Embracing Abundance
Aotearoa Footy Abundance, Bill Tuiloma's goals, Welly Nix Offseason Areas, Kiwi-NRL Encyclopedia & NZ Comm Games Athletics
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Podcast
Reading Menu
Kiwi-NRL Spotlight: The Matthew Timoko Scouting Report (NRL)
Diary Of An Aotearoa Warriors Fan: Dancing With Dragons (NRL)
A Post Mortem Of The Wellington Phoenix’s Elimination Final Defeat (Football)
Flying Kiwis – May 17 (Football)
There Goes Another Disappointing Breakers Season (Basketball)
Celebrating The Irrepressible Exploits of Shea Ili In NBL22 (Basketball)
Kiwi Steve in the NBA #14: The Way of the Warrior (Basketball)
The Curious Summer Of Ajaz Patel (Cricket)
Taking Stock Of Kane Williamson's Aotearoa Excellence (Cricket)
Scotty’s Word
Aotearoa Footy Abundance...
One of the lessons learned from covering Aotearoa cricket over the past few years has been embracing abundance. Over 10 years there has been steady growth in depth on the Blackcaps side and for a wee nation, Aotearoa now has more than 25 cricketers floating around the international formats. This increase in depth sparks a change in mindset as we move from fewer options to many options, from lack to abundance.
Cricket has been a key learning ground although this increase in depth across other major Aotearoa sports is consistently highlighted via El Niche Cache too. In the whirlwind of rugby league and union headlines, I have found greater clarity as to how this applies to footy. 'Footy' stems from football and to use footy in this context, I must first nod at Aotearoa football.
Football is everywhere in Aotearoa. Many fans have no idea what's happening within Aotearoa apart from their own team/games as they zone in on greater fandom. And yet football is still thriving in Aotearoa as both genders play the sport at all levels - from Flying Kiwis down to cold winter mornings.
Some sports like cricket and football are their own beings. Rugby league and union are intertwined. If that doesn't sound right, then you're not paying attention and it's all good. It's my job to pay attention. Earlier in my life this mainly revolved around a hatred that either code had for each other and this slowly eased. Recent headlines and general themes push a 'lack' mindset as both codes are portrayed as competing for players, competing for whatever else just to cut down the other.
Ponder Fiji. With a population less than Auckland (almost 900,000), Fiji currently has Fijian Drua in Super Rugby and Kaiviti Silktails a few levels down in NSWRL. Fiji has enough professional rugby league players for a competitive international team (Bati), as well as a large union player base around the world that feeds into their national union team. Fiji also has a world-class Sevens team that competes year-round on the international circuit.
That's a baffling level of footy prowess. Fiji footy is the most concentrated, while this is amplified with more folks in Aotearoa. Based on my experience as an Aotearoa sport lover, there is more than enough talent for everyone and kiwis will tune in to a wide variety of sport. Footy is even funkier because unlike football, the best rugby league and union is found in our pocket of the globe.
To watch the best footy, I don't need to do much. I can go watch the best 1st 15 teams in the world, then watch premier grades for either code and watch players who are good enough to earn professional gigs in other countries. Then I can kick back at dinner time and flick between the best competitions in the world with Super Rugby and NRL. Praise jah.
The idea of competing for talent is true. A different perspective is that as long as you're running your best operation, players freely move between codes by choice. They move between codes at all levels via their own vibe and what they want to do. Run the best operation you can and some joker will want to change code, I guess 'running the best operation you can' is my competitive bit.
My Kiwi-NRL coverage serves to channel this message and while that's from the rugby league perspective, this outlines the health of rugby union. Below is a Kiwi-NRL Encyclopedia which lays out every Kiwi-NRL player named in squads of 25 this round and their junior footy club, school or where they were raised. Some of these jokers were recruited directly from 1st 15 and most of the Warriors juniors now with Redcliffe played 1st 15 as well as rugby league.
A decent chunk of this Kiwi-NRL crew have some rugby union background and Aotearoa's footy glory is evident in how youngsters slide between the codes with ease. Take Junior Tupou as the latest example after he made his NRL debut for Wests Tigers last round. Tupou left Auckland to move to Australia where he played SG Ball for Raiders, then moved into the Brumbies Super Rugby squad which led to Junior Wallabies selection.
Then Aotearoa Kiwis coach Michael Maguire signed Tupou and he started on the wing last round. I can't find Tupou's junior club and the only information I can find is an athletics highlight video from his Waikowhai Intermediate (Mount Roskill) days. Kiwi-NRL numbers are thriving and it feels like every second Kiwi-NRL youngster played 1st 15. This boosts the profile of 1st 15 footy and I'm also enjoying rugby union - which is maintaining high levels of footy across all levels.
No matter how many lads leave Aotearoa for professional rugby union opportunities around the world, the Aotearoa scene still consists of Aotearoa's elite and the best youngsters in the world. That's fantastic and instead of tripping about things, I'm zoning in on abundance and gratitude for the level of footy we enjoy in Aotearoa. There is more than enough for everyone, we have plenty.
Knights: Leo Thompson (NBHS), Simi Sasagi (Ellerslie)
Broncos: Te Maire Martin (Turangawaewae), Jordan Riki (Hornby) - TC Robati (Porirua)
Tigers: Starford To'a (Mt Wellington), Junior Tupou (Waikowhai Int), Asu Kepaoa (Ellerslie), Ken Maumalo (Papatoetoe), Zane Musgrove (Mangere East), Kelma Tuilagi (Glenora), Fa'amanu Brown (Hornby) - Junior Pauga (Glenora), Tukimihia Simpkins (RBHS)
Bulldogs: Jeremy Marshall-King (Whakatane) - Zach Dockar-Clay (New Plymouth), Raymond Faitala-Mariner (Otahuhu), Ava Seumanufagai (Wainuiomata)
Eels: Hayze Perham (Pikiao), Bailey Simonsson (Sydney), Dylan Brown (Hikurangi), Isaiah Papali'i (Te Atatu), Makahesi Makatoa (Marist - New Plymouth), Marata Niukore (Mangere East) - Wiremu Greig (Whangarei)
Sea Eagles: Christian Tuipulotu (Otahuhu), Morgan Harper (Ngaruawahia), Kieran Foran (Ellerslie), Josh Aloiai (Glenora), Martin Taupau (Auckland), Toafofoa Sipley (City Newton)
Dragons: //
Warriors: Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (Hamilton), Viliami Vailea (Aorere College), Adam Pompey (Wesley College), Daejarn Asi (Aranui), Shaun Johnson (Hibiscus Coast), Jazz Tevaga (Papakura), Tohu Harris (Tamatea), Ben Murdoch-Masila (Otahuhu), Bunty Afoa (Pt Chevalier), Eliesa Katoa (Tamaki College) - Taniela Otukolo (Otahuhu), Jesse Arthars (East Coast Bays), Pride Petterson-Robati (Upper Hutt), Chanel Harris-Tavita (Mt Wellington)
Cowboys: Peta Hiku (Manurewa), Murray Taulagi (Otahuhu), Jason Taumalolo (Papakura), Griffin Neame (Suburbs - Greymouth) - Connelly Lemuelu (Papatoetoe RU)
Storm: Jahrome Hughes (Harbour City), Jesse Bromwich (Manurewa), Kenny Bromwich (Manurewa), Brandon Smith (Waiheke), Will Warbrick (Ngongotaha)
Roosters: Joseph Manu (Tokoroa), Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Rotorua), Siosiua Taukeiaho (Otara), Sitili Tupouniua (Marist - Auckland) - Naufahu Whyte (Waitemata)
Panthers: James Fisher-Harris (Kohukohu)
Rabbitohs: Jaxson Paulo (Northcote), Taane Milne (Auckland), Kodi Nikorima (Burnham), Siliva Havili (Manurewa)
Raiders: Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (City Newton), Matthew Timoko (Mt Wellington), Jordan Rapana (Wellington), Joseph Tapine (Harbour City), Corey Harawira-Naera (Otaua Valley)
Titans: Esan Marsters (Mt Albert), Jamayne Isaako (Aranui), Erin Clark (Manurewa), Isaac Liu (Otahuhu), Sam Lisone (Otahuhu), Herman Ese'ese (Mangere East) - Paul Turner (Hikurangi), Greg Marzhew (Mangere East), Patrick Herbert (Tamaki RU)
Sharks: Sione Katoa (Hamilton), Ronaldo Mulitalo (Ellerslie), Briton Nikora (Tauranga), Mawene Hiroti (Western Suburbs - New Plymouth)
Katey Martin Retires From Cricket…
Katey Martin’s retirement now leaves a wicket-keeping hole for Aotearoa. Martin has plenty of mana and is a slick wicket-keeper which will be tricky to replace, while Martin wasn't as good with the willow. Martin played 13 years of ODI cricket and averaged 30+ in two, averaging below 20 for four consecutive years prior to 2022.
