All Episodes

January 10, 2025 7 mins

Up to two casualties for the Wellington Phoenix ahead of today's visit to Adelaide United in Football's A-League. 

Defender Tim Payne has been ruled out with a recurring foot injury and captain Alex Rufer is in doubt due to illness. 

Coach Giancarlo Italiano says they're not yet to decide whether Rufer will play - after he also missed their last outing. 

Adam Cooper catches up with Sam Sutton to preview the clash.

LISTEN ABOVE. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark as Played
Transcript

Episode Transcript

Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the All Sport Breakfast podcast with Darcy
Waldegrave from News Talk SEDB.

Speaker 2 (00:12):
Well The Wellington Phoenix Men had what many fans described
as one of their worst performances in recent seasons in
last week's two nail away lost to Melbourne City in
the A League. Phoenix headed into the weekend tenth on
the competition at Ladder and they host Adelaide's at sky
Stadium in Wellington this weekend. Adelaide looking pretty strong thirds

(00:32):
on the competition overall, but when you sort of knutt
it down in a three way tie for seconds behind
Auckland on twenty one points. Auckland the leaders on twenty three,
so that near the top Adelaide as they head to
the Capitol for today's game. Well, in the lead up yesterday,
I popped along to the Phoenix training base in Upper
Huts and caught up with Phoenix defender Sam Sutton. Well, Sam,

(00:55):
I guess firstly reflecting on the most recent result, tough
trip to Melbourne City. How's the teams that have regrouped
from that to start the new year.

Speaker 3 (01:01):
Yeah, it was a tough game, there's no point line
about it. I don't think we performed the way we
wanted to, but again, that's football, and there's a game
coming around next weekend. So yeah, we've focused on that
and we've put that behind us and taken some learnings
from it.

Speaker 2 (01:17):
Finished the calendar year at home of the good one.
Did you did you feel like there was some momentum
being built then sort of that that could have got
the result over in Melbourne?

Speaker 3 (01:24):
Yeah, of course. I mean I believe in this team
that we could beat any team on our day and
then after it when obviously you feel unstoppable. So there's
no saying that can happen this weekend against Adelaide and
we we'd pick up three points and then and then
we start a run. So yeah, no problems.

Speaker 2 (01:43):
From your perspective, any improvements you've sort of thought that
that's something I can take ownership off from from the
most recent game.

Speaker 3 (01:49):
Yeah, I mean we've looked at it tactically, and obviously
each and every one of us look at it and
watch the game back and go through individually, and I
know I've done a few clips with Chiefee and Griffs
and there's a few tweaks that I think we need
to take into the next game. It's pretty minor details,
and I think that'll make all the difference. To be honest,

(02:09):
a lot.

Speaker 2 (02:09):
Of fans probably noticed the team playing from the back
a lot. Is that sort of something that I guess
you feel we'll carry on for the team's success. It needs,
it needs to stay happening.

Speaker 3 (02:18):
Again, that comes back to the belief. I think I
have belief in the boys, and if we get it right,
then we're going to score a lot of goals. We'll
create a lot of opportunities. At least I know last
season we did that and I think we have it
in us to do it again this season. So you know,
whether we need to adjust it a little bit and
adapt to the players that we have, that could be
the case. But yeah, again, it's about belief and if

(02:39):
we're all connected and on the same mental page, then
I'm sure we'll get out and start it'll start clicking soon.

Speaker 2 (02:45):
Is you and a number of others that were there
in that the great season last year, what is the
biggest difference you've found in that the first half of
the season from the previous campaign do you think? Yeah?

Speaker 3 (02:54):
I mean that's the million dollar question. I don't think
I can put a finger on it. But I think
we've recruited well this year, so so obviously we've we've
missed out on a lot of great key players last season,
but that's an excuse because, like I said, we've recruited
really well. Sometimes that's just how football is and and
you can't always be at the top, And I think
you learn the most from when you're you're in the dumps,

(03:17):
like you could argue that we're in right now. So again,
I have to believe that we'll get out of it,
and once we do, will be it will be strugging
for the top.

Speaker 2 (03:25):
Does it put a bit more sort of pressure on
you as a sort of an experienced member of this team,
and it's sort of, you know, one of the leaders
on the park to sort of get the younger guys motivated,
not getting too down on the dumps by by some
certain results.

Speaker 3 (03:36):
Yeah, of course, I guess you could sound more experienced now.
And I don't think it's a pressure thing. I think
I embrace it. And I think we've got a lot
of young boys and a lot of them have very
good mentalities and I definitely see myself and a lot
of them, So yeah, obviously they're gonna they're gonna learn
from from the things that were going on at the
moment and they're going to grow from it. So yeah,

(03:58):
obviously I'm there to help them out. And obviously I'm
not the end product either. I've got older players that
I'm gonna lean off, and and likewise, the older players
are lean off the coaches. So it's a cyclical thing
and that's just how football is.

Speaker 2 (04:10):
Obviously. You know, Alex ruthe is such a key part
of the whole team. We're not sure if he's going
to be playing this weekend yet or not, but just
just tell us about what he's brought to the team,
especially this year, and there has been a number of
senior guys leaving before the start of the season.

Speaker 3 (04:23):
Yeah, I mean everyone, all the fans see what type
of leader he is on the pitch, absolute dog in
the midfield and leads us and keeps us accountable. So
he's a great leader in that sense. But you know,
he's one of the most social players that I've ever
played with, so off the field, he's such a great
lad and everyone feels that they can go talk to him.
So obviously it's a massive loss, and I'd be lying

(04:43):
if I said it wasn't, but again, that's how football works.
Someone gets injured or gets sick and someone else has
to come and take the opportunity. So I'm hoping some
of the other boys can step up to the occasion
and fill his boots. But yeah, it's a massive loss
for sure.

Speaker 2 (04:58):
Scott Worton. Obviously there's chatter around his future, but he's
been such a big part of this team through you know,
the last few seasons and some real success as well.
Tell us just that the type of teammate he is
and what he's brought to the Phoenix.

Speaker 3 (05:10):
Yeah, I mean similar to Rufa. You know, he's a
great character. I remember the first time that he came in.
You know, he was loud and energetic, and I think
he brings something that we don't have much of. And yeah,
he's super positive, also keeps us accountable and such a
great player, and he plays alongside me. So I'm so
happy that he's doing that because I've been constantly learning

(05:33):
off him and every day I'm asking questions and you know,
he definitely tells me when I'm doing things wrong, but
also tells me when I'm doing things right, which is
a really important role. From your older boys, and he
treats everyone the same.

Speaker 2 (05:45):
Adelaide this weekend. I mean they've had a great away
record this year. What do you think makes a team
like that travel well?

Speaker 3 (05:50):
Good question. They just seem to be really connected as
a team, a family as you call it. But you know,
they're doing really well at the moment, there's no line
about that. But it's always tough to come to Wellington.
It's a different type of away trip. They're coming to
a different country, different weather. Whether it's going to bring
the wind that I know, but yeah, it's going to

(06:12):
be different for them. So it would be a good
test and likewise a good test for us because there's
such a such a good team, dynamic and defensively strong,
attacking strong. So I'm looking forward to it.

Speaker 2 (06:22):
When you take yourself out of being a player, have
you have you genuinely watched more football this year? We've
given Auckland's back in the league. Have you taken a
bit more notice of just the general competition?

Speaker 1 (06:30):
Hey?

Speaker 3 (06:31):
Yeah, I mean I do watch Auckland. I watch every team.
I mean that's our job. We get paid to kind
of study the game like that. But yeah, I mean
Auckland are doing great things and it hurts a bit
to see, but it's good for using in football, so yeah.

Speaker 2 (06:45):
And just for you obviously getting back into All White squad.
I know you've spoken that about being a real aim
for the last few World Cup qualifiers. Where do you
think you're at the starting point of this year a
couple of months out from those games.

Speaker 3 (06:56):
Yeah, Like I've said and other interviews, there's so much
competition there and I know my counterpart and DeVos is
doing great things over in Auckland, and fair play to them.
All I can do is focus on what I can
and taking it game by game. I'm doing the best
I can and if that's what Bays, if he thinks
I'm doing well enough, then then that's great. If not,

(07:16):
then I'm sure there's some learnings I can take from it.
But yeah, it's it's a good task and a good
challenge ahead of me, which which keeps me motivated, which
I'm enjoying.

Speaker 2 (07:26):
Awesome, Sam, Thanks for chatting and all the best this weekend.

Speaker 3 (07:28):
No problem chairs.

Speaker 1 (07:29):
For more from the All Sport Breakfast with Darcy Watergrave,
listen live to News Talk set be on Saturday mornings,
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio,
Advertise With Us

Popular Podcasts

Stuff You Should Know
I Do, Part 2

I Do, Part 2

From Executive Producers Jennie Garth, Jana Kramer, Amy Robach, and T.J. Holmes. Did you think you met the love of your life and marry him, only to realize it was actually “thank you, next?" Did this jerk cheat on you and leave you feeling alone and hopeless? Don’t make the same mistake twice... Get it right THIS time! Is it time to find true love…again?! If you loved the Golden Bachelor, SILVER just might be your color. Older and wiser, 50 and Fabulous, and ready for a little sex in the city. Everyone has baggage, but you’re not bringing it on this trip. Second Times The Charm. I Do, Part Two. An iHeartRadio podcast...where finding love is the main objective.

My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark

My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark

My Favorite Murder is a true crime comedy podcast hosted by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark. Each week, Karen and Georgia share compelling true crimes and hometown stories from friends and listeners. Since MFM launched in January of 2016, Karen and Georgia have shared their lifelong interest in true crime and have covered stories of infamous serial killers like the Night Stalker, mysterious cold cases, captivating cults, incredible survivor stories and important events from history like the Tulsa race massacre of 1921. My Favorite Murder is part of the Exactly Right podcast network that provides a platform for bold, creative voices to bring to life provocative, entertaining and relatable stories for audiences everywhere. The Exactly Right roster of podcasts covers a variety of topics including historic true crime, comedic interviews and news, science, pop culture and more. Podcasts on the network include Buried Bones with Kate Winkler Dawson and Paul Holes, That's Messed Up: An SVU Podcast, This Podcast Will Kill You, Bananas and more.

Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.