Auckland FC are set to face Melbourne in the opening match of the 2025/26 A-League season.

The match mirrors last year's semi final where Melbourne defeated Auckland FC to progress to the final.

Auckland FC Head Coach Steve Corica joined Jason Pine to talk about what changes the team made since last season, what lessons were learned ahead of their season opener against Melbourne, and what they can do to avoid a repeat of last year's matchup.

LISTEN ABOVE

Auckland FC are set to face Melbourne in the opening match of the 2025/26 A-League season.
The match mirrors last year's semi final where Melbourne defeated Auckland FC to progress to the final.
Auckland FC Head Coach Steve Corica joined Jason Pine to talk about what changes the team made since last season, what lessons were learned ahead of their season opener against Melbourne, and what they can do to avoid a repeat of last year's matchup.
LISTEN ABOVE

Weekend Sport with Jason Pine on Newstalk ZB brings you all the action and reaction to the sporting weekend.

Weekend Sport with Jason Pine

Steve Corica: Auckland FC Head Coach discusses changes made over the break and the season opener against Melbourne

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/e079e1d1-5577-4167-bc50-b37a00247fde/transcript

The Wellington Phoenix women have booked tickets to their first A-League playoffs with a 2-nil win over hosts Adelaide in their last regular-season match. 

Brooke Nunn delivered the cross for the first goal in the 30th minute before putting herself in position for the second not long after. 

Sitting in second, they're all but guaranteed direct entry into the semifinals. 

Head Coach Bev Priestman told Piney the team should be immensely proud of the way they stepped up and performed in a context that is traditionally difficult for the visiting team. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

The Wellington Phoenix women have booked tickets to their first A-League playoffs with a 2-nil win over hosts Adelaide in their last regular-season match.&nbsp;
Brooke Nunn delivered the cross for the first goal in the 30th minute before putting herself in position for the second not long after.&nbsp;
Sitting in second, they're all but guaranteed direct entry into the semifinals.&nbsp;
Head Coach Bev Priestman told Piney the team should be immensely proud of the way they stepped up and performed in a context that is traditionally difficult for the visiting team.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Bev Priestman: Wellington Phoenix Women coach on their victory over Adelaide, securing a playoffs spot

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/d49b1e67-3e70-4246-b405-b4220025bc0f/transcript

Eyebrows have been raised over Super Rugby Pacific’s light schedule for the Easter weekend. 

Only three matches were scheduled – the Crusaders v Fijian Drua, the Chiefs v Waratahs, and the Reds v Force.  

CEO Jack Mesley told Piney they faced quite a few scheduling difficulties for the weekend when they were initially building the draw. 

He says that the sporting landscape is very competitive over Easter, and while some might think they’re losing out, others could say they’d be missing a trick to go up against it, and that they’re being quite strategic about how they place their matches and how they compete. 

“We’re pretty confident with what we’ve rolled out.” 

LISTEN ABOVE 

Eyebrows have been raised over Super Rugby Pacific’s light schedule for the Easter weekend.&nbsp;
Only three matches were scheduled – the Crusaders v Fijian Drua, the Chiefs v Waratahs, and the Reds v Force. &nbsp;
CEO Jack Mesley told Piney they faced quite a few scheduling difficulties for the weekend when they were initially building the draw.&nbsp;
He says that the sporting landscape is very competitive over Easter, and while some might think they’re losing out, others could say they’d be missing a trick to go up against it, and that they’re being quite strategic about how they place their matches and how they compete.&nbsp;
“We’re pretty confident with what we’ve rolled out.”&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Jack Mesley: Super Rugby CEO defends scheduling only three games over Easter Weekend

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/67d7fc96-6101-42e3-8fa0-b422001ff697/transcript

One of football’s biggest clubs is coming to our shores. 

Tottenham Hotspur is taking part in the NZ International Football Festival for 2026, set to face off against Auckland FC. 

Tottenham icon Ledley King told Piney he knows how much the team is looking forward to coming out and playing in front of a new audience.  

He says the team has a massive global fanbase, and it’s important for them to give back to them and not just stay in their comfort zone in the UK. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

One of football’s biggest clubs is coming to our shores.&nbsp;
Tottenham Hotspur is taking part in the NZ International Football Festival for 2026, set to face off against Auckland FC.&nbsp;
Tottenham icon Ledley King told Piney he knows how much the team is looking forward to coming out and playing in front of a new audience. &nbsp;
He says the team has a massive global fanbase, and it’s important for them to give back to them and not just stay in their comfort zone in the UK.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Ledley King: Tottenham Hotspur ambassador on the team facing off against Auckland FC in the NZ International Football Festival

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/d3938ec9-ed74-4a8f-9b47-b422001ad51c/transcript

Steve Corica: Auckland FC Head Coach discusses changes made over the break and the season opener against Melbourne

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