1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,427 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Fine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:11,787 Speaker 1: from Newstalk sed B. 3 00:00:13,027 --> 00:00:16,387 Speaker 2: One of the key members of the Wellington Phoenix's superb 4 00:00:16,427 --> 00:00:19,987 Speaker 2: twenty twenty three twenty twenty four A League season was 5 00:00:20,387 --> 00:00:24,667 Speaker 2: defender Finn Sermon. Now Van Haddam can deliver it, doesn't 6 00:00:24,827 --> 00:00:28,827 Speaker 2: the every do believe it? 7 00:00:29,227 --> 00:00:33,707 Speaker 3: Sermon with his first highly Fensky has. 8 00:00:33,667 --> 00:00:37,827 Speaker 2: Done it for Lollington. Do they we have in the capitol? 9 00:00:38,867 --> 00:00:42,147 Speaker 2: Fenn seven to the victory of the Knife in Marshall 10 00:00:42,187 --> 00:00:47,147 Speaker 2: included corner rolling and then night of the deck. As 11 00:00:47,227 --> 00:00:49,547 Speaker 2: they said last time, the Willings in Phoenix had come 12 00:00:49,627 --> 00:00:53,227 Speaker 2: up with the moment. That's the big center back pair, 13 00:00:53,307 --> 00:00:55,427 Speaker 2: the big cente back. Finn Sermon. He played every game 14 00:00:55,427 --> 00:00:57,747 Speaker 2: for the Phoenix last season and caught the eye of 15 00:00:57,827 --> 00:01:01,387 Speaker 2: the Portland Timbers in the United States and the MLS 16 00:01:01,467 --> 00:01:04,547 Speaker 2: over there. Moved there shortly after. He represented New Zealand 17 00:01:04,587 --> 00:01:07,387 Speaker 2: at the Paris Olympic Games of the second half of 18 00:01:07,507 --> 00:01:10,667 Speaker 2: the m LS season. He's back home now in the 19 00:01:10,787 --> 00:01:13,467 Speaker 2: US off season and joins US. Finn. Great to get 20 00:01:13,467 --> 00:01:15,827 Speaker 2: the chance to chat to you. How do you reflect 21 00:01:15,907 --> 00:01:19,187 Speaker 2: back on your first half season with the Portland Timbers 22 00:01:19,267 --> 00:01:20,107 Speaker 2: in the m l S. 23 00:01:21,027 --> 00:01:25,267 Speaker 3: Thanks for having me, Heidi the first first, first ever 24 00:01:25,387 --> 00:01:28,347 Speaker 3: half of the season with the Portland Timbers. It's been 25 00:01:28,867 --> 00:01:32,787 Speaker 3: it's been awesome for myself. I think I've taken a 26 00:01:32,827 --> 00:01:35,667 Speaker 3: lot of time to settle into a new country and 27 00:01:35,747 --> 00:01:38,187 Speaker 3: new team with new staff, all that sort of stuff, 28 00:01:38,227 --> 00:01:42,227 Speaker 3: and and and and kind of adjust to my new life. 29 00:01:42,347 --> 00:01:47,027 Speaker 3: But overall, I've I've really enjoyed it. Trying to adjust 30 00:01:47,067 --> 00:01:50,107 Speaker 3: to the level of my team and the pace of 31 00:01:50,147 --> 00:01:53,467 Speaker 3: the games. There's a slight step up, and yeah, I've 32 00:01:53,667 --> 00:01:55,267 Speaker 3: really been enjoying it as. 33 00:01:55,107 --> 00:01:59,787 Speaker 2: You made those adjustments. Was it an easy team environment 34 00:01:59,907 --> 00:02:01,867 Speaker 2: to fit into? Did they? Did they make it easy 35 00:02:01,907 --> 00:02:04,387 Speaker 2: for you in terms of the players and the staff 36 00:02:04,387 --> 00:02:04,947 Speaker 2: at Portland? 37 00:02:05,787 --> 00:02:09,667 Speaker 4: Yeah, everyone was actually really welcoming. The staff. 38 00:02:09,747 --> 00:02:11,867 Speaker 3: The staff were great to me and they were always 39 00:02:11,867 --> 00:02:16,227 Speaker 3: looking out offering offering their help with whatever I needed, 40 00:02:16,467 --> 00:02:18,347 Speaker 3: it was off the pitch or on the pitch things. 41 00:02:18,467 --> 00:02:20,507 Speaker 4: And then same with the players. To be honest, the 42 00:02:20,547 --> 00:02:21,867 Speaker 4: players are extremely welcoming. 43 00:02:22,947 --> 00:02:25,147 Speaker 3: A lot of them were slightly older than me, but 44 00:02:25,147 --> 00:02:27,867 Speaker 3: they were still they were still all great to me. 45 00:02:27,907 --> 00:02:30,267 Speaker 3: They were welcomed me in a lot of boys from 46 00:02:30,267 --> 00:02:33,707 Speaker 3: different cultures, which is which has been awesome and definitely 47 00:02:33,787 --> 00:02:36,547 Speaker 3: something new that I'm experiencing, which I'm loving. 48 00:02:37,027 --> 00:02:40,107 Speaker 2: How would you compare the standard that you've that you've 49 00:02:40,227 --> 00:02:43,187 Speaker 2: arrived in in the MLS and inside the Portland Timbers 50 00:02:43,187 --> 00:02:45,507 Speaker 2: as well with what you were playing in the A 51 00:02:45,627 --> 00:02:47,387 Speaker 2: League for the last couple of years. 52 00:02:47,947 --> 00:02:51,067 Speaker 4: Well, I think I think it's just a step up 53 00:02:51,107 --> 00:02:52,107 Speaker 4: and an intensity. 54 00:02:52,147 --> 00:02:55,907 Speaker 3: To be honest, some of the players that I get 55 00:02:55,907 --> 00:03:00,547 Speaker 3: to play against and train against serious equality and they 56 00:03:00,667 --> 00:03:05,787 Speaker 3: kind of they punished you whenever there's a mistake. And yeah, 57 00:03:05,827 --> 00:03:08,347 Speaker 3: like I said, the intensity, the speed of what people 58 00:03:08,627 --> 00:03:11,307 Speaker 3: do things, whether that's thinking or just the actions that 59 00:03:11,347 --> 00:03:13,707 Speaker 3: they do, is it's just a little that a little 60 00:03:13,747 --> 00:03:17,227 Speaker 3: bit faster, and so you have to make decisions. 61 00:03:16,267 --> 00:03:19,707 Speaker 4: Slightly quicker and move quicker and do all that sort 62 00:03:19,707 --> 00:03:20,147 Speaker 4: of stuff. 63 00:03:20,907 --> 00:03:22,747 Speaker 3: So, yeah, there's a slight step up in intensity, but 64 00:03:22,747 --> 00:03:26,067 Speaker 3: it's something that I'm really enjoying the challenge of and 65 00:03:26,627 --> 00:03:27,427 Speaker 3: getting too grateful with. 66 00:03:27,587 --> 00:03:29,627 Speaker 2: Yeah, and have you found that that that has compelled 67 00:03:29,627 --> 00:03:32,747 Speaker 2: you to do exactly that, to lift what was already 68 00:03:32,747 --> 00:03:34,827 Speaker 2: a good level up to you know, maybe the next 69 00:03:34,867 --> 00:03:38,107 Speaker 2: level around your the pace the decision making, that sort 70 00:03:38,147 --> 00:03:38,387 Speaker 2: of thing. 71 00:03:39,147 --> 00:03:41,947 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think so, And I think the longer I'm there, 72 00:03:42,667 --> 00:03:45,067 Speaker 3: the more not necessarily comfortable you get within it, but 73 00:03:45,507 --> 00:03:49,307 Speaker 3: the more adjusted you've become. And the coaching stuff has 74 00:03:49,307 --> 00:03:51,507 Speaker 3: spent a lot of time with me over the last 75 00:03:51,507 --> 00:03:55,307 Speaker 3: three months getting adjusted to where I need to be 76 00:03:55,387 --> 00:03:58,307 Speaker 3: and that sort of stuff, and so they've they've they've 77 00:03:58,347 --> 00:04:01,587 Speaker 3: been a big help to me. And in settling into 78 00:04:01,227 --> 00:04:02,347 Speaker 3: the new environment. 79 00:04:02,787 --> 00:04:05,347 Speaker 2: You're included in match day squads fairly quickly, but you 80 00:04:05,427 --> 00:04:06,867 Speaker 2: have to be a bit patient to wait for your 81 00:04:06,907 --> 00:04:10,147 Speaker 2: opportunity to actually make your debut. Was that in any 82 00:04:10,147 --> 00:04:11,227 Speaker 2: way challenging for you? 83 00:04:12,467 --> 00:04:14,027 Speaker 4: Yeah? It was. 84 00:04:14,227 --> 00:04:19,227 Speaker 3: I think I've spoken openly before about about what it's 85 00:04:19,267 --> 00:04:21,987 Speaker 3: like not playing and the challenges that come with that. 86 00:04:23,147 --> 00:04:27,387 Speaker 3: So moving there, moving their Midwest through a season, and 87 00:04:27,987 --> 00:04:30,507 Speaker 3: with the situation that our team was in, I kind 88 00:04:30,507 --> 00:04:31,787 Speaker 3: of knew what I was getting myself into. 89 00:04:31,867 --> 00:04:33,867 Speaker 4: You know, we we were pushing for playoffs. 90 00:04:33,907 --> 00:04:36,347 Speaker 3: We were kind of on the brink of it for 91 00:04:36,387 --> 00:04:38,467 Speaker 3: a lot of the time, pushing for playoffs. So every 92 00:04:38,467 --> 00:04:43,467 Speaker 3: game is important, and sometimes center backs is difficult to change. 93 00:04:43,547 --> 00:04:46,947 Speaker 3: So yeah, coming in there, I was on the bench, 94 00:04:47,027 --> 00:04:49,267 Speaker 3: on the bench quite a lot, and I kind of 95 00:04:49,747 --> 00:04:52,067 Speaker 3: I told myself that, you know, just needs to be 96 00:04:52,147 --> 00:04:54,787 Speaker 3: patient and train as hard as you can so that 97 00:04:55,547 --> 00:04:58,907 Speaker 3: basically be ready when you do the opportunity, because that's 98 00:04:58,947 --> 00:05:00,987 Speaker 3: all football really is is being ready when you do 99 00:05:01,027 --> 00:05:01,627 Speaker 3: get the chance. 100 00:05:02,387 --> 00:05:05,947 Speaker 2: And you did your debut, did arrive a superb game 101 00:05:06,747 --> 00:05:09,947 Speaker 2: that you had on debut. How pleased were you with 102 00:05:10,187 --> 00:05:11,627 Speaker 2: your your first game for Portland? 103 00:05:12,867 --> 00:05:14,467 Speaker 4: I was. I was very pleased, to be honest. 104 00:05:14,507 --> 00:05:17,107 Speaker 3: I think there's there's a lot of things that I 105 00:05:17,107 --> 00:05:21,707 Speaker 3: can take out of that game positively, and I think 106 00:05:21,987 --> 00:05:27,947 Speaker 3: I proved myself to my teammates and my staff that 107 00:05:27,947 --> 00:05:30,467 Speaker 3: that I can, I can play at the at the 108 00:05:30,547 --> 00:05:33,027 Speaker 3: level and I can I can I can back myself 109 00:05:33,107 --> 00:05:35,867 Speaker 3: up there. I think in terms of the game, it 110 00:05:35,907 --> 00:05:38,587 Speaker 3: was quite an important game for us, a special game. 111 00:05:38,627 --> 00:05:41,507 Speaker 3: It was a derby and for the Cascadia Cup, and 112 00:05:42,987 --> 00:05:44,987 Speaker 3: although we would have liked to win, we drew in 113 00:05:45,067 --> 00:05:46,947 Speaker 3: that and that that got us the cup. So that 114 00:05:47,067 --> 00:05:49,347 Speaker 3: was super important, I know, for not only our team 115 00:05:49,387 --> 00:05:53,027 Speaker 3: but also our fans. So that was yeah, that was 116 00:05:53,347 --> 00:05:55,467 Speaker 3: It was a good game and I'm pretty happy with 117 00:05:55,467 --> 00:05:58,707 Speaker 3: with how it went. And I'm positive because I know 118 00:05:58,787 --> 00:06:01,347 Speaker 3: I can I can continue to get better. 119 00:06:02,227 --> 00:06:04,827 Speaker 2: Your head coach is a fairly well known football figure 120 00:06:04,867 --> 00:06:06,667 Speaker 2: around the place for my man Chester you know, guided 121 00:06:06,947 --> 00:06:09,467 Speaker 2: and England defender Phil Neville. How has he been to 122 00:06:09,707 --> 00:06:10,267 Speaker 2: work under? 123 00:06:11,307 --> 00:06:11,947 Speaker 4: It's been great. 124 00:06:12,027 --> 00:06:16,027 Speaker 3: I find that he's been super honest with me in 125 00:06:16,067 --> 00:06:17,547 Speaker 3: the in the in the three or four months that 126 00:06:17,587 --> 00:06:19,747 Speaker 3: have been there, he has just been open and honest 127 00:06:19,747 --> 00:06:22,667 Speaker 3: with me about where he sees me, where where I 128 00:06:22,707 --> 00:06:25,987 Speaker 3: need to improve, and that's that sort of thing. So yeah, 129 00:06:25,987 --> 00:06:28,147 Speaker 3: he's he's been great and I think he's going to 130 00:06:28,187 --> 00:06:31,027 Speaker 3: bring out even He's going. 131 00:06:30,907 --> 00:06:33,427 Speaker 4: To bring out a good side of me, and same 132 00:06:33,467 --> 00:06:35,427 Speaker 4: with some of his other staff I work. 133 00:06:35,587 --> 00:06:39,987 Speaker 3: I work closely with Liam Ridgewell, who's who's another one 134 00:06:39,987 --> 00:06:43,267 Speaker 3: of the assistant coaches, who's who's also put a lot 135 00:06:43,267 --> 00:06:45,747 Speaker 3: of time into me so far, and I'm really enjoying working. 136 00:06:45,547 --> 00:06:48,747 Speaker 2: Under fantastic And of course alongside all of this, you've 137 00:06:48,747 --> 00:06:50,547 Speaker 2: been a regular member of the All Whites as well 138 00:06:50,827 --> 00:06:53,907 Speaker 2: for a week while now. How keen are you to 139 00:06:53,907 --> 00:06:56,547 Speaker 2: be involved in the final push towards the World Cup 140 00:06:56,547 --> 00:06:58,707 Speaker 2: in the in the early part of next year. 141 00:07:00,587 --> 00:07:04,267 Speaker 3: I think that's that's something that's always been a goal 142 00:07:04,307 --> 00:07:06,987 Speaker 3: of mine to become a regular and all Whites and 143 00:07:07,267 --> 00:07:10,027 Speaker 3: to be playing for the all Whites. We've got some 144 00:07:10,947 --> 00:07:12,907 Speaker 3: like a fantastic group of players at the moment, not 145 00:07:12,947 --> 00:07:15,827 Speaker 3: only defenders, not in the sin of backs, but just 146 00:07:16,067 --> 00:07:18,667 Speaker 3: the whole team in general. So I know that everyone's 147 00:07:18,987 --> 00:07:22,267 Speaker 3: really pushing for places and everyone wants to be playing. 148 00:07:22,387 --> 00:07:24,827 Speaker 3: So it's it's we've got some really healthy competition at 149 00:07:24,827 --> 00:07:27,787 Speaker 3: the moment, and yeah, I love I love getting the 150 00:07:27,787 --> 00:07:30,787 Speaker 3: opportunity to play for the national team, and that's something 151 00:07:30,827 --> 00:07:31,747 Speaker 3: I want to continue doing. 152 00:07:31,987 --> 00:07:32,147 Speaker 4: Well. 153 00:07:32,187 --> 00:07:33,787 Speaker 2: One game that court, well my eye, and I think 154 00:07:33,787 --> 00:07:35,027 Speaker 2: the Eye have a lot of people, was the one 155 00:07:35,027 --> 00:07:37,947 Speaker 2: all draw with the United States in September. I thought 156 00:07:37,987 --> 00:07:40,267 Speaker 2: you were terrific that day. Where does that game? Right? 157 00:07:40,307 --> 00:07:42,267 Speaker 2: Among the internationals you've played. 158 00:07:43,187 --> 00:07:46,907 Speaker 3: That's probably one of the highest internationals, probably the best 159 00:07:46,907 --> 00:07:49,307 Speaker 3: international at a at. 160 00:07:49,187 --> 00:07:49,867 Speaker 4: A men's level. 161 00:07:50,027 --> 00:07:52,747 Speaker 3: That's probably the best team i'd say that I've played 162 00:07:52,747 --> 00:07:55,747 Speaker 3: against at at the men's level. 163 00:07:56,387 --> 00:07:58,507 Speaker 4: So that was that was pretty special, and I thought 164 00:07:58,587 --> 00:08:00,627 Speaker 4: that we do a right that game. 165 00:08:02,027 --> 00:08:04,467 Speaker 3: Yeah, one one against you is not not a bad 166 00:08:04,507 --> 00:08:08,147 Speaker 3: result considering we're bouncing and trying to bounce back from 167 00:08:08,427 --> 00:08:10,627 Speaker 3: from an bad loss against Mexico. 168 00:08:12,027 --> 00:08:13,147 Speaker 4: So yeah, that was. 169 00:08:13,187 --> 00:08:16,627 Speaker 3: That was That's probably the top top game that I've 170 00:08:16,667 --> 00:08:18,347 Speaker 3: played at the men's national team. 171 00:08:18,227 --> 00:08:20,187 Speaker 2: Level and the Olympics as well. Let's not forget that 172 00:08:20,387 --> 00:08:22,147 Speaker 2: it's been a busy year for you the Olympic Games 173 00:08:22,147 --> 00:08:24,267 Speaker 2: as well. How was that experience in Paris? 174 00:08:24,587 --> 00:08:25,467 Speaker 4: Oh? That was awesome. 175 00:08:27,187 --> 00:08:28,667 Speaker 3: Those are some of the best teams as well that 176 00:08:28,667 --> 00:08:32,787 Speaker 3: I've played against, USA and France. They they they were 177 00:08:33,027 --> 00:08:36,747 Speaker 3: both very strong, especially France. That was so that was 178 00:08:36,787 --> 00:08:39,827 Speaker 3: an awesome experience. I think we're quite disappointed with how 179 00:08:39,867 --> 00:08:43,667 Speaker 3: we i'd say how the results went overall in that tournament, 180 00:08:44,667 --> 00:08:48,427 Speaker 3: but okay, we all gained a lot of valuable experience 181 00:08:48,427 --> 00:08:51,107 Speaker 3: from that, and you can see the level of where 182 00:08:51,187 --> 00:08:53,747 Speaker 3: some of these guys are and where we eventually want 183 00:08:53,787 --> 00:08:54,147 Speaker 3: to get to. 184 00:08:54,987 --> 00:08:57,147 Speaker 2: So have you been keeping an eye on the Phoenix 185 00:08:57,187 --> 00:08:58,747 Speaker 2: results in the first couple of months of the new 186 00:08:58,787 --> 00:08:59,507 Speaker 2: A League season. 187 00:09:00,187 --> 00:09:02,107 Speaker 3: Yeah, I've been keeping I've been keeping up with it. 188 00:09:02,707 --> 00:09:04,827 Speaker 3: I don't watch, I haven't watched every game, but I've watched. 189 00:09:04,867 --> 00:09:07,587 Speaker 3: I've watched a few games, and I'm enjoying Watchington play. 190 00:09:08,147 --> 00:09:09,787 Speaker 2: I know you're back for the game this afternoon, so 191 00:09:09,787 --> 00:09:11,387 Speaker 2: I we'll look forward to seeing you at Sky Stadium. 192 00:09:11,387 --> 00:09:13,907 Speaker 2: What do you do back in the United States for 193 00:09:14,267 --> 00:09:15,707 Speaker 2: pre season training and such like? 194 00:09:16,787 --> 00:09:20,747 Speaker 3: Head back early early January, late December to start pre 195 00:09:20,827 --> 00:09:24,667 Speaker 3: season in at the start of January. So I'm really 196 00:09:24,667 --> 00:09:27,467 Speaker 3: looking forward to that and I actually I actually can't 197 00:09:27,467 --> 00:09:29,427 Speaker 3: wait to get back and get stuff into it. 198 00:09:29,667 --> 00:09:32,787 Speaker 2: Fantastic. Well, Congratulations on a terrific year across all of 199 00:09:32,827 --> 00:09:35,867 Speaker 2: your football teams for the Phoenix, the Ollie Whites, the 200 00:09:35,867 --> 00:09:37,827 Speaker 2: All Whites and the Portland Timbers. G what are twenty 201 00:09:37,827 --> 00:09:41,067 Speaker 2: twenty four It's been for you mate. Congratulations, enjoy what's 202 00:09:41,147 --> 00:09:42,747 Speaker 2: left of your summer break and look forward to catching 203 00:09:42,787 --> 00:09:43,347 Speaker 2: up again soon. 204 00:09:43,947 --> 00:09:45,507 Speaker 4: Sweet Thank you very much, Budy. 205 00:09:45,347 --> 00:09:49,627 Speaker 2: No, thank you for Finnsummon then former Wellington Phoenix defender 206 00:09:49,827 --> 00:09:53,547 Speaker 2: or Whites and Portland Timbers defender in town for the 207 00:09:54,027 --> 00:09:57,227 Speaker 2: game this afternoon is the Wellington Phoenix take on MacArthur 208 00:09:57,427 --> 00:09:59,387 Speaker 2: from five o'clock this afternoon. 209 00:09:59,827 --> 00:10:03,027 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 210 00:10:03,147 --> 00:10:06,347 Speaker 1: to News Talk zed B weekends from midday or follow 211 00:10:06,507 --> 00:10:08,067 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio.