1 00:00:06,707 --> 00:00:10,467 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,747 --> 00:00:11,787 Speaker 1: from News Talk Z'B. 3 00:00:12,787 --> 00:00:15,187 Speaker 2: Let's get back to some more positive stuff. Let's get 4 00:00:15,227 --> 00:00:17,547 Speaker 2: back to the football. All Whites head coach Darren Basley 5 00:00:17,707 --> 00:00:20,467 Speaker 2: has named his squad to compete at the OFC Nations Cup. 6 00:00:20,507 --> 00:00:23,307 Speaker 2: This's is said to play take place in Fiji and Vanuatu, 7 00:00:23,427 --> 00:00:26,627 Speaker 2: are starting next weekend and towards the back end of June. 8 00:00:27,227 --> 00:00:29,547 Speaker 2: Darren base Le's with us. Darren, thanks for taking the time. 9 00:00:29,947 --> 00:00:31,867 Speaker 2: What were your main considerations when you were putting the 10 00:00:31,907 --> 00:00:32,787 Speaker 2: squad together. 11 00:00:33,387 --> 00:00:36,307 Speaker 3: Hey, Planny. Yeah, so obviously we always try and put 12 00:00:36,347 --> 00:00:38,787 Speaker 3: together the strongest squad that we can for every tour. 13 00:00:38,947 --> 00:00:41,947 Speaker 3: So I think the last month I've spent talking to 14 00:00:41,987 --> 00:00:45,387 Speaker 3: players and clubs and agents around availability of players, and 15 00:00:45,547 --> 00:00:48,467 Speaker 3: this one's a little bit different because of the closeness 16 00:00:48,467 --> 00:00:52,667 Speaker 3: of the Olympics. Having two pretty big long tournaments pretty 17 00:00:52,707 --> 00:00:54,587 Speaker 3: much back to back has made it a little bit 18 00:00:54,587 --> 00:00:58,227 Speaker 3: difficult for some clubs and some players. So yeah, if 19 00:00:58,267 --> 00:01:01,587 Speaker 3: I'm honest, I think we've with a strong squad that's 20 00:01:01,707 --> 00:01:05,027 Speaker 3: really blended a lot of the younger players involved that 21 00:01:05,467 --> 00:01:07,747 Speaker 3: you are going to be potentially involved with the Olympics. 22 00:01:07,747 --> 00:01:12,267 Speaker 3: So yeah, we've had to really players personal commitments and 23 00:01:12,267 --> 00:01:15,747 Speaker 3: club commitments, but to ensure we've got the strongest squad 24 00:01:15,827 --> 00:01:16,787 Speaker 3: available that we can. 25 00:01:17,187 --> 00:01:18,867 Speaker 2: So when it comes to some of those players, the 26 00:01:18,867 --> 00:01:21,827 Speaker 2: European based ones who are in their off season summer 27 00:01:21,907 --> 00:01:25,107 Speaker 2: in the squad, the likes of Laby Cacaci, Tyler Bunden's, 28 00:01:25,107 --> 00:01:27,587 Speaker 2: there have been way and others who aren't the likes 29 00:01:27,627 --> 00:01:30,747 Speaker 2: of Marco Staminich, Mett Garbett separate thing for example. Are 30 00:01:30,787 --> 00:01:34,147 Speaker 2: they just sort of calls made on an individual basis 31 00:01:34,187 --> 00:01:37,507 Speaker 2: for each one of their personal circumstances year. 32 00:01:37,387 --> 00:01:40,827 Speaker 3: One hundred percent. So every player's got a different you know, 33 00:01:40,907 --> 00:01:43,307 Speaker 3: different things was going on. So we've had to go 34 00:01:43,387 --> 00:01:46,067 Speaker 3: on a case by case basis, speak to the players, 35 00:01:46,067 --> 00:01:49,627 Speaker 3: speak to the clubs and find out exactly what you 36 00:01:49,667 --> 00:01:52,667 Speaker 