1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,387 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Fine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:16,227 Speaker 1: from newstorgs EDB. You be the TMO. Have your say 3 00:00:16,267 --> 00:00:19,307 Speaker 1: on eight hundred and eighty ten eighty Weekend Sport with 4 00:00:19,467 --> 00:00:23,507 Speaker 1: Jason Pine and GJ. Gubnerholmes, New Zealand's most trusted home 5 00:00:23,587 --> 00:00:25,107 Speaker 1: builder newstalgs. 6 00:00:24,667 --> 00:00:27,787 Speaker 2: EDB two twenty eight. Auckland FC back in a League 7 00:00:27,787 --> 00:00:30,547 Speaker 2: football action this evening as they look to extend their 8 00:00:30,587 --> 00:00:33,467 Speaker 2: perfect start to their maiden season. They take on MacArthur 9 00:00:33,627 --> 00:00:37,587 Speaker 2: FC six o'clock kickoff tonight as part of Unite Round. 10 00:00:37,667 --> 00:00:39,867 Speaker 2: One of their best in the first three games has 11 00:00:39,867 --> 00:00:42,427 Speaker 2: been New Zealand fall back Francis de Breze Is. 12 00:00:42,387 --> 00:00:48,627 Speaker 3: He like just the Freeze and Francister Freeze gets on 13 00:00:48,787 --> 00:00:54,347 Speaker 3: the score sheet, very first goal for New Zealand player 14 00:00:54,387 --> 00:00:57,027 Speaker 3: who's torn away in the New Zealand domestic scene for 15 00:00:57,147 --> 00:01:01,067 Speaker 3: some seasons before getting a chance to play in the 16 00:01:01,107 --> 00:01:02,547 Speaker 3: A League at Auckland FC. 17 00:01:03,947 --> 00:01:04,547 Speaker 4: Weeks later. 18 00:01:04,627 --> 00:01:06,587 Speaker 2: He's gotten your white shirt. 19 00:01:06,467 --> 00:01:07,867 Speaker 1: On us back and now he's got to go. 20 00:01:08,307 --> 00:01:11,307 Speaker 2: Francis Devrez joins us from Sydney ahead of the game tonight. 21 00:01:11,307 --> 00:01:14,227 Speaker 2: Thanks for your time, Francis. Three games, three wins, three 22 00:01:14,347 --> 00:01:17,507 Speaker 2: clean sheets. It could hardly have gone any better. Why 23 00:01:17,507 --> 00:01:20,387 Speaker 2: do you think Auckland FC have started so well? 24 00:01:20,387 --> 00:01:25,587 Speaker 5: Heat dreams start. I think above everybody's expectations and the 25 00:01:25,667 --> 00:01:28,467 Speaker 5: reason why it's been like that, There's always many factors, 26 00:01:28,507 --> 00:01:30,907 Speaker 5: but one of them has just been the amount of 27 00:01:30,907 --> 00:01:32,987 Speaker 5: workworth putting in the pre season, Like it's been a 28 00:01:33,067 --> 00:01:35,907 Speaker 5: very hard, long preseason, and the coaches have come up 29 00:01:35,947 --> 00:01:38,267 Speaker 5: with a clear plan of how to play and how 30 00:01:38,307 --> 00:01:40,547 Speaker 5: we're going to implement that. So the lads have been 31 00:01:40,587 --> 00:01:43,427 Speaker 5: working really hard and the culture off the field's been 32 00:01:43,947 --> 00:01:46,507 Speaker 5: very progressive so far. So I think kind of a 33 00:01:46,547 --> 00:01:49,827 Speaker 5: lot of things coming together to provide that outcome that 34 00:01:49,827 --> 00:01:50,747 Speaker 5: you see on the weekend. 35 00:01:51,187 --> 00:01:53,827 Speaker 2: Because of the buy and then the international break, Auckland 36 00:01:53,907 --> 00:01:57,147 Speaker 2: FC haven't played for three weeks. Was there a sense 37 00:01:57,227 --> 00:01:58,827 Speaker 2: that you would have liked to have sort of kept 38 00:01:58,827 --> 00:02:01,467 Speaker 2: going just to continue that momentum? 39 00:02:01,467 --> 00:02:03,667 Speaker 5: One hundred percent. I mean, you've been in sport a 40 00:02:03,707 --> 00:02:05,787 Speaker 5: long time and you see hard is when when a 41 00:02:05,827 --> 00:02:07,907 Speaker 5: team is doing well, you just want to keep playing 42 00:02:07,907 --> 00:02:11,907 Speaker 5: and you have this mindset where everything is kind of aligned, 43 00:02:12,067 --> 00:02:14,267 Speaker 5: and now it does feel a little bit like you're 44 00:02:14,307 --> 00:02:16,947 Speaker 5: starting a game three weeks is a long time in 45 00:02:16,947 --> 00:02:19,827 Speaker 5: the football world, so you know, we know our processes. 46 00:02:19,907 --> 00:02:21,667 Speaker 5: We'll get back out there and do our best, but 47 00:02:21,707 --> 00:02:23,547 Speaker 5: would have definitely liked to play in the last couple 48 00:02:23,587 --> 00:02:23,947 Speaker 5: of weeks. 49 00:02:24,067 --> 00:02:25,667 Speaker 2: It does seem like a while ago now. But how 50 00:02:25,747 --> 00:02:28,907 Speaker 2: much did you enjoy the first New Zealand Derby? 51 00:02:29,347 --> 00:02:31,827 Speaker 5: Yeah it was great. Look like we know a lot 52 00:02:31,867 --> 00:02:34,227 Speaker 5: of the boys on their team and they know us 53 00:02:34,267 --> 00:02:37,147 Speaker 5: well too, so it's always good to play against your mates. 54 00:02:37,827 --> 00:02:39,947 Speaker 5: Of course, there was quite a bit of hype around that, 55 00:02:40,027 --> 00:02:42,267 Speaker 5: as it would be with the first big derby and 56 00:02:42,347 --> 00:02:44,867 Speaker 5: a long time in New Zealand, but very much enjoyed it. 57 00:02:44,907 --> 00:02:48,427 Speaker 5: Obviously positive result for us, but it's always nice to 58 00:02:49,027 --> 00:02:50,987 Speaker 5: share the pitch with those boys, and all of us 59 00:02:50,987 --> 00:02:53,267 Speaker 5: grew up at a time where that wasn't a thing 60 00:02:53,307 --> 00:02:55,467 Speaker 5: in New Zealand, so to be able to be a 61 00:02:55,467 --> 00:02:58,147 Speaker 5: part of the inaugural one and to kind of provide 62 00:02:58,147 --> 00:03:01,227 Speaker 5: that to the next generation of New Zealand young footballers 63 00:03:01,267 --> 00:03:02,747 Speaker 5: coming through that was really really cool. 64 00:03:02,827 --> 00:03:04,707 Speaker 2: Yeah, awesome. I know we're here to talk about MacArthur, 65 00:03:04,787 --> 00:03:07,267 Speaker 2: but the first home derby isn't that a couple of 66 00:03:07,307 --> 00:03:10,987 Speaker 2: weeks away? Saturday, December seven, how big an occasion you 67 00:03:11,067 --> 00:03:14,747 Speaker 2: reckon that might be at Mount Smart Hopefully I sell out. 68 00:03:15,067 --> 00:03:18,067 Speaker 5: Look like you can't ask for many more occasions like 69 00:03:18,147 --> 00:03:22,067 Speaker 5: this in New Zealand, so hopefully hopefully Auckland turns out 70 00:03:22,067 --> 00:03:23,947 Speaker 5: for it. I hear ticket sales are going well, so 71 00:03:24,547 --> 00:03:26,507 Speaker 5: get in there, because I don't think there's many less 72 00:03:27,227 --> 00:03:27,627 Speaker 5: I think you. 73 00:03:27,667 --> 00:03:29,627 Speaker 2: Might be right, all right, let's have like at your performances. 74 00:03:29,627 --> 00:03:32,267 Speaker 2: You've played every minute of all three games. How happy 75 00:03:32,307 --> 00:03:34,067 Speaker 2: are you with the way you've been playing? Personally? 76 00:03:35,387 --> 00:03:38,307 Speaker 5: Yeah, satisfied. Like as a footballer, you're you're kind of 77 00:03:38,307 --> 00:03:41,107 Speaker 5: always quite self critical and you're always looking at things 78 00:03:41,107 --> 00:03:44,827 Speaker 5: that you could or should be doing better. But when 79 00:03:44,827 --> 00:03:46,947 Speaker 5: you speak with the people around you, the people close 80 00:03:46,987 --> 00:03:50,307 Speaker 5: to you, it's a great perspective builder. And so getting 81 00:03:50,307 --> 00:03:52,827 Speaker 5: a lot of nice messages, you know, from family, from friends, 82 00:03:53,307 --> 00:03:56,267 Speaker 5: you know, kind of off support and also of you know, 83 00:03:56,387 --> 00:03:59,467 Speaker 5: encouragement to keep this going. So may I'm stoked with 84 00:03:59,507 --> 00:04:02,347 Speaker 5: how it's gone so far. I'm also very conscious that 85 00:04:02,507 --> 00:04:05,707 Speaker 5: we're only three games in, so this is the beginning. 86 00:04:05,827 --> 00:04:07,307 Speaker 5: Hopefully there's plenty more to come. 87 00:04:07,667 --> 00:04:09,467 Speaker 2: Something which has called the eye in the first three 88 00:04:09,507 --> 00:04:11,907 Speaker 2: game for a lot of people as the combination you're 89 00:04:11,907 --> 00:04:15,067 Speaker 2: forging down the left hand side with Liam Gillion. How 90 00:04:15,147 --> 00:04:18,747 Speaker 2: much you enjoying that particular combination peeps. 91 00:04:18,787 --> 00:04:21,307 Speaker 5: You know, I played against them in the National League 92 00:04:21,307 --> 00:04:23,507 Speaker 5: and that wasn't too much fun, so it was pretty 93 00:04:23,707 --> 00:04:26,387 Speaker 5: pretty so when he came over to us. We're actually 94 00:04:26,427 --> 00:04:27,787 Speaker 5: roommates as well a lot of the time on a 95 00:04:27,787 --> 00:04:30,587 Speaker 5: way trips, so we obviously get on well personally too, 96 00:04:30,587 --> 00:04:32,627 Speaker 5: and I think that counts for a lot when you're 97 00:04:32,627 --> 00:04:34,187 Speaker 5: out on the perch. You know, you've got that level 98 00:04:34,227 --> 00:04:36,867 Speaker 5: of trust with one another, and Ma is on fire, 99 00:04:37,147 --> 00:04:38,947 Speaker 5: like are just passing the ball and run and it 100 00:04:39,027 --> 00:04:40,747 Speaker 5: makes me look good. So happy days. 101 00:04:41,627 --> 00:04:44,267 Speaker 2: So MacArthur, tonight they got all right. They beat Sydney 102 00:04:44,387 --> 00:04:47,147 Speaker 2: FC away last time out. How do you assess the 103 00:04:47,187 --> 00:04:48,707 Speaker 2: threat that they'll present to you tonight? 104 00:04:49,787 --> 00:04:52,627 Speaker 5: Yeah, very good team going forwards. I think they create 105 00:04:52,947 --> 00:04:55,227 Speaker 5: a lot of chances and they kind of bank on 106 00:04:55,307 --> 00:04:57,827 Speaker 5: that as well with their style of play. I think 107 00:04:57,987 --> 00:05:00,227 Speaker 5: it'll be a tough game also, our first one over 108 00:05:00,267 --> 00:05:02,707 Speaker 5: an oars, so you've got to think about the travel 109 00:05:02,787 --> 00:05:04,947 Speaker 5: and all of that. But I think the boys are 110 00:05:05,027 --> 00:05:07,907 Speaker 5: up for it and we're pretty keen to impose ourselves 111 00:05:07,947 --> 00:05:09,987 Speaker 5: as well in Australia. You