The Unused Subs

Auckland FC & All Whites keeper Oli Sail subs in for Jacob Spoonley this week and sits on the bench with Goran & Iffy… and there’s plenty to talk about!

The big news this week is Darren Bazeley parting company with the All Whites; New Zealand Football concluding that they need a new head coach for the next World Cup cycle. Is it the right call? Or had Baze done enough to retain his position?

The biggest question of the lot is: WHO’S NEXT? And who do we all want? Should we contact Pep Guardiola, or even Big Sam Allardyce?! Maybe the next head coach of the All Whites is actually on The Unused Subs bench - would Paul Ifill be interested in applying for the gig?

In the A-League, the reigning A-League Champions Auckland FC were thrashed 5-2 by Western Sydney Wanderers. Oli explains what went wrong, and Goran asks why the new system under Pedro Moreira isn’t unleashing Francis De Vries; after all, he was the focal point of chance creation for two successful seasons, and he’s barely delivered a cross from the left.

We review and fact check our most successful social clip EVER: Henry Gray and the Paul 'Goffy' Gothard Dare. Why did it take off like a rocket on Instagram, how old was Henry REALLY, and what was going on behind that closed door of Room 1405?? Oli was there in Chatswood on duty with the Phoenix, and he speaks to the qualities of Henry Gray and how the youngster even gave Alex Paulsen a little bit of a hurry up!

We give ‘Sailor’ a huge amount of grief over his long-awaited appearance in Woman’s Day magazine (his teammates are away in Australia and can’t do it themselves), and last but not least: Oli provides an update on his injured leg, detailing the crazy techniques and technologies that are aiding his recovery!

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3 A-League matches across 2 cities inside 24 hours.

660 kilometres from Auckland to Wellington, while documenting everything as you go. On your own.

Could it be done? Goran gave it one hell of a go! And then, had to turn around and drive back home of course...

With A-League Champions Auckland FC opening their account on Saturday at 5pm, and the Wellington Phoenix Doubleheader beginning at midday Sunday, time was of the essence to see all three matches from kickoff.

Sleep deprivation, hunger, very ugly eating, run-ins with security, huge temperature AND mood swings, and so much more awaits you!

At fulltime in the Phoenix Men's match, Nathan Walker and Henry Gray joined us on the Subs bench to talk not only their breathtaking win against highly fancied Melbourne Victory, but also Nathan's dad who happens to be a former Black Caps cricketer, and Henry clears up any confusion about THAT hallway video with goalkeeping coach Goffy!

Iffy talks about what it means to him to be announced in the Nix 20th Anniversary Greatest XI, and Pia Vlok takes on the 10-Ball Challenge! Or is that 11?

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Sam Cosgrove = FREE TO PLAY!

Auckland FC's previously-banned A-League Super Villain is available to play Melbourne City in Round 1 of the new season. In a bizarre turn of events, as news of his availability was made public, he just so happened to be sitting with The Unused Subs at Tyler St Sport!

So... how did it come to pass that his 2-game ban was served in NZ's National League?

And you just know that this result is going to fuel the rage of AFC and Sam Cosgrove detractors - but that's okay, because the man himself doesn't mind playing the role of the bad guy. Not one bit!

In our Season 3 Premiere, Cozzee chats about embracing the bad guy image, the fine line between diving to win fouls and going down under legitimate contact from a defender, the online trolls and how he almost manages to avoid them!

What's life like under new coach Pedro Moreira? And is Sam's ruptured ankle ligament giving him grief? Remember that he nearly missed AFC's Championship run through injury.

Plus: we go deep on Manchester City - Cozzee's favourite club. What should their punishment be for all they've allegedly done...or should they be congratulated for making the Premier League what it is today?!

Michael Woud’s efforts are revealed in the 10 Ball Challenge, we reveal Auckland and Wellington's 'Most Likely' Starting XIs this A-League season, and Bev Priestman says her new Nix recruit and Football Ferns centurion Abby Erceg has absolutely, definitely still got it. Should Erceg make herself available for the Ferns in Brazil '27?

The Unused Subs are back! So tell your mates and join us on the bench for Season 3!

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Spain has defeated Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final to become WORLD CHAMPIONS for the second time! On the surface, a solitary goal in extra time doesn't sound overly impressive or convincing, but dig a little deeper and you will see that this was not only a one-sided finale, but one of the most dominant World Cup campaigns, ever.

Spain conceded only one goal in 8 matches. They defeated Portugal, Belgium, France and finally Argentina in the knockout phase. In the show piece event against Lionel Messi's reigning champs, they secured 68% of possession, peppered Emi Martinez's goal with 20 shots - 11 of which were on target - and in return, Argentina could only muster 3 shots, none of which troubled Unai Simon in the Spanish goal.

One the final episode of The Unused Subs, Goran, Jacob and Iffy chat the final, as well as the half-time entertainment (what a performance from Shakira BTW!) and the ordinary showing from Original Ronaldo in a poorly fitted tracksuit. We go over our favourite moments of the season, ask who would we want to have bathed us like Messi did Yamal all those years ago, and chat about what's next for the Wellington Phoenix & Auckland FC in the A-League.

David Beckham comes up in conversation when we mention the bath stuff. It gets a bit weird actually.

Thanks so much to our great mates at McDonald's NZ for backing The Unused Subs, and for Tyler St Sport for providing our home ground. And thanks very much to YOU for watching! We'll be back to champion kiwi football very soon, but for now, enjoy the off-season!

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England has been defeated by Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Semifinals. And of course, the finger of blame is pointing directly at England's manager Thomas Tuchel. Were his defensive tactics in the final half hour of the clash 'cowardly' as has been reported in the UK media since the 2-1 loss?

The Unused Subs analyze the result, and how Lionel Messi was afforded way too much time on the ball to craft YET ANOTHER comeback for Argentina, and safe passage through to another World Cup final for the greatest of all time.

This episode boils down to THREE MASSIVE QUESTIONS:

- Why isn't football coming 'home'?
- 3rd place playoff: Yes or No?
- Are the two best teams in the Final?

We make our predictions too - even though we were disgustingly wrong last time - and give another shoutout to Cristiano Ronaldo and his team of scientists at the lab. They'll need to work wonders if they're to compete with Lionel & Argentina in 2030!

Who have you got: Spain or Argentina for the World Cup?

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Kiwis talk football too!

#football #soccer #newzealand