November 1, 2024 • 11 mins
The Wellington Phoenix are playing host to Auckland FC tonight.
The teams are facing off in the A-Leagues first Kiwi derby in what’s expected to be a tough match.
Piney caught up with Phoenix defender Isaac Hughes ahead of the big game.
“I think everyone knows it's a big game. I think there's no point pretending that it's not.”
“When you get out there onto the pitch, I think as long as everyone's focused on their jobs like, I see no reason why it will impact us.”
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 Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Fine
from News Talk zed B.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Five o'clock This afternoon. Auckland f C coming to pay
visit or pay a visit to the Wellington Phoenix. Now
Nagasawa await run and two for the Phoenix. Two paid
came for Deep and you gonna ride with a powerful
header that might just have.
Speaker 1 (00:30):
The Phoenix on track for their first bit of the season.
Speaker 2 (00:32):
Man, that was a week ago. Wellington indeed picking up
their first one of the season, a two nil win
against Perth Glory at home. This afternoon, of course, against
Auckland f C. Let's bring in Wellington Phoenix defender Isaac Hughes.
Isaac a win away at Perth to follow a draw
in the first game of the season. So four points
from the first couple of games. How happy is the
side and how happy do you think the coaches are
(00:53):
with the performances in the first two matches.
Speaker 3 (00:57):
I think it's a it's a mixed bag. I think
we felt like we played really well in that first
game and felt like we should have got all three points.
I think, you know, from both performances, we should be
sitting on six points. But I think, you know, we're
not panicking, We're relaxed. I think everyone's feeling that there's
a lot like we're doing well, but there's a lot
more to do. We have a lot more in us.
Speaker 2 (01:19):
Do you think there were improvements between the Western United
game and what you did over in Western Australia against
Perth last weekend.
Speaker 3 (01:29):
I think I think there was some improvement in maybe
the focus and some defensive elements. I think I think
on the ball against Perth, we still have ways to go.
You know. I think it's funny. I actually think we've
probably created better chances against Western United but scored one
(01:52):
less goal, So it's funny how that works. But I
think the mentality from the group was definitely everyone was
really switched on for the Perth game.
Speaker 2 (01:59):
Sounds from your first couple of answers that you believe
there's still quite a bit of growth to come in
this and this team. I guess that's natural given effect
you've only had two games in the season, but you
feel like there's there's a much higher ceiling for this
team than what we've seen so far.
Speaker 3 (02:15):
Yeah, definitely, I think in I think there's a lot
of new players that are, you know, learning how to
play with each other. And I think when everyone clicks,
I think we're going to be a scary team to
deal with.
Speaker 2 (02:28):
So you yourself, you've had well, you've played every minute or
the first two games of the season, just the four
starts in all of last season among your eleving appearances.
How much of you enjoyed being part of the starting
of living from the very start of the season.
Speaker 3 (02:44):
Yeah, it's it's good. It's football is a lot more
fun when you've been instead of watching. But it's it's good.
It's it's good as well because being a probably to
be fair, last season, I was probably expecting that to
come into the team earlier than I did. But this
(03:06):
season and I've just been it's good to know that
I'm just like I'm going to be in the team
and well as things stand at the minute. So it
just gives me that like excitement and you know, I
get I feel like I'm in a rhythm now playing
a game every week and you know, I'm playing ninety
minutes week and week out. It just feels like a
good rhythm at the minute.
Speaker 2 (03:25):
And you've been part of a three men central defense
with wing becks in the first couple of games if
you went to a flatback four, for example, Chief he's
been known to switch formations here and there. If you
were part of a back four, you'd be comfortable enough
with that as well.
Speaker 3 (03:41):
Yeah, yeah, it makes no like, makes no difference to
me personally, like four or five. Obviously you have to
play slightly different. You have to defend probably a bit
more aggressively in the five, but yeah, I'm more than
comfortable playing in the four as well.
Speaker 2 (03:58):
How much support have you been getting from Scott Wooton,
who's been around for a week while, how much supports
he given given you alongside in central defense?
Speaker 3 (04:07):
A lot, A lot he gives. We had a couple
of preseason games where Scotty was out and I think
his absence was definitely noted. I think he just gives
just a sense of calm. It's not even like Scott.
Scott just makes everyone around him a better player, because
he gives you the confidence to do your job with conviction.
