1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,387 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:11,827 Speaker 1: from Newstalks B. 3 00:00:13,787 --> 00:00:20,387 Speaker 2: It's gonna be brother, It's dangers that go from Nando 4 00:00:20,507 --> 00:00:24,467 Speaker 2: Pernica no no Planica has got the car. Then it's 5 00:00:24,507 --> 00:00:25,227 Speaker 2: gonna get down. 6 00:00:25,347 --> 00:00:26,507 Speaker 1: The FC bag team. 7 00:00:29,587 --> 00:00:32,267 Speaker 2: And found the twid of the line before being played. 8 00:00:32,387 --> 00:00:34,187 Speaker 3: The Lando Plony covers the. 9 00:00:34,267 --> 00:00:37,507 Speaker 2: Heroes and Orny gonna win it. That was a week 10 00:00:37,587 --> 00:00:41,067 Speaker 2: ago with Nando Parniker's ninety seventh minute back hill giving 11 00:00:41,827 --> 00:00:43,667 Speaker 2: the Blow and Black their second win of the season 12 00:00:43,867 --> 00:00:46,427 Speaker 2: over Sydney FC. Let's bring in Auckland f C and 13 00:00:46,507 --> 00:00:50,067 Speaker 2: All Whites defender and Auckland FC vice captain Tommy Smith. Tommy, 14 00:00:50,067 --> 00:00:52,427 Speaker 2: thanks for joining us on game day. You've played a 15 00:00:52,547 --> 00:00:54,827 Speaker 2: lot of football mate. Did you ever think that you'd 16 00:00:54,867 --> 00:00:57,707 Speaker 2: play in a professional New Zealand derby? 17 00:00:59,027 --> 00:01:01,187 Speaker 3: No, growing up it was it was never really on 18 00:01:01,307 --> 00:01:04,667 Speaker 3: the cars, you know. It was obviously the Football Kings 19 00:01:04,707 --> 00:01:06,907 Speaker 3: and the New Zealand Knights and obviously moved down to 20 00:01:06,987 --> 00:01:10,267 Speaker 3: Wellington Phoenix, so it never really crossed my mind that 21 00:01:10,347 --> 00:01:12,987 Speaker 3: it would be a possibility. But obviously it's very exciting 22 00:01:13,027 --> 00:01:15,987 Speaker 3: that it's now a reality and we're obviously looking forward 23 00:01:16,027 --> 00:01:18,987 Speaker 3: to getting that first rivalry game underway. 24 00:01:19,227 --> 00:01:21,587 Speaker 2: Before we talk about the game today, how have you 25 00:01:21,627 --> 00:01:25,947 Speaker 2: assised the performances of the team in your first team mates, Yeah, 26 00:01:25,987 --> 00:01:26,427 Speaker 2: I think. 27 00:01:26,347 --> 00:01:29,747 Speaker 3: It's obviously the two results speak for themselves, brilliant results 28 00:01:29,787 --> 00:01:32,707 Speaker 3: for us as a club. It's always difficult when you're 29 00:01:32,707 --> 00:01:35,867 Speaker 3: a brand new club start from scratch, and so to 30 00:01:35,947 --> 00:01:39,227 Speaker 3: do that is testament to the work that everybody's putting 31 00:01:39,267 --> 00:01:41,667 Speaker 3: from top to bottom, you know, the back room staff, 32 00:01:42,187 --> 00:01:45,907 Speaker 3: the office staff. Everyone's just put so much effort and 33 00:01:45,987 --> 00:01:48,947 Speaker 3: time into making it what it is. And the culmination 34 00:01:49,067 --> 00:01:51,267 Speaker 3: of that was those two results, which are outstanding for 35 00:01:51,347 --> 00:01:51,707 Speaker 3: the club. 36 00:01:52,027 --> 00:01:54,627 Speaker 2: So in pre season and as you got towards the 37 00:01:54,707 --> 00:01:56,547 Speaker 2: start of the new season, Tommy, did you get a 38 00:01:56,587 --> 00:01:59,067 Speaker 2: feeling that you guys were going to be okay, that 39 00:01:59,147 --> 00:02:00,267 Speaker 2: you had a pretty good team there? 40 00:02:01,107 --> 00:02:02,907 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think on paper anyway, you know, you look 41 00:02:02,947 --> 00:02:05,587 Speaker 3: at the squad and the Pedigrea player that's in that squad, 42 00:02:06,387 --> 00:02:08,507 Speaker 3: it's a pretty decent squad. So it was obviously just 43 00:02:08,587 --> 00:02:10,947 Speaker 3: going to be a case of how well we gel together. 44 00:02:11,747 --> 00:02:13,827 Speaker 3: The long preseason helped in that regard. You know, I 45 00:02:13,867 --> 00:02:16,627 Speaker 3: think we played I can't remember exactly how many preseason 46 00:02:16,707 --> 00:02:19,667 Speaker 3: games we had included in house games, but a fair 47 00:02:19,747 --> 00:02:21,627 Speaker 3: few games to get to know each other on and 48 00:02:21,747 --> 00:02:25,107 Speaker 3: off the pitch. So yeah, we always knew we had 49 00:02:25,147 --> 00:02:28,227 Speaker 3: a little bit, but it's obviously you're never certain until 50 00:02:28,267 --> 00:02:29,427 Speaker 3: that season actually starts. 51 00:02:29,947 --> 00:02:32,067 Speaker 2: And the only team in the A League means after 52 00:02:32,147 --> 00:02:34,747 Speaker 2: two rounds that has yet to concede a goal as 53 00:02:34,787 --> 00:02:37,467 Speaker 2: a defensive unit. How proud are you of the two 54 00:02:37,547 --> 00:02:38,187 Speaker 2: clean sheets? 55 00:02:39,307 --> 00:02:41,907 Speaker 3: Yeah, it's something that we pride ourselves in and we 56 00:02:41,947 --> 00:02:45,107 Speaker 3: didn't keep the many clean sheets throughout preseason, so it's 57 00:02:45,147 --> 00:02:47,227 Speaker 3: something that was a real big focus of us to 58 00:02:47,307 --> 00:02:49,907 Speaker 3: improve on, and obviously it's great. It's great that the 59 00:02:49,987 --> 00:02:52,227 Speaker 3: team's got two clean sheets in a row and hopefully 60 00:02:52,267 --> 00:02:53,347 Speaker 3: we can make it a third today. 61 00:02:53,947 --> 00:02:56,627 Speaker 2: You bring a huge amount of experience to this team, Tommy. 62 00:02:57,227 --> 00:02:59,747 Speaker 2: Have you had to keep some of the younger players 63 00:02:59,987 --> 00:03:02,147 Speaker 2: feet on the ground ahead of ahead of this derby 64 00:03:02,147 --> 00:03:03,787 Speaker 2: because there is you know, there's a bit of hype 65 00:03:03,787 --> 00:03:04,307 Speaker 2: around about it. 66 00:03:05,387 --> 00:03:07,147 Speaker 3: Yeah. I think, you know, we've got a real good 67 00:03:07,187 --> 00:03:11,067 Speaker 3: group of guys there that they are humble. They understand 68 00:03:11,107 --> 00:03:14,067 Speaker 3: we've got talent in the squad, but you know, we're 69 00:03:14,107 --> 00:03:15,827 Speaker 3: all working really hard and we know that we can't 70 00:03:15,867 --> 00:03:17,787 Speaker 3: rest on our laurels and we want to keep this 71 00:03:17,947 --> 00:03:20,547 Speaker 3: run going, so we have to work extremely hard. We 72 00:03:20,627 --> 00:03:23,267 Speaker 3: know it's going to be a tough contest and it's 73 00:03:23,267 --> 00:03:26,267 Speaker 3: obviously going to be an exciting prospect. But yeah, we 74 00:03:26,387 --> 00:03:28,027 Speaker 3: just need to keep doing the things that have got 75 00:03:28,107 --> 00:03:31,107 Speaker 3: success this far and hopefully we'll be on the right 76 00:03:31,187 --> 00:03:31,747 Speaker 3: end of the result. 77 00:03:32,107 --> 00:03:35,027 Speaker 2: You would have played derbies, I'm sure, and at many 78 00:03:35,067 --> 00:03:38,467 Speaker 2: of the other clubs you've been involved in on various sizes. 79 00:03:38,907 --> 00:03:41,787 Speaker 2: Do you, as a player relish you know, the opportunity 80 00:03:41,867 --> 00:03:42,787 Speaker 2: to play Derby Madges. 81 00:03:43,707 --> 00:03:47,027 Speaker 3: Absolutely, It certainly adds another dimension to a game and 82 00:03:47,827 --> 00:03:50,627 Speaker 3: it's obviously brilliant for fans to have something else to 83 00:03:50,907 --> 00:03:53,947 Speaker 3: get their teeth stuck into. And you know, there's the 84 00:03:54,067 --> 00:03:55,987 Speaker 3: fire has been stoked a little bit from either end 85 00:03:56,067 --> 00:03:58,747 Speaker 3: over the past sort of a few days and months. 86 00:03:58,827 --> 00:04:01,107 Speaker 3: Even so, it'll be good to see that all comes 87 00:04:01,107 --> 00:04:01,587 Speaker 3: to fruition. 88 00:04:02,147 --> 00:04:04,307 Speaker 2: Have you had to rip any extra support around Alex 89 00:04:04,387 --> 00:04:07,067 Speaker 2: Paulson this week given the reception through no fauld of 90 00:04:07,107 --> 00:04:09,467 Speaker 2: his own then he might get from the Wellington fans. 91 00:04:11,107 --> 00:04:13,107 Speaker 3: Not really, No, I think we've we've been giving him 92 00:04:13,107 --> 00:04:15,347 Speaker 3: a little bit of banter about it, but I'm sure 93 00:04:15,467 --> 00:04:17,347 Speaker 3: he'll be He will be on the receiving end of 94 00:04:17,427 --> 00:04:19,947 Speaker 3: some of that, but hopefully it doesn't get personal and 95 00:04:20,027 --> 00:04:23,787 Speaker 3: it's just a lighthearted bit of banter from the fans because, 96 00:04:23,827 --> 00:04:25,787 Speaker 3: like you say, it wasn't through any fault of his own. 97 00:04:27,147 --> 00:04:29,827 Speaker 3: It was just a career progression for him and then 98 00:04:30,227 --> 00:04:33,187 Speaker 3: he's ended up back at Auckland on loans. So hopefully 99 00:04:33,187 --> 00:04:34,787 Speaker 3: they are not too harsh on him, but I'm sure 100 00:04:34,827 --> 00:04:35,947 Speaker 3: they'll give him a bit of ribbon. 101 00:04:36,107 --> 00:04:37,667 Speaker 2: Yeah, I know, it's the key way, isn't it. As 102 00:04:37,707 --> 00:04:39,267 Speaker 2: you say, you're probably giving at a bit bender and 103 00:04:39,387 --> 00:04:42,147 Speaker 2: tonally so yeah, so I think that's definitely the key 104 00:04:42,187 --> 00:04:43,867 Speaker 2: we way. It probably happened in the all white seat 105 00:04:43,907 --> 00:04:45,627 Speaker 2: up as well, did it once you you know, like 106 00:04:45,787 --> 00:04:48,067 Speaker 2: lines were being drawn, we able to sit with a 107 00:04:48,147 --> 00:04:50,067 Speaker 2: guy like Tim Paine and have some lunch for example. 108 00:04:50,907 --> 00:04:53,227 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean obviously at the time we met up 109 00:04:53,267 --> 00:04:55,707 Speaker 3: the last camp, it wasn't on the horizon, so I 110 00:04:55,827 --> 00:04:57,987 Speaker 3: think it will be a bit more interesting obviously after 111 00:04:58,067 --> 00:05:00,187 Speaker 3: the game has been played the next all Whites camp 112 00:05:00,747 --> 00:05:02,987 Speaker 3: to see how how everyone's doing depending on what that 113 00:05:03,107 --> 00:05:04,067 Speaker 3: result outcome is. 114 00:05:04,587 --> 00:05:08,307 Speaker 2: Tell us about the energy that you've since mount smart 115 00:05:08,387 --> 00:05:10,147 Speaker 2: these first couple of weeks, Tommy, you know, I mean 116 00:05:10,187 --> 00:05:13,107 Speaker 2: from the outside looking in and in by every measure 117 00:05:13,187 --> 00:05:15,347 Speaker 2: that you know, the crowds have been terrific. What have 118 00:05:15,427 --> 00:05:17,547 Speaker 2: they been like, you know to play in front of 119 00:05:17,627 --> 00:05:18,547 Speaker 2: as a player. 120 00:05:19,187 --> 00:05:21,707 Speaker 3: Yeah, they've been electric, to be fair, and it's again 121 00:05:21,747 --> 00:05:25,547 Speaker 3: as testament to the corporate team for getting people along 122 00:05:25,747 --> 00:05:30,587 Speaker 3: and hopefully they've enjoyed the experience of seeing the two 123 00:05:30,707 --> 00:05:33,747 Speaker 3: wins first and foremost. But listen, the noise they brought 124 00:05:33,787 --> 00:05:36,787 Speaker 3: for both games, especially that first game was brilliant to 125 00:05:36,827 --> 00:05:38,507 Speaker 3: be a part of. And for a lot of our 126 00:05:38,587 --> 00:05:40,507 Speaker 3: guys it would have been the biggest crowd they've played 127 00:05:40,507 --> 00:05:43,627 Speaker 3: in front off. So it's amazing for them to use 128 00:05:43,667 --> 00:05:45,707 Speaker 3: the energy of the crowd and it does help. It 129 00:05:45,787 --> 00:05:47,467 Speaker 3: is I know it's a cliche to say that the 130 00:05:47,547 --> 00:05:50,147 Speaker 3: crowd are twelve man but when they're as loud and 131 00:05:50,227 --> 00:05:52,147 Speaker 3: as behind you as they were for us, you know, 132 00:05:52,387 --> 00:05:54,467 Speaker 3: it really does help. And I think you see in 133 00:05:54,747 --> 00:05:59,027 Speaker 3: the culmination of a ninety seventh winner how the stands 134 00:05:59,107 --> 00:06:00,707 Speaker 3: just erupted and it was brilliant. 135 00:06:01,227 --> 00:06:03,667 Speaker 2: Has Nando been this week talking about as winner. Has 136 00:06:03,707 --> 00:06:06,907 Speaker 2: it become a bicycle kick from outside the area or 137 00:06:07,027 --> 00:06:09,307 Speaker 2: is he you know, he's well aware it beck heel 138 00:06:09,347 --> 00:06:10,987 Speaker 2: and nutme the keeper. 139 00:06:11,627 --> 00:06:14,187 Speaker 3: He keeps doing back hills now, so we've got we've 140 00:06:14,187 --> 00:06:16,067 Speaker 3: got to put a lid on that. But now, obviously 141 00:06:16,147 --> 00:06:19,187 Speaker 3: it's great for him to get his first goal and 142 00:06:19,667 --> 00:06:20,467 Speaker 3: just on the All Whites. 143 00:06:20,467 --> 00:06:22,747 Speaker 2: Obviously you're singularly focused on club football at the moment, 144 00:06:22,827 --> 00:06:26,027 Speaker 2: but another window coming up with games against Manuad and 145 00:06:26,107 --> 00:06:27,787 Speaker 2: some more. As you travel along the road to the 146 00:06:27,867 --> 00:06:30,427 Speaker 2: next World Cup, that's something that you're you're keen to 147 00:06:30,827 --> 00:06:33,147 Speaker 2: be a part of a you know, the journey to 148 00:06:33,227 --> 00:06:34,747 Speaker 2: the twenty twenty six Football World Cup. 149 00:06:35,507 --> 00:06:38,467 Speaker 3: Absolutely yes, obviously been a long time since the All 150 00:06:38,507 --> 00:06:41,267 Speaker 3: Whites have been at the World Cup. So to to 151 00:06:41,387 --> 00:06:44,067 Speaker 3: try and help get along that journey and make the 152 00:06:44,147 --> 00:06:46,627 Speaker 3: next World Cup as a big driving force for me. 153 00:06:47,587 --> 00:06:50,027 Speaker 3: I'm still ambitious as an individual and to be a 154 00:06:50,107 --> 00:06:52,267 Speaker 3: part of that squad and the talent that's that's in 155 00:06:52,387 --> 00:06:54,387 Speaker 3: it now, it's brilliant. Yeah. 156 00:06:54,787 --> 00:06:56,507 Speaker 2: And just to finish, what's it like being back in Auckland, 157 00:06:56,507 --> 00:06:58,587 Speaker 2: because obviously you came to New Zealand as a young boy. 158 00:06:58,667 --> 00:07:01,787 Speaker 2: You had, you know, does some high school education there 159 00:07:01,827 --> 00:07:03,987 Speaker 2: and then and then then left again. What's it like 160 00:07:04,027 --> 00:07:04,787 Speaker 2: being back in Auckland. 161 00:07:05,467 --> 00:07:08,147 Speaker 3: Yeah, it's quite nictid, you know, obviously driving around the 162 00:07:08,187 --> 00:07:12,187 Speaker 3: area again just reminiscing on times gone by and bumping 163 00:07:12,267 --> 00:07:14,667 Speaker 3: into people that haven't seen for years, because I haven't 164 00:07:14,667 --> 00:07:18,667 Speaker 3: lived in Auckland for seventeen early eighteen years so and 165 00:07:18,827 --> 00:07:21,267 Speaker 3: that time's flown by. But you know, you come across 166 00:07:21,347 --> 00:07:24,147 Speaker 3: old friends and it's been quite nice catching up and 167 00:07:24,227 --> 00:07:27,227 Speaker 3: reminiscent with them and people that haven't seen for a 168 00:07:27,347 --> 00:07:29,227 Speaker 3: very long time. So yeah, no, it's been good. And 169 00:07:29,267 --> 00:07:32,747 Speaker 3: obviously settling into a new club environment it does help 170 00:07:32,827 --> 00:07:35,867 Speaker 3: when you have sort of a bit of familiarity around you. 171 00:07:36,067 --> 00:07:37,027 Speaker 3: So no, it's been great. 172 00:07:37,587 --> 00:07:39,507 Speaker 2: Well, we can't wait for the DEBBI this afternoon. Tommy, 173 00:07:39,547 --> 00:07:41,747 Speaker 2: all the beast to you and Auckland FC for what 174 00:07:41,907 --> 00:07:43,907 Speaker 2: you being a storic occasion in front of a big greb. 175 00:07:43,987 --> 00:07:45,547 Speaker 2: Really appreciate you taking the time for a jit. 176 00:07:45,827 --> 00:07:47,507 Speaker 3: Thanks Piney, take care you take. 177 00:07:47,387 --> 00:07:49,507 Speaker 2: Care too, Tommy, see you down at the ground. Tommy Smith, 178 00:07:49,947 --> 00:07:51,467 Speaker 2: Auckland FC Vice captain. 179 00:07:52,387 --> 00:07:55,547 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine listen live 180 00:07:55,667 --> 00:07:58,947 Speaker 1: to news talks. It'd be weekends from midday or follow 181 00:07:58,987 --> 00:08:00,587 Speaker 1: the podcast on I HAD Radio