Jason Pine: Sportstalk host on Auckland FC beating out Western United

Motivation for revenge has inspired Auckland FC to yet another win in football's men's A-League.

A pair of quick goals to end the first half has helped the league-leading Black Knights to a 2-nil win over Western United in blustery conditions just outside of Melbourne.

Sportstalk host Jason Pine recaps the match.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Brian Bridgewe.

Speaker 2 (00:01):
Jason Heine is with US sports talk hosts lots to
discuss Jason, Good afternoon, Good afternoon. Right, So the rugby
at the weekend seems to have got everyone quite fizzed up.

Speaker 1 (00:10):
Yeah, I think so. You know, it's a good formula,
isn't it the start of a season. Lots of tries,
close matches, couple of one pointers, all three of the
Australian sides who played had a win, and we will
know that we want a competitive competition. We can't just
have the New Zealand sides dominating year after year after year,
although that would be nice. But I think by all

(00:31):
metrics it's reached it's reached a really good level. I
haven't seen any official viewer numbers, but anecdotally a couple
of a couple of sources at Sky have told me
that numbers were very, very high over the weekend. Good
people ting out at ground, So yeah, I think a
lot to be happy about in the first week.

Speaker 2 (00:48):
Have we had any numbers on how much play there
was happening compared to before the rule changes which would
designed to speed things.

Speaker 1 (00:57):
Up, Yeah, we had, olock. I haven't seen any impair
called data. But look again, anecdotally there were fewer stoppages
over the weekend. Right, it was just obvious the play
was being was being encouraged to be played, you know,
the shot clocks and the time limits now on setting
scrums and getting the ball to line out, all that stuff.
I think it's you know, it's a really promising start.

(01:18):
The officials played their part, the teams obviously did as well.
There was a lot of fatigue, which I love. That's
what's supposed to happen. You know, you run until you
can't run anymore, they'll bring somebody else on. So yeah, look,
I think a really promising start. Yes, there's still a
bit of work to do, but yeah, I don't think
they could have wanted for a better, better opening weekend
of Super Rugby this year.

Speaker 2 (01:36):
Absolutely not even a few streakers for good measure.

Speaker 1 (01:40):
Indeed, I don't know whether that's a lie or a
spreadsheet but if for the steamer can ticket as well.

Speaker 2 (01:46):
There certainly some spreadsheet spread photos at the end of it.
Hey Aukland, you see, so they are now five points
clear of the pack in the A League.

Speaker 1 (01:59):
They could win the whole thing. I was driving in
today thinking at what point do we start to say,
you know what, in their first season Auckland FC could
win the A League because if you're not, you know,
a believer now you won't be. I look back to
last season, similar stage and the team who won it
last year the regular season at the same stage had
eight fewer points than Auckland have now, So look that

(02:23):
they are looking every inch a team that will if
they don't win, it will go very very deep in
their first season. Massive game coming up on Saturday, Ryan
with the third derby. Wellington Phoenix have had an unhappy
season by comparison, but that won't matter on Saturday. Jam
Pac mount Smart. The forecast is good, said to be
another great occasion. So yeah, Auckland FC making every post
a winner and it wouldn't be a surprise at all

(02:44):
at the back end of May to see them holding
some silverware.

Speaker 2 (02:46):
Brilliant Jason, great to have you on as always. Jason
Pine will be with you tonight at seven o'clock on
News Talk Said Beat.

Speaker 1 (02:51):
For more from Heather Duplessy Allen Drave.

Speaker 2 (02:54):
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