1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,547 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:11,787 Speaker 1: from News Talks. 3 00:00:11,587 --> 00:00:16,387 Speaker 2: EDB Wellington Phoenix confirmed the signing of All Whites defender 4 00:00:16,427 --> 00:00:18,787 Speaker 2: Build Touloma on a two and a half year deal. 5 00:00:19,227 --> 00:00:22,427 Speaker 2: Delivery is good and as he goes for New Zealand 6 00:00:22,467 --> 00:00:26,467 Speaker 2: and Bill Toilama. It's the man ten point delivery from 7 00:00:26,547 --> 00:00:30,147 Speaker 2: Joe Bell Build to Iloma, Notts Homer's third goal for 8 00:00:30,227 --> 00:00:32,467 Speaker 2: New Zealand or elevation on that one, but the hen 9 00:00:32,507 --> 00:00:35,547 Speaker 2: it comes out from to Ilama. It's a second goal 10 00:00:35,867 --> 00:00:38,587 Speaker 2: from a corner for Bill to Iloma. What a night 11 00:00:38,667 --> 00:00:41,307 Speaker 2: he's head in Doha. It's a long wait at homecoming 12 00:00:41,387 --> 00:00:43,987 Speaker 2: for the thirty year old defender. He's played more than 13 00:00:44,027 --> 00:00:47,707 Speaker 2: two hundred professional matches in France and the United States. 14 00:00:48,067 --> 00:00:50,187 Speaker 2: He will have to wait for the A League's mid 15 00:00:50,227 --> 00:00:53,547 Speaker 2: season registration window to open. It's not that far away. 16 00:00:53,587 --> 00:00:57,147 Speaker 2: It opens on Wednesday. It means he can't play tomorrow 17 00:00:57,147 --> 00:01:00,387 Speaker 2: for the Phoenix against Adelaide, but will be eligible to 18 00:01:00,427 --> 00:01:05,027 Speaker 2: make his debut next weekend. So tomorrow it's Adelaide and 19 00:01:05,107 --> 00:01:09,427 Speaker 2: then on that's tomorrow week they face Sydney. That will 20 00:01:09,467 --> 00:01:12,867 Speaker 2: be his first opportunity to play for his new site. 21 00:01:13,147 --> 00:01:15,747 Speaker 2: I caught up with Bill Tuilama on Thursday to find 22 00:01:15,827 --> 00:01:17,627 Speaker 2: out how the move had come about. 23 00:01:18,307 --> 00:01:20,747 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean I came across the came across the 24 00:01:20,747 --> 00:01:23,027 Speaker 3: table with my agent and we really talked about it. 25 00:01:23,107 --> 00:01:25,667 Speaker 3: You know, it took us a couple of weeks so 26 00:01:25,987 --> 00:01:28,467 Speaker 3: thinking about it and processing it and you know, seeing 27 00:01:28,467 --> 00:01:31,227 Speaker 3: where the best option was to go to. And Phoenix 28 00:01:31,267 --> 00:01:33,787 Speaker 3: will on top as well, and especial with them being 29 00:01:33,787 --> 00:01:36,867 Speaker 3: in mid season. And I was excited just to you know, 30 00:01:36,987 --> 00:01:39,867 Speaker 3: make that decision on Christmas Day and come home. 31 00:01:40,307 --> 00:01:42,707 Speaker 2: So you'd had the contract in front of you, you'd 32 00:01:42,707 --> 00:01:45,067 Speaker 2: had the offer, and it was on Christmas Day that 33 00:01:45,147 --> 00:01:45,787 Speaker 2: you made the call. 34 00:01:46,067 --> 00:01:47,227 Speaker 3: Yeah, it was on Christmas Day. 35 00:01:47,227 --> 00:01:47,507 Speaker 2: I work. 36 00:01:48,187 --> 00:01:50,307 Speaker 3: I spoke with Chief I think before a couple of 37 00:01:50,387 --> 00:01:54,227 Speaker 3: days before on Christmas, and you know, I wanted to 38 00:01:54,227 --> 00:01:56,747 Speaker 3: think about it and you know, process things and take 39 00:01:56,787 --> 00:01:58,467 Speaker 3: it easy and talk to my talk to my dad 40 00:01:58,507 --> 00:02:00,907 Speaker 3: and my parents and see, you know, you know if 41 00:02:00,987 --> 00:02:03,867 Speaker 3: I was you know, the right move and work up 42 00:02:03,907 --> 00:02:05,987 Speaker 3: on Christmas and you know, tell myself, look, it's the 43 00:02:06,067 --> 00:02:08,187 Speaker 3: right movie, it was the right option. Let them Let 44 00:02:08,227 --> 00:02:09,827 Speaker 3: my agent know that it's kind of we're going to 45 00:02:09,867 --> 00:02:12,707 Speaker 3: do and missus Shawan girl Seawan girl to you know, 46 00:02:12,787 --> 00:02:14,547 Speaker 3: let's do the signing. So very excited. 47 00:02:14,867 --> 00:02:16,547 Speaker 2: So you've landed you here, You've had a few training 48 00:02:16,587 --> 00:02:18,787 Speaker 2: sessions with the team. Does it feel like a team 49 00:02:18,787 --> 00:02:20,787 Speaker 2: that will be comfortable for you to fit into? 50 00:02:20,947 --> 00:02:24,067 Speaker 3: Yeah, definitely, definitely got these talent here, the way they 51 00:02:24,107 --> 00:02:25,947 Speaker 3: want to play, the way the way the Chiefs wants 52 00:02:25,947 --> 00:02:28,907 Speaker 3: to play and having the highlane, it's it's great. I 53 00:02:29,027 --> 00:02:31,987 Speaker 3: know it's something that I'm used to. I've played, I 54 00:02:32,067 --> 00:02:34,307 Speaker 3: played that formation as well, so I'm very excited to 55 00:02:34,827 --> 00:02:37,027 Speaker 3: get on the pitch and hopefully perform for the team. 56 00:02:37,347 --> 00:02:40,027 Speaker 2: And it's twenty twenty six now World Cup year. How 57 00:02:40,067 --> 00:02:41,907 Speaker 2: important is it for you as a as an all 58 00:02:41,907 --> 00:02:43,627 Speaker 2: watch aspirant. You want to be on that plane to 59 00:02:43,627 --> 00:02:44,747 Speaker 2: be playing football at the moment. 60 00:02:44,827 --> 00:02:48,667 Speaker 3: Yeah, definitely, it's it's it's one of my dream goals 61 00:02:48,667 --> 00:02:50,867 Speaker 3: to go to the World Cup and playing these games 62 00:02:50,947 --> 00:02:54,467 Speaker 3: is very important for the national team coach to watch 63 00:02:54,507 --> 00:02:56,587 Speaker 3: and you know it's good for them to see players 64 00:02:56,587 --> 00:02:59,187 Speaker 3: that are playing and yeah, so I just want to 65 00:02:59,187 --> 00:03:02,147 Speaker 3: perform and hopefully score some goals and hopefully helped up 66 00:03:02,147 --> 00:03:03,307 Speaker 3: the team to climb up the ladder. 67 00:03:03,507 --> 00:03:04,667 Speaker 2: I was trying to work out the last time you 68 00:03:04,667 --> 00:03:06,587 Speaker 2: would have played a club game in New Zealand. Would 69 00:03:06,587 --> 00:03:08,027 Speaker 2: it have been for White TARKETI would that have been 70 00:03:08,067 --> 00:03:09,947 Speaker 2: the last club team you played for here? Or was 71 00:03:09,947 --> 00:03:12,027 Speaker 2: there another one before you went to Marseille. 72 00:03:12,027 --> 00:03:15,307 Speaker 3: I think I think my last club game was Burko. 73 00:03:15,707 --> 00:03:19,187 Speaker 3: I think it was Burker eighteen years old, just turn 74 00:03:19,707 --> 00:03:21,827 Speaker 3: I was about to turn eighteen, and then I left. Yeah, 75 00:03:21,907 --> 00:03:22,347 Speaker 3: I remember. 76 00:03:23,347 --> 00:03:25,827 Speaker 2: So it's some career you've forged in Europe and in 77 00:03:25,867 --> 00:03:29,987 Speaker 2: the United States. I mean, how different is Bill Tuyloma 78 00:03:30,067 --> 00:03:32,267 Speaker 2: from the eighteen year old who took off to France 79 00:03:32,307 --> 00:03:33,507 Speaker 2: to chase his football and dream? 80 00:03:33,867 --> 00:03:36,427 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean football I've learned when I was eighteen 81 00:03:36,547 --> 00:03:39,627 Speaker 3: gone to mar Sille. I did those those years there. 