November 1, 2024 • 7 mins
Auckland FC are trekking south to play the Wellington Phoenix on their home turf.
It’s the A-League's first ever Kiwi derby, and spirits and anticipation are high.
Auckland FC vice-captain Tommy Smith joined Piney for a chat ahead of the match, giving an insight into the team’s preparations.
“We know that we can't rest on our laurels, and we wanna keep this run going, so we have to work extremely hard.”
"We know it's gonna be a tough contest.”
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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 Newstalks B.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
It's gonna be brother, It's dangers that go from Nando
Pernica no no Planica has got the car. Then it's
gonna get down.
Speaker 1 (00:25):
The FC bag team.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
And found the twid of the line before being played.
Speaker 3 (00:32):
The Lando Plony covers the.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
Heroes and Orny gonna win it. That was a week
ago with Nando Parniker's ninety seventh minute back hill giving
the Blow and Black their second win of the season
over Sydney FC. Let's bring in Auckland f C and
All Whites defender and Auckland FC vice captain Tommy Smith. Tommy,
thanks for joining us on game day. You've played a
lot of football mate. Did you ever think that you'd
(00:54):
play in a professional New Zealand derby?
Speaker 3 (00:59):
No, growing up it was it was never really on
the cars, you know. It was obviously the Football Kings
and the New Zealand Knights and obviously moved down to
Wellington Phoenix, so it never really crossed my mind that
it would be a possibility. But obviously it's very exciting
that it's now a reality and we're obviously looking forward
to getting that first rivalry game underway.
Speaker 2 (01:19):
Before we talk about the game today, how have you
assised the performances of the team in your first team mates, Yeah,
I think.
Speaker 3 (01:26):
It's obviously the two results speak for themselves, brilliant results
for us as a club. It's always difficult when you're
a brand new club start from scratch, and so to
do that is testament to the work that everybody's putting
from top to bottom, you know, the back room staff,
the office staff. Everyone's just put so much effort and
time into making it what it is. And the culmination
(01:49):
of that was those two results, which are outstanding for
the club.
Speaker 2 (01:52):
So in pre season and as you got towards the
start of the new season, Tommy, did you get a
feeling that you guys were going to be okay, that
you had a pretty good team there?
Speaker 3 (02:01):
Yeah, I think on paper anyway, you know, you look
at the squad and the Pedigrea player that's in that squad,
it's a pretty decent squad. So it was obviously just
going to be a case of how well we gel together.
The long preseason helped in that regard. You know, I
think we played I can't remember exactly how many preseason
games we had included in house games, but a fair
few games to get to know each other on and
(02:21):
off the pitch. So yeah, we always knew we had
a little bit, but it's obviously you're never certain until
that season actually starts.
Speaker 2 (02:29):
And the only team in the A League means after
two rounds that has yet to concede a goal as
a defensive unit. How proud are you of the two
clean sheets?
Speaker 3 (02:39):
Yeah, it's something that we pride ourselves in and we
didn't keep the many clean sheets throughout preseason, so it's
something that was a real big focus of us to
improve on, and obviously it's great. It's great that the
team's got two clean sheets in a row and hopefully
we can make it a third today.
Speaker 2 (02:53):
You bring a huge amount of experience to this team, Tommy.
Have you had to keep some of the younger players
feet on the ground ahead of ahead of this derby
because there is you know, there's a bit of hype
around about it.
Speaker 3 (03:05):
Yeah. I think, you know, we've got a real good
group of guys there that they are humble. They understand
we've got talent in the squad, but you know, we're
all working really hard and we know that we can't
rest on our laurels and we want to keep this
run going, so we have to work extremely hard. We
know it's going to be a tough contest and it's
obviously going to be an exciting prospect. But yeah, we
(03:26):
just need to keep doing the things that have got
success this far and hopefully we'll be on the right
end of the result.
Speaker 2 (03:32):
You would have played derbies, I'm sure, and at many
of the other clubs you've been involved in on various sizes.
Do you, as a player relish you know, the opportunity
to play Derby Madges.
Speaker 3 (03:43):
Absolutely, It certainly adds another dimension to a game and
it's obviously brilliant for fans to have something else to
get their teeth stuck into. And you know, there's the
fire has been stoked a little bit from either end
over the past sort of a few days and months.
Even so, it'll be good to see that all comes
to fruition.
Speaker 2 (04:02):
Have you had to rip any extra support around Alex
Paulson this week given the reception through no fauld of
his own then he might get from the Wellington fans.
Speaker 3 (04:11):
Not really, No, I think we've we've been giving him
a little bit of banter about it, but I'm sure
he'll be He will be on the receiving end of
some of that, but hopefully it doesn't get personal and
it's just a lighthearted bit of banter from the fans because,
like you say, it wasn't through any fault of his own.
It was just a career progression for him and then
he's ended up back at Auckland on loans. So hopefully
(04:33):
they are not too harsh on him, but I'm sure
they'll give him a bit of ribbon.
Speaker 2 (04:36):
Yeah, I know, it's the key way, isn't it. As
you say, you're probably giving at a bit bender and
tonally so yeah, so I think that's definitely the key
we way. It probably happened in the all white seat
up as well, did it once you you know, like
lines were being drawn, we able to sit with a
guy like Tim Paine and have some lunch for example.
Speaker 3 (04:50):
Yeah, I mean obviously at the time we met up
the last camp, it wasn't on the horizon, so I
think it will be a bit more interesting obviously after
the game has been played the next all Whites camp
to see how how everyone's doing depending on what that
result outcome is.
Speaker 2 (05:04):
Tell us about the energy that you've since mount smart
these first couple of weeks, Tommy, you know, I mean
from the outside looking in and in by every measure
that you know, the crowds have been terrific. What have
they been like, you know to play in front of
as a player.
Speaker 3 (05:19):
Yeah, they've been electric, to be fair, and it's again
as testament to the corporate team for getting people along
and hopefully they've enjoyed the experience of seeing the two
wins first and foremost. But listen, the noise they brought
for both games, especially that first game was brilliant to
be a part of. And for a lot of our
guys it would have been the biggest crowd they've played
(05:40):
in front off. So it's amazing for them to use
the energy of the crowd and it does help. It
is I know it's a cliche to say that the
crowd are twelve man but when they're as loud and
as behind you as they were for us, you know,
it really does help. And I think you see in
the culmination of a ninety seventh winner how the stands
just erupted and it was brilliant.
Speaker 2 (06:01):
Has Nando been this week talking about as winner. Has
it become a bicycle kick from outside the area or
is he you know, he's well aware it beck heel
and nutme the keeper.
Speaker 3 (06:11):
He keeps doing back hills now, so we've got we've
got to put a lid on that. But now, obviously
it's great for him to get his first goal and
just on the All Whites.
Speaker 2 (06:20):
Obviously you're singularly focused on club football at the moment,
but another window coming up with games against Manuad and
some more. As you travel along the road to the
next World Cup, that's something that you're you're keen to
be a part of a you know, the journey to
the twenty twenty six Football World Cup.
Speaker 3 (06:35):
Absolutely yes, obviously been a long time since the All
Whites have been at the World Cup. So to to
try and help get along that journey and make the
next World Cup as a big driving force for me.
I'm still ambitious as an individual and to be a
part of that squad and the talent that's that's in
it now, it's brilliant. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (06:54):
And just to finish, what's it like being back in Auckland,
because obviously you came to New Zealand as a young boy.
You had, you know, does some high school education there
and then and then then left again. What's it like
being back in Auckland.
Speaker 3 (07:05):
Yeah, it's quite nictid, you know, obviously driving around the
area again just reminiscing on times gone by and bumping
into people that haven't seen for years, because I haven't
lived in Auckland for seventeen early eighteen years so and
that time's flown by. But you know, you come across
old friends and it's been quite nice catching up and
reminiscent with them and people that haven't seen for a
(07:27):
very long time. So yeah, no, it's been good. And
obviously settling into a new club environment it does help
when you have sort of a bit of familiarity around you.
So no, it's been great.
Speaker 2 (07:37):
Well, we can't wait for the DEBBI this afternoon. Tommy,
all the beast to you and Auckland FC for what
you being a storic occasion in front of a big greb.
Really appreciate you taking the time for a jit.
Speaker 3 (07:45):
Thanks Piney, take care you take.
Speaker 2 (07:47):
Care too, Tommy, see you down at the ground. Tommy Smith,
Auckland FC Vice captain.
Speaker 1 (07:52):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine listen live
to news talks. It'd be weekends from midday or follow
the podcast on I HAD Radio
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from Newstalks B.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
It's gonna be brother, It's dangers that go from Nando
Pernica no no Planica has got the car. Then it's
gonna get down.
Speaker 1 (00:25):
The FC bag team.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
And found the twid of the line before being played.
Speaker 3 (00:32):
The Lando Plony covers the.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
Heroes and Orny gonna win it. That was a week
ago with Nando Parniker's ninety seventh minute back hill giving
the Blow and Black their second win of the season
over Sydney FC. Let's bring in Auckland f C and
All Whites defender and Auckland FC vice captain Tommy Smith. Tommy,
thanks for joining us on game day. You've played a
lot of football mate. Did you ever think that you'd
(00:54):
play in a professional New Zealand derby?
Speaker 3 (00:59):
No, growing up it was it was never really on
the cars, you know. It was obviously the Football Kings
and the New Zealand Knights and obviously moved down to
Wellington Phoenix, so it never really crossed my mind that
it would be a possibility. But obviously it's very exciting
that it's now a reality and we're obviously looking forward
to getting that first rivalry game underway.
Speaker 2 (01:19):
Before we talk about the game today, how have you
assised the performances of the team in your first team mates, Yeah,
I think.
Speaker 3 (01:26):
It's obviously the two results speak for themselves, brilliant results
for us as a club. It's always difficult when you're
a brand new club start from scratch, and so to
do that is testament to the work that everybody's putting
from top to bottom, you know, the back room staff,
the office staff. Everyone's just put so much effort and
time into making it what it is. And the culmination
(01:49):
of that was those two results, which are outstanding for
the club.
Speaker 2 (01:52):
So in pre season and as you got towards the
start of the new season, Tommy, did you get a
feeling that you guys were going to be okay, that
you had a pretty good team there?
Speaker 3 (02:01):
Yeah, I think on paper anyway, you know, you look
at the squad and the Pedigrea player that's in that squad,
it's a pretty decent squad. So it was obviously just
going to be a case of how well we gel together.
The long preseason helped in that regard. You know, I
think we played I can't remember exactly how many preseason
games we had included in house games, but a fair
few games to get to know each other on and
(02:21):
off the pitch. So yeah, we always knew we had
a little bit, but it's obviously you're never certain until
that season actually starts.
Speaker 2 (02:29):
And the only team in the A League means after
two rounds that has yet to concede a goal as
a defensive unit. How proud are you of the two
clean sheets?
Speaker 3 (02:39):
Yeah, it's something that we pride ourselves in and we
didn't keep the many clean sheets throughout preseason, so it's
something that was a real big focus of us to
improve on, and obviously it's great. It's great that the
team's got two clean sheets in a row and hopefully
we can make it a third today.
Speaker 2 (02:53):
You bring a huge amount of experience to this team, Tommy.
Have you had to keep some of the younger players
feet on the ground ahead of ahead of this derby
because there is you know, there's a bit of hype
around about it.
Speaker 3 (03:05):
Yeah. I think, you know, we've got a real good
group of guys there that they are humble. They understand
we've got talent in the squad, but you know, we're
all working really hard and we know that we can't
rest on our laurels and we want to keep this
run going, so we have to work extremely hard. We
know it's going to be a tough contest and it's
obviously going to be an exciting prospect. But yeah, we
(03:26):
just need to keep doing the things that have got
success this far and hopefully we'll be on the right
end of the result.
Speaker 2 (03:32):
You would have played derbies, I'm sure, and at many
of the other clubs you've been involved in on various sizes.
Do you, as a player relish you know, the opportunity
to play Derby Madges.
Speaker 3 (03:43):
Absolutely, It certainly adds another dimension to a game and
it's obviously brilliant for fans to have something else to
get their teeth stuck into. And you know, there's the
fire has been stoked a little bit from either end
over the past sort of a few days and months.
Even so, it'll be good to see that all comes
to fruition.
Speaker 2 (04:02):
Have you had to rip any extra support around Alex
Paulson this week given the reception through no fauld of
his own then he might get from the Wellington fans.
Speaker 3 (04:11):
Not really, No, I think we've we've been giving him
a little bit of banter about it, but I'm sure
he'll be He will be on the receiving end of
some of that, but hopefully it doesn't get personal and
it's just a lighthearted bit of banter from the fans because,
like you say, it wasn't through any fault of his own.
It was just a career progression for him and then
he's ended up back at Auckland on loans. So hopefully
(04:33):
they are not too harsh on him, but I'm sure
they'll give him a bit of ribbon.
Speaker 2 (04:36):
Yeah, I know, it's the key way, isn't it. As
you say, you're probably giving at a bit bender and
tonally so yeah, so I think that's definitely the key
we way. It probably happened in the all white seat
up as well, did it once you you know, like
lines were being drawn, we able to sit with a
guy like Tim Paine and have some lunch for example.
Speaker 3 (04:50):
Yeah, I mean obviously at the time we met up
the last camp, it wasn't on the horizon, so I
think it will be a bit more interesting obviously after
the game has been played the next all Whites camp
to see how how everyone's doing depending on what that
result outcome is.
Speaker 2 (05:04):
Tell us about the energy that you've since mount smart
these first couple of weeks, Tommy, you know, I mean
from the outside looking in and in by every measure
that you know, the crowds have been terrific. What have
they been like, you know to play in front of
as a player.
Speaker 3 (05:19):
Yeah, they've been electric, to be fair, and it's again
as testament to the corporate team for getting people along
and hopefully they've enjoyed the experience of seeing the two
wins first and foremost. But listen, the noise they brought
for both games, especially that first game was brilliant to
be a part of. And for a lot of our
guys it would have been the biggest crowd they've played
(05:40):
in front off. So it's amazing for them to use
the energy of the crowd and it does help. It
is I know it's a cliche to say that the
crowd are twelve man but when they're as loud and
as behind you as they were for us, you know,
it really does help. And I think you see in
the culmination of a ninety seventh winner how the stands
just erupted and it was brilliant.
Speaker 2 (06:01):
Has Nando been this week talking about as winner. Has
it become a bicycle kick from outside the area or
is he you know, he's well aware it beck heel
and nutme the keeper.
Speaker 3 (06:11):
He keeps doing back hills now, so we've got we've
got to put a lid on that. But now, obviously
it's great for him to get his first goal and
just on the All Whites.
Speaker 2 (06:20):
Obviously you're singularly focused on club football at the moment,
but another window coming up with games against Manuad and
some more. As you travel along the road to the
next World Cup, that's something that you're you're keen to
be a part of a you know, the journey to
the twenty twenty six Football World Cup.
Speaker 3 (06:35):
Absolutely yes, obviously been a long time since the All
Whites have been at the World Cup. So to to
try and help get along that journey and make the
next World Cup as a big driving force for me.
I'm still ambitious as an individual and to be a
part of that squad and the talent that's that's in
it now, it's brilliant. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (06:54):
And just to finish, what's it like being back in Auckland,
because obviously you came to New Zealand as a young boy.
You had, you know, does some high school education there
and then and then then left again. What's it like
being back in Auckland.
Speaker 3 (07:05):
Yeah, it's quite nictid, you know, obviously driving around the
area again just reminiscing on times gone by and bumping
into people that haven't seen for years, because I haven't
lived in Auckland for seventeen early eighteen years so and
that time's flown by. But you know, you come across
old friends and it's been quite nice catching up and
reminiscent with them and people that haven't seen for a
(07:27):
very long time. So yeah, no, it's been good. And
obviously settling into a new club environment it does help
when you have sort of a bit of familiarity around you.
So no, it's been great.
Speaker 2 (07:37):
Well, we can't wait for the DEBBI this afternoon. Tommy,
all the beast to you and Auckland FC for what
you being a storic occasion in front of a big greb.
Really appreciate you taking the time for a jit.
Speaker 3 (07:45):
Thanks Piney, take care you take.
Speaker 2 (07:47):
Care too, Tommy, see you down at the ground. Tommy Smith,
Auckland FC Vice captain.
Speaker 1 (07:52):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine listen live
to news talks. It'd be weekends from midday or follow
the podcast on I HAD Radio
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