1 00:00:06,707 --> 00:00:10,587 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,747 --> 00:00:13,067 Speaker 1: from News Talk ZEDB Football. 3 00:00:13,107 --> 00:00:15,867 Speaker 2: Let's get you to Marseille and into the Ollie Whites 4 00:00:16,027 --> 00:00:18,507 Speaker 2: football camp. This is our men's team. They opened with 5 00:00:18,587 --> 00:00:21,627 Speaker 2: a two to one win over Guinea on Thursday. Nice 6 00:00:21,627 --> 00:00:24,387 Speaker 2: little all forward into the path of Bayless. Here's Lochland 7 00:00:24,427 --> 00:00:28,587 Speaker 2: Bayless Swids. It's waste New Zealand two one. Ben Wayne 8 00:00:29,067 --> 00:00:30,507 Speaker 2: has put them back in front. 9 00:00:30,667 --> 00:00:34,067 Speaker 3: Five. Huge credit to Lochland Bayless who won the ball 10 00:00:34,107 --> 00:00:36,027 Speaker 3: on the edge of the penalty area, gone away from 11 00:00:36,067 --> 00:00:40,187 Speaker 3: a defenders credit and Ben Wayne with a finish into 12 00:00:40,227 --> 00:00:41,547 Speaker 3: the roof of Guinea's net. 13 00:00:41,627 --> 00:00:44,027 Speaker 2: Yeah, a really good start for the Ollie Whites. They 14 00:00:44,067 --> 00:00:47,587 Speaker 2: faced the United States in game two tomorrow morning at 15 00:00:47,587 --> 00:00:50,947 Speaker 2: five o'clock. Defender Finn's sermon is with us out of 16 00:00:50,987 --> 00:00:53,867 Speaker 2: the Oli Whites camp in Marseille before we talk about 17 00:00:53,867 --> 00:00:56,227 Speaker 2: the game against the US. Fin How pleasing was it 18 00:00:56,467 --> 00:00:58,707 Speaker 2: to get a first up win against Guinea. How pleased 19 00:00:58,707 --> 00:01:01,427 Speaker 2: were you with that and with the performance of the side. 20 00:01:01,987 --> 00:01:04,627 Speaker 4: Yeah, I think the team was extremely pleased. I think 21 00:01:05,667 --> 00:01:08,787 Speaker 4: a first a first game result is very important, especially 22 00:01:08,827 --> 00:01:11,427 Speaker 4: in tournament football. It's kind of It kind of sets 23 00:01:11,427 --> 00:01:14,187 Speaker 4: the team up positively, and I think all the boys 24 00:01:14,187 --> 00:01:17,787 Speaker 4: were just pretty pretty buzzing, to be honest, to get 25 00:01:17,827 --> 00:01:21,427 Speaker 4: that result, and it instills a lot of belief within 26 00:01:21,427 --> 00:01:23,947 Speaker 4: the squad and that's something that we can take forward 27 00:01:23,987 --> 00:01:24,707 Speaker 4: throughout the tournament. 28 00:01:25,107 --> 00:01:28,227 Speaker 2: You were one nil up until the seventy second minute 29 00:01:28,627 --> 00:01:31,347 Speaker 2: getting equalized, but then it didn't take long for you 30 00:01:31,427 --> 00:01:33,827 Speaker 2: guys to go ahead again. How pleasing was that ability 31 00:01:33,867 --> 00:01:37,187 Speaker 2: to score the second goal so quickly after they had 32 00:01:37,387 --> 00:01:38,707 Speaker 2: had drawn at level at one all. 33 00:01:40,307 --> 00:01:43,627 Speaker 4: Yeah, that was fantastic from the team, to be honest. 34 00:01:43,667 --> 00:01:48,707 Speaker 4: I think it can be difficult to regroup yourselves after 35 00:01:48,747 --> 00:01:51,187 Speaker 4: you concede goal, especially after you've just been up one nil, 36 00:01:51,227 --> 00:01:54,147 Speaker 4: but I think, I mean, it's not necessarily a cliche, 37 00:01:54,187 --> 00:01:56,667 Speaker 4: but it shows a lot of character within the team 38 00:01:56,707 --> 00:01:58,947 Speaker 4: to be able to concede and then go straight back 39 00:01:59,027 --> 00:02:01,467 Speaker 4: up the other end and score with and like I said, 40 00:02:01,507 --> 00:02:04,427 Speaker 4: within five minutes. So yeah, it kind of just speaks 41 00:02:04,427 --> 00:02:07,867 Speaker 4: about the team and the quality and the character within 42 00:02:07,907 --> 00:02:08,227 Speaker 4: the group. 