March 18, 2025 • 6 mins
Ahead of the All Whites' final push to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Piney caught up with New Zealand striker Chris Wood.
Wood shares his motivation for returning to New Zealand and representing his country, plus insight into his success and aspirations at Nottingham Forrest F.C. in the English Premier League.
LISTEN ABOVE
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:02):
Football Fever with Newstalk z MB's voice of football Jason
Kaine and Money Jansen. Hi Piney here, welcome to a
special bonus episode of Football Fever. Today I caught up
with All White striker and skipper Chris Wood as his
side prepares for the semi final qualifier for the twenty
twenty six Feet of World Cup against Fiji in Wellington
(00:23):
on Friday night. Chris Wood, Welcome back to New Zealand.
Welcome back to the scene of fifteen and a half
years ago, a game against bah Rain when in the
eighty third minute you were seeing time to help secure
a one nil win. What do you remember most vividly
about that night.
Speaker 2 (00:36):
I'm probably the final whistle, when the excitement and everything went,
run the stadium, run the team and yeah, knowing that
we completed something that was truly historical in New Zealand history.
Speaker 1 (00:46):
Could you ever have imagined that, you know that would
be the springboard for you to go on to achieve
what you have as a professional footballer.
Speaker 2 (00:54):
No, looking back, obviously, I'm very proud of what I've
been able to achieve throughout my career. It was a
great start in my career, been able to go to
a World Cup so early on, and hopefully now the
old age I can go again then if we're lucky enough.
Speaker 1 (01:06):
So you mentioned the World Cup in twenty ten games
against Slovakia, Italy, Paraguay, you came on in all three.
Do you ever think back to that shot against Italy
that just defeated the post? Look?
Speaker 2 (01:17):
Yeah, it pops into the memories every so often. It
would have been nice if it trickled on the other side,
but it wasn't meant to be. I think the team
done extremely well that year and obviously three jaws unbeatenside
in the World Cup. It's a pretty proud moment.
Speaker 1 (01:30):
How determined are you to get back there sixteen years on?
Speaker 2 (01:33):
Very determined. It's been under no illusion. I spoke about
this a long, a old period times in the other
qualifying campaigns that I want to get back there. It
feels like this team and myself have unfinished business on
the world stage, and that's what we want to do.
Speaker 1 (01:47):
It's a very different qualification path now, of course, two
games won against vegi here and then potentially a final
on Monday night. How do you make sure that you
just go one game at a time and leave nothing
to chance.
Speaker 2 (01:57):
Well, that's all we've got to do. It's what we're
focusing on more week. We're focusing on Fiji, and that's
all we can do because you can't think too far ahead.
We're going to have a very tough game here and
we need to make sure we're on our a game
to come out on top. They're going to cause us problems,
but we need to make sure we play our game
to hopefully nullify everything else.
Speaker 1 (02:14):
So the team I think are all together now. I
think the last players arrived last night. How do you
spend the next forty eight hours as you prepare for
the game against Fiji?
Speaker 2 (02:22):
A lot about it is connecting off the pitch, getting
back to what were used to and then adding a
few implements and training this afternoon tomorrow that we can
find tune ready for Friday night.
Speaker 1 (02:33):
You've always answered the All Whites call. You know, you
could easily have pulled a mystery hamstring on occasion and
not come. You've always come, whether it's a World Cup
qualifier or a friendly in some far flung part of
the world. What is behind your deep desire to always
play for the All Whites?
Speaker 2 (02:50):
The weather, of course, the reason I'm back here.
Speaker 1 (02:54):
No.
Speaker 2 (02:55):
I love pulling on the shirt. I love being around
these boys. It's home and even when we're not playing
at home, when I go away with this team, it
feels like home because you're around the same characters, the
same culture that I grew up with, and it's just
a pleasure to be around this group.
Speaker 1 (03:09):
Premier League season. Can we just talked briefly about that
Nottingham Forest having a wonderful season. As are you at
the start of the season. Did it feel like something
like this was in the offering?
Speaker 2 (03:19):
I don't think anybody can say that we would have
been where we are, but we did have high hopes
of being top ten or aiming to top ten, and
that's where our goals were at the start of the season,
and hopefully we'll have been able to achieve that. And
now it's looking on and beyond and seeing where we
can get to.
Speaker 1 (03:36):
What have been the keys to Nottingham Forest's success this season.
Speaker 2 (03:40):
Camaraderie, consistency, a team sticking together. I think the work
we do off the pitch is what brings it on
the pitch, fighting for each other, and I think that's
shown over course of the season. While we've stuck together
so well and while we were at where we are.
Speaker 1 (03:55):
In eighteen goals for you, you best ever return on a
Premier League season more to come, and you've talked often
about how a lot of it is down to your teammates.
Is this the team in which you have been given
the best service do you think across your elite football career.
Speaker 2 (04:10):
I think it's up there, definitely. I think it's a
team that creates a number of chances and things like that,
which obviously aids in my strengths. I'm a player that
strives on delivery and service, so I definitely can't do
it without my teammates around me. So I've got a
fantastic team both here and in Nottingham that's supply me
with chances and it's about me trying to stick them away.
Speaker 1 (04:33):
Eighty seven Premier League goals all up now. Mark Faduka
best Australasian is on ninety one. I'm not sure whether
you are numbers driven or not, but you were you
aware of that stat?
Speaker 2 (04:44):
Hey? Yes, I do know the number very well. It
is one i'd like to take off if I can
this season. That is a driving aspect, so yeah, if
I can get to ninety two this season, I'll be
very happy.
Speaker 1 (04:55):
Speaking of numbers, and just back to New Zealand, you
are only eight short of Ivan Viscilitt, one of your
teammates in twenty ten in terms of overall caps for
New Zealand. Again, is that something in your sights? And
maybe on towards the one hundred after that?
Speaker 2 (05:07):
Yeah, I stide a set firmly pass I's number, but
hopefully I can get there sooner rather than later if
there's no messaps or anything like that. So yeah, I'm
looking to the future differently.
Speaker 1 (05:17):
And the only New Zealander to score more goals for
this country than you is Amber Herne. She has fifty
three from memory forty one. Again, is that something you'd
like to like to perhaps surpass in the time you
have left in the all night hell?
Speaker 2 (05:30):
Look, I want to try and get close at least
I want to get to the fifty mark. So that's
a goal of my horizon. If I can get to
fifty three and be joined or or get surpassed, that
will be down to fate in future, so we'll see
where we go.
Speaker 1 (05:44):
Just to finish, been able to talk over the last
couple of days and some of the media you've done
about a return home. The weather isn't always like this
in Wellington, but could I pitch for Wellington Phoenix there
on a good day? This place is very nice.
Speaker 2 (05:55):
Look the Wellington boys have told me that it's not
always like this, so yeah, I mean, I'm open to
both clubs. That's why we've got two professional clubs in
New Zealand's if the time comes and it arrives that
I might be able to come back to New Zealand.
It was definitely something I'll think hard about.
Speaker 1 (06:11):
And very finally, you're going to be a dad soon.
How excited are you about that?
Speaker 2 (06:15):
Very excited? I mean myself and my wife are very
much looking forward to it. She's in the latter stage now,
so she's just holding strong, holding down the fall back
home until I get back.
Speaker 1 (06:24):
Wonderful exciting times on the pitch. And offer Chris congratulations
on everything you've achieved so far the season with Nottingham Forest.
All the best for these two games to come.
Speaker 2 (06:32):
Appreciate it. Thank you.
Football Fever with Newstalk z MB's voice of football Jason
Kaine and Money Jansen. Hi Piney here, welcome to a
special bonus episode of Football Fever. Today I caught up
with All White striker and skipper Chris Wood as his
side prepares for the semi final qualifier for the twenty
twenty six Feet of World Cup against Fiji in Wellington
(00:23):
on Friday night. Chris Wood, Welcome back to New Zealand.
Welcome back to the scene of fifteen and a half
years ago, a game against bah Rain when in the
eighty third minute you were seeing time to help secure
a one nil win. What do you remember most vividly
about that night.
Speaker 2 (00:36):
I'm probably the final whistle, when the excitement and everything went,
run the stadium, run the team and yeah, knowing that
we completed something that was truly historical in New Zealand history.
Speaker 1 (00:46):
Could you ever have imagined that, you know that would
be the springboard for you to go on to achieve
what you have as a professional footballer.
Speaker 2 (00:54):
No, looking back, obviously, I'm very proud of what I've
been able to achieve throughout my career. It was a
great start in my career, been able to go to
a World Cup so early on, and hopefully now the
old age I can go again then if we're lucky enough.
Speaker 1 (01:06):
So you mentioned the World Cup in twenty ten games
against Slovakia, Italy, Paraguay, you came on in all three.
Do you ever think back to that shot against Italy
that just defeated the post? Look?
Speaker 2 (01:17):
Yeah, it pops into the memories every so often. It
would have been nice if it trickled on the other side,
but it wasn't meant to be. I think the team
done extremely well that year and obviously three jaws unbeatenside
in the World Cup. It's a pretty proud moment.
Speaker 1 (01:30):
How determined are you to get back there sixteen years on?
Speaker 2 (01:33):
Very determined. It's been under no illusion. I spoke about
this a long, a old period times in the other
qualifying campaigns that I want to get back there. It
feels like this team and myself have unfinished business on
the world stage, and that's what we want to do.
Speaker 1 (01:47):
It's a very different qualification path now, of course, two
games won against vegi here and then potentially a final
on Monday night. How do you make sure that you
just go one game at a time and leave nothing
to chance.
Speaker 2 (01:57):
Well, that's all we've got to do. It's what we're
focusing on more week. We're focusing on Fiji, and that's
all we can do because you can't think too far ahead.
We're going to have a very tough game here and
we need to make sure we're on our a game
to come out on top. They're going to cause us problems,
but we need to make sure we play our game
to hopefully nullify everything else.
Speaker 1 (02:14):
So the team I think are all together now. I
think the last players arrived last night. How do you
spend the next forty eight hours as you prepare for
the game against Fiji?
Speaker 2 (02:22):
A lot about it is connecting off the pitch, getting
back to what were used to and then adding a
few implements and training this afternoon tomorrow that we can
find tune ready for Friday night.
Speaker 1 (02:33):
You've always answered the All Whites call. You know, you
could easily have pulled a mystery hamstring on occasion and
not come. You've always come, whether it's a World Cup
qualifier or a friendly in some far flung part of
the world. What is behind your deep desire to always
play for the All Whites?
Speaker 2 (02:50):
The weather, of course, the reason I'm back here.
Speaker 1 (02:54):
No.
Speaker 2 (02:55):
I love pulling on the shirt. I love being around
these boys. It's home and even when we're not playing
at home, when I go away with this team, it
feels like home because you're around the same characters, the
same culture that I grew up with, and it's just
a pleasure to be around this group.
Speaker 1 (03:09):
Premier League season. Can we just talked briefly about that
Nottingham Forest having a wonderful season. As are you at
the start of the season. Did it feel like something
like this was in the offering?
Speaker 2 (03:19):
I don't think anybody can say that we would have
been where we are, but we did have high hopes
of being top ten or aiming to top ten, and
that's where our goals were at the start of the season,
and hopefully we'll have been able to achieve that. And
now it's looking on and beyond and seeing where we
can get to.
Speaker 1 (03:36):
What have been the keys to Nottingham Forest's success this season.
Speaker 2 (03:40):
Camaraderie, consistency, a team sticking together. I think the work
we do off the pitch is what brings it on
the pitch, fighting for each other, and I think that's
shown over course of the season. While we've stuck together
so well and while we were at where we are.
Speaker 1 (03:55):
In eighteen goals for you, you best ever return on a
Premier League season more to come, and you've talked often
about how a lot of it is down to your teammates.
Is this the team in which you have been given
the best service do you think across your elite football career.
Speaker 2 (04:10):
I think it's up there, definitely. I think it's a
team that creates a number of chances and things like that,
which obviously aids in my strengths. I'm a player that
strives on delivery and service, so I definitely can't do
it without my teammates around me. So I've got a
fantastic team both here and in Nottingham that's supply me
with chances and it's about me trying to stick them away.
Speaker 1 (04:33):
Eighty seven Premier League goals all up now. Mark Faduka
best Australasian is on ninety one. I'm not sure whether
you are numbers driven or not, but you were you
aware of that stat?
Speaker 2 (04:44):
Hey? Yes, I do know the number very well. It
is one i'd like to take off if I can
this season. That is a driving aspect, so yeah, if
I can get to ninety two this season, I'll be
very happy.
Speaker 1 (04:55):
Speaking of numbers, and just back to New Zealand, you
are only eight short of Ivan Viscilitt, one of your
teammates in twenty ten in terms of overall caps for
New Zealand. Again, is that something in your sights? And
maybe on towards the one hundred after that?
Speaker 2 (05:07):
Yeah, I stide a set firmly pass I's number, but
hopefully I can get there sooner rather than later if
there's no messaps or anything like that. So yeah, I'm
looking to the future differently.
Speaker 1 (05:17):
And the only New Zealander to score more goals for
this country than you is Amber Herne. She has fifty
three from memory forty one. Again, is that something you'd
like to like to perhaps surpass in the time you
have left in the all night hell?
Speaker 2 (05:30):
Look, I want to try and get close at least
I want to get to the fifty mark. So that's
a goal of my horizon. If I can get to
fifty three and be joined or or get surpassed, that
will be down to fate in future, so we'll see
where we go.
Speaker 1 (05:44):
Just to finish, been able to talk over the last
couple of days and some of the media you've done
about a return home. The weather isn't always like this
in Wellington, but could I pitch for Wellington Phoenix there
on a good day? This place is very nice.
Speaker 2 (05:55):
Look the Wellington boys have told me that it's not
always like this, so yeah, I mean, I'm open to
both clubs. That's why we've got two professional clubs in
New Zealand's if the time comes and it arrives that
I might be able to come back to New Zealand.
It was definitely something I'll think hard about.
Speaker 1 (06:11):
And very finally, you're going to be a dad soon.
How excited are you about that?
Speaker 2 (06:15):
Very excited? I mean myself and my wife are very
much looking forward to it. She's in the latter stage now,
so she's just holding strong, holding down the fall back
home until I get back.
Speaker 1 (06:24):
Wonderful exciting times on the pitch. And offer Chris congratulations
on everything you've achieved so far the season with Nottingham Forest.
All the best for these two games to come.
Speaker 2 (06:32):
Appreciate it. Thank you.
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
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