know, like you talked about 112 00:05:10,027 --> 00:05:12,867 Speaker 5: the great start that we've had for us, it's, you know, 113 00:05:12,947 --> 00:05:15,787 Speaker 5: kind of forging ahead and trying to stamp our mark 114 00:05:15,827 --> 00:05:18,547 Speaker 5: on a new thing that we haven't achieved yet, you know, 115 00:05:18,627 --> 00:05:21,307 Speaker 5: first away when or first away points, maybe get a 116 00:05:21,347 --> 00:05:23,067 Speaker 5: clean sheet away. So these are the kind of things 117 00:05:23,067 --> 00:05:25,667 Speaker 5: we're looking for. We obviously know they're dangerous, but we 118 00:05:25,707 --> 00:05:28,027 Speaker 5: also know what we're really good at and that's what 119 00:05:28,027 --> 00:05:28,627 Speaker 5: we're going to bring. 120 00:05:28,987 --> 00:05:32,107 Speaker 2: Can I ask you about your skipper, Hirochi Sakay. You know, 121 00:05:32,547 --> 00:05:34,787 Speaker 2: it seems from the outside looking in as though he's 122 00:05:34,827 --> 00:05:39,507 Speaker 2: already a pretty influential guy in your team environment. What 123 00:05:39,667 --> 00:05:41,547 Speaker 2: is he like inside Auckland FC. 124 00:05:43,467 --> 00:05:45,547 Speaker 5: When you've been to three World Cups and you're still 125 00:05:45,587 --> 00:05:47,467 Speaker 5: the most humble guy in the changing room. I think 126 00:05:47,507 --> 00:05:50,787 Speaker 5: it affects a lot of people just with the demeanor 127 00:05:50,827 --> 00:05:54,107 Speaker 5: that he has. So he's a massive positive role model 128 00:05:54,147 --> 00:05:56,067 Speaker 5: for many of us, you know, definitely for me, I'm 129 00:05:56,107 --> 00:05:57,747 Speaker 5: sure a lot of the other boys feel the same. 130 00:05:58,427 --> 00:06:00,947 Speaker 5: As a football player obviously is quality. I don't need 131 00:06:00,987 --> 00:06:02,787 Speaker 5: to hype that up because you get to watch it 132 00:06:02,827 --> 00:06:06,267 Speaker 5: every weekend. But as a person, you know, very humble, 133 00:06:06,827 --> 00:06:10,467 Speaker 5: very willing to speak and share his knowledge and also 134 00:06:10,507 --> 00:06:13,227 Speaker 5: to have a laugh. So yeah, he's definitely a big 135 00:06:13,307 --> 00:06:16,027 Speaker 5: driving force in the dressing room for making everyone feel comfortable, 136 00:06:16,067 --> 00:06:18,987 Speaker 5: but then also showing us, you know, what is what 137 00:06:19,347 --> 00:06:21,947 Speaker 5: you could be capable of if you have the level 138 00:06:21,987 --> 00:06:24,227 Speaker 5: of dedication and professionalism that he has. 139 00:06:24,787 --> 00:06:27,027 Speaker 2: Speaking of international football, we saw you play your first 140 00:06:27,027 --> 00:06:29,067 Speaker 2: game for New Zealand and over two years on Monday 141 00:06:29,067 --> 00:06:31,427 Speaker 2: against some More scored a goal as well, your first 142 00:06:31,427 --> 00:06:33,267 Speaker 2: one for the All Whites. How much did you enjoy 143 00:06:33,307 --> 00:06:34,587 Speaker 2: being back in the national setup. 