These stats aren't unique to Martin though as a bunch of White Ferns have 'underwhelming' stats in international and domestic cricket. Wellington wicket-keeper Jess McFadyen is the standout contender to replace Martin. McFadyen was promoted to the squad last year after numerous seasons of HBJ Shield dominance. McFadyen is on par with veteran Natalie Dodd (another example of poor White Ferns management) as well ahead of the younger crop...
Izzy Gaze (Auckland): 7.62avg (LA) | 11.57avg (T20)
Holly Topp (Northern): 22.60avg | 11.50avg
Natalie Dodd (Central): 38.61avg | 23.69avg
Jess McFadyen (Wellington): 36.56avg | 10avg
Laura Hughes (Canterbury): 11.61avg | 7.41avg
Polly Inglis (Otago): 16.60avg | 15.38avg
Football Ferns Are The Only Major Aotearoa Wahine Team With A Wahine Coach...
White Ferns: (Bob Carter)
Black Ferns: Wayne Smith
Black Sticks: Darren Smith
Kiwi Ferns: Ricky Henry
Tall Ferns: Guy Molloy
Football Ferns: Jitka Klimkova
Here Are The Basics For The Upcoming City Kickboxing UFC season...
Mike ‘Blood Diamond’ Mathetha (0-1): June 11 vs Orion Cosce
Carlos Ulberg (1-1): June 26 NZT vs Tafon Nchukwi
Brad Riddell (4-1): July 3 NZT vs Jalin Turner
Israel Adesanya (11-1): July 3 NZT vs Jarrod Cannonier
Kai Kara-France (7-2): July 31 NZT vs Brandon Moreno
Wildcard’s Notebook
The Human Header Strikes Again
That right there was Bill Tuiloma’s fourth goal of the 2022 MLS season in only 12 games. Chuck in his three goals for the All Whites during OFC qualifiers and he’s scored seven in his last 14 matches for club and country. He also scored a silky free kick for Portland in preseason which isn’t counted in those numbers.
Tuiloma’s probably in career-best form right now, which is pretty handy timing with that WCQ playoff against Costa Rica coming up where Tuiloma’s goal scoring ability might just be an edge ahead of Michael Boxall for the third CB spot (though Boxall is the superior defender imo). Especially considering how set pieces are probably going to be a target area for the All Whites against a Costa Rican defensive line that’s notoriously tough to break down.
Wouldn’t say this goal glut has come out of nowhere. He’d never scored more than once in any of his previous four MLS seasons but he did hit a banger or two across those ones and back in 2017 he scored three times in 11 games for the Portland Timbers reserve team after first arriving at the club. His emergence as a free kick shooter has been more sudden but he’s always been a menace in the air against a cross. He’s taken 22 shots to score those four MLS goals so it’s not like this is some unsustainable streak – he’s consistently getting into shooting areas despite playing as a centre-back.
Three of his four MLS goals have come with his head in 2022. All three of those recent All Whites goals have come from headers... more specifically headers from corners. Two from Joe Bell, one from Francis De Vries. Two of his MLS goals have come from Eryck Williamson assists including this latest one.
This is something that probably warrants deeper exploration but for the meantime I just wanna marvel at the man’s leaping ability. There are usually taller players around him and he tends to out-jump them all, and then still gets mad power on his headers despite whatever angle he has to attack them from.
Welly Nix Offseason Areas
Just formulating a few things for myself here, mostly, but you’ll probably be keen on seeing this all laid out too. These are the contract situations of the current Wellington Phoenix squad heading into the offseason. Note that Ufuk Talay has one year to run on his deal too.
2024-25: Sam Sutton, Tim Payne, Scott Wootton, Finn Surman, Oskar van Hattum
2023-24: Ben Waine, Ben Old, Alex Paulsen
2022-23: Alex Rufer, Oli Sail, Clayton Lewis, Joshua Laws, Callan Elliot, Nick Pennington
Off Contract: Jaushua Sotirio, Louis Fenton, Reno Piscopo, Gary Hooper, James McGarry, Matthew Bozinovski, Gael Sandoval
Mostly academy players in the longer term contractees, though Tim Payne and Scott Wootton are on two of the longest deals so you can expect them to anchor the defence for the foreseeable future. Sam Sutton and Ben Waine are also pushing for first eleven status too, Sutton’s probably already achieved as much. Also Finn Surman showed remarkable growth over the last month or so of the season so that’s already a decent back four on lock.
Then into the guys with one year left you’ve got a heap of midfield depth plus a fullback in Callan Elliot who can play on both sides. He was in and out of the team last term but Elliot did still make eight starts. Pretty handy. And there’s likely to be less of a crown in his positions next time due to some of the off contractors. Also I’d be very surprised if the Nix don’t get Clayton Lewis a new deal sooner rather than later.
As for the impending free agents, let’s go one by one through the list...
Louis Fenton – Starting with Louis Fenton who just this afternoon announced his retirement from professional football aged 29. Shout out to Louis who had to fight back through multiple shoulder reconstructions and could always be trusted to put his body on the line for the team. His 158 ALM appearances for the Nix puts him at fifth all time, which is kinda incredible considering the injuries he’s had to deal with.
As for his current situation, Fents fell out of favour at right back recently when the team went to a back five. The experiment of Fenton on the left ended when he gave away two penalties in a 5-0 loss to CCM. He featured more off the bench than as a starter but remained a veteran who could do a job. A solid backup right fullback albeit one who lacked the attacking prowess to be an A-League starter and without much positional versatility which could get tricky. Great dude, fan favourite, always gave everything he had. Would they have re-signed him? Maybe, maybe not. Doesn’t matter now. Best of luck to the man in his post-football life.
Jaushua Sotirio – Coming off a breakthrough season in which he scored 5 goals with 3 assists and made himself into a regular starter however word on the street is that he’s heavily rumoured with Newcastle Jets. Will be a big loss if he leaves and the Nix will need to find somebody else to offer that running threat in behind the line. Granted Sotirio’s inconsistencies can tend to keep him a bit one-dimensional as a player.
Reno Piscopo – I thought his elimination finals performance was one of his best ever in a Nix jersey, tbh. He played with a level of urgency that he doesn’t always show and came as close as anyone to scoring when he rattled the crossbar in the second half. Piscopo gets a lot of love but I’ve often felt he flatters to deceive. 8 goals and 6 assists across three combined seasons isn’t really good enough from someone of his calibre. Hasn’t yet kicked on. Fingers crossed he re-signs and does so next term but also a change in scenery could be on the cards and it’s not like he’d have any trouble getting a deal with a Melbourne club to return home.
Gary Hooper – Great striker, huge talent, who managed 12 goals and 6 assists in only 34 games with the club (and 14 of those apps were as a substitute). That’s a goal contribution every 98 minutes. Astounding efficiency... but also only playing 1761 mins across two (non-consecutive) seasons with the club was a major issue. That included only 54 total mins in the two elimination finals those seasons. Hooper has already confirmed he won’t be back. He’s returning to England for family reasons, released from the last year of his contract. The Phoenix might not find a better centre forward... but maybe they can find a more reliably fit one.
James McGarry – McGarry always feels like he’s so close to figuring it all out. Has had troubles defensively at left-back but his attacking work can at times be excellent. Could be wrong, but it feels like he fades in prominence going forward as games go on. Possibly that’s as much to do with the players around him and the state of the game as anything he’s doing wrong. But yeah he’s been a tough one to pinpoint at times. Would love to see him back, and to see him used even more as a winger/number ten, yet the rumour mill has it that he’s tagging along with Sotirio to Newcastle Jets. I kinda love that for him, to be honest.
Matthew Bozinovski – Was only on loan from Melbourne Victory. The Nix did want him on a permanent deal but settled for one year as defensive cover. Very tall, solid looking CB. Only got 10 mins in the ALM across two subs apps but was an unused sub on 14 occasions. He’ll be returning to the Victory now.
Gael Sandoval – Tricky one here because Sandoval’s emergence really got the Phoenix’s season on track but he wasn’t able to sustain his killer early form in the latter stages of things. Was in on loan and his deal with Chivas doesn’t end until the end of the calendar year, though I doubt an early release will be a stick-up if the Nix want him back on a permanent deal. Will they though? He was good but there are lots of good import attackers out there. Do the club back themselves to find a better one or would they prefer the continuity?
Kurtis Mogg, George Ott, Riley Bidois, Luis Toomey – Also better chuck in some of the youngsters who filled out the squad on scholarship deals. Not including Henry Gray or Jackson Manuel because they’re still under 20yo and can just slide back into the WeeNix system with nothing to worry about. These other four blokes might have decisions to make though. None of them got major minutes though Bidois got a nice wee run of subs apps late on. All four of these lads have plenty of impressive qualities but dunno if there’s room for the lot of them on pro deals. Could definitely see Mogg sticking around with Bozinovski and McGarry both likely goneskees, despite being there all last season and only appearing in the FFA Cup. Bidois seems to have something about him that Talay likes and his speed and finishing should translate well into ALM footy down the line. We’ll see how it goes.
Steve-o and the Pain Barrier
That’s just a quick compo I chucked together for the latest Kiwi Steve article of the dude getting battered and bruised in game six against the Warriors. Might as well link it here too.
NZ Commonwealth Games Athletics Squad...
Lauren Bruce - Women’s Hammer Throw
Julia Ratcliffe - Women’s Hammer Throw
Nicole Bradley - Women’s Hammer Throw
Olivia McTaggart - Women’s Pole Vault
Imogen Ayris - Women’s Pole Vault
Maddison Wesche - Women’s Shot Put
Tori Peeters - Women’s Javelin
Zoe Hobbs - Women’s 100m
Portia Bing - Women’s 400m Hurdles
Keeley O’Hagan - Women’s High Jump *Conditionally Selected
Jacko Gill - Men’s Shot Put
Tom Walsh - Men’s Shot Put
Hamish Kerr - Men’s High Jump
Connor Bell - Men’s Discus
Quentin Rew - Men’s 10,000m Race Walk
George Beamish - Men’s 5000m
Sam Tanner - Men’s 1500 *Conditionally Selected
Eric Speakman - Men’s 5,000m *Conditionally Selected
Several medal hopefuls in that lot, don’t even worry about it. Headlined by Tom Walsh and Julia Ratcliffe who are defending gold medallists from the last event. Also cool to see Jacko Gill involved after he missed the last event for health reasons (Gill was a ninth-placed finalist at the Olympics last year - the third highest Commonwealth finisher). And here we officially get Maddi Wesche taking the torch from Valerie Adams. Hamish Kerr is another one to be excited for. Overall the team needs more runners (in particular a sprinter or two) but so it goes.