1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,387 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:11,787 Speaker 1: from Newstalk ZEDB. 3 00:00:12,747 --> 00:00:15,507 Speaker 2: An exciting year ahead for New Zealand football fans. 4 00:00:15,827 --> 00:00:19,667 Speaker 1: Bell nice touch from Garbet garbic. 5 00:00:20,947 --> 00:00:26,907 Speaker 2: Oh, yes, that's super. That separate scene has cut on 6 00:00:26,987 --> 00:00:31,227 Speaker 2: the school barn. What beautiful lead up work from Matt Garbin. 7 00:00:31,387 --> 00:00:31,507 Speaker 3: Here. 8 00:00:31,547 --> 00:00:35,747 Speaker 2: The All Whites continue Oceannya World Cup qualifying. Two more matches, 9 00:00:35,867 --> 00:00:39,227 Speaker 2: a semi final and then if they win that a final, 10 00:00:39,307 --> 00:00:42,547 Speaker 2: if they beat Fiji on Friday, the twenty first of 11 00:00:42,627 --> 00:00:45,387 Speaker 2: March in Wellington, they will then play the winner of 12 00:00:45,427 --> 00:00:47,587 Speaker 2: the other semi final, which is also on Wellington that 13 00:00:47,667 --> 00:00:51,987 Speaker 2: same day. In Wellington. That same day, New Caledonia plays 14 00:00:51,987 --> 00:00:55,147 Speaker 2: the winner of the Fiji New Zealand game three nights 15 00:00:55,227 --> 00:00:58,907 Speaker 2: later at Eden Park in Auckland. The winner earns direct 16 00:00:59,027 --> 00:01:01,467 Speaker 2: entry to the twenty twenty six feet of World Cup. 17 00:01:01,627 --> 00:01:04,107 Speaker 2: Oceanny are getting direct entry for the very first time. 18 00:01:04,427 --> 00:01:06,307 Speaker 2: Coach of the All Whites is Darren Baisley, who joined 19 00:01:06,467 --> 00:01:09,227 Speaker 2: just now. Darren, thanks for your time. Twenty twenty five 20 00:01:09,267 --> 00:01:12,907 Speaker 2: has arrived to be new year. How exciting a prospect 21 00:01:13,107 --> 00:01:15,747 Speaker 2: is what lies ahead for you in just two or 22 00:01:15,747 --> 00:01:16,427 Speaker 2: three months time. 23 00:01:17,267 --> 00:01:20,307 Speaker 3: Hey planey, have you new year to everybody? I mean, yeah, 24 00:01:20,747 --> 00:01:23,187 Speaker 3: it's really exciting and obviously the big games coming up. 25 00:01:23,507 --> 00:01:26,347 Speaker 3: We know the job we've got to do, we know 26 00:01:26,387 --> 00:01:29,547 Speaker 3: the rewards that are there for us as well, so yeah, 27 00:01:29,587 --> 00:01:32,307 Speaker 3: it's exciting times. We've just got to get there now 28 00:01:32,387 --> 00:01:33,947 Speaker 3: to march and get this job done. 29 00:01:34,187 --> 00:01:38,627 Speaker 2: You should win these two games. How do you avoid complacency? 30 00:01:38,707 --> 00:01:40,987 Speaker 2: How do you prepare for these two matches? 31 00:01:41,747 --> 00:01:44,747 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean you're right when you look at the opposition, 32 00:01:44,907 --> 00:01:46,547 Speaker 3: you know the games we should win. We know that, 33 00:01:47,107 --> 00:01:50,547 Speaker 3: but it's also football and that brings slightly different challenges. 34 00:01:50,627 --> 00:01:53,667 Speaker 3: So you know, we've we've been pretty safe through all 35 00:01:53,667 --> 00:01:57,307 Speaker 3: of these games against the Oceana opposition. We're going to 36 00:01:57,347 --> 00:02:02,267 Speaker 3: these games slightly differently mindset to when we're playing Mexico 37 00:02:02,267 --> 00:02:04,867 Speaker 3: a USA, where you know, we just need to be 38 00:02:04,987 --> 00:02:07,067 Speaker 3: safe and just do our jobs. You know, we need 39 00:02:07,107 --> 00:02:10,827 Speaker 3: to make sure that we've got super discipline because you know, 40 00:02:10,867 --> 00:02:12,867 Speaker 3: we know if we stay in the games and nothing 41 00:02:13,027 --> 00:02:15,507 Speaker 3: nothing happens untoward within these games, we're going to get 42 00:02:15,587 --> 00:02:18,147 Speaker 3: chances to score goals and you know, ultimately we'll get 43 00:02:18,147 --> 00:02:21,747 Speaker 3: a chance to win the game. So yeah, well, we'll 44 00:02:21,787 --> 00:02:25,907 Speaker 3: take every opposition the same. We'll do all the analysis 45 00:02:25,907 --> 00:02:27,587 Speaker 3: and make sure that we're prepared and we know what 46 00:02:27,627 --> 00:02:30,507 Speaker 3: we're coming up against, and we're just yeah, we treat 47 00:02:30,547 --> 00:02:34,227 Speaker 3: every game the same. But knowing that you know these games, 48 00:02:34,267 --> 00:02:36,507 Speaker 3: we need to we need to just get this job done. 49 00:02:36,787 --> 00:02:39,627 Speaker 2: So last time you were together was mid November, so 50 00:02:39,707 --> 00:02:42,387 Speaker 2: by the time these roll around, it'll be four months 51 00:02:42,387 --> 00:02:44,907 Speaker 2: apart from the team. How much contact do you have 52 00:02:44,987 --> 00:02:47,587 Speaker 2: with your players and will you over the next couple 53 00:02:47,627 --> 00:02:48,307 Speaker 2: of months. 54 00:02:48,987 --> 00:02:51,387 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean in contact with them pretty regularly. You know, 55 00:02:51,467 --> 00:02:54,987 Speaker 3: we watch with technology nowadays and we're able to watch 56 00:02:55,107 --> 00:02:56,947 Speaker 3: most of the games that they play in around the 57 00:02:56,947 --> 00:02:59,147 Speaker 3: world wherever they are. We get the highlights, we get 58 00:02:59,147 --> 00:03:01,507 Speaker 3: all their actions, so yeah, we can keep in touch 59 00:03:01,547 --> 00:03:03,947 Speaker 3: with what they're doing, how they're playing, how many minutes 60 00:03:03,947 --> 00:03:06,747 Speaker 3: they're playing, how fit they are, and then just keeping 61 00:03:06,787 --> 00:03:08,867 Speaker 3: regular contact with them and just make sure that we're 62 00:03:08,907 --> 00:03:11,067 Speaker 3: all connected. It's a it's a major part of us, 63 00:03:11,067 --> 00:03:14,307 Speaker 3: our culture and our connection. You know, we're a real 64 00:03:14,387 --> 00:03:16,947 Speaker 3: cohesive squad when we get together. The players sort of 65 00:03:17,387 --> 00:03:19,667 Speaker 3: you know, I've known each other for a long time. 66 00:03:19,747 --> 00:03:21,707 Speaker 3: Some of them, you know, grew up together. Some played 67 00:03:21,747 --> 00:03:24,387 Speaker 3: together when they were sort of growing up in different clubs, 68 00:03:25,027 --> 00:03:28,827 Speaker 3: So yeah, coming together the culture and the environment is key, 69 00:03:29,467 --> 00:03:32,227 Speaker 3: just bringing them bringing them back together. So it'll be 70 00:03:32,267 --> 00:03:34,827 Speaker 3: a bit of a gap from from November, but you know, 71 00:03:35,907 --> 00:03:37,907 Speaker 3: I just know when the boys get together that they'll 72 00:03:37,947 --> 00:03:38,907 Speaker 3: be ready for these games. 73 00:03:39,107 --> 00:03:41,427 Speaker 2: Do you uperate buys with a leadership group? Is there 74 00:03:41,427 --> 00:03:44,787 Speaker 2: a leadership group within your playing squad? Yeah, we do. 75 00:03:44,827 --> 00:03:47,547 Speaker 3: We have a kaitiaki which are our guardians, guardians of 76 00:03:47,627 --> 00:03:51,147 Speaker 3: our environment and guardians of the connection, which is the 77 00:03:51,187 --> 00:03:54,587 Speaker 3: same as our leadership group with players. So yeah, they're key, 78 00:03:54,667 --> 00:03:57,147 Speaker 3: you know some and it's a mix in that group 79 00:03:57,227 --> 00:04:01,987 Speaker 3: of age and experience and different sort of people within 80 00:04:02,067 --> 00:04:04,587 Speaker 3: that group. But yeah, we're lucky. We've got such a 81 00:04:04,587 --> 00:04:08,107 Speaker 3: big squad now of really experience, good players that we 82 00:04:08,147 --> 00:04:10,867 Speaker 3: can call upon, you know, options in every position now, 83 00:04:10,867 --> 00:04:12,627 Speaker 3: which is which is great. We're in a really lucky 84 00:04:12,627 --> 00:04:13,747 Speaker 3: position at the moment. 85 00:04:13,667 --> 00:04:15,907 Speaker 2: And a challenging one for you as a coach because 86 00:04:15,947 --> 00:04:18,827 Speaker 2: you're in the position now where you have more good 87 00:04:18,867 --> 00:04:22,867 Speaker 2: players then you can fit into your squads. So what 88 00:04:23,027 --> 00:04:26,587 Speaker 2: informs your selection decisions? How do you go about those 89 00:04:26,827 --> 00:04:28,627 Speaker 2: those decision making processes. 90 00:04:29,227 --> 00:04:32,267 Speaker 3: Yeah, it's getting tougher, you know. Some You've got some 91 00:04:32,347 --> 00:04:34,947 Speaker 3: players like Woodsy and Libby and that that you just know, 92 00:04:35,307 --> 00:04:37,707 Speaker 3: you know, automatic selections at the moment with what they're 93 00:04:37,707 --> 00:04:40,707 Speaker 3: doing in their personal careers. And we've got other players 94 00:04:40,707 --> 00:04:43,627 Speaker 3: that are you know, having having really successful moments within 95 00:04:43,667 --> 00:04:46,147 Speaker 3: their with their CAREERSMA. But you know, we check on 96 00:04:46,347 --> 00:04:48,547 Speaker 3: form fitness, you know, what they did with us the 97 00:04:48,587 --> 00:04:51,107 Speaker 3: last time, how they fit in the balance of the team, 98 00:04:51,547 --> 00:04:53,587 Speaker 3: you know, what we need to do in each game. 99 00:04:54,427 --> 00:04:57,347 Speaker 3: So there's lots go into the selections. And obviously I've 100 00:04:57,347 --> 00:05:00,387 Speaker 3: got myself and Simon Elliott, Tony Reddings, you know, Paul 101 00:05:00,387 --> 00:05:03,707 Speaker 3: Gothard that you know, we always have different opinions to 102 00:05:03,747 --> 00:05:05,867 Speaker 3: be fair as well on who we think should should 103 00:05:05,867 --> 00:05:08,347 Speaker 3: be starting in each position. And the good thing for 104 00:05:08,427 --> 00:05:10,467 Speaker 3: us as well is not only do we have lots 105 00:05:10,467 --> 00:05:12,467 Speaker 3: of good options and players, but we have lots of 106 00:05:12,467 --> 00:05:15,387 Speaker 3: players that are pretty flexible positionally, you know, that could 107 00:05:15,387 --> 00:05:18,827 Speaker 3: play in different positions. So yeah, making those decisions on 108 00:05:18,907 --> 00:05:21,587 Speaker 3: starting elevens sometimes is a bit of a process. 109 00:05:21,867 --> 00:05:24,387 Speaker 2: You and I've spoken before about the whiteboard in your office. 110 00:05:24,387 --> 00:05:25,867 Speaker 2: I'm not sure if it's an extra white boarder with 111 00:05:26,027 --> 00:05:28,267 Speaker 2: it's a spreadsheet on your laptop, but it's kind of 112 00:05:28,307 --> 00:05:31,667 Speaker 2: the depth chart. I guess for New Zealand footballers playing 113 00:05:31,707 --> 00:05:33,867 Speaker 2: around the world. How many names, Rick, can you get 114 00:05:33,907 --> 00:05:34,387 Speaker 2: up there? 115 00:05:34,987 --> 00:05:37,907 Speaker 3: Well, we've got about fifty eight at the moment. And yeah, 116 00:05:38,067 --> 00:05:40,347 Speaker 3: it actually is a whiteboard. It's a spreadsheet as well. 117 00:05:40,627 --> 00:05:43,827 Speaker 3: There's numerous spreadsheets. But yeah, I like in the office 118 00:05:43,827 --> 00:05:45,827 Speaker 3: to have the visual of the of the names and 119 00:05:45,867 --> 00:05:48,107 Speaker 3: the whiteboards so that we can see the balances and 120 00:05:48,627 --> 00:05:51,387 Speaker 3: know what we've got underneath each player. You know, we 121 00:05:51,467 --> 00:05:54,227 Speaker 3: know we've got certain players, but when you you know, 122 00:05:54,267 --> 00:05:56,667 Speaker 3: even for someone like Libby, when you look underneath Libby 123 00:05:56,667 --> 00:05:59,507 Speaker 3: and there's there's this five or six of players that 124 00:05:59,547 --> 00:06:03,907 Speaker 3: are underneath him competing to challenge or competing to be 125 00:06:03,987 --> 00:06:06,227 Speaker 3: that number two spot for the left back position, is 126 00:06:06,587 --> 00:06:08,667 Speaker 3: it is great to see and then it sort of 127 00:06:08,667 --> 00:06:11,027 Speaker 3: helps us just keep an eye on everybody really around 128 00:06:11,027 --> 00:06:13,227 Speaker 3: the world what they're doing. You know, you've got in 129 00:06:13,267 --> 00:06:16,947 Speaker 3: the left back position, you've got Dalton some Suddon, You've 130 00:06:16,947 --> 00:06:20,427 Speaker 3: got James McGarry playing over there. You know, Lucas Galli 131 00:06:20,547 --> 00:06:24,107 Speaker 3: Hill coming through. There's loads and loads of options. Francis 132 00:06:24,307 --> 00:06:26,707 Speaker 3: very sorry, I'm misus, Francis. There so loads of options 133 00:06:26,827 --> 00:06:29,307 Speaker 3: underneath Libby, and we get in there in almost every 134 00:06:29,347 --> 00:06:31,827 Speaker 3: position now, which is great for us. 135 00:06:31,987 --> 00:06:34,907 Speaker 2: Yeah, you haven't center back too, haven't you? Because I 136 00:06:34,987 --> 00:06:37,267 Speaker 2: look at Michael box All, who's been around forever but 137 00:06:37,307 --> 00:06:39,267 Speaker 2: still seems to be about twenty three years old. I 138 00:06:39,267 --> 00:06:42,267 Speaker 2: know he's not Nando Pintiker, who's naturally left sided. Then 139 00:06:42,627 --> 00:06:47,627 Speaker 2: Finn Sermon Tyler Binden, who's just turning heads everywhere he goes. 140 00:06:47,987 --> 00:06:51,027 Speaker 2: You must look at that whiteboard and think to yourself, 141 00:06:51,227 --> 00:06:53,427 Speaker 2: we're probably in as good a position as we have 142 00:06:53,547 --> 00:06:53,987 Speaker 2: ever been. 143 00:06:55,187 --> 00:06:59,067 Speaker 3: Definitely. Yeah, it's a really strong, wider squad now, and 144 00:06:59,467 --> 00:07:02,267 Speaker 3: it is. It's getting to the stage now where every 145 00:07:02,347 --> 00:07:05,307 Speaker 3: squad name, we're leaving good players out. You know. The 146 00:07:05,387 --> 00:07:07,867 Speaker 3: last few squads left players out like Alex Greeve and 147 00:07:07,907 --> 00:07:11,067 Speaker 3: Max Matter and you know, and people of other players 148 00:07:11,107 --> 00:07:13,267 Speaker 3: of miss squads, you know, Callum's miss squads, so our 149 00:07:13,267 --> 00:07:16,987 Speaker 3: preaks miss squads, you know. But whoever we choose comes 150 00:07:16,987 --> 00:07:19,307 Speaker 3: in and does a great job. So I think that's 151 00:07:19,347 --> 00:07:22,947 Speaker 3: great for us. Now. The players know they're competing, they're challenging, 152 00:07:23,747 --> 00:07:26,347 Speaker 3: and they have to perform within their club environments and 153 00:07:26,387 --> 00:07:29,027 Speaker 3: when they come into us as well, and the rewards 154 00:07:29,067 --> 00:07:31,027 Speaker 3: are so big now, you know, obviously we've got these 155 00:07:31,027 --> 00:07:33,547 Speaker 3: two games that we need to do our job on, 156 00:07:34,387 --> 00:07:35,907 Speaker 3: you know, but the reward for that is going to 157 00:07:35,907 --> 00:07:38,867 Speaker 3: a World Cup in twenty twenty six, which every footballer 158 00:07:38,947 --> 00:07:42,027 Speaker 3: dreams of. And they all sort of now competing with 159 00:07:42,067 --> 00:07:45,947 Speaker 3: each other as well as you know, other teams to perform. 160 00:07:46,227 --> 00:07:48,267 Speaker 2: That's the most important thing for you base that they 161 00:07:48,307 --> 00:07:51,547 Speaker 2: are playing regularly at club level. 162 00:07:52,027 --> 00:07:55,347 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean, that's key that they're playing. It's not 163 00:07:55,507 --> 00:07:57,587 Speaker 3: always as easy as that. We've got some players in 164 00:07:57,707 --> 00:08:01,067 Speaker 3: pretty high level environments, like a Marco Staminich at the 165 00:08:01,067 --> 00:08:04,107 Speaker 3: moment that's obviously a very very good player. It isn't 166 00:08:04,107 --> 00:08:06,547 Speaker 3: getting as many minutes as they'd want. But you know, 167 00:08:06,587 --> 00:08:10,667 Speaker 3: we know that he's he's fine, he'll be he'll be great, 168 00:08:10,667 --> 00:08:13,147 Speaker 3: He's going to have a great career. He's just in 169 00:08:13,507 --> 00:08:16,147 Speaker 3: a club at the moment. The competition for him is 170 00:08:16,227 --> 00:08:19,747 Speaker 3: really tough in his position and within that squad. So 171 00:08:20,187 --> 00:08:22,347 Speaker 3: I think it's a mix of you know, we want 172 00:08:22,347 --> 00:08:24,347 Speaker 3: players to be playing because we know they'll come in, 173 00:08:24,707 --> 00:08:28,467 Speaker 3: you know, not ready to play, but also you know, 174 00:08:28,507 --> 00:08:30,667 Speaker 3: we know the levels of the players around around the 175 00:08:30,707 --> 00:08:32,587 Speaker 3: world and who they are and what they've done with 176 00:08:32,667 --> 00:08:35,347 Speaker 3: us previously, So there's a lot of considerations taken into 177 00:08:35,387 --> 00:08:37,227 Speaker 3: place when we when we select squads. 178 00:08:37,347 --> 00:08:39,267 Speaker 2: Yeah, you talk about high level environments and then you 179 00:08:39,787 --> 00:08:42,467 Speaker 2: talk about the Premier League. How much are you enjoying 180 00:08:43,187 --> 00:08:46,587 Speaker 2: watching Chris Wood in Korea beast form at the moment? 181 00:08:47,467 --> 00:08:50,347 Speaker 3: It's amazing. You know, I'm not sure we'll ever get 182 00:08:50,387 --> 00:08:52,907 Speaker 3: another player that's doing what he's doing right now. You know, 183 00:08:53,027 --> 00:08:55,787 Speaker 3: he's he's, you know, the second in the Premier League. 184 00:08:55,787 --> 00:08:57,667 Speaker 3: He is one of the top scorers in the Premier League. 185 00:08:57,987 --> 00:09:01,427 Speaker 3: He's Yeah, he's literally on fire. So you know, for me, 186 00:09:01,707 --> 00:09:04,827 Speaker 3: my job of watching Premier League football and watching Woods 187 00:09:04,827 --> 00:09:08,067 Speaker 3: he performance is great. I spend a lot of time 188 00:09:08,107 --> 00:09:12,147 Speaker 3: watching football of different levels around the world, and then 189 00:09:12,187 --> 00:09:14,547 Speaker 3: suddenly you get to like, I'll say, scout, we don't 190 00:09:14,587 --> 00:09:17,147 Speaker 3: need to Scout would see, but we're definitely monitoring him 191 00:09:17,387 --> 00:09:19,387 Speaker 3: and we're watching Premier League football while we're doing it, 192 00:09:19,427 --> 00:09:20,707 Speaker 3: which is which is amazing. 193 00:09:21,067 --> 00:09:23,587 Speaker 2: Is starting goalkeeper still a live discussion? 194 00:09:24,667 --> 00:09:27,467 Speaker 3: It is? You know, again, we've got great options. You know, 195 00:09:28,067 --> 00:09:31,267 Speaker 3: obviously Max Crocom's been the number one for the last 196 00:09:31,347 --> 00:09:33,747 Speaker 3: few years really, and he's doing very well. He's playing 197 00:09:33,747 --> 00:09:36,227 Speaker 3: at a high levels, playing every week in a tough 198 00:09:36,347 --> 00:09:39,227 Speaker 3: environment in League One, and you know his club are 199 00:09:39,267 --> 00:09:41,467 Speaker 3: struggling at the bottom of the table, which means he 200 00:09:41,507 --> 00:09:44,347 Speaker 3: gets a lot of action. But again he's doing very well. 201 00:09:44,347 --> 00:09:47,547 Speaker 3: But then you've got Alex Poulson, who's you know, he's 202 00:09:47,587 --> 00:09:50,227 Speaker 3: a younger player, you know, he's still that potential player, 203 00:09:50,307 --> 00:09:53,107 Speaker 3: is in his sort of second year of professional playing now, 204 00:09:53,187 --> 00:09:55,987 Speaker 3: but has had this run at the Phoenix last year 205 00:09:55,987 --> 00:09:58,547 Speaker 3: and got his big move and now had this run 206 00:09:58,587 --> 00:10:00,827 Speaker 3: of clean sheets at Auckland and again playing with a 207 00:10:00,867 --> 00:10:04,347 Speaker 3: lot of confidence and doing very well. So he's definitely 208 00:10:04,427 --> 00:10:08,947 Speaker 3: the future. He's the younger one obviously and he's pushing. 209 00:10:09,587 --> 00:10:12,347 Speaker 3: But behind him, you know, you've got your early sales 210 00:10:12,427 --> 00:10:15,347 Speaker 3: and Nick Zanev who's playing again at Northampton over in 211 00:10:15,387 --> 00:10:18,267 Speaker 3: England at the moment, and a load of younger players, 212 00:10:19,107 --> 00:10:22,067 Speaker 3: younger goal killers Henry Gray in case sims that are 213 00:10:22,067 --> 00:10:26,467 Speaker 3: professionals now in pretty good levels. If it's another position 214 00:10:26,627 --> 00:10:30,627 Speaker 3: where we've got decisions to make, and tough, tough decisions 215 00:10:30,667 --> 00:10:32,547 Speaker 3: for not only the squads but for the start and 216 00:10:32,587 --> 00:10:33,307 Speaker 3: eleven and. 217 00:10:33,187 --> 00:10:34,787 Speaker 2: One guy is not playing at the moment for injury 218 00:10:34,867 --> 00:10:37,747 Speaker 2: is being Old. I know his home over the Christmas break, 219 00:10:38,387 --> 00:10:41,347 Speaker 2: continuing his reheab. Have you got any idea on on 220 00:10:41,427 --> 00:10:43,587 Speaker 2: whether being Old might be available for you in March? 221 00:10:44,347 --> 00:10:46,947 Speaker 3: Well, it's it is a tough spot for him, you know, 222 00:10:47,067 --> 00:10:49,267 Speaker 3: he's he's picked up this injury at a bad time. 223 00:10:49,307 --> 00:10:52,147 Speaker 3: You know, he was just really getting himself going in 224 00:10:51,947 --> 00:10:54,507 Speaker 3: the in lot of Liga and doing so well with 225 00:10:54,587 --> 00:10:58,387 Speaker 3: us and with me, So yeah, that's tough. He's I 226 00:10:58,387 --> 00:11:02,427 Speaker 3: think March is probably touch and go. I think he'll 227 00:11:02,427 --> 00:11:06,147 Speaker 3: be back, just back playing around those sort of dates. 228 00:11:06,187 --> 00:11:09,667 Speaker 3: But whether leaving his club, you know, having just recovered 229 00:11:09,667 --> 00:11:12,307 Speaker 3: from injury and coming to international football is the right 230 00:11:12,307 --> 00:11:15,147 Speaker 3: thing for him at the club, we're not sure. So 231 00:11:15,187 --> 00:11:18,867 Speaker 3: at the moment we're just monitoring him. It's an injury 232 00:11:18,907 --> 00:11:21,147 Speaker 3: that you know, it could be could be quicker, but 233 00:11:21,187 --> 00:11:24,187 Speaker 3: it's also an injury where they may just take a 234 00:11:24,227 --> 00:11:26,427 Speaker 3: bit of time just to make sure that it recovers 235 00:11:26,427 --> 00:11:29,347 Speaker 3: properly before they throw him back into football. So in 236 00:11:29,387 --> 00:11:31,907 Speaker 3: the ladder case would mean he'd probably miss out in March. 237 00:11:32,547 --> 00:11:34,267 Speaker 2: Did you know that Tyler Bunden one of your center 238 00:11:34,267 --> 00:11:37,147 Speaker 2: backs had the overhead kick goal and as locker. 239 00:11:38,347 --> 00:11:41,107 Speaker 3: I wasn't sure he had that, But yeah, he's I mean, 240 00:11:41,827 --> 00:11:46,027 Speaker 3: Tyler can do almost anything. You know, he's nineteen years old. 241 00:11:46,347 --> 00:11:49,667 Speaker 3: He's playing so much football. He's got caps now, he's 242 00:11:49,707 --> 00:11:52,227 Speaker 3: got goals for New Zealand and for Reading. He's going 243 00:11:52,267 --> 00:11:53,947 Speaker 3: to get a big move in the next few weeks, 244 00:11:54,267 --> 00:11:56,627 Speaker 3: which will be the next step for him. Whether he 245 00:11:56,627 --> 00:11:59,307 Speaker 3: gets a big, big move, I'm not sure, but I 246 00:11:59,387 --> 00:12:01,627 Speaker 3: think right now, I think just having that next step 247 00:12:01,627 --> 00:12:03,787 Speaker 3: for him is great. You know, moving up a level, 248 00:12:03,947 --> 00:12:07,027 Speaker 3: you know, and keep playing is probably key for him. Yeah, 249 00:12:07,027 --> 00:12:11,067 Speaker 3: he's nineteen years old and he's got a wonderful career 250 00:12:11,067 --> 00:12:11,947 Speaker 3: ahead of him, certainly. 251 00:12:12,227 --> 00:12:14,627 Speaker 2: Orright, let's circle back to these World Cup games to finish. 252 00:12:14,907 --> 00:12:17,387 Speaker 2: If you qualify for the World Cup, if all goes well, 253 00:12:17,387 --> 00:12:19,747 Speaker 2: you win these two games and you qualify, there's a 254 00:12:19,787 --> 00:12:22,387 Speaker 2: long time between March and June of next year when 255 00:12:22,387 --> 00:12:26,307 Speaker 2: the World Cup takes place, So ideally, how many games 256 00:12:26,347 --> 00:12:27,987 Speaker 2: would you like to play in that time? 257 00:12:28,667 --> 00:12:31,707 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean we would be you know, if everything 258 00:12:31,747 --> 00:12:34,067 Speaker 3: goes to plan, we would be the first team in 259 00:12:34,107 --> 00:12:36,467 Speaker 3: the world to qualify for the World Cup apart from 260 00:12:36,467 --> 00:12:39,067 Speaker 3: the hosts, you know, which puts us in a really 261 00:12:39,107 --> 00:12:41,867 Speaker 3: good position of you know, being able to get some 262 00:12:41,947 --> 00:12:44,427 Speaker 3: really good games in the build ups. So I will 263 00:12:44,467 --> 00:12:48,227 Speaker 3: play every window, you know, losing football Andrew Pregnant said 264 00:12:48,267 --> 00:12:50,707 Speaker 3: that now we're going to play every window, and I 265 00:12:50,747 --> 00:12:53,547 Speaker 3: think having if we are, that team that's qualified for 266 00:12:53,627 --> 00:12:56,667 Speaker 3: the World Cup will be wanted by a lot of countries. 267 00:12:56,707 --> 00:12:59,467 Speaker 3: You know, everybody wants to play against potential teams that 268 00:12:59,507 --> 00:13:01,747 Speaker 3: are at the World Cup. So I think we'll be 269 00:13:01,787 --> 00:13:04,307 Speaker 3: in a really good position to pick up some really 270 00:13:04,347 --> 00:13:07,627 Speaker 3: good games. The hard thing is a lot of the windows. 271 00:13:07,747 --> 00:13:10,507 Speaker 3: You know, there's obviously the five FIFA windows throughout the year. 272 00:13:11,307 --> 00:13:13,267 Speaker 3: The hard thing would then be that actually a lot 273 00:13:13,307 --> 00:13:15,747 Speaker 3: of those windows were aready used up for other teams, 274 00:13:15,907 --> 00:13:18,787 Speaker 3: you know, in their World Cup qualifiers, which would obviously 275 00:13:18,827 --> 00:13:21,107 Speaker 3: mean that they wouldn't be available for us to play against. 276 00:13:21,107 --> 00:13:23,827 Speaker 3: So it's a good position, but it's also a challenging 277 00:13:23,867 --> 00:13:27,747 Speaker 3: and a little bit tricky finding countries that I've got 278 00:13:27,747 --> 00:13:30,227 Speaker 3: three windows and that are able to play against us. 279 00:13:30,387 --> 00:13:32,227 Speaker 2: All right, well, let's get March out of the way first. 280 00:13:32,227 --> 00:13:35,067 Speaker 2: An exciting few months ahead of you, Your players in 281 00:13:35,147 --> 00:13:37,227 Speaker 2: New Zealand Football Fans Base. Thanks for updating us so 282 00:13:37,267 --> 00:13:39,267 Speaker 2: early in the year. We'll catch up again. 283 00:13:39,067 --> 00:13:41,747 Speaker 3: Soon, chess by any, catch up soon, cheers. 284 00:13:41,547 --> 00:13:43,627 Speaker 2: Cheers there are Darren. Darren basically they're the coach of 285 00:13:43,627 --> 00:13:47,187 Speaker 2: the All Whites. Yeah so yeah. It is an exciting time. 286 00:13:47,467 --> 00:13:50,227 Speaker 2: Never before has New Zealand had the opportunity to qualify 287 00:13:50,267 --> 00:13:53,547 Speaker 2: for a World Cup automatically out of Oceany. The previous 288 00:13:53,547 --> 00:13:56,667 Speaker 2: two times back in nineteen eighty two it was Asia 289 00:13:56,747 --> 00:14:00,107 Speaker 2: Oceania qualifying went through a whole bunch of games, fifteen 290 00:14:00,147 --> 00:14:02,627 Speaker 2: games that New Zealand team had to play to reach 291 00:14:02,667 --> 00:14:05,427 Speaker 2: the World Cup in Spain in nineteen eighty two, and then, 292 00:14:05,467 --> 00:14:08,667 Speaker 2: of course in twenty ten, when New Zealand made it 293 00:14:08,707 --> 00:14:11,027 Speaker 2: to South Africa. That was off the back of a 294 00:14:11,187 --> 00:14:15,067 Speaker 2: two legged intercontinental playoff, the second leg of which they 295 00:14:15,147 --> 00:14:19,067 Speaker 2: famously won one Nill against Bahrain and Wellington and November 296 00:14:19,467 --> 00:14:21,147 Speaker 2: of two thousand and nine, and off to the World 297 00:14:21,187 --> 00:14:23,427 Speaker 2: Cup they went. That's been the route for the last 298 00:14:23,467 --> 00:14:27,027 Speaker 2: few and New Zealand hasn't been able to get there. 299 00:14:27,067 --> 00:14:29,827 Speaker 2: They weren't able to get past Mexico for the twenty 300 00:14:29,867 --> 00:14:33,227 Speaker 2: fourteen World Cup weren't able to get past Peru for 301 00:14:33,307 --> 00:14:36,507 Speaker 2: the twenty eighteen World Cup. In a one off game 302 00:14:36,547 --> 00:14:39,307 Speaker 2: against Costa Rica to qualify for the World Cup in 303 00:14:39,347 --> 00:14:42,587 Speaker 2: twenty twenty two in Qatar, they were beaten one nill 304 00:14:42,627 --> 00:14:45,667 Speaker 2: in that game as well. So the days of intercontinental 305 00:14:45,707 --> 00:14:48,947 Speaker 2: playoffs certainly for the winner of Oceania are gone because 306 00:14:48,947 --> 00:14:51,547 Speaker 2: the other part of this is that whoever makes the 307 00:14:51,547 --> 00:14:57,427 Speaker 2: final and is the losing finalist in Oceania goes into 308 00:14:57,507 --> 00:14:59,867 Speaker 2: an intercontinental playoffs, so there is a second chance for 309 00:14:59,907 --> 00:15:03,147 Speaker 2: that team. New Zealand obviously will be hoping and I 310 00:15:03,227 --> 00:15:06,307 Speaker 2: think most people would be expecting that they would win 311 00:15:06,427 --> 00:15:09,907 Speaker 2: and the final and make their way directly into the 312 00:15:09,947 --> 00:15:11,987 Speaker 2: World Cup next year. Exciting times. 313 00:15:12,787 --> 00:15:15,987 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 314 00:15:16,067 --> 00:15:19,387 Speaker 1: to news Talks at B weekends from midday, or follow 315 00:15:19,427 --> 00:15:21,027 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio.