April 28, 2025 • 20 mins
On Sports Fix with Jason Pine, Auckland FC coach Steve Corica reveals how his side celebrated their Premiers' Plate win and looks ahead to how they plan to achieve an historic double in their first season by adding the A-League Championship to the trophy cabinet.
Piney also has some thoughts on the key reasons for the Black Knights' success this season.
Elijah Fa'afiu is in The Chamber as the boys try to pick Super Rugby's top six and give their predictions for the Warriors' next game, plus the latest in sports news.
Big thanks to GJ Gardner Homes - New Zealand's most trusted home builder.
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Speaker 1 (00:09):
You're listening to a podcast from News Talks EDB. Follow
this and our wide range of podcasts now on iHeartRadio.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
This is Sportsfix Howard By News Talks ed B.
Speaker 3 (00:20):
Hi there and welcome into a new weeknd, a new
edition of the Sports Fix podcast and association with GJ.
Gardner Holmes, New Zealand's most trusted home builder. Hope you
long weekend went well. It's Monday, April twenty eight. I'm
Jason Pine. Auckland FC are winners of the A League's
Premier's Plate, the regular season silverware in their maiden season.
(00:42):
Quite the achievement. How did they celebrate last night? And
now how do they go planning or setting about planning
to win the A League Championship as well and making
it an historic double. Head coach of the team, Steve
Coriker is on the podcast today Elijah feel in the
chamber as we talk Auckland f C. Also the Warriors.
They're looking very good and super rugby. Good luck predicting
(01:04):
the top six with four or five rounds to play
the latest and sportsview as well for you, So let's
get into it. In other news, let's get underway with
some of the big sports stories floating around today disappointment
from former KIWIS coach Frank Endercott, who's also the president
of one of the three NRL birds coming out of
(01:24):
christ Church, that the NRL have decided to delay adding
a twentieth team to the competition until after the Brisbane
Olympics in twenty thirty two.
Speaker 4 (01:33):
It's just seven years of waiting.
Speaker 5 (01:36):
I mean we've put hundreds and hundreds of hours into this.
Speaker 3 (01:39):
We've put money, in our own money into.
Speaker 1 (01:41):
It, you know, and we're doing this for nothing.
Speaker 5 (01:43):
We're doing it, you know.
Speaker 4 (01:44):
For our city and to offer opportunities to young players.
Speaker 3 (01:48):
Japan's Male Sigo has reigned supreme after a five way
playoff to win the first women's golf major of the year.
Three players made par on the first southern death hole,
another made bogey so Sigo could win it with Bertie
right now to Whin, she was just helping to stay
in the playoff another hole.
Speaker 5 (02:09):
Yes, incredible fashion in a way.
Speaker 3 (02:14):
Male Saga is a major champ and Liverpool FC Champions
of England for a twentieth time.
Speaker 5 (02:22):
On breaking pol On stoppapool on Shaker pool, on a
slots Liverpool, I've reached the promise line with four gems to.
Speaker 1 (02:37):
Spare news an Avidion It's Sports Fix with Jason Vine.
Speaker 3 (02:45):
On the Sports Fix podcast. Auckland f C, at the
first time of asking have won the Premiers Plate, the
regular season silverware for the A League men's competition. That
was confirmed on Saturday evening when Melbourne City, who were
the only team who could overtake Auckland f C at
the top, weren't able to get a victory over Adelaide United.
It meant that with two games to spare, Auckland FC
(03:07):
had claimed there. They played Perth Glory at a rather
damp go Media Stadium last night and then we're presented
with the Premiers Plate and celebrated with their fans and
no doubt with those associated with the football club as well.
Head coach Steve Corriker is with us. How were the
celebrations last night, Steve?
Speaker 4 (03:24):
As expected by any you know, an amazing season, very
damp night, like you said, but the crowd was buzzing
so and so were the boys and the staff afterwards celebrating,
So yeah, this was a lot of fun. Obviously we
went to the Black Knights Club with all the families
and then after that the players went off and the
staff went off and celebrated separately, and you know.
Speaker 2 (03:47):
It's good.
Speaker 4 (03:48):
It's good to see the boys celebrate what is such
a special, special victory really for us in the premiership,
for the Premiership plate.
Speaker 3 (03:56):
When you woke up this morning and you know, reflected
on last night and I guess on the season up
till now, I mean, how deep is your sense of
satisfaction as to what you've managed to achieve so far
this season.
Speaker 4 (04:12):
I haven't had too much time to think about it.
I think probably after the season ends. I think I
just want everything to keep moving along nicely because we've
still got a little bit to do yet, one more
game to go, and then obviously main focus is on
the finals and trying to get to the final first.
But it has been amazing, you know, it's gone better
than probably everyone has expected. A lot of people didn't
(04:36):
think we'd be here. We've proved them wrong. You know,
we've proved to ourselves that we are a very good
team and we can go all the way and that's
to the final and hopefully winning it.
Speaker 3 (04:47):
How does this one compare to the Premier's plate you
won as a player at Sydney FC and then the
Premier Is plate you won as coach at Sydney FC.
Speaker 4 (04:56):
It's definitely a different feeling, obviously starting a club from
fresh bringing the boys in. You know, at Sydney the
players were there when I was there, you know, I
took over as head coach. We had a lot of
success as well. And don't get me wrong, that was
is amazing feeling to win a trophy. It's not easy.
(05:18):
I've said that before, so the boys should be really proud.
But this is something different, you know, to work with
Terry mcflynn and Doug Corse setting up the team, it
was really challenging, but eagerly Now obviously it has paid
off and yeah, obviously very proud of everyone.
Speaker 3 (05:37):
How how was the atmosphere before the game yesterday? You
turned up there. Obviously Melbourne City had drawn the previous night,
so you knew that you were getting the plate regardless.
Did you find it in any way challenging to get
the boys focused or what was it like before the game?
Speaker 4 (05:52):
Now, it was quite easy, actually, I think the pressure
was off the boys. You could probably see when they
went into the game. You know, that was probably one
of our best games we played all season. It could
have been a lot more of the score line, but
other than Nolly say or making it a few great saves.
But yeah, just there's a real buzz around. You know.
I had it last the night before when I found
(06:13):
out City had drawn. You know, it took me two
hours to get to sleep after that, so you know,
and that carried on the next day. And that's what
the players were feeling, you know. So you see this
feeling of excitement and obviously can't wait to lift that
played up, which we did after the game in front
of our amazing fans.
Speaker 3 (06:33):
Do you think Marley Franz while was trying to score
from that corner.
Speaker 4 (06:37):
Well, he was able for the back post because that's
what we were working on, so he definitely hit the
back posts. Yeah, no, it's good for him, you know,
obviously it's his first goal. Is you put the ball
in the right areas and you get rewarded sometimes, and
you know, he obviously had a couple other shots set up,
one for Max Matter that got obviously I think might
have hit Eli in the head or whatever it was.
Speaker 2 (06:58):
But yeah, he played really well.
Speaker 4 (07:01):
Marley, and I'm really happy for him to get his
first goal in such an important game, all.
Speaker 3 (07:05):
Right, So let's look ahead. One more regular season game
away at whist And United this coming weekend, then a
weekend off, and then the home and away semis against
whoever it is. First of all, this week, Steve any
temptation at all to rest a couple of guys.
Speaker 4 (07:21):
No, none at all, really, I look at it. If
I rest some players, they won't play for three weeks,
and that's probably not what we want right now. They'll
get a little break in that week off that we
have next week before the away semi final, so we'll
go with whatever is available of the boys. There's a
(07:41):
couple of boys that have picked up little injuries through
the game, but I don't think they're not too much.
I think they're probably the only one who is for
Libe whether he'll be back for the game, and then
we've got to make a decision around that. But yeah,
it would be as normal. We want to continue during
what we've been doing. We want to win a game
(08:02):
away from home. We want to make it fifteen games unbeaten.
So there's still plenty to do for us, you know,
we can. It would be nice to reach fifty goals
as well. If we could get there, he's still got
three to go, so in one game might be difficult,
but we'll see how we go.
Speaker 3 (08:17):
And then beyond that, it's a little bit uncertain of
because you don't know who your opponent is going to
be in the semi final until you've got you get
the week off, you get to watch the two knockout games.
How do you go about structuring the back end of
the season, Steve, You know there are things are there
things you can do regardless of who your opponent's going
to be, for example, in the first week that you
have before those knockout games.
Speaker 4 (08:38):
Yeah, you know, we concentrate around ourselves first and foremost.
You know the opponent come will come later. And you
know we've played most well. We've played all these teams
at least twice, and Western if it would be Western United,
we've played them. There will be a third time by
the time we even play them in the semmis if
that's the case. So I think we know you know
(08:58):
by now, you know the teams, you know what their
strengths are, you know what their weaknesses are. It's more
about our focus going into the games. You know you've
got two games to to a final.
Speaker 2 (09:09):
We don't have to.
Speaker 4 (09:10):
Win it in the first one, but you know, we
definitely don't want to lose it either in the first game.
So you know, we've been very consistent away from home
and at home, so you know we're we're fairly confident
going into the game and whoever we play, I think
it's going to be an exciting time anyway, because next
next week's you know, there's about three teams that can
finish seconds, so and it all pans out, you know,
(09:33):
on in the table the top six, So there's a
little bit to do from some teams. So there's going
to be an exciting win next week to see how
that all goes.
Speaker 3 (09:41):
Yeah, well that all lies ahead and an exciting end
of the season and prospect for sure. Thanks for joining
us on the Sports Fix podcast, Steve, and congratulations on
winning the Premier's Plate in your inaugural season. Steve Coricker,
head coach of Auckland.
Speaker 1 (09:54):
FC, dissecting the sporting agenda. It's Sports Fix with Jason Pine.
Speaker 3 (10:01):
I've been asked by quite a few people over the
last little while whether I expected Auckland f C to
be as good as they have been, as quickly as
they have been and It is a little bit of
a hard question to answer. You reflect back to the
start of the season and when they were starting to
recruit their players, when they had their coaching staff all
locked in, and they had their pre season done and dusted,
(10:23):
and I can't remember hand on heart thinking this team
is going to sweep all before them and win silverware
in their first season. It's always hard to tell, and
particularly in the A league where the player turnover is
just so frequent that it's hard to tell from one
season to the next how competitive any team is going
(10:45):
to be. Let alone, a team pulled together from scratch.
None of the players rarely knew one another very well.
The imports, I'm sure who were recruited, would never have
heard of any of their teammates before they arrived, but
they very quickly forged a connection and that great word
culture to allow them to coexist. Positive leaf of starters.
(11:09):
Then we get onto the field, and from the very
start it did seem as though this was going to
be a team that was very hard to break down.
They conceded very few goals right from the start. They
won their first six matches, so that gave us a
pretty good indication as to how good they were going
to be. But as they went on they had the
odds stumble. They lost a game here and there. Before
(11:32):
Christmas they had four put past them at home by
Western United, a very unexpected result. But since the turn
of the year and the second loss they suffered against
Perth Glory in Perth in January, they're now fourteen games unbeaten,
practically impossible to beat, confirmed as top seed for the finals,
and with that wonderful word momentum on their side. So
(11:56):
if you look back a few months, I don't think
anybody expected this, but as you look forward to the
next month, you think to yourself, it would not be
at all a surprise if they went on to win
the whole thing.
Speaker 1 (12:11):
The Chamber is now in session on sports Fix on.
Speaker 3 (12:15):
The sports Fax podcast. Monday means the People's Chamber as
we kick around the sporting storylines of the weekend with
Elijah faf. Could we start in christ Church? Actually, Elijah,
I know we want to talk about Auckland FC because
I know this high excitement at your house about this
premieres plate win. But can we start down in christ
Church and the Warriors. I'm starting to think the Warriors
(12:38):
might have something about them in twenty twenty five. In fact,
I thought that a little while ago. I think this
was further evidence, wasn't it.
Speaker 2 (12:46):
I think so as well.
Speaker 6 (12:47):
I mean, I wouldn't say it was the best performance
against the Knights, but they did what they needed to
do to win. And I think that's the key to
this Warriors team this season, is that they're grinding out
these victories against some tough competition in the NRL, but
a five and two record, they're sitting in the top four.
I think at this stage of the season it's their
best record. I think only on one occasion it's been
better in their club history, which is an amazing start for
(13:10):
the Warriors, but again, still a long way to go
and the rest of the season. I think the one
thing I'm also impressed about is the fact that there's
some key players who have been injured during this time,
like You're Roger Twi, Vasa Chek's you'r Dlaen Latinez, Lesniak,
James Fisher, Harris.
Speaker 2 (13:25):
So they've these guys.
Speaker 6 (13:27):
On the bench who have been asked to take on
a bigger role have stepped up and they're contributing to
how the Warriors have started the season.
Speaker 3 (13:33):
It seems like a bit of an injury curse for
anybody with a hyphenated surname.
Speaker 2 (13:36):
Yeah, I was just thinking that as I was reading
the names.
Speaker 3 (13:39):
So I want to watch out for chance. Lookal clickstart
and Shanelle Harris that's.
Speaker 2 (13:44):
Touch would well it's not.
Speaker 3 (13:46):
Jason, So Magic Round against the Cowboys. I don't know.
You might know this sun Corpse Stadium is an absolute
dog track. At the moment the Phoenix played there over
the weekend, it looked like my back paddock. Is it
getting relayed before Magic Round?
Speaker 6 (14:02):
I would hope so, because I felt so bad for
the Wellington Phoenix, considering that the Blues and the Red
and Super Roke they had plaid before them, and then
the Bulldogs and the Broncos a couple of days earlier.
Now Suncorp is going to host eight games over a
few days and I'm not sure how that's going to
hold up. I hope the weather is fine, but again,
if we get a replay of what's happened this past weekend,
(14:24):
then it's going to make for some interesting footyds.
Speaker 2 (14:28):
I'd say I agree.
Speaker 3 (14:29):
They can't possibly play eight games on that surely, And
look you know, it's not their fault that it range
Like I'm on soon over there in Brisbane, and you know,
so climatically it's difficult, but there's no way in the
world they can play eight games on that.
Speaker 6 (14:46):
No, definitely not. I mean, this is magic round. So
I would hope the field owners or whoever does the fields,
that Suncorp can pull out some magic and get their
field and tip top shape.
Speaker 2 (14:58):
But we'll see what happens this weekend.
Speaker 3 (15:00):
Yeah. I did read over the weekend that they were
relaying it, but normally the relaying of turf on a
big stadium like that takes ages. You know, they can't
just relay it week anyway. I'm sure we'll find out,
and let's hope it's pristine when the Warriors get there
for their game against the Cowboys as they look to
go three in a row. Just before we leave the Warriors. Actually,
another thing that's impressed me, Elijah is the way that
they've rebounded from adversity in Vegas. Not a good performance
(15:23):
against the Raiders, bounce back with wins over the Sea Eagles, Roosters, Titans,
Melbourne Storm. Game first half terrible. We got a thirty
six zero down at halftime, play better on the second
half and then bounce back Broncos and Knights. So there's
clearly a bit of resilience in this team.
Speaker 6 (15:38):
Yeah, and the fact that they've built that so earlier
on in the season is quite impressive and I think
that will go a long way for them as the
season goes on, as they come against tougher competition. But
at least they know that if they do lose a
game that they have that ability to bounce back. And
I think that under Andrew Webster has been very impressive
to start the season.
