June 19, 2025 • 6 mins
The Black Sticks Men are off to a flying start at the Nations Cup in Malaysia.
They've won three straight games and are now getting ready for the semi-final against Korea.
Head coach Greg Nicol spoke to D'Arcy Waldegrave on Sportstalk.
LISTEN ABOVE
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Dancy Wildergrave
from News talks'd be.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
They've had an astonishing run. They have the black Cats
men's team. They sat down for a year. They've come
back from the Nation's Championship and they have won three
consecutive games. Two of those games they have come back
from huge deficits to win OWL. And we're joined now
by Greg Dixon. He's the head coach excuse me, of
(00:35):
the black Caps.
Speaker 3 (00:37):
Got it, Greg?
Speaker 4 (00:38):
How's it going good?
Speaker 2 (00:39):
What a week it's been for the Black Sticks and
it's kind of flown under the radar because basically the
means Black Sticks have been inactive for the.
Speaker 3 (00:47):
Best part of the year. What a comeback.
Speaker 4 (00:50):
Yeah, it's good to be back on the TIF. You know,
we hadn't played a game since Paris formal test match.
We've obviously had some camps and stuff, but yeah, good
to be back on the international stage. And you know,
three wins from three is a good start.
Speaker 2 (01:03):
Not only back, but back with a bang. You managed
to dispatch Japan. But those last couple of games, what
I don't know what's with your slow starts and your
late comebacks, because up against Malaysia. What were you trailing
three zip and then you scored like was it four
goals in the last eight minutes to win. And then
you did the same against Pakistan behind three to one,
(01:24):
four to three again, So please tell me you're I'm
gonna carry on with that come semi final time.
Speaker 3 (01:28):
It's too scary, bro.
Speaker 4 (01:29):
Yeah, hopefully we can. We can score a few goals
first in the semifinals, but you know, when you're in Asia,
in these conditions, anything can happen. It's it's sort of
one of those tournaments where it hasn't just been US.
I think France were five to one down against Korea
and won six'. Five So africa with fall all down
Against wales and jury four. All so it's sort of
(01:51):
because of the. Conditions it's about thirty two thirty three every,
day eighty five ninety percent, humidity so you have these
waves of momentum in the game and you've got to
make sure that you take advantage of the.
Speaker 3 (02:05):
Waves and that says a lot for the fitness of the.
Team even though you said haven't.
Speaker 2 (02:09):
Had a ball and anger in quite some, time but
painly a lot of them out Of, europe right they
are actually in really good nick because to provide that
late in that temperature and, humidity that says a lot
about what these guys have been doing in their off
season or in the season In.
Speaker 4 (02:23):
Europe, YEAH i think both physical, fitness but also you,
know just a little bit of mental toughness and a
bit of, ticker you. Know so that's been the but
that's been really. Pleasing you, know three all down or
three one, down doesn't. Matter the boys just go back
to work and you know we've managed to get the,
results which is.
Speaker 3 (02:40):
Awesome how do you train grit and resilience like? That
this is just SOMETHING i don't suppose you can train for,
that can? You it's just inherent in the. Players, oh
probably a bit of.
Speaker 4 (02:50):
Both you. Know some of it's you, know guys who've
grown up with that mindset their whole, life either through
their schooling or their parenting or anything like. That but you,
know we try and recreate the, Pressure we try and
recreate the circumstances that we're going to be going. To
if you can recreate that and training enough, times then
you can you can build that gritain.
Speaker 2 (03:11):
Resiliency so you've Got korea coming up in the semi,
finally you Expecting greg to apply the same, philosophy the
same shape around that.
Speaker 4 (03:21):
Fix, well, YEAH i mean pool was we played Three
asian teams in our pool and we've got another. One
so they're going to play a very similar style to
what we've come up, against where they're going to be
very compact in defense and they're going to try and
counterteck against. Us so you, know the formula is not
going to be that much. Different But i'd obviously like
(03:41):
to get up in the game and control the game
a little bit better in the first.
Speaker 2 (03:44):
Half so you're surprised about how could the this team's
actually gelled considering WHAT i don't know what the percentage
is a lot over In, europe a handful over here and.
Elsewhere that's great, COACHING i might, add to get them
all on the same.
Speaker 4 (03:57):
Page, yeah, YEAH i guess that's the biggest challenge when
we decentralized like, that as making sure there's alignment we.
Do we do a bit of, work quite a lot
of work. Online we do quite a bit of work between.
Tours obviously this one's been a long, one but and
then just trying to build this, system you, know make
sure that any new players who are coming in that
they know how we play before they come, in so
(04:19):
that filters down to the regional. Programs it.
Speaker 3 (04:22):
Does and talking about knowing what you're going to, do
you have pretty tough team to scout because haven't been.
Playing do you think there's an element of surprise and
what you've done against these?
Speaker 2 (04:31):
Teams?
Speaker 1 (04:32):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (04:33):
MAYBE i mean this tour for, us we Didn't we
didn't change a heap of what we did last. Year
there's probably like two or three key things that we've
adjusted and tried advance Since. Paris but the other teams
know that we're going to plan an.
Speaker 2 (04:48):
Attacking, brand right and you've got this Is Nation's, cup
so you won, this but then you decided not to
go up to the next level or to, play AND
i don't Think france did, either so you've been basically
dormant for an entire. Year so just summarize for the
listeners what victory if this actually, occurs what that means
(05:08):
for The Black sticks and the wider.
Speaker 3 (05:10):
Picture.
Speaker 4 (05:11):
Yeah, WELL i mean we we wanted last year as
the FIRST fih tournament we had one in a, while
so you, know going back to backward would be. Awesome,
obviously winning it gives us a chance to talk about
whether pro league is an option. Again the reality of
pro league is that it's it's a very expensive, exercise
(05:31):
and so we'll left to obviously we've got a win
to get into that conversation. Again so we're not going
to start having those conversations.
Speaker 3 (05:38):
Yet and thanks very much for not hanging up on,
Me Greg. Nickel, there how DO i get that so?
Wrong i've already gone on the muth at ikey, Break
HAVEN'T i all? Played or what you wanna call? It
that's the Black Sticks. Hockey to get the name, Right Greg,
(05:59):
NICKEL i didn't, SWEAR i just bore. No it slipped.
Speaker 2 (06:04):
Out Greg, nickel head coach of the uber successful Currently Black.
Speaker 1 (06:08):
Sex for more From Sports, talk listen live To News talks'
b from seven pm, weekdays or follow the podcast On.
iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Dancy Wildergrave
from News talks'd be.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
They've had an astonishing run. They have the black Cats
men's team. They sat down for a year. They've come
back from the Nation's Championship and they have won three
consecutive games. Two of those games they have come back
from huge deficits to win OWL. And we're joined now
by Greg Dixon. He's the head coach excuse me, of
(00:35):
the black Caps.
Speaker 3 (00:37):
Got it, Greg?
Speaker 4 (00:38):
How's it going good?
Speaker 2 (00:39):
What a week it's been for the Black Sticks and
it's kind of flown under the radar because basically the
means Black Sticks have been inactive for the.
Speaker 3 (00:47):
Best part of the year. What a comeback.
Speaker 4 (00:50):
Yeah, it's good to be back on the TIF. You know,
we hadn't played a game since Paris formal test match.
We've obviously had some camps and stuff, but yeah, good
to be back on the international stage. And you know,
three wins from three is a good start.
Speaker 2 (01:03):
Not only back, but back with a bang. You managed
to dispatch Japan. But those last couple of games, what
I don't know what's with your slow starts and your
late comebacks, because up against Malaysia. What were you trailing
three zip and then you scored like was it four
goals in the last eight minutes to win. And then
you did the same against Pakistan behind three to one,
(01:24):
four to three again, So please tell me you're I'm
gonna carry on with that come semi final time.
Speaker 3 (01:28):
It's too scary, bro.
Speaker 4 (01:29):
Yeah, hopefully we can. We can score a few goals
first in the semifinals, but you know, when you're in Asia,
in these conditions, anything can happen. It's it's sort of
one of those tournaments where it hasn't just been US.
I think France were five to one down against Korea
and won six'. Five So africa with fall all down
Against wales and jury four. All so it's sort of
(01:51):
because of the. Conditions it's about thirty two thirty three every,
day eighty five ninety percent, humidity so you have these
waves of momentum in the game and you've got to
make sure that you take advantage of the.
Speaker 3 (02:05):
Waves and that says a lot for the fitness of the.
Team even though you said haven't.
Speaker 2 (02:09):
Had a ball and anger in quite some, time but
painly a lot of them out Of, europe right they
are actually in really good nick because to provide that
late in that temperature and, humidity that says a lot
about what these guys have been doing in their off
season or in the season In.
Speaker 4 (02:23):
Europe, YEAH i think both physical, fitness but also you,
know just a little bit of mental toughness and a
bit of, ticker you. Know so that's been the but
that's been really. Pleasing you, know three all down or
three one, down doesn't. Matter the boys just go back
to work and you know we've managed to get the,
results which is.
Speaker 3 (02:40):
Awesome how do you train grit and resilience like? That
this is just SOMETHING i don't suppose you can train for,
that can? You it's just inherent in the. Players, oh
probably a bit of.
Speaker 4 (02:50):
Both you. Know some of it's you, know guys who've
grown up with that mindset their whole, life either through
their schooling or their parenting or anything like. That but you,
know we try and recreate the, Pressure we try and
recreate the circumstances that we're going to be going. To
if you can recreate that and training enough, times then
you can you can build that gritain.
Speaker 2 (03:11):
Resiliency so you've Got korea coming up in the semi,
finally you Expecting greg to apply the same, philosophy the
same shape around that.
Speaker 4 (03:21):
Fix, well, YEAH i mean pool was we played Three
asian teams in our pool and we've got another. One
so they're going to play a very similar style to
what we've come up, against where they're going to be
very compact in defense and they're going to try and
counterteck against. Us so you, know the formula is not
going to be that much. Different But i'd obviously like
(03:41):
to get up in the game and control the game
a little bit better in the first.
Speaker 2 (03:44):
Half so you're surprised about how could the this team's
actually gelled considering WHAT i don't know what the percentage
is a lot over In, europe a handful over here and.
Elsewhere that's great, COACHING i might, add to get them
all on the same.
Speaker 4 (03:57):
Page, yeah, YEAH i guess that's the biggest challenge when
we decentralized like, that as making sure there's alignment we.
Do we do a bit of, work quite a lot
of work. Online we do quite a bit of work between.
Tours obviously this one's been a long, one but and
then just trying to build this, system you, know make
sure that any new players who are coming in that
they know how we play before they come, in so
(04:19):
that filters down to the regional. Programs it.
Speaker 3 (04:22):
Does and talking about knowing what you're going to, do
you have pretty tough team to scout because haven't been.
Playing do you think there's an element of surprise and
what you've done against these?
Speaker 2 (04:31):
Teams?
Speaker 1 (04:32):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (04:33):
MAYBE i mean this tour for, us we Didn't we
didn't change a heap of what we did last. Year
there's probably like two or three key things that we've
adjusted and tried advance Since. Paris but the other teams
know that we're going to plan an.
Speaker 2 (04:48):
Attacking, brand right and you've got this Is Nation's, cup
so you won, this but then you decided not to
go up to the next level or to, play AND
i don't Think france did, either so you've been basically
dormant for an entire. Year so just summarize for the
listeners what victory if this actually, occurs what that means
(05:08):
for The Black sticks and the wider.
Speaker 3 (05:10):
Picture.
Speaker 4 (05:11):
Yeah, WELL i mean we we wanted last year as
the FIRST fih tournament we had one in a, while
so you, know going back to backward would be. Awesome,
obviously winning it gives us a chance to talk about
whether pro league is an option. Again the reality of
pro league is that it's it's a very expensive, exercise
(05:31):
and so we'll left to obviously we've got a win
to get into that conversation. Again so we're not going
to start having those conversations.
Speaker 3 (05:38):
Yet and thanks very much for not hanging up on,
Me Greg. Nickel, there how DO i get that so?
Wrong i've already gone on the muth at ikey, Break
HAVEN'T i all? Played or what you wanna call? It
that's the Black Sticks. Hockey to get the name, Right Greg,
(05:59):
NICKEL i didn't, SWEAR i just bore. No it slipped.
Speaker 2 (06:04):
Out Greg, nickel head coach of the uber successful Currently Black.
Speaker 1 (06:08):
Sex for more From Sports, talk listen live To News talks'
b from seven pm, weekdays or follow the podcast On.
iHeartRadio
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
The Breakfast Club
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy And Charlamagne Tha God!
The Joe Rogan Experience
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.