Full Show Podcast: 24 May 2025

Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Fine
from Newstalks EDB. It's been a dream debut season for
Auckland FC.

Speaker 2 (00:17):
Corner take it.

Speaker 3 (00:21):
This case your my w.

Speaker 2 (00:23):
Godnessas down the talk quarter un again.

Speaker 4 (00:27):
The premiers plate is secure.

Speaker 5 (00:29):
Bling out the plate Mainlus celebrations figures.

Speaker 2 (00:33):
Ausland FT are a league.

Speaker 1 (00:36):
Premiers now now they're eyeing up in a league title
but they've got one last hurdle to get to.

Speaker 4 (00:42):
The grand final.

Speaker 2 (00:43):
The platter on the Hawaii.

Speaker 1 (00:45):
It's Weekend Sport with Jason Fine counting down to their
crucial home semifinal live live live from Taylor Street Sport
in Bridamart on your home of Sport newth Talks EDB.

Speaker 2 (00:57):
Yes, you're a good afternoon.

Speaker 3 (00:58):
Welcome into the Saturday edition of Weekend Sport on News
Talks edby May twenty four, Happy birthday, Eric Cantona.

Speaker 2 (01:04):
A very special day in Auckland.

Speaker 3 (01:06):
A league semi final day, the second legue Auckland f
C against Melbourne Victory kickoff just under six hours away.
I'm Jason Pine Show producer Andy McDonald. The show coming
to you live today from Tyler Street Sport in britam
Art Downtown Auckland, the new home of sport in the city,
delivering the ultimate bar experience for all sports fans and

(01:28):
foodies alike. As the official home for Auckland FC, Tyler
Street Sport, they go to venue for all Auckland FC
game day's big screens, unbeatable atmosphere and all your favorite
drinks and bites as well.

Speaker 2 (01:40):
What a place to be today.

Speaker 3 (01:42):
We thank Tyler Street Sport very much indeed for hosting
us as we start reading the vibe and soaking up
the atmosphere of the city on such a big day,
heading towards kickoff at six o'clock. Football forms the foundation
of our show this afternoon. Auckland FC CEO Nick Becker
and the club's Director of Football Terry mcflynn lead us
off in just a moment. Outstanding goalkeeper Alex Paulson also

(02:03):
with us this hour Uruguayan striker and player of the
v Ye Gijimo May. A little bit later on, we're
get to Melbourne victory view from their greatest ever goalscorer
Archie Thompson. A bit later on and arguably the biggest
and broadest supporter of sport in this country, Go Media
founder and managing director Mike Gray to his company the
first to sign on as an Auckland FC sponsor. The

(02:24):
company name emblazoned across tonight's match venue as well.

Speaker 2 (02:28):
He's going to pop in for.

Speaker 3 (02:28):
A chat and we cannot forget the port Auckland FC's
most passionate supporters. They're set to assemble here to start
their day over the next few hours. Going to bring
you some of their pregame festivities as well and some
of their predictions. Some of their content may come with
a listener warning it's not just football, other matters around
to our Hurricanes have secured their place in the Super

(02:49):
Rugby playoffs. A thirty one twenty seven went over the
Reds in Brisbane last night. We'll get some reaction as
they fly home. The Crusaders pipping the Highlanders fifteen twelve
in christ Church to go back to the top of
the table for the meantime, All blacksprop and try scorer
to Mighty Williams with us and rual poona Motorsport park
christ here it's going to stage a supercars event for
the next three years. General Manager of the Canterbury Car Club,

(03:12):
Mark Wederall on that Adam Peacock out of Australia as well.

Speaker 2 (03:15):
In his regular slot. But a live sport while we're
on the air.

Speaker 3 (03:18):
And no better place to watch at NBA Finals Game
two of the Eastern Conference Finals Knicks Pacers in New
York just underway.

Speaker 2 (03:25):
We'll keep an eye on that for you as well.

Speaker 3 (03:27):
You can get in touch with us in a number
of ways on the phone, oh eight hundred and eighty
ten eighty, via text, nine two ninety two emails and
to Jason at Newstalk SEDB dot co dot Nz.

Speaker 2 (03:38):
Just gone ten past midday.

Speaker 1 (03:40):
Getting you closer to the A League action Weekend Sports
where Jason Pine live from Taylor Street Sports Newstalk ZEB.

Speaker 2 (03:48):
Ten past twelve at Tyler Street Sport.

Speaker 3 (03:50):
This is weekend Sport and A League semi final day today.
Leading us off to of the more influential members of
the Auckland FC staff. CEO Nick Beckers popped.

Speaker 2 (03:59):
In gay Nick Kay piney, how are you very good?

Speaker 3 (04:01):
Great to have you with us Director of Football Terry
mcflinn as well. Thanks for joining us Terry from Jesson,
how are you very good? Let's actually start with a
general read of the vibe and how you're both feeling
just under six hours to kickoff.

Speaker 2 (04:12):
Terry, you're looking very relaxed.

Speaker 6 (04:14):
I must say, yeah. Look, it's been a good week.

Speaker 7 (04:16):
The boys have trained really well this week, good trip
back from Australia last week, a couple of days off
for the boys this week.

Speaker 6 (04:23):
They're prepared, they're ready.

Speaker 7 (04:24):
We had a good session yesterday at call Media Stadium,
a couple of video sessions as well, So the boys
are relaxed looking forward to a full host of Gold
Media today.

Speaker 2 (04:31):
Just take us inside the minds of the players.

Speaker 3 (04:33):
They often say we want to play in the biggest games,
but there's also I guess the danger of playing the
game before it actually arrives. Do you ask them to
embrace the occasion or treat it like another week.

Speaker 7 (04:45):
Look, I think you've got in Brice the occasion. You know,
you can show away from the fact that it's a
semi final. You know, we spoke to the boys in
Melbourne last week that we got two hundred minutes of
football left for this season. You know, we started on
the first of July this season with twelve players. We've
got to this point. Everything that they've done in the
gym on the trend and pitch games. Travel all comes
down to this and as a foot all of these

(05:06):
are big games that you want to play in, you
want to be a part off. You are extra seats
in nice with even more people in the in the stadium.
So these are the games that as a professional footballer
you want to be part of. And like I said,
it's two hunrednutes of footballer in their life.

Speaker 2 (05:19):
And Nick, what about you, mate, You're looking relaxed as well.

Speaker 3 (05:21):
I think everybody at the football club just always strikes
me as been very relaxed on the outside, right if you.

Speaker 8 (05:25):
Just got a good poker face, Pine, a good poker face.
Pretty I'm not nervous, but I always get a little
bit kind of you know, the nerves are there on
a match day, but also super excited. It's a it
is a you know, we've going to been around for
one season, but a big day, right, this is a
massive day for us, and I think we're all you
know kind of there's been the group, what message has
been flying?

Speaker 2 (05:45):
You know, everybody is up for it. You know it's
a orphan's got a glorious blue blue sky suns out.

Speaker 8 (05:50):
You know, go media going to be packed with those
to tarious point extra seats in there, about twenty eight
thousand and sixdred In fact, actually I can give you
hot of the press because I believe the A League
released a few tickets last night. There's one hundred and
seventy left there, so if anyone is listening and want
to get down there, there'll be to be very quick.

Speaker 3 (06:06):
Okay, one hundred and seventy taking the I know it's
hard to actually give us the exact capacity, but is
it up near twenty nine.

Speaker 8 (06:12):
Just under I think twenty eighty six hundred and something. Yeah, good, yeah, yeah,
it's brilliant.

Speaker 3 (06:16):
So I mean, the footballers can look after the football work.
What's what's the best use of your week leading into
a game?

Speaker 2 (06:22):
Like this great question.

Speaker 8 (06:24):
I think what I've I mean I've tended to do,
is you kind of now's the time, like sort of
Terry talks about the boys have done all the hard work,
our guys off the pitch, and then head obviously worked
super hard all season as well, and so it's just
a case of kind of directing traffic at this point.

Speaker 2 (06:38):
You know, we all know how important it is.

Speaker 8 (06:39):
It's actually kind of a bit funny because that A
League come in and take over the final series. So
it's sort of like that mix of how involved you get,
you know, and that type of thing I've I've also
had to do a lot of media, but I kind
of feel that's that's quite you know, it's important this role,
but it's also taking the pressure of that. Other people
are getting asked and I think everybody's getting pretty sick
with my voice in face.

Speaker 2 (06:59):
But you know, I don't mind it.

Speaker 3 (07:01):
Well, I mean I get accused of that all the time.
Maybe the voice rather than the face we're talking. It's
probably quite a good.

Speaker 2 (07:06):
Thing, Terry.

Speaker 3 (07:06):
You've played in a lot of big football matches, a
couple of a league Grand finals O five six the
first one Stevie Korker got the winning goal their day
twenty nineteen as well, when it's two extra time and penalties.

Speaker 2 (07:16):
How do players pass the time on a day like this?
How did you used to do it?

Speaker 9 (07:21):
Oh?

Speaker 7 (07:21):
Look, I think the players, the creatures have habit, so
they've got they'll have their own routines. I think it's
actually probably a little bit more distracting when they're at home.
We tried to take a lot of the pressure off
the boys this week with leaning into big games, a
lot of distractions could be around tickets and things they
have for family and friends, and so we organized that
early in the week. To the next point, the ticket

(07:42):
and team have been fantastic. They organized everything for the
players and staff early in the week. So, yeah, the
boys will be relaxed. They'll have their own routine. They'll
they'll go for breakfast, to go for a walk with
their families, and then they'll have a little nap this
afternoon and then make their way to the stadium. We'll
do a video session before the warm up and then
as soon as as soon as you get in the stadium,
then that's you know, it's business as usual from there.

Speaker 3 (08:04):
This is the biggest game of many of their lives
and hopefully next weekend will be bigger. Again, let's leave
that off to one side. Do you sense any nerves?
Do you sense any anxiety in the playing group? Surely
there must be some.

Speaker 7 (08:19):
Not really, Look, we've got a mental performance coach, him
is Pardon, who does a lot of work with the players,
and we're leaving the stress and then we're leaving anxiety
and taking that away and at the end of the day.
So we started this in the first of July as
a playing group, and this is what we work towards.
So if it's if you set a goal and you
work towards it, then you shouldn't be afraid of it,

(08:40):
walk towards it.

Speaker 3 (08:41):
So July one was when using that at your benchmark,
the opening day of the season, I did the radio
show from going to the estadium act you both well
were among my first gifts. That was thirty one weeks
ago today, thirty one weeks ago.

Speaker 10 (08:54):
Incredible, amazing.

Speaker 3 (08:55):
I remember you both being positive optimistic about the season here,
as you rightly should have been. Did you realistically expect
this season?

Speaker 8 (09:04):
I mean, it's definitely exceeded expectation finding But look, we
knew right from the start that we were going to
have a competitive side on the pitch. We we'd worked
really hard to connect with the community. We didn't quite
know it was going to be as successful as was.
We didn't know we'd sell out four games. We didn't
know we'd have three hundred thousand organize fans through.

Speaker 2 (09:24):
So that's blown us away.

Speaker 8 (09:24):
I mean, it's it's but there's been a it's been
one of those seasons that don't.

Speaker 2 (09:28):
Come around often in football.

Speaker 8 (09:30):
Right, and the journey so far, and it hasn't done
yet to tears point on the tournaments. It's it's still
there's still a little bit of football ahead of us
and the really exciting part. But you know, seasons like
this don't come acrosd around often, and when they do,
it's just you take the ride and you go with
that night. You know, everybody has worked super hard to
get where we are. It's sort of you know, to
your point earlier, we look quite relaxed, but everybody has been,

(09:53):
you know, on point for the whole the whole piece,
both on the pitch and off the pitch, and the
football department and all of.

Speaker 2 (09:59):
Their head office as well.

Speaker 8 (10:00):
So you know, we had a and that goes down
to some amazing not only the fans have been incredible,
but some of our commercial partners have been We just
had to ask me what I've been doing this week.

Speaker 2 (10:11):
I've been out a lot.

Speaker 8 (10:12):
We've had a lot of functions, We've had a lot
of formal for things to go to. But one of
my favorites was on Thursday night we went to a
little record bar and ponsonby ARMI.

Speaker 2 (10:21):
I think it's called and A and Z.

Speaker 8 (10:23):
How to record breaking party for us, and they literally
they created a piece of vinyl for us.

Speaker 2 (10:30):
I've got a gift for you. Here it is.

Speaker 8 (10:32):
It's the orknleft c first season exclusive vinyl, which your
dollst tones are all over Piney, so we wanted you
to have a copy.

Speaker 2 (10:41):
But the point of that piece was.

Speaker 8 (10:45):
Another one of A Z's fantastic campaigns and they've been
great this season with us.

Speaker 2 (10:49):
Yeah, I know.

Speaker 8 (10:49):
I mean the only thing missing from that artwork cover
is your glorious face. So well we'll kind of say
if we can get that fixed up, but no, it's
it's it's been brilliant.

Speaker 2 (10:57):
But it covers off, you know, all the records.

Speaker 8 (10:59):
That we've broken this season, so things like winning the
first six games. We went six and oh at the
start of the season, as you well know, took five
hundred and twenty three minutes or thirty two minutes of
some one way or other for them to breach our
defense and to be scored out of goals scored against us.
You know, the crowds have broken records again and again
and again all season in terms of we've been the
number one attended team in the A League. We've had

(11:22):
the highest attendance twice in terms of both our home derbies,
and then one of my favorite records pine him is
we're the fastest team to reach fifty goals, did in
twenty seven games, beating Sydney FCS season and then they
did in thirty and back that in those days, one
young Terry mcflynn and Steve Coroker played in that team,
so there's a really nice.

Speaker 2 (11:43):
Connection there to that. So yeah, yeah, it's been it's.

Speaker 8 (11:46):
Been a it's been an epic season and so far,
and we certainly are all hoping and planning for it
to go just another sort of eight days, seven days,
whatever it is. So yeah, I would have chomped your
hand off if Good said and it's going to be
like this at the start of the season.

Speaker 2 (12:02):
Well, I appreciate the gift very much.

Speaker 3 (12:03):
It's wonderful and just another illustration of how the football
all clubs has gone into areas that not a lot
of sporting franchises have. Terry Nick alluded to it. You
played for a long time alongside Steve Corricker. You've got
a long relationship with him. Do you and Steve Coricker
always agree on football matters?

Speaker 6 (12:20):
No, No, not at all. I think that's a excuse me.

Speaker 7 (12:24):
I think that's the beauty of our relationship is that
we can challenge each other. We did as players were
completely different players. He was very polished, very finesse, and
I was a bit more rugged, agricultural if you like,
similar to these days as well. So but I think
we worked well together. We did as he was a captain,

(12:44):
I was a vice captain. I took over from him
as the captain as in the FC, and then he
was the assistant coach. I was director of football, he
was the head coach. We worked well together. We won
championships together. So this was a project that we wanted
to do together. You know, we took a time. Nick
and myself interviewed eleven coaches before we decided on Steve.

Speaker 6 (13:01):
We need to get the right person.

Speaker 7 (13:03):
Steve's come in, He's embraced Auckland, his family as well,
and he's really I think he had a point to prove.
He'd been at Sydney for such a long time, he'd
been there for twenty years. I was a little bit
different on left and I went to another club in
Perth Glory. So I think for Steve this was a
real project that he wanted to get right, and we
all wanted to get right from the start. So yeah,

(13:25):
we've we've bought it heads on many occasions on this journey,
on players, on travel schedules, on training days, on extra
curricular activities for the players, and the promotions and things.
When I know how important it is that we have
to connect with the community, we have to service our partners.
Steve obviously as a head coach, wants the players tocked
up in bed and wrapped in cotton will a.

Speaker 6 (13:47):
Lot of the time.

Speaker 7 (13:48):
But we understand as well as as a business, so
we work really well together. But yeah, look, we've we
don't know wes see iti, but we find a common
ground and move forward.

Speaker 3 (13:57):
Yeah, well, obviously is working. And I think you're right.
Every relationship, every successful business needs challenge.

Speaker 2 (14:05):
You can't just have yes men all the time, can
you do?

Speaker 3 (14:07):
You think the guys have been practicing their penalties this week.

Speaker 6 (14:10):
They have.

Speaker 7 (14:11):
I've witnessed the firsthand. There have been some very good ones,
some not so good, but yeah, they have. Look, we
prepare for everything, Penny, So we've prepared for every eventuality.
We're hopeful and we're working towards it. It doesn't get
to penalties. We did a conversation with the APL yesterday,
but which end we wanted the penalties to be taking

(14:34):
it if it does go that way. Faith for rules
is it's a toss of a coin, So I think
we need a two head of coin today to get
it at the poored end.

Speaker 6 (14:42):
But yeah, look, we're with the boys.

Speaker 7 (14:45):
Have practiced a lot this week for every eventuality that
the walk from the halfway line, that's probably the most
daunting piece in terms of a penalty. It's not the
actual kick itself, it's a walk from the halfway line
to the to the penalty spot.

Speaker 6 (14:58):
So yeah, we've practiced at all.

Speaker 2 (15:00):
The crazy thing is you haven't any practice at all
during the season.

Speaker 3 (15:03):
Not one penalty awarded for Auckland the see. I don't
know whether ritun precedent, but it's certainly unusual.

Speaker 6 (15:11):
Really unusual.

Speaker 2 (15:11):
I mean it's I think that's part of the beauty
of the A League.

Speaker 8 (15:15):
It brings a few quirks out every every season, and
I guess that's just one of them this season.

Speaker 3 (15:21):
Yeah, all right, Well it's We've got a couple of
questions on text, which I'll get get in just a moment.

Speaker 2 (15:26):
Has Bill Folly been in touch this week?

Speaker 8 (15:27):
Yeah, he has spoken to Bill a couple of times,
and also spoke to Bill a number of times last
week too, And I think Bill Bill's you know, Bill
is a proven winner, really competitive man, and he cooled
He actually cooled me and Steve and Terry as well
before the trip out to Melbourne last week, and he
just sort of just wanted us to relay a story
to the boys, which is about around, hey, you know

(15:49):
you've had a great season. You've got to read a
good position, but don't get ahead of yourself.

Speaker 2 (15:54):
Don't start thinking about the grand file, just thinking about
the next match.

Speaker 8 (15:57):
And he actually told the story about the Vegas Golden
Knights in their first year, and he talked about how
they had such a successful year they got right through
the Stanley Cup final in their first year, won their
first final and then lost the next four and he
said that he felt at that point that they've got
a bit ahead of himself, so wanted to use that
as motivation for the team.

Speaker 2 (16:14):
Is kind of a kind of message.

Speaker 8 (16:16):
To give them a bit of clarity and focus on
this is what the job is, get that done and
the next one just happens. So yeah, he's he's really
involved Bill, and you know he's super excited about where
we are, really really proud of what the team's done. Obviously,
you know, bornmus is coming to close their seeds and
Vegas gold Knights are out of the Stanley Cup now,
so he's all in on Organs at the moment.

Speaker 11 (16:37):
All right.

Speaker 3 (16:38):
I just wonder that, actually, again, without wanting to put
the cart before the horse, if there is a Grand
Final here next weekend, might he come down for it?

Speaker 8 (16:45):
Yeah, I mean he said he has, he said he will.
You know Bill's travel schedule, you can never pin down
and say one hundred percent locked in. But I would
love to see him down here. I know definitely Robber's
son and Courtney's daughter are going to be down here
and at the game as well, so they'll definitely be
representatives of the family.

Speaker 2 (17:01):
You'd love to see Bill here too, brilliant.

Speaker 3 (17:03):
Just a question on text for you, Terry. I know
we're focuing on the men's side of things, but is
there any update on the likelihood or not of a
women's side as early as next day league season? You've
got the update on that.

Speaker 7 (17:13):
No, not at the moment, Jess more fully committed to
a female program soon as you are with a man's,
and we'll strategically we'll piece it together the same way
we did with the man's. We'll get a culture's approven winner,
and we'll get as many key girds into the team
as possible, if and when the time's right, All right, we'll.

Speaker 3 (17:29):
Look forward to more progress on that. Just finally, how
I'll ask it to be how do you spend the
ninety minutes of a match? Terry?

Speaker 2 (17:35):
Where are you during a game? Talk us through your can?
I answer?

Speaker 8 (17:40):
That is the worst person in the world to watch
football with. Genuinely, like he gitterally, he sits down, jumps up.
His language definitely needs some port language warning on it. Honestly,
one of the worst people in the world to watch
football with. I've only managed a one half and then
I just have to leave it halftime.

Speaker 2 (18:01):
Well, how does Nick Becker watch a game? Then, Terry
mcflynn that I think he's very relaxed.

Speaker 6 (18:08):
He enjoys a game.

Speaker 7 (18:09):
Yeah, look, that's probably one piece of the week that
I can control is when the players step on the
on the park And yeah, I do get a little
bit emotionally involved. Shall we say, Today's going to be
an interesting one because I've actually go in order to
watch a game. I usually have a suite where sit,
but we saw all the sweets today, so I think
I could be on the roof of the stadium watching

(18:30):
the game today.

Speaker 6 (18:31):
But yeah, I do get a little bit involved.

Speaker 2 (18:34):
It pett itself, an't it.

Speaker 3 (18:37):
Well? As Terry said, I mean there's been extra hospitality sold.
I think the Stacey Jones Lounge just being opened up.
There's all sorts of different spaces you've opened up. I
do need to congratulate you on your renovation this year.
The things that you've done that have been different, like this,
like this record, this partnership where they is, like the
fact that you put a fear Us wheeler up beach
for goodness, like a giant slide. I believe the slide

(18:59):
bite still be there. That hasn't been taken away.

Speaker 2 (19:01):
No, the slide is going to be there today.

Speaker 8 (19:02):
And I think that all comes to you know, it's
a having a clear vision right at stuff. But I
think most importantly having some really good owners. So you know,
Bill and then locally and Or and Alley are huge
supporters of actually doing things differently and creating really exciting
and entertaining match that experience. And they've and throughout the
season they've backed us when we've come up with ideas

(19:22):
like Ferris Whales, the biggest in Lamb Beach, whatever it
may be. You know, to be honest, that that slide
I think was one of the best investments we've ever done.
I think it costs about ten thousand dollars out of China,
and every single match is just packed full of kids
from the day dot with the gates open through to
an hour after kickoff, you know. And it's what has
led to is that, you know, you've seen the amazing

(19:45):
crowds that we've had, but there's so many kids there,
which is really special for us. I think it's not
just with the with what we do and the fans
like that, the players as well. You know, they stay
for an hour after the game, They do southiest they do,
They sign autographs, They and these kids, you know, at eight, nine,
ten years of age, again, these amazing emotional connections with
the game, with the players, with the club, which hopefully
will last in my lifetime.

Speaker 3 (20:05):
You know, yeah, I love I can only endorse that
like enough to be down on the ground doing postmatch
for Sky and I often see guys out there signing
selfies well well beyond when they probably have to. But
it's a decision they clearly make for the you know,
for the for the club guys.

Speaker 2 (20:22):
So what do you what are we now? Nearly half
us twelve? So what will you do?

Speaker 3 (20:25):
Now?

Speaker 2 (20:25):
What's your what's your agenda today?

Speaker 8 (20:27):
First, Piney, I'll present you with your shirt for today
to week. So we've got We've got you a home
shirt with your name on the back of it. Oh
we lost a why so we just called your Pine
But Pioney is how I'll always know and love you.

Speaker 2 (20:42):
So a gift from us to you. And then I mean,
welcome to Auckland, mate. You So now you've handled that over, Where.

Speaker 3 (20:49):
Will you go now?

Speaker 8 (20:51):
So I've got a couple of other sort of things
to do before I head out for the stadium and
then I will be sort of We've got our kickoff
matched a meeting we'll have with the league at about
two thirty and I'll be there for the rest of
the afternoon. You know, I'll be over And now we've
got a lounge for the Black Night lounge, I'll be
in there from when that opening, watched the game there
and then yeah, that'll be it.

Speaker 2 (21:10):
And Terry, you got to find yourself a place to
watch the game. But what do you what were you?

Speaker 3 (21:13):
Don't do you? Are you?

Speaker 2 (21:14):
Do you treat match day the same as you used
to as a player or not?

Speaker 3 (21:18):
Really?

Speaker 6 (21:18):
No, not Dot the Simons on as playing Penny.

Speaker 7 (21:21):
I'll go back home now and get team sheet ready,
speak to Steve, make sure everything's okay with him, and
then I'll go and pick Danny hay up, picked Jonathan
gould up.

Speaker 3 (21:30):
Oh, there's a car ride in the half, and then.

Speaker 7 (21:33):
The three of us on make our way across to
the Gold Media probably about two thirty. We'll get there
and just make sure everything's relaxed, everything's can for the
boys when they come in. And then Derek said there'll
be a video session at four thirty, and then the
boys are stuck getting ready and one up, five, five seventeen.

Speaker 3 (21:51):
All the best guys. Look, congrats on getting us this far.
Let's hope there's another week of it. Let's hope we're
back here in a week's time chatting about a Grand Final.
But really appreciate your stopping in on on match day
Terry mc nicker, think thank you. It's Nick Becker's CEO
of Open the FC. Mccklin, director of football for the
football club. Your chance to react now, Oh eight hundred
eighty ten eighty nine, two ninety two. If you would

(22:13):
prefer to send your thoughts via text, lot's coming through
on text. But let's take some calls on this. If
you've been along to an Auckland FC game this year,
what is it about it that keeps you coming back?
Or if you want to delve into the actual football tonight,
where is this game going to be decided? What do
you expect from Auckland FC When Steve corek Had sends
them out tonight? It doesn't feel as though it is

(22:33):
in Auckland FC's DNA to park a big bus in
front of their goal, even though they know if they
don't concede they will go through to the Grand Final.
Oh eight hundred and eighty ten eighty nine two ninety
two on text, twelve twenty nine.

Speaker 2 (22:45):
Back with some of your calls after this.

Speaker 4 (22:50):
I'm counting down to the A League Semifinal.

Speaker 1 (22:53):
We can Sport with Jason Vine live at Taylor Streets
Sport in Auckland with GJ Governor Homes.

Speaker 2 (23:00):
New Zealand's most trusted hope builder News Dogs'd be twenty
eight minutes away from one.

Speaker 3 (23:04):
Come into your life from Tyler stre Sport, the new
home of sports in Auckland City, the ultimate bar experience
for all sports fans and foodies alike.

Speaker 2 (23:13):
They're starting to drift in now.

Speaker 3 (23:14):
The Port who are the most vociferous fans of this
football club are two here, sort of one one thirty,
so we expect the volume level to rise. In the
background when that happens. Are taking new calls on the
game eight hundred and eighty ten eighty, or on Auckland
FC's impact on the sporting landscape of Auckland, which was
already crowded. Let's be honest. A couple of super rugby

(23:37):
teams in the Blues and Mawana Pacifica, the Warriors of course,
who they share a ground with the Breakers are here
as well, plus everything else that is wrapped around the
amateur side of sport in this our largest city. But
they have got cut through. They absolutely have got cut through.
You cannot deny it. It's it's impossible to deny that

(23:58):
this team has become a phenomenon in this city. Eight
hundred and eighty ten eighty couple of text repinting, you're
walking on dangerous ground.

Speaker 2 (24:06):
Mate.

Speaker 3 (24:07):
You can't talk about the final. It's all about today
in this game. Ignore next week or it will trip
us up. And this is from a bandwagon jumper who
never watches football, but I have this year.

Speaker 2 (24:18):
Thanks Marslik.

Speaker 3 (24:19):
I think a lot of people are like that, and
I've always said bandwagons are of infinite size. There is
no limit to the amount of people who can jump
aboard a bandwagon. It is allowed, it is encouraged, and actually,
if you want to jump off, you can that's fine too,
But jumping on is the main thing, and there is
always room for more texare I bought one of the

(24:39):
twenty five thousand Aukland f C shirts that have been sold.
That's the thing I heard from Nick Becker earlier on
in the season is that before the season started they
rather pessimistically asked, sort of ordered some ordered some shirts
and thought, oh, we might sell three thousands, we might
sell three thousand, so we'll order three thousand. And they

(25:01):
thought that was optimistic. But they've sold twenty five twenty
five thousand Auckland FCA shirts. Everywhere you look in this
city you see them. Kids are wearing them, parents, grandparents.
I've got one now. I don't quite know how that'll
go down. It'll go down when I get back home
to Wellington. Maybe I'll just bring it out for special occasions.

(25:23):
But I do appreciate being given one. Jim says breath
of fresh air pinted our football is an option to rugby,
Thanks Jim. And there's a few on that a Hamish's ponty.
I hope you're not turning your back on the Nicks.

Speaker 2 (25:33):
No, I would never do that. Look, I try to
remain as neutral as I can.

Speaker 3 (25:37):
I do try to remain as neutral as I can,
but you can't help but be swept up in what
is happening with this football club. Grant says, it's so
good that football in New Zealand is receiving the coverage
it is getting now. I've supported football since the seventies
and I hope it gets stronger and becomes a bigger
force in New Zealand sport. Grant, I think that has happened.
I honestly believe that that movement has started. Probably or

(26:02):
the most recent iteration of it around the time that
the Phoenix arrived in two thousand and seven, leading on
to the All Whites making the World Cup in twenty ten,
and then right through the last decade and a half
to where we are now. There was also doubt when
Auckland FC were being suggested here in the nine that

(26:24):
people would turn up, because those with long girl memories
will remember that the predecessor to Auckland FC as an
A League team in the city were the New Zealand Knights.
They were participants in the first two A League seasons
two thousand and five six and two thousand and six seven,

(26:44):
and they were, without doubt one of the worst sporting
franchises ever to have blotted our copybook here in New Zealand.
They mercifully, mercifully only lasted a couple of seasons. Look
through no one person's fault. They just, you know, just
weren't resourced, didn't have the players, didn't engender the following

(27:06):
all that sort of thing. And I think when expansion
was talked about in the A League in the last
decade or so, the Knights were always sort of held
up as a reason why football shouldn't return to Auckland.
But if Auckland f C have proven anything, it's that
there is an appetite for the game in the city.

(27:28):
It has been well and truly, you know been you know,
that's so obvious with what's happened this year, with the
crowds that are turning up and everything like that. So
just just terrific as far as the people who are
turning up as concern, We've got a couple of love.
I love a face to face talkback love some face
to face talk. A couple of couple of early starters here.

(27:49):
Pull up a mic, gentlemen and give us your names. Mate,
you're an Auckland f C fan or you're just here
for the ride.

Speaker 10 (27:57):
Come over from Melbourne Victory supporter?

Speaker 2 (28:00):
Are you really? Are you Victory fans?

Speaker 3 (28:05):
Great to see you boys. When did you hit town?

Speaker 12 (28:08):
I got you late last night and I got here
about six o'clock in the morning. Had a bit of
an instan the local distavery.

Speaker 3 (28:19):
Tell us more.

Speaker 2 (28:20):
I just just you know, to color all the pieces.
I wasn't that bad.

Speaker 12 (28:23):
They took some photos and some Shielders are sleeping. They
weren't happy I deleted. They still wanted to kick me
off the drunken disorderly cost me six hundred ucks.

Speaker 2 (28:35):
Well, but you're here, that's the main thing.

Speaker 3 (28:37):
What a story to tell your grandchildren away days mate?
So do you guys travel often to watch victory away?

Speaker 9 (28:43):
I haven't been for I haven't been this season, but
probably done about forty away trips.

Speaker 10 (28:47):
So yeah, done Wellington once and then.

Speaker 9 (28:50):
I haven't done one for a while, but usually do
The Adelaide's always a good trip for us.

Speaker 2 (28:54):
So we love going Adelaide. The original rivalry.

Speaker 12 (28:58):
Nine years ago went to Japan. Yeah, in a Champions
League game.

Speaker 10 (29:01):
How good that was?

Speaker 6 (29:02):
That was a great time.

Speaker 3 (29:03):
Now were you at Amy Park last weekend? What did
you make of a fizz.

Speaker 2 (29:09):
Auckland is a better team?

Speaker 12 (29:11):
Like I got mad respect from they don't play football?

Speaker 6 (29:15):
First year done? Awesome.

Speaker 12 (29:18):
It's coming here for a holiday man, We've we've got
no stress like if we win, we lose.

Speaker 2 (29:22):
We just want to have a good day respect.

Speaker 3 (29:25):
It's only one nil though, and look at the players
you have the loop azanis Fauna Oley probably off the bench.

Speaker 2 (29:31):
Again, virgos Man.

Speaker 3 (29:33):
That's the envy of most other teams, right, surely can
palk back a one goal advantage.

Speaker 9 (29:37):
It's all right, it's good coming here with No, we
don't expect to win, but if we win.

Speaker 10 (29:41):
We will be it will be a bonus.

Speaker 2 (29:43):
So yeah, I love to see it happen. But we'll
see what happens anyway.

Speaker 3 (29:47):
How many how many victory fans total do we expect?
Are we expecting? I've met a bloke at the airport
this morning who would come over you. I don't know
whether his name was same was Greg. He came over

(30:08):
and introduced himself. So I'm just I'm just I mean,
that's what That's what fandom is, right the chance forty
times you've traveled around to watch them play. You know,
you come to New Zealand, you've introduced yourself to our
law and order enforcement people.

Speaker 6 (30:20):
How good.

Speaker 12 (30:21):
It's funny because when I got off the plane, they're like, oh,
what are you here for? I'm like, I'm here for
the football and the police officer first, and he goes,
I've been warned about you guys.

Speaker 3 (30:29):
Wow. Wow. But that's the thing to isn't it that
sometimes you know that look. I think particularly the Australian
meta not so much here, but they pick up on
anything to do with football that can paint it in
a bad light.

Speaker 12 (30:41):
Right, Yeah, so I'm not sure if you've seen like
we out of March before the game last week and
the leading story on the main news channel, Channel seven
was just some marts.

Speaker 2 (30:51):
The police had no problems with it.

Speaker 12 (30:53):
It was all done in good spirit, but they made
it like like where suburban terrorist fads.

Speaker 2 (30:58):
It's the media.

Speaker 9 (30:58):
Yeah, it's good coming over here because we don't have
any rivalry with the Aukland. It's not like going to
Sydney and Adeliehere you can't drink at the same pub.

Speaker 10 (31:08):
That's what we come what happens, that's why we come here.

Speaker 2 (31:10):
We want to ever be with the Auckland.

Speaker 6 (31:11):
Guys.

Speaker 3 (31:11):
Well, they'll be along shortly, I'm sure now that they
know you're here. Hey, guys, thanks for stopping and having
a chat.

Speaker 2 (31:17):
Have an awesome time. When do you go home?

Speaker 10 (31:19):
I'm actually I'm going.

Speaker 3 (31:23):
You might.

Speaker 2 (31:23):
You might not make the game. I actually had fifty
away troops about five times.

Speaker 10 (31:28):
I haven't, so what do we got?

Speaker 6 (31:30):
Ten cent chats?

Speaker 9 (31:31):
I actually booked my flights after I tipped a few
beers in and I'm going to Queen's Down on Monday.
But I realized be fight home to Melbourne's not till
Sunday night. So if we make the grand fine and
we have to change you.

Speaker 3 (31:40):
Fight, well, who knows? Who knows? It's all on the
line tonight, guys. Thanks for stopping by. Enjoy the rest
of your trips. Actually time cha right good on your voice.
A couple of Victory fans joining us here at Tyler
Street Sport. You'll love to see it. It's nineteen away
from one when we come back. Auckland Lifty goalkeeper Alex
Paulson is with us.

Speaker 1 (31:59):
Game day lay from the official home of Auckland FC,
Taylor Street Sport. It's Weekend Sport with Jason yin GJ.
Gunner Holmes, New Zealand's first trusted home builder, News talks in.

Speaker 3 (32:11):
What a spot to be on game day Tyler Street
Sport at Britomart in downtown Auckland. Great to welcome in
Auckland FC and All Whites. Goalkeeper Alex Paulson. Thirteen clean
sheets this season, more than any other goalkeeper and some
absolutely spectacular saves. It's not a lot save for Dawson
to Deny nickaus Fergus SAMs.

Speaker 13 (32:32):
Made piol Here are piol Is through Dan Hall.

Speaker 2 (32:39):
Great Saint Paulson to chase the game now on will three,
Sam Sulon water.

Speaker 3 (32:44):
On my son, what a safe name Paulton And on
the far side Mat Sheridan can't tappan just a few
of the wonderful saves that Alex Paulson has made this season,
he joins us. Now, Alex, thanks for taking the time
on match day. How have you stayed focused this week
with such a massive game waiting at the end of it?

Speaker 14 (33:03):
Yeah, I mean I was the It's another big game,
and you know, especially these playoff games, it can be
a bit difficult just to try your best to focus
on what you can control and focus on your preparations
leading into the game. But yeah, no, the preparations are
going well so far, and you know we're just looking
forward to, you know, hopefully getting that result on the weekend.

Speaker 3 (33:26):
Last weekend in the First League, you didn't have to
make a save. I know you were heavily involved in
gold Mouth incidents, but there wasn't a shot on target
that you had to save. So what made those in
front of you so effective in Melbourne last weekend?

Speaker 14 (33:43):
I think, firstly, for me, it's just a chemistry that
we have built over the cross of the whole season
when you've got the likes of Dan Tommy and then
also Nando Pineker, they're the back line support it with
you know, Franny Scott Galloway and you know you got Hierarchi.

Speaker 15 (33:59):
And Colin Aliott as well.

Speaker 14 (34:01):
It's just amazing because I think the chemistry that we've
got across the whole season, that back line has been
pretty instrumental towards our success as well, because you know,
we have that that passion and that hunger to really
you know, put up bodies on the line and you know,
not just individually, but do it for our teammates and
do offlub as well.

Speaker 3 (34:19):
And it was your thirteenth clean sheet of the season.
I know you're going to talk more about the team
than yourself, but do you take a high degree of
personal pride from a stat like that?

Speaker 14 (34:31):
Yeah, First of in me, I think it's I think
it's an awesome achievement to have as well, and hopefully
I can get some more leading into the next couple
of games. But I think just on reflection, it's you know,
I think it's just a testament for you know, the
stuff that we have here as well to help and
support me all the way through. And I think also

(34:53):
coming off the backup last season, you know, I think
there's a lot of talk and a little bit of
white noise to see if you can do it again,
because I think I had like.

Speaker 16 (35:00):
Twelve clean sheet past season as well.

Speaker 14 (35:02):
So it's just nice to you know, have that feeling
now and continue to do the routines that come in
a position where I've got those cleans chiefs last season
to then back it up again this year.

Speaker 2 (35:13):
Do you think you're a better goalkeeper now than you
were a year ago?

Speaker 14 (35:17):
I'd say I'm more mature goalkeeper than I was a
year ago, just because of the experiences that I had
from last season as well, you know, being top of
the table and then unfortunately not going all the way
and then this season kind of mirroring that and then
you know that's been a Premiers played and then now
got a semi finals and Grand finals.

Speaker 11 (35:35):
To look forward to it as well.

Speaker 14 (35:36):
So I definitely say them a short along the way.

Speaker 3 (35:39):
And we hear a lot about the goalkeepers union at
any club. It's not just a one man goalkeeping cohort.
There are others in there as well. How much help
have you got from the likes of the other keepers
Michael Vaud, Joe Knowles and also of course your goalkeeping
coach Jonathan Gould.

Speaker 11 (35:56):
Yeah.

Speaker 14 (35:56):
I mean they've been huge as well, especially you know,
towards my mental health towards these games as well, because
you know, if you look at Jonathan Gord, he's you know,
he's paid at Celtic and he's you know, won the
Premiership a couple of times, and you know, I think
to kind of peck his brains a little bit heading
into you know, those last public games towards last towards

(36:19):
the season, trying to make sure they win their Premius Bay,
I was able to learn a lot of him. And
then you look at Michael Vaut, who's you know a
little bit older than me, but you know he's also
had that experience not only in in Europe, you know,
paid it ben Japan, and he's been supporting me all
the way through. Even if you look at some of
the games, like he's been, you know, hanging around near

(36:39):
my goal in just you know, giving me words of
affirmation and encouragement and you know, supporting me and at
times just calming me down. And sometimes you can be
a bit Panicky and you know he's just been there
to help me on those games. And you know you
look at Nolsy and and also Blake, Kellian and Eli
as well, like they've during trainings have helped me out
a lot. And you know, if I've needed to have

(37:00):
a little bit of extra work and a couple of things,
I've always you know, Padana to help me out. So
I think it's a testament not like for my success
that it has been because of the group in itself.
And as you said that.

Speaker 3 (37:12):
That golgal Union last weekend, in the first leg, obviously
you came home with a you know, with a clean
sheet and and a one mill advantage in the tie.
So you know that if you don't concede in the
second league that you'll progress to the Grand Final. Is
there any temptation do you think to be a bit
more defensive in the second league or not?

Speaker 14 (37:33):
No, I don't think so. I think our mentality is
just to win the game, you know, treated like any
other game, and we know that we need to raise
a level even higher than what we did last week
because we really want to you know, push awards, you know,
making that hastory, make it a restagram funnel and you know,
go on and win it. So I think we want
to take this game and it comes and make sure
that we have that winning mentality to go out there
and you know, you know, put it on a performance

(37:56):
for not only ourselves and the titt but also for
the fans and the family and the porter as well.
They comes to supports each and every game.

Speaker 3 (38:05):
You mentioned before about the rather unique situation you found
yourself in the season. Having played at the Phoenix for
several years you ended up at Auckland FC. I thought
you handled yourself impeccably in what must have been a
challenging situation for you. With the benefit of looking back now, ap,
how did you deal with that situation so well?

Speaker 14 (38:26):
Yeah, I mean you're kind of spot on there. It
was a challenging period, especially with the whole the cacra's
cause and eligibility to play for AUGLANDCY and then also
just you know, being an ex ononing meenex player coming
over to the rivals to their rival club as well,
it can be a little bit challenging, and I think
it was just a very intense period of time and

(38:47):
I think it was it was very hard for me
to mentally wrap up you know, what.

Speaker 15 (38:51):
Actually had happened.

Speaker 14 (38:53):
And I think just looking back and and just reflecting,
and I.

Speaker 17 (38:57):
Think if I didn't have the support crew that I
have with an orbit and also I found the in Wantington,
I don't think I would have had the ability to
kind of keep my head screwed on and kind of
focus on what I can control.

Speaker 14 (39:13):
So yeah, it was a challenging period and you know,
I'm kind of glad, you know, we've we've kind of
looked past it and now I can just touch some
of the semi finals and.

Speaker 3 (39:22):
Well, yeah, like I said, I thought you you handled
yourself brilliantly during that that time pretty well publicized that
you won't be at Auckland FC next season. I don't
expect you to tell us your next move, but if
you've got a fairly solid idea of where you'll be
next yeah, I mean.

Speaker 14 (39:37):
It's still kind of unsert and so I'm just looking
for the Bemath performance and pre season and then just going
from there.

Speaker 3 (39:44):
And before you even get the chance to do that,
you've obviously got the remaining game or games hopefully plural
this season. Then you've been named in the All Whites
to face Coat Deuvoir and Ukraine and Canada next month.

Speaker 2 (39:56):
Just over a year out from the World Cup.

Speaker 3 (39:57):
Now, how much you're looking forward to getting back into
the national team again.

Speaker 14 (40:01):
Yeah, I'm just grateful to be given an opportunity to
assume my country and a thoids the privilege. And I'm
just having to be reunited with the spat again. So
it'll be good fun and you know, paying up against
some top players and two hard to be good teams
as well.

Speaker 3 (40:17):
Well, that's all ahead of you. The immediate point of
business is led two of the semi final against Melbourne
victory at go Media. It's going to be a fantastic occasion. Alex.
Congratulations on a terrific season so far. I hope there's
a couple more games to come. Thanks for taking the
time for a chat.

Speaker 14 (40:32):
Thanks mine, Thank you.

Speaker 3 (40:34):
You take care to mate. We'll see it tonight. Alex
Paulson their goalkeeper for Auckland FC. Full on text Alex,
any chance you and about ten others can come back
to Wellington and to the Phoenix. Yeah, I could certainly
use Alex Paulson. Interesting to know that I think we
all knew he wasn't going to be here. Next season
Bournemouth the preseason and then we'll see what happens after that.

(40:54):
Seven Away from One Weekend Sport coming to your Life
from Tyler Street Sport in brita Art. I've got some
tickets to give away. More details on that in the moment.

Speaker 1 (41:04):
Cheering on Auckland FC Weekend Sport with Jason Pine live
at Tyler Street Sport at Britomart News Talks b.

Speaker 3 (41:12):
Four Away from one one hundred and fifty tickets left
for tonight's game, twenty nine thousand set to pack in.
I've got six of those one hundred and fifty tickets
just been handed. Three double passes. If you're in and
around Tyler Street Sport. The first three people to come
and find us will get themselves a double pass to
the game this evening at six o'clock. So please make

(41:34):
sure that you can actually get to the game. If
you can get to Tyler Street Sport, come and see us.
We're in the corner, not hard to not hard to find.
Come and see us. Three double passes to give away
to Myighty Williams after one.

Speaker 5 (41:48):
It's game day a day from Francis de Breze and
to the area.

Speaker 1 (41:56):
It's building out to organ their Csdele semi.

Speaker 2 (41:59):
Aut ety A League Premier's.

Speaker 1 (42:03):
Five at the team's official home in Britomart, Taylor Sport.
It's Weekend Sport with Jason Vaime on News Talk SEV
one seven.

Speaker 2 (42:12):
Welcome back into the show. This is Weekend Sport on
News Talk sev and via iHeartRadio.

Speaker 3 (42:16):
We're coming to you live, as the man said, from
Tyler Street Sport in britam Art, downtown Auckland, the new
home of sport in the city. The ultimate bar experience,
big screens, good food, cold drinks, great company. The official
home for Auckland FC, the go to venue for all
Auckland FC game days.

Speaker 2 (42:37):
The atmosphere terrific.

Speaker 3 (42:38):
And there's been plenty of social media footage of the
away leg of the semi final last weekend where basically
you had to because obviously bars like this have a capacity,
they can't go pass so you don't have to buy
a ticket to be here, but you had to register
that you were coming and that lasted about fifteen minutes

(42:58):
and so absolutely.

Speaker 2 (43:00):
Packed her at Tyler Street Sport last weekend.

Speaker 3 (43:02):
Obviously with the home leg today, there are going to
be fewer people here, but I get the feeling that
there will still be quite a few we haven't.

Speaker 2 (43:10):
Got tickets who will make this their place tonight.

Speaker 3 (43:13):
Now we do have three double passes to give away
to the game tonight. I'm not quite sure how we've
managed to get them, but here they are I can
see them. So if you are able to make it
to the game, haven't been able to get a ticket,
then come on down to Tyler Street, Sport and come
and see us. We're in the corner, pretty easy to
spot and one of these double passes could be coming

(43:33):
your way this hour. Well we'll cross the Tasman rather
to Adam Peacock, We've been involved in the A League
for a long time. Be interested to know, actually, from
Adam's point of view, whether an Auckland FC winning the
A League would be a popular thing or not, whether
they'd rather than an Australian side got their hands on
the A League Championship. The other semi final, incidentally, is

(43:54):
between Melbourne City and Western United. Those two teams played
the second league of their semi tonight immediately following the
Auckland FC Melbourne victory game in Melbourne City have a
three mil advantage after the first leg so one foot
of the Grand Final, you'd have to think. But funny
things happen in football, So that game is immediately afterwards.

(44:17):
If Altman the FC win tonight, they will host the
Grand Final a week from tonight. And I've had a
couple of texts here. Can you confirm asks, Janet? If
they make the final, will it be Saturday or Sunday?

Speaker 2 (44:30):
And what time?

Speaker 3 (44:32):
I can tell you, Janet, it will definitely be next
Saturday night, Saturday, the thirty first of May.

Speaker 2 (44:38):
That is the Saturday of.

Speaker 3 (44:40):
King's Birthday weekend kick off time to be confirmed, but
it'll definitely be next Saturday if they make the Grand Final.
Vicky says, I must be Terry mcflynn's twin finaly such
a nervous spectator. I hope the boys do it. I'm
very excited. Yeah, they're starting to. They're starting to come
in here to Tyler Street Sport. The Port published their

(45:02):
the sort of match day schedule the day before the game.
In one was when they were encouraging people to turn up,
and people are now starting to turn up. They'll have
two or three hours here, during which time I'm sure
the volume will start to get a bit louder and
then at around four o'clock they'll jump on the train,
head out to the ground and march to the match.

Speaker 2 (45:22):
Kickoff is at six o'clock tonight.

Speaker 3 (45:25):
Jacob Spoonley, who sits alongside me in the Sky Sport
commentary box, he'd head popping at some stage today, so
we may see him at.

Speaker 2 (45:33):
Some point this hour as well.

Speaker 3 (45:35):
We're going to pivot across to rugby in just a second,
because of course there's been other sport happening across the
weekend as well, including last night the Crusaders just getting
home against the Highlanders fifteen twelve, and of course the
Hurricanes who went across to Brucebane and secured a very
important win thirty one point twenty seven. They beat the

(45:55):
Reds at some Corps stadium last night. That secures themselves
a spot in the top six. So the Hurricanes know
that they will definitely be in the top six, they
will definitely be playing in the finals. There was a
set of circumstances which would have seen them miss out
if they've lost last night and also lost to Mowana

(46:18):
pacifica next weekend, but that cannot now happen, so the
final spot in the finals will go to one of Mauana,
Pacifica or the Blues. That is all ahead of us.
But the Crusaders have moved to the top of the
Super Rugby table after pipping the Highlanders fifteen twelve in
christ Church. Islander's verse five Cam Miller missed a late
thirty eight meter penalty that would have sent the game

(46:41):
to extra time.

Speaker 2 (46:41):
The Crusaders got a couple of tries, one to seven.

Speaker 3 (46:44):
Reese, who became the all time leading Super Rugby tri
scorer with sixty six, and the other to All Blacks
front rower to Mighty Williams.

Speaker 18 (46:52):
Very close to the life.

Speaker 2 (46:56):
Just sure, just sure they picked it.

Speaker 18 (46:59):
Go the Crusaders there over.

Speaker 6 (47:02):
So Mighty wind I think you'll find it is.

Speaker 18 (47:05):
Right, absolutely cracked there, to Mighty Williams, he's got to
have it a score it tries this season a bocher for
the tight hit side. Tonight, what's the Crusaders back in
front with eight to play.

Speaker 3 (47:20):
Here to Mighty Williams, joins, this probably the first time
Tomighty you could say you've scored a try from further
out than Severn Reese.

Speaker 11 (47:29):
Yeah, but that guy's rising around the last few days,
so it's good to go on over.

Speaker 2 (47:35):
Fantastic. He scored his sixty six last night.

Speaker 3 (47:38):
As I say, he's now the all time leading Super
Rugby try scorer. Is that something that you celebrated as
a team last night after the game.

Speaker 11 (47:47):
Yeah, me, of course. It's not every day you get
to see a mate faked all time scoring records, so
we had a few milestones last night, but we meant
sure we celebrated him as well.

Speaker 3 (48:00):
You'll try to mighty came from a line out drive
from a penalty. You're twelve ten down at that time
with ten minutes ago. Were there any conversations going on
out there about taking a shot at goal rather than
picking for the line and taking the line out?

Speaker 11 (48:16):
Well, I'm at the front of the lineup verus, so
our game drivers were sorting it out of the back player,
but I was pretty set on going to the corner and.

Speaker 4 (48:25):
Backing our more.

Speaker 11 (48:28):
I actually hope that we scored a more time, but yeah,
I'm lucky enough to get it in the end.

Speaker 3 (48:32):
Fantastic. Yeah, well, yeah, took another phase, but it must.
I know it's all a team game and everything like that,
but you know, to play a significant role like that.
As our commentator, Nick Buley just said on the radio call,
you've made a bit of a habit of scoring tries.

Speaker 2 (48:47):
Must be nice to dot down like that in such
an important moment.

Speaker 11 (48:51):
No, it's cool, man, we were ware all of it.
I'm showing care for our teammates and I happened just
to be there. So yeah, Tom Christy's done more work
than me, so credit to him.

Speaker 3 (49:06):
The other thing, also, obviously, is that you were still
on at that time. When was the last time and
right till the end, when was the last time you
played eighty minutes in a game?

Speaker 11 (49:17):
I can't remember the Holy Reacing Club. But honestly, I
didn't even look at the clock because I knew it
was getting pretty deep in the game. But I think
when I looked up, it was about five minutes to go,
So I was like, man, we've played that much already.

Speaker 2 (49:35):
Reminds me of the exactly right.

Speaker 3 (49:37):
So it didn't sort of occur to you because I
guess what, Normally the trend seems to be that front
row forwards, you know, play an hour, maybe a little
bit more, and then they're replaced. It just didn't really
occur to you. Hey, I think he's going to keep
me on for the whole game.

Speaker 11 (49:51):
Yet, yeah, I think that once I seen my mate
George Baldorf, I kind of looked at highlighted for maybe
I might be out here the whole game. Look, we
just prepare for how however long we get, and yeah,
we wouldn't let the coaches make these decisions.

Speaker 3 (50:11):
So the Highlanders had a late chance to to kick
a penalty which would have taken it into into golden point.

Speaker 2 (50:18):
What was your view of that?

Speaker 3 (50:20):
I couldn't quite pick out where you were on the
field when that penalty was being taken. What was your
view of it?

Speaker 11 (50:28):
My view was I knew if they kicked the goal,
we're going to golden points, so I was using as
much of their time as to reset it and find
whatever energy I hadn't just to to Yeah, maybe having
to play extra time unlucky to the Highlanders, but they
played such a good, better rugby and you know more

(50:52):
often they're not. And he gets that goal, so they
up to the Highlanders. They come to play and it's,
like I said after the game, that's just the nature
and the son and Darby and how much it needs.

Speaker 3 (51:06):
The other interesting feature of last night, as far as
your concerned, was that you played tight head. How different
is it wearing number three instead of number one on
your back?

Speaker 11 (51:18):
Well, it's pretty different. I guess the only difference is
you're scrubbing against two people, not one. Now, I've played
both my whole career, so I made sure that I
stay ready for both sides last night's case, it's not
too much of a shock to the system. Yeah, you

(51:40):
just keep it the same and keep going.

Speaker 3 (51:44):
And you've played in all but one of the crusaders
thirteen games this season, ten starts. Last year, I know
was a frustrating season for you with just four matches
through injury and such like, how much are you enjoying
a decent run of games this season?

Speaker 11 (52:00):
Loving my time? Man, I'm taking it week by week.
The Crusaded you mean so much to me. So, like
you said, it was it was quite frustrating, and yeah,
that got in that I couldn't be able to do
more last year. But I'm just enjoying the group, you know,
having having the older boys and younger boys coming, people

(52:21):
like James a. Conna bringing his experience to the team.
It's been it's been a fun year. So hopefully you
can keep building.

Speaker 3 (52:30):
Apart from the fact that you're playing more often, and
I'm sure that's a big reason for it. But and
some others coming back as well, the likes of World Jordan.
What is so different this year compared to last year?

Speaker 11 (52:44):
We talk a lot of learnings. We talked a lot
of learnings from last year, and if you look at
the season as a whole, it looks bad last year,
but we actually just lost a lot of type games
and we're trying to figure out how we can win
those type games. For example last night, and Dave David

(53:05):
Harvey has done a good job. He has a good
leadership around him and he's playing well, so that helps
the team.

Speaker 3 (53:12):
So now you prepare for the Brumbies away in your
final match. You know you can't fall out of the
top three now, but how important is it for you
to finish strongly against a team that, who knows you
may well face when the finals roll around.

Speaker 11 (53:27):
Yeah, we're not really singing about the finals. We were
thinking about the Brumbies next week. Whatever happens posts Bumbies
will take care of itself. By our full focus is
on respecting the Bumbies as a team and how good
they're going. So we're looking forward to getting oder of
the ditch and yeah, hopefully put on a good performance.

Speaker 3 (53:50):
Can I ask about another member of the front row
who I don't know that many people had heard of
before this season, but he's been given a lot of
opportunity and taking those opportunities. That's your mate, the hooker
Yuanni Muanahu. What have you made of his office development
this year?

Speaker 11 (54:07):
It's been really cool to see to see him do
his thing on the field. He's been with us for
the last three years and what the public's seen on
TV noil is what we've been seen in the training
in the last few years. And just to see his
confidence grow and just to watch them back himself like

(54:28):
the kicks and play and turnovers, celebrations. He's a real
weapon to our team and the boys love The boys
love grow and we're actually giving a lot of confidence
from him as well. So as much as he as
he is learning where we're learning, probably more awesome. So
it's been.

Speaker 3 (54:48):
Good, outstanding And just to finish out, I know you're
only focusing on super rugby, but you played ten times
for the All Blacks last year, eighteen tests in total.
Now for you to mighty, have you started thinking about
the Black Jersey in twenty twenty five.

Speaker 11 (55:04):
I guess when he's at the start of the year
and you see your goals for the year that's up
there for me, Bro, I'm quite I have to say it,
stay prison. I see it small goals and obviously the
goals to being a black Jersey, But right now I'm
in the readom black Jersey and it didn't mean so

(55:25):
much to me. So out of respect, I'll give well
to that team first, and you're hopefully going to harness.

Speaker 3 (55:31):
Yeah, well you certainly gave it all last night of ye,
but a but surer today after eighty minutes I keep
coming back to that eighty minutes for a prop man,
it just doesn't happen.

Speaker 11 (55:41):
Yeah, but so very like, Hey, my wife put me
on the morning sift the baby this morning, so I'm
being a dad right now. Is all that matters. We'll
sort the saunas out later.

Speaker 3 (55:52):
Good Man, Well, thanks for taking ten minutes out of
your day to chat to us.

Speaker 2 (55:55):
To mighty congrats on the win last night. Mate, you're
playing brilliantly.

Speaker 3 (55:58):
All the best for the rest of well the regular
season next week and then on towards the finals. Really
appreciate you taking out call, so appreciate us him all
the best mate, chairs that is to Mighty Williams Crusaders
front rower try scorer last night and All Blacks front
rower as well.

Speaker 2 (56:15):
Yeah, just doesn't happen, does it, you know?

Speaker 3 (56:17):
And again I liked it last week as well when
cam Royguards stayed on for the whole game for the
Hurricanes and ended up scoring the try at the end
to win the game against the Highlanders. And look, there
just seems to be this. I know that rugby is
a twenty three man game, of course it is. Everybody
you know contributes in their own way, but if someone's
playing well, why not just leave them on more more

(56:40):
so I think with like a halfback, but for a
front rower to stay on. And George Bauer was on
for seventy eight minutes as well, So to see the
number one and three out there so late in the
game was you know it was? It was well, it
was something you don't see very often. Crusaders fans happy
to take your calls, your feedback. Oh, eight hundred and

(57:01):
eighty ten eighty nine two ninety two. The Hurricanes also
getting the job done last night.

Speaker 2 (57:06):
It was.

Speaker 3 (57:08):
A slightly nervous watch for those of us in Yellow
and Black Country, but getting the job done against the
Reds which feeds them into the finals. So now there
are only there's only one spot up for grabs now
in the top six for Super Rugby. If we just
look at the table as it stands at the moment,
the Crusaders have moved to forty five points with a
game to go. The Brumbies have forty three points with

(57:31):
a game to go. The Chiefs have forty one. They
play Malwaana Pacifica tonight, so they could with a bonus
point win, jump back up to the top of the table.
In fact, even a win would do because that would
take them above the Crusaders on points differential, then the
Hurricanes on thirty four. The Reds have thirty three, and
then it's Mowana Pacificat on twenty eight and the Blues

(57:53):
on twenty eight, the difference being Malwana Pacifica have two
games left and the Blues have just the one. The
Blues game is against the Waratars next weekend. They should
win that. Malwaanna Pacifica are away at the Chiefs and
away at the Hurricanes. Tough running for mo Onana Pacifica,
but you wouldn't put it past them given the games
that they've won this season and the form they continue

(58:14):
to show. So it's going to come down to the
last weekends probably, and actually you wouldn't put it past
more one of Pacifica to at least get a bonus
point from the Chiefs tonight to stay within seven and
who knows that might be all important when the final
wash up arrives. Don't forget you can hear all New
Zealand's Super Rugby matches or matches involving New Zealand's sides,

(58:35):
including Moina Pacifica via Gold Sport and iHeartRadio on on
your radio. We've got a winner, have we We've got
to win them. Is he willing to have a quick
chat to us? Is he willing to get on one
of these mics. We've got three double passes to give away.
The first double pass is going the way of this
man whose name is.

Speaker 2 (58:53):
Sandy Sandy sing from Auckland. Auckland have seen through them
through good to see him, my man. So we've got
a double pass for you here. You did you already
have tickets? So these going to somebody else? What are
you doing? We're going to missus a going. We were
looking at tickets all.

Speaker 1 (59:08):
Week and looking at you know, the lounge and everything
and having a crack at that, but we weren't.

Speaker 2 (59:13):
We weren't finding anything favorable.

Speaker 10 (59:16):
This came on the radio.

Speaker 13 (59:16):
I was just send up the road to the butchery
to go get some sausages and some and some shops
to throw on the barbecue.

Speaker 6 (59:21):
And that's all the way out in Hillsborough.

Speaker 19 (59:23):
So heard you follows, Yeah, throw in this away, and
I thought, lock, I'll have a crack all over look
and came through and look at this.

Speaker 6 (59:29):
This is brilliant, outstanding.

Speaker 2 (59:31):
So have you got the sausages or no. Now you're
going to be let dulling you. I know you're listening
record this. And then they throw on the black and
the black and.

Speaker 6 (59:40):
Blue jersey and we're off.

Speaker 2 (59:42):
Outstanding, enjoy the game. Man, thanks for stopping at us.
No good on you.

Speaker 3 (59:45):
Thanks all right, we've got we've got two more double
passes to give away. So if you're off to get
the sausages and the and the steak and the chops
for your barbecue, or you just happened to be anywhere
near Tyler Street, Sport, we've got two double passes left,
so we had one hundred and fifty tickets. We got
six of them. Were now got four of them, so
two more double passes. If you are in the area
around Tyler Street, Sport you want popping and take them

(01:00:08):
off our hands. A lot of text coming through which
I do need to get to. This one from Nick Piney.
Great to have Ange posta Cooglu, who came from the
A League performing on the highest stage. Obviously it's not
the season Spurs wanted in the Premier League, but great
for managers on this side of the world to see
what is possible. Nick, I couldn't agree more. Adam Peacock

(01:00:28):
actually going to going to chat to us about Ange
poster Coglu and other Australian sporting matters. Shortly, Patsy's curious question, Jason,
what we're Auckland have seen paying at the beginning of
the competition to win the comp I'm listening to you.
I can tell you're very excited. I am pat I
do love a good game of football.

Speaker 2 (01:00:49):
I don't know.

Speaker 3 (01:00:50):
I don't know what they were paying, but I would
imagine they weren't. They certainly went favorite to win the
whole thing. I think a lot of people looked at
their roster and said, hey, that's a pretty good team.
They should make the top six. But to win it,
I would say they would have been paying sort of
your fifteen twenty.

Speaker 2 (01:01:07):
Dollars to win it. I'm sure some people gone on it.

Speaker 3 (01:01:10):
If you did get on it, actually, if you've got
money on Auckland FC before the season started, to win
the whole thing, begging to know what else you got.

Speaker 2 (01:01:17):
At the tab. Oh, eight hundred and eighty ten eighty
is our number.

Speaker 3 (01:01:20):
We're coming to your life from Tyler Street, Sport, which
is starting to just a bubble ever so slightly. It's
it's it's a cool place, you know. It's a really
really good spot.

Speaker 2 (01:01:33):
There's a good vibe about it.

Speaker 3 (01:01:35):
The beer looks very very cold and very inviting for
people who aren't working. The food's good, heaps of screens,
good atmosphere. Yeah, the new home of sport in Auckland City,
Tyler Street, Sport. We're delighted to be here today, one
twenty sevens We're back in a second on news Talk
SEDB and Weekend Sport toeor journey today with a GJ.

(01:01:58):
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and operated family businesses, the GJ team are proud to

(01:02:18):
support their fellow New Zealanders on all the courts, tracks,
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(01:02:41):
talk to one of their experienced team on eight hundred
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Speaker 1 (01:02:52):
From the Court to benros Fave and Taylor Street sport
with AUGLINDFC, It's Jason n on weekend Sport.

Speaker 3 (01:03:00):
Great to be here at Tyler Street Sport ahead of
tonight's home league for Auckland FC in their A League
semi finally against Melbourne victory six o'clock kickoff. John says
they were paying fifteen dollars to win it. I put
ten dollars on them to win. I wish I've put
one hundred on Sure you do, John. I don't think
the tab will take your word for it, though, mate,

(01:03:21):
But well, ten at fifteen, one hundred and fifty bucks,
I have they won the whole thing?

Speaker 2 (01:03:25):
Who knows? Who knows? Live sport.

Speaker 3 (01:03:27):
We've got NBA basketball happening on the big screens here
at Tyler Street Sport. A lot of people taking in
Game two of the Eastern Conference Final series between the
Indiana Pacers and the New York next This one's at
Madison Square Garden in New York. Andy McDonald back in
the studio is also keeping eyes on a what's going
on in this one?

Speaker 20 (01:03:47):
Andy, Yeah, poney, it's a real doozy sort of going
both ways at the moment.

Speaker 6 (01:03:51):
Fifty six to fifty five.

Speaker 20 (01:03:52):
New York lead the paces nine minutes ago in the
third quarter, Indiana with a hot start to the game,
but New York pulled it back a bit. Indiana's Tyres
hallibirdon one of seven from the field. Their star really struggling,
so to do well in spite of his struggles is
puts Indiana in a pretty good position considering considering they're
also on the road up one nill in the series

(01:04:14):
as well.

Speaker 3 (01:04:14):
Now just on the Western Conference Finals, Oklahoma City Thunder
with a two yearl lead over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Game
three is tomorrow. Are the Thunder going to sweep this?
Is that the commonly held view.

Speaker 20 (01:04:29):
It's probably looking a lot more likely that they are
going to sweep this. I couldn't see a sweep happening
before the series started. But the Thunder are just they're
a bit relentless, would be the way to describe. And
they've got scoring options all over the court. And the
Shy Girl just Alexander. He's thirty eight points last game,
and he's just sort of having his way with the

(01:04:51):
with the Minnesota team who have defenders that should be
able to stop him, but that's that's causing absolutely no
issue for Shy. So I would see a sweep. It
could be a Gentleman's sweep though, which is what they
call the four to one when where they let they
let the team, they let the that losers have one one.
But it's hard to see Minnesota coming back from that.

(01:05:11):
And I think a stat I read yesterday was Oklahoma
City have never lost a series when they've been up
to nil, I believe. So that's off the top of
my head. I'm not sure how accurate that is, but
it sounds it sounds right finey, So.

Speaker 3 (01:05:23):
Yeah, well, I mean, yeah, look, it does sound right.
It doesn't sound good for the Timberwolves. At least Game
three is in Minneapolis, so you'd have to think they've
got to win tomorrow. Otherwise it has probably done all
done for them.

Speaker 2 (01:05:35):
Thanks Andy.

Speaker 3 (01:05:36):
NBA action continues across today and tomorrow.

Speaker 2 (01:05:40):
Just checking it out on the big screens here at
Tyler Street.

Speaker 3 (01:05:43):
Sport.

Speaker 2 (01:05:44):
Absolutely fantastic.

Speaker 3 (01:05:45):
Jacob Spoon, Who's gonna pop it at some stage in
the next little while, but let's get him across the Tasman.
Adam Peacock, our regular Australian correspondent, standing by to chat
to us about sporting matters on that side of the ditch.
Adam here at Tyler Street Sport ahead of the A
League second leigu of the semi later on tonight. Does
anybody do you think on that side of the Tasman

(01:06:06):
want Aukland FC to.

Speaker 2 (01:06:07):
Win the whole thing?

Speaker 16 (01:06:09):
Oh, I'd say everyone outside the stay of Victoria would absolutely,
I reckon the two Sydney clubs are the two main
Sydney clubs in Sydney and Western Sydney. Were on base,
they'd probably want anyone but Melbourne Victory to get over
the line. That's this evening in particular, and then next
week probably if it's Melbourne City in particular, make it
which it looks like they will ask that advantage.

Speaker 11 (01:06:30):
For the first leg.

Speaker 16 (01:06:30):
That yeah, that's awful And see you like a bit
of a Sydney sc influenced there of course with Steve
Character and Sarry mc flinn and I look at everyone
seen dying and singing it from the rooftops. But we've
noticed it over here about this is how it should
be done, full stop, about how A league clubs should
be built from the ground up, and the relationships were

(01:06:52):
to the local football community and everything. So yeah, well
done to everyone involved. Not done yet obviously, the job
that they want to accomplish, but it's been an amazing starts.

Speaker 3 (01:07:01):
Wanderers like yeah, indeed, indeed, that's a great analogy.

Speaker 2 (01:07:05):
It's a slender lead though, just one nil.

Speaker 3 (01:07:07):
Melbourne Victory have got one of the best attacking rosters
in the A League, but across three games they haven't
managed to score against Auckland FC. What's your prediction, not
for the score necessarily, but what might happen tonight.

Speaker 16 (01:07:20):
They do have weapons Melbourne Victory to like the soufternoon
this seasoning is there. I can imagine that that crowd
is going to lift Auckland players to do to go
above and beyond, which should happen in an occasion like this.
But Melbourn Victory has the type of player that can
kind of observe that and not really care. I'm looking

(01:07:43):
at one Daniel Arzani in particular. That watched him against
Western Sydney Wanderers in that away elimination final and he
was given a free role and they could not quite
get a handle on him. So he likes occasions like that.
He doesn't get flustered, so to speak. So they've got
attacking weapons who can hit on the brake, say at
Aukland have a lot of the ball because they're at

(01:08:04):
home and they're feeling comfortable and playing well that they
can still post danger. But yeah, you'd have to looking
at it from a complete neutral look I am for
this one. You still have to favor Awtum just by
virtue of the fact that that they're going to have
this crowd behind them. It's going to be in vane.

Speaker 2 (01:08:21):
Yeah, it will.

Speaker 3 (01:08:22):
Be quite something to behold of it later on this afternoon. Hey,
sticking with football and pasta Cooglu in charge of Tottenham
and now in position of silver where they beat Manchester
United one mill in the Europa League Final on Thursday
morning in Bill Boo, Where does this achievement rank in
terms of football achievements by Australians.

Speaker 16 (01:08:43):
Yeah, we've been asking that question over here this week
and it's gone beyond football. It's like, okay, frame it
in the entire sporting landscape about achievements in a coaching sense,
and not many people could come up with a clear answer.
So it's definitely in the conversation and in the football census.
It's right up there with our greatest moments, and we've

(01:09:03):
seen moments, but I'll stick it to individuals. Joe Marten
played in an FA Cup final or in the fifties,
that was our first kind of moment. Craig Johnston winning
an FA Cup with Liverpool, Mark Bosneys, Robbie Slater winning
Premier League medals. Harry Coole he played in the Champions
League from Liverpool. Of them one but he came off

(01:09:25):
injured and he's still part of it. So you're up there.
But from a coaching senor, there's no comparison, absolutely no comparison.
And now and she can write his own ticket. It
feels like it at easther Spurs.

Speaker 11 (01:09:35):
Or somewhere else.

Speaker 2 (01:09:36):
Doesn't feel as though he'll stay at Tottenham.

Speaker 16 (01:09:38):
Yeah. Well, they had a bus parade overnight out time
and he said there that he said to the crowd
about you know how he had that famous school that
I don't usually win things in my second season. I
always win thinks in my second season. And in the
end of it it got proved right. It's just I've
been funny watching the internet reaction that in the first place.
But such a great quote, iconic quote now and all

(01:10:01):
stick forever. But he said to the open top bus parrade,
he goes, oh, one thing I know about the great
television series A really good one. Season three is better
than season tho, brilliant. I don't know. It sounds like
he wants to stay, but I get the feeling a
few things I'll have to change behind the scenes about
him getting what he wants and we don't know this story,

(01:10:21):
but it's just trying to line it all up. It
feels like that's something in the last eight months there
at Spurs that angel was an overly chuffed to it.

Speaker 3 (01:10:31):
Let's move to Rugby League state of origin is all
but upon us. Our game one is this coming Wednesday
sun Corpse Stadium, then to Perth and then the third
and final game is back in Sydney, New South Wales.
When it last year, wouldn't you South Wales be.

Speaker 2 (01:10:48):
Be favorite for twenty twenty five.

Speaker 16 (01:10:51):
Maybe just perhaps their best player or their best board anyway,
playing half is still under an injury cloud and the
guys haven't been able to get a lot of work
in on them on the field. I understand this week
as much as they perhaps on to because they've field
got flatted up there because of the rain that we've
had here in Sydney. So yeah, I call it fifty fifty,

(01:11:13):
especially with the game one in Brisbane, Queensland. They picked
a pretty good side, a bit better than they had
last year. They had not scords last year, so that
really hurt them. But oh it's straight down the middle pining.
I literally can't put them. And yeah, both teams, as
you know, in sporting occasions like this, they're probably trying
to claim underdog status, which really when they kick off

(01:11:33):
it doesn't matter. But yeah, it's tight, it's really tight.

Speaker 3 (01:11:37):
Yeah, it couldn't be better for a sporting contest for
a neutral anyway, which most of us over here are,
so look forward to state of origin.

Speaker 2 (01:11:43):
Just before we go in RL, the Warriors played the Raiders.

Speaker 3 (01:11:46):
Actually that's twenty four hours after the football on the
same patch of grass, so massive. We cand to go
media mount smart this weekend. Warriors know that they can
move level with the Bulldogs, who rather surprisingly got quite
soundly beaten the other night by the Dolphins. Do you
think the Warriors can beat the Raiders tomorrow night?

Speaker 16 (01:12:07):
Yeah? Yeah, Like this is it's weird. What has happened
since they first played this season, isn't it in Vegas?
And it's like, well, okay, the Warriors are going to
finish with a wooden spoon out of that one, watching
it and going I'm not sure Johnson, I hope, but
wow they have they come good and it's a real

(01:12:28):
opportunity for these sides that Raiders are put into it
as well, about not only making great five but perhaps
winning a title because because Melmine are inconsistent, Penis had
dropped off, how could they not give them the players
that they rest and they lose five of their best
to play the game and again or stuff. And so
what I'm saying is this as open as you can
possibly imagine, you know else title race and the Warrior

(01:12:50):
is one of those sides that aren't greatly affected by
origin Canberra. I think it's Huts and Young a lot
of miss ones that don't really lose anyone Mitch Barnett
of course for the Warriors. But yeah, yeah, it's a
boy good game of footing and Canberra are good to watch.
So whatever the case is going to people fun get
a fully bit Moreri's favorite for that and yeah they're
looking pretty good to make a searge and so forth.

Speaker 3 (01:13:12):
Yeah, well let's hope, so we'll keep our fingers crossed.
Always great to catch up with Australian sporting matters with you, Adam,
and enjoy your weekend and we'll latch out again next Saturday.

Speaker 16 (01:13:20):
Go fining, have good.

Speaker 2 (01:13:20):
One, Yeah, a good one too, mate. It's dam Peacock.

Speaker 3 (01:13:23):
Are Australian correspondent joining us here on weekend Sport nineteen
away from two. We're come into your life from Tyler
Street Sport. Fantastic place to be, great place to meet
with friends, watch some football or basketball or any sport
on the amazing big screens here and experience the best one,
the ultimate bar experience for all sports fans, but also

(01:13:45):
for foodies as well. Unbeiable atmosphere, all your favorite drinks
and bite. Still got a couple of double passes to
give away to the game tonight. I know it's not,
you know, not particularly easy just to rush across town
and get down here, but if you are anywhere near
Tyler Street Sport, poppin a couple of double passes to
the game tonight. Aukland their seat up against Melbourne victory

(01:14:07):
in the second league of.

Speaker 2 (01:14:07):
The semi eighteen to two News talk to thereb back
in a.

Speaker 1 (01:14:10):
Monte kicking it at the official home of Auckland FC.
Live at Taylor Street Sport in Auckland. It's Weekend Sport
with Jason Vine and GJ. Garner Holmes, new Zealand's most
trusted home builder US one.

Speaker 2 (01:14:26):
Five after two o'clock.

Speaker 3 (01:14:28):
Gusumo May Auckland FC player of the Year and joint
leading goalscorer going to join us. Also Archie Thompson Melbourne Victories,
all time leading a league goalscorer and now football commentator,
going to have a chat Mike Gray, who is the
founder and Managing director of Go Media as well, who
have thrown their support behind all sorts of sport around

(01:14:50):
New Zealand's and we'll get a few of the fans
who have gathered here today to come and have a
chat to us as well.

Speaker 2 (01:14:57):
But let's talk some motorsport.

Speaker 3 (01:15:00):
Supercars coming to the South Island for the very first
time rue poona motorsport park in christ You which well
stage a supercars event for three years starting next year.
The decision forms part of a North and South Island
double header, with Toeport to remain on the circuit through
until twenty twenty eight. The move marks the first time
New Zealand has hosted two events since supercars began in

(01:15:23):
nineteen ninety seven, rufo in a raceway as a proud
club run venue with deep local routes and a passionate
motorsport community, now poised to shine on the international stage.
Mark Weaerall is the general manager of the Canterbury Car Club.
He joins us now, Mark, thanks for taking the time
and congratulations on this news that came through in the
last couple of days. How significant is this for motorsport

(01:15:47):
in your region?

Speaker 15 (01:15:49):
This just opens up doors for us funding opportunities to
help develop the park and improve the track for decades
to come.

Speaker 3 (01:15:58):
What sort of work has gone on behind the scenes
to get this deal across the line.

Speaker 15 (01:16:04):
There's been a lot of hard meetings, track inspections and
back and forward. You know, we've got good local support
with closures in det in the council and some government
support there, so you know, it's all come together. Definitely
a team effort from from everyone involved.

Speaker 3 (01:16:20):
As the conversations were going on, did you did you
get the feeling that supercars liked what they were seeing?

Speaker 15 (01:16:27):
Absolutely from from the first visit. There was a lot
of positivity that came out of it, and then I
guess we just knew, you know, the location of christ
Church close to the port. Close to the airport, we've
got good accommodation and restaurants and stuff. We felt it
was the right place. But you know we might be
a little by.

Speaker 2 (01:16:46):
Well I don't think so at all.

Speaker 3 (01:16:47):
As you say, yes, you're not far from you know,
from christ Church, infrastructure, accommodation. It seems so obvious. I
kind of wonder why it hasn't happened before now.

Speaker 15 (01:16:58):
Yeah, well I've been in the role eleven years and
probably it's been something that I've wanted to see happened,
but I probably just thought it was a dream and
one of those things it just you know, would never
happen at a little club owned circuit. But yeah, really
cool to see it. You know. It comes to come
to through a.

Speaker 3 (01:17:13):
Fruish how much development now needs to be done on
the track and the surrounds to upgrade to get things
ready for next year.

Speaker 15 (01:17:22):
It's not a huge amount.

Speaker 4 (01:17:23):
In year one.

Speaker 15 (01:17:24):
We've just got some safety upgrades on the track, a
bit of you know, like tire bundles and gravel traps,
some a realignment of ped entry. A lot of the
other things that people probably think we need to do,
don't have to be done. We've got a sort of
board's got a ten year vision strategy that we're hoping
to do in the next sort of three to five years,

(01:17:45):
and then that that includes the epet lane, garaging, some
corporate facilities, new race control building and that. So they
sort of they're not aligned with Supercars. Well they're aligned,
but they're not. They don't form the Supercars deal.

Speaker 3 (01:17:58):
So the fact that this is a three year deal though,
surely gives you the chance to progress that plan with
a high degree of certainty.

Speaker 15 (01:18:06):
Mark that is what we hope it will do. And
you know, like a lot of the conversations we've been
having have been waiting and hinging on the Supercars decision.
So you know, I'd like to be able to, hopefully,
you know, in the year's time, say hey, we're on
tractor to get everything done, and that would be the
ultimate goal for me.

Speaker 3 (01:18:23):
The track itself, how much works needed? Do you need
to widen it in certain areas for example?

Speaker 15 (01:18:30):
No, that has that funny, A lot of the social
media chat and the experts that know what's going on
the track will stay as it is. It's yeah, that
is narrow they you know, I think Scott mccloxam. Will
you know focused on that that it is narrow, but
they create passing opportunities different kind of racing and the
MDEDBA and then we had the Supertouri say race find

(01:18:51):
on the track as it.

Speaker 3 (01:18:52):
Was, do you have to upgrade spectator facilities at all?
I get the feeling you want what twenty thousand there
when the event rolls around.

Speaker 15 (01:19:00):
Yeah, Look, I think in the first year we'll be
looking at some temporary grandstands, but year two we hope
to have permanent grandstanding around the park so that that'll
accommodate a lot more.

Speaker 3 (01:19:14):
Seats for those who have never been to lu Oppona.
And this is an opportunity for you to really do
a cell job for us. What makes it such a
good race track.

Speaker 2 (01:19:22):
In your view?

Speaker 15 (01:19:25):
I think it's a real real balanced technical track. You know,
you've got you've got a couple of far sections and
then we've got the infield which is a bit winding,
a bit technical, and I think you know that's where
a lot of the the good passing maneuvers sort of happen.
And so yeah, the tracks a lot of a lot
of fun to raise and you know, we've had a
lot of positivity from professional drivers that seem to enjoy it,

(01:19:47):
and we obviously host the South London Endurance Series most
years and we get a lot of international drivers that
will turn up to that and they sing our praises
all the time.

Speaker 3 (01:19:56):
And no dates confirmed yet for next year? Topor was
an April this year? Is it likely to be consecutive weekends?
Is that? Has that been confirmed that they'll be? Is
that what a double head of means? Consecutive weekends?

Speaker 11 (01:20:08):
Yeah?

Speaker 15 (01:20:08):
I don't think anything rock den that yet. I think
they'll wait for the Formula one calendar to come out
and then'll lot in the Australia round and then they'll
they'll work out how the two New Zealand rounds work.
At April it will be that most likely time.

Speaker 3 (01:20:23):
Have you thought about what it might be like to
get a Kiwi winner on your track?

Speaker 21 (01:20:27):
Ah?

Speaker 11 (01:20:27):
Hey, how cool? That'd be so good?

Speaker 3 (01:20:30):
We have one earlier this year didn't were the Jason
Richards Memorial Trophy going the way to the Kiwi? So
who knows? Maybe you'll get a similar scene at Ryapoona
next year. Mark terrific news this week. Congrats to you
and your team. Who I know I put in a
huge amount of work behind the scenes and with support
from your your local council and others in the christ
Yearge region. Can't wait to see how do a poon
It goes next year and beyond excellent. Thank you very much, no,

(01:20:54):
thank you Mark.

Speaker 2 (01:20:55):
For joining us.

Speaker 3 (01:20:56):
Mark. We're are all general manager of the Canterbury Car
Club superb News. So two supercars events in twenty twenty
six for at least three years to poor and do
a poon A double header, so back to back weekends probably,
I think we can safely assume in April of twenty
twenty six.

Speaker 2 (01:21:13):
Those dates will be confirmed a bit later in the year.

Speaker 3 (01:21:15):
They're great to have supercars coming to the South Island
for the very first time at POONA in twenty twenty six.

Speaker 2 (01:21:21):
Eight away from two.

Speaker 3 (01:21:22):
We're broadcasting live today from Tyler Street Sport at Britomart
in downtown Auckland. As we build towards tonight's extremely enticing
second leg of the A League semi Final between Auckland
FC and Melbourne Victory. More and more Auckland FC fans
are making their way in scarves and replica shirts galore.

Speaker 2 (01:21:45):
We'll get the thoughts of a few of them, I think.

Speaker 3 (01:21:46):
After two o'clock AURSEO, giz you mamis on the show,
we'll talk to Archie Thompson out of Melbourne, and some
other bits and pieces as well.

Speaker 2 (01:21:54):
What are we seven and a half away from two
back in.

Speaker 6 (01:21:56):
A second.

Speaker 1 (01:21:58):
Kicking goals? Ali Labe and Taylor Street Sport in Auckland.
It's Weekend Sport with Jason Fine. News talks be.

Speaker 3 (01:22:07):
Coming up two o'clock on Weekend Sport Man. The afternoon's
flying another hour of weekend sport from Tyler Street Sport
after two o'clock as we zero back on the football,
let me describe the scene here at Tyler Street Sports
as we approach two o'clock. What's that about? Four hours
away from kickoff? So the port who are the passionate,
active supporters of Auckland FC, have begun to gather in

(01:22:31):
quite good numbers, that must be said. They're going to
be here according to their timings and presumably they stick
to them, because otherwise they'll mister game until four o'clock
this afternoon. Then they get public transport presumably out to
go Media Stadium and from there they march to the
match and it's just become part of the overall fabric

(01:22:52):
of this football club. So yeah, plenty of replica shirts here,
Plenty of carbo loading going on, people fortifying themselves for
what could possibly.

Speaker 2 (01:23:03):
Be a fairly.

Speaker 3 (01:23:07):
A fairly taxing few hours ahead. Always good to line
the stomach. After two o'clock, he's you have my eyes
on the show. He's been absolutely terrific for the team
this season and much more from Tyler Street Sport. After
the news at too, It's game.

Speaker 5 (01:23:24):
Day from Francis Debrees and to the area.

Speaker 1 (01:23:31):
Building up to organ f s Auson ft A League
Premions save for the team's official home in Britomers Taylor
Street Sport. It's Weekend Sport with Jason Vine on News
Talk SIMP here.

Speaker 3 (01:23:46):
Welcome back into the show. Coming up seven past two.
I'm Jason Pine. This is Weekend Sport until three coming
to your life from Tyler Street Sport. The new home
of sport in the city, delivering the ultimate bar experience
for all sports fans and foodies alike. The official home
for Auckland FC. The go to venue for all Auckland
FC game days. Before all the game when they're away

(01:24:07):
from home, they watch here. Gisumo mice with us very shortly,
but the place is starting to fill up with autit
de FC fans, replica jerseys and other accessories.

Speaker 2 (01:24:18):
Conrad has come across to join us. How are you,
my friend? I'm doing fantastic, pony. How are you very good?
It's great to be here, mate. You look like you're
just buzzing for this. How are you feeling four hours
from kick on?

Speaker 19 (01:24:30):
Always nervous, mate, always nervous, an eternal pessimist, mate, But
we're going to do this.

Speaker 6 (01:24:35):
We're finally going to do it.

Speaker 3 (01:24:36):
This origin pessimist. You've just described ninety five percent of
sports fans. Yeah, you're just always worried because it's such
a roller coaster.

Speaker 2 (01:24:43):
Yeah, how did you? How did you jump on board?
Are you were day one?

Speaker 22 (01:24:47):
Day one?

Speaker 19 (01:24:47):
A yeah, a port until I die since day one.
We had a meet and greet with the with the
management about a month and a half before we kicked off,
and so yeah, they were fantastic. They got us, are
really involved. They asked what we wanted, what the port wanted,
and I think they've listened to us and we've just
created something just magical.

Speaker 2 (01:25:07):
You have, that's a great work. So talk us through
a max stage.

Speaker 3 (01:25:11):
Here we are four hours from kickoff, So what will
the next four hours look like for you and the
other members of the port.

Speaker 19 (01:25:18):
Normally, well, we'll let's start for breakfast that you had
had some bacon and eggs, et cetera, et cetera. It's
a ritual, and then you put on the top and
then I try to get to Tyler Street by about
one thirty to get the drinking started, because yeah, for here,
that's the way life goes for We've got to have
what have a few beverages before we hit it, and
then then then the Yeah, normally the atmosphere just builds

(01:25:39):
and builds, some singing, some chanting, so yeah, and then
we get on the train about two hours beforehand, and
then we just take over Brita Mart and then we
just take over the train. I put ey the port
commuters or anybody that's trying to get to the trying
to get to their destination, and we just we we
overtake them. And then and then it's a nice march
to the stadium and then a few drinks that the

(01:26:03):
bar outside Lily World, and then then march down. Yeah,
so it's just all go for about four hours five
hours before before kickoffs?

Speaker 3 (01:26:12):
Are you and what about during the game, because I
think what's become obvious is just how passionate.

Speaker 2 (01:26:18):
The porters during a game.

Speaker 3 (01:26:20):
Take us inside that that part of the ground during
a game. What's it like?

Speaker 19 (01:26:24):
Oh it's awesome, Yeah, yeah, yeah, it's almost indescribable. I mean,
if you've ever been to an English football match, it's
as close as we'll ever get to a Premier League
game or any any sort of football game like that.
I mean a lot of people have been to All Blacks, etcetera, etcetera.

Speaker 2 (01:26:39):
That's dull, very dull compared to that.

Speaker 6 (01:26:41):
You know, like.

Speaker 19 (01:26:43):
All Blacks is about there's exciting a chant you'll ever get.
And I know we've only been together for six months,
seven months, but we've created something amazing, amazing.

Speaker 3 (01:26:53):
You absolutely have it. And so what what do you
are you worried at all about tonight? Seriously, one ill
lead to swing the league.

Speaker 19 (01:27:02):
Yeah, wonder was of course the worst, the worst one
to have, but we just got.

Speaker 10 (01:27:08):
To believe in our defense.

Speaker 2 (01:27:09):
Super Alex Paulson.

Speaker 19 (01:27:12):
You know, you've got Hiroki Sakai, you've got Dan Hall,
some of the best defenders in town, and of course
the best goalkeeper in the league as well, so even
Milall will do mate. So yeah, you know, we just
got to believe in our defense.

Speaker 3 (01:27:26):
Yeah, don't concede and you go to the Grand Final. Hey, Conrad,
enjoy the rest of your Just so great to get
the vibe from the porter. Congratulations to you and every
member of it for what you've created.

Speaker 2 (01:27:37):
It's something very unique in New Zealand sports.

Speaker 19 (01:27:39):
Thank you, Piny the Voice of New Zealand Football.

Speaker 3 (01:27:43):
Thank you my friend Conrad. Joining us here at Tyler
Street Sport. Great to get the vibe from such passionate
supporters here and they are starting to build up. They
really are.

Speaker 2 (01:27:51):
It's great to have so many of them here and no.

Speaker 3 (01:27:54):
Doubt you can hear in the background a bit of
the vibe.

Speaker 2 (01:27:56):
Of the place.

Speaker 3 (01:27:57):
Cousume am I going to join us shortly, but slightly
later than usual, but as we always do at around
about this time on weekend Sport, Andy hits the music.

Speaker 2 (01:28:05):
And we go to In case you missed it, bringing
you up.

Speaker 3 (01:28:09):
Today with some of the stuff that might have escaped
your attention over the last twenty four hours or soap.
The Paramount of Eels and the NRL have continued their
recent good form.

Speaker 6 (01:28:18):
Lah do I know it? They sure do?

Speaker 23 (01:28:21):
Hawk it at pet falls away at the like bod yogie,
It's done, hop gone. How good is it? It's a
comer Paraman crown and this is turning into a fabulous,
fabulous stope for the Blood Girl.

Speaker 3 (01:28:38):
Certainly was a big thirty ten win over the Sea Eagles,
still on that side of the ditch in rugby's Pack
four series, Canada putting on a ruthless performance against Australia,
A short sight.

Speaker 18 (01:28:51):
To Fancy permunde as using all her power in the
world for Taser.

Speaker 6 (01:28:57):
We'll go over for her second try.

Speaker 23 (01:29:00):
In a couple of minutes, and it's just brutality from Canada.

Speaker 3 (01:29:05):
A forty five to seven win for the Canadians that
leaves the Blackburns with their work cut out if they
are to have any hope of winning the Pack four
series crown when they play their final game this afternoon
against the United States. The Wellington Saints suffering a surprise
loss to the Totong of Fi in the NBL five
and the.

Speaker 21 (01:29:24):
Work the clock down to four, King Kenny Isa kick
out to Murphy Bag Murphy HiT's a big three Sean.

Speaker 13 (01:29:34):
Murphy has been huge today to the seats have one
more answer in them.

Speaker 2 (01:29:39):
No, they do it and they'll do it.

Speaker 3 (01:29:43):
Just a fourth loss for the Saints this season and
a much needed good day out for Leam Lawson in Monaco,
finishing with the fifth fastest drive in P two and
the fastest of the Red Bull RB Racing Cars and practice.

Speaker 24 (01:29:57):
As Leon Lawson goes third fastest flandor Aloonso in the
top five. It's Ferrari Racing Balls, Ferrari and the Aston Martin.
Confidence boosting afternoon for Liam Lawson.

Speaker 1 (01:30:14):
Getting you closer to the A League Action Weekend Sport
where the Jason Paine Live from Taylor Street, Sports News
Dog ZIB.

Speaker 3 (01:30:22):
Two thirteen on News Talk HB and Weekend Sport Live
from Tyler Street Sport ahead of the Second League of
the semi Final this evening at go Media Stadium. Upland
FC striker and recently named Player of the Year Gizumo
my set to join us nine goals the season the
season rather including a couple.

Speaker 2 (01:30:42):
Of absolute belters looking up play again. This is promising
for all the defc.

Speaker 4 (01:30:50):
Y Cajal, the Young Lion.

Speaker 3 (01:30:59):
Frost, He's put a couple in the top corner at
go Media Stadium. This season, he joins us now at Gizmo.
Thanks for taking the time. How happy were you and
the coaching staff and the rest of the time with
the performance and the results in the first league against
Melbourne victory last weekend?

Speaker 4 (01:31:15):
Hi, Jason, thank you well. It was an amazing performance
from from all the team. We were We were really
happy the other day.

Speaker 22 (01:31:26):
We we trained the week before and we prepare the
game like it was the final, you know, and we
tried to win duals. It was going to be a
tough game in in those in those situations, they will
press a little bit more than than before.

Speaker 4 (01:31:44):
So yeah, I think we've been superior. We have also
some clever situations once made Jesse.

Speaker 22 (01:31:55):
We have some there and I think we we have
one of our best defensive performance in the season. So yeah,
we were really really happy. But just the the first leg,
you say, did.

Speaker 3 (01:32:09):
You think that Nada Moreno had made it to nil?
At the end you put him through on goal, beautiful pass,
he's off one on one, he hits both posts and
then they grabs it.

Speaker 2 (01:32:20):
Have you ever seen anything like it?

Speaker 11 (01:32:22):
No?

Speaker 4 (01:32:23):
Incredible, incredible.

Speaker 22 (01:32:24):
I was watching from from the back there and also
Liam Gilly was to top the ball if it goes
through him, but incredible it goes to.

Speaker 4 (01:32:36):
The two posts enoughter that to the keeper.

Speaker 22 (01:32:38):
Believable, what you know would be something have you to
to turn around?

Speaker 3 (01:32:43):
You know absolutely you talked about how good a defensive
performance it was, and it was how big a part
do the attacking players at Auckland FC play in the
defensive strategy?

Speaker 11 (01:32:57):
Well?

Speaker 4 (01:32:57):
He I always said, say it is when when they
asked me.

Speaker 22 (01:33:05):
Today, in football you you need eleven players who can run,
compress can be there for his teammates because if not,
if not, you are not going to be competitive. I
used to watch the games and they are some team
that have really offensive players, really good offensive players, but

(01:33:27):
sometimes they cheat a little bit in in the defensive
structor they don't do those extra runs. And here I think,
of course, we're going to be sometimes tired to take better.

Speaker 4 (01:33:42):
Decisions in when we have the ball. That's that's true.

Speaker 22 (01:33:46):
And sometimes we we don't have those clear situations, so
we don't keep too much of the ball as as
we would want, we would want, but that's because every
everyone upfront and in our back line. I think it's
something that you can watch clearly in you know what team.

Speaker 3 (01:34:07):
You know that if you if you don't concede, then
you qualify for the Grand Final. Is there any temptation
to be a bit more defensive or is that not
the way up on the FC play?

Speaker 4 (01:34:20):
No?

Speaker 11 (01:34:20):
No, no, no, no.

Speaker 22 (01:34:21):
We are playing at home. We want to win these
nighty minutes. We are going to start from the beginning
and try to win the game. So it's nothing different
from from the first leg or or the other games
that we play in the season. We as as you
can see before, we try to win every every single game.

Speaker 4 (01:34:41):
Sometimes it was better, sometimes not, but we never.

Speaker 22 (01:34:46):
Wait for the other team to to play through us.
So so yeah, our post on Saturday was is going
to be pressed high, try to create situations and smash
the other team.

Speaker 3 (01:35:01):
One of the big tactical changes that happened in January
midway through the season was I mean, you've you've played,
You've started every game, but in mid January Steve made
a change and brought Max Mutter into the starting lineup
to play alongside you up front. How much did that
change the way that you were able to play?

Speaker 22 (01:35:26):
Well, that's something or Steve, he's a really, he's a
really smart coach. He always he's always trying to find
our best form in every way.

Speaker 4 (01:35:41):
So good that.

Speaker 22 (01:35:47):
We were winning games and that, but my position, I
could do it better with someone next to me with
more presence in the box. And if you give me
the opportunity to drop off the line sometimes to get
more involved in the game, and yeah, to to to

(01:36:09):
take more my my characteristical or player you know. After
I think after that move with with John, we show
our our best performances in the season, I think.

Speaker 4 (01:36:23):
And also we have an extra player in the in the.

Speaker 22 (01:36:29):
Rival bog So I think it was a really smart
moment there.

Speaker 3 (01:36:34):
And you talked about there about dropping off the line.
I mean, you're certainly not a traditional number nine, a
center forward who just plays up front. And you know,
I've seen you tracking back. I've seen you back in
the left midfield position. You drop off the line to
pick up the ball. Your GPS numbers must be very impressive.
Is that that that's you? That wasn't it. You're not

(01:36:55):
a typical center forward. You're more You're more a team.
Would that be fair?

Speaker 4 (01:37:01):
Yes, it's it's it's fair.

Speaker 22 (01:37:03):
I prefer to play to be in touch with the
battle is to play play with midfields. Also, of course
in this team, we we have to run to to
do some recoveries and to take the other thing the ball.
And yeah, I think now not not only mine, if
not all of my teammates GPS is they're they're rising

(01:37:26):
a high level. Yeah, in tactical terms. In tactical terms, yeah,
I don't like playing as a traditional striker. I like
being being in touch with the ball, having wingers run
forward so I can pass them the ball to shoot
from from distance.

Speaker 4 (01:37:47):
That's that's what I what I like.

Speaker 22 (01:37:49):
So yeah, I think playing with someone there it's quite better.

Speaker 3 (01:37:53):
Yeah, it's certainly working. Nine goals for you this season?
Do you have a favorite, good question.

Speaker 4 (01:38:02):
I would like to score more.

Speaker 22 (01:38:03):
I hope this weekend and the other to to have
more goals in my account. But I think my favorite, Yeah,
it is maybe the Melbourne.

Speaker 4 (01:38:14):
City goal hongo.

Speaker 22 (01:38:16):
Ye, yeah, because I like I like that the shot.

Speaker 4 (01:38:20):
It was also my first.

Speaker 22 (01:38:22):
Goal at at the gold Media Stadium with all the
people there for me, it was an unbelievable feeling.

Speaker 4 (01:38:29):
So yeah, I think it was really nice.

Speaker 3 (01:38:32):
Yep, that's the one I would have chosen as well.
And you and you broke one of the Sky Sports
cameras as well.

Speaker 4 (01:38:41):
It's it's a good camera, it's a good view.

Speaker 3 (01:38:45):
That it's a great view from behind, it is it
is the best view. Just before we finish, can you
think back to what your expectations were at the start
of the season when you arrived in Auckland. Did you
really expect that you'd be one game away from a
Grand final here in the in the middle of May.

Speaker 4 (01:39:10):
You know when when when you arrived to a new club.

Speaker 22 (01:39:14):
Of course, your your expectations are high. You you want
to be your best in the season.

Speaker 4 (01:39:22):
You want to be your team the best in the season.

Speaker 22 (01:39:25):
But you never realize I saw think about playing the
Grand final, or be one game through the grand final,
win the premiership. I think it was a dream because
we were since the beginning, I thought we were a
competitive team, but also we were not having the best

(01:39:47):
results in the pre season, so I was thinking, like,
we're going to be competitive, but it's a tough let
it's not going to be easy to to be in
the in the top of the level.

Speaker 4 (01:40:00):
You know.

Speaker 22 (01:40:02):
That. After a few games, I started realizing that we
had a really good coaching stuff that knows everything about
this league and they are really smart.

Speaker 4 (01:40:13):
They know the tricks.

Speaker 22 (01:40:16):
Also, I realized the atmosphere here was something special.

Speaker 4 (01:40:21):
We have everyone working hard, everyone worked for the or
the teammates, the like we we enjoy.

Speaker 22 (01:40:33):
Being here in the the club in or however so
those type of things and getting some results like in
the last minutes and watching us play.

Speaker 4 (01:40:46):
It was then and I started realizing that we were
we were going to be one of the best team
in Lytags and I think, well.

Speaker 3 (01:40:52):
Let's plain a fantastic season so far, is you amer
Congratulations on what you've done yourself and as a team
so far. Hopefully more to come. All the best in
the Second League as you look to make the Grand Final.

Speaker 2 (01:41:02):
Thank you so much for chatting.

Speaker 4 (01:41:04):
Yeah, thank thank you.

Speaker 22 (01:41:05):
Jason and I made chatting and take hope this weekend
we well, maybe better for them.

Speaker 3 (01:41:13):
So great to Tettya Gizmo Gizmom their nine goals this season.
Hopefully more to come and often the season Augurall Player
of the Season two twenty four. As we come to
your life from Tyler Street Sport, it's starting to get
a bit noisy here in the background.

Speaker 2 (01:41:28):
We're here until three and that's probably quite a good thing.

Speaker 3 (01:41:30):
Beyond that, who knows what might happen here as we
build towards a six o'clock kickoff when we come back,
going to talk to arguably the biggest supporter of sport
in this country.

Speaker 2 (01:41:41):
Back in a sec here at Newstalks.

Speaker 1 (01:41:43):
EDB counting down to the A League Semi final, weekend
Sport with Jason Vine and live at Taylor Street Sport
and Outlet with GJ Gunners, New Zealand's most trusted home
builder News Talks.

Speaker 2 (01:41:59):
B twenty seven on Newstalks.

Speaker 3 (01:42:01):
HEB coming to you from an increasingly loud Tyler Street
Sport ahead of tonight's second leg of the A League semifinal.
Auckland f C Melbourne victory joining us now arguably the
biggest and.

Speaker 2 (01:42:14):
Broadest supporter of sport of this country.

Speaker 3 (01:42:16):
Mike Gray, founder and Managing director of Go Media.

Speaker 2 (01:42:20):
I want to read out this list and.

Speaker 3 (01:42:22):
I'm sure it isn't exhaustive, but it does display your
commitment to sport in this country. You were the first
sponsor to sign up with Auckland f C. You back
the Blues, the Chiefs, the Hurricanes, the Crusaders and the
Highlanders as well as Auckland, North, Harbor, waycutt Or, Wellington
and Canterbury rugby unions. In cricket Auckland, Canterbury, Wellington, Northern
and Central. You recently took up naming rights sponsorship for

(01:42:44):
the Stars and the A and Z Premiership. You also
support the Mystics, the Pulse, the Magic, the Steel and
New Zealand Netport, Auckland.

Speaker 2 (01:42:51):
Tennis Athletics, Emirates Team.

Speaker 3 (01:42:54):
New Zealand boxer Miya Mottu and of course Go Media Stadium.
Water is behind this deep seated love and passion for
sports and aligning yourself and your company with Afternoon Piney.

Speaker 13 (01:43:08):
Thanks for the EDITU love to see you, matey well.
I believe in the power of sport. I think it
connects communities, It brings people together. I think the camaraderie
of sport, whether you're playing in a team or you're
supporting a team. Look at the bar, it's pumping. People
will be on the buses and on the train. Soon
the port rocking down those stairs. You know, when you're

(01:43:32):
in the stadium and it's a warrior's game, it's a
different feeling to.

Speaker 2 (01:43:34):
An AFC game.

Speaker 13 (01:43:35):
But you've got these passionate fans that are a part
of something bigger than themselves, and I think we all
unit for that. And isn't it great to be backing
something that's winning. So my strategy is if I sponsor everything,
I have got someone that's doing really well, you know,
so I'm always winning and you can be part of
the magic, which is.

Speaker 2 (01:43:53):
Yeah, magical moments. You're here to make memories. Pony Well
is certainly doing that, as are the Warriors.

Speaker 3 (01:44:00):
Now. Supporting teams is one thing, you know, putting your
name and lending support to sporting team this one thing.
But putting your name on an entire venue, go Media stadium,
that's a that's another level up.

Speaker 2 (01:44:13):
Can you tell us.

Speaker 3 (01:44:14):
About the process behind that, the decision making that went
on that you and your commitment to an entire venue?

Speaker 2 (01:44:21):
Yeah?

Speaker 3 (01:44:21):
Sure, Well.

Speaker 13 (01:44:22):
I was actually initially asked to come in to see
if I could help find a naming rights partner. And
so as I was drilling into it, trying to work
out how would I pitch it to someone, what are
the values the values you could unlock.

Speaker 2 (01:44:34):
How would you leverage it? The more and more I
thought about it, from more I thought.

Speaker 13 (01:44:38):
This would be perfect for me right, And it's actually
quite hard to find a naming rights partner that's neutral.
So I couldn't be Steinlager Stadium because of Heineken, will
Rugby came in, right, it can't be Spark Stadium because
of the one at Warriors, right, So.

Speaker 2 (01:44:53):
We're kind of neutral.

Speaker 13 (01:44:55):
Plus we sponsored the teams that play in the venues,
and so we just I saw this sort of alignment
of sport.

Speaker 2 (01:45:02):
We're already sponsored the teams, but why don't.

Speaker 13 (01:45:04):
We put our name up at light And you know,
initially it was two years ago. We did the deal
this month and it was a bit of slow. It
took a while to take up. But even now of
who do you call it?

Speaker 2 (01:45:15):
Where you go?

Speaker 13 (01:45:16):
You know, it's six to one here at Go Media
and you don't even use the word stadium, which is
you know, films by heart with joy. It was a
pretty audacious move at the time, and luckily I've got
two great.

Speaker 2 (01:45:28):
Business partners that believe in my crazy ideas sometimes.

Speaker 13 (01:45:32):
But no, for us, it was about signaling to the
city that we're here for the long term, that were
were invested in the city, that we backed the community,
and I believe in elevation that if I can help
anyone elevate, just even by two millimeters, that's kind of
my purpose and my mission.

Speaker 2 (01:45:52):
So you mentioned me and more two and the intro.

Speaker 13 (01:45:54):
I'm now who major sponsor, because when I found out
that she had to have a full time job and
couldn't focus on training when she's a world champion trying
to do amazing things, I just thought that's not right.
So I wanted to address that. So happy to be
part of her team and her corner.

Speaker 3 (01:46:11):
Now you speak with great passion, and these are clearly
passionate decisions that you make. But you are also a businessman, right,
You've got to make the numbers work. How much does
that figure into your decision making or is that left
in the hands of your business partners?

Speaker 2 (01:46:25):
And you provide the passion. No, I never take risks.
I take calculated risks.

Speaker 13 (01:46:31):
So I tend to move into the future and I
work my way backwards and go, Okay, if I took
this name and right steel, how would I monetize it,
How could I get the benefit back?

Speaker 2 (01:46:41):
What would I need to do?

Speaker 10 (01:46:43):
What are the risks?

Speaker 2 (01:46:44):
What could go wrong?

Speaker 13 (01:46:45):
And then from that I try and build a model,
and ultimately when I make a decision, I've already established
in my mind that it cannot fail.

Speaker 2 (01:46:52):
So the stadium's gone way better.

Speaker 13 (01:46:54):
Than I imagine, because of course at that time we
didn't know Auckland the Sea was going to exist.

Speaker 2 (01:46:59):
But we did bring the.

Speaker 13 (01:47:00):
Wellington Phoenix up, did a doubleheader and I convinced Aalkland
Stadiums who backed that, that we would sell it out
and we got about seven thousand people. But I had
this vision of Ferris Wheels and you know pack stadiums.
So Auklen fcvchieved that. They even had the fairest Whell.
So you know when you've got a when you're visionary
like that. But what I really wanted to back was football.

(01:47:22):
You know, yes I sponsor rugby, cricket, netball, everything right,
but to have a team playing in this city in
this competition, and I'm a long term sponsor in the Phoenix,
but to have the derby, like, as a football fan,
what a great thing, and just have Auckland win. The
Premiers played and I was in Melbourne last weekend, very

(01:47:42):
tense game. You know, Melbourne came out of the blocks.
I think it's going to be a tough one today.
I think if we can get ahead first. If we
score first, that's the goal, go into halftime. If it's
nill all, that's still a win. Work the clock down.
But you know, I think we're a better team. I
think defensively, the way they work so hard off the ball.
Poulson the strata. He was amazing last week in affect.

(01:48:05):
I think he's been amazing season. He's my favorite player
in the team. Works so hard.

Speaker 2 (01:48:09):
But I think, you know, like Warriors second on the.

Speaker 13 (01:48:13):
Table, and I called it on Heather Show last night
they are going to win in our eldest year.

Speaker 3 (01:48:19):
Well, you don't. You don't take risks, you don't make
out Landi's statements.

Speaker 2 (01:48:23):
No, I think it's I think it's a fair call.
I mean, if they win tomorrow, they go joint top
on points.