Speaker 3 (15:57):
Super Rugby Round eleven is in the books. Shall we
just forget the rest and just go to a Chiefs
Crusaders Grand Final? Yeah?
Speaker 6 (16:06):
We probably that final in pencil in case I need
to erase it, but I would. It's looking like both
teams have been very impressive, considering the Chiefs in particular
just had Wallace tet return to the field and see
he's such a key player to have for this run
home the Crusaders. These seems to be going from strength
(16:27):
to strength. And as for the rest of the Kiwi teams,
I'm quite interested to see who's actually going to make
the top six because that's going to be quite the
dogfight to get into the playoffs.
Speaker 3 (16:37):
Yeah, I don't want us to forget the rest of
the season because I'm absolutely loving this season. I'm really
enjoying watching Super rugby and like you, I'm more curious
than anything to see what the top six is going
to look like. I think we can write the Chiefs
and the Crusaders into the top six and pretty well
and pretty bold pencil anyway, it would take a catastrophe
for those two to drop out. But then from the
(16:59):
Brumbies and third down to I was gonna say the Highlanders,
but I've almost lost faith in them. I think the
Blues have the quality. You know, it still is going
to be a very interesting last month of the regular
season before we know who the top six are.
Speaker 6 (17:16):
Yeah, and I think the Blues as much like I
think they have the easier run home just looking at
the games, they have the force this week, they have
the Drawer, Muana and Wartars to round out their regular season. Now,
any other season, I'd say that they could easily go
four from four, but the way the season has panned out,
the season with all the upsets and you know, the
unpredictability of each week. I could easily see the Blues
(17:39):
winning maybe one or two of those games. I mean
that drawer games over in Fiji Moana, they're a tough,
tough team to come up against, and force and war Tars.
They've proven that the Aussie teams can put up a
fight as well.
Speaker 2 (17:52):
So yeah, I'm not sure how the Blues would go
the Hurricanes.
Speaker 6 (17:56):
They're going to get some confidence from that win over
the Brumbies and Canberra, so I think this is definitely
the right direction for them. But yeah, it's so hard
to predict that this stage, with a month to go,
how everything's going to play out.
Speaker 3 (18:08):
I think we'll find out a bit about the Hurricanes
this weekend actually when they host the Chiefs. But just
on you talk about the draws. The Highlanders have Moana Pacifica,
the Hurricanes, the Crusaders.
Speaker 2 (18:17):
And the Chiefs.
Speaker 3 (18:18):
That's about as hard a running as there can be
for a team that's already strigging for form. I just
can't find a way to get the Highlanders into the six.
Speaker 2 (18:27):
No.
Speaker 6 (18:27):
I didn't think so either, and I think Jamie Joseph
sort of knew that when he took on the squad.
Like it's quite a young squad. I think the average
age is twenty two, so this is sort of, I guess,
a rebuilding year for this young team to gain some experience.
So they were always going to have the odd upset
win like they did over the Blues earlier in the season,
but there was always going to be some growing pains
(18:47):
with the squad. So I don't really see the Highlanders
at all sneaking into the top six.
Speaker 2 (18:52):
Unfortunately.
Speaker 3 (18:52):
Let's finish with Auckland FC. We've heard from Steve Coriker
on the pod today. I know you would have enjoyed
watching the Premier's plate lifted into the Auckland sky last night.
Speaker 6 (19:02):
Oh for sure, one of the great moments in the
New Zealand football in history. And I think you said
a best a pretty much monologue that the Premier's plate
now has a passport now, so it's great that the
plate to see the plate over on the side of
the Tasman. I will say, I love seeing Steve Coriker
sipping beer out of the plates in one of the
on social media and having a bit of fun with
his players. But yeah, I think that's just one goal
(19:25):
ticked off. The big goal now is to go all
the way and do the double and win the championship.
And I think that's what Coroker and the players will
be focused on right now.
Speaker 3 (19:33):
I must say the A League silverware, the Premier is plate,
and the A League Championship trophy, which is you know,
which is called the toilet seat. They're not the friendliest
trophies to drink from, are they.
Speaker 6 (19:45):
Well, now that you've I did not know about the
toilet seats, So now that you've mentioned that, I wouldn't
recommend drinking from.
Speaker 3 (19:51):
That's not an actual toilet seat, can I'm make that clear?
And it's fashioned out a very you know, out of
precious metal. But imagine a toilet seat. That's what it is.
It's like a big oh so how do you drink
out of that?
Speaker 6 (20:03):
Well, we'll see what happens in about a month or
so when AUCKLEANFC hopefully bring us an ale championship homes
are Auckland in their first season then creates the.
Speaker 2 (20:12):
Mystery all right? Until then, it will remain a mystery.
Speaker 3 (20:15):
Okay, Elija're always great to chat the People's Chamber with you.
We'll do it again next Monday.
Speaker 2 (20:20):
We'll do thank you by ding.
Speaker 1 (20:22):
This is Sports Fix, your daily doseph Sports News Power
by News Talks.
Speaker 3 (20:27):
EBB and that'll do it for the Sports Fix podcast
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Thank you also for subscribing. You'll know, of course that
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(20:47):
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For more from News Talks EDB, listen live on air
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You're listening to a podcast from News Talks EDB. Follow
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Speaker 2 (00:17):
This is Sportsfix Howard By News Talks ed B.
Speaker 3 (00:20):
Hi there and welcome into a new weeknd, a new
edition of the Sports Fix podcast and association with GJ.
Gardner Holmes, New Zealand's most trusted home builder. Hope you
long weekend went well. It's Monday, April twenty eight. I'm
Jason Pine. Auckland FC are winners of the A League's
Premier's Plate, the regular season silverware in their maiden season.
(00:42):
Quite the achievement. How did they celebrate last night? And
now how do they go planning or setting about planning
to win the A League Championship as well and making
it an historic double. Head coach of the team, Steve
Coriker is on the podcast today Elijah feel in the
chamber as we talk Auckland f C. Also the Warriors.
They're looking very good and super rugby. Good luck predicting
(01:04):
the top six with four or five rounds to play
the latest and sportsview as well for you, So let's
get into it. In other news, let's get underway with
some of the big sports stories floating around today disappointment
from former KIWIS coach Frank Endercott, who's also the president
of one of the three NRL birds coming out of
(01:24):
christ Church, that the NRL have decided to delay adding
a twentieth team to the competition until after the Brisbane
Olympics in twenty thirty two.
Speaker 4 (01:33):
It's just seven years of waiting.
Speaker 5 (01:36):
I mean we've put hundreds and hundreds of hours into this.
Speaker 3 (01:39):
We've put money, in our own money into.
Speaker 1 (01:41):
It, you know, and we're doing this for nothing.
Speaker 5 (01:43):
We're doing it, you know.
Speaker 4 (01:44):
For our city and to offer opportunities to young players.
Speaker 3 (01:48):
Japan's Male Sigo has reigned supreme after a five way
playoff to win the first women's golf major of the year.
Three players made par on the first southern death hole,
another made bogey so Sigo could win it with Bertie
right now to Whin, she was just helping to stay
in the playoff another hole.
Speaker 5 (02:09):
Yes, incredible fashion in a way.
Speaker 3 (02:14):
Male Saga is a major champ and Liverpool FC Champions
of England for a twentieth time.
Speaker 5 (02:22):
On breaking pol On stoppapool on Shaker pool, on a
slots Liverpool, I've reached the promise line with four gems to.
Speaker 1 (02:37):
Spare news an Avidion It's Sports Fix with Jason Vine.
Speaker 3 (02:45):
On the Sports Fix podcast. Auckland f C, at the
first time of asking have won the Premiers Plate, the
regular season silverware for the A League men's competition. That
was confirmed on Saturday evening when Melbourne City, who were
the only team who could overtake Auckland f C at
the top, weren't able to get a victory over Adelaide United.
It meant that with two games to spare, Auckland FC
(03:07):
had claimed there. They played Perth Glory at a rather
damp go Media Stadium last night and then we're presented
with the Premiers Plate and celebrated with their fans and
no doubt with those associated with the football club as well.
Head coach Steve Corriker is with us. How were the
celebrations last night, Steve?
Speaker 4 (03:24):
As expected by any you know, an amazing season, very
damp night, like you said, but the crowd was buzzing
so and so were the boys and the staff afterwards celebrating,
So yeah, this was a lot of fun. Obviously we
went to the Black Knights Club with all the families
and then after that the players went off and the
staff went off and celebrated separately, and you know.
Speaker 2 (03:47):
It's good.
Speaker 4 (03:48):
It's good to see the boys celebrate what is such
a special, special victory really for us in the premiership,
for the Premiership plate.
Speaker 3 (03:56):
When you woke up this morning and you know, reflected
on last night and I guess on the season up
till now, I mean, how deep is your sense of
satisfaction as to what you've managed to achieve so far
this season.
Speaker 4 (04:12):
I haven't had too much time to think about it.
I think probably after the season ends. I think I
just want everything to keep moving along nicely because we've
still got a little bit to do yet, one more
game to go, and then obviously main focus is on
the finals and trying to get to the final first.
But it has been amazing, you know, it's gone better
than probably everyone has expected. A lot of people didn't
(04:36):
think we'd be here. We've proved them wrong. You know,
we've proved to ourselves that we are a very good
team and we can go all the way and that's
to the final and hopefully winning it.
Speaker 3 (04:47):
How does this one compare to the Premier's plate you
won as a player at Sydney FC and then the
Premier Is plate you won as coach at Sydney FC.
Speaker 4 (04:56):
It's definitely a different feeling, obviously starting a club from
fresh bringing the boys in. You know, at Sydney the
players were there when I was there, you know, I
took over as head coach. We had a lot of
success as well. And don't get me wrong, that was
is amazing feeling to win a trophy. It's not easy.
(05:18):
I've said that before, so the boys should be really proud.
But this is something different, you know, to work with
Terry mcflynn and Doug Corse setting up the team, it
was really challenging, but eagerly Now obviously it has paid
off and yeah, obviously very proud of everyone.
Speaker 3 (05:37):
How how was the atmosphere before the game yesterday? You
turned up there. Obviously Melbourne City had drawn the previous night,
so you knew that you were getting the plate regardless.
Did you find it in any way challenging to get
the boys focused or what was it like before the game?
Speaker 4 (05:52):
Now, it was quite easy, actually, I think the pressure
was off the boys. You could probably see when they
went into the game. You know, that was probably one
of our best games we played all season. It could
have been a lot more of the score line, but
other than Nolly say or making it a few great saves.
But yeah, just there's a real buzz around. You know.
I had it last the night before when I found
(06:13):
out City had drawn. You know, it took me two
hours to get to sleep after that, so you know,
and that carried on the next day. And that's what
the players were feeling, you know. So you see this
feeling of excitement and obviously can't wait to lift that
played up, which we did after the game in front
of our amazing fans.
Speaker 3 (06:33):
Do you think Marley Franz while was trying to score
from that corner.
Speaker 4 (06:37):
Well, he was able for the back post because that's
what we were working on, so he definitely hit the
back posts. Yeah, no, it's good for him, you know,
obviously it's his first goal. Is you put the ball
in the right areas and you get rewarded sometimes, and
you know, he obviously had a couple other shots set up,
one for Max Matter that got obviously I think might
have hit Eli in the head or whatever it was.
Speaker 2 (06:58):
But yeah, he played really well.
Speaker 4 (07:01):
Marley, and I'm really happy for him to get his
first goal in such an important game, all.
Speaker 3 (07:05):
Right, So let's look ahead. One more regular season game
away at whist And United this coming weekend, then a
weekend off, and then the home and away semis against
whoever it is. First of all, this week, Steve any
temptation at all to rest a couple of guys.
Speaker 4 (07:21):
No, none at all, really, I look at it. If
I rest some players, they won't play for three weeks,
and that's probably not what we want right now. They'll
get a little break in that week off that we
have next week before the away semi final, so we'll
go with whatever is available of the boys. There's a
(07:41):
couple of boys that have picked up little injuries through
the game, but I don't think they're not too much.
I think they're probably the only one who is for
Libe whether he'll be back for the game, and then
we've got to make a decision around that. But yeah,
it would be as normal. We want to continue during
what we've been doing. We want to win a game
(08:02):
away from home. We want to make it fifteen games unbeaten.
So there's still plenty to do for us, you know,
we can. It would be nice to reach fifty goals
as well. If we could get there, he's still got
three to go, so in one game might be difficult,
but we'll see how we go.
Speaker 3 (08:17):
And then beyond that, it's a little bit uncertain of
because you don't know who your opponent is going to
be in the semi final until you've got you get
the week off, you get to watch the two knockout games.
How do you go about structuring the back end of
the season, Steve, You know there are things are there
things you can do regardless of who your opponent's going
to be, for example, in the first week that you
have before those knockout games.
Speaker 4 (08:38):
Yeah, you know, we concentrate around ourselves first and foremost.
You know the opponent come will come later. And you
know we've played most well. We've played all these teams
at least twice, and Western if it would be Western United,
we've played them. There will be a third time by
the time we even play them in the semmis if
that's the case. So I think we know you know
(08:58):
by now, you know the teams, you know what their
strengths are, you know what their weaknesses are. It's more
about our focus going into the games. You know you've
got two games to to a final.
Speaker 2 (09:09):
We don't have to.
Speaker 4 (09:10):
Win it in the first one, but you know, we
definitely don't want to lose it either in the first game.
So you know, we've been very consistent away from home
and at home, so you know we're we're fairly confident
going into the game and whoever we play, I think
it's going to be an exciting time anyway, because next
next week's you know, there's about three teams that can
finish seconds, so and it all pans out, you know,
(09:33):
on in the table the top six, So there's a
little bit to do from some teams. So there's going
to be an exciting win next week to see how
that all goes.
Speaker 3 (09:41):
Yeah, well that all lies ahead and an exciting end
of the season and prospect for sure. Thanks for joining
us on the Sports Fix podcast, Steve, and congratulations on
winning the Premier's Plate in your inaugural season. Steve Coricker,
head coach of Auckland.
Speaker 1 (09:54):
FC, dissecting the sporting agenda. It's Sports Fix with Jason Pine.
Speaker 3 (10:01):
I've been asked by quite a few people over the
last little while whether I expected Auckland f C to
be as good as they have been, as quickly as
they have been and It is a little bit of
a hard question to answer. You reflect back to the
start of the season and when they were starting to
recruit their players, when they had their coaching staff all
locked in, and they had their pre season done and dusted,
(10:23):
and I can't remember hand on heart thinking this team
is going to sweep all before them and win silverware
in their first season. It's always hard to tell, and
particularly in the A league where the player turnover is
just so frequent that it's hard to tell from one
season to the next how competitive any team is going
(10:45):
to be. Let alone, a team pulled together from scratch.
None of the players rarely knew one another very well.
The imports, I'm sure who were recruited, would never have
heard of any of their teammates before they arrived, but
they very quickly forged a connection and that great word
culture to allow them to coexist. Positive leaf of starters.
(11:09):
Then we get onto the field, and from the very
start it did seem as though this was going to
be a team that was very hard to break down.
They conceded very few goals right from the start. They
won their first six matches, so that gave us a
pretty good indication as to how good they were going
to be. But as they went on they had the
odds stumble. They lost a game here and there. Before
(11:32):
Christmas they had four put past them at home by
Western United, a very unexpected result. But since the turn
of the year and the second loss they suffered against
Perth Glory in Perth in January, they're now fourteen games unbeaten,
practically impossible to beat, confirmed as top seed for the finals,
and with that wonderful word momentum on their side. So
(11:56):
if you look back a few months, I don't think
anybody expected this, but as you look forward to the
next month, you think to yourself, it would not be
at all a surprise if they went on to win
the whole thing.
Speaker 1 (12:11):
The Chamber is now in session on sports Fix on.
Speaker 3 (12:15):
The sports Fax podcast. Monday means the People's Chamber as
we kick around the sporting storylines of the weekend with
Elijah faf. Could we start in christ Church? Actually, Elijah,
I know we want to talk about Auckland FC because
I know this high excitement at your house about this
premieres plate win. But can we start down in christ
Church and the Warriors. I'm starting to think the Warriors
(12:38):
might have something about them in twenty twenty five. In fact,
I thought that a little while ago. I think this
was further evidence, wasn't it.
Speaker 2 (12:46):
I think so as well.
Speaker 6 (12:47):
I mean, I wouldn't say it was the best performance
against the Knights, but they did what they needed to
do to win. And I think that's the key to
this Warriors team this season, is that they're grinding out
these victories against some tough competition in the NRL, but
a five and two record, they're sitting in the top four.
I think at this stage of the season it's their
best record. I think only on one occasion it's been
better in their club history, which is an amazing start for
(13:10):
the Warriors, but again, still a long way to go
and the rest of the season. I think the one
thing I'm also impressed about is the fact that there's
some key players who have been injured during this time,
like You're Roger Twi, Vasa Chek's you'r Dlaen Latinez, Lesniak,
James Fisher, Harris.
Speaker 2 (13:25):
So they've these guys.
Speaker 6 (13:27):
On the bench who have been asked to take on
a bigger role have stepped up and they're contributing to
how the Warriors have started the season.
Speaker 3 (13:33):
It seems like a bit of an injury curse for
anybody with a hyphenated surname.
Speaker 2 (13:36):
Yeah, I was just thinking that as I was reading
the names.
Speaker 3 (13:39):
So I want to watch out for chance. Lookal clickstart
and Shanelle Harris that's.
Speaker 2 (13:44):
Touch would well it's not.
Speaker 3 (13:46):
Jason, So Magic Round against the Cowboys. I don't know.
You might know this sun Corpse Stadium is an absolute
dog track. At the moment the Phoenix played there over
the weekend, it looked like my back paddock. Is it
getting relayed before Magic Round?
Speaker 6 (14:02):
I would hope so, because I felt so bad for
the Wellington Phoenix, considering that the Blues and the Red
and Super Roke they had plaid before them, and then
the Bulldogs and the Broncos a couple of days earlier.
Now Suncorp is going to host eight games over a
few days and I'm not sure how that's going to
hold up. I hope the weather is fine, but again,
if we get a replay of what's happened this past weekend,
(14:24):
then it's going to make for some interesting footyds.
Speaker 2 (14:28):
I'd say I agree.
Speaker 3 (14:29):
They can't possibly play eight games on that surely, And
look you know, it's not their fault that it range
Like I'm on soon over there in Brisbane, and you know,
so climatically it's difficult, but there's no way in the
world they can play eight games on that.
Speaker 6 (14:46):
No, definitely not. I mean, this is magic round. So
I would hope the field owners or whoever does the fields,
that Suncorp can pull out some magic and get their
field and tip top shape.
Speaker 2 (14:58):
But we'll see what happens this weekend.
Speaker 3 (15:00):
Yeah. I did read over the weekend that they were
relaying it, but normally the relaying of turf on a
big stadium like that takes ages. You know, they can't
just relay it week anyway. I'm sure we'll find out,
and let's hope it's pristine when the Warriors get there
for their game against the Cowboys as they look to
go three in a row. Just before we leave the Warriors. Actually,
another thing that's impressed me, Elijah is the way that
they've rebounded from adversity in Vegas. Not a good performance
(15:23):
against the Raiders, bounce back with wins over the Sea Eagles, Roosters, Titans,
Melbourne Storm. Game first half terrible. We got a thirty
six zero down at halftime, play better on the second
half and then bounce back Broncos and Knights. So there's
clearly a bit of resilience in this team.
Speaker 6 (15:38):
Yeah, and the fact that they've built that so earlier
on in the season is quite impressive and I think
that will go a long way for them as the
season goes on, as they come against tougher competition. But
at least they know that if they do lose a
game that they have that ability to bounce back. And
I think that under Andrew Webster has been very impressive
to start the season.
Speaker 3 (15:57):
Super Rugby Round eleven is in the books. Shall we
just forget the rest and just go to a Chiefs
Crusaders Grand Final? Yeah?
Speaker 6 (16:06):
We probably that final in pencil in case I need
to erase it, but I would. It's looking like both
teams have been very impressive, considering the Chiefs in particular
just had Wallace tet return to the field and see
he's such a key player to have for this run
home the Crusaders. These seems to be going from strength
(16:27):
to strength. And as for the rest of the Kiwi teams,
I'm quite interested to see who's actually going to make
the top six because that's going to be quite the
dogfight to get into the playoffs.
Speaker 3 (16:37):
Yeah, I don't want us to forget the rest of
the season because I'm absolutely loving this season. I'm really
enjoying watching Super rugby and like you, I'm more curious
than anything to see what the top six is going
to look like. I think we can write the Chiefs
and the Crusaders into the top six and pretty well
and pretty bold pencil anyway, it would take a catastrophe
for those two to drop out. But then from the
(16:59):
Brumbies and third down to I was gonna say the Highlanders,
but I've almost lost faith in them. I think the
Blues have the quality. You know, it still is going
to be a very interesting last month of the regular
season before we know who the top six are.
Speaker 6 (17:16):
Yeah, and I think the Blues as much like I
think they have the easier run home just looking at
the games, they have the force this week, they have
the Drawer, Muana and Wartars to round out their regular season. Now,
any other season, I'd say that they could easily go
four from four, but the way the season has panned out,
the season with all the upsets and you know, the
unpredictability of each week. I could easily see the Blues
(17:39):
winning maybe one or two of those games. I mean
that drawer games over in Fiji Moana, they're a tough,
tough team to come up against, and force and war Tars.
They've proven that the Aussie teams can put up a
fight as well.
Speaker 2 (17:52):
So yeah, I'm not sure how the Blues would go
the Hurricanes.
Speaker 6 (17:56):
They're going to get some confidence from that win over
the Brumbies and Canberra, so I think this is definitely
the right direction for them. But yeah, it's so hard
to predict that this stage, with a month to go,
how everything's going to play out.
Speaker 3 (18:08):
I think we'll find out a bit about the Hurricanes
this weekend actually when they host the Chiefs. But just
on you talk about the draws. The Highlanders have Moana Pacifica,
the Hurricanes, the Crusaders.
Speaker 2 (18:17):
And the Chiefs.
Speaker 3 (18:18):
That's about as hard a running as there can be
for a team that's already strigging for form. I just
can't find a way to get the Highlanders into the six.
Speaker 2 (18:27):
No.
Speaker 6 (18:27):
I didn't think so either, and I think Jamie Joseph
sort of knew that when he took on the squad.
Like it's quite a young squad. I think the average
age is twenty two, so this is sort of, I guess,
a rebuilding year for this young team to gain some experience.
So they were always going to have the odd upset
win like they did over the Blues earlier in the season,
but there was always going to be some growing pains
(18:47):
with the squad. So I don't really see the Highlanders
at all sneaking into the top six.
Speaker 2 (18:52):
Unfortunately.
Speaker 3 (18:52):
Let's finish with Auckland FC. We've heard from Steve Coriker
on the pod today. I know you would have enjoyed
watching the Premier's plate lifted into the Auckland sky last night.
Speaker 6 (19:02):
Oh for sure, one of the great moments in the
New Zealand football in history. And I think you said
a best a pretty much monologue that the Premier's plate
now has a passport now, so it's great that the
plate to see the plate over on the side of
the Tasman. I will say, I love seeing Steve Coriker
sipping beer out of the plates in one of the
on social media and having a bit of fun with
his players. But yeah, I think that's just one goal
(19:25):
ticked off. The big goal now is to go all
the way and do the double and win the championship.
And I think that's what Coroker and the players will
be focused on right now.
Speaker 3 (19:33):
I must say the A League silverware, the Premier is plate,
and the A League Championship trophy, which is you know,
which is called the toilet seat. They're not the friendliest
trophies to drink from, are they.
Speaker 6 (19:45):
Well, now that you've I did not know about the
toilet seats, So now that you've mentioned that, I wouldn't
recommend drinking from.
Speaker 3 (19:51):
That's not an actual toilet seat, can I'm make that clear?
And it's fashioned out a very you know, out of
precious metal. But imagine a toilet seat. That's what it is.
It's like a big oh so how do you drink
out of that?
Speaker 6 (20:03):
Well, we'll see what happens in about a month or
so when AUCKLEANFC hopefully bring us an ale championship homes
are Auckland in their first season then creates the.
Speaker 2 (20:12):
Mystery all right? Until then, it will remain a mystery.
Speaker 3 (20:15):
Okay, Elija're always great to chat the People's Chamber with you.
We'll do it again next Monday.
Speaker 2 (20:20):
We'll do thank you by ding.
Speaker 1 (20:22):
This is Sports Fix, your daily doseph Sports News Power
by News Talks.
Speaker 3 (20:27):
EBB and that'll do it for the Sports Fix podcast
for today. Thank you so much for downloading and for listening.
Thank you also for subscribing. You'll know, of course that
if you do subscribe, a fresh episode will drop into
your podcast feed about the same time tomorrow. And if
you know people who like their sport and haven't subscribed,
well you maybe could invite them along the more the miria,
(20:47):
as they say, and for more from News Talks EBB
Sports checkout Sports Talk weeknights between seven and eight and
on the weekend's Weekend Sport midday to three Saturday and Sunday.
Speaker 1 (20:58):
For more from News Talks EDB, listen live on air
or online and keep our shows with you wherever you
go with our podcast on IR Radio
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