You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Duncie Wilder Grave from News Talks.

You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Duncie Wilder Grave from News Talks.

It'd be good evening, Joe, good evening. How are you.

It'd be good evening, Joe, good evening. How are you.

I'm probably not as excited as you, but I'd suggest you have to keep a little on it. It's a fairly big few days for the all Whites.

I'm probably not as excited as you, but I'd suggest you have to keep a little on it. It's a fairly big few days for the all Whites.

It is a big few days where we're all really excited.

It is a big few days where we're all really excited.

Obviously it's a really important job to get done and we're very focused.

Obviously it's a really important job to get done and we're very focused.

But yeah, as you said, excited.

But yeah, as you said, excited.

How do you temper that excitement or do you need to kind of put that in a box. I'm not quite sure what Basley does. Does he want you going out to be cool? Guys?

How do you temper that excitement or do you need to kind of put that in a box. I'm not quite sure what Basley does. Does he want you going out to be cool? Guys?

Be cool?

Be cool?

Yeah, obviously it's obviously important to keep you cool.

Yeah, obviously it's obviously important to keep you cool.

I think everyone you know treats the situation differently with how it works for them, so I can speak for only a personal perspective. No, I think it's you kind of have to treat it like another game. Obviously we're all aware of what it could lead to, but we're all professional footballers and you've got to respect the opponents and yeah, take it take it as a so, yeah, a lot of energy, but focused energy.

I think everyone you know treats the situation differently with how it works for them, so I can speak for only a personal perspective. No, I think it's you kind of have to treat it like another game. Obviously we're all aware of what it could lead to, but we're all professional footballers and you've got to respect the opponents and yeah, take it take it as a so, yeah, a lot of energy, but focused energy.

I'll tell you what everyone's already talking about twenty twenty six like it's a done deal. You daren't even risk talking like that. You've got to get over Thig tomorrow first and then you get another game on Monday. So how does that headspace work with the coaching stuff and the team as well? Knowing you should get it done, but you can't think that way because if you don't, it's a train.

I'll tell you what everyone's already talking about twenty twenty six like it's a done deal. You daren't even risk talking like that. You've got to get over Thig tomorrow first and then you get another game on Monday. So how does that headspace work with the coaching stuff and the team as well? Knowing you should get it done, but you can't think that way because if you don't, it's a train.

Week for sure.

Week for sure.

For sure, it's obviously, as you said, you have to recognize the situation that you're going into the game as favorites, But that doesn't take away from how we're gonna take the performance tomorrow and then hopefully Monday if we get the job done.

For sure, it's obviously, as you said, you have to recognize the situation that you're going into the game as favorites, But that doesn't take away from how we're gonna take the performance tomorrow and then hopefully Monday if we get the job done.

So it's just taking one step at a time.

So it's just taking one step at a time.

But that's kind of always been our focus through the past couple of years. We've always just focused on the game that we have at hand, no matter on the opposition that is, and I don't think that changes how we approach the game.

But that's kind of always been our focus through the past couple of years. We've always just focused on the game that we have at hand, no matter on the opposition that is, and I don't think that changes how we approach the game.

So again, we've curated a foundation where we.

So again, we've curated a foundation where we.

Can just stick with the system that we've been using before, and yeah, regardless of the opposition, we're going to focus on the things that we need to do.

Can just stick with the system that we've been using before, and yeah, regardless of the opposition, we're going to focus on the things that we need to do.

And a lot of people say that. A lot of athletes say the same thing. But you can't not put your head up, look at the opposition and wonder what they bring. They would be foolished in itself, wouldn't it, Like a player any thing? So what a Fiji bring to the party? What are you looking out for as far as the way they go about their business?

And a lot of people say that. A lot of athletes say the same thing. But you can't not put your head up, look at the opposition and wonder what they bring. They would be foolished in itself, wouldn't it, Like a player any thing? So what a Fiji bring to the party? What are you looking out for as far as the way they go about their business?