144 00:06:35,427 --> 00:06:37,187 Speaker 5: Hey, ma, I'm glad you didn't hold your breath for 145 00:06:37,267 --> 00:06:44,547 Speaker 5: my first goal, because there's a long very stoked, you know. 146 00:06:44,667 --> 00:06:48,187 Speaker 5: Like when I got injured and chose to come back 147 00:06:48,227 --> 00:06:50,867 Speaker 5: to New Zealand instead of remaining in Europe, I was 148 00:06:50,987 --> 00:06:53,067 Speaker 5: very conscious that I was giving up some things, and 149 00:06:53,107 --> 00:06:55,187 Speaker 5: the All Whites was one of them, and Bays was 150 00:06:55,187 --> 00:06:57,627 Speaker 5: always very honest with me, saying that I needed to 151 00:06:57,627 --> 00:07:00,467 Speaker 5: be back in a professional environment before I'd be considered again. 152 00:07:01,027 --> 00:07:04,307 Speaker 5: So to be able to get the chance again and 153 00:07:04,427 --> 00:07:06,987 Speaker 5: first game on home soil as well, I meant the 154 00:07:07,027 --> 00:07:10,307 Speaker 5: world to me, Like had mom and dad watching, had 155 00:07:10,347 --> 00:07:13,147 Speaker 5: my partner Lisa watching, and the goal was kind of 156 00:07:13,147 --> 00:07:15,107 Speaker 5: the cherry on top, you know. I was just stoked 157 00:07:15,107 --> 00:07:17,307 Speaker 5: to be there and be able to put on the 158 00:07:17,347 --> 00:07:19,227 Speaker 5: shirt and you feel ten feet tool when you got 159 00:07:19,227 --> 00:07:19,547 Speaker 5: it there. 160 00:07:19,907 --> 00:07:23,187 Speaker 2: It's a good finish, man, I mean, it's no foregone conclusion. 161 00:07:23,187 --> 00:07:25,587 Speaker 2: You'll get that in the net. That's a good finish. 162 00:07:25,667 --> 00:07:29,267 Speaker 5: Yeah, facts, I'm really happy with it, you know, like 163 00:07:29,667 --> 00:07:33,947 Speaker 5: obviously working on those kind of finishes. Yeah, when you 164 00:07:34,027 --> 00:07:36,707 Speaker 5: hit one of them in training, you go ballistic, you know. Yeah, 165 00:07:36,947 --> 00:07:40,667 Speaker 5: that was an incredible goal. So the game obviously five 166 00:07:40,667 --> 00:07:42,747 Speaker 5: min at up you couldn't go knee sliding into the corner. 167 00:07:42,787 --> 00:07:44,307 Speaker 5: But that's kind of how it felt like. 168 00:07:45,467 --> 00:07:47,867 Speaker 2: And with a World Cup on the horizon, All Whites 169 00:07:47,907 --> 00:07:51,427 Speaker 2: now just two games away from securing qualification, how keen 170 00:07:51,467 --> 00:07:53,187 Speaker 2: are you to stay involved in the All Whites over 171 00:07:53,187 --> 00:07:54,587 Speaker 2: the next couple of years and maybe go to the 172 00:07:54,627 --> 00:07:55,067 Speaker 2: World Cup? 173 00:07:56,387 --> 00:07:58,947 Speaker 5: Very much so, you know, like it's a really real 174 00:07:59,787 --> 00:08:03,747 Speaker 5: motivator every day now, especially when you've just been in 175 00:08:03,787 --> 00:08:06,307 Speaker 5: that environment had a taste of it. Like, I'm under 176 00:08:06,387 --> 00:08:09,027 Speaker 5: no illusions that I need to continue to play really 177 00:08:09,027 --> 00:08:12,947 Speaker 5: well for Auckland to remain in contention because there's very 178 00:08:13,427 --> 00:08:16,667 Speaker 5: many other good players, especially in my position too, So mate, 179 00:08:16,667 --> 00:08:19,307 Speaker 5: I'll just keep doing the same thing, like it is 180 00:08:19,347 --> 00:08:21,627 Speaker 5: a boost, you know, it is a bit of an 181 00:08:21,667 --> 00:08:24,507 Speaker 5: extrinsic like this is what you could get if you 182 00:08:24,587 --> 00:08:27,867 Speaker 5: keep going well, although I think the more important thing 183 00:08:28,027 --> 00:08:32,187 Speaker 5: is sticking with your internal standards and consistently trying to 184 00:08:32,387 --> 00:08:35,427 Speaker 5: give your best you know, your best effort, your best character, 185 00:08:35,507 --> 00:08:38,427 Speaker 5: your best quality, and then we'll see what happens after that. 186 00:08:38,987 --> 00:08:42,507 Speaker 2: And you mentioned the conversational conversations with Darren Basley before 187 00:08:42,547 --> 00:08:45,747 Speaker 2: you had a lot of time overseas playing Switzerland, US Sweden. 188 00:08:46,347 --> 00:08:48,787 Speaker 2: When you return back to New Zealand, did you feel 189 00:08:48,827 --> 00:08:52,227 Speaker 2: as though your days as a full time pro might 190 00:08:52,307 --> 00:08:52,707 Speaker 2: be done. 191 00:08:54,307 --> 00:08:57,507 Speaker 5: Yeah, for sure, mate, Like I'm not going to lie 192 00:08:57,547 --> 00:08:59,867 Speaker 5: and say like I had this all planned out of 193 00:08:59,907 --> 00:09:01,707 Speaker 5: my head, because we don't even know. Awkwardness there was 194 00:09:01,707 --> 00:09:04,347 Speaker 5: going to be a thing. Even when I was back 195 00:09:04,387 --> 00:09:07,627 Speaker 5: here playing, I knew there were no guarantees of signing 196 00:09:07,667 --> 00:09:10,947 Speaker 5: for Auckland when they became a club, So when I 197 00:09:10,987 --> 00:09:12,507 Speaker 5: came back to New Zealand, it was a very conscious 198 00:09:12,587 --> 00:09:15,267 Speaker 5: choice of me and my partner Lisa we're moving back 199 00:09:15,307 --> 00:09:19,187 Speaker 5: to essentially start a new life together after many years overseas. 200 00:09:19,627 --> 00:09:23,267 Speaker 5: So to have the opportunity almost like a third life 201 00:09:23,307 --> 00:09:25,827 Speaker 5: of professional football for me is some of you don't 202 00:09:25,867 --> 00:09:28,627 Speaker 5: take for granted. So that's why you know, I was 203 00:09:28,627 --> 00:09:32,707 Speaker 5: talking about the motivation coming from inside again before. That's 204 00:09:32,747 --> 00:09:34,627 Speaker 5: what it feels like every morning when you get up, 205 00:09:34,707 --> 00:09:38,027 Speaker 5: you know you've got this wonderful opportunity and you know 206 00:09:38,107 --> 00:09:40,547 Speaker 5: not to take that for granted. So that's the kind 207 00:09:40,587 --> 00:09:42,427 Speaker 5: of mindset that I try and approach each day with. 208 00:09:42,827 --> 00:09:46,067 Speaker 2: Well it's obviously working for any You've started the season 209 00:09:46,147 --> 00:09:48,867 Speaker 2: brilliantly back in the all Whites of goal. It's all 210 00:09:48,907 --> 00:09:50,587 Speaker 2: gone well for you at the moment. Mate, long mate, 211 00:09:50,587 --> 00:09:53,307 Speaker 2: continue all the best against MacArthur tonight. Thanks for taking 212 00:09:53,307 --> 00:09:54,107 Speaker 2: the time for a chat. 213 00:09:54,387 --> 00:09:55,467 Speaker 5: I really appreciate it. 214 00:09:55,547 --> 00:09:57,067 Speaker 2: Have a good day. You have a good day too, 215 00:09:57,747 --> 00:10:00,427 Speaker 2: Francis Devrees there from Auckland FC. They take on MacArthur 216 00:10:00,507 --> 00:10:02,947 Speaker 2: six o'clock to night in New Zealand time three point 217 00:10:02,947 --> 00:10:05,347 Speaker 2: thirty this afternoon it's the Wellington Phoenix back in action. 218 00:10:05,427 --> 00:10:09,227 Speaker 2: They take on Melbourne Victory, the top side in the competition. 219 00:10:09,387 --> 00:10:13,907 Speaker 2: From three point thirty midfielder Paulo Retroy missed the first 220 00:10:13,907 --> 00:10:16,547 Speaker 2: three games of the season as he recovered from a 221 00:10:16,667 --> 00:10:19,067 Speaker 2: nigli injury, but he debuted in the last game, a 222 00:10:19,067 --> 00:10:22,027 Speaker 2: three nil win over the Central Coast Mariners. I spoke 223 00:10:22,067 --> 00:10:23,867 Speaker 2: to Polo Retroy during the week and asked how he 224 00:10:23,907 --> 00:10:26,467 Speaker 2: came through his first game in a Phoenix shirt. 225 00:10:26,707 --> 00:10:29,387 Speaker 4: Yeah. Look, I guess before the game was sort of 226 00:10:29,387 --> 00:10:31,907 Speaker 4: a plan to do forty five or sixty and I 227 00:10:31,947 --> 00:10:34,787 Speaker 4: ended up getting, yeah, the sixty minutes, and so I 228 00:10:34,827 --> 00:10:37,467 Speaker 4: was happy to come out there and get back in 229 00:10:37,507 --> 00:10:37,947 Speaker 4: one piece. 230 00:10:38,067 --> 00:10:40,787 Speaker 2: Yeah, must have been a nice occasion too, A three 231 00:10:40,907 --> 00:10:42,547 Speaker 2: nil went away at the Mariners off the back of 232 00:10:42,547 --> 00:10:44,427 Speaker 2: the loss in the derby. How much of a confidence 233 00:10:44,467 --> 00:10:45,427 Speaker 2: boost was it for the team? 234 00:10:46,027 --> 00:10:48,867 Speaker 4: Yeah, definitely. I think, like obviously, like you said, we 235 00:10:48,867 --> 00:10:52,587 Speaker 4: were disappointed from the result in the Auckland game, and 236 00:10:52,627 --> 00:10:54,947 Speaker 4: I think it was just like that little bit extra desire, 237 00:10:54,987 --> 00:10:58,467 Speaker 4: I guess to you know, show you that obviously we 238 00:10:58,587 --> 00:11:01,307 Speaker 4: care if it's the fans. So now it was good 239 00:11:02,187 --> 00:11:04,667 Speaker 4: top performance from the guys. I think all around, quite 240 00:11:04,667 --> 00:11:08,227 Speaker 4: a good display and yeah, hopefully that can sort of 241 00:11:08,227 --> 00:11:10,387 Speaker 4: help us build a platform to kick on for the 242 00:11:10,427 --> 00:11:11,347 Speaker 4: rest of the season. 243 00:11:11,547 --> 00:11:14,027 Speaker 2: An international break and then across now for you night 244 00:11:14,107 --> 00:11:17,907 Speaker 2: round against Victory on Sunday. What's the situation with your minute? 245 00:11:17,987 --> 00:11:20,027 Speaker 2: So will you be able to play another hour or 246 00:11:20,067 --> 00:11:20,707 Speaker 2: maybe even longer? 247 00:11:21,547 --> 00:11:24,107 Speaker 4: Yeah, I think so. Look at the moment, I'm just 248 00:11:24,147 --> 00:11:26,907 Speaker 4: trying to do the best I can with whatever minutes. 249 00:11:27,707 --> 00:11:30,547 Speaker 4: So yeah, I think that's up to Chief here and 250 00:11:30,707 --> 00:11:33,427 Speaker 4: the fitness stuff. But yeah, the plans sort of around 251 00:11:33,467 --> 00:11:35,587 Speaker 4: something similar or maybe try and get a little bit 252 00:11:35,747 --> 00:11:38,067 Speaker 4: more out of me, But yeah, we'll see how it goes. 253 00:11:38,267 --> 00:11:40,227 Speaker 2: How did you find it out there? Did you know? 254 00:11:40,267 --> 00:11:42,787 Speaker 2: Did you enjoy playing for Wellington Phoenix? 255 00:11:43,067 --> 00:11:46,787 Speaker 4: Yeah? Obviously for me, like it's a yeah, I was 256 00:11:46,827 --> 00:11:49,827 Speaker 4: really proud and it was like obviously to get a 257 00:11:49,867 --> 00:11:52,787 Speaker 4: result like that in my first game, I probably didn't 258 00:11:52,827 --> 00:11:55,267 Speaker 4: really think that would go like that, but yeah, no, 259 00:11:55,467 --> 00:11:57,507 Speaker 4: I'm really happy and I'm really happy to be here 260 00:11:57,547 --> 00:12:01,547 Speaker 4: and hopefully I can contribute on the pitch the best 261 00:12:01,547 --> 00:12:01,867 Speaker 4: I can. 262 00:12:01,987 --> 00:12:04,227 Speaker 2: Yeah, it's the style that Wellington play and your role 263 00:12:04,267 --> 00:12:06,947 Speaker 2: inside that style is something you feel you can contribute 264 00:12:06,987 --> 00:12:08,067 Speaker 2: pretty significantly. 265 00:12:08,707 --> 00:12:10,227 Speaker 4: Yeah, I think so. I think the way the team 266 00:12:10,267 --> 00:12:15,467 Speaker 4: plays sort of suits my style of gameplay, so yeah, 267 00:12:15,547 --> 00:12:16,907 Speaker 4: I'm hoping to contribute. 268 00:12:16,507 --> 00:12:19,787 Speaker 2: A lot in Melbourne victory on Sunday. You've played them 269 00:12:19,787 --> 00:12:22,627 Speaker 2: a lot in Derby's and Big Blues. I had a 270 00:12:22,707 --> 00:12:24,627 Speaker 2: quick jick. Actually, you've played them twenty three times and 271 00:12:24,667 --> 00:12:27,987 Speaker 2: only lost seven, so they're your buddies man. You know, 272 00:12:28,467 --> 00:12:29,987 Speaker 2: why do you go so well against Victory? 273 00:12:30,347 --> 00:12:32,867 Speaker 4: Don't know. I used to play there as a junior, 274 00:12:32,907 --> 00:12:34,947 Speaker 4: so I don't know. Maybe I've got some inside knowledge 275 00:12:34,947 --> 00:12:38,347 Speaker 4: that that I don't know about, but now I think 276 00:12:39,067 --> 00:12:41,387 Speaker 4: for me growing up, like obviously being a Melbourne boy, 277 00:12:41,467 --> 00:12:44,507 Speaker 4: like I always look forward to that picture. Obviously, they're 278 00:12:44,507 --> 00:12:46,067 Speaker 4: a big club, one of the biggest clubs in the 279 00:12:46,067 --> 00:12:48,787 Speaker 4: A League, so yeah, they're always a top team and 280 00:12:49,707 --> 00:12:52,947 Speaker 4: they obviously got a good team now, good coach, well 281 00:12:53,027 --> 00:12:54,947 Speaker 4: drilled out at the top of the table I think 282 00:12:55,067 --> 00:12:58,067 Speaker 4: or near there. So yeah, that will be a good game. 283 00:12:58,147 --> 00:12:59,867 Speaker 4: I'm really excited for it, and I think it'll be 284 00:12:59,867 --> 00:13:01,787 Speaker 4: a good game for us to show our quality as 285 00:13:01,787 --> 00:13:04,827 Speaker 4: well like the Mariners, So yeah, hopefully it goes that 286 00:13:04,827 --> 00:13:05,267 Speaker 4: way as well. 287 00:13:05,347 --> 00:13:07,067 Speaker 2: That's part of a rich Ray new to the Phoenix 288 00:13:07,067 --> 00:13:08,867 Speaker 2: this season, but off to a winning start. He will 289 00:13:08,867 --> 00:13:11,307 Speaker 2: start again this afternoon against Melbourne victory. That game is 290 00:13:11,347 --> 00:13:16,747 Speaker 2: about fifty minutes away at in Sydney for a unit round. 291 00:13:16,827 --> 00:13:18,547 Speaker 2: All of the games are in Sydney this weekend for 292 00:13:18,587 --> 00:13:19,507 Speaker 2: the men and the women. 293 00:13:20,267 --> 00:13:23,467 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 294 00:13:23,587 --> 00:13:26,867 Speaker 1: to News Talk zed B weekends from midday or follow 295 00:13:26,907 --> 00:13:28,507 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio.