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 ZEDB. 3 00:00:12,907 --> 00:00:15,467 Speaker 2: Very Strong A white squad has been named for next 4 00:00:15,467 --> 00:00:19,547 Speaker 2: months football internationals against Mexico and the United States. Frontline 5 00:00:19,587 --> 00:00:23,147 Speaker 2: stars Chris Wood, Joe Bell, Marcos Daminiz, Matt Garbett, Sarprech 6 00:00:23,147 --> 00:00:28,027 Speaker 2: Singer Michael Boxel all return. They missed June's OFC Nations Cup, 7 00:00:28,067 --> 00:00:29,267 Speaker 2: which of course New Zealand won. 8 00:00:29,547 --> 00:00:32,547 Speaker 3: Elijah Just all lovely touch on to Ben Old ties 9 00:00:32,627 --> 00:00:36,267 Speaker 3: to fire. Then in one a shot Ben Old and 10 00:00:36,467 --> 00:00:42,507 Speaker 3: Ben Or makes it for nil. Elijah just outstanding today 11 00:00:43,747 --> 00:00:45,427 Speaker 3: to assist one goal. 12 00:00:45,547 --> 00:00:47,867 Speaker 2: Yeah. Both of those players, Elijah Just and Ben Older. 13 00:00:47,907 --> 00:00:50,267 Speaker 2: And the squad sixteen of the twenty one in fact 14 00:00:50,347 --> 00:00:54,107 Speaker 2: are based offshore. Tim Payne, Alex Rufer and Costa Barbarusis 15 00:00:54,107 --> 00:00:57,027 Speaker 2: from the Phoenix. Alex Paulson and Tommy Smith from Auckland FC. 16 00:00:57,787 --> 00:01:00,627 Speaker 2: The New Zealand based players. New Zealand play Mexico on 17 00:01:00,707 --> 00:01:04,427 Speaker 2: September eighth in California and the US three days later 18 00:01:04,467 --> 00:01:07,467 Speaker 2: in Cincinnati. Coach of the team is Darren Baisley, who 19 00:01:07,507 --> 00:01:09,347 Speaker 2: joins US there. And this is a strong squad. Is 20 00:01:09,387 --> 00:01:12,427 Speaker 2: this the strongest squad you've named in your time as 21 00:01:12,507 --> 00:01:12,907 Speaker 2: hit coach. 22 00:01:13,587 --> 00:01:15,947 Speaker 4: Yeah, I think it is Pliny, you know, it's it's 23 00:01:15,947 --> 00:01:19,147 Speaker 4: a really strong squad, you know, and touch Wood. You know, 24 00:01:19,427 --> 00:01:21,667 Speaker 4: we don't lose any players building up to this squad, 25 00:01:21,667 --> 00:01:24,947 Speaker 4: which has happened to us almost every time we get together, 26 00:01:25,027 --> 00:01:26,987 Speaker 4: we lose players in the build up. 27 00:01:27,107 --> 00:01:28,507 Speaker 5: So yeah, right now, I. 28 00:01:28,587 --> 00:01:31,147 Speaker 4: Say this is this is a really really strong squad. 29 00:01:31,907 --> 00:01:34,667 Speaker 4: So it's an exciting, exciting and exciting tour. 30 00:01:35,387 --> 00:01:38,387 Speaker 2: Was there any Was there any discussion needed with any 31 00:01:38,427 --> 00:01:40,667 Speaker 2: of these players to convince them to come or were 32 00:01:40,707 --> 00:01:42,307 Speaker 2: they all pretty keen to get their hand up. 33 00:01:42,947 --> 00:01:44,627 Speaker 5: No, everyone's really keen there. 34 00:01:44,667 --> 00:01:48,347 Speaker 4: You know, they're big games against big nations and everyone's 35 00:01:48,387 --> 00:01:50,827 Speaker 4: just excited to get back back into the tours. You know, 36 00:01:51,387 --> 00:01:53,547 Speaker 4: we've had the Olympics and we've had the Nation's cut. 37 00:01:53,587 --> 00:01:56,427 Speaker 4: We sort of hybrid squads, so you know, this is 38 00:01:57,067 --> 00:01:59,427 Speaker 4: this is sort of the first time everybody's back together. 39 00:01:59,667 --> 00:02:01,707 Speaker 4: And when we look back to Egypt, it's sort of 40 00:02:01,747 --> 00:02:04,827 Speaker 4: the bulk of that squad that toured then. But even 41 00:02:04,867 --> 00:02:07,107 Speaker 4: in that squad we were missing Woodsy and Joe Bell 42 00:02:07,187 --> 00:02:09,907 Speaker 4: and Payiney. So yeah, this is a strong squad. With 43 00:02:09,987 --> 00:02:13,507 Speaker 4: almost everybody available. The only player we wasn't available was 44 00:02:13,507 --> 00:02:16,347 Speaker 4: Callum mc cowartt So he's the only one that wasn't 45 00:02:16,387 --> 00:02:17,547 Speaker 4: available everybody else. 46 00:02:17,627 --> 00:02:18,627 Speaker 5: You know, we've we've. 47 00:02:18,547 --> 00:02:20,987 Speaker 4: Ended up having to make some pretty tough decisions. 48 00:02:20,507 --> 00:02:22,547 Speaker 2: On yeah, and just on that. How difficult are the 49 00:02:22,587 --> 00:02:25,467 Speaker 2: conversations you now have to have more and more with 50 00:02:25,627 --> 00:02:28,427 Speaker 2: good players who you just can't for them. 51 00:02:28,827 --> 00:02:31,907 Speaker 4: Yeah, I mean it's it's tough. It's disappointing for the players. 52 00:02:31,947 --> 00:02:33,627 Speaker 4: You know when you look at someone like Max Matter, 53 00:02:34,027 --> 00:02:36,507 Speaker 4: who's been involved in pretty much every game we've played 54 00:02:36,547 --> 00:02:38,787 Speaker 4: in the last eighteen months, and you know he's just 55 00:02:38,827 --> 00:02:41,467 Speaker 4: moved to Auckland and you know was having to speak 56 00:02:41,507 --> 00:02:44,267 Speaker 4: to him and you know, leave him out was tough. 57 00:02:44,387 --> 00:02:46,987 Speaker 4: But then there's other players that had similar conversations with 58 00:02:47,067 --> 00:02:49,267 Speaker 4: you know, when you're when we're leaving players out like 59 00:02:49,307 --> 00:02:52,627 Speaker 4: Max and Grievesy and Bill to Iloma, you know, and 60 00:02:52,667 --> 00:02:54,947 Speaker 4: there's lots of others that you know that are pretty 61 00:02:54,987 --> 00:02:55,987 Speaker 4: household names. 62 00:02:56,307 --> 00:02:57,987 Speaker 5: You know, it's it's it's good for us. 63 00:02:58,067 --> 00:03:01,307 Speaker 4: You know, they're tough conversations, but they all know that, 64 00:03:01,467 --> 00:03:03,667 Speaker 4: you know, when we say, well, that's the challenge. Now 65 00:03:03,667 --> 00:03:06,267 Speaker 4: there's competition for places, and you know, they all know 66 00:03:06,667 --> 00:03:09,027 Speaker 4: the level of the players that are potentially in front 67 00:03:09,027 --> 00:03:10,907 Speaker 4: of them and they know what they've got to do 68 00:03:11,027 --> 00:03:12,667 Speaker 4: to get back into that selection. 69 00:03:13,227 --> 00:03:15,907 Speaker 2: Just one player I'd like to ask about that's Met 70 00:03:15,947 --> 00:03:19,547 Speaker 2: doubly Ds. Has he confirmed whether he wants to play 71 00:03:19,627 --> 00:03:21,347 Speaker 2: Allegiance to New Zealand yet or not? 72 00:03:21,427 --> 00:03:23,907 Speaker 5: What a situation. Yes he has. 73 00:03:23,987 --> 00:03:26,667 Speaker 4: You know, he's really keen to be involved and I 74 00:03:26,707 --> 00:03:28,587 Speaker 4: speak to him pretty regularly and in fact I spoke 75 00:03:28,587 --> 00:03:30,667 Speaker 4: to him a couple of days ago. So he's in 76 00:03:30,707 --> 00:03:32,747 Speaker 4: a position where he's just gone on loan. He's on 77 00:03:32,787 --> 00:03:35,907 Speaker 4: a season loan to Northampton which is a League One club. 78 00:03:36,627 --> 00:03:39,427 Speaker 4: He started their last game. It's took him a little 79 00:03:39,547 --> 00:03:41,507 Speaker 4: bit of time to settle in there. It's a different 80 00:03:41,587 --> 00:03:45,067 Speaker 4: level of football for him going from Fulham to Northampton 81 00:03:45,107 --> 00:03:47,827 Speaker 4: and League One, so you know, right now they don't 82 00:03:47,867 --> 00:03:50,867 Speaker 4: stop for the windows, so he would be missing games 83 00:03:50,907 --> 00:03:53,067 Speaker 4: and right now it's the best time for him is 84 00:03:53,067 --> 00:03:55,307 Speaker 4: to cement his place at the club, you know, have 85 00:03:55,707 --> 00:03:58,347 Speaker 4: a really good run of games before he wants to 86 00:03:58,347 --> 00:04:02,227 Speaker 4: come back involved. But yeah, no, he's definitely keen. You know, 87 00:04:02,267 --> 00:04:05,147 Speaker 4: he came in in October with us and loved the environment. 88 00:04:05,547 --> 00:04:08,587 Speaker 4: It was a shame topp that injury when he did. 89 00:04:09,107 --> 00:04:11,947 Speaker 4: But now he's he's really keen to stay involved and 90 00:04:11,987 --> 00:04:13,667 Speaker 4: he can't wait to come back in. 91 00:04:13,947 --> 00:04:16,387 Speaker 2: I look at the caliber of players you have now 92 00:04:16,427 --> 00:04:19,187 Speaker 2: at your disposal and the clubs that they're at. Last weekend, 93 00:04:19,267 --> 00:04:22,507 Speaker 2: Base there were players playing in the Premier League in Siri, 94 00:04:22,627 --> 00:04:25,267 Speaker 2: are in League one, the top league in France, and 95 00:04:25,347 --> 00:04:29,187 Speaker 2: the Dutch top flight and other good leagues around Europe. 96 00:04:29,187 --> 00:04:31,347 Speaker 2: And then that's without mentioning those who were based in 97 00:04:31,387 --> 00:04:33,907 Speaker 2: the United States. How cool is it for you, as 98 00:04:33,907 --> 00:04:36,827 Speaker 2: all whites coach, to have your players playing at that 99 00:04:36,907 --> 00:04:37,987 Speaker 2: level week in week out. 100 00:04:38,987 --> 00:04:39,827 Speaker 5: I mean, it's awesome. 101 00:04:39,907 --> 00:04:42,387 Speaker 4: You know, we get to watch these players play in 102 00:04:42,427 --> 00:04:44,707 Speaker 4: their club environments, and you know, and now we're watching, 103 00:04:44,787 --> 00:04:47,187 Speaker 4: like you say, we're watching league games and Premier League 104 00:04:47,187 --> 00:04:50,427 Speaker 4: games and Syria games, and you know, Marco's doing really 105 00:04:50,427 --> 00:04:52,947 Speaker 4: well in pr COSS and garbage scoring for. 106 00:04:53,587 --> 00:04:55,387 Speaker 5: You know, in that in that league. 107 00:04:55,547 --> 00:04:59,587 Speaker 4: So yeah, it's awesome that we've got players forging top careers, 108 00:04:59,787 --> 00:05:01,987 Speaker 4: you know. And that was the challenge laid down to 109 00:05:02,067 --> 00:05:04,387 Speaker 4: them quite a few years ago as young players coming 110 00:05:04,387 --> 00:05:08,027 Speaker 4: in to keep continue into develop themselves to get into 111 00:05:08,067 --> 00:05:11,947 Speaker 4: these level of clubs. So yes, it bodes well for 112 00:05:12,027 --> 00:05:14,747 Speaker 4: New Zealand for the all whites that you know, these 113 00:05:14,827 --> 00:05:17,947 Speaker 4: younger players are getting into good environments and they're going 114 00:05:17,987 --> 00:05:19,187 Speaker 4: to be around for quite a while. 115 00:05:19,307 --> 00:05:20,627 Speaker 5: So and I think we've got. 116 00:05:20,467 --> 00:05:23,707 Speaker 4: Others that will continue to keep you know, developing into 117 00:05:23,987 --> 00:05:26,347 Speaker 4: into these high level players, which is great for. 118 00:05:26,387 --> 00:05:29,107 Speaker 2: Us as they continue to you know, to make their 119 00:05:29,187 --> 00:05:31,147 Speaker 2: name at club level and as you mentioned with Mett 120 00:05:31,227 --> 00:05:33,427 Speaker 2: w DSpace place for them at the moment as DA's club. 121 00:05:33,787 --> 00:05:35,947 Speaker 2: As these players become more and more important to their 122 00:05:35,947 --> 00:05:38,307 Speaker 2: clubs and some already are. Chris, what a good example 123 00:05:38,547 --> 00:05:42,547 Speaker 2: do you do you foresee any difficulty in extricating them 124 00:05:42,587 --> 00:05:43,947 Speaker 2: for international matches or not? 125 00:05:45,227 --> 00:05:45,867 Speaker 5: I don't think so. 126 00:05:45,947 --> 00:05:48,387 Speaker 4: I think, you know, the higher it goes, the easier 127 00:05:48,427 --> 00:05:50,827 Speaker 4: it gets because they stop for windows and the higher 128 00:05:50,907 --> 00:05:53,907 Speaker 4: level clubs are just used to releasing players for international windows. 129 00:05:53,947 --> 00:05:57,467 Speaker 4: So whilst I think club coaches are never really keen 130 00:05:57,507 --> 00:06:00,547 Speaker 4: to release players because obviously stuff can happen while they're away, 131 00:06:00,987 --> 00:06:02,947 Speaker 4: I think they all have an understanding that you know, 132 00:06:02,987 --> 00:06:05,587 Speaker 4: the international windows coming up, and you know they've got 133 00:06:05,587 --> 00:06:07,787 Speaker 4: good players that and play for their countries as well. 134 00:06:07,867 --> 00:06:12,467 Speaker 4: So yeah, it's becoming harder the club and country sort 135 00:06:12,467 --> 00:06:16,347 Speaker 4: of clash, and the commitment from players on a physical level, 136 00:06:16,427 --> 00:06:18,667 Speaker 4: you know, every single year. It is tough I think 137 00:06:18,987 --> 00:06:22,107 Speaker 4: for our looking at the windows of how that can help. 138 00:06:22,907 --> 00:06:24,467 Speaker 4: But right now and now, we don't seem to have 139 00:06:24,507 --> 00:06:27,587 Speaker 4: too many, too many issues regards to release of players 140 00:06:27,347 --> 00:06:32,147 Speaker 4: for these windows. Obviously, the Nations Cup and Olympics was 141 00:06:32,227 --> 00:06:34,787 Speaker 4: slightly different, Olympics not even being a window and Nations 142 00:06:34,827 --> 00:06:36,947 Speaker 4: Cut being a sort of separate window to normal. 143 00:06:37,707 --> 00:06:40,107 Speaker 5: But this one, this one, yet we're good. 144 00:06:40,347 --> 00:06:41,827 Speaker 2: I guess one of your headaches now is trying to 145 00:06:41,827 --> 00:06:44,267 Speaker 2: work out how to play You've got You've got so 146 00:06:44,387 --> 00:06:47,467 Speaker 2: much competition. But I want to ask you about goalkeeper. 147 00:06:47,587 --> 00:06:50,947 Speaker 2: All three of you, goalkeepers, Alex Paulson, Max Crokhum and 148 00:06:51,027 --> 00:06:54,747 Speaker 2: Olie Sale probably feel like they've got a case to 149 00:06:54,827 --> 00:06:57,227 Speaker 2: be your first choice between the sticks. How are you 150 00:06:57,267 --> 00:06:58,387 Speaker 2: going to manage that dynamic? 151 00:06:59,507 --> 00:07:01,147 Speaker 4: They are, they're very good, you know, and we've got 152 00:07:01,147 --> 00:07:03,587 Speaker 4: other goalkeepers you know, behind them. In regards to Nick 153 00:07:03,667 --> 00:07:06,747 Speaker 4: Zanev and Michael Valden, you know, some of the younger 154 00:07:06,787 --> 00:07:08,707 Speaker 4: players like Henry in case sims. So we've got a 155 00:07:08,747 --> 00:07:11,707 Speaker 4: really good group of goalkeepers that you know. Paul Gothard, 156 00:07:11,747 --> 00:07:15,027 Speaker 4: our goalkeeper coach, he tracks them all, speaks them all 157 00:07:15,107 --> 00:07:18,227 Speaker 4: very regularly, gets training clips, gets game clips, so we're 158 00:07:18,307 --> 00:07:19,187 Speaker 4: monitoring them all. 159 00:07:19,467 --> 00:07:20,547 Speaker 5: I think they all know. 160 00:07:20,787 --> 00:07:24,667 Speaker 4: That they have to be playing, you know they you know, 161 00:07:24,787 --> 00:07:28,027 Speaker 4: they're very all, very similar level. But now it comes 162 00:07:28,067 --> 00:07:30,627 Speaker 4: down to well who's in form? You know right now, 163 00:07:30,667 --> 00:07:33,107 Speaker 4: maxicro Come's done very well for us when he's come in. 164 00:07:34,507 --> 00:07:38,347 Speaker 4: Paulson's done very well for us. So we've got the Oli's. 165 00:07:38,507 --> 00:07:40,027 Speaker 4: You know, if you go back two years and you 166 00:07:40,027 --> 00:07:42,707 Speaker 4: know he was in great form, so he's he's challenged 167 00:07:42,747 --> 00:07:45,227 Speaker 4: himself to get back to those levels. And if we 168 00:07:45,347 --> 00:07:48,107 Speaker 4: if we get that Oli sail from two years back 169 00:07:48,387 --> 00:07:50,547 Speaker 4: where we remember him, you know he was he was 170 00:07:50,707 --> 00:07:53,667 Speaker 4: outstanding and almost getting moves to higher leagues back then. 171 00:07:53,907 --> 00:07:56,307 Speaker 4: So yeah, we're in a good place with the goalkeepers. Tough, 172 00:07:56,387 --> 00:07:57,147 Speaker 4: tough decisions. 173 00:07:57,427 --> 00:07:59,907 Speaker 2: And I ask you this, I think before every two 174 00:07:59,947 --> 00:08:02,187 Speaker 2: game window you play, but I'll ask it again. How 175 00:08:02,227 --> 00:08:04,787 Speaker 2: do you plan to manage the two games? Two strong 176 00:08:04,867 --> 00:08:07,547 Speaker 2: opponents by hes Mexico and the United States. Are you 177 00:08:07,667 --> 00:08:09,467 Speaker 2: looking to try and give a lot of guys game time. 178 00:08:09,507 --> 00:08:11,187 Speaker 2: Are you going to try and settle on a on 179 00:08:11,307 --> 00:08:13,947 Speaker 2: a beast to live and how how will you manage that? 180 00:08:14,707 --> 00:08:14,907 Speaker 5: Yeah? 181 00:08:14,947 --> 00:08:16,907 Speaker 4: I mean that the level of this squad now, every 182 00:08:16,907 --> 00:08:19,027 Speaker 4: player coming into the squad wants to play, you know, 183 00:08:19,067 --> 00:08:21,307 Speaker 4: they want to start, they want to get minutes, which 184 00:08:21,307 --> 00:08:23,387 Speaker 4: is rightly so, so it is going to be some 185 00:08:23,467 --> 00:08:27,027 Speaker 4: tough decisions. But you know, we it's not a case 186 00:08:27,067 --> 00:08:29,707 Speaker 4: of giving everyone an opportunity. You know, we want to 187 00:08:29,707 --> 00:08:31,427 Speaker 4: be as strong as we can every time we're on 188 00:08:31,467 --> 00:08:35,027 Speaker 4: the pitch. What we have now is really good options 189 00:08:35,307 --> 00:08:39,147 Speaker 4: off the bench and really good options to make changes 190 00:08:39,147 --> 00:08:40,067 Speaker 4: in between games. 191 00:08:41,427 --> 00:08:43,307 Speaker 5: But we won't do that just for the sake of it. 192 00:08:43,387 --> 00:08:45,627 Speaker 4: You know, we will play the first game as strong 193 00:08:45,667 --> 00:08:50,387 Speaker 4: as we'll gauge you know, levels of the loadings and 194 00:08:50,387 --> 00:08:53,067 Speaker 4: everything and recovery in between those two games and decide 195 00:08:53,067 --> 00:08:55,987 Speaker 4: whether to make changes or not, and depending on performance 196 00:08:56,027 --> 00:08:57,827 Speaker 4: as well. So I think what it comes down to 197 00:08:57,947 --> 00:09:04,547 Speaker 4: now is perform and keep your place almost so that's 198 00:09:04,587 --> 00:09:07,467 Speaker 4: that's exactly where we need to be and regards to 199 00:09:07,547 --> 00:09:10,227 Speaker 4: if you're if you're not performing, then potentially somebody could 200 00:09:10,267 --> 00:09:13,547 Speaker 4: take your place in the starting lineup. Which is which 201 00:09:13,587 --> 00:09:15,147 Speaker 4: is a good place for the your wors to be in. 202 00:09:15,147 --> 00:09:17,147 Speaker 2: Indeed, and just to finish, these are your last two 203 00:09:17,147 --> 00:09:20,867 Speaker 2: matches before you enter World Cup qualifiers. Does your quest 204 00:09:20,947 --> 00:09:23,987 Speaker 2: for making the twenty twenty six Football World Cup kind 205 00:09:23,987 --> 00:09:24,827 Speaker 2: of begin now? 206 00:09:26,227 --> 00:09:27,027 Speaker 5: Yeah? I think so. 207 00:09:27,267 --> 00:09:30,027 Speaker 4: You know, these are obviously the World Cup qualifiers are 208 00:09:30,067 --> 00:09:32,227 Speaker 4: the most important things. You know, we've got them coming 209 00:09:32,307 --> 00:09:35,467 Speaker 4: up October, November and March, so they are the most important. 210 00:09:35,467 --> 00:09:36,347 Speaker 5: That's the business end. 211 00:09:36,707 --> 00:09:39,827 Speaker 4: But these two games, you know, against teams ranked sixteen 212 00:09:39,867 --> 00:09:43,427 Speaker 4: and seventeen in the world and teams that are the 213 00:09:43,547 --> 00:09:45,907 Speaker 4: hosts for the World Cup. I think this is a 214 00:09:45,907 --> 00:09:48,907 Speaker 4: great opportunity and should really inspire and infuse our players 215 00:09:48,947 --> 00:09:51,107 Speaker 4: to go, okay, we want to get to the World Cup, 216 00:09:51,107 --> 00:09:54,387 Speaker 4: to play against these teams in these environments every week 217 00:09:54,827 --> 00:09:58,107 Speaker 4: or at that tournament. So, you know, going from these 218 00:09:58,187 --> 00:10:00,587 Speaker 4: games into our World Cup qualifiers, you know, I think 219 00:10:00,627 --> 00:10:03,307 Speaker 4: it's perfect. They're tough games, but they should be you're 220 00:10:03,307 --> 00:10:06,787 Speaker 4: that motivation if we need any motivation to ensure that 221 00:10:06,827 --> 00:10:07,387 Speaker 4: we qualify. 222 00:10:07,747 --> 00:10:10,787 Speaker 2: It's a terrific squad for two really exciting game space. 223 00:10:10,787 --> 00:10:12,627 Speaker 2: Thanks for taking the time for a chat. Look forward 224 00:10:12,627 --> 00:10:15,307 Speaker 2: to catching up as the as the matches draw closer. 225 00:10:15,427 --> 00:10:17,707 Speaker 5: Yeah, oh good anytime. Good to catch up BNNY. 226 00:10:17,427 --> 00:10:18,907 Speaker 2: No, good to catch up with you too, Darren, Darren. 227 00:10:18,907 --> 00:10:20,547 Speaker 2: Basically they're all whites head coach. 228 00:10:21,267 --> 00:10:24,467 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 229 00:10:24,587 --> 00:10:27,987 Speaker 1: to News Talks b weekends from midday, or follow the 230 00:10:27,987 --> 00:10:29,507 Speaker 1: podcast on iHeartRadio