1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,427 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:11,507 Speaker 1: from News Talks. 3 00:00:11,587 --> 00:00:15,947 Speaker 2: EDB World Cup is getting ever close. So the All 4 00:00:15,987 --> 00:00:19,747 Speaker 2: Whites of course have qualified and are back home next 5 00:00:19,787 --> 00:00:23,427 Speaker 2: month for warm up matches for the tournament against Finland 6 00:00:23,867 --> 00:00:26,267 Speaker 2: and Chile. A big part of the All White squad 7 00:00:26,467 --> 00:00:28,587 Speaker 2: in qualification and said to be at the World Cup 8 00:00:28,627 --> 00:00:31,147 Speaker 2: as well, is attacker Elijah Just. 9 00:00:32,067 --> 00:00:36,587 Speaker 3: Let's a measure pass, Just just takes the lead for 10 00:00:36,707 --> 00:00:40,987 Speaker 3: New Zealand. Well, that's against the run of play, classy 11 00:00:41,107 --> 00:00:46,067 Speaker 3: finishing by Eli Just and the delivery from Stavanich with 12 00:00:46,347 --> 00:00:49,787 Speaker 3: first class and it's one nilk. 13 00:00:49,667 --> 00:00:52,787 Speaker 2: To New Zealand, Eli Just as with us. Now, Eli, 14 00:00:52,787 --> 00:00:55,227 Speaker 2: thanks for taking the time. Let's start with your club football. 15 00:00:55,387 --> 00:00:59,387 Speaker 2: You move to Motherwell in Scotland from Denmark in July 16 00:00:59,707 --> 00:01:01,867 Speaker 2: and in your first season in the Scottish Premier League 17 00:01:01,907 --> 00:01:05,387 Speaker 2: you've played twenty three of the side's twenty six league games, 18 00:01:05,707 --> 00:01:09,067 Speaker 2: five goals, six assists. You're playing a big part in 19 00:01:09,107 --> 00:01:13,307 Speaker 2: their excellent season. What has enabled you to adjust so 20 00:01:13,467 --> 00:01:16,787 Speaker 2: quickly to life at Motherwell and in the Scottish Premier League. 21 00:01:17,387 --> 00:01:21,627 Speaker 4: Yeah, I think it's really probably exceeded my expectations and 22 00:01:21,707 --> 00:01:23,507 Speaker 4: a lot of other people's the expectations as well. 23 00:01:23,547 --> 00:01:24,227 Speaker 5: How well we're doing. 24 00:01:25,747 --> 00:01:29,267 Speaker 4: Yeah, the playing style and the coaching really suits me, 25 00:01:29,307 --> 00:01:32,027 Speaker 4: so it's been quite easy for me to integrate to 26 00:01:32,067 --> 00:01:35,347 Speaker 4: the team. Obviously, I was in Denmark and Austria before, 27 00:01:35,387 --> 00:01:39,227 Speaker 4: so coming to Scotland a lot easier with the language 28 00:01:39,867 --> 00:01:43,587 Speaker 4: and also some cultural things as well. It does feel well, 29 00:01:43,787 --> 00:01:45,787 Speaker 4: it is a lot closer to New Zealand than Denmark 30 00:01:45,827 --> 00:01:47,147 Speaker 4: and Astria, so yeah, it's been really easy. 31 00:01:47,547 --> 00:01:50,787 Speaker 2: How does the Scottish Premier League compare to what you're 32 00:01:50,827 --> 00:01:53,587 Speaker 2: playing most recently in Denmark in terms of standard? 33 00:01:55,947 --> 00:01:57,547 Speaker 5: It is really difficult to compare out. 34 00:01:57,747 --> 00:02:01,907 Speaker 4: I think the Scottish Premiership is a lot higher than 35 00:02:02,067 --> 00:02:03,987 Speaker 4: where I was playing in the second tier of Denmark, 36 00:02:05,747 --> 00:02:07,467 Speaker 4: so it was definitely a step up for me. And 37 00:02:07,507 --> 00:02:10,107 Speaker 4: at the same time, it is true when you play 38 00:02:10,147 --> 00:02:14,427 Speaker 4: with better players your level also increases, so yeah, I 39 00:02:14,427 --> 00:02:17,387 Speaker 4: think that's another reason why I've been able to do 40 00:02:17,467 --> 00:02:20,387 Speaker 4: so well as that, Yeah, my teammates are also playing 41 00:02:20,427 --> 00:02:21,227 Speaker 4: at such a high level. 42 00:02:21,467 --> 00:02:23,707 Speaker 2: Scottish football's got a bit of a reputation for being 43 00:02:23,787 --> 00:02:26,467 Speaker 2: quite physical, quite direct. How much of you had to 44 00:02:26,907 --> 00:02:28,587 Speaker 2: adjust and adapt. 45 00:02:30,827 --> 00:02:33,907 Speaker 5: Yeah, there is an element of physicality. I think that. 46 00:02:35,427 --> 00:02:38,067 Speaker 4: Probably my whole career, even going back all the way 47 00:02:38,107 --> 00:02:42,307 Speaker 4: to amateur and when I was younger, I've always been 48 00:02:42,347 --> 00:02:44,707 Speaker 4: one of the smallest, so you know, you learn to 49 00:02:44,747 --> 00:02:49,347 Speaker 4: deal with players who are bigger than you, and yeah, 50 00:02:49,467 --> 00:02:51,267 Speaker 4: throughout my career I've had to deal with it, so 51 00:02:51,467 --> 00:02:55,187 Speaker 4: I feel like I'm pretty well equipped to handle it. 52 00:02:55,267 --> 00:02:58,907 Speaker 4: And then yeah, I mean I put quite a big 53 00:03:00,227 --> 00:03:03,987 Speaker 4: emphasis on how I was going to affect play defensively, 54 00:03:04,107 --> 00:03:07,867 Speaker 4: making sure that I was fighting, so that I guess 55 00:03:07,867 --> 00:03:09,667 Speaker 4: the fans of my teammates knew that I wasn't just 56 00:03:10,187 --> 00:03:12,467 Speaker 4: some small, little technical player who only wants to play 57 00:03:12,467 --> 00:03:12,867 Speaker 4: off the ball. 58 00:03:13,547 --> 00:03:15,787 Speaker 2: And one of your all watch teammates, Jesse Randall, going 59 00:03:15,827 --> 00:03:17,947 Speaker 2: to be joining you over in Scotland in the next 60 00:03:17,947 --> 00:03:20,907 Speaker 2: little while, signing for Dundee United from next season. Similar 61 00:03:21,027 --> 00:03:23,627 Speaker 2: kind of player, I guess to you in some respects, 62 00:03:23,667 --> 00:03:24,787 Speaker 2: how do you think he'll go over there? 63 00:03:26,027 --> 00:03:27,067 Speaker 5: Yeah, I think he'll smash it. 64 00:03:27,107 --> 00:03:30,547 Speaker 4: I mean I do watch the A League games when 65 00:03:30,587 --> 00:03:32,947 Speaker 4: I can, the nixt and Auckland, and obviously he's been 66 00:03:33,067 --> 00:03:33,787 Speaker 4: doing so well. 67 00:03:33,827 --> 00:03:36,427 Speaker 5: And at Dundee United is a nice club. 68 00:03:36,467 --> 00:03:38,827 Speaker 4: They've got good supporters and yeah, we exchange a few 69 00:03:38,827 --> 00:03:41,027 Speaker 4: messages and I'm sure he'll do well. 70 00:03:41,067 --> 00:03:44,587 Speaker 2: Four months less than four months now until the World Cup. 71 00:03:44,867 --> 00:03:47,187 Speaker 2: How real is it starting to feel? 72 00:03:49,267 --> 00:03:52,867 Speaker 4: Yeah, I would say just over the last few weeks 73 00:03:52,867 --> 00:03:55,707 Speaker 4: it started to sink in because I've been in charge 74 00:03:55,747 --> 00:03:58,147 Speaker 4: of some admin, getting my parents tickets and sorting out 75 00:03:58,147 --> 00:04:02,667 Speaker 4: flights things like that. But I would say that probably 76 00:04:02,787 --> 00:04:06,107 Speaker 4: the magnitude of the work up won't sit in until 77 00:04:06,107 --> 00:04:11,147 Speaker 4: I'm obviously we've had so many games recently and we're 78 00:04:11,187 --> 00:04:15,227 Speaker 4: doing one in the league, so my focus is, you know, elsewhere. 