Yeah, obviously, I mean we do. There's obviously we respect every opposition that we play against, and we've we've done our due diligence on learning what threats that they can pose. Obviously we're a team that likes to have the ball at our feed, so we could expect them to defend a little bit. Obviously that opens the threat of counter attacks and then being slightly more direct. So I think that's been you know, a couple of the focus points on their side. But again, as I said before, it doesn't really matter the opponent that we're playing. We try to keep the focus the same, and that's focusing on ourselves and what we can do with the ball. But of course we've recognized the threats that they could be difficult on the counter and of course you need to state disciplined in the game, not doing any reckless red or putting yourself in a difficult situation early on with the yellow cards. So yeah, there's a few things that we're that we've highlighted and we're.

Yeah, obviously, I mean we do. There's obviously we respect every opposition that we play against, and we've we've done our due diligence on learning what threats that they can pose. Obviously we're a team that likes to have the ball at our feed, so we could expect them to defend a little bit. Obviously that opens the threat of counter attacks and then being slightly more direct. So I think that's been you know, a couple of the focus points on their side. But again, as I said before, it doesn't really matter the opponent that we're playing. We try to keep the focus the same, and that's focusing on ourselves and what we can do with the ball. But of course we've recognized the threats that they could be difficult on the counter and of course you need to state disciplined in the game, not doing any reckless red or putting yourself in a difficult situation early on with the yellow cards. So yeah, there's a few things that we're that we've highlighted and we're.

Definitely going to stay focused on them for tomorrow.

Definitely going to stay focused on them for tomorrow.

Joe Bell joins this defensive midfielder. There's no Finn Summon. He's doing well over in the States. He's not been picked. That's pretty much the only change, isn't it from late last year? Interrupt what you do much being one of your bros in the midfield there?

Joe Bell joins this defensive midfielder. There's no Finn Summon. He's doing well over in the States. He's not been picked. That's pretty much the only change, isn't it from late last year? Interrupt what you do much being one of your bros in the midfield there?

Sorry, what did you say? I don't that one?

Sorry, what did you say? I don't that one?

Does it? Does it interfere much with you and your headspace? Not having Finn there? Is it an interruption that he's not around with all the rest of your midfield brothers?

Does it? Does it interfere much with you and your headspace? Not having Finn there? Is it an interruption that he's not around with all the rest of your midfield brothers?

Right? Yeah, No, obviously Finn's having He's recently had some good success getting into the team at Portland's that's been fantastic to see. So yeah, it's always hard not having a teammate with the group again, but it's obviously a balance between international and and.

Right? Yeah, No, obviously Finn's having He's recently had some good success getting into the team at Portland's that's been fantastic to see. So yeah, it's always hard not having a teammate with the group again, but it's obviously a balance between international and and.

Yeah, your professional career as well.

Yeah, your professional career as well.

So yeah, sad to not have them here, but we've got such a fantastic squad and so many great players that I think it will still be a really strong team.

So yeah, sad to not have them here, but we've got such a fantastic squad and so many great players that I think it will still be a really strong team.

So an esnceiverun just slides into position. Whoever's not there, you will know you just slide into position. Main message from Baslely, I expect it's been what you've been saying before about sticking to your process, doing what you do best, and don't get any cards. Has it been anything else?

So an esnceiverun just slides into position. Whoever's not there, you will know you just slide into position. Main message from Baslely, I expect it's been what you've been saying before about sticking to your process, doing what you do best, and don't get any cards. Has it been anything else?

I can't say. There's been so much else. I think bes has done a really good job.

I can't say. There's been so much else. I think bes has done a really good job.

But you're not keeping things Yeah, not to really reiterate myself too much, but keeping things the same as we would approach any game. So it's been It's been a really professional a couple of days so far, and the team's in a really good good space in terms of energy and focus.

But you're not keeping things Yeah, not to really reiterate myself too much, but keeping things the same as we would approach any game. So it's been It's been a really professional a couple of days so far, and the team's in a really good good space in terms of energy and focus.

So no, not nothing too different.

So no, not nothing too different.

I think that's important when you have games that have such so much magnitude behind them, that we keep things the way that we've been doing them.

