1 00:00:06,480 --> 00:00:06,840 Speaker 1: Yoda. 2 00:00:06,920 --> 00:00:09,880 Speaker 2: I'm Chelsea Daniels and this is the Front Page, a 3 00:00:09,960 --> 00:00:18,040 Speaker 2: daily podcast presented by the New Zealand Herald since nineteen thirty, 4 00:00:18,120 --> 00:00:21,520 Speaker 2: across twenty two editions of the FIFA Men's World Cup, 5 00:00:21,920 --> 00:00:24,920 Speaker 2: only two New Zealand teams have featured on the biggest 6 00:00:25,000 --> 00:00:29,920 Speaker 2: football stage, in nineteen eighty two and twenty ten. Now 7 00:00:30,240 --> 00:00:35,199 Speaker 2: there will be three four board and. 8 00:00:35,400 --> 00:00:41,200 Speaker 1: Chol's teammatee Head North America. Save it again and again 9 00:00:41,720 --> 00:00:45,760 Speaker 1: and savor every word. New Zealand are going to the 10 00:00:45,800 --> 00:00:46,880 Speaker 1: Football World Cup. 11 00:00:48,720 --> 00:00:51,400 Speaker 2: The All Whites have qualified for the twenty twenty six 12 00:00:51,440 --> 00:00:54,279 Speaker 2: FIFA World Cup after a three nail win over New 13 00:00:54,320 --> 00:00:57,600 Speaker 2: Caledonia in front of a home crowd at Eden Park. 14 00:00:57,880 --> 00:01:00,920 Speaker 2: After a successful job co hosting the women's tournament in 15 00:01:00,960 --> 00:01:04,319 Speaker 2: twenty twenty three and a strong run from new team 16 00:01:04,440 --> 00:01:07,840 Speaker 2: Auckland DEFC in the A League. What does the future 17 00:01:07,920 --> 00:01:11,200 Speaker 2: of football look like in New Zealand Today? On the 18 00:01:11,200 --> 00:01:14,440 Speaker 2: Front Page, News Talks That'd be host and keen football 19 00:01:14,520 --> 00:01:17,560 Speaker 2: fan Jason Pine is with us to talk about football 20 00:01:17,640 --> 00:01:26,480 Speaker 2: on and off the pitch. Piney, you got to commentate 21 00:01:26,680 --> 00:01:29,600 Speaker 2: this game. You were there at Eden Park for this 22 00:01:29,720 --> 00:01:32,600 Speaker 2: big moment. What was the atmosphere there like and what 23 00:01:32,680 --> 00:01:33,880 Speaker 2: was that moment like for you? 24 00:01:34,080 --> 00:01:37,640 Speaker 1: Atmosphere was great. It was for a Monday night in Auckland. 25 00:01:37,680 --> 00:01:39,800 Speaker 1: I thought the crowd was terrific, twenty five thousand turning 26 00:01:39,880 --> 00:01:43,240 Speaker 1: up there. Yes, it's a pretty special occasion when New 27 00:01:43,319 --> 00:01:45,679 Speaker 1: Zealand can, at the end of the game qualify for 28 00:01:45,680 --> 00:01:48,040 Speaker 1: a Football World Cup. That doesn't come along very often. 29 00:01:48,080 --> 00:01:50,520 Speaker 1: I have to say the atmosphere of the game changed 30 00:01:50,600 --> 00:01:53,360 Speaker 1: markedly during the first half and then I think a 31 00:01:53,400 --> 00:01:56,640 Speaker 1: lot of people were turning up to watch a comfortable 32 00:01:56,640 --> 00:01:58,840 Speaker 1: New Zealand victory. We got to halftime, it was still 33 00:01:58,960 --> 00:02:02,040 Speaker 1: mill all. After an hour, Chris Wood, our main man, 34 00:02:02,360 --> 00:02:04,960 Speaker 1: comes off injured, it's still nil all and the atmosphere 35 00:02:04,960 --> 00:02:07,400 Speaker 1: in the ground just started to ever so slightly changed. 36 00:02:07,440 --> 00:02:09,560 Speaker 1: But when the goal with the first goal went in, 37 00:02:10,880 --> 00:02:13,760 Speaker 1: just the relief in the elation mixed together was palpable. 38 00:02:14,120 --> 00:02:15,640 Speaker 1: Second goal goes in and then at the end when 39 00:02:15,639 --> 00:02:17,720 Speaker 1: they've qualified, it was really cool. So yeah, a great 40 00:02:17,720 --> 00:02:18,720 Speaker 1: occasion to be a part of. 41 00:02:18,960 --> 00:02:21,519 Speaker 2: I've heard actually from people and mates who have been 42 00:02:21,600 --> 00:02:23,960 Speaker 2: to the Auckland f C games in particular, but the 43 00:02:24,000 --> 00:02:27,840 Speaker 2: atmosphere is quite different to a rugby match. Is that right? 44 00:02:28,080 --> 00:02:30,400 Speaker 1: Absolutely? Yeah, it could not be could not be more 45 00:02:30,440 --> 00:02:32,400 Speaker 1: different really, I think you know, a lot of us 46 00:02:32,400 --> 00:02:34,360 Speaker 1: have been to rugby games. You know, we know we 47 00:02:34,400 --> 00:02:36,800 Speaker 1: are a big rugby country. We pride ourselves on that. 48 00:02:36,840 --> 00:02:40,359 Speaker 1: But often apart from a little bit of all blacks clap, clap, clap, 49 00:02:40,440 --> 00:02:42,680 Speaker 1: that's pretty much all there is at a football game. 50 00:02:42,760 --> 00:02:47,320 Speaker 1: There is NonStop chanting and singing and just they call 51 00:02:47,360 --> 00:02:49,960 Speaker 1: it active support, and that's really what it is. You 52 00:02:50,000 --> 00:02:52,399 Speaker 1: don't just sit there. You become part of the atmosphere. 53 00:02:52,520 --> 00:02:55,200 Speaker 1: Auckland FC have definitely got it. The all Whites had 54 00:02:55,200 --> 00:02:58,000 Speaker 1: it last night. They call themselves white noise when it 55 00:02:58,040 --> 00:03:00,000 Speaker 1: comes to the all whites, So yeah, that just adds 56 00:03:00,080 --> 00:03:01,600 Speaker 1: the atmosphere. And I think when people are there who 57 00:03:01,639 --> 00:03:04,640 Speaker 1: aren't part of that active support, they feel fine about 58 00:03:04,680 --> 00:03:06,880 Speaker 1: also becoming a little bit more involved rather than just 59 00:03:06,919 --> 00:03:08,720 Speaker 1: sort of sitting there waiting for a try to happen 60 00:03:08,760 --> 00:03:09,720 Speaker 1: so they can cheer. 61 00:03:09,520 --> 00:03:09,680 Speaker 3: You know. 62 00:03:09,800 --> 00:03:11,440 Speaker 4: Yeah, and that's something that struck me as well. 63 00:03:11,440 --> 00:03:13,440 Speaker 2: Obviously, being in an Aussie and a South Aussie at that 64 00:03:13,639 --> 00:03:15,640 Speaker 2: I hadn't been too many rugby games, but I've been 65 00:03:15,680 --> 00:03:17,800 Speaker 2: to a lot of what we call footy matches, so 66 00:03:17,840 --> 00:03:21,880 Speaker 2: the AFL, and when I've gone to rugby matches here, 67 00:03:22,400 --> 00:03:24,680 Speaker 2: I was like, why is everyone quiet? When my dad 68 00:03:24,720 --> 00:03:27,080 Speaker 2: goes to a footy match, he comes home with no voice. 69 00:03:27,440 --> 00:03:30,960 Speaker 1: Yeah, it's quite different here. Maybe we're a bit more reserved. 70 00:03:31,200 --> 00:03:33,600 Speaker 1: I think, you know, we look, we get excited. It's 71 00:03:33,760 --> 00:03:35,800 Speaker 1: about rugby games. I've been at rugby games as I'm 72 00:03:35,840 --> 00:03:38,240 Speaker 1: sure you have, where you know there is high excitement. 73 00:03:38,440 --> 00:03:40,880 Speaker 1: I think the thing with football is that in rugby 74 00:03:40,920 --> 00:03:43,200 Speaker 1: tries are quite frequent. You know, you might have ten 75 00:03:43,320 --> 00:03:45,320 Speaker 1: or twelve in a game. Often in football there's only 76 00:03:45,320 --> 00:03:48,360 Speaker 1: one or two goals, and it's the explosion of joy 77 00:03:48,400 --> 00:03:50,920 Speaker 1: that accompanies those goals. I just love the roar of 78 00:03:50,960 --> 00:03:54,040 Speaker 1: the crowd. There's that little, almost split second of silence 79 00:03:54,080 --> 00:03:56,640 Speaker 1: as everybody holds their breath as a SHOT's being taken 80 00:03:56,720 --> 00:03:58,480 Speaker 1: or a ball is being played in, and then the 81 00:03:58,520 --> 00:04:00,240 Speaker 1: ball hits the back of the net and then there's 82 00:04:00,280 --> 00:04:06,400 Speaker 1: this spontaneous, simultaneous raw and I just love that sound. 83 00:04:06,600 --> 00:04:09,080 Speaker 1: It's one of the things I love most about football 84 00:04:09,160 --> 00:04:11,880 Speaker 1: is the reaction from the crowd when a goal is scored. 85 00:04:11,960 --> 00:04:15,600 Speaker 1: So yes, perhaps it's a rarity of goals compared to rugby, 86 00:04:15,640 --> 00:04:17,360 Speaker 1: where there are a lot of tries. But yeah, I 87 00:04:17,400 --> 00:04:19,120 Speaker 1: think it's also cultural. We like to be a bit 88 00:04:19,120 --> 00:04:21,720 Speaker 1: more understated here in New Zealand. 89 00:04:21,839 --> 00:04:29,240 Speaker 4: I have to tell my dad then, well, if Chris. 90 00:04:29,080 --> 00:04:31,960 Speaker 2: Ud congratulations have qualified for the World Cup. 91 00:04:32,920 --> 00:04:35,440 Speaker 3: I know there's some personal pain, but I imagine that pales 92 00:04:35,480 --> 00:04:36,880 Speaker 3: into significance to how. 93 00:04:36,760 --> 00:04:37,400 Speaker 4: You're feeling rain. 94 00:04:37,560 --> 00:04:38,839 Speaker 3: Yeah, definitely, it's fantastic. 95 00:04:38,880 --> 00:04:40,479 Speaker 2: This is what the country has been weighing for for 96 00:04:40,480 --> 00:04:43,600 Speaker 2: the last twelve years. I've heartbreaken things like that since 97 00:04:43,680 --> 00:04:45,080 Speaker 2: we've gone through Mexico. 98 00:04:44,760 --> 00:04:46,359 Speaker 3: Crew and our costra Ethia. 99 00:04:46,400 --> 00:04:48,880 Speaker 1: So it's come out on top this time around. It's fantastic. 100 00:04:52,520 --> 00:04:54,720 Speaker 2: So what does this mean for the all Whites to 101 00:04:54,839 --> 00:04:56,880 Speaker 2: qualify for the FIFA World Cup. 102 00:04:56,920 --> 00:04:59,200 Speaker 1: Well, I think every young boy or girl who grows 103 00:04:59,240 --> 00:05:02,120 Speaker 1: up playing sport wants to play at its pinnacle events 104 00:05:02,120 --> 00:05:04,440 Speaker 1: and for football as that is the World Cup. So 105 00:05:04,720 --> 00:05:07,479 Speaker 1: first things first, they will get the opportunity, this group 106 00:05:07,520 --> 00:05:10,279 Speaker 1: of young men and slightly older men to go to 107 00:05:10,440 --> 00:05:13,240 Speaker 1: the World Cup next year. They've earned automatic qualification. The 108 00:05:13,279 --> 00:05:17,840 Speaker 1: World Cup is widely regarded as the pinnacle certainly of football, 109 00:05:17,880 --> 00:05:20,400 Speaker 1: but also it's one of the big sporting events full 110 00:05:20,440 --> 00:05:23,479 Speaker 1: stop in the world. It creates profile, it puts the 111 00:05:23,520 --> 00:05:26,880 Speaker 1: game front and center of the consciousness of the not 112 00:05:26,920 --> 00:05:29,200 Speaker 1: just the sporting public, but the general public here and 113 00:05:29,360 --> 00:05:31,160 Speaker 1: as far as New Zealand football is concerned. It's a 114 00:05:31,200 --> 00:05:34,400 Speaker 1: financial windfall also because teams that make the World Cup 115 00:05:34,480 --> 00:05:37,760 Speaker 1: get quite a substantial payout from FIFA, which they can 116 00:05:37,800 --> 00:05:40,719 Speaker 1: then reinvest into the game at all levels, not just 117 00:05:40,760 --> 00:05:43,000 Speaker 1: into the elite sides. A lot of that money can 118 00:05:43,040 --> 00:05:46,280 Speaker 1: go to administering and managing the game at grassroots and 119 00:05:46,320 --> 00:05:48,480 Speaker 1: amateur levels, so and junior level of course as well. 120 00:05:48,560 --> 00:05:52,400 Speaker 1: So by two or three metrics, it's quite significant what's. 121 00:05:52,200 --> 00:05:54,839 Speaker 2: Happened in football in this country over the past fifteen 122 00:05:54,920 --> 00:05:57,160 Speaker 2: years to get us back to this moment. 123 00:05:57,880 --> 00:06:01,080 Speaker 1: I think the advent of a profession club and now 124 00:06:01,200 --> 00:06:04,960 Speaker 1: clubs plural has certainly helped the Wellington Phoenix, you know, 125 00:06:05,040 --> 00:06:07,919 Speaker 1: coming into existence in two thousand and seven, led I 126 00:06:07,960 --> 00:06:11,200 Speaker 1: think anyway directly to Kwards qualification in twenty ten. Yes, 127 00:06:11,240 --> 00:06:13,240 Speaker 1: it's been a little bit of time between drinks since then, 128 00:06:13,320 --> 00:06:15,120 Speaker 1: but if you look at the current squad, I think 129 00:06:15,120 --> 00:06:17,640 Speaker 1: this is as good a roster as we've ever had 130 00:06:17,680 --> 00:06:20,520 Speaker 1: players playing in good leagues around the world. Chris Wood 131 00:06:20,600 --> 00:06:22,839 Speaker 1: is playing in the Premier League, Libby CACACI in the 132 00:06:22,839 --> 00:06:25,520 Speaker 1: top flight in Italy, others playing in the United States 133 00:06:25,560 --> 00:06:27,440 Speaker 1: and other parts of Europe, up in Asia. Here in 134 00:06:27,440 --> 00:06:29,920 Speaker 1: New Zealand as well with Auckland ft C or Wellington Phoenix. 135 00:06:29,960 --> 00:06:34,800 Speaker 1: So the standard of our players has lifted immeasurably due 136 00:06:34,880 --> 00:06:37,080 Speaker 1: to more and more of them playing professionally. You know, 137 00:06:37,080 --> 00:06:39,240 Speaker 1: when they come together in the national side now they're 138 00:06:39,279 --> 00:06:41,719 Speaker 1: also not just there to make up the numbers anymore. 139 00:06:41,760 --> 00:06:43,359 Speaker 1: When they get to the World Cup next year, it 140 00:06:43,360 --> 00:06:45,080 Speaker 1: won't just be ohh wow, We're at the World Cup. 141 00:06:45,120 --> 00:06:47,040 Speaker 1: Isn't this great? It's like, no, we're here now. Our 142 00:06:47,120 --> 00:06:48,960 Speaker 1: job is to win football matches. So we're going to 143 00:06:48,960 --> 00:06:50,760 Speaker 1: try and win some games at the World Cup, not 144 00:06:50,880 --> 00:06:51,760 Speaker 1: just be at the World Cup. 145 00:06:51,839 --> 00:06:54,360 Speaker 4: Who are some of the star players that have contributed 146 00:06:54,400 --> 00:06:56,240 Speaker 4: to this. I mean Chris Wood that you mentioned is 147 00:06:56,240 --> 00:06:58,440 Speaker 4: obviously our big football star at the moment with his 148 00:06:58,520 --> 00:07:01,400 Speaker 4: record breaking success with Nottingham Forest Day. 149 00:07:01,520 --> 00:07:04,240 Speaker 1: Yep, he's the man and what a season he's having 150 00:07:04,320 --> 00:07:07,240 Speaker 1: in the Premier League. He's New Zealand's main man all 151 00:07:07,240 --> 00:07:10,520 Speaker 1: time leading goalscorer, closing in on all time leading appearance maker, 152 00:07:10,560 --> 00:07:12,600 Speaker 1: and just the leader of the side in more ways 153 00:07:12,640 --> 00:07:15,520 Speaker 1: than one. Yes, he wears the captain's armband, leads the 154 00:07:15,520 --> 00:07:17,400 Speaker 1: site out all of that, but just the way he 155 00:07:17,640 --> 00:07:20,280 Speaker 1: is around camp has to be so influential to some 156 00:07:20,320 --> 00:07:21,960 Speaker 1: of the younger players. They look at him, the way 157 00:07:22,000 --> 00:07:25,800 Speaker 1: he looks after himself, nutrition, exercise, recovery, and even the 158 00:07:25,800 --> 00:07:27,720 Speaker 1: way he deals with the media and with the fans. 159 00:07:27,800 --> 00:07:29,800 Speaker 1: And I think every other player says, well, okay, well, 160 00:07:29,800 --> 00:07:31,760 Speaker 1: if Chris Wood can sign autographs for an hour, then 161 00:07:31,760 --> 00:07:34,400 Speaker 1: I'm going to do that as well. He's the obvious one. 162 00:07:34,440 --> 00:07:37,360 Speaker 1: I mentioned Libby Cacaci, but of the younger cohort Marco 163 00:07:37,440 --> 00:07:39,720 Speaker 1: Staminich is a player I think who will go on 164 00:07:39,800 --> 00:07:42,200 Speaker 1: to be a terrific player for us. And there's a 165 00:07:42,200 --> 00:07:44,520 Speaker 1: young kid, youngest in the squad. Actually it's a name 166 00:07:44,560 --> 00:07:46,960 Speaker 1: to remember. His name is Tyler Binden. He started in 167 00:07:46,960 --> 00:07:49,600 Speaker 1: central defense last night and he, for me, is one 168 00:07:49,640 --> 00:07:52,360 Speaker 1: of the best talents I've seen for quite some time. 169 00:07:52,480 --> 00:07:55,920 Speaker 1: So there are a lot of them, and more to Carmen, 170 00:07:56,000 --> 00:07:57,840 Speaker 1: you know a lot of those players in the lead 171 00:07:57,920 --> 00:07:59,840 Speaker 1: up to last night, talked about how they'd been in 172 00:07:59,840 --> 00:08:02,920 Speaker 1: the crowd watching the all whites qualifying in two thousand 173 00:08:02,960 --> 00:08:06,000 Speaker 1: and nine. I'm sure that there are young boys and 174 00:08:06,040 --> 00:08:08,200 Speaker 1: girls in that crowd at Eden Park last night who 175 00:08:08,240 --> 00:08:11,800 Speaker 1: will be sparked towards perhaps being one of the next 176 00:08:11,840 --> 00:08:13,800 Speaker 1: ones ten or fifteen years down the track. 177 00:08:13,880 --> 00:08:15,720 Speaker 4: Now it's not just the national level. 178 00:08:15,760 --> 00:08:18,880 Speaker 2: Hey, Auckland DEFC joined the current A League season last 179 00:08:18,960 --> 00:08:21,400 Speaker 2: year and they have just been killing it. They've won 180 00:08:21,520 --> 00:08:24,360 Speaker 2: twelve games out of twenty so far, the most of 181 00:08:24,400 --> 00:08:25,520 Speaker 2: any team in the league. 182 00:08:26,080 --> 00:08:28,040 Speaker 4: How have they pulled that off? Do you reckon? 183 00:08:28,120 --> 00:08:30,240 Speaker 1: What a great question. Yeah, I've been trying to work 184 00:08:30,280 --> 00:08:33,400 Speaker 1: that out all season myself. Actually, accommodation of things, good 185 00:08:33,480 --> 00:08:36,559 Speaker 1: recruitment is one. They've recruited some very good players. You're 186 00:08:36,600 --> 00:08:39,400 Speaker 1: about five overseas players in the A League, and all 187 00:08:39,480 --> 00:08:42,600 Speaker 1: five of their overseas players have, you know, have been hits. 188 00:08:42,880 --> 00:08:46,000 Speaker 1: Often you get the occasional miss, you know, you'll see 189 00:08:45,760 --> 00:08:48,040 Speaker 1: some footage of a player and think, well, he looks 190 00:08:48,040 --> 00:08:49,240 Speaker 1: like he's got a bit about him, and they turn 191 00:08:49,320 --> 00:08:51,040 Speaker 1: up and then nothing like that at all. All five 192 00:08:51,120 --> 00:08:54,400 Speaker 1: of auckland f season ports have been terrific they've recruited well. 193 00:08:54,520 --> 00:08:56,360 Speaker 1: The rest of the team are mainly Key Weeks and 194 00:08:56,360 --> 00:08:58,640 Speaker 1: I think that's helped in gaining a connection with the 195 00:08:59,400 --> 00:09:01,680 Speaker 1: fan base. So on the field, I think they're just 196 00:09:01,920 --> 00:09:04,199 Speaker 1: a very very good squad. But the way that they 197 00:09:04,240 --> 00:09:08,400 Speaker 1: have engaged the Auckland football community and made an Auckland 198 00:09:08,480 --> 00:09:11,080 Speaker 1: Left Sea game the place to be. We talked before 199 00:09:11,120 --> 00:09:15,560 Speaker 1: about the atmosphere at a ground. So many anecdotal examples 200 00:09:15,600 --> 00:09:17,720 Speaker 1: of people going to an Auckland Left Sea game for 201 00:09:17,760 --> 00:09:19,680 Speaker 1: the first time, going to a football game and go, man, 202 00:09:19,800 --> 00:09:21,880 Speaker 1: when's the next game? When can I come again? This 203 00:09:22,000 --> 00:09:25,280 Speaker 1: is amazing and so different from rugby. You know, the 204 00:09:25,280 --> 00:09:28,920 Speaker 1: Warriors have got their own atmosphere at a rugby league game. 205 00:09:28,920 --> 00:09:32,000 Speaker 1: They've really got something special going there. But for Auckland 206 00:09:32,080 --> 00:09:34,840 Speaker 1: Left Ce so early in their life to have already 207 00:09:35,480 --> 00:09:39,280 Speaker 1: just mobilized this incredible act of support is awesome. And yeah, 208 00:09:39,320 --> 00:09:41,240 Speaker 1: look they could make history. They could win the A 209 00:09:41,360 --> 00:09:43,199 Speaker 1: League in their very first season. No one's ever done 210 00:09:43,240 --> 00:09:46,240 Speaker 1: that apart from the first season of its existence, So yeah, 211 00:09:46,280 --> 00:09:47,800 Speaker 1: they're on track for something pretty special. 212 00:09:47,880 --> 00:09:50,280 Speaker 2: How does that compare to the Wellington Phoenix. I'm not 213 00:09:50,320 --> 00:09:52,120 Speaker 2: here to pick a fight with you about your favorite 214 00:09:52,120 --> 00:09:56,840 Speaker 2: team Piney, but historically they haven't been perhaps well, they've 215 00:09:56,880 --> 00:10:00,000 Speaker 2: been a bit underwhelming compared to the Australian teams. 216 00:10:00,320 --> 00:10:01,760 Speaker 1: I mean they've been there for eighteen years and never 217 00:10:01,760 --> 00:10:05,320 Speaker 1: won it, you know, and so you think to yourself, well, 218 00:10:05,559 --> 00:10:07,319 Speaker 1: what is it about this team that is that is 219 00:10:07,360 --> 00:10:10,079 Speaker 1: stopping them from you know, from finding success. And there 220 00:10:10,120 --> 00:10:12,400 Speaker 1: are a number of things which you know, we probably 221 00:10:12,400 --> 00:10:14,800 Speaker 1: don't have time to go into. Look I I yes, 222 00:10:14,840 --> 00:10:17,319 Speaker 1: I'm from Wellington, have watched the Phoenix since they came 223 00:10:17,360 --> 00:10:19,440 Speaker 1: into being in two thousand and seven. But I think 224 00:10:19,480 --> 00:10:21,839 Speaker 1: from a distance you can, you know, you can only 225 00:10:21,880 --> 00:10:24,079 Speaker 1: admire what Auckland f C have done and I think 226 00:10:24,120 --> 00:10:26,200 Speaker 1: what that'll do is make Wellington Phoenix lift their game. 227 00:10:26,280 --> 00:10:29,439 Speaker 1: They shouldn't need a local rival to do that. They should, 228 00:10:29,480 --> 00:10:31,720 Speaker 1: as you say, you know, be competing with the Australian 229 00:10:31,720 --> 00:10:33,720 Speaker 1: sides every year and they have you know, been in 230 00:10:33,720 --> 00:10:36,120 Speaker 1: the playoffs more often than not in the last five 231 00:10:36,200 --> 00:10:38,920 Speaker 1: or six years, but they've just been unable to take 232 00:10:38,960 --> 00:10:42,000 Speaker 1: that final step to a Grand Final and to winning 233 00:10:42,000 --> 00:10:44,120 Speaker 1: the things. So what it also does having Auckland f 234 00:10:44,240 --> 00:10:47,880 Speaker 1: C here is create a good environment for the players. Previously, 235 00:10:48,040 --> 00:10:50,400 Speaker 1: you know, a New Zealand player if the Wellington you know, 236 00:10:50,440 --> 00:10:52,880 Speaker 1: Welllington Phois was really their only destination if they wanted 237 00:10:52,880 --> 00:10:55,840 Speaker 1: to play professional football here. Now they've got two and 238 00:10:55,880 --> 00:10:58,040 Speaker 1: they can you know, push for perhaps better deal, better pay, 239 00:10:58,080 --> 00:11:00,599 Speaker 1: that sort of thing. So yeah, what I hope is 240 00:11:00,679 --> 00:11:04,120 Speaker 1: that Auckland FC will lift Wellington Phoenix as well. That 241 00:11:04,200 --> 00:11:06,840 Speaker 1: hasn't happened this year, but I think as the rivalry 242 00:11:06,880 --> 00:11:10,240 Speaker 1: goes on and intense effice, I hope anyway that Wellington 243 00:11:10,240 --> 00:11:11,120 Speaker 1: Phoenix will respond. 244 00:11:22,880 --> 00:11:27,160 Speaker 2: We saw football gain popularity, especially during the Women's World Cup. 245 00:11:27,200 --> 00:11:29,439 Speaker 2: I remember going back home to Adelaide and the Matilda's 246 00:11:29,440 --> 00:11:34,119 Speaker 2: were absolutely everywhere. Do you think we've kept up that momentum. 247 00:11:34,200 --> 00:11:37,360 Speaker 1: I'm not sure. I think you're right about the Matilda's 248 00:11:37,360 --> 00:11:41,000 Speaker 1: hottest ticket in Australia, you know, far more popular than 249 00:11:41,000 --> 00:11:46,400 Speaker 1: the soccer us, sold out stadiums wherever they go, and 250 00:11:45,920 --> 00:11:49,679 Speaker 1: what a case study in how to connect with a 251 00:11:49,760 --> 00:11:53,400 Speaker 1: fan base. Matilda's amazing football Ferns haven't had quite the 252 00:11:53,480 --> 00:11:56,040 Speaker 1: visibility here. In fact, they I think one of the 253 00:11:56,040 --> 00:11:58,120 Speaker 1: secrets of the Matilda's is they played at home a lot. 254 00:11:58,559 --> 00:12:00,880 Speaker 1: You know, they made an effort to bring those players back, 255 00:12:00,920 --> 00:12:02,840 Speaker 1: who are you know, playing in Europe and up in 256 00:12:02,880 --> 00:12:04,880 Speaker 1: the United States. But they said, no, we want to 257 00:12:04,960 --> 00:12:08,000 Speaker 1: keep this momentum going. We're going to bring players back regularly, 258 00:12:08,040 --> 00:12:10,400 Speaker 1: so they play at home half a dozen to ten 259 00:12:10,480 --> 00:12:12,800 Speaker 1: times a year. In the time since the twenty twenty 260 00:12:12,840 --> 00:12:15,280 Speaker 1: three World Cup, it's hard to, you know, to get 261 00:12:15,320 --> 00:12:18,040 Speaker 1: excited about any team, but the Football Ferns next game 262 00:12:18,160 --> 00:12:21,280 Speaker 1: is in Costa Rica. It's you know, it's it's you 263 00:12:21,320 --> 00:12:23,640 Speaker 1: can't meet the players, you can't get the selfies, you 264 00:12:23,679 --> 00:12:26,680 Speaker 1: can't get the autographs, you can't you see your your 265 00:12:26,679 --> 00:12:29,520 Speaker 1: heroes or your heroines. In this case, I think there 266 00:12:29,559 --> 00:12:32,640 Speaker 1: needs to be a greater focus pot on on getting 267 00:12:32,640 --> 00:12:34,839 Speaker 1: the Football Ferns back here because we've seen the last 268 00:12:34,920 --> 00:12:37,560 Speaker 1: week the all whites being here, big crowd in Wellington, 269 00:12:37,640 --> 00:12:40,960 Speaker 1: big crowd in Auckland's, lots of kids. Auckland FC. Look 270 00:12:41,040 --> 00:12:44,240 Speaker 1: that that place is full of kids on match day, 271 00:12:44,600 --> 00:12:47,520 Speaker 1: getting autographs, getting selfies, calling out to the players. They 272 00:12:47,559 --> 00:12:50,400 Speaker 1: know them by name, they're connecting to these players so 273 00:12:50,440 --> 00:12:53,120 Speaker 1: they see on TV and in person. I think if 274 00:12:53,160 --> 00:12:56,280 Speaker 1: the Football Ferns want to capitalize on yes, they didn't 275 00:12:56,320 --> 00:12:57,840 Speaker 1: have the tournament that Australia to do. But if they 276 00:12:57,880 --> 00:13:00,160 Speaker 1: want to capitalize on on women's football, they need to 277 00:13:00,200 --> 00:13:02,040 Speaker 1: have those players back here more often. 278 00:13:02,080 --> 00:13:05,480 Speaker 2: Football is obviously one of the world's biggest sports, but 279 00:13:05,520 --> 00:13:08,480 Speaker 2: a twenty twenty three national survey by A School, Sport 280 00:13:08,720 --> 00:13:11,560 Speaker 2: and Z found that football is the fifth biggest sport 281 00:13:11,600 --> 00:13:14,719 Speaker 2: with kids here, still a few thousand behind the likes 282 00:13:14,760 --> 00:13:18,520 Speaker 2: of netball, basketball, volleyball and rugby. Is it gaming popularity 283 00:13:18,559 --> 00:13:20,600 Speaker 2: do you think or do we need to do more 284 00:13:20,600 --> 00:13:22,320 Speaker 2: to get the kids playing the game. 285 00:13:22,480 --> 00:13:25,080 Speaker 1: I think it's still quite popular with say kids, I 286 00:13:25,080 --> 00:13:28,240 Speaker 1: think under twelves, let's say, before we reached the teenage years. 287 00:13:28,240 --> 00:13:30,559 Speaker 1: I think junior football is very big, you know. I 288 00:13:30,600 --> 00:13:32,600 Speaker 1: think it's a it's often sent as a safe option 289 00:13:32,760 --> 00:13:34,839 Speaker 1: for you know, you hear a lot about soccer mum's 290 00:13:34,920 --> 00:13:37,400 Speaker 1: you know, they don't want they don't want their kids 291 00:13:37,440 --> 00:13:41,040 Speaker 1: to be necessarily, you know, run over by much bigger 292 00:13:41,120 --> 00:13:42,679 Speaker 1: kids in a game of rugby. And I know there 293 00:13:42,679 --> 00:13:45,000 Speaker 1: are different levels of contact and that sort of thing. 294 00:13:45,640 --> 00:13:48,040 Speaker 1: I think football does okay at the junior level. It's 295 00:13:48,440 --> 00:13:52,200 Speaker 1: retaining those players at secondary school, I think, which is 296 00:13:52,200 --> 00:13:55,040 Speaker 1: a big one. We know that we know first fifteens 297 00:13:54,840 --> 00:13:58,400 Speaker 1: at secondary school are are a big thing. Our first 298 00:13:58,400 --> 00:14:00,719 Speaker 1: eleven's the same. Not sure what are they some of 299 00:14:00,760 --> 00:14:03,800 Speaker 1: the other sports you mentioned, you know, basketball is just 300 00:14:04,240 --> 00:14:07,120 Speaker 1: really taking off. I know my son's school. You know, 301 00:14:07,840 --> 00:14:11,079 Speaker 1: there are seven senior basketball teams and only two senior 302 00:14:11,120 --> 00:14:13,440 Speaker 1: football teams. I know there are fewer players, so you've 303 00:14:13,440 --> 00:14:14,840 Speaker 1: got to take that with a grain of salt. But 304 00:14:15,240 --> 00:14:19,840 Speaker 1: basketball is being picked up by more and more kids. Football, 305 00:14:19,880 --> 00:14:22,360 Speaker 1: on any sport, we're they're all in a battle for 306 00:14:22,520 --> 00:14:26,320 Speaker 1: relevance and for at the elite level, for cutting through 307 00:14:26,880 --> 00:14:29,040 Speaker 1: what is a very crowded marketplace. But at the junior 308 00:14:29,120 --> 00:14:31,680 Speaker 1: level and through teenage years, kids have got a lot 309 00:14:31,680 --> 00:14:33,880 Speaker 1: of options, and not just sport, you know, so you've 310 00:14:33,880 --> 00:14:36,000 Speaker 1: got to make it attractive as attractive as you can. 311 00:14:36,240 --> 00:14:38,080 Speaker 1: It's a work in progress. You just got to what 312 00:14:38,240 --> 00:14:39,800 Speaker 1: you think you've done it, you haven't. You got to 313 00:14:39,840 --> 00:14:44,440 Speaker 1: keep on doing it. 314 00:14:44,440 --> 00:14:46,160 Speaker 3: It was amazing, you know, it's not every day you 315 00:14:46,200 --> 00:14:48,560 Speaker 3: get to come back here and play in front of 316 00:14:48,800 --> 00:14:50,640 Speaker 3: this on team. I think how many people was it? 317 00:14:51,800 --> 00:14:54,440 Speaker 3: Five year? Twenty five thousand people turned out to watch 318 00:14:54,520 --> 00:14:56,280 Speaker 3: us play, and that's pretty special. You know, at home, 319 00:14:56,320 --> 00:14:57,880 Speaker 3: as well. Doesn't get bigger than. 320 00:14:57,880 --> 00:14:59,840 Speaker 2: That as looked like for your tailand with all the 321 00:15:00,000 --> 00:15:03,560 Speaker 2: expectation or what it's being expected to win tonight expected 322 00:15:03,600 --> 00:15:06,240 Speaker 2: to win quite comfortably. That it's quite a tribute scenario. 323 00:15:06,880 --> 00:15:09,920 Speaker 3: Yeah. I think that's football right. Every team's favored to 324 00:15:09,960 --> 00:15:12,760 Speaker 3: winning at one stage and some teams are the underdogs. 325 00:15:12,760 --> 00:15:14,800 Speaker 3: And today we went underdogs and we had to deal 326 00:15:14,840 --> 00:15:17,240 Speaker 3: with that pressure. Another day we might be the underdogs. 327 00:15:17,280 --> 00:15:19,360 Speaker 3: It's just dealing with that in the moment and then 328 00:15:19,760 --> 00:15:20,280 Speaker 3: coming through. 329 00:15:23,520 --> 00:15:26,560 Speaker 2: Do you think having more professional club teams like Auckland 330 00:15:26,680 --> 00:15:29,320 Speaker 2: f C and the Phoenix is going to help encourage 331 00:15:29,360 --> 00:15:31,360 Speaker 2: more teams? Could we be seeing I don't know, like 332 00:15:31,400 --> 00:15:35,040 Speaker 2: a Dunedin Dynamo's or something, or I don't know Hamilton 333 00:15:35,360 --> 00:15:37,840 Speaker 2: Panthers or I don't know, Well I'm not going to 334 00:15:37,920 --> 00:15:38,240 Speaker 2: name them. 335 00:15:38,320 --> 00:15:39,960 Speaker 1: No, no, no, no, well, thank goodness for that. 336 00:15:40,360 --> 00:15:40,520 Speaker 3: No. 337 00:15:41,560 --> 00:15:43,640 Speaker 1: There has been talk of a third A League team 338 00:15:43,640 --> 00:15:46,720 Speaker 1: from New Zealand, potentially in christ Church. I think that 339 00:15:46,760 --> 00:15:49,200 Speaker 1: would be it as far as the A League is concerned. 340 00:15:49,240 --> 00:15:51,760 Speaker 1: They are league are keen to expand. There are thirteen 341 00:15:51,800 --> 00:15:53,480 Speaker 1: teams at the moment. They're on record as saying they 342 00:15:53,520 --> 00:15:55,680 Speaker 1: want to get to sixteen or eighteen, you know, to 343 00:15:55,760 --> 00:15:59,400 Speaker 1: really flesh out their season, make it more attractive for broadcasters, 344 00:15:59,440 --> 00:16:01,640 Speaker 1: that sort of thing. And if you look at untapped markets, 345 00:16:01,720 --> 00:16:03,680 Speaker 1: there are a few in Australia. It's no team in Canberra, 346 00:16:03,760 --> 00:16:05,880 Speaker 1: for example, not a men's team anyway, there's a women's team, 347 00:16:06,040 --> 00:16:08,320 Speaker 1: no men's team in Canberra. That seems like an obvious 348 00:16:08,360 --> 00:16:12,000 Speaker 1: place some of the bigger places. Adelaide's a good example, 349 00:16:12,040 --> 00:16:14,240 Speaker 1: just the one team in Adelaide. There are two AFL 350 00:16:14,280 --> 00:16:16,800 Speaker 1: teams in Adelaide, So why shouldn't there be two football 351 00:16:16,800 --> 00:16:19,120 Speaker 1: teams in Adelaide. Christ Church I think would be a 352 00:16:19,120 --> 00:16:22,440 Speaker 1: welcome addition to the A League. I think Auckland, what 353 00:16:22,480 --> 00:16:26,880 Speaker 1: Auckland FC have done has proven that any doubt about 354 00:16:26,880 --> 00:16:30,240 Speaker 1: another New Zealand team was completely unfounded. In fact that 355 00:16:30,400 --> 00:16:32,720 Speaker 1: in many ways Auckland f C are the success story 356 00:16:32,760 --> 00:16:34,440 Speaker 1: on and off the pitch of the A League at 357 00:16:34,480 --> 00:16:36,680 Speaker 1: the moment. So I think, you know, if there was 358 00:16:36,680 --> 00:16:38,760 Speaker 1: to be a christ Church team coming or a team 359 00:16:38,800 --> 00:16:41,920 Speaker 1: based further south in Dunedin, you know christ Church appeals 360 00:16:41,960 --> 00:16:45,000 Speaker 1: because new stadium coming a bit more central as far 361 00:16:45,000 --> 00:16:48,200 Speaker 1: as the South Island is concerned, a bigger population, but yeah, 362 00:16:48,200 --> 00:16:50,000 Speaker 1: I would love to see it, and who knows. It 363 00:16:50,320 --> 00:16:53,360 Speaker 1: seemed fanciful a few years ago when they were trying 364 00:16:53,360 --> 00:16:55,800 Speaker 1: to kick Wellington Phoenix out. They didn't want any New 365 00:16:55,880 --> 00:16:59,400 Speaker 1: Zealand teams to now be talking about the possibility of three. 366 00:16:59,560 --> 00:17:02,160 Speaker 2: I think so far we've come now, Piney, I don't 367 00:17:02,160 --> 00:17:05,280 Speaker 2: want to rain on the All Whites parade, but New 368 00:17:05,320 --> 00:17:08,920 Speaker 2: Caledonia was ranked one hundred and fifty second in the world, 369 00:17:09,000 --> 00:17:11,800 Speaker 2: so it's perhaps not a huge surprise that the All 370 00:17:11,800 --> 00:17:15,480 Speaker 2: Whites won. Have they just cruised through the Oceania round 371 00:17:15,480 --> 00:17:17,760 Speaker 2: of the playoffs or do they actually stand a chance 372 00:17:17,920 --> 00:17:19,040 Speaker 2: of making it through. 373 00:17:19,840 --> 00:17:22,720 Speaker 1: First things first is New Zealan can only play what's 374 00:17:22,760 --> 00:17:24,879 Speaker 1: in front of them. They don't decide the drawer. They 375 00:17:24,920 --> 00:17:27,240 Speaker 1: don't say, okay, we're only going to play in Oceannia. 376 00:17:27,280 --> 00:17:29,880 Speaker 1: That was that with an expanded World Cup of forty 377 00:17:29,920 --> 00:17:32,639 Speaker 1: eight teams. That was the format that was set up. 378 00:17:32,680 --> 00:17:34,720 Speaker 1: If you win Oceania, you go to the World Cup. 379 00:17:34,800 --> 00:17:37,200 Speaker 1: So that's nothing to do with them. They just play 380 00:17:37,240 --> 00:17:39,440 Speaker 1: what's in front of them. Absolutely, they will need to 381 00:17:39,480 --> 00:17:41,320 Speaker 1: lift their level at the World Cup next year. I mean, 382 00:17:41,359 --> 00:17:44,640 Speaker 1: for an hour last night, New Caledonia really tested them. 383 00:17:44,680 --> 00:17:47,639 Speaker 1: So you know, once we get to some actual footballing 384 00:17:47,680 --> 00:17:49,560 Speaker 1: superpowers who are up in the you know, the higher 385 00:17:49,560 --> 00:17:52,760 Speaker 1: echelons of the FIFA rankings, then absolutely they'll have to 386 00:17:52,800 --> 00:17:55,159 Speaker 1: lift their game. What they definitely need between now and 387 00:17:55,160 --> 00:17:57,680 Speaker 1: the World Cup next year is good games against good opposition. 388 00:17:58,200 --> 00:18:01,120 Speaker 1: New Zealan can only play games internetal windows, and there 389 00:18:01,119 --> 00:18:04,320 Speaker 1: are five of them left before the World Cup next year, 390 00:18:04,359 --> 00:18:06,479 Speaker 1: and you can play two games in each window, So 391 00:18:06,800 --> 00:18:10,080 Speaker 1: that's ten opportunities for New Zealand to play quality opposition, 392 00:18:10,359 --> 00:18:13,160 Speaker 1: spend time together as a team and get themselves ready 393 00:18:13,160 --> 00:18:15,720 Speaker 1: for the World Cup next year. Those ten matches have 394 00:18:15,840 --> 00:18:17,920 Speaker 1: to be well. First of all, they have to happen, 395 00:18:18,040 --> 00:18:20,000 Speaker 1: and I know there's planning going on behind the scenes. 396 00:18:20,040 --> 00:18:23,400 Speaker 1: There's already three games confirmed for this year in two 397 00:18:23,480 --> 00:18:25,800 Speaker 1: of the windows. But they simply have to have time 398 00:18:25,840 --> 00:18:28,280 Speaker 1: together against quality opposition because once they get to the 399 00:18:28,280 --> 00:18:30,679 Speaker 1: World Cup, Yeah, that is what they'll be there for. 400 00:18:30,840 --> 00:18:33,439 Speaker 1: They'll be there to not just make up the numbers, 401 00:18:33,600 --> 00:18:36,600 Speaker 1: not just be our Oceanny is representative here, a bit 402 00:18:36,600 --> 00:18:39,439 Speaker 1: of a token inclusion and an expanded World Cup, but 403 00:18:39,680 --> 00:18:44,720 Speaker 1: a team that actually can trouble, more credential footballing nations 404 00:18:44,720 --> 00:18:46,440 Speaker 1: and surprise a few people. 405 00:18:46,480 --> 00:18:47,639 Speaker 4: Thanks for joining us plony. 406 00:18:47,760 --> 00:18:48,639 Speaker 1: Great Chelse, thank you. 407 00:18:53,400 --> 00:18:56,480 Speaker 2: That's it for this episode of the Front Page. You 408 00:18:56,520 --> 00:19:00,359 Speaker 2: can read more about today's stories and extensive news comdge 409 00:19:00,400 --> 00:19:04,399 Speaker 2: at enzdherld dot co dot nz. The Front Page is 410 00:19:04,440 --> 00:19:08,160 Speaker 2: produced by Ethan Sills and Richard Martin, who is also 411 00:19:08,320 --> 00:19:09,440 Speaker 2: a sound engineer. 412 00:19:09,880 --> 00:19:11,399 Speaker 4: I'm Chelsea Daniels. 413 00:19:11,960 --> 00:19:15,119 Speaker 2: Subscribe to the Front Page on iHeartRadio or wherever you 414 00:19:15,160 --> 00:19:18,960 Speaker 2: get your podcasts, and tune in tomorrow for another look 415 00:19:19,040 --> 00:19:20,280 Speaker 2: behind the headlines.