43 00:02:08,787 --> 00:02:11,667 Speaker 2: Apart from the goal you conceded, how comfortable did you 44 00:02:11,747 --> 00:02:13,187 Speaker 2: feel defensively? 45 00:02:15,387 --> 00:02:18,187 Speaker 4: I felt pretty comfortable. I mean helps when he got 46 00:02:18,187 --> 00:02:19,667 Speaker 4: Alex behind you and you know he's going to make 47 00:02:19,667 --> 00:02:23,347 Speaker 4: a few saves that some people might not make, So yeah, 48 00:02:23,467 --> 00:02:25,667 Speaker 4: he was quality the other day. And to be honest, 49 00:02:26,187 --> 00:02:30,707 Speaker 4: like defending, defending is is kind of what you make 50 00:02:30,747 --> 00:02:33,387 Speaker 4: of it. I think we work on how we're going 51 00:02:33,387 --> 00:02:36,307 Speaker 4: to defend and what we want to do in different situations. 52 00:02:36,347 --> 00:02:39,027 Speaker 4: And I feel pretty comfortable defending, and I'm sure a 53 00:02:39,067 --> 00:02:41,387 Speaker 4: lot of other defenders do as well, because at the 54 00:02:41,467 --> 00:02:43,107 Speaker 4: end of the day, that's kind of a it's our 55 00:02:43,227 --> 00:02:45,947 Speaker 4: job to defend the goal. And yeah, I think I 56 00:02:45,987 --> 00:02:48,587 Speaker 4: was proud of everyone within the within the team, to 57 00:02:48,627 --> 00:02:50,627 Speaker 4: be honest, for the defensive performance that they put in. 58 00:02:51,027 --> 00:02:54,667 Speaker 2: You talked about Alex Paulson another standout in goal from him. 59 00:02:54,667 --> 00:02:56,987 Speaker 2: We're kind of getting used to this. You came through 60 00:02:56,987 --> 00:02:59,387 Speaker 2: the Phoenix Academy with him, of course. Did did it 61 00:02:59,387 --> 00:03:02,347 Speaker 2: always feel like he had a high ceiling when you 62 00:03:02,347 --> 00:03:04,507 Speaker 2: were you know, when you were young players or younger 63 00:03:04,587 --> 00:03:06,067 Speaker 2: players playing together. 64 00:03:07,387 --> 00:03:11,267 Speaker 4: Yeah, it's an interesting question because I've never really thought 65 00:03:11,267 --> 00:03:14,987 Speaker 4: about it. I think even at the time when we 66 00:03:15,427 --> 00:03:18,587 Speaker 4: play together, the kind of the goal was just just 67 00:03:18,667 --> 00:03:21,027 Speaker 4: kind of the next step. So when we were in 68 00:03:21,067 --> 00:03:23,227 Speaker 4: the reserves, it was getting into the first team and 69 00:03:23,267 --> 00:03:25,507 Speaker 4: then getting into the first team. It was in trying 70 00:03:25,507 --> 00:03:28,107 Speaker 4: to get game time and then when they're so on 71 00:03:28,147 --> 00:03:31,027 Speaker 4: and so on. But so I would never say I 72 00:03:31,067 --> 00:03:34,267 Speaker 4: really thought about it from a younger age. But I mean, 73 00:03:34,307 --> 00:03:36,067 Speaker 4: it's it's clear the quality that he's got. 74 00:03:37,507 --> 00:03:39,627 Speaker 2: Several of this team, of course, had time playing together 75 00:03:39,667 --> 00:03:42,227 Speaker 2: at the at the recent OFC Nations Cup. How has 76 00:03:42,267 --> 00:03:45,227 Speaker 2: that been helpful in terms of, you know, forging some connections. 77 00:03:45,227 --> 00:03:46,827 Speaker 2: I know you know these guys pretty well, but was 78 00:03:46,867 --> 00:03:52,067 Speaker 2: it helpful having that time together in the Islands. 79 00:03:52,147 --> 00:03:55,627 Speaker 4: Just like you say, as much time on the pitch together, 80 00:03:55,667 --> 00:03:59,627 Speaker 4: you're able to form more connections and and create create 81 00:03:59,627 --> 00:04:02,707 Speaker 4: partnerships with players in and around you and within the squad. 82 00:04:02,707 --> 00:04:05,187 Speaker 4: And I think both off the pitch and off the 83 00:04:05,227 --> 00:04:08,707 Speaker 4: pitch that benefit the team, especially in a tournament like this. So, yeah, 84 00:04:08,867 --> 00:04:11,467 Speaker 4: the Nation's Cup was great experience for a lot of 85 00:04:11,547 --> 00:04:14,187 Speaker 4: US boys to get more time on the pitch together 86 00:04:14,347 --> 00:04:15,067 Speaker 4: as well as off it. 87 00:04:15,387 --> 00:04:17,147 Speaker 2: Yeah, and while there are you know a number of 88 00:04:17,187 --> 00:04:19,067 Speaker 2: guys you know, well, there's a couple of new faces. 89 00:04:19,107 --> 00:04:21,667 Speaker 2: Lachland Bayless as a guy who's who's new to the 90 00:04:21,747 --> 00:04:24,187 Speaker 2: to the setup or relatively new at a big part 91 00:04:24,227 --> 00:04:27,027 Speaker 2: to play in Ben Wayne's goal. How do you quickly 92 00:04:27,067 --> 00:04:30,107 Speaker 2: integrate a new player like that into the into the 93 00:04:30,107 --> 00:04:31,187 Speaker 2: international scene. 94 00:04:32,267 --> 00:04:33,787 Speaker 4: Yeah, I think it's I think it's good that you 95 00:04:33,787 --> 00:04:36,507 Speaker 4: bring lock You up because I've only I've only played 96 00:04:36,507 --> 00:04:39,947 Speaker 4: against him prior to this camp, and honestly, he's fitting 97 00:04:39,987 --> 00:04:42,667 Speaker 4: so well to our squad. And you've seen it in 98 00:04:42,667 --> 00:04:44,987 Speaker 4: the weekend or not on the weekend, sorry, in the game, 99 00:04:46,387 --> 00:04:47,987 Speaker 4: just how much of an impact he can have on 100 00:04:48,067 --> 00:04:50,667 Speaker 4: a game. And you know, to be honest, I was 101 00:04:50,707 --> 00:04:52,547 Speaker 4: super proud of the way that he's he's come in. 102 00:04:52,587 --> 00:04:55,587 Speaker 4: You know, I think at some time ago he might 103 00:04:55,587 --> 00:04:58,107 Speaker 4: have been a traveling reserve or maybe not even in 104 00:04:58,107 --> 00:04:59,947 Speaker 4: the squad, and now he's come in, started our first 105 00:04:59,987 --> 00:05:02,867 Speaker 4: game and provided the assist for us to for us 106 00:05:02,907 --> 00:05:05,427 Speaker 4: to win the game. And you know, I'm incredibly part 107 00:05:05,467 --> 00:05:07,987 Speaker 4: of him, but also the boys for getting around him 108 00:05:07,987 --> 00:05:10,787 Speaker 4: and welcoming into the squad. I mean, he's made it 109 00:05:10,827 --> 00:05:12,827 Speaker 4: easy for us because he's such a likable guy and 110 00:05:13,547 --> 00:05:16,027 Speaker 4: he puts himself out there, which which is just fantastic 111 00:05:16,027 --> 00:05:17,587 Speaker 4: for our group. And he's a he's a great addition. 112 00:05:18,307 --> 00:05:20,627 Speaker 2: And how nice to have SARP preach sing on board 113 00:05:20,667 --> 00:05:22,147 Speaker 2: as well. I don't know that you would have played 114 00:05:22,147 --> 00:05:24,787 Speaker 2: a heck of a lot of international football with cypred 115 00:05:24,867 --> 00:05:27,067 Speaker 2: How nice to have a player like him on the team. 116 00:05:27,827 --> 00:05:29,907 Speaker 4: Yeah, I haven't. I haven't played a lot with him. 117 00:05:29,907 --> 00:05:31,547 Speaker 4: I've been on a couple a couple of tours with 118 00:05:31,627 --> 00:05:35,227 Speaker 4: him before. But you know, it's again, it's clear the 119 00:05:35,267 --> 00:05:37,507 Speaker 4: quality that he has and the quality that he brings 120 00:05:37,547 --> 00:05:40,227 Speaker 4: to this team. He's a different type of player that 121 00:05:41,267 --> 00:05:43,827 Speaker 4: there aren't many of. So the quality that he brings 122 00:05:44,147 --> 00:05:47,067 Speaker 4: to us is very important. And when he turns it on, 123 00:05:47,187 --> 00:05:50,387 Speaker 4: he seriously turns it on. So yeah, we're very fortunate 124 00:05:50,387 --> 00:05:53,067 Speaker 4: to have him, and he's He's also been a great 125 00:05:53,147 --> 00:05:54,907 Speaker 4: leader for our team and a lot of boys look 126 00:05:54,987 --> 00:05:57,827 Speaker 4: to him during games but also off the pitch, and 127 00:05:57,867 --> 00:05:59,947 Speaker 4: I think I think he's fantastic for our team. 128 00:06:00,147 --> 00:06:02,587 Speaker 2: All right, Game two to look forward to. Now, how 129 00:06:02,627 --> 00:06:05,507 Speaker 2: different a challenge do you expect the United States to be? 130 00:06:07,107 --> 00:06:11,507 Speaker 4: Yeah? I expect the United States to be fast, strong, physical, 131 00:06:11,947 --> 00:06:14,147 Speaker 4: but also also good footballers. They've got a lot of 132 00:06:14,147 --> 00:06:18,267 Speaker 4: players playing in good leagues around the world, and we 133 00:06:18,387 --> 00:06:19,947 Speaker 4: know there'll be a test and I know they had 134 00:06:19,947 --> 00:06:23,027 Speaker 4: an unfortunate result against against France, and I think that 135 00:06:23,107 --> 00:06:27,667 Speaker 4: scoreline potentially didn't do them justice. So look, I'm really 136 00:06:27,667 --> 00:06:29,747 Speaker 4: looking forward to playing against them because I think they'll 137 00:06:29,787 --> 00:06:31,147 Speaker 4: be a great test for our team. 138 00:06:31,467 --> 00:06:33,067 Speaker 2: We're looking forward to it as well. And speaking of 139 00:06:33,107 --> 00:06:35,147 Speaker 2: the United States, that's where you'll be living from now 140 00:06:35,187 --> 00:06:37,907 Speaker 2: on for the next little while. Anyway, securing a move 141 00:06:37,987 --> 00:06:40,507 Speaker 2: to the Portland Timbers, can you just tell us briefly 142 00:06:40,547 --> 00:06:41,787 Speaker 2: how that all played out. 143 00:06:43,147 --> 00:06:46,227 Speaker 4: Yeah, I mean kind of happened quite fast, I think 144 00:06:47,067 --> 00:06:48,907 Speaker 4: on my end, having quite fast. I had a few 145 00:06:48,907 --> 00:06:53,347 Speaker 4: conversations with some technical staff on their end, and then 146 00:06:53,667 --> 00:06:56,427 Speaker 4: spoke to the coaching staff a couple of times and 147 00:06:56,987 --> 00:06:58,907 Speaker 4: kind of really liked what they were saying and the 148 00:06:58,947 --> 00:07:02,627 Speaker 4: ideas behind what they were doing. And yeah, went over 149 00:07:02,667 --> 00:07:06,987 Speaker 4: there a few days before the Olympics to check everything 150 00:07:06,987 --> 00:07:10,267 Speaker 4: out and and and sign everything off and yeah, no, 151 00:07:10,387 --> 00:07:13,427 Speaker 4: I'm I'm I'm excited to be a part of their 152 00:07:13,467 --> 00:07:17,627 Speaker 4: club now. Like hu Juh, I'm completely focused on on 153 00:07:17,667 --> 00:07:20,747 Speaker 4: this Olympics first and trying to do as well for 