82 00:03:39,867 --> 00:03:43,347 Speaker 3: I've learned so much on the pitch of playing against Piet, 83 00:03:43,627 --> 00:03:48,227 Speaker 3: playing with Piet and the Au brothers, Andre Steve Madonna, 84 00:03:48,307 --> 00:03:52,507 Speaker 3: the captain and goalie. There was just a massive, massive 85 00:03:52,547 --> 00:03:57,667 Speaker 3: team of just maturity in that squad, and I just picked. 86 00:03:57,867 --> 00:03:59,707 Speaker 3: I picked all the things I could learn off each 87 00:03:59,747 --> 00:04:02,587 Speaker 3: player didn't medal was on and off the pitch. So yeah, 88 00:04:02,587 --> 00:04:05,147 Speaker 3: and then you're going to the States and trying to 89 00:04:05,307 --> 00:04:07,587 Speaker 3: solidify my position in the States, and they you know, 90 00:04:07,867 --> 00:04:09,547 Speaker 3: it took me a couple of couple of years, and 91 00:04:09,747 --> 00:04:11,747 Speaker 3: you know, I had had a break out year that 92 00:04:11,747 --> 00:04:13,947 Speaker 3: that really you know, put me, put me up there 93 00:04:13,947 --> 00:04:17,107 Speaker 3: and just keep working. And here we are in Willington, Phoenix, 94 00:04:17,187 --> 00:04:18,827 Speaker 3: trying to you know, going to do my best and 95 00:04:19,107 --> 00:04:22,787 Speaker 3: work work for work. Work is hard to for the team. 96 00:04:22,267 --> 00:04:24,987 Speaker 2: And eighteen young to be going away, you know, to 97 00:04:25,027 --> 00:04:26,827 Speaker 2: the other side of the world to chase a dream. 98 00:04:27,067 --> 00:04:29,027 Speaker 2: But did you feel ready at that time when you 99 00:04:29,107 --> 00:04:31,467 Speaker 2: landed at eighteen? Were you ready for that level? 100 00:04:32,267 --> 00:04:35,947 Speaker 3: I did? I did feel ready. I was excited more 101 00:04:36,387 --> 00:04:38,787 Speaker 3: of just you know, it was a dream that I 102 00:04:38,787 --> 00:04:41,587 Speaker 3: wanted to I wanted to pursue and at the age 103 00:04:41,587 --> 00:04:43,227 Speaker 3: of fourteen, I told myself I want to be a 104 00:04:43,227 --> 00:04:45,827 Speaker 3: pro so and I was just just happy and grateful 105 00:04:46,867 --> 00:04:48,867 Speaker 3: by the grace of God that He's protected me and 106 00:04:48,947 --> 00:04:51,707 Speaker 3: you know, guided me through through through all this, you know, 107 00:04:51,747 --> 00:04:54,227 Speaker 3: throughout my journey. I know my journey is not not 108 00:04:54,307 --> 00:04:56,507 Speaker 3: done yet. So we've got we've got six months to 109 00:04:56,787 --> 00:05:00,187 Speaker 3: claim up the ladding train, get in the playoff spot. 110 00:04:59,747 --> 00:05:02,027 Speaker 2: And also six months or just less than that to 111 00:05:02,627 --> 00:05:04,307 Speaker 2: force your way into that World Cup squad yet and 112 00:05:04,347 --> 00:05:06,507 Speaker 2: around the team at the moment, how am I? That's 113 00:05:06,507 --> 00:05:08,427 Speaker 2: what it means for you to go to a football 114 00:05:08,467 --> 00:05:09,427 Speaker 2: World Cup with New Zealand. 115 00:05:09,427 --> 00:05:12,187 Speaker 3: I mean for every player, every every young kid that 116 00:05:12,387 --> 00:05:14,667 Speaker 3: has a big dream for the World Cup is the 117 00:05:14,707 --> 00:05:18,467 Speaker 3: biggest tournament in the world. So you know, it will 118 00:05:18,507 --> 00:05:20,427 Speaker 3: be a massive deal for me and my family. 119 00:05:21,027 --> 00:05:22,507 Speaker 2: And in terms of the way the All Whites are 120 00:05:22,507 --> 00:05:25,627 Speaker 2: playing at the moment, you know, since qualifying some games 121 00:05:25,667 --> 00:05:28,147 Speaker 2: against high quality opposition and some narrow losses that win 122 00:05:28,187 --> 00:05:30,907 Speaker 2: over coach of wire as well, do you feel confident 123 00:05:30,947 --> 00:05:32,787 Speaker 2: that the Whites can go to the World Cup this 124 00:05:32,907 --> 00:05:36,147 Speaker 2: year and really you know, make a good fist of it. 125 00:05:36,347 --> 00:05:38,547 Speaker 3: Yeah, definitely, one hundred percent. We have the players. We 126 00:05:38,627 --> 00:05:41,107 Speaker 3: have the players to do the job. We've got quality 127 00:05:41,147 --> 00:05:44,507 Speaker 3: players in Europe and now it's all over Europe or 128 00:05:44,547 --> 00:05:46,987 Speaker 3: you know, in the States, and we have the players 129 00:05:47,027 --> 00:05:48,707 Speaker 3: to do it. We have the players to do the tactics, 130 00:05:48,787 --> 00:05:51,147 Speaker 3: we have players to win games and playing like you said, 131 00:05:51,147 --> 00:05:53,667 Speaker 3: playing these big, big countries, it's going to help us, 132 00:05:53,707 --> 00:05:55,267 Speaker 3: you know, it's going to help us grow and help 133 00:05:55,347 --> 00:05:56,187 Speaker 3: us be better as a team. 134 00:05:56,347 --> 00:05:58,107 Speaker 2: All right, and just to finish so six months says 135 00:05:58,147 --> 00:06:01,827 Speaker 2: you say, with Wellington Phoenix, you've only just arrived. But 136 00:06:01,867 --> 00:06:03,187 Speaker 2: do you feel us though, this is a team that 137 00:06:03,227 --> 00:06:05,107 Speaker 2: has the talent to you know, to turn around what's 138 00:06:05,147 --> 00:06:07,547 Speaker 2: been a challenging start of the season and push towards 139 00:06:07,547 --> 00:06:08,027 Speaker 2: the top six. 140 00:06:08,147 --> 00:06:11,107 Speaker 3: It's definitely. I've you know, kept an eye on the 141 00:06:11,187 --> 00:06:14,827 Speaker 3: on the on the on the schedule and seeing you know, 142 00:06:14,867 --> 00:06:17,427 Speaker 3: where they're in the table. And after this big win, 143 00:06:17,507 --> 00:06:19,307 Speaker 3: there's no now, it's that that's the standard. 144 00:06:19,387 --> 00:06:19,547 Speaker 1: You know. 145 00:06:19,627 --> 00:06:21,787 Speaker 3: Now we're gonna got to grow together and prove together 146 00:06:21,827 --> 00:06:25,467 Speaker 3: as a team and also as the individuals. And yeah, 147 00:06:25,467 --> 00:06:28,027 Speaker 3: and now we've got to keep that winning street going 148 00:06:28,067 --> 00:06:30,147 Speaker 3: because you know, two three games you're sitting in the 149 00:06:30,187 --> 00:06:32,707 Speaker 3: top of the table or top four. So and with 150 00:06:32,707 --> 00:06:34,387 Speaker 3: with the with the with the team that we have, 151 00:06:34,547 --> 00:06:36,187 Speaker 3: it's we've got the quality. We've got to tell it 152 00:06:36,267 --> 00:06:40,907 Speaker 3: to to go to when being being constant contestant for 153 00:06:41,227 --> 00:06:42,587 Speaker 3: to win, to win the rugby. 154 00:06:42,747 --> 00:06:46,907 Speaker 2: That is Bill Tuilama, freshly signed Wellington Phoenix player. Next time, 155 00:06:46,907 --> 00:06:49,827 Speaker 2: I'll choose a slightly quieter place to do the interview. 156 00:06:49,827 --> 00:06:52,067 Speaker 2: That's out at in did C. I is where the 157 00:06:52,107 --> 00:06:55,107 Speaker 2: Phoenix shared digs with the Hurricanes. There was the Hurricanes 158 00:06:55,147 --> 00:06:59,147 Speaker 2: in the background, yahooeing in one of their team building exercises. 159 00:06:59,307 --> 00:07:01,027 Speaker 2: Good to know that they're in good spirits hit of 160 00:07:01,027 --> 00:07:02,987 Speaker 2: the new Super Rugby season, but great to get the 161 00:07:03,027 --> 00:07:04,587 Speaker 2: chance to check to build Tilama. 162 00:07:05,467 --> 00:07:08,347 Speaker 1: For more from We Can Sport with Jason Fine, listen 163 00:07:08,467 --> 00:07:11,707 Speaker 1: live to News Talk set B weekends from midday, or 164 00:07:11,787 --> 00:07:13,707 Speaker 1: follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.