I think that's important when you have games that have such so much magnitude behind them, that we keep things the way that we've been doing them.

And in the routine, who's the energizer bunny and the squad, who's the who's keeping your own spirits up and having a crack and have a fund? Is there one of them in there anywhere?

And in the routine, who's the energizer bunny and the squad, who's the who's keeping your own spirits up and having a crack and have a fund? Is there one of them in there anywhere?

Ah? It does share around quite a bit. It's a really good group.

Ah? It does share around quite a bit. It's a really good group.

For that, you can always rely on the keepers to say something weird.

For that, you can always rely on the keepers to say something weird.

They're an interesting bunch.

They're an interesting bunch.

I think that's just a given, isn't it.

I think that's just a given, isn't it.

Yeah, I think that is a given.

Yeah, I think that is a given.

What about some of the older guys, the some of the younger guys in their position in the squad and what they can bring from a preparation perspective, being of their kind of being there done that, Is there that kind of hierarchy dispposal.

What about some of the older guys, the some of the younger guys in their position in the squad and what they can bring from a preparation perspective, being of their kind of being there done that, Is there that kind of hierarchy dispposal.

I wouldn't.

I wouldn't.

I wouldn't describe as a hierarchy, but I think it's one of the big strengths of our group. I think we've got such a good balance of experience and as you said, we've got players that they've they've been to World Cups before, they've they've got through these stages before. So I think the group definitely looks to them and in these kind of moments with a little touch of experience. But it's just, yeah, as I said, such a fantastic group and across the board players that are open to convers and helping, and yeah, it's strong.

I wouldn't describe as a hierarchy, but I think it's one of the big strengths of our group. I think we've got such a good balance of experience and as you said, we've got players that they've they've been to World Cups before, they've they've got through these stages before. So I think the group definitely looks to them and in these kind of moments with a little touch of experience. But it's just, yeah, as I said, such a fantastic group and across the board players that are open to convers and helping, and yeah, it's strong.

It must be nice having basically a striking superstar and you're mentioned in the form of your skipper. Chris would probably takes some of the focus off you guys going, oh my god, Chris would like He's not like that though, was he. I mean, I don't know. I've never met the guy, but I expect when it comes to being on the park he's just super cool.

It must be nice having basically a striking superstar and you're mentioned in the form of your skipper. Chris would probably takes some of the focus off you guys going, oh my god, Chris would like He's not like that though, was he. I mean, I don't know. I've never met the guy, but I expect when it comes to being on the park he's just super cool.

It's yeah, it's hard to put words.

It's yeah, it's hard to put words.

So obviously he's yeah the stats for himself what he's been doing in the Premier League this.

So obviously he's yeah the stats for himself what he's been doing in the Premier League this.

Year, but yeah, you wouldn't really know.

Year, but yeah, you wouldn't really know.

He's completely down to earth and he's the perfect role model for us as players but also as New Zealand are succeeding in the sporting world. He's truly fantastic and a huge part of the group. It's really yeah to be around him in this kind of situation. It really gives you an aspiration of what you can be as a footballer.

He's completely down to earth and he's the perfect role model for us as players but also as New Zealand are succeeding in the sporting world. He's truly fantastic and a huge part of the group. It's really yeah to be around him in this kind of situation. It really gives you an aspiration of what you can be as a footballer.

Yeah, he's got a crazy international record as and he's just sifting through it now. Eighty appearances in forty one goal does that?

Yeah, he's got a crazy international record as and he's just sifting through it now. Eighty appearances in forty one goal does that?

Yeah, every second game, that's crazy.

Yeah, every second game, that's crazy.

It is tell us about life. Coming back from from Viking or feaking ifk we've been playing up north a bit of a shock to the system.

It is tell us about life. Coming back from from Viking or feaking ifk we've been playing up north a bit of a shock to the system.

Yeah, it's obviously it's a bit of a long travel. That's for sure, and a bit of a tight turnaround with the sleep. But yeah, I feel like when you lived in New Zealand and between New Zealand and Europe, you get used to that kind of travel, so yeah, you just get onto it.

Yeah, it's obviously it's a bit of a long travel. That's for sure, and a bit of a tight turnaround with the sleep. But yeah, I feel like when you lived in New Zealand and between New Zealand and Europe, you get used to that kind of travel, so yeah, you just get onto it.

But no, it's been, it's been well so you're always.

But no, it's been, it's been well so you're always.

Quite quite similar to New Zealand apart from the weather, so it doesn't feel like I'm transitioning too much.

Quite quite similar to New Zealand apart from the weather, so it doesn't feel like I'm transitioning too much.

And what about returning kind of to home really but not really in Wellington.

And what about returning kind of to home really but not really in Wellington.

So it's always fantastic get backs in New Zealand, playing in front of your home fans and have the experiences here, especially when it's games like this. You can't ask for much more as a footballer.

So it's always fantastic get backs in New Zealand, playing in front of your home fans and have the experiences here, especially when it's games like this. You can't ask for much more as a footballer.

You're cantet, but Wellington you schooled it, so it's kind of as closer to home for you. You're gonna have a lot of crew up there cheering you on an old school.

You're cantet, but Wellington you schooled it, so it's kind of as closer to home for you. You're gonna have a lot of crew up there cheering you on an old school.

Yeah, definitely, definitely, And I definitely don't speak for myself when I said I know there's a lot of a lot of family and friends that are going to be in the stands, and yeah, you don't always get that opportunity, especially when you have games like this, So yeah, it's obviously going to be a fantastic experience tomorrow and that's our focus right now. So yeah, get that one done in front of some special people and then back on home soil and yeah move on from there.

Yeah, definitely, definitely, And I definitely don't speak for myself when I said I know there's a lot of a lot of family and friends that are going to be in the stands, and yeah, you don't always get that opportunity, especially when you have games like this, So yeah, it's obviously going to be a fantastic experience tomorrow and that's our focus right now. So yeah, get that one done in front of some special people and then back on home soil and yeah move on from there.

And one last thing and Joe Bell, thanks so much for joining us. Some people say that getting in, should you get into the World Cup, it's diminished somewhat by the explosion in teams that are actually getting through this time around, from from thirty to up to forty six? Does it take anything away of view? Does it diminish what you guys are doing? Do you think there's there any I suppose traction and comments like that.

And one last thing and Joe Bell, thanks so much for joining us. Some people say that getting in, should you get into the World Cup, it's diminished somewhat by the explosion in teams that are actually getting through this time around, from from thirty to up to forty six? Does it take anything away of view? Does it diminish what you guys are doing? Do you think there's there any I suppose traction and comments like that.

It's definitely not something that I've thought about.

It's definitely not something that I've thought about.

I think playing in a World Cup would be the most incredible experience. And it's been a yeah since you turn, it's been quite a while since New Zealand's been there.

I think playing in a World Cup would be the most incredible experience. And it's been a yeah since you turn, it's been quite a while since New Zealand's been there.

So from the men's side, so I think it's going to be.

So from the men's side, so I think it's going to be.

Yeah, huge games and the potential for a really amazing and huge.

Yeah, huge games and the potential for a really amazing and huge.

Experience, So I wouldn't say it diminishes now.

Experience, So I wouldn't say it diminishes now.

And I love the way you caught yourself and said Men's site, well done. You're going to go far with an attitude light that Joe Bell, thanks very much for your time. Play hard, play well, play fair, play safe, and keep away from those cards. And hopefully we'll talk again in the lead up to the World Cup. But I don't want to curse it right to that of heal touch.

And I love the way you caught yourself and said Men's site, well done. You're going to go far with an attitude light that Joe Bell, thanks very much for your time. Play hard, play well, play fair, play safe, and keep away from those cards. And hopefully we'll talk again in the lead up to the World Cup. But I don't want to curse it right to that of heal touch.

Sure yeah, now, thanks so much. That sounds great.

Sure yeah, now, thanks so much. That sounds great.

For more from sports talk, listen live to News Talks it'd be from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.

For more from sports talk, listen live to News Talks it'd be from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.