March 21, 2025 • 10 mins
The All Whites are in town to face Fiji in a Fifa World Cup qualifier match. What can we expect - and can we make it to the World Cup for the first time since 2010?
Also, the Breakers basketball team has been sold - who's bought the team, and what does it mean for it's future?
Weekend Sport host Jason Pine and All Sport Breakfast host Adam Cooper joined Nick Mills for the Friday Sport Kickoff.
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Speaker 1 (00:07):
You're listening to the Wellington Mornings podcast with Nick Mills
from News Talks EDB. Get a use for your sporting weekend.
It's the Wellington Mornings Friday Sport Kickoff on News Talks EDB.
Speaker 2 (00:36):
Friday Sport Time. Joining us for Friday sports Kickoff is
News Talks edb's weekends sports host them very very busy man, Jason,
Fine morning Piney.
Speaker 3 (00:45):
Neveritive busy for you, Nick.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
I mean you've got one hell of a weekend. Just
run me through the what you've got on this weekend.
I mean this is wait wait for this, listeners.
Speaker 3 (00:52):
Oh, there's a bit on you know, like today actually Friday.
If you're talking about a busy sporting day. We've got
the White Ferns and the Black Caps playing a T
twenty double hitter here in Wellington. We've got the semi
finals of Oceania World Cup qualifying Tahiti against Caledonia, followed
by the All Whites against Fiji tonight. There's a Super
Rugby match between the Chiefs and w WA Pacifica and
the Warriors played tonight as well. All four of those
(01:14):
things are happening today and then across the weekend there's
all sorts of sport. The World Cup qualifying finals on
Monday night at Eden Park. So lucky enough to be
to be going to that. No game for the Hurricanes,
thing for Lisa. All least we can take that off
and I have to worry about it for a week.
Speaker 2 (01:27):
You know. Piney and typical Jason pine thing. I asked
him to talk about his weekend because he's got a
commentator on both those games. Now I get to work
pretty damn early in the morning. I get here. I'm
no later than six twenty in the morning, no later,
normally a little bit earlier. Piney was already here.
Speaker 3 (01:45):
I got here in six eighteen, six eighteen, did you so?
Two months before you?
Speaker 2 (01:48):
And then and then this keeps on the phone.
Speaker 1 (01:49):
Are we bringing him in?
Speaker 2 (01:50):
Yeah, I'm just saying. I'm just saying about I'm aloud
to pay you compliments for that day, and I appreciate
them for the long day that you're going to have
in front of it. And another man who's going to
have a long day in front of him as my producer,
Oh no, he's not any more. Adam Cooper, who's the
host of All Sports Breakfast. He was here before me
the morning and he's down at the stadium now keeps good.
Speaker 4 (02:09):
Morning, Yeah morning, no caw I can tell you beautiful
sitting here at the stadium just looking over the field. Now,
it's obviously got that little spruce up that you get
for the you know, the FIFA, but the more official events.
Of course, these are World Cup qualifiers, but after the
next few days we'll know exactly who's heading to the
World Cup on behalf of Oceania. So the stadium and
the turf has had its nice little spruce up. Nothing
(02:29):
looks out of place here, you know, from the subs
benches to the hoardings and everything looks very clean and tidy.
So yeah, two big games that we're lucky enough to
have here in Wellington. Today is as the final four
teams from Oceania, including the All Whites of course, who
take on FIGI tonight at seven vy off for this
very you know, this big spot for Oceania that no
longer have to play off against the big you know,
(02:51):
other international team from a different part of the world.
So it's all on today this evening and again Monday.
Speaker 2 (02:57):
Okay, let's talk about officialism because there'd be so much
of it running around, I mean I know with basketball
with the fever, but fever's involved. When those world bodies
come in, they take contramplete control and everything's got to
be done to the second, doesn't it.
Speaker 4 (03:11):
Yeah, it's a very well oiled machine down here. A
lot of people already with clipboards and making sure everything
is and exactly that the right things. A lot of
walkie talkies and hand pointing by a lot of the
officials here. But you know that is why they are
the best in the world. Now can they do a
fantastic job running these events? And you know it will
be a very smooth sailing event in terms of you know,
no stone left unturned hitting into you know what is
(03:32):
a very important couple of games for the Oceania Confederation
but also an important game for New Zealand as well
tonight against Fig seven o'clock kack cooff. New Zealand obviously
ranked well over fifty spots ahead of Fiji and the rankings,
so you know, it's all on for the all whites.
I guess to avoid an embarrassment because I think that's
what it would be if they don't sit and negotiate. Firstly,
this game tonight read with relative ease but then whoever
(03:53):
they play between New Caledonia and Tahiti up and Auckland
on Monday night to get in the World Cup. So
it's actually, you know, it's a vital game for them.
Speaker 2 (04:00):
Okay, Jason Pine, come in please and tell me. I
know i'd be watching your Instagram and you've been interviewing
Chris Wood, and I've been very jealous, very very jealous.
I don't get jealous often, but to watch you interview
I think, you know, one of the if not the
greatest player to ever play the game in our life,
you know, And to watch them play tonight and commentate
(04:21):
on it, I mean that pretty big.
Speaker 3 (04:24):
Yeah, I'm looking forward to it, Nikkiah, And it's big
for all of these players. And I was just thinking
before this is not the same as as it has
always been, as keeps us outlined, you know, as there's
a path to an extended World Cup is much less
challenging than it used to be. Just have to win Oceania,
which New Zealand should comfortably do. This team of fully
fledged professionals against largely amateur players for Fiji and the
(04:47):
other two sides as well, they should sail through and
make it to the World Cup. You know that hasn't
been the case since twenty ten. The intercontinental playoffs against
Mexico Peru, Costa Rica haven't been negotiated. They should get
there fine, But just because it's an easier route doesn't
mean that it's any less significant. Because football is right
around the glos dream of playing at a World Cup. Boys, girls,
(05:10):
you know, young men and women as they're as they're
starting to find their way in the game, all want
to go to a senior World Cup. So that's exactly
what this team will be thinking about right now as
they put their final preparations on for tonight. They don't
won't want to leave anything to chance. They will want
to win comfortably tonight and again on Monday and punch
their ticket.
Speaker 2 (05:30):
Well, if you get that, We've got an old mate,
Simon Elliott there too, don't.
Speaker 3 (05:33):
We, assistant coach here, good man, I saw hi yesterday.
He's in good form.
Speaker 2 (05:35):
No say he low to him, Tell tell him to
ask him if he's lost my phone number. We don't
want to catch up him. Ask him something.
Speaker 3 (05:42):
I'll ask of that as well.
Speaker 2 (05:44):
Thanks, right, and let's move on to news that came
as a big complete shock to me. I mean, I
know that Breakers have been in trouble and people have
been talking about what's going on with the Breakers, but
to hear that two business men from Wellington have bought
the Breakers was a complete shock. I mean, Adam Cooper,
what have you heard? You must have heard something, because
I've heard nothing.
Speaker 4 (06:04):
I'm pretty similar to you, Nick. Actually, I usually rely
on you for all my basketball oil and that information.
But it didn't come from you this time around. Yet
it all came pretty suddenly, didn't it. I guess you
know where we'd known for a while that, you know,
the Breakers ownership might not have been you know, in
the long game with this team. Matt Walsh had you know,
who owned the team and sort of you know ran
it had moved over to America a couple of years ago,
(06:25):
and I think, you know, the club itself had lost
a lot of its connection, you know, with the fan base,
with players. You know, it used to pride itself on
having the best Kiwi players and the best ki We fans.
And I think slowly there was a separation between the
clubs and those other two parties. And I mean probably
something had to give. And yeah, Matt Walsh, after being
based off shore for a couple of years, is obviously
decided enough is enough. Team hasn't been performing overly well
(06:48):
and he's getting out of it. But yeah, a huge
shock that you know, Usually you do hear, you know,
a few mumblings around and and you know, just you
know a bit of chatter around possible interest in this.
But suddenly, you know, the story came out all one
go yesterday the team had been put on sale and
it's been brought by a couple of Wellington businesses and
no direct correlation from what anyone can have us so
(07:09):
far with you know, the sport of basketball, no sort
of indication that they bought big money and to looking
at you basketball on then as part of the world
anytime recently. So it's going to be really interesting to
see how this plays out. But I guess if they
are in New Zealand base in it, you'd have to say,
you know, you'd hope it's going to sort of bring
the Breakers back into a more ki wee friendly club,
both with you know, well connected fans and well connected
(07:30):
players for the New Zealand audience.
Speaker 2 (07:31):
Now there's been a lot of talk Piney that because
they're Wellingtonians they might bring the Breakers to Wellington. Now
I'm sure there'll be a Wellington present, a bigger Wellington
presence with them, but realistically we do not have the
stadium to bring the Breakers to well.
Speaker 3 (07:45):
Yea, it'll be a huge call to relocate the team.
You know this thing, this sort of thing happens in
the United States, you know when a new owner comes
in and relocates the team. I just can't see a
set of circumstances under which this happens. The Breakers fan
bases in Auckland always has been Yes, we love it
when they come down here and play the odd game.
But to relocate here, I think would be a massive call.
(08:06):
Like I say, something I just can't see happening.
Speaker 2 (08:08):
No, okay, just want to quickly both ask you about
the you know, the ramifications of putting the Panthers into
the New Zealand NBL. I've been against it from the start,
and now if it had been a well oiled machine
to use someone else's terminology, and it would have been
a well organized team with genuine Indians and genuine thing
and I would have supported it. But Piney, this is
(08:28):
not looking good.
Speaker 3 (08:29):
No, it just seems really shambalic. You know, when you
have to pull together a bunch of journeyman players from
around New Zealand's no name is basically to fill out
the roster because all the Indian players still have to
play over in India. And when your coach walks out
after one game, it just, you know, it just smells bad.
It's not right, you know, having a team from India. Look,
(08:49):
I don't mind innovation, it just always seemed a bit odd,
and now it's proven to be, you know, something which
is a bit problematic for the league.
Speaker 2 (08:56):
And we've done it before, coeps with the Tasmanian team,
Remember the Tasmanian Jumpers. We're in our league and that
was a disaster. Why don't we just stick to our
knitting quickly?
Speaker 4 (09:06):
Spin of it? Mickey Mouse, hasn't it. It's almost like
a subplot you'd see in a cartoon. You know, this
random guy thinks, oh, let's bring a few you know,
Indian players over and play in the New Zealand National League.
And I think I mean that the same thing is
as this league. League has just sort of you know,
jumped leaps and bounds these last few seasons. You know,
the opportunity to ki we players. That the depth that
the teams have to have, which give opportunities to players
with you know, the rapid league that's come through and
(09:28):
other things. You know they had made you know so much,
you know, so many strides, so I think and getting
in front of people, great TV coverage, great players. You know,
the fan base is getting ready connected with their teams,
and then this is just sort of coming. As final said,
it's left a bit of a band snail there at
the start of a season where you really need to
be building momentum. And that that Panthers were involved in
the season opener, and you know, if people were giving
(09:49):
the league a go for the first time and watching
that humiliation unfold for Game one, it's feeding out the
best look to get more people on board with this team.
So I don't know they will, they still have a
team at the end of the season. How's this going
to play out. It's it's very bizarre. They're without a
coach now, there's still four or five players away from
filling their roster. Prop It's going to be interesting.
Speaker 2 (10:06):
Thanks Coops, Thanks Piney, have a great afternoon and night tonight.
I appreciate you both enjoy it and get along and support.
Speaker 1 (10:14):
For more from Wellington Mornings with Nick Mills. Listen live
to news talks It'd Be Wellington from nine am weekdays,
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Wellington Mornings podcast with Nick Mills
from News Talks EDB. Get a use for your sporting weekend.
It's the Wellington Mornings Friday Sport Kickoff on News Talks EDB.
Speaker 2 (00:36):
Friday Sport Time. Joining us for Friday sports Kickoff is
News Talks edb's weekends sports host them very very busy man, Jason,
Fine morning Piney.
Speaker 3 (00:45):
Neveritive busy for you, Nick.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
I mean you've got one hell of a weekend. Just
run me through the what you've got on this weekend.
I mean this is wait wait for this, listeners.
Speaker 3 (00:52):
Oh, there's a bit on you know, like today actually Friday.
If you're talking about a busy sporting day. We've got
the White Ferns and the Black Caps playing a T
twenty double hitter here in Wellington. We've got the semi
finals of Oceania World Cup qualifying Tahiti against Caledonia, followed
by the All Whites against Fiji tonight. There's a Super
Rugby match between the Chiefs and w WA Pacifica and
the Warriors played tonight as well. All four of those
(01:14):
things are happening today and then across the weekend there's
all sorts of sport. The World Cup qualifying finals on
Monday night at Eden Park. So lucky enough to be
to be going to that. No game for the Hurricanes,
thing for Lisa. All least we can take that off
and I have to worry about it for a week.
Speaker 2 (01:27):
You know. Piney and typical Jason pine thing. I asked
him to talk about his weekend because he's got a
commentator on both those games. Now I get to work
pretty damn early in the morning. I get here. I'm
no later than six twenty in the morning, no later,
normally a little bit earlier. Piney was already here.
Speaker 3 (01:45):
I got here in six eighteen, six eighteen, did you so?
Two months before you?
Speaker 2 (01:48):
And then and then this keeps on the phone.
Speaker 1 (01:49):
Are we bringing him in?
Speaker 2 (01:50):
Yeah, I'm just saying. I'm just saying about I'm aloud
to pay you compliments for that day, and I appreciate
them for the long day that you're going to have
in front of it. And another man who's going to
have a long day in front of him as my producer,
Oh no, he's not any more. Adam Cooper, who's the
host of All Sports Breakfast. He was here before me
the morning and he's down at the stadium now keeps good.
Speaker 4 (02:09):
Morning, Yeah morning, no caw I can tell you beautiful
sitting here at the stadium just looking over the field. Now,
it's obviously got that little spruce up that you get
for the you know, the FIFA, but the more official events.
Of course, these are World Cup qualifiers, but after the
next few days we'll know exactly who's heading to the
World Cup on behalf of Oceania. So the stadium and
the turf has had its nice little spruce up. Nothing
(02:29):
looks out of place here, you know, from the subs
benches to the hoardings and everything looks very clean and tidy.
So yeah, two big games that we're lucky enough to
have here in Wellington. Today is as the final four
teams from Oceania, including the All Whites of course, who
take on FIGI tonight at seven vy off for this
very you know, this big spot for Oceania that no
longer have to play off against the big you know,
(02:51):
other international team from a different part of the world.
So it's all on today this evening and again Monday.
Speaker 2 (02:57):
Okay, let's talk about officialism because there'd be so much
of it running around, I mean I know with basketball
with the fever, but fever's involved. When those world bodies
come in, they take contramplete control and everything's got to
be done to the second, doesn't it.
Speaker 4 (03:11):
Yeah, it's a very well oiled machine down here. A
lot of people already with clipboards and making sure everything
is and exactly that the right things. A lot of
walkie talkies and hand pointing by a lot of the
officials here. But you know that is why they are
the best in the world. Now can they do a
fantastic job running these events? And you know it will
be a very smooth sailing event in terms of you know,
no stone left unturned hitting into you know what is
(03:32):
a very important couple of games for the Oceania Confederation
but also an important game for New Zealand as well
tonight against Fig seven o'clock kack cooff. New Zealand obviously
ranked well over fifty spots ahead of Fiji and the rankings,
so you know, it's all on for the all whites.
I guess to avoid an embarrassment because I think that's
what it would be if they don't sit and negotiate. Firstly,
this game tonight read with relative ease but then whoever
(03:53):
they play between New Caledonia and Tahiti up and Auckland
on Monday night to get in the World Cup. So
it's actually, you know, it's a vital game for them.
Speaker 2 (04:00):
Okay, Jason Pine, come in please and tell me. I
know i'd be watching your Instagram and you've been interviewing
Chris Wood, and I've been very jealous, very very jealous.
I don't get jealous often, but to watch you interview
I think, you know, one of the if not the
greatest player to ever play the game in our life,
you know, And to watch them play tonight and commentate
(04:21):
on it, I mean that pretty big.
Speaker 3 (04:24):
Yeah, I'm looking forward to it, Nikkiah, And it's big
for all of these players. And I was just thinking
before this is not the same as as it has
always been, as keeps us outlined, you know, as there's
a path to an extended World Cup is much less
challenging than it used to be. Just have to win Oceania,
which New Zealand should comfortably do. This team of fully
fledged professionals against largely amateur players for Fiji and the
(04:47):
other two sides as well, they should sail through and
make it to the World Cup. You know that hasn't
been the case since twenty ten. The intercontinental playoffs against
Mexico Peru, Costa Rica haven't been negotiated. They should get
there fine, But just because it's an easier route doesn't
mean that it's any less significant. Because football is right
around the glos dream of playing at a World Cup. Boys, girls,
(05:10):
you know, young men and women as they're as they're
starting to find their way in the game, all want
to go to a senior World Cup. So that's exactly
what this team will be thinking about right now as
they put their final preparations on for tonight. They don't
won't want to leave anything to chance. They will want
to win comfortably tonight and again on Monday and punch
their ticket.
Speaker 2 (05:30):
Well, if you get that, We've got an old mate,
Simon Elliott there too, don't.
Speaker 3 (05:33):
We, assistant coach here, good man, I saw hi yesterday.
He's in good form.
Speaker 2 (05:35):
No say he low to him, Tell tell him to
ask him if he's lost my phone number. We don't
want to catch up him. Ask him something.
Speaker 3 (05:42):
I'll ask of that as well.
Speaker 2 (05:44):
Thanks, right, and let's move on to news that came
as a big complete shock to me. I mean, I
know that Breakers have been in trouble and people have
been talking about what's going on with the Breakers, but
to hear that two business men from Wellington have bought
the Breakers was a complete shock. I mean, Adam Cooper,
what have you heard? You must have heard something, because
I've heard nothing.
Speaker 4 (06:04):
I'm pretty similar to you, Nick. Actually, I usually rely
on you for all my basketball oil and that information.
But it didn't come from you this time around. Yet
it all came pretty suddenly, didn't it. I guess you
know where we'd known for a while that, you know,
the Breakers ownership might not have been you know, in
the long game with this team. Matt Walsh had you know,
who owned the team and sort of you know ran
it had moved over to America a couple of years ago,
(06:25):
and I think, you know, the club itself had lost
a lot of its connection, you know, with the fan base,
with players. You know, it used to pride itself on
having the best Kiwi players and the best ki We fans.
And I think slowly there was a separation between the
clubs and those other two parties. And I mean probably
something had to give. And yeah, Matt Walsh, after being
based off shore for a couple of years, is obviously
decided enough is enough. Team hasn't been performing overly well
(06:48):
and he's getting out of it. But yeah, a huge
shock that you know, Usually you do hear, you know,
a few mumblings around and and you know, just you
know a bit of chatter around possible interest in this.
But suddenly, you know, the story came out all one
go yesterday the team had been put on sale and
it's been brought by a couple of Wellington businesses and
no direct correlation from what anyone can have us so
(07:09):
far with you know, the sport of basketball, no sort
of indication that they bought big money and to looking
at you basketball on then as part of the world
anytime recently. So it's going to be really interesting to
see how this plays out. But I guess if they
are in New Zealand base in it, you'd have to say,
you know, you'd hope it's going to sort of bring
the Breakers back into a more ki wee friendly club,
both with you know, well connected fans and well connected
(07:30):
players for the New Zealand audience.
Speaker 2 (07:31):
Now there's been a lot of talk Piney that because
they're Wellingtonians they might bring the Breakers to Wellington. Now
I'm sure there'll be a Wellington present, a bigger Wellington
presence with them, but realistically we do not have the
stadium to bring the Breakers to well.
Speaker 3 (07:45):
Yea, it'll be a huge call to relocate the team.
You know this thing, this sort of thing happens in
the United States, you know when a new owner comes
in and relocates the team. I just can't see a
set of circumstances under which this happens. The Breakers fan
bases in Auckland always has been Yes, we love it
when they come down here and play the odd game.
But to relocate here, I think would be a massive call.
(08:06):
Like I say, something I just can't see happening.
Speaker 2 (08:08):
No, okay, just want to quickly both ask you about
the you know, the ramifications of putting the Panthers into
the New Zealand NBL. I've been against it from the start,
and now if it had been a well oiled machine
to use someone else's terminology, and it would have been
a well organized team with genuine Indians and genuine thing
and I would have supported it. But Piney, this is
(08:28):
not looking good.
Speaker 3 (08:29):
No, it just seems really shambalic. You know, when you
have to pull together a bunch of journeyman players from
around New Zealand's no name is basically to fill out
the roster because all the Indian players still have to
play over in India. And when your coach walks out
after one game, it just, you know, it just smells bad.
It's not right, you know, having a team from India. Look,
(08:49):
I don't mind innovation, it just always seemed a bit odd,
and now it's proven to be, you know, something which
is a bit problematic for the league.
Speaker 2 (08:56):
And we've done it before, coeps with the Tasmanian team,
Remember the Tasmanian Jumpers. We're in our league and that
was a disaster. Why don't we just stick to our
knitting quickly?
Speaker 4 (09:06):
Spin of it? Mickey Mouse, hasn't it. It's almost like
a subplot you'd see in a cartoon. You know, this
random guy thinks, oh, let's bring a few you know,
Indian players over and play in the New Zealand National League.
And I think I mean that the same thing is
as this league. League has just sort of you know,
jumped leaps and bounds these last few seasons. You know,
the opportunity to ki we players. That the depth that
the teams have to have, which give opportunities to players
with you know, the rapid league that's come through and
(09:28):
other things. You know they had made you know so much,
you know, so many strides, so I think and getting
in front of people, great TV coverage, great players. You know,
the fan base is getting ready connected with their teams,
and then this is just sort of coming. As final said,
it's left a bit of a band snail there at
the start of a season where you really need to
be building momentum. And that that Panthers were involved in
the season opener, and you know, if people were giving
(09:49):
the league a go for the first time and watching
that humiliation unfold for Game one, it's feeding out the
best look to get more people on board with this team.
So I don't know they will, they still have a
team at the end of the season. How's this going
to play out. It's it's very bizarre. They're without a
coach now, there's still four or five players away from
filling their roster. Prop It's going to be interesting.
Speaker 2 (10:06):
Thanks Coops, Thanks Piney, have a great afternoon and night tonight.
I appreciate you both enjoy it and get along and support.
Speaker 1 (10:14):
For more from Wellington Mornings with Nick Mills. Listen live
to news talks It'd Be Wellington from nine am weekdays,
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio
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