Speaker 3 (01:48:27):
So it's not you know, you're not you're not really
making a a big bold call. Where do you watch
games from? Where do you watch when you get out
there this afternoon? Do you have your own suitet or what?
How do you watch games?

Speaker 2 (01:48:39):
Yeah, well this is half the trick that they pulled.

Speaker 13 (01:48:42):
So to give me to look at the naming rights,
we were given the halfway sweet for the Harry Styles concert,
and because.

Speaker 2 (01:48:51):
I wanted some tickets to my daughter.

Speaker 13 (01:48:53):
Next minute, we're in the halfway sweet and I'm being told, well,
this is part of the naming rights, and you know,
so as you start looking round and and then and
then I got off with the Warriors game, and then
we had another Warrior's game, and then we an All
Whites game, and before you knew it, I was right
doing the deal in my head. And then I knew

(01:49:13):
the All Blacks were coming, and no one knew that.
So I was like, if the All Blacks played at
go Media Stadium, how cool would that? So I was
actually in Hong Kong as in a transit hotel, and
I woke up to a text message that said someone
thought our business was a small business, and I wanted
to be seen as a big business because I'm trying

(01:49:35):
to win a big contract at the moment. And I thought, well, okay,
naming rights would perhaps change perception.

Speaker 2 (01:49:42):
And I had the contract in my bag. And in Germany,
I was in a hotel.

Speaker 13 (01:49:46):
My son was playing football in Germany and I'd gone
to visit them, and in the hotel in Bremen, I
walked them through the whole contract and I said, these
are the problems.

Speaker 2 (01:49:57):
If I can solve these, I'll do the deal.

Speaker 13 (01:49:59):
And so they agreed to my changes, and so I
did the steal right now. When we actually launched the stadium,
it goes out on TV and z I sent him
the YouTube blank and my son watches it and he
rings them out like almost gobsmacked, and he's like.

Speaker 2 (01:50:14):
Dad, dead, it's everything you said it would be. And
I'm like, yes, boy, yes, and he goes you but dead,
you told me what would happen and it's actually happened.

Speaker 13 (01:50:24):
I'm like, yes, boy, this is this is what being
a businessman's But Dad, you actually did it.

Speaker 2 (01:50:30):
I'm like, yes, wood, God, he's got trust in his
old man.

Speaker 13 (01:50:33):
Well he's entrepreneurial himself, but I'm I'm teaching him the
you know, you you make these moments, you make the
magic happen. You have to get when you're an entrepreneur,
you actually have to go out there like a sports
team and sometimes chance you're up and you don't always win,
but you want to be in the competition. You want
to be there in the final round and you might

(01:50:54):
have been knocked down twice, but if you can, if
you can get that upper cut in at the last
minute and sees the fight.

Speaker 2 (01:51:00):
Ye're there.

Speaker 13 (01:51:00):
So I'm always always battling to to exceed, you know,
because I'm.

Speaker 2 (01:51:03):
Up against these foreign competitors.

Speaker 13 (01:51:05):
I'm the big news own company, and I want us
to be the biggest and the best because then I
can do more for Tammockey, for New Zealand.

Speaker 3 (01:51:14):
Well. A lot of people talk the talk. Mike, Congratulations
on walking the walk. I know it's not finished. I
know the walk is a long way from being finished,
but I know you will join the march, perhaps to
the match this afternoon. Great to see you mate, Enjoy
the game.

Speaker 2 (01:51:28):
Thanks Pinning, I love your calls. Great to see you again.
Good to see you, Mike.

Speaker 3 (01:51:32):
Mike Graig, founder and Managing director of Go Media. You'll
find their name everywhere, including on Go Media Stadium venue
for tonight's semi final Auckland FC Melbourne victory twenty three
away from three. Jacob Spoonley will be alongside me in
the Skysport commentary tonight. He's been furiously writing notes, which
fills me with a sense of impending doom. But I

(01:51:53):
will invite him on board in just a moment when
we come back here at.

Speaker 2 (01:51:57):
Newstalk Seedbeak.

Speaker 1 (01:52:00):
Game day delay from the official home of Auckland FC.
Taylor stream Sport can Sport with Jason Yin and GJ.
Gardner Holmes, New Zealand's most trusted home builder News Talks.

Speaker 3 (01:52:12):
V coming up nineteen to three. Yeah, I'm pretty pleased
the show finishes up three actually after three no chants
and here absolutely no chance and here at Tyler Street Sport.
The laughter hearing is Skysport commentator former Phoenix goalkeeper, former
All Whites goalkeeper Jacob Spoonley.

Speaker 2 (01:52:30):
A year ago, could you have imagine being here doing this?

Speaker 21 (01:52:34):
No short answer, No, this has taken off and exploded, pony.

Speaker 10 (01:52:40):
But I'm more interested.

Speaker 21 (01:52:42):
I've been texting you throughout the week, you and our
director Blair Dainty, who will be sitting in the track
pointing cameras in the right direction this afternoon, and we've
been going around giving our fizz levels.

Speaker 10 (01:52:50):
Where are you at right now?

Speaker 3 (01:52:52):
Well? What I went out twenty to three, so just
over three and a quarter hours away from kickoff?

Speaker 2 (01:52:57):
Pretty first, pretty first.

Speaker 3 (01:52:59):
You know, occasions like this don't come along very often,
and I think players talk about wanting to play in
the games. I think if we're in the media, you
want pinnacle events as well, don't you know?

Speaker 2 (01:53:09):
I mean how you feeling.

Speaker 10 (01:53:13):
I'm nervous.

Speaker 21 (01:53:14):
I'm the same as I was when I was playing,
So you wake up with that kind of anxiety. I
got to say. Evening kickoffs are horrible for players. You've
got the whole day to fill. You're waiting for the
pre match meal and then you get the runway are
in about three hours in before kickoff, you go over
your shower, you start getting ready and that's when the
process takes over. But before then you are looking for
something to do. And that's kind of how I feel

(01:53:34):
right now, Poney. Speaking of big moments, we had one
last year ninety ninth minute Oscars' Arta puts the ball
in the back of the net.

Speaker 10 (01:53:42):
I've brought this one up with you before. I thought
you left the room.

Speaker 3 (01:53:45):
Haha.

Speaker 21 (01:53:46):
I thought you left the room, but you were at
the back composing yourself, and then you drop the three
greatest lines of commentary I have heard, Poney.

Speaker 10 (01:53:54):
They were sublime.

Speaker 21 (01:53:56):
Are you expecting a similar moment like that today or
is this going to play out in a bit more
of a consistent fashion with what we've seen so far.

Speaker 3 (01:54:03):
A great question. The short answer is I don't know.
One Knill is a slim de lead. Wek you obviously
last week that it was only halftime when the final
whistle blue in Melbourne.

Speaker 2 (01:54:16):
I don't know.

Speaker 3 (01:54:17):
How this is going to play out. But can I
take you back to what you were just talking about
with the players? So here we are now just over
three hours out. What do these three hours look like
for a player? You know, when do they get to
the ground, when do they eat? All that sort of thing.

Speaker 21 (01:54:32):
It depends on whether your home or away. So for Victory,
it's going to look very different. They're going to be
in the hotel and it adds to us versus the
world mentality. For them, it's them in their track suits.
They're surrounded by blue and black shirts which are unavoidable.
Today we went to West Coast Ranges this morning. Kids
were playing in their Auckland if Sea shirts and not
the West Coast Rangers can't.

Speaker 10 (01:54:54):
That's how it's changed over the course of twelve months.
So Victory, they're going to be galvanized.

Speaker 21 (01:54:59):
They are going to be a fortified unit that will
step into Mount Smart Today a very strong sense of
overcoming the differen chang chasing. The result for Auckland's slightly different.
They're going to be at home, they'll be with their partners,
they might come together for a pre match meal at
a hotel. We've heard that the staff and Diamo at
the moment, but from there it's then about listening to

(01:55:21):
some music, getting yourself.

Speaker 10 (01:55:22):
Into the moment.

Speaker 21 (01:55:22):
We've heard from some of the All Whites recently that
they do meditation, they look at highlight reels to remind
themselves of what they want to do.

Speaker 10 (01:55:29):
There might be some clips that Doug Cause has put.

Speaker 21 (01:55:32):
Together for the players just to tell them about the
big moments, to start getting them familiar with thought they're
going to experience on the field. But at the end
of the day pointing this is not a familiar situation.
This is new. It's new business in Auckland and it's
going to be new because I think this is going
to be incredibly rouded. I think this will be boisterous
from when the players step out onto the field for
the warm up, so three hours in yep.

Speaker 2 (01:55:54):
Cool.

Speaker 21 (01:55:54):
They've got their routines, their protocols, whatever, They're still going
to need to be an adjustment and that's going to come.
I think the warm up and then when they're in
the tunnel, and then the first five ten minutes. The
first five ten minutes are probably the most critical because
I think that's when Victory are going.

Speaker 10 (01:56:12):
To have a real hard run at Auckland.

Speaker 3 (01:56:14):
What about just before they leave the change of room
to get into the tunnel to walk out? Who is
the last voice? Is it Steve Coriker, is it Hiroki Sakai?
Is it somebody else who speaks last before they go
into battle?

Speaker 21 (01:56:30):
Look, I don't know about Auckland. I can only comment
on the teams that I've been involved in. Typically, the
manager will have his last say in the team huddle,
so they'll come back in shim pads will go on,
goalkeepers will get changed into the kit. Shirt goes on,
You've got your armor on. That's when the manager might
say something. It's going to be short and sweet. I think,

(01:56:51):
knowing Steve, he'll realize that the work's been done all
throughout the week, the message has been the same. This
is about the final delivery of it. That's when I
think hierarchy, Saki and Tommy Smith take over. And I
can imagine Tommy Smith, that's when he will hold court.
That's when he steps up and delivers a message to
and on behalf of the playing group with authority. Now,

(01:57:12):
once you step out into that tunnel, I don't know
what everyone else is.

Speaker 4 (01:57:15):
Like.

Speaker 21 (01:57:15):
Paul Eifel, who joins us in a couple of hours,
might be different. For me, that was purgetry because you're
in between preparation and execution. You can hear the noise,
you're trying to push it away, you can feel the lights.
You just want to start, and you've been held back
from the thing that to your point, you've waited perhaps
all your life for to do amazing.

Speaker 2 (01:57:37):
I'm getting goosebumps even thinking about it.

Speaker 3 (01:57:40):
Any chance Melbourne Victory smash and grab this and tonight
is Auckland FC's last game of the season.

Speaker 21 (01:57:48):
I've got three situations that I've been discussing with you
all week. The first is that this is a wrestle.

Speaker 10 (01:57:57):
This is the blue bloods up against the new money.

Speaker 21 (01:57:59):
This is where we see the broad shoulders, the broad
navy blue shoulders of Melbourne Victory square to Auckland and
engage them directly, and we go down to the last minute,
the last second. We have no idea whether this is
going to go, who go any number of which ways.
It could be a shootout, it could be a nil law.
The second is Auckland simply suffocate victory to the point

(01:58:21):
that they are demoralized and it becomes a two or
a three kneel, it becomes a procession in the second half.
The third, this is the one that you're touching on
that our Auckland audience will not want to hear, is
that victory hit them hard and early. They go full
just inder ourdur and they get an early goal and victory,
as they have done over the course of their nineteen
wins in playoffs football.

Speaker 10 (01:58:42):
Let's not forget the pedigree here.

Speaker 21 (01:58:44):
They follow up one goal with another very very quickly,
and that I think is unnerving. It's unsettling because Auckland
have been in control for the course of the season
from the get go. They've asserted themselves, they've had a
point of dominance. This will put them on the back
foot with a huge crowd and massive expectations on their back.

Speaker 10 (01:59:01):
That'll compound things. You'll need very strong leadership in that
situation well with the.

Speaker 3 (01:59:07):
Crowd and those behind us here at Tyler Street Sport,
just a just a cacophony of noise now and this
is just a small percentage of those who are going
to be there tonight. But how much have Auckland FC's
support base contributed to the narrative of their first season.

Speaker 21 (01:59:26):
They have been part of the identity of the club
and the Port have in large part become self defined.
They've been very clear about the narrative that they want
to be projected. You can also point to their influence
on the field. Let's go back to round two, the
first time that Auckland came up against proper a League
royalty in Sydney of Sea Steve Croker's old club.

Speaker 10 (01:59:48):
Just to add the cherry.

Speaker 21 (01:59:49):
On the top there, var Interven's disallows the Sydney goal
in the eighty fifth minute. From there you could feel
the energy in the state and the Port created gravity
and grabbed a hold of the ball and sucked it
over the line as Nando Pineker put us on our
way to the first goal that Auckland's scored beyond the
night and ten minutes. They then went on to score
another thirteen of the course of the season. I think

(02:00:11):
that is started by the Port in combination with the players.
You can't have one without the other, and that speaks
to the influence of the port of the course of
the season.

Speaker 2 (02:00:20):
What a night in prospect.

Speaker 3 (02:00:22):
All right, Jacob, hope you haven't used up all your
good stuff in this seven or eight minute chat. You've
still got plenty of plenty of lines to regardless on
the sky coverage.

Speaker 21 (02:00:30):
Later, may I only follow you set the fur them,
you set the pace, piney on your shoulders.

Speaker 3 (02:00:37):
We said, oh, well, before this becomes too much of
a mutual admiration society, let's get your MinC going, Let's
get your mic off. Great to see you, mat. Jacob Spoonley,
skysport commentator, a former All Whites and Phoenix goalkeeper and
very shrewd analyst of the game and everything wrapped around it,
including the unique emotions of a day like this.

Speaker 2 (02:00:55):
Eleven to three news talks He'd.

Speaker 1 (02:00:57):
Beat cheering on Auckland FC Weekend Sport with Jason Vine
live at Tyler Street Sport at Brittamart Dogs.

Speaker 3 (02:01:06):
It be just coming up seven away from three. That
is us on Weekend Sport for today. It has been
an enormous pleasure to bring you the show from Tyler
Street Sport today now thanks to the team here for
well for looking after us, for putting us in a
corner where there's less noise than some other parts of
this venue, but just for allowing us to share in

(02:01:27):
the vibe of what has been a terrific afternoon and
what is set to be a brilliant evening as well,
the weekend collective to follow, fortunately from back in our
ZIDB studios, not here in the noise of Tyler Street, Sport.
Huge thanks to Liam Simpson for technical onside assistance and
Bryce Morris for executive production of the show here and

(02:01:48):
Andy McDonald of course back pushing the buttons at home
base that needs you get the song.

Speaker 20 (02:01:52):
To go out with Andy, Yes, Piney, of course it's
still in New Zealand Music Month, but to capture the
vibe of being at a pub like the one you're
at right now, I've gone for the dudes and bliss
because he has no real other choice.

Speaker 2 (02:02:04):
Was there there wasn't. It's a great choice.

Speaker 6 (02:02:07):
Thanks mate.

Speaker 2 (02:02:08):
Enjoy your afternoon.

Speaker 3 (02:02:09):
We'll see tomorrow midday we'll break it all down, wrap
it all up for your plus lots more for sights,
including former warrior Louis Brown joining us on the show.

Speaker 2 (02:02:16):
Tomorrow. Enjoy your afternoon, see tomorrow.

Speaker 3 (02:02:18):
Fife an out chompers chomper ups from that side.

Speaker 10 (02:02:34):
Okay, yes, thanks.

Speaker 25 (02:03:41):
A man, boss a cooling that a cool.

Speaker 6 (02:03:56):
Stops make my shoe.

Speaker 25 (02:04:01):
Beginning my laugh.

Speaker 14 (02:04:02):
But.

Speaker 25 (02:04:04):
Rot got by bye that.

Speaker 13 (02:04:53):
Now.

Speaker 1 (02:05:25):
For more from Weekends Sport with Jason Fine, listen live
to news talks it Be Weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio

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