3: know is best for those players in this moment of time. 37 00:01:52,707 --> 00:01:56,387 Speaker 3: And obviously someone like Marco Staminich, you know, he's obviously 38 00:01:56,427 --> 00:01:59,187 Speaker 3: got the Olympics as well. You know, it's it's tough 39 00:01:59,227 --> 00:02:01,427 Speaker 3: for clubs had got us for three weeks to a 40 00:02:01,507 --> 00:02:05,507 Speaker 3: Nation's Cup and then another three weeks and Olympics. So yeah, 41 00:02:05,547 --> 00:02:09,787 Speaker 3: every player's got different circumstances, so we do. We treat 42 00:02:09,787 --> 00:02:12,987 Speaker 3: every player individually. Like I say, we always try and 43 00:02:13,267 --> 00:02:15,947 Speaker 3: get the best squad that we can available for us. 44 00:02:16,387 --> 00:02:19,347 Speaker 3: This one's again slightly different with regards to the Olympics 45 00:02:19,387 --> 00:02:22,987 Speaker 3: coming out under twenty three tournaments, so it does give 46 00:02:23,027 --> 00:02:25,507 Speaker 3: us a chance to you know, once we were looking 47 00:02:25,547 --> 00:02:28,747 Speaker 3: at then, you know, the fill in the squad, you know, 48 00:02:28,827 --> 00:02:30,867 Speaker 3: we chose to go down to the limit with the 49 00:02:30,947 --> 00:02:34,747 Speaker 3: younger players that potentially we will get more preparation for 50 00:02:34,827 --> 00:02:35,787 Speaker 3: the Olympics as well. 51 00:02:36,027 --> 00:02:38,587 Speaker 2: Yeah, well, team I think of the twenty one are 52 00:02:38,667 --> 00:02:41,707 Speaker 2: under twenty three, so Olympics eligible. How came were you 53 00:02:41,787 --> 00:02:44,707 Speaker 2: to get a chunk of players together who may well 54 00:02:44,747 --> 00:02:47,667 Speaker 2: feature at the Paris Olympics and spend time with them 55 00:02:47,827 --> 00:02:49,747 Speaker 2: both in the training scenes and also to see what 56 00:02:49,747 --> 00:02:51,147 Speaker 2: they've got out on the grass. 57 00:02:51,507 --> 00:02:53,587 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think it's going to be valuable, really valuable 58 00:02:53,627 --> 00:02:55,787 Speaker 3: experience for a lot of these players. 59 00:02:56,827 --> 00:02:57,027 Speaker 2: You know. 60 00:02:57,067 --> 00:02:59,227 Speaker 3: Obviously we've still got some to come in in regards 61 00:02:59,227 --> 00:03:02,747 Speaker 3: to Staminich and garb It with those younger players, you know, 62 00:03:02,787 --> 00:03:05,107 Speaker 3: and Matt w Ds as well, so there's other players 63 00:03:05,147 --> 00:03:07,667 Speaker 3: to come into the Olympics. What it does for some 64 00:03:07,747 --> 00:03:10,147 Speaker 3: of these younger ones that maybe haven't had so much 65 00:03:10,387 --> 00:03:13,827 Speaker 3: international senior experience. It gives them a chance to be 66 00:03:13,867 --> 00:03:15,947 Speaker 3: involved with us for you know, a good three weeks 67 00:03:15,947 --> 00:03:19,307 Speaker 3: over in Vanua, two before obviously we go into the 68 00:03:19,427 --> 00:03:21,467 Speaker 3: Olympics as well. So I think it's great. I think 69 00:03:21,467 --> 00:03:24,187 Speaker 3: it's a great opportunity. And what we will be saying is, 70 00:03:24,587 --> 00:03:26,827 Speaker 3: you know, this is an opportunity for all the players 71 00:03:26,827 --> 00:03:30,307 Speaker 3: in the squad to state a claim to push themselves 72 00:03:30,667 --> 00:03:31,867 Speaker 3: for regular selection. 73 00:03:32,707 --> 00:03:35,387 Speaker 2: How much do you enjoy calling players and telling them 74 00:03:35,507 --> 00:03:37,907 Speaker 2: that they're in a squad and all white squad for 75 00:03:37,947 --> 00:03:40,627 Speaker 2: the first time You've had that pleasure with fun conci 76 00:03:40,827 --> 00:03:43,707 Speaker 2: oskar van Adam, Jesse Randall, Sam Suthon, it seems like 77 00:03:43,707 --> 00:03:46,067 Speaker 2: it's gout to come before now for such How nice 78 00:03:46,147 --> 00:03:47,627 Speaker 2: is it to make those fun calls? 79 00:03:48,147 --> 00:03:50,587 Speaker 3: Yeah, they're They're the real nice parts of the job, 80 00:03:50,747 --> 00:03:53,187 Speaker 3: you know, give them good news. It's a lot easier 81 00:03:53,227 --> 00:03:56,107 Speaker 3: doing that than than telling people they're not selected. So 82 00:03:56,147 --> 00:03:57,867 Speaker 3: I no, that was that was that was nice having 83 00:03:57,907 --> 00:04:00,747 Speaker 3: those moments with those players. I've obviously got really good 84 00:04:01,267 --> 00:04:04,187 Speaker 3: type relationships with those younger players as well, having you know, 85 00:04:04,267 --> 00:04:08,147 Speaker 3: coached them previously in different environments. Yeah, I think, you know, 86 00:04:08,187 --> 00:04:11,787 Speaker 3: they're all they're all rewarded for stuff they've done over 87 00:04:11,827 --> 00:04:12,427 Speaker 3: the past year. 88 00:04:13,067 --> 00:04:15,947 Speaker 2: No Chris Wood or Joe Bell a couple of players 89 00:04:15,947 --> 00:04:19,627 Speaker 2: who have worn the armband recently. Lebby Cacacci was skipper 90 00:04:19,627 --> 00:04:21,627 Speaker 2: in the last window. He's on the squad. Is it 91 00:04:21,707 --> 00:04:23,227 Speaker 2: likely he'll be the skipper again? 92 00:04:24,587 --> 00:04:28,507 Speaker 3: Yes, yeah, we'll be Yeah. Yeah. Libby's obviously captain de 93 00:04:28,667 --> 00:04:31,867 Speaker 3: l Whits. He's part of our leadership group. So yeah. 94 00:04:31,947 --> 00:04:34,667 Speaker 3: I mean we've we've got players that we do work 95 00:04:34,707 --> 00:04:37,747 Speaker 3: within that leadership group, lib being part of it. So yeah, 96 00:04:37,787 --> 00:04:40,587 Speaker 3: we would seeing Joe not being a not being available 97 00:04:40,747 --> 00:04:43,307 Speaker 3: on this tour, then Libby will step into that. 98 00:04:44,067 --> 00:04:47,587 Speaker 2: Are we looking at a high degree of squad rotation here, Boz? 99 00:04:49,267 --> 00:04:51,227 Speaker 3: I mean we've gone with a squad of twenty one 100 00:04:51,267 --> 00:04:53,827 Speaker 3: at this stage. We have got the option to add 101 00:04:53,827 --> 00:04:56,067 Speaker 3: to that if we need to. But I think what's 102 00:04:56,067 --> 00:05:00,347 Speaker 3: important is that, you know, the players get good game time, 103 00:05:00,427 --> 00:05:04,467 Speaker 3: get good opportunities. So yes, there'll be some rotations, but 104 00:05:04,547 --> 00:05:06,827 Speaker 3: I think what's good as well is that players that 105 00:05:06,867 --> 00:05:09,307 Speaker 3: are committing to come in away, you know, at the 106 00:05:09,387 --> 00:05:11,787 Speaker 3: end of seasons, whether that's the A League or or 107 00:05:12,107 --> 00:05:14,867 Speaker 3: a European season is that they're actually coming away and 108 00:05:14,867 --> 00:05:17,947 Speaker 3: they're going to get good games. So yeah, I think 109 00:05:17,987 --> 00:05:20,347 Speaker 3: it's it's good to have a tight squad. It just 110 00:05:20,387 --> 00:05:23,507 Speaker 3: means that the players that are there, you know, you know, 111 00:05:23,547 --> 00:05:25,187 Speaker 3: and we'll they will be fit enough. We've got good 112 00:05:25,267 --> 00:05:28,947 Speaker 3: recovery recals, so I think players can play a lot 113 00:05:28,987 --> 00:05:30,787 Speaker 3: a lot of those games. But yeah, I'm sure the 114 00:05:30,787 --> 00:05:34,147 Speaker 3: whole squad will get used and get rotated to an extent. 115 00:05:34,867 --> 00:05:38,427 Speaker 2: So one of the squad, Alex Paulson, headed for Premier 116 00:05:38,507 --> 00:05:42,107 Speaker 2: League side Bournemouth. How exciting is this for him and 117 00:05:42,227 --> 00:05:43,867 Speaker 2: for the game of football here in New Zealand. 118 00:05:44,907 --> 00:05:48,267 Speaker 3: I think it's a mate, you know what, an exciting 119 00:05:48,347 --> 00:05:51,387 Speaker 3: opportunity for for Alex. You know, he's worked so hard 120 00:05:51,427 --> 00:05:54,587 Speaker 3: to get to where he's at, you know, so this 121 00:05:54,747 --> 00:05:58,107 Speaker 3: is a reward for him and it's an exciting journey 122 00:05:58,187 --> 00:05:59,907 Speaker 3: that he's on. You know, he's had a great year. 123 00:06:00,707 --> 00:06:02,987 Speaker 3: But I also think for New Zealand and so the 124 00:06:03,067 --> 00:06:07,067 Speaker 3: young players growing up now and developing themselves within the game, 125 00:06:07,107 --> 00:06:09,227 Speaker 3: I think it's I think it just shows that the 126 00:06:09,307 --> 00:06:11,747 Speaker 3: pathway is there, you know, you can get to the 127 00:06:12,547 --> 00:06:15,867 Speaker 3: best league in the world. You're from this part of 128 00:06:16,347 --> 00:06:19,387 Speaker 3: from this part, from this country, you know. And he's shown, 129 00:06:19,587 --> 00:06:22,787 Speaker 3: you know, as did Libby and Ben Wayne, that if 130 00:06:22,787 --> 00:06:24,667 Speaker 3: you're a young player and you get into the A League, 131 00:06:24,827 --> 00:06:28,027 Speaker 3: it does show that you progress from there. And I 132 00:06:28,027 --> 00:06:32,587 Speaker 3: think this is an amazing example of you know, the 133 00:06:32,987 --> 00:06:34,867 Speaker 3: Premier one of the top leagues in the world. Where 134 00:06:34,947 --> 00:06:37,267 Speaker 3: is the top league in the world, the biggest clubs, 135 00:06:37,867 --> 00:06:39,467 Speaker 3: you know, coming knocking on the doors of the A 136 00:06:39,587 --> 00:06:41,507 Speaker 3: League and take him one of our players. 137 00:06:41,667 --> 00:06:43,667 Speaker 2: You haven't keptaim yet, I guess I get the feeling 138 00:06:43,667 --> 00:06:45,587 Speaker 2: that will happen at some starts in the next month 139 00:06:45,667 --> 00:06:45,827 Speaker 2: or so. 140 00:06:46,787 --> 00:06:48,627 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean he's been with us, you know, so 141 00:06:49,307 --> 00:06:52,627 Speaker 3: you know, we always knew he's you're obviously a very 142 00:06:52,627 --> 00:06:56,067 Speaker 3: good goalkeeper, being a young goalkeeper, and he's just developed 143 00:06:56,347 --> 00:06:58,547 Speaker 3: well all year, you know, he's grown in confidence, had 144 00:06:58,587 --> 00:07:02,107 Speaker 3: a great season with the Phoenix and yeah, we're we're 145 00:07:02,147 --> 00:07:05,547 Speaker 3: excited obviously to see where he can get to and 146 00:07:05,587 --> 00:07:07,227 Speaker 3: obviously to have an involved is great. 147 00:07:07,627 --> 00:07:10,467 Speaker 2: And as far as the Nation's Cup itself is concerned, 148 00:07:10,507 --> 00:07:12,987 Speaker 2: obviously the aim is to is to go there and 149 00:07:13,587 --> 00:07:16,307 Speaker 2: win it. What will you have to do particularly well 150 00:07:16,307 --> 00:07:17,867 Speaker 2: if that is the outcome at the end of June. 151 00:07:18,707 --> 00:07:20,667 Speaker 3: Yeah, definitely. We know we have to go there and 152 00:07:20,667 --> 00:07:22,227 Speaker 3: we have to win it. We have to perform and 153 00:07:22,587 --> 00:07:24,427 Speaker 3: we have to score goals and that, you know. But 154 00:07:24,467 --> 00:07:26,587 Speaker 3: I think for us to do that, we've you know, 155 00:07:26,627 --> 00:07:28,747 Speaker 3: we've just got to go there and be professional, you know, 156 00:07:28,867 --> 00:07:32,427 Speaker 3: have you show a lot of discipline, concentration. It's not 157 00:07:32,547 --> 00:07:35,027 Speaker 3: going to be easy. Obviously. We are, you know, the 158 00:07:35,307 --> 00:07:38,987 Speaker 3: higher ranked team in the tournament and you know the rankings, 159 00:07:38,987 --> 00:07:41,667 Speaker 3: and we've got the players that play in professional leagues. 160 00:07:42,307 --> 00:07:44,667 Speaker 3: But you know, I think everybody that's ever been to 161 00:07:44,707 --> 00:07:47,347 Speaker 3: the Islands to play football, No, it's not quite as 162 00:07:47,387 --> 00:07:50,307 Speaker 3: simple as that, you know, and there's some tricky moments 163 00:07:50,347 --> 00:07:53,067 Speaker 3: to go in and playing in these away tournaments. So yeah, 164 00:07:53,067 --> 00:07:54,427 Speaker 3: we just need to go and we need to make 165 00:07:54,427 --> 00:07:57,027 Speaker 3: sure that we are fully professional as we will be, 166 00:07:57,507 --> 00:07:59,707 Speaker 3: you know, and that we show great discipline and concentration 167 00:07:59,827 --> 00:08:02,707 Speaker 3: in every game. And you know, we just don't put 168 00:08:02,707 --> 00:08:05,147 Speaker 3: ourselves in a position where we're given the oppositions, a 169 00:08:05,227 --> 00:08:08,467 Speaker 3: real good opportunity and needed to be involved in games. 170 00:08:08,707 --> 00:08:10,747 Speaker 2: It's a good squad based all the best for the 171 00:08:10,787 --> 00:08:11,507 Speaker 2: month ahead. 172 00:08:12,027 --> 00:08:14,267 Speaker 3: Brilliant Thanks Biny Good to catch up mate. 173 00:08:14,187 --> 00:08:16,627 Speaker 2: No good to chat Darren, thank you indeed Darren. Basically 174 00:08:16,627 --> 00:08:18,787 Speaker 2: they're all whites coach ahead of the Nation's Cup, which 175 00:08:19,467 --> 00:08:22,347 Speaker 2: is in the second half of June. 176 00:08:22,387 --> 00:08:25,547 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 177 00:08:25,667 --> 00:08:29,067 Speaker 1: to news talks b weekends from midday, or follow the 178 00:08:29,107 --> 00:08:30,627 Speaker 1: podcast on iHeartRadio.