it's just lapses in concentration
I think. I guess people would say it's difficult to
say concentrated for ninety one hundred minutes, but you know,
that's our job and I think we can help each
other out in the team, you know, by communicating making
sure the other person next year's switched on. But yeah,
(03:08):
I think it's something that we need to get better
at one.
Speaker 1 (03:13):
And yourself, Isaac, there's obviously been a few personnel changes
in and out of the defensive light up this year.
How have you sort of felt you've been able to
contribute with your rolliet You're happy with how the season's
gone on a personal level for yourself, To be.
Speaker 2 (03:25):
Fair, I don't think. I don't think fans really care
how it's going personally for me at the minute. I
think what we need to do is is go out
and win the derby. So I don't think how I've
been playing really relevant to be.
Speaker 1 (03:39):
Honest, Okay, fair enough, Well, speaking of the fans then,
how much of a difference is home advantage in big
derbies like these? The noise, the passion that's there not
just on the field, but off the field and the
stands as well. How important is getting another chance for
a win here in front of home fans?
Speaker 2 (03:57):
The the energy in the derby's has been really really good,
even the traveling support. You know, we can hear them,
you know, fighting in their in their numbers, over the
over the port and over the organ of Stefans. But
I think at home especially, you know you really feel
whenever they scored, you know, the place erupted, and you
know that that drive, that energy, that volume, it's certainly
(04:21):
it's hard to play against the opposition. It certainly drives
us on.
Speaker 1 (04:24):
Obviously a few personnel changes this week, we know that
term pain out for this game. How much does that
sort of I guess, how do you sort of titter
for that during as he prepared now to know you'll
be without him for a big game like this. How
does the race of the defeasive line kind of rally
around each other?
Speaker 2 (04:40):
Well, pain Painting's a top player. You know, he's a
all white international. You know he's going to be a
big miss to any squad. But I think with the
business that's been done in January, we have a really
good squad and you know we have good backup in
those positions. We have you know, Matt Sheridan, we have
schwe Low, we have we have a I think our
(05:00):
bench in the last few games, especially because we've been
in the last few we haven't had as many injuries
barren obviously the weekend, but our benches looking starting to
up really really strong. So I think, you know, I've
got a lot of trust in our squad and.
Speaker 1 (05:15):
You see someone like Corbyn Piper when he said to
come in either through injuries or just as a sub
off the beach tell us about you know what you
see from him when he brings on a bit of
energy onto the field.
Speaker 2 (05:25):
Oh yeah, I love playing mccorbyn. He's you know, he
gives you everything. He chased down lost causes. I think
when he came on. He came on early against Western Sidney,
early in the second half, and you know, defenders really
struggle with him because they try and fight with him
and there's no one there's no defender in the league
(05:45):
who's winning a fight against Colin Piper, So you know
they try and get physical with him and he just
dominates them. So when you've got someone with that like
physicality and also the mentality which Corbyn has, he's yeah,
pleasure to play with.
Speaker 1 (06:00):
Mentioned some of the January training by the club and
obviously everyone was stoked to see Bill tu Iloma Beck.
What kind of influence has he had, I guess on
and off the field for a play like yourself as
is someone that I'm sure you've watched a lot of
football of his growing up.
Speaker 2 (06:14):
Yeah, Bill's Bill's a top top player and had a
top career. He's also a top person, which really helps
you know when you're trying to when you're young, when
you're trying to learn off him, like like I am.
You know, when someone's as approachable as Bill is and
has as helpful as he is, then yeah, you can
learn a lot from him. And I think I'm just
(06:34):
I'm very lucky to have, you know, experienced players around
me to learn us, like Bill, like payin Me, like Ruth,
like Mandraker, like Kazu. I have a lot of experienced
players that I can learn from.
Speaker 1 (06:49):
Yeah, sap rate. Obviously we've got to see him very
you know, briefly last week in sadly another injury. How
devastating is that, you know, someone that we know can
offer so much has to be on the on the sideline.
How's it fell on the team.
Speaker 2 (07:03):
Yeah, it's it's a big loss because obviously we just
brought them in. It was his first start. I think
it was his first start against Questions for me. But yeah,
and obviously I've played with sur pre at the Olympics
as well. I know how much quality he has and
you know, like I said, with pain me be a
big loss for any squad. But again, you know, this
(07:26):
is football. These sort of things happened. You know, they
happen to every team. We need to manage it. We
have a good squad and you know, I trust the
players that we have to come in and his.
Speaker 1 (07:35):
Spoteah got And with a congested table as it is,
you know, a win can mean so much and to
sort of keep you in there sort of top six fights,
does that add extra motivation for all these games knowing
that you know this table is still incredibly close.
Speaker 2 (07:52):
I think last time I checked, we were six points
off third, which considering I think we're sitting in at ten,
is is like quite remarkable to think about. I think
there's so many moments in the season where if we
had if we'd won this game, or if that all
had gone in, or if we've got a point there,
(08:13):
you know, we could think like we'd be much higher.
But you know, you can't really think like that because
every team could think like that. We've just got We've
got nine games left now, and I think, you know,
we need to get as many points as possible from them,
and if we win more than we loose, will definitely
be in that top six. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (08:28):
Absolutely, And Isaiah, just to wrap up. There'll probably be
a few listeners on game day hearing this just just
give us the sense of the motivation and this team
and how much you guys really just want a big
Derby when it's sky Stadium this weekend.
Speaker 2 (08:41):
Yeah, the all week, the intensity has been there in
training and everyone everyone knows the job, everyone knows the intention.
I think even after the Western Sydney game, we spoke
in the changing room about how it's a big week
for us and how we need to go and get
that win. So yeah, all the fans can know that
we're going to give everything. And then we've been given
everything all week and you know, we really are desperate
(09:03):
to win for the funds.
Speaker 1 (09:05):
Eye Zac always appreciate your time here on News Talks EDB.
Thanks for chatting and all the very best for the
big game this weekend. Thanks for your time.
Speaker 2 (09:12):
Perfect cheers Adam.
Speaker 1 (09:14):
For more from News Talks EDB, listen live on air
or online, and keep our shows with you wherever you
go with our podcasts on iHeartRadio
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