(04:29):
Whereas sometimes if if he's not there, you're not fully
sure if this is what you're meant to be doing.
But Scott gives you that confidence to do your job.
Speaker 2 (04:38):
Yeah, that's a great way of describing it. And head
coach Jian Callower Telliano very well known for having faith
in young players. How does he let you know, Isaac,
that he has that confidence in you by starting me, Yeah,
well that's a that's a good that's a good start.
What about the words and and and the messages he
(04:59):
gives you?
Speaker 3 (05:02):
He I think we're cheaply. What's good with he deals
with young players is he's not He creates an environment
where you feel confident to ask questions, which is actually unique.
You know, I'm not I'm not walking into training and
fearing for my life every day, so I'm able to
(05:24):
ask a question, and if I'm much on something, I'm
able to, you know, check in with the older players.
I think that when that communication is open, and you know,
when everyone in the group is very approachable, everything's clear,
and then my job's easy to do because I know
I'm fully sure of what I'm meant to be doing.
I think sometimes young players are not quite because they've
(05:46):
not been in the game as long and not quite
sure what they're meant to do, but they're always too
scared to.
Speaker 2 (05:51):
Ask, right, But that's not the case here, which is uh, yeah,
that's a that's a great illustration of the way he
deals with you younger players. So it's a derby this afternoon.
There's a lot of hype around about this, mainly driven
by the fans and the media. To be honest, not
sure what it's like internally. But have you tried to
to downplay the hype of this derby or have you
(06:12):
tried to actually embrace it?
Speaker 3 (06:18):
I think you for certain you have to not acknowledge
it's there. I think everyone knows that the big game.
I think there's no point pretending that it's not. You know,
we're likely going to have a bigger crowd in here
today than for normal home games. But and I think
obviously it's been the first you know, New Zealand professional
football derby in history is pretty exciting as well. But
(06:41):
I think at the end of the day, all that
doesn't really mean aithing when you get out there onto
the pitch. I think as long as everyone's focused on
their jobs, like I see no reason why it will
impact us.
Speaker 2 (06:54):
Are they many players on the Auckland f C side
who you've played with or or against regularly in the
last couple of years, you know, at club level or
maybe in underage inter national sites.
Speaker 3 (07:06):
Yeah, yeah, I've played. I played with and against Jesse
Randall quite a lot. I played with him at the
Olympics and I played with him at lots of twenty
threes qualifiers, same with him with Liam Gillian, played with
and against him. I don't think I've actually played against
him yet because I've not played up from City. But
(07:28):
there's some there's a few of the names and faces
that like I may have played once or twice or
I do know, or like maybe they've come into training
Logan Rogerson. Rogerson for example, has trained with us a
couple of times. But yeah, a lot, a lot of
familiar faces, but it's no issue.
Speaker 2 (07:46):
And the Alex Paulson, of course there's a familiar one.
He do you forgot No, I don't. I don't think
that they suggest anything. I mean, you know he's going
to be there. Is it going to be a bit
weird seeing him down the other end?
Speaker 3 (08:05):
Nah, I don't. I don't think, Like, I don't think
it's going to be weird. Like we obviously know what
ap can do, we know what his strengths are, we
know what his weaknesses are, Like we're going to have
to try and exploit them on the week. We're gonna
have to try and exploit them today. But you know,
I don't think. I think it'll be nice to see
(08:25):
him after the game, but I don't think. I don't
think it'll be strange.
Speaker 2 (08:29):
Now, brilliant And as you mentioned, big crowd and coming
for this one, how much energy do you take from
from a big home crowd in particular?
Speaker 3 (08:40):
I think for me personally, the crowd helps me to
focus more. I think sometimes playing in a preseason game
in a stadium with no fans, it's the whole thing's
just weird. It's harder to focus. But in I think
bigger crowds just the more noise you just the nervous
(09:00):
systems more activated. I just find it easier to concentrate.
And I think it definitely it definitely for a lot
of players. Gives them that little bit more of an
edge to go into a big tackle or you know,
to make a big block.
Speaker 2 (09:16):
Yeah, well, big crowd coming in for a big game
this afternoon, Isaac, Thanks so much for taking the time
for a chat. All the best for the first ever
New Zealand professional football derby mate.
Speaker 3 (09:26):
Thanks for the chat chats, baby.
Speaker 2 (09:28):
Thanks Isaac, Isaac Hughes there on his way. By the
sounds of it, it might be a bit early. What
are we won? Seventeen? Game doesn't kick off till five o'clock.
Historic first ever professional New Zealand football derby seventeen year
old Wellington Phoenix going into the eighteenth season, actually welcoming
the A League's new boys Auckland FC to sky Stadium.
Great occasion in coming, so much bars I have to
(09:50):
say around about this game in the Capital crowd of
over twenty thousand, maybe even as high as twenty five
expected this afternoon, it could threaten the Phoenix's best ever
regular season attendance, which was just over twenty four thousand
when they returned after COVID twenty four thousand and change.
Turning up for a game then, so that could be
(10:12):
under threat. And several hundred, as I understand it, coming
from Auckland as well, a lot of traveling fans which
will be terrific. Now, as I mentioned that just before
the news before one, there may well be some people
and you might be one of these, who have divided
loyalties now about this game, particularly those of you in
(10:33):
Auckland who have supported the Phoenix all these years simply
because that's all there was. There was only the Phoenix.
Some of you may stick tight to that, stay with
your team, continue to support Wellington Phoenix from Auckland. But
others will say, well, now there's a team in my
city who I can go and see play every week.
(10:53):
I'm going to support them.
Speaker 1 (10:56):
Now.
Speaker 2 (10:56):
Either one of those two things is absolutely fine. App
It's not that you need my permission, but absolutely acceptable
entirely your chi of which of those two you choose.
But what is not fine, what is not acceptable, not
allowed is fence sitting. You have to choose stick or flip.
(11:23):
Football fandom doesn't allow you to support two teams playing
in the same league because when they play against one another,
you're faced with an impossible conundrum. So you've had a
couple of weeks to check out Auckland f C, to
weigh them up, to get a gauge on them. But
now the first Darby is here. You have to know
your colors to the mast. You have to choose are
(11:46):
you blue or are you yellow? Because you can't be both.
Speaker 1 (11:51):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, Listen live
to news talks b weekends from midday or follow the
podcast on iHeartRadio,
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Fine
from News Talk zed B.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Five o'clock This afternoon. Auckland f C coming to pay
visit or pay a visit to the Wellington Phoenix. Now
Nagasawa await run and two for the Phoenix. Two paid
came for Deep and you gonna ride with a powerful
header that might just have.
Speaker 1 (00:30):
The Phoenix on track for their first bit of the season.
Speaker 2 (00:32):
Man, that was a week ago. Wellington indeed picking up
their first one of the season, a two nil win
against Perth Glory at home. This afternoon, of course, against
Auckland f C. Let's bring in Wellington Phoenix defender Isaac Hughes.
Isaac a win away at Perth to follow a draw
in the first game of the season. So four points
from the first couple of games. How happy is the
side and how happy do you think the coaches are
(00:53):
with the performances in the first two matches.
Speaker 3 (00:57):
I think it's a it's a mixed bag. I think
we felt like we played really well in that first
game and felt like we should have got all three points.
I think, you know, from both performances, we should be
sitting on six points. But I think, you know, we're
not panicking, We're relaxed. I think everyone's feeling that there's
a lot like we're doing well, but there's a lot
more to do. We have a lot more in us.
Speaker 2 (01:19):
Do you think there were improvements between the Western United
game and what you did over in Western Australia against
Perth last weekend.
Speaker 3 (01:29):
I think I think there was some improvement in maybe
the focus and some defensive elements. I think I think
on the ball against Perth, we still have ways to go.
You know. I think it's funny. I actually think we've
probably created better chances against Western United but scored one
(01:52):
less goal, So it's funny how that works. But I
think the mentality from the group was definitely everyone was
really switched on for the Perth game.
Speaker 2 (01:59):
Sounds from your first couple of answers that you believe
there's still quite a bit of growth to come in
this and this team. I guess that's natural given effect
you've only had two games in the season, but you
feel like there's there's a much higher ceiling for this
team than what we've seen so far.
Speaker 3 (02:15):
Yeah, definitely, I think in I think there's a lot
of new players that are, you know, learning how to
play with each other. And I think when everyone clicks,
I think we're going to be a scary team to
deal with.
Speaker 2 (02:28):
So you yourself, you've had well, you've played every minute or
the first two games of the season, just the four
starts in all of last season among your eleving appearances.
How much of you enjoyed being part of the starting
of living from the very start of the season.
Speaker 3 (02:44):
Yeah, it's it's good. It's football is a lot more
fun when you've been instead of watching. But it's it's good.
It's it's good as well because being a probably to
be fair, last season, I was probably expecting that to
come into the team earlier than I did. But this
(03:06):
season and I've just been it's good to know that
I'm just like I'm going to be in the team
and well as things stand at the minute. So it
just gives me that like excitement and you know, I
get I feel like I'm in a rhythm now playing
a game every week and you know, I'm playing ninety
minutes week and week out. It just feels like a
good rhythm at the minute.
Speaker 2 (03:25):
And you've been part of a three men central defense
with wing becks in the first couple of games if
you went to a flatback four, for example, Chief he's
been known to switch formations here and there. If you
were part of a back four, you'd be comfortable enough
with that as well.
Speaker 3 (03:41):
Yeah, yeah, it makes no like, makes no difference to
me personally, like four or five. Obviously you have to
play slightly different. You have to defend probably a bit
more aggressively in the five, but yeah, I'm more than
comfortable playing in the four as well.
Speaker 2 (03:58):
How much support have you been getting from Scott Wooton,
who's been around for a week while, how much supports
he given given you alongside in central defense?
Speaker 3 (04:07):
A lot, A lot he gives. We had a couple
of preseason games where Scotty was out and I think
his absence was definitely noted. I think he just gives
just a sense of calm. It's not even like Scott.
Scott just makes everyone around him a better player, because
he gives you the confidence to do your job with conviction.
(04:29):
Whereas sometimes if if he's not there, you're not fully
sure if this is what you're meant to be doing.
But Scott gives you that confidence to do your job.
Speaker 2 (04:38):
Yeah, that's a great way of describing it. And head
coach Jian Callower Telliano very well known for having faith
in young players. How does he let you know, Isaac,
that he has that confidence in you by starting me, Yeah,
well that's a that's a good that's a good start.
What about the words and and and the messages he
(04:59):
gives you?
Speaker 3 (05:02):
He I think we're cheaply. What's good with he deals
with young players is he's not He creates an environment
where you feel confident to ask questions, which is actually unique.
You know, I'm not I'm not walking into training and
fearing for my life every day, so I'm able to
(05:24):
ask a question, and if I'm much on something, I'm
able to, you know, check in with the older players.
I think that when that communication is open, and you know,
when everyone in the group is very approachable, everything's clear,
and then my job's easy to do because I know
I'm fully sure of what I'm meant to be doing.
I think sometimes young players are not quite because they've
(05:46):
not been in the game as long and not quite
sure what they're meant to do, but they're always too
scared to.
Speaker 2 (05:51):
Ask, right, But that's not the case here, which is uh, yeah,
that's a that's a great illustration of the way he
deals with you younger players. So it's a derby this afternoon.
There's a lot of hype around about this, mainly driven
by the fans and the media. To be honest, not
sure what it's like internally. But have you tried to
to downplay the hype of this derby or have you
(06:12):
tried to actually embrace it?
Speaker 3 (06:18):
I think you for certain you have to not acknowledge
it's there. I think everyone knows that the big game.
I think there's no point pretending that it's not. You know,
we're likely going to have a bigger crowd in here
today than for normal home games. But and I think
obviously it's been the first you know, New Zealand professional
football derby in history is pretty exciting as well. But
(06:41):
I think at the end of the day, all that
doesn't really mean aithing when you get out there onto
the pitch. I think as long as everyone's focused on
their jobs, like I see no reason why it will
impact us.
Speaker 2 (06:54):
Are they many players on the Auckland f C side
who you've played with or or against regularly in the
last couple of years, you know, at club level or
maybe in underage inter national sites.
Speaker 3 (07:06):
Yeah, yeah, I've played. I played with and against Jesse
Randall quite a lot. I played with him at the
Olympics and I played with him at lots of twenty
threes qualifiers, same with him with Liam Gillian, played with
and against him. I don't think I've actually played against
him yet because I've not played up from City. But
(07:28):
there's some there's a few of the names and faces
that like I may have played once or twice or
I do know, or like maybe they've come into training
Logan Rogerson. Rogerson for example, has trained with us a
couple of times. But yeah, a lot, a lot of
familiar faces, but it's no issue.
Speaker 2 (07:46):
And the Alex Paulson, of course there's a familiar one.
He do you forgot No, I don't. I don't think
that they suggest anything. I mean, you know he's going
to be there. Is it going to be a bit
weird seeing him down the other end?
Speaker 3 (08:05):
Nah, I don't. I don't think, Like, I don't think
it's going to be weird. Like we obviously know what
ap can do, we know what his strengths are, we
know what his weaknesses are, Like we're going to have
to try and exploit them on the week. We're gonna
have to try and exploit them today. But you know,
I don't think. I think it'll be nice to see
(08:25):
him after the game, but I don't think. I don't
think it'll be strange.
Speaker 2 (08:29):
Now, brilliant And as you mentioned, big crowd and coming
for this one, how much energy do you take from
from a big home crowd in particular?
Speaker 3 (08:40):
I think for me personally, the crowd helps me to
focus more. I think sometimes playing in a preseason game
in a stadium with no fans, it's the whole thing's
just weird. It's harder to focus. But in I think
bigger crowds just the more noise you just the nervous
(09:00):
systems more activated. I just find it easier to concentrate.
And I think it definitely it definitely for a lot
of players. Gives them that little bit more of an
edge to go into a big tackle or you know,
to make a big block.
Speaker 2 (09:16):
Yeah, well, big crowd coming in for a big game
this afternoon, Isaac, Thanks so much for taking the time
for a chat. All the best for the first ever
New Zealand professional football derby mate.
Speaker 3 (09:26):
Thanks for the chat chats, baby.
Speaker 2 (09:28):
Thanks Isaac, Isaac Hughes there on his way. By the
sounds of it, it might be a bit early. What
are we won? Seventeen? Game doesn't kick off till five o'clock.
Historic first ever professional New Zealand football derby seventeen year
old Wellington Phoenix going into the eighteenth season, actually welcoming
the A League's new boys Auckland FC to sky Stadium.
Great occasion in coming, so much bars I have to
(09:50):
say around about this game in the Capital crowd of
over twenty thousand, maybe even as high as twenty five
expected this afternoon, it could threaten the Phoenix's best ever
regular season attendance, which was just over twenty four thousand
when they returned after COVID twenty four thousand and change.
Turning up for a game then, so that could be
(10:12):
under threat. And several hundred, as I understand it, coming
from Auckland as well, a lot of traveling fans which
will be terrific. Now, as I mentioned that just before
the news before one, there may well be some people
and you might be one of these, who have divided
loyalties now about this game, particularly those of you in
(10:33):
Auckland who have supported the Phoenix all these years simply
because that's all there was. There was only the Phoenix.
Some of you may stick tight to that, stay with
your team, continue to support Wellington Phoenix from Auckland. But
others will say, well, now there's a team in my
city who I can go and see play every week.
(10:53):
I'm going to support them.
Speaker 1 (10:56):
Now.
Speaker 2 (10:56):
Either one of those two things is absolutely fine. App
It's not that you need my permission, but absolutely acceptable
entirely your chi of which of those two you choose.
But what is not fine, what is not acceptable, not
allowed is fence sitting. You have to choose stick or flip.
(11:23):
Football fandom doesn't allow you to support two teams playing
in the same league because when they play against one another,
you're faced with an impossible conundrum. So you've had a
couple of weeks to check out Auckland f C, to
weigh them up, to get a gauge on them. But
now the first Darby is here. You have to know
your colors to the mast. You have to choose are
(11:46):
you blue or are you yellow? Because you can't be both.
Speaker 1 (11:51):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, Listen live
to news talks b weekends from midday or follow the
podcast on iHeartRadio,
Popular Podcasts
Good Game with Sarah Spain
Good Game is your one-stop shop for the biggest stories in women’s sports. Every day, host Sarah Spain gives you the stories, stakes, stars and stats to keep up with your favorite women’s teams, leagues and athletes. Through thoughtful insight, witty banter, and an all around good time, Sarah and friends break down the latest news, talk about the games you can’t miss, and debate the issues of the day. Don’t miss interviews with the people of the moment, whether they be athletes, coaches, reporters, or celebrity fans.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations.
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.