79 00:04:15,427 --> 00:04:18,427 Speaker 4: But yeah, especially with these March games being back for 80 00:04:18,467 --> 00:04:20,947 Speaker 4: the boys, and then yeah, every day as it gets closer, 81 00:04:20,947 --> 00:04:23,427 Speaker 4: it does, yeah, start to sink in a little bit. 82 00:04:23,907 --> 00:04:25,987 Speaker 2: There's a kid growing up, you know, and you know 83 00:04:26,027 --> 00:04:28,667 Speaker 2: from Palmerston North making that drive down to ol a 84 00:04:28,747 --> 00:04:32,187 Speaker 2: football academy every well, spent every other day really and 85 00:04:33,107 --> 00:04:36,227 Speaker 2: learning your football and trade. Was there something that you 86 00:04:36,307 --> 00:04:38,107 Speaker 2: dreamed of a World Cup? 87 00:04:39,827 --> 00:04:40,147 Speaker 5: Yeah? 88 00:04:40,147 --> 00:04:43,187 Speaker 4: Absolutely, I think just like many of the other boys. 89 00:04:43,187 --> 00:04:46,707 Speaker 4: I was there in twenty ten at Westpac for the 90 00:04:46,747 --> 00:04:49,747 Speaker 4: Bahrain game. You know, you watch the World Cup on TV. 91 00:04:51,307 --> 00:04:56,067 Speaker 4: In some ways, I think it's almost disappointing that because 92 00:04:56,107 --> 00:05:00,387 Speaker 4: the World Cup expanded, we didn't, you know, have that 93 00:05:00,427 --> 00:05:02,747 Speaker 4: moment where we get through it int content to playoff. 94 00:05:02,747 --> 00:05:06,267 Speaker 4: Obviously we had the disappointment against Costa Ricas. So yeah, 95 00:05:06,387 --> 00:05:08,827 Speaker 4: I think for us it's so important that we go 96 00:05:08,867 --> 00:05:12,147 Speaker 4: to this World Cup and we believe in ourselves because 97 00:05:12,187 --> 00:05:12,827 Speaker 4: I think for the. 98 00:05:12,907 --> 00:05:16,627 Speaker 5: Squad, our big moment is still coming. 99 00:05:16,627 --> 00:05:19,587 Speaker 4: Obviously, achieving qualification was massive and it definitely wasn't easy 100 00:05:20,067 --> 00:05:22,227 Speaker 4: in that game against New Kelly, but yeah, we still 101 00:05:22,267 --> 00:05:23,347 Speaker 4: want to achieve something massive. 102 00:05:23,587 --> 00:05:26,187 Speaker 2: Is there a genuine optimism in this All Whites team 103 00:05:26,227 --> 00:05:28,187 Speaker 2: about what you can achieve at this World Cup? 104 00:05:29,387 --> 00:05:29,987 Speaker 5: Yeah? Absolutely. 105 00:05:30,067 --> 00:05:32,587 Speaker 4: We believe in ourselves, the quality of players we have, 106 00:05:33,187 --> 00:05:38,307 Speaker 4: the depth we have. Yeah, we are expecting to get 107 00:05:38,307 --> 00:05:42,307 Speaker 4: some results and I think going into every single game 108 00:05:42,307 --> 00:05:45,267 Speaker 4: we're going to back ourselves. Of course, all the games 109 00:05:45,307 --> 00:05:48,107 Speaker 4: are going to be different, but yeah, I think we'll 110 00:05:48,107 --> 00:05:50,587 Speaker 4: see how these March games go as our last kind 111 00:05:50,627 --> 00:05:52,387 Speaker 4: of preparation before we get there. But yeah, I know 112 00:05:52,427 --> 00:05:55,507 Speaker 4: that everybody is looking forward to it, and yeah, I 113 00:05:55,507 --> 00:05:57,067 Speaker 4: think belief is probably the big one. 114 00:05:57,387 --> 00:05:58,707 Speaker 2: You've been part of this All Whites team for a 115 00:05:58,747 --> 00:06:02,067 Speaker 2: while and now six years forty caps. How different a 116 00:06:02,067 --> 00:06:05,787 Speaker 2: player are you from the ELI just to debut for 117 00:06:05,827 --> 00:06:09,227 Speaker 2: the All Whites in November of twenty nineteen. 118 00:06:10,387 --> 00:06:13,147 Speaker 4: Yeah, very different. I can remember that that game in Island. 119 00:06:13,147 --> 00:06:18,627 Speaker 4: I was extremely nervous, meeting some players who I'd idolized 120 00:06:19,027 --> 00:06:23,507 Speaker 4: growing up, playing with some pretty experienced players, and then yeah, 121 00:06:23,507 --> 00:06:27,107 Speaker 4: it was huge faith and Danny to throw not only 122 00:06:27,147 --> 00:06:29,027 Speaker 4: me but a few of the other boys in for 123 00:06:29,067 --> 00:06:32,667 Speaker 4: their first game, and yeah, I just remember the nerves, 124 00:06:32,667 --> 00:06:35,067 Speaker 4: and then it is kind of crazy to think that 125 00:06:35,067 --> 00:06:37,427 Speaker 4: there's been forty games, or said nine games since then, 126 00:06:38,947 --> 00:06:41,587 Speaker 4: and now I'm not one of the older boys but 127 00:06:41,747 --> 00:06:47,027 Speaker 4: somewhat experienced. So yeah, definitely a lot different as a player, 128 00:06:47,027 --> 00:06:47,747 Speaker 4: also as a person. 129 00:06:48,267 --> 00:06:51,187 Speaker 2: Since qualifying against New Kelly, you've played some high quality 130 00:06:51,187 --> 00:06:53,547 Speaker 2: opposition back end of last year or in the second 131 00:06:53,587 --> 00:06:57,667 Speaker 2: half of last year and often losing narrowly. What's it 132 00:06:57,707 --> 00:07:01,547 Speaker 2: going to take to turn those narrow losses into results 133 00:07:01,667 --> 00:07:04,867 Speaker 2: at the World Cup that will allow you to get 134 00:07:04,867 --> 00:07:05,587 Speaker 2: out of that group. 135 00:07:07,227 --> 00:07:09,907 Speaker 4: Yeah, I mean, we know how difficult it's going to be, 136 00:07:09,987 --> 00:07:12,827 Speaker 4: and we do have experience, like you said, playing these 137 00:07:13,147 --> 00:07:16,747 Speaker 4: tough games. I mean I can think back to the 138 00:07:16,827 --> 00:07:22,787 Speaker 4: last tour against Ecchdor and Columbia. I think Ecuador they 139 00:07:22,787 --> 00:07:25,947 Speaker 4: were very good, and to be fair looking back, I 140 00:07:25,987 --> 00:07:27,987 Speaker 4: think we would have had to have done something very 141 00:07:27,987 --> 00:07:30,307 Speaker 4: special in that game to get something. By the Columbia game, 142 00:07:30,347 --> 00:07:34,867 Speaker 4: we were well in it. I thought we played really well. Yeah, 143 00:07:34,907 --> 00:07:37,427 Speaker 4: I mean probably for us, the most important thing is 144 00:07:37,467 --> 00:07:40,987 Speaker 4: concentration of all times, making sure we're together as unit 145 00:07:40,987 --> 00:07:44,347 Speaker 4: and all on the same page. These March windows will 146 00:07:44,347 --> 00:07:50,027 Speaker 4: be really important too, maybe change our mindset a little 147 00:07:50,027 --> 00:07:52,627 Speaker 4: bit from how do we want to do things as 148 00:07:52,667 --> 00:07:54,947 Speaker 4: a team to now we know exactly what we're going 149 00:07:55,027 --> 00:07:56,467 Speaker 4: to do and this is the time we need to 150 00:07:56,467 --> 00:07:59,027 Speaker 4: do it. So yeah, we'll be interesting obviously March, and 151 00:07:59,067 --> 00:08:04,387 Speaker 4: then we'll have some preparation before the World Cup and yeah, 152 00:08:04,467 --> 00:08:06,627 Speaker 4: I think everyone will just come together and be on 153 00:08:06,667 --> 00:08:07,307 Speaker 4: the same page. 154 00:08:07,547 --> 00:08:09,747 Speaker 2: And there's a solid core of players who have been 155 00:08:09,787 --> 00:08:11,707 Speaker 2: with you in the All Whites these last six years, 156 00:08:12,147 --> 00:08:14,187 Speaker 2: you know, and I know you've played with many of 157 00:08:14,227 --> 00:08:17,027 Speaker 2: them growing up as well, you know, Matt Garbett, Marco Staminich, Libby, 158 00:08:17,467 --> 00:08:20,467 Speaker 2: Chris Wood, Joe Bell, Tim Payne, Michael Boxall, Callum macaw 159 00:08:20,507 --> 00:08:23,067 Speaker 2: at Nando. You know, there's a lot of players who 160 00:08:23,187 --> 00:08:24,827 Speaker 2: have been a solid core of the All Whites for 161 00:08:24,827 --> 00:08:26,747 Speaker 2: the last six years. So how much does that help 162 00:08:26,987 --> 00:08:29,747 Speaker 2: given that you only really come together infrequently. 163 00:08:31,507 --> 00:08:35,227 Speaker 4: Yeah, it is really helpful, not only because of the 164 00:08:35,267 --> 00:08:37,907 Speaker 4: connection we have already, but also and how we can 165 00:08:37,987 --> 00:08:40,667 Speaker 4: react when things maybe aren't going so well. Because we 166 00:08:40,747 --> 00:08:45,787 Speaker 4: have that understanding of each other, there's never any personal 167 00:08:46,187 --> 00:08:48,267 Speaker 4: issues that get if that makes sense. When we're trying 168 00:08:48,307 --> 00:08:51,707 Speaker 4: to figure things out. Everyone is open, everyone respects each other. 169 00:08:51,787 --> 00:08:54,707 Speaker 4: So yeah, I'm sure there will be moments at the 170 00:08:54,747 --> 00:08:58,147 Speaker 4: World Cup where things are difficult, and that's where I 171 00:08:58,147 --> 00:09:02,227 Speaker 4: think our yeah connection will really benefit us. 172 00:09:02,587 --> 00:09:04,707 Speaker 2: And just to finish back home next month for these 173 00:09:04,747 --> 00:09:07,547 Speaker 2: games against Finland and Chile. How much are you looking 174 00:09:07,587 --> 00:09:10,987 Speaker 2: forward to those matches on home soil as your World 175 00:09:11,027 --> 00:09:13,027 Speaker 2: Cup preparation really does start ramping up. 176 00:09:14,267 --> 00:09:18,547 Speaker 4: Yeah, extremely, extremely looking forward to it. I didn't quite 177 00:09:18,587 --> 00:09:22,347 Speaker 4: get back home for the Christmas break because Scotland doesn't break, 178 00:09:22,347 --> 00:09:24,307 Speaker 4: so yeah, looking forward to getting home. 179 00:09:24,347 --> 00:09:25,227 Speaker 5: It's been a while since I. 180 00:09:25,187 --> 00:09:29,307 Speaker 4: Was in New Zealand and then yeah, I mean, because 181 00:09:29,347 --> 00:09:31,787 Speaker 4: we've got this level of opposition in New Zealand, it's 182 00:09:31,787 --> 00:09:34,347 Speaker 4: also an opportunity for us to really show the home 183 00:09:34,387 --> 00:09:37,667 Speaker 4: fans that like, we're a team that's ready to go 184 00:09:37,747 --> 00:09:39,467 Speaker 4: over to the World Cup. So yeah, I think everyone's 185 00:09:39,507 --> 00:09:41,427 Speaker 4: looking forward to it. I know there's a few players 186 00:09:42,507 --> 00:09:44,227 Speaker 4: maybe dealing with some injury, so I'm not one hundred 187 00:09:44,227 --> 00:09:47,347 Speaker 4: scent sure on the strength of the squad, but I 188 00:09:47,387 --> 00:09:51,987 Speaker 4: know that everyone that is available will be will be, yeah, 189 00:09:51,987 --> 00:09:53,187 Speaker 4: getting themselves on the plane home. 190 00:09:53,267 --> 00:09:54,707 Speaker 5: So yeah, looking forward to it. 191 00:09:54,787 --> 00:09:54,987 Speaker 3: Yep. 192 00:09:55,067 --> 00:09:58,467 Speaker 2: So Eli, thanks for chatting mate, Congratulations on what is 193 00:09:58,507 --> 00:10:00,507 Speaker 2: turning into a terrific season for you a mother Well 194 00:10:00,507 --> 00:10:02,547 Speaker 2: looking forward to seeing your back home next month. Yes, 195 00:10:02,587 --> 00:10:05,667 Speaker 2: thank you, no, thank you, Eli. Just there from Motherwell 196 00:10:05,667 --> 00:10:08,347 Speaker 2: and Scotland and you All Whites who play Finland on 197 00:10:08,387 --> 00:10:11,587 Speaker 2: the night of Friday, March twenty seven at Eden Park 198 00:10:11,667 --> 00:10:14,147 Speaker 2: in Auckland, and then on the Monday that follows that 199 00:10:14,267 --> 00:10:16,667 Speaker 2: they take on Chile at the same location, so a 200 00:10:16,667 --> 00:10:19,427 Speaker 2: good chance to wish the All Whites well before they 201 00:10:19,467 --> 00:10:22,547 Speaker 2: head off to the FIFA World Cup in June and July. 202 00:10:23,707 --> 00:10:26,867 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 203 00:10:26,987 --> 00:10:30,267 Speaker 1: to News Talk zed B weekends from midday or follow 204 00:10:30,307 --> 00:10:31,867 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio.