February 26, 2026 • 10 mins
Nick is joined in the studio by All Sports Breakfast host Adam Cooper and Weekend Sport host Jason Pine to talk all things sport to end the week.
Chris Greenacre has been appointed interim manager of the Phoenix after Giancarlo Italiano called it quits after the 5-0 loss last week to Auckland FC.
Can he save the day? We get the lowdown from our sports gurus, they give their analysis of the manager change and how the players have reacted since.
Plus the Hurricanes win over the weekend. Was this luck or are we real contenders for the championship? Find out on Friday sports kick-off.
LISTEN ABOVE
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Listen
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:07):
You're listening to the Wellington Mornings podcast with Nick Mills
from News Talks EDB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Know what that means on a Friday means we get
the two sports gurus from our office to come and
have a chat and tell us what's going on this weekend.
Jason Bin is coming to us live from News Talks
EDB in Auckland where he's up there for the Auckland
FC game and to do a show from Auckland today
and in the studio with me is Adam Cooper, host
of the All Sports Breakfast morning. Guys, how are you
(00:36):
doing piney okay up there?
Speaker 3 (00:38):
Yeah, it's beautiful data And when I flew out this
morning it was terrible and Wellington has it improved?
Speaker 4 (00:42):
No, you can't see out the windows here, but it's making.
Speaker 3 (00:47):
Is it really bad? It's not bad. Actually, I hate
to say it, but it's a it's a nice day
in Auckland. But give it an hour it'll be like
it is down there.
Speaker 2 (00:54):
It was the flight a little bit bumpy, a little
bit nervously.
Speaker 3 (00:56):
No, no, no, it was no, the flight the flight
out was it was. Yeah. Anyway, I'm not sure that
this is an aviation slot. So we've probably move off.
Speaker 2 (01:06):
Let's talk about the chief Ye situation quickly. I need
to ask you because I haven't had a chance to
have a chat Chris Greenacre. The right decision or the
wrong decision. Everything that I have seen since he's taken over,
I went, wow, this is good. Wow, this is good.
Speaker 3 (01:23):
Absolutely the right decision. Yeah, and what your hope is
that it turns into a long term thing. This is
the fourth time now that Chris Greenacre has stepped in
to save the Phoenix effectively when a coach has left
mid season, and on each of the other three occasions
he's done an admirable job, but has been you know,
a couple of times now passed over when the head
(01:45):
coaching role permanently has been you know, up for grabs.
In fact, two years ago, three years ago when chief
he got the job, Chris Greenacre was in the running
for it. Then they went with Chiefy and we remember
he had that very good first season, but gone Now, Look,
Chris Greenacre is a very very impressive guy. He absolutely
(02:06):
loves Wellington Phoenix. He absolutely loves Wellington. And his best
line at his media conference when he had it yesterday
day before, whenever it was was he said, my base
level is work hard. Come in and work hard. If
you're not willing to do that, then morally we don't
have anything in common. I thought that was a brilliant line.
Speaker 2 (02:27):
I thought it was too Yeah, if you don't want
to work hard me and you got something I ain't
get to work Yeah, brilliant, brilliant coops.
Speaker 4 (02:35):
Yeah. I mean it is probably the one way forward, right,
the one sort of decision that you know, he's been
waiting in the wings for a while. He wouldn't have
the passion or you know, he say it this way,
he wouldn't have stayed around for as long as he
had at this Phoenix club. If he didn't have passion
for it to succeed. He would have had so many
opportunities to go overseas, to go elsewhere in New Zealand.
But the fact that he's stuck around at different roles
(02:57):
with the Phoenix, obviously most recently leading the Academy shows
he cares about this club. You know, a well known
player which a lot of the guys in the team
probably grew up you know, watching and knowing that. You know,
when he wears a Phoenix coaching logo on his shirt,
he wore that as a player too, and was a
very successful and much liked player. So it seems as
though from what a few of the players have said
(03:18):
over the last couple of days, they've had the hard
word put on them as well. Sunday morning, it sounds
like they had a really tough meeting with Sean Gill,
the director of football and others about them having some
responsibility as well, and it doesn't all just fall on
the coach that departed last week in chief. You know,
they need to up their game as well. And it
appears listening to what Alex Rufe of the captain was
(03:39):
saying yesterday, what Isaac Hughes said in his very interesting
media session yesterday as well, they have received that message
and they know they have to show some sign that
they are entering a new chapter with a bit of positivity.
Speaker 2 (03:52):
Now I know Sean Gill, I make it very clear.
I know Sean Gill very very very well. I work
with him for a number of years. When he gets shitty,
he gets shitty. I mean, all I'll say is that
he's a grumpy preck when he wants to be. So
I would have thought that he would have been really,
really grubby. He doesn't come across it.
Speaker 3 (04:12):
He sounds like a great made I kill very well,
but it's here it could be a bit grumpy. Well,
you could be a bit grumpy party. I know, I can,
I can. I can tell you right now I was.
I was not in the best state of mental health
after that derby when I came home. I mean, yes,
(04:32):
you're stay impartial and you have to admire what Auckland
FC did, But goodness man, I'm watching I've been watching
the Phoenix since seven and I can't I can't remember
a meeker half of football than what they put out
in the first half against Auckland f C. Bounce back
is what they need. Often you do get a bounce
back when a new boss comes on board, a fresh voice,
some new reinvigoration into the team. I mean, there are
(04:54):
chance on Sunday, but second top, well.
Speaker 2 (04:57):
Second to top, that's a big ask, isn't it.
Speaker 3 (04:59):
It is it is But this this year's they beat
Sydney the last time they played them in Sydney. So
you so we're talking about a table here which is
so tight and it would not be beyond the realms
of possibility that they get a result on Sunday, they
are also still with a chance of making the top six.
Crazy as that sounds their second bottom, but there are
(05:21):
only five points outside the top six. Get a couple
of three wins, you know, string those together, and all
of a sudden you're in the conversation. So I am
deeply curious in a positive way about what will happen
from here.
Speaker 2 (05:32):
Yeah, I'm actually feeling exactly the same way. And you know,
as a little punter that I am. I'm not a
big punter, but a little pumpter. I love it when
there's a change like this, or a change of personnality,
because suddenly it gets a little bit of a shift,
doesn't it.
Speaker 4 (05:45):
It's like watching a movie unfold. You know, if you
were there last weekend, it was it was a horrible ending.
And if you go this weekend, you sort of curious
as to what's going to happen next. It's sort of
watching it unfold right in front of you. So we
can only hope for a better performances and and things
getting on track at least, at the very least, take
the top six out of it. Get a few wins
over this next month or so, just to just feel
a bit just to make everyone have smiles. And you
(06:07):
look at I can't seeing Alex Ruffer have to front
that interview right after full time. He almost looked like
he was tearing up. He was in such shock about it.
So just for players like him alone, it'd be great
to see some just some positivity around this club.
Speaker 3 (06:21):
And you know, Iszac Houston sorry that Isaac usage yesterday
that it was the worst moment of his life. After that,
after that game, he may have meant his football life.
I don't know, but hopefully, but but it hit those
guys very, very hard. And look, they can't change the past,
they can't turn back time. All they can do is react.
Speaker 2 (06:38):
And you know what what we as a city can do, too,
Piony and Coops, is get off our ass and go
and support them. You know, when people need help and
they need help, they need the support, So we as
a city have to get off our backsides.
Speaker 4 (06:53):
And go see you there on Sunday.
Speaker 2 (06:54):
There, and I'm gonna I'm gonna make every single effort.
No that's not good enough, Okay, I'll be there. I'll
be there on Sunday. I will go. I'll make the
commitment it go see you there live on air. Okay,
let's talk rugby, and I really mean that we've got
to support Let's start talk rugby. The Hurricanes are in Fiji. Coops,
what's going to happen here? Was it a little bit
(07:16):
lucky last week because you know that the opposition was
completely weakened or where are we good?
Speaker 4 (07:23):
Not lucky at all? I mean, they certainly probably had
a fifty point game because Mwana Pacifica gave them a
lot of space, especially in that second half. But I
think what we saw from the Hurricanes back line, you know,
some of the best they have played in the last
couple of seasons. I think everything clicks. Jordy Barrett made
an immediate impact just how he was able to control
things as a leader, but also in that number twelve position.
(07:45):
And even though they lost Brett Cameron twenty five minutes
in and Caldam Harket unexpectedly had to come into that
first five role, the back line was absolutely humming. You know,
the ball got out to fee Fine Young and off
for Josh Moreby so easily.
Speaker 2 (07:57):
Minor Pacific made sixteen or seventeen changes or whatever.
Speaker 4 (08:00):
They did, but you still have to you still have
to pass the ball and run down, you know, create
some opportunities yourself and score. So yeah, you can't read
too much into it compared to what the tests against
the likes of the Chiefs and others are going to
be like. But geez, a positive start you can only
win up against, so you play against that. I was
very encouraged, really enjoyed it there and the stands watching
it last week in, I thought that the brand of
(08:21):
rugby they showcased as to you know, how they look
as though they want to play this year is so exciting.
You've got to member Clark Laydors come from the all
Black sevens, Like that's really showed I think what they're
capable of this. Yes, so very excited for Fiji this weekend.
Speaker 2 (08:35):
Coops, Crusaders they're in trouble or what is it party?
You're ex party? Sorry, piny Are the Crusaders in trouble?
Speaker 1 (08:44):
Oh?
Speaker 3 (08:44):
Look? I think oh and two they wouldn't you know,
they're not They're not going to be happy. Look, I
think if they lose to the Chiefs tomorrow night, which
they could, and then you'll just start thinking, Okay, they've
had three games and lost all three against three New
Zealand sides. Are we looking at twenty twenty four all
over again? Much as I hate to start, I think
they'll probably be okay.
Speaker 2 (09:02):
They got a fifty put on them last week.
Speaker 3 (09:04):
Yeah, I know, and talk about a punch in the
face and how to react from a punch in the face.
You normally come out fighting, don't you if you're a Crusader. Yeah,
I think that will be a massive wake up call
for them. I kept on expecting the Crusaders just to
come back and then eventually go over the top of
the Brumbies. Didn't happen, So yeah, I think they'll probably
be okay. Just on the Hurricanes, if I could just
(09:24):
go back there, just for a brief second, went out
to the airport yesterday as they were flying out, just
a little bit of media with them, and I was
looking at that team and thinking, this is a very
good team.
Speaker 2 (09:33):
You know.
Speaker 3 (09:34):
You look at these men and you look at the
depth that's building. If Reuben Love can get back quickly
and take ownership of that ten jersey with Brett Cameron
out obviously with that long term knee injury, you look
around at the outside backs, the loose forwards, Tyrel Lomax
coming back into the front row. There's no weak spot
in the Hurricanes this season. I know they've only played
one game, but I got quite excited thinking about the
(09:56):
possibilities for this team ten years on from their one
and only Super Rugby title. Feels a little bit serendipitous
to me.
Speaker 2 (10:04):
Nick. Partly, I'm a little tiny bit worried you might
be going Mike Hosking and Warriors on us a bit
with the Hurricanes because I think something in the back
of my head keeps telling him I've heard this before,
but I'm hoping.
Speaker 3 (10:17):
But you're right. I probably thought the same thing last
year and the year before that, and probably the year
before that. But yeah, look, and with the Crusaders just
just stumbling a little bit. With the Chiefs, I mean,
they've won their two games, but not well, nobody's really
flexing their muscles. I know it's still only February, and
that'll be the big cry. If we're still talking about
this in May, then maybe we can get them to go.
Speaker 2 (10:39):
I've got to go, Piney, Thank you, Jason Pine. On
Saturday and Sunday afternoons at All Sports Breakfast hosts Adam Cooper.
Speaker 1 (10:45):
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.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Know what that means on a Friday means we get
the two sports gurus from our office to come and
have a chat and tell us what's going on this weekend.
Jason Bin is coming to us live from News Talks
EDB in Auckland where he's up there for the Auckland
FC game and to do a show from Auckland today
and in the studio with me is Adam Cooper, host
of the All Sports Breakfast morning. Guys, how are you
(00:36):
doing piney okay up there?
Speaker 3 (00:38):
Yeah, it's beautiful data And when I flew out this
morning it was terrible and Wellington has it improved?
Speaker 4 (00:42):
No, you can't see out the windows here, but it's making.
Speaker 3 (00:47):
Is it really bad? It's not bad. Actually, I hate
to say it, but it's a it's a nice day
in Auckland. But give it an hour it'll be like
it is down there.
Speaker 2 (00:54):
It was the flight a little bit bumpy, a little
bit nervously.
Speaker 3 (00:56):
No, no, no, it was no, the flight the flight
out was it was. Yeah. Anyway, I'm not sure that
this is an aviation slot. So we've probably move off.
Speaker 2 (01:06):
Let's talk about the chief Ye situation quickly. I need
to ask you because I haven't had a chance to
have a chat Chris Greenacre. The right decision or the
wrong decision. Everything that I have seen since he's taken over,
I went, wow, this is good. Wow, this is good.
Speaker 3 (01:23):
Absolutely the right decision. Yeah, and what your hope is
that it turns into a long term thing. This is
the fourth time now that Chris Greenacre has stepped in
to save the Phoenix effectively when a coach has left
mid season, and on each of the other three occasions
he's done an admirable job, but has been you know,
a couple of times now passed over when the head
(01:45):
coaching role permanently has been you know, up for grabs.
In fact, two years ago, three years ago when chief
he got the job, Chris Greenacre was in the running
for it. Then they went with Chiefy and we remember
he had that very good first season, but gone Now, Look,
Chris Greenacre is a very very impressive guy. He absolutely
(02:06):
loves Wellington Phoenix. He absolutely loves Wellington. And his best
line at his media conference when he had it yesterday
day before, whenever it was was he said, my base
level is work hard. Come in and work hard. If
you're not willing to do that, then morally we don't
have anything in common. I thought that was a brilliant line.
Speaker 2 (02:27):
I thought it was too Yeah, if you don't want
to work hard me and you got something I ain't
get to work Yeah, brilliant, brilliant coops.
Speaker 4 (02:35):
Yeah. I mean it is probably the one way forward, right,
the one sort of decision that you know, he's been
waiting in the wings for a while. He wouldn't have
the passion or you know, he say it this way,
he wouldn't have stayed around for as long as he
had at this Phoenix club. If he didn't have passion
for it to succeed. He would have had so many
opportunities to go overseas, to go elsewhere in New Zealand.
But the fact that he's stuck around at different roles
(02:57):
with the Phoenix, obviously most recently leading the Academy shows
he cares about this club. You know, a well known
player which a lot of the guys in the team
probably grew up you know, watching and knowing that. You know,
when he wears a Phoenix coaching logo on his shirt,
he wore that as a player too, and was a
very successful and much liked player. So it seems as
though from what a few of the players have said
(03:18):
over the last couple of days, they've had the hard
word put on them as well. Sunday morning, it sounds
like they had a really tough meeting with Sean Gill,
the director of football and others about them having some
responsibility as well, and it doesn't all just fall on
the coach that departed last week in chief. You know,
they need to up their game as well. And it
appears listening to what Alex Rufe of the captain was
(03:39):
saying yesterday, what Isaac Hughes said in his very interesting
media session yesterday as well, they have received that message
and they know they have to show some sign that
they are entering a new chapter with a bit of positivity.
Speaker 2 (03:52):
Now I know Sean Gill, I make it very clear.
I know Sean Gill very very very well. I work
with him for a number of years. When he gets shitty,
he gets shitty. I mean, all I'll say is that
he's a grumpy preck when he wants to be. So
I would have thought that he would have been really,
really grubby. He doesn't come across it.
Speaker 3 (04:12):
He sounds like a great made I kill very well,
but it's here it could be a bit grumpy. Well,
you could be a bit grumpy party. I know, I can,
I can. I can tell you right now I was.
I was not in the best state of mental health
after that derby when I came home. I mean, yes,
(04:32):
you're stay impartial and you have to admire what Auckland
FC did, But goodness man, I'm watching I've been watching
the Phoenix since seven and I can't I can't remember
a meeker half of football than what they put out
in the first half against Auckland f C. Bounce back
is what they need. Often you do get a bounce
back when a new boss comes on board, a fresh voice,
some new reinvigoration into the team. I mean, there are
(04:54):
chance on Sunday, but second top, well.
Speaker 2 (04:57):
Second to top, that's a big ask, isn't it.
Speaker 3 (04:59):
It is it is But this this year's they beat
Sydney the last time they played them in Sydney. So
you so we're talking about a table here which is
so tight and it would not be beyond the realms
of possibility that they get a result on Sunday, they
are also still with a chance of making the top six.
Crazy as that sounds their second bottom, but there are
(05:21):
only five points outside the top six. Get a couple
of three wins, you know, string those together, and all
of a sudden you're in the conversation. So I am
deeply curious in a positive way about what will happen
from here.
Speaker 2 (05:32):
Yeah, I'm actually feeling exactly the same way. And you know,
as a little punter that I am. I'm not a
big punter, but a little pumpter. I love it when
there's a change like this, or a change of personnality,
because suddenly it gets a little bit of a shift,
doesn't it.
Speaker 4 (05:45):
It's like watching a movie unfold. You know, if you
were there last weekend, it was it was a horrible ending.
And if you go this weekend, you sort of curious
as to what's going to happen next. It's sort of
watching it unfold right in front of you. So we
can only hope for a better performances and and things
getting on track at least, at the very least, take
the top six out of it. Get a few wins
over this next month or so, just to just feel
a bit just to make everyone have smiles. And you
(06:07):
look at I can't seeing Alex Ruffer have to front
that interview right after full time. He almost looked like
he was tearing up. He was in such shock about it.
So just for players like him alone, it'd be great
to see some just some positivity around this club.
Speaker 3 (06:21):
And you know, Iszac Houston sorry that Isaac usage yesterday
that it was the worst moment of his life. After that,
after that game, he may have meant his football life.
I don't know, but hopefully, but but it hit those
guys very, very hard. And look, they can't change the past,
they can't turn back time. All they can do is react.
Speaker 2 (06:38):
And you know what what we as a city can do, too,
Piony and Coops, is get off our ass and go
and support them. You know, when people need help and
they need help, they need the support, So we as
a city have to get off our backsides.
Speaker 4 (06:53):
And go see you there on Sunday.
Speaker 2 (06:54):
There, and I'm gonna I'm gonna make every single effort.
No that's not good enough, Okay, I'll be there. I'll
be there on Sunday. I will go. I'll make the
commitment it go see you there live on air. Okay,
let's talk rugby, and I really mean that we've got
to support Let's start talk rugby. The Hurricanes are in Fiji. Coops,
what's going to happen here? Was it a little bit
(07:16):
lucky last week because you know that the opposition was
completely weakened or where are we good?
Speaker 4 (07:23):
Not lucky at all? I mean, they certainly probably had
a fifty point game because Mwana Pacifica gave them a
lot of space, especially in that second half. But I
think what we saw from the Hurricanes back line, you know,
some of the best they have played in the last
couple of seasons. I think everything clicks. Jordy Barrett made
an immediate impact just how he was able to control
things as a leader, but also in that number twelve position.
(07:45):
And even though they lost Brett Cameron twenty five minutes
in and Caldam Harket unexpectedly had to come into that
first five role, the back line was absolutely humming. You know,
the ball got out to fee Fine Young and off
for Josh Moreby so easily.
Speaker 2 (07:57):
Minor Pacific made sixteen or seventeen changes or whatever.
Speaker 4 (08:00):
They did, but you still have to you still have
to pass the ball and run down, you know, create
some opportunities yourself and score. So yeah, you can't read
too much into it compared to what the tests against
the likes of the Chiefs and others are going to
be like. But geez, a positive start you can only
win up against, so you play against that. I was
very encouraged, really enjoyed it there and the stands watching
it last week in, I thought that the brand of
(08:21):
rugby they showcased as to you know, how they look
as though they want to play this year is so exciting.
You've got to member Clark Laydors come from the all
Black sevens, Like that's really showed I think what they're
capable of this. Yes, so very excited for Fiji this weekend.
Speaker 2 (08:35):
Coops, Crusaders they're in trouble or what is it party?
You're ex party? Sorry, piny Are the Crusaders in trouble?
Speaker 1 (08:44):
Oh?
Speaker 3 (08:44):
Look? I think oh and two they wouldn't you know,
they're not They're not going to be happy. Look, I
think if they lose to the Chiefs tomorrow night, which
they could, and then you'll just start thinking, Okay, they've
had three games and lost all three against three New
Zealand sides. Are we looking at twenty twenty four all
over again? Much as I hate to start, I think
they'll probably be okay.
Speaker 2 (09:02):
They got a fifty put on them last week.
Speaker 3 (09:04):
Yeah, I know, and talk about a punch in the
face and how to react from a punch in the face.
You normally come out fighting, don't you if you're a Crusader. Yeah,
I think that will be a massive wake up call
for them. I kept on expecting the Crusaders just to
come back and then eventually go over the top of
the Brumbies. Didn't happen, So yeah, I think they'll probably
be okay. Just on the Hurricanes, if I could just
(09:24):
go back there, just for a brief second, went out
to the airport yesterday as they were flying out, just
a little bit of media with them, and I was
looking at that team and thinking, this is a very
good team.
Speaker 2 (09:33):
You know.
Speaker 3 (09:34):
You look at these men and you look at the
depth that's building. If Reuben Love can get back quickly
and take ownership of that ten jersey with Brett Cameron
out obviously with that long term knee injury, you look
around at the outside backs, the loose forwards, Tyrel Lomax
coming back into the front row. There's no weak spot
in the Hurricanes this season. I know they've only played
one game, but I got quite excited thinking about the
(09:56):
possibilities for this team ten years on from their one
and only Super Rugby title. Feels a little bit serendipitous
to me.
Speaker 2 (10:04):
Nick. Partly, I'm a little tiny bit worried you might
be going Mike Hosking and Warriors on us a bit
with the Hurricanes because I think something in the back
of my head keeps telling him I've heard this before,
but I'm hoping.
Speaker 3 (10:17):
But you're right. I probably thought the same thing last
year and the year before that, and probably the year
before that. But yeah, look, and with the Crusaders just
just stumbling a little bit. With the Chiefs, I mean,
they've won their two games, but not well, nobody's really
flexing their muscles. I know it's still only February, and
that'll be the big cry. If we're still talking about
this in May, then maybe we can get them to go.
Speaker 2 (10:39):
I've got to go, Piney, Thank you, Jason Pine. On
Saturday and Sunday afternoons at All Sports Breakfast hosts Adam Cooper.
Speaker 1 (10:45):
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
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
The Girlfriends: Trust Me Babe
When a group of women from all over the country realise they all dated the same prolific romance scammer they vow to bring him to justice. In this brand new season of global number 1 hit podcast, The Girlfriends, Anna Sinfield meets a group of funny, feisty, determined women who all had the misfortune of dating a mysterious man named Derek Alldred. Trust Me Babe is a story about the protective forces of gossip, gut instinct, and trusting your besties and the group of women who took matters into their own hands to take down a fraudster when no one else would listen. If you’re affected by any of the themes in this show, our charity partners NO MORE have available resources at https://www.nomore.org. To learn more about romance scams, and to access specialised support, visit https://fightcybercrime.org/ The Girlfriends: Trust Me Babe is produced by Novel for iHeartPodcasts. For more from Novel, visit https://novel.audio/. You can listen to new episodes of The Girlfriends: Trust Me Babe completely ad-free and 1 week early with an iHeart True Crime+ subscription, available exclusively on Apple Podcasts. Open your Apple Podcasts app, search for “iHeart True Crime+, and subscribe today!