November 29, 2025 • 11 mins
Wellington Phoenix have secured a surprise win over Adelaide United, lifting them to 6th in the A-League.
An early goal from Alex Rufer and a penalty from Ramy Najjarine helped the team secure a 2-1 victory over the South Australian side.
And tonight Auckland FC take on the Newcastle Jets at the Go Media Stadium, where a win would take them to the top of the table.
Football commentator Jacob Spoonley joined Jason Pine to review the Phoenix's game, and preview Auckland FC's match.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport Podcast with Jason Vine
from Newstalks EDB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
After two straight home defeats and just one victory in
their first five games of the A League Men's football season,
the Wellington Phoenix back in the winner's circle and is
that the last opportunity for the visitors? Light in the
Wellington Phoenix. They climbed from their recent front defeat one
(00:38):
of the competition's form sites and springboard themselves into next
weekend's derby. How crucial might that performance that result be
when they look back upon this season. So a two
to one win for the Wellington Phoenix over Adelaide United yesterday,
Alex Rufer opening the scoring in the first half, Remi
(01:01):
Nazerene adding a second from the penalty spot after an hour,
Young Joey Ruccio on Dave Boo off the bench for Adelaide,
making it to one with fifteen minutes to go, but
the Phoenix hanging on for a crucial three points. Former
Phoenix and All Whites goalkeeper Jacob Spoonley was in the
Skysport commentary box for this one and will be again
(01:22):
for Auckland FC's next match against Newcastle This afternoon underway
at three o'clock. Jacob want to talk about the Auckland
f C game in a moment. But for the Phoenix,
how needed was this win for them yesterday?
Speaker 3 (01:36):
Very finey and it was a different team, wasn't it.
They looked absolutely polar opposites from the side that took
the field against MacArthur, and they had energy, They moved
with intention and we've talked a lot about how this
sort to control game through possession and pressure, but that
had a purpose yesterday and that was really clear from
(01:57):
the outset. We wanted a response after the derby, didn't
get it last week, but got it in the first
fifteen minutes yesterday. And importantly they created a product at
the end that Alex rufer I could argue one of
the best players on the field, he was a difference
and he gave kind of value to the inertia that
(02:18):
they had created.
Speaker 2 (02:19):
In your experience, is it common for teams to play
and I'm not going to sugarcoat this terribly one week
and then come out and play far far better than
next And what causes that? How can the same group
of players be so different from week to think it
must be terribly difficult for coaches.
Speaker 3 (02:41):
I like how you've come to the expert not playing
very well, Piney, But you're right, a professional sport, it's
a grind. It still is a job, and you can
get very much into the rhythms of it. So going
through the motions there's a really bad connotation. But what
I want the audience to appreciate is that you know,
(03:01):
there's still very much is, you know, being stuck in
the rhythm of the job. And from what we heard,
chiefly obviously didn't like the game last week, but what
he's really focused on is connecting this football team back
to the community that they represent and importantly the yellow
feeds of fans that are so invested he got decide
to sit in the stands and to appreciate quite literally
(03:24):
the game from the perspective of the fans. And I
think in those sorts of experiences for the players there's
a lot of value because it takes them out of
the training, out of the minutia of passing the ball,
working only touch, all that sort of things, and gets
them to realize that not only do they represent a city,
but they need to ensure that they reflect the qualities
(03:48):
and the energy and the investment from the fans, and
I think that's a really smart move from him. So
not only was it a reaction after mccafter game, but
it was also all right, let's get back to who
we are and what we want to do, and that's
definitely watch the Phoenix on the front foot. I think,
well before the ninety.
Speaker 2 (04:04):
Minutes indeed a sign it's a big one. The derby.
I want to talk about Auckland f C's a game
this afternoon in a moment, but how crucial was yesterday
and how how much confidence will the Phoenix take is
they had to derby number five against Auckland f C.
They've lost the last four, how much of a springboard
will yesterday give them?
Speaker 3 (04:24):
I think the performance was the most important aspect yesterday.
The result was there and that's confidence building, and not
only does it give you confidence into the derby, but
it also puts the Phoenix at the moment in the
top six. So they when they look at the table,
they all see themselves up around the likes of Sydney FC,
(04:44):
Auckland's FC and Prisidan Raw So they are still kind
of attached to that conversation. The other thing to note
Piney is that the way the Phoenix went about their
job yesterday, they wanted to get on that front foot.
As I said before, there was an urgency about their
game that we haven't seen at times. This is a
(05:05):
side that has put a lot of stock and controlling matches,
perhaps being a bit conservative at times. But what we
saw yesterday was a side that wanted to press, that
wanted to disrupt, never let Adelaide settle on the ball,
and those sorts of aspects to the game. Those qualities
are going to be so instrumental because they will be
walking into a cauldron at Go Media Stadium next weekend.
(05:28):
Auckland goed up beats the Phoenix two to one down
their hometown with nine men, and what we're hearing is
that there is a think that this is going to
be the b starvy yet because Auckland wants to make
a spectacle out of this. We've seen behind the scenes
that this Auckland management staff prioritize the derby. They want
(05:49):
to make it a statement. They want to suppress leaning
some Phoenix and there is a growing sense within the
Phoenix I think that they really want to land a
blow publicly. They won't say it. They won't build it
up too much, but I think privately they want to
get their own back and this is a great time
for them to go and do it well.
Speaker 2 (06:07):
They can focus their energy on that. Now for Auckland FC,
they of course have to negotiate their next assignment, which
is in just an hour or so when they take
on Newcastle at go Media Stadium. You know you talk
about subpar performances. Steve Coriker pulled no punches last week
when he joined you on the Sky panel after the
game against Brisbane, even though they came away with a
(06:29):
one all drawer. He said, this is the worst we've
played since I've been here, and that's the entire life
of the club. How likely is a reaction from Auckland
FC this afternoon to what happened a week ago?
Speaker 3 (06:42):
We've already seen one piney So Marley France, are Jake
Bremmer and Dan Hall of being introduced to the squad
and I'll take you behind the scenes. Just rewinding to
last week, we're on the panel and Steve has very
clearly delivered a message in the responses to the first
two questions that we've had, and I thought at that
point we were moving on, and then in my ears,
(07:06):
Ju said, Kingsley comes one more question. So I came
up with something on the spot, got pretty much exactly
the same response from Steve, which is not happy. There's
going to be something that's talked about internally and we
need to be better great and messing blaired Dainty the director.
Clearly something are going wrong. He's like, hey, guys, just
one more question. I was like, I can feel the
heat radiating often guy, I was panning right next to him.
(07:29):
No more questions, Let him go. Let him go and
process what he needs to process. But in terms of
ORCANDESFS and the way they want to play, but me,
the most important thing today is the press. It is
how they want to use what is an effect of
defensive action and weaponize it against Newcastle Jets. And this
is a side that might play into the teeth of
(07:52):
that defensive effort, of that energy, of that intention for
akand f C. The Jets under Mark Milligan are a
side that do want to play. They want to play short.
There are shades of Angiposta, Conglu and Mark Milligan and
they will want to play through whatever is posed by
Auckland and any means necessary. And that is something that
(08:16):
I think is going to be a fascinating bat of
what wins out the press or the commitment to playing
what will be methodical football.
Speaker 2 (08:25):
Do you think Auckland FC are a better team potentially
this year than last year roster wise? Having had the
one season under their belt, they were very very good
in their maiden season. Could they potentially be a better
team in season two?
Speaker 3 (08:42):
It's a really interesting question, and I think everyone's perspective
on this is colored by comparing the Auckland side that
we came to love and gave us so much excitement
in the back end of the year to this team
that is really working its way into the season the
way through injuries, they've got new recruitment, so there's always
(09:04):
a phasing imperiod fining. So I think it's largely a
bit of a It's a bit inaccurate but unreasonable to say, well,
you know, they're not scoring the goals. There's not that
fluid football that we saw from them in the back
end of last season. Take you back to the start
of last year and this Auckland side we're grinding out results,
(09:24):
often late into games. I do think that there is
an element of calibration that isn't there in this Auckland
team at the moment. They are a different team, let's remember,
and they are working each other out. They're not playing
with those two traditional wingers and bombing on. There's not
necessarily that same level energy through the middle of the park,
(09:45):
but that's not a bad thing. They're now playing with
a lopsided attack very much down the left hand side
Lachlan Brook the right wingers coming inside, and so I
think it's still working out how this all comes together.
What I do think we want to see though, is
a more resolute, certain defensive effort, and I don't think
we've seen that at times season. There's been a suggestion
(10:08):
of fragility that we didn't see there last season, and
I think that's the thing that's perhaps the most frustrating
Steve in particularly, he didn't mention it last week that
he felt that they weren't always lock and key type.
Speaker 2 (10:22):
Looking forward to this afternoon's contest Aukland f C against
the Newcastle Jets three o'clock atd GO Media and then
a six day wait for Derby number two this season,
Derby number five and as you say, Jake could be
the best derby, yet always appreciate your analysis. Thanks for
joining us.
Speaker 3 (10:37):
Not a problem, mate, and can't wait for this one.
The whistle to be by on this one and then
we get to focus on the derby next week, Piney,
I truly believe this is going to be the best
money minutes of football that we've seen out of the derbies.
Speaker 2 (10:48):
Well let's hope so mate. I'll hold you of that
and I certainly hope you're right. And when my experience
you normally are. Jacob Spoonley joining us with a look
at football. So Auckland f C against Newcastle this afternoon
from three o'clock and then derby number two for the
year is next Saturday, five o'clock at go Media State
in Aukland FC at home to Wellington Phoenix, who will
(11:11):
go in with a fair degree of confidence after their
win over Adelaide United yesterday.
Speaker 1 (11:16):
For more from Weekends Sport with Jason Fine, listen live
to news Talks at b Weekends from midday or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Weekend Sport Podcast with Jason Vine
from Newstalks EDB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
After two straight home defeats and just one victory in
their first five games of the A League Men's football season,
the Wellington Phoenix back in the winner's circle and is
that the last opportunity for the visitors? Light in the
Wellington Phoenix. They climbed from their recent front defeat one
(00:38):
of the competition's form sites and springboard themselves into next
weekend's derby. How crucial might that performance that result be
when they look back upon this season. So a two
to one win for the Wellington Phoenix over Adelaide United yesterday,
Alex Rufer opening the scoring in the first half, Remi
(01:01):
Nazerene adding a second from the penalty spot after an hour,
Young Joey Ruccio on Dave Boo off the bench for Adelaide,
making it to one with fifteen minutes to go, but
the Phoenix hanging on for a crucial three points. Former
Phoenix and All Whites goalkeeper Jacob Spoonley was in the
Skysport commentary box for this one and will be again
(01:22):
for Auckland FC's next match against Newcastle This afternoon underway
at three o'clock. Jacob want to talk about the Auckland
f C game in a moment. But for the Phoenix,
how needed was this win for them yesterday?
Speaker 3 (01:36):
Very finey and it was a different team, wasn't it.
They looked absolutely polar opposites from the side that took
the field against MacArthur, and they had energy, They moved
with intention and we've talked a lot about how this
sort to control game through possession and pressure, but that
had a purpose yesterday and that was really clear from
(01:57):
the outset. We wanted a response after the derby, didn't
get it last week, but got it in the first
fifteen minutes yesterday. And importantly they created a product at
the end that Alex rufer I could argue one of
the best players on the field, he was a difference
and he gave kind of value to the inertia that
(02:18):
they had created.
Speaker 2 (02:19):
In your experience, is it common for teams to play
and I'm not going to sugarcoat this terribly one week
and then come out and play far far better than
next And what causes that? How can the same group
of players be so different from week to think it
must be terribly difficult for coaches.
Speaker 3 (02:41):
I like how you've come to the expert not playing
very well, Piney, But you're right, a professional sport, it's
a grind. It still is a job, and you can
get very much into the rhythms of it. So going
through the motions there's a really bad connotation. But what
I want the audience to appreciate is that you know,
(03:01):
there's still very much is, you know, being stuck in
the rhythm of the job. And from what we heard,
chiefly obviously didn't like the game last week, but what
he's really focused on is connecting this football team back
to the community that they represent and importantly the yellow
feeds of fans that are so invested he got decide
to sit in the stands and to appreciate quite literally
(03:24):
the game from the perspective of the fans. And I
think in those sorts of experiences for the players there's
a lot of value because it takes them out of
the training, out of the minutia of passing the ball,
working only touch, all that sort of things, and gets
them to realize that not only do they represent a city,
but they need to ensure that they reflect the qualities
(03:48):
and the energy and the investment from the fans, and
I think that's a really smart move from him. So
not only was it a reaction after mccafter game, but
it was also all right, let's get back to who
we are and what we want to do, and that's
definitely watch the Phoenix on the front foot. I think,
well before the ninety.
Speaker 2 (04:04):
Minutes indeed a sign it's a big one. The derby.
I want to talk about Auckland f C's a game
this afternoon in a moment, but how crucial was yesterday
and how how much confidence will the Phoenix take is
they had to derby number five against Auckland f C.
They've lost the last four, how much of a springboard
will yesterday give them?
Speaker 3 (04:24):
I think the performance was the most important aspect yesterday.
The result was there and that's confidence building, and not
only does it give you confidence into the derby, but
it also puts the Phoenix at the moment in the
top six. So they when they look at the table,
they all see themselves up around the likes of Sydney FC,
(04:44):
Auckland's FC and Prisidan Raw So they are still kind
of attached to that conversation. The other thing to note
Piney is that the way the Phoenix went about their
job yesterday, they wanted to get on that front foot.
As I said before, there was an urgency about their
game that we haven't seen at times. This is a
(05:05):
side that has put a lot of stock and controlling matches,
perhaps being a bit conservative at times. But what we
saw yesterday was a side that wanted to press, that
wanted to disrupt, never let Adelaide settle on the ball,
and those sorts of aspects to the game. Those qualities
are going to be so instrumental because they will be
walking into a cauldron at Go Media Stadium next weekend.
(05:28):
Auckland goed up beats the Phoenix two to one down
their hometown with nine men, and what we're hearing is
that there is a think that this is going to
be the b starvy yet because Auckland wants to make
a spectacle out of this. We've seen behind the scenes
that this Auckland management staff prioritize the derby. They want
(05:49):
to make it a statement. They want to suppress leaning
some Phoenix and there is a growing sense within the
Phoenix I think that they really want to land a
blow publicly. They won't say it. They won't build it
up too much, but I think privately they want to
get their own back and this is a great time
for them to go and do it well.
Speaker 2 (06:07):
They can focus their energy on that. Now for Auckland FC,
they of course have to negotiate their next assignment, which
is in just an hour or so when they take
on Newcastle at go Media Stadium. You know you talk
about subpar performances. Steve Coriker pulled no punches last week
when he joined you on the Sky panel after the
game against Brisbane, even though they came away with a
(06:29):
one all drawer. He said, this is the worst we've
played since I've been here, and that's the entire life
of the club. How likely is a reaction from Auckland
FC this afternoon to what happened a week ago?
Speaker 3 (06:42):
We've already seen one piney So Marley France, are Jake
Bremmer and Dan Hall of being introduced to the squad
and I'll take you behind the scenes. Just rewinding to
last week, we're on the panel and Steve has very
clearly delivered a message in the responses to the first
two questions that we've had, and I thought at that
point we were moving on, and then in my ears,
(07:06):
Ju said, Kingsley comes one more question. So I came
up with something on the spot, got pretty much exactly
the same response from Steve, which is not happy. There's
going to be something that's talked about internally and we
need to be better great and messing blaired Dainty the director.
Clearly something are going wrong. He's like, hey, guys, just
one more question. I was like, I can feel the
heat radiating often guy, I was panning right next to him.
(07:29):
No more questions, Let him go. Let him go and
process what he needs to process. But in terms of
ORCANDESFS and the way they want to play, but me,
the most important thing today is the press. It is
how they want to use what is an effect of
defensive action and weaponize it against Newcastle Jets. And this
is a side that might play into the teeth of
(07:52):
that defensive effort, of that energy, of that intention for
akand f C. The Jets under Mark Milligan are a
side that do want to play. They want to play short.
There are shades of Angiposta, Conglu and Mark Milligan and
they will want to play through whatever is posed by
Auckland and any means necessary. And that is something that
(08:16):
I think is going to be a fascinating bat of
what wins out the press or the commitment to playing
what will be methodical football.
Speaker 2 (08:25):
Do you think Auckland FC are a better team potentially
this year than last year roster wise? Having had the
one season under their belt, they were very very good
in their maiden season. Could they potentially be a better
team in season two?
Speaker 3 (08:42):
It's a really interesting question, and I think everyone's perspective
on this is colored by comparing the Auckland side that
we came to love and gave us so much excitement
in the back end of the year to this team
that is really working its way into the season the
way through injuries, they've got new recruitment, so there's always
(09:04):
a phasing imperiod fining. So I think it's largely a
bit of a It's a bit inaccurate but unreasonable to say, well,
you know, they're not scoring the goals. There's not that
fluid football that we saw from them in the back
end of last season. Take you back to the start
of last year and this Auckland side we're grinding out results,
(09:24):
often late into games. I do think that there is
an element of calibration that isn't there in this Auckland
team at the moment. They are a different team, let's remember,
and they are working each other out. They're not playing
with those two traditional wingers and bombing on. There's not
necessarily that same level energy through the middle of the park,
(09:45):
but that's not a bad thing. They're now playing with
a lopsided attack very much down the left hand side
Lachlan Brook the right wingers coming inside, and so I
think it's still working out how this all comes together.
What I do think we want to see though, is
a more resolute, certain defensive effort, and I don't think
we've seen that at times season. There's been a suggestion
(10:08):
of fragility that we didn't see there last season, and
I think that's the thing that's perhaps the most frustrating
Steve in particularly, he didn't mention it last week that
he felt that they weren't always lock and key type.
Speaker 2 (10:22):
Looking forward to this afternoon's contest Aukland f C against
the Newcastle Jets three o'clock atd GO Media and then
a six day wait for Derby number two this season,
Derby number five and as you say, Jake could be
the best derby, yet always appreciate your analysis. Thanks for
joining us.
Speaker 3 (10:37):
Not a problem, mate, and can't wait for this one.
The whistle to be by on this one and then
we get to focus on the derby next week, Piney,
I truly believe this is going to be the best
money minutes of football that we've seen out of the derbies.
Speaker 2 (10:48):
Well let's hope so mate. I'll hold you of that
and I certainly hope you're right. And when my experience
you normally are. Jacob Spoonley joining us with a look
at football. So Auckland f C against Newcastle this afternoon
from three o'clock and then derby number two for the
year is next Saturday, five o'clock at go Media State
in Aukland FC at home to Wellington Phoenix, who will
(11:11):
go in with a fair degree of confidence after their
win over Adelaide United yesterday.
Speaker 1 (11:16):
For more from Weekends Sport with Jason Fine, listen live
to news Talks at b Weekends from midday or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio
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