154 00:07:20,787 --> 00:07:23,787 Speaker 4: this team as possible. But then I know that in 155 00:07:23,787 --> 00:07:25,987 Speaker 4: the back of my mind that Portland's going to be there, 156 00:07:25,987 --> 00:07:27,867 Speaker 4: and I'm excited to get going with him as well. 157 00:07:28,107 --> 00:07:29,747 Speaker 2: And I guess it brings to an end a pretty 158 00:07:29,747 --> 00:07:32,547 Speaker 2: significant chapter in your football career and your life as well. 159 00:07:32,547 --> 00:07:35,307 Speaker 2: And that's your time at Wellington Phoenix, which is uh 160 00:07:35,467 --> 00:07:37,267 Speaker 2: which see if goes back a few years now, but 161 00:07:37,307 --> 00:07:39,427 Speaker 2: you're still a very young player. How do you reflect 162 00:07:39,467 --> 00:07:41,587 Speaker 2: on your time at Wellington Phoenix. 163 00:07:42,907 --> 00:07:45,347 Speaker 4: Yeah, I've lived in Wellington. I've lived in Mornington for 164 00:07:45,347 --> 00:07:48,067 Speaker 4: about five years, so that was that's the collter of 165 00:07:48,147 --> 00:07:50,227 Speaker 4: my life. So it is a it is a pretty big, 166 00:07:50,747 --> 00:07:54,147 Speaker 4: pretty big chapter. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Wellington. 167 00:07:54,227 --> 00:07:55,067 Speaker 1: I think the. 168 00:07:55,067 --> 00:07:57,547 Speaker 4: Last year that I had was probably the best year 169 00:07:57,587 --> 00:08:01,827 Speaker 4: of my life. It's yeah, there was there was ups 170 00:08:01,827 --> 00:08:04,827 Speaker 4: and downs throughout my time in Wellington, but you know, 171 00:08:04,907 --> 00:08:07,747 Speaker 4: last year has only got I've only got fond memories 172 00:08:07,747 --> 00:08:11,387 Speaker 4: of it. Yeah, it was. It was fantastic. I think 173 00:08:11,427 --> 00:08:13,387 Speaker 4: I grew a lot as as a football player but 174 00:08:13,427 --> 00:08:17,867 Speaker 4: also as a person. And then I'm just super grateful 175 00:08:17,867 --> 00:08:19,467 Speaker 4: for the club for what they've done for me and 176 00:08:19,507 --> 00:08:21,227 Speaker 4: the opportunities they provided for me. 177 00:08:21,427 --> 00:08:22,867 Speaker 2: Yeah. Well, you can be really proud of what you 178 00:08:22,907 --> 00:08:26,547 Speaker 2: achieved in Wellington Phoenix. Colors Finn and a really exciting 179 00:08:26,547 --> 00:08:29,027 Speaker 2: time ahead for you as you transition into the next 180 00:08:29,067 --> 00:08:30,747 Speaker 2: stage of your cauia. But for now it's the Oli 181 00:08:30,787 --> 00:08:32,867 Speaker 2: Whites and the United States. Thanks for taking the time 182 00:08:33,187 --> 00:08:34,867 Speaker 2: for a chat. Made all the best in this next game, 183 00:08:34,907 --> 00:08:36,627 Speaker 2: and let's hope you can secure passage through to the 184 00:08:36,667 --> 00:08:37,307 Speaker 2: quarter finals. 185 00:08:38,627 --> 00:08:40,067 Speaker 4: Thank you very much, Pinie, thank you. 186 00:08:40,347 --> 00:08:42,827 Speaker 2: Finn Sermont out of the Early Whites. Five o'clock tomorrow morning, 187 00:08:42,827 --> 00:08:44,707 Speaker 2: they take on the United States. A win and they 188 00:08:44,747 --> 00:08:48,787 Speaker 2: will make the quarterfinals of the Olympic Men's football competition. 189 00:08:49,627 --> 00:08:52,827 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, Listen live 190 00:08:52,907 --> 00:08:56,227 Speaker 1: to News Talk sed B weekends from midday, or follow 191 00:08:56,267 --> 00:08:57,867 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio.