October 18, 2025 • 9 mins
James McOnie from The Crowd Goes Wild joined Piney to discuss the ongoing NPC season and the start of another A-League season.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport Podcast with Jason Vine
from NEWSTALKSB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Sundays are our opportunity to hear from James mcconey.
Speaker 3 (00:16):
Hello, mate, get a piney. Nice to be on the
show again.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
It's good to have you with us. Yeah, each week change, Yes,
as a regular good toy in PC. I just threw
out the assertion I guess that anybody who doesn't support
Canterbury will be supporting otago is that you'll read on it.
Speaker 3 (00:36):
Oh, it's tricky one because I quite like the cut
of Canterbury's gerb and the way they've played, and they
do have some underdog stories, you know new stub at
first five like who knew? I mean that there was
going to be somewhere he's going to excel. So I
quite like that fact. But yeah, if you if you
boil it down to a number of super rugby players,
(00:58):
then yeah, Canterbury are kind of stacked, especially that backline.
But look, I think it's ota go to the drought
that really draws you to them the first time. The
last time they won it was nineteen ninety eight. We're
talking Jeff Wilson, Josh Cronfeld, Kane Randall. I mean it's
(01:18):
a long time between drinks.
Speaker 2 (01:20):
It is. It is a long time. But then you
think because I because I guess we default to the
setting of ah, yeah, but Canterbury won it every year,
but they don't. The last time they won it was
twenty seventeen, which for a province like Canterbury. And I
know the Crusaders also when rugby matches down there, but
yet they haven't won it for eight years either.
Speaker 3 (01:39):
Yeah, and I mean it's a good one because I
think these two teams have set the standard. They both
took the shield at different times and then Otago finally
took it off Canterbury. There's you know, there's some nice
kind of like cross provincial battles where you know, Christian leo'
willy is an absolute star for the Crusaders but he's
(02:01):
just so crucial. They're number eight for Otago, so they
know each other so well. I have heard that George
Bell and Sam Darry will not play in the final,
but I think there's enough depth for Canterbury to handle that.
Speaker 2 (02:18):
Yeah, I tend to agree, and you look at the lineups.
But then having said that, James, you know, Otago went
up there and won the shield, didn't they? You know,
they won't have any fear going up is a state
highway one between Dunedin and christ each presumably it is.
They won't have any fear about going up that road,
will they?
Speaker 3 (02:34):
It is? Yeah, it's the only tough part is the
holding your breath over the Rakaiah bridge, like there's you
know that's that can be tricky and probably not to
be attempted by everybody. But I reckon the way I
look at Otago is they're a blossoming team, right. So
Dylan Pletcher at halfback, so young, so quirk. He's kind
(02:55):
of like Antoine DuPont before he hit the weight room,
you know. So he's just so such a firecracker as
a player. And then Lucas Casey, the ketty ketty kid
targo at number seven, scoring these crazy tries and I'm
the one that he's scored two against Canterbury but one
of them he left the fallback to standing like a statue.
(03:16):
So he has got all the skills as well the offloads.
He's got the sunny bill fleck and I look at
that and think, okay, these are new stars coming through,
but they've done it well by assembling all these kind
of like veterans. You've still got Liam Coltman hanging around
off the bench, and you've got Thomas Umunger Jensen, who's
(03:38):
really an elite number twelve. So I like the way
a target play as well. It's kind of an exciting style.
Speaker 2 (03:43):
Can of be more methodical, Yeah, should be a good
final five past four next Saturday. The A League season
is underway. Both Wellington Phoenix and Auckland FC had away
games last night. They both ended in draws. Auckland FC,
off the back of their astonishingly good first season, kind
of Hofton puffed a little bit and then lit all
(04:04):
draw against Melbourne victory. It kind of felt to me
like a typical first game of the season. I'm not
sure what you thought.
Speaker 3 (04:11):
I thought Auckland they see looked a bit boring, so
that's I mean, I don't know. Sometimes in football you
get a bit spoiled watching Premier League and stuff and
the cut and trust of it. But yeah, they were
working each other out. There's a but the core is
still there for Auckland FC. I just feel like the
cunning edge was lacking a bit and there's a few
(04:32):
players out there he'll be wishing they had those shots back.
So look mate, they see the work on is shooting practice.
You should be able to volley off your weaker foot.
As my theory, you know, when the ball comes in
because of volley, you're just redirecting it. You're not having
to sort of like set the whole thing up. It's
like you could potentially volley with your with your wrong
(04:54):
hand in tennis, but you're not going to be able
to serve that. Well. Does that make sense?
Speaker 1 (04:59):
It does?
Speaker 2 (04:59):
It makes Yes, I know exactly where you're going with that.
Exactly where you're going. Yes, and Nila all in that game.
And then late late last night about living forty five
out time the Phoenix kicked off against Perth Glory over
in Perth and by midnight they were already too kneeled down.
I was starting to really worry about Wellington Phoenix. But
after that I thought they were very good.
Speaker 3 (05:21):
Yeah, I heard you were reading their last rites, Poney,
you got a priest and and everything, but I was
I was concerned for them as well Wellington Phoenix and
really nicer way strip though cream with the with the
green trim and the green numbers, sort of very County
Cricket as shif you like. But they they started the ship.
(05:43):
They've got things going again. Where I guess Chief the coach,
he loves to tempt the other team into their into
the trap and then and the encounter, and I thought
there was that their goals were really really good Wellington Phoenix.
I do have grave concerns about their defense, but hopefully
(06:04):
Chief has got a plan for that. But yeah, you.
Speaker 2 (06:06):
Know, I'm not a bad point to win over in Perth,
absolutely not from two all down. You take two wall
every day of the week. And you're right. Their defense
they played a high line and it looked like absolute
suicide for the first twenty minutes, but maybe they were
just getting used to it. But the two goals, you're right,
were really well constructed and there's a bit of promise there,
particularly from a couple of the new players staying with football.
Aposta Cooglu has been shown the door at Nottingham Forest
(06:30):
just over a month after he took over his boss.
I think it's if it's not the shortest tenure in
Premier League history, then it's pretty close to it. We
know Chris Wood is at Nottingham Forest. What did you
make of all of this.
Speaker 3 (06:42):
I think it was always doomed, like it was just
a terrible idea to suck a really good coach that
they had in the first place and bringing in hand
who has his own ways and systems. Unless it's aligned
with what Forests have been doing in the past two years,
why even bother? You know. That was my feeling. So
I feel sorry for Hange and the sense that I
think it was a hospital pass. Eight games, six losses
(07:06):
and who draws. They lost to Chelsea last night overnight
three nol seventeen minutes after full time. He was sacked,
so their owner is crazy, Nottingham Forest, So even taking
the job I think was a bit of a trap,
you know. But Chris Wood was on the bench when
(07:27):
they had a couple of good chances early in the game,
so I think, well, come on, Inge, I mean, you
can't take we made the Premier League Team of the Year. Okay.
I know he's just a kiwi to you, but everybody
over there is one of the best strikers in the league,
So what are you doing mate?
Speaker 2 (07:43):
Indeed, I think they're talking about Sean Doush being a
potential replacement for Yeah, but he was I think wasn't
he No, No, yes he was. He was Chris Wood,
Chris Wood's boss at Burnley. Wasn't he when Chris Yeah,
so he's a fan of Chris Wood. So that's good,
isn't it?
Speaker 3 (08:03):
It should be he should realize that Chris Wood is
a there's a lot better player than what he had
at Burnley because I think he used to sort of
have him on the bench a little bit. Not always,
but yeah, they had a sort of a strike duo there.
I forget the name of the other guy, but yeah,
Chris Wood now is you know, he's a complete package
and whoever takes over needs to recognize that. Yeah, I've
(08:24):
lost a couple of players, but to be honest, Forrests
shouldn't be where they are. And Andrew was probably, I
mean they had to do something and it's probably fair.
Speaker 2 (08:35):
Fun fact about Sean dish for you he played alongside
Paul Eiffel at Millwall.
Speaker 3 (08:42):
Millwall, nobody likes us, we don't care.
Speaker 2 (08:46):
Yes, so yeah, look I didn't you didn't greek that
with the enthusiasm I hope for from a fun fact,
that's okay.
Speaker 3 (08:54):
Maybe Tim k a young Tim ca Whle was there.
I'm not sure he was good players that have gone
through there sharing him as well.
Speaker 2 (09:01):
Yeah, absolutely no, No Millwall yeah, a bit of a
backwater when it comes to.
Speaker 1 (09:06):
It.
Speaker 2 (09:06):
Wow, I won't. I won't finish that sentence. James. Good
to chat to you mate. Shall we do it again
nixt Sunday?
Speaker 3 (09:12):
Yeah, why not. I'm around if you, if you, if
you have me. Thanks pining always here.
Speaker 2 (09:17):
Good on you, James. James mccaroney huge part of our Sundays.
Speaker 1 (09:20):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live
to News Talk st B weekends from midday or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Weekend Sport Podcast with Jason Vine
from NEWSTALKSB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Sundays are our opportunity to hear from James mcconey.
Speaker 3 (00:16):
Hello, mate, get a piney. Nice to be on the
show again.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
It's good to have you with us. Yeah, each week change, Yes,
as a regular good toy in PC. I just threw
out the assertion I guess that anybody who doesn't support
Canterbury will be supporting otago is that you'll read on it.
Speaker 3 (00:36):
Oh, it's tricky one because I quite like the cut
of Canterbury's gerb and the way they've played, and they
do have some underdog stories, you know new stub at
first five like who knew? I mean that there was
going to be somewhere he's going to excel. So I
quite like that fact. But yeah, if you if you
boil it down to a number of super rugby players,
(00:58):
then yeah, Canterbury are kind of stacked, especially that backline.
But look, I think it's ota go to the drought
that really draws you to them the first time. The
last time they won it was nineteen ninety eight. We're
talking Jeff Wilson, Josh Cronfeld, Kane Randall. I mean it's
(01:18):
a long time between drinks.
Speaker 2 (01:20):
It is. It is a long time. But then you
think because I because I guess we default to the
setting of ah, yeah, but Canterbury won it every year,
but they don't. The last time they won it was
twenty seventeen, which for a province like Canterbury. And I
know the Crusaders also when rugby matches down there, but
yet they haven't won it for eight years either.
Speaker 3 (01:39):
Yeah, and I mean it's a good one because I
think these two teams have set the standard. They both
took the shield at different times and then Otago finally
took it off Canterbury. There's you know, there's some nice
kind of like cross provincial battles where you know, Christian leo'
willy is an absolute star for the Crusaders but he's
(02:01):
just so crucial. They're number eight for Otago, so they
know each other so well. I have heard that George
Bell and Sam Darry will not play in the final,
but I think there's enough depth for Canterbury to handle that.
Speaker 2 (02:18):
Yeah, I tend to agree, and you look at the lineups.
But then having said that, James, you know, Otago went
up there and won the shield, didn't they? You know,
they won't have any fear going up is a state
highway one between Dunedin and christ each presumably it is.
They won't have any fear about going up that road,
will they?
Speaker 3 (02:34):
It is? Yeah, it's the only tough part is the
holding your breath over the Rakaiah bridge, like there's you
know that's that can be tricky and probably not to
be attempted by everybody. But I reckon the way I
look at Otago is they're a blossoming team, right. So
Dylan Pletcher at halfback, so young, so quirk. He's kind
(02:55):
of like Antoine DuPont before he hit the weight room,
you know. So he's just so such a firecracker as
a player. And then Lucas Casey, the ketty ketty kid
targo at number seven, scoring these crazy tries and I'm
the one that he's scored two against Canterbury but one
of them he left the fallback to standing like a statue.
(03:16):
So he has got all the skills as well the offloads.
He's got the sunny bill fleck and I look at
that and think, okay, these are new stars coming through,
but they've done it well by assembling all these kind
of like veterans. You've still got Liam Coltman hanging around
off the bench, and you've got Thomas Umunger Jensen, who's
(03:38):
really an elite number twelve. So I like the way
a target play as well. It's kind of an exciting style.
Speaker 2 (03:43):
Can of be more methodical, Yeah, should be a good
final five past four next Saturday. The A League season
is underway. Both Wellington Phoenix and Auckland FC had away
games last night. They both ended in draws. Auckland FC,
off the back of their astonishingly good first season, kind
of Hofton puffed a little bit and then lit all
(04:04):
draw against Melbourne victory. It kind of felt to me
like a typical first game of the season. I'm not
sure what you thought.
Speaker 3 (04:11):
I thought Auckland they see looked a bit boring, so
that's I mean, I don't know. Sometimes in football you
get a bit spoiled watching Premier League and stuff and
the cut and trust of it. But yeah, they were
working each other out. There's a but the core is
still there for Auckland FC. I just feel like the
cunning edge was lacking a bit and there's a few
(04:32):
players out there he'll be wishing they had those shots back.
So look mate, they see the work on is shooting practice.
You should be able to volley off your weaker foot.
As my theory, you know, when the ball comes in
because of volley, you're just redirecting it. You're not having
to sort of like set the whole thing up. It's
like you could potentially volley with your with your wrong
(04:54):
hand in tennis, but you're not going to be able
to serve that. Well. Does that make sense?
Speaker 1 (04:59):
It does?
Speaker 2 (04:59):
It makes Yes, I know exactly where you're going with that.
Exactly where you're going. Yes, and Nila all in that game.
And then late late last night about living forty five
out time the Phoenix kicked off against Perth Glory over
in Perth and by midnight they were already too kneeled down.
I was starting to really worry about Wellington Phoenix. But
after that I thought they were very good.
Speaker 3 (05:21):
Yeah, I heard you were reading their last rites, Poney,
you got a priest and and everything, but I was
I was concerned for them as well Wellington Phoenix and
really nicer way strip though cream with the with the
green trim and the green numbers, sort of very County
Cricket as shif you like. But they they started the ship.
(05:43):
They've got things going again. Where I guess Chief the coach,
he loves to tempt the other team into their into
the trap and then and the encounter, and I thought
there was that their goals were really really good Wellington Phoenix.
I do have grave concerns about their defense, but hopefully
(06:04):
Chief has got a plan for that. But yeah, you.
Speaker 2 (06:06):
Know, I'm not a bad point to win over in Perth,
absolutely not from two all down. You take two wall
every day of the week. And you're right. Their defense
they played a high line and it looked like absolute
suicide for the first twenty minutes, but maybe they were
just getting used to it. But the two goals, you're right,
were really well constructed and there's a bit of promise there,
particularly from a couple of the new players staying with football.
Aposta Cooglu has been shown the door at Nottingham Forest
(06:30):
just over a month after he took over his boss.
I think it's if it's not the shortest tenure in
Premier League history, then it's pretty close to it. We
know Chris Wood is at Nottingham Forest. What did you
make of all of this.
Speaker 3 (06:42):
I think it was always doomed, like it was just
a terrible idea to suck a really good coach that
they had in the first place and bringing in hand
who has his own ways and systems. Unless it's aligned
with what Forests have been doing in the past two years,
why even bother? You know. That was my feeling. So
I feel sorry for Hange and the sense that I
think it was a hospital pass. Eight games, six losses
(07:06):
and who draws. They lost to Chelsea last night overnight
three nol seventeen minutes after full time. He was sacked,
so their owner is crazy, Nottingham Forest, So even taking
the job I think was a bit of a trap,
you know. But Chris Wood was on the bench when
(07:27):
they had a couple of good chances early in the game,
so I think, well, come on, Inge, I mean, you
can't take we made the Premier League Team of the Year. Okay.
I know he's just a kiwi to you, but everybody
over there is one of the best strikers in the league,
So what are you doing mate?
Speaker 2 (07:43):
Indeed, I think they're talking about Sean Doush being a
potential replacement for Yeah, but he was I think wasn't
he No, No, yes he was. He was Chris Wood,
Chris Wood's boss at Burnley. Wasn't he when Chris Yeah,
so he's a fan of Chris Wood. So that's good,
isn't it?
Speaker 3 (08:03):
It should be he should realize that Chris Wood is
a there's a lot better player than what he had
at Burnley because I think he used to sort of
have him on the bench a little bit. Not always,
but yeah, they had a sort of a strike duo there.
I forget the name of the other guy, but yeah,
Chris Wood now is you know, he's a complete package
and whoever takes over needs to recognize that. Yeah, I've
(08:24):
lost a couple of players, but to be honest, Forrests
shouldn't be where they are. And Andrew was probably, I
mean they had to do something and it's probably fair.
Speaker 2 (08:35):
Fun fact about Sean dish for you he played alongside
Paul Eiffel at Millwall.
Speaker 3 (08:42):
Millwall, nobody likes us, we don't care.
Speaker 2 (08:46):
Yes, so yeah, look I didn't you didn't greek that
with the enthusiasm I hope for from a fun fact,
that's okay.
Speaker 3 (08:54):
Maybe Tim k a young Tim ca Whle was there.
I'm not sure he was good players that have gone
through there sharing him as well.
Speaker 2 (09:01):
Yeah, absolutely no, No Millwall yeah, a bit of a
backwater when it comes to.
Speaker 1 (09:06):
It.
Speaker 2 (09:06):
Wow, I won't. I won't finish that sentence. James. Good
to chat to you mate. Shall we do it again
nixt Sunday?
Speaker 3 (09:12):
Yeah, why not. I'm around if you, if you, if
you have me. Thanks pining always here.
Speaker 2 (09:17):
Good on you, James. James mccaroney huge part of our Sundays.
Speaker 1 (09:20):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live
to News Talk st B weekends from midday or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio
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