A few words of pre-match wisdom from All Blacks centre and Hurricanes captain Conrad Smith played a key part in Wellington Phoenix’s 3-2 elimination semi-final A-League win over Sydney FC on Friday.
Captain for the day, Tim Brown said Smith’s advice had been brief and to the point.
“He spoke about not letting emotions get to you too much, just sticking to your plan and ticking over and doing what you do really well,” Brown said.
“I think it was pretty important advice for tonight.”
In what Brown described as a typically-ugly Phoenix win, Wellington rode a rollercoaster before an 85th-minute Paul Ifill penalty saw them home.
All five goals came in the second half, with the last four in a hectic eight-minute period late in the spell.
Ahead 2-0 through Brown and Ben Sigmund with just over 10 minutes remaining, the Phoenix had to survive a spirited Sydney comeback after striker Joel Chianese levelled the scores with two goals in as many minutes.
Brown says Smith’s talk had been a special moment: “He said to say if we won, it was all down to his speech” – and the Phoenix had been wary of losing control in the all-or-nothing playoff.
“I think the danger would have been to get too emotional about it, too caught up in the moment. I tried pretty hard not to do that and, as a group, we tried hard not to do that.”
Brown’s efforts to keep his emotions in check almost came undone early, as regular skipper Andrew Durante handed him the captain’s armband just moments before kickoff.
Earlier in the week, Brown had announced he would retire from all football once the Phoenix’s A-League campaign ends.
After 110 games for the Phoenix, and 30 for the All Whites, Brown is returning to his studies after the opportunity to complete a masters degree in management at either the London School of Economics or Cambridge University proved too tempting to pass up.
“Just a few moments before the game, Dura came up and presented that to me … I tried to give it back to him a couple of times, but he wouldn’t take it.
“The emotions were pretty much in check up to that point, but I had to walk away and compose myself a wee bit.”
The Phoenix continue their play-off run against the winner of the Melbourne Heart-Perth Glory game in Perth on Sunday, with the possibility of another home match if the Heart score an upset win.
Ballymore
Guest
Two brilliant games at the Cake Tin in 24 hours (even if the second didn't go your way).
Katipo
Guest
Chris, Because they play most of their rugby games at night when supporters would rather do something else - like go to the pub! That's a big problem. Also league has never really had big crowds like AFL except for one off matches like finals and State of Origin.They also play too much rugby union now. Far too many games. Fans are fatigued. Rugby union is still coming to grips with being a professional sport - in the southern hemisphere it's doing a lot of things wrong and alienating it's traditional supporters as allblackfan notes. Meanwhile in Europe and UK crowds are up; French Top 14 has higher average crowds, and the block buster rugby matches also get bigger crowds compared to French football league (not sure of last years stats though).
Katipo
Guest
Remember NZ has a smaller population than Sydney spread across land mass the size of UK. They can't support big crowds at every match like AFL can in Australia. I expected to see 20,000 at a finals match though. Come on Wellington.
Emric
Guest
Its a shame that the game was played during the highlanders v rebels game :( TV ratings for Sky Sky Sport 1 Highlanders V Rebels Super 15: 173,820 (7:30pm – 9:20pm) Storm V Saint George NRL: 36,270 (9:45pm – 11:25pm) Sky Sport 2 Phoenix V Sydney Hyundai A-League: 47,130 (8:00pm – 10:05pm) Its a shame the games kick off was during the rugby other wise I think this could have easily have doubled its rating.
chris p
Guest
Ironic They had a speech from a rugby player because phoenix actually play like a rugby team
allblackfan
Guest
Chris, as far as NZ rugby goes 1. the Super teams all have to play at night. That sucks 2. There's also many more NZ Super rugby teams to go around. 3. The support is much greater outside the major cities (ie 11,000 at a Chiefs game doesn't sound like much but that's about 50% of stadium capacity) 4. Player, volunteer, juniors, TV ratings, crowds -- all are growing after the RWC 5. Finally, the Super rugby teams have cottoned onto the fact that the modern spectator wants value for money. More entertainment, cheaper tickets etc are bringing crowds in (not to mention attractive AND successful action on field) 6 NZ is a small country. Diversity is good for the soul (as long as rugby remains king!!) That's it in a nutshell!
chris
Guest
Why are the Rugby codes heartlands like New Zealand/New South Wales and Queensland getting poor support.
Emric
Guest
Not for Wellington,nor the A-League. The Hurricanes have only averaged 13,215 for their home games so far this season with todays game only having 11,783 show up. So when you put it back into perspective 10,019 isn't so bad
Ross
Guest
well said midfielder hehehe
Midfielder
Guest
Except when his agenda changes...
Axelv
Guest
But but, according to Craig Foster the players are never at fault, it's always the coaches fault!
Axelv
Guest
Yeah it was 6 times, Lol Talk about them giving Victory both the Premiership and Championship for free! Premiership ended with both teams being on 38 points and equal goal difference, it was more goals scored that meant Victory won. Had Adelaide won all 3 season matches, they would have had an 18 point lead on the Victory.
striker
Guest
Sydeny need a massive change with the likes of Mcflynn and co, they were terrible in the second half, emerton was bad but even good players struggle with crap players around you, time for the broom.
Bondy
Guest
It was a shocking first half and Sydney couldn't capitilize on their territorial dominance and most of the second half as well or as long as the goals started .I cant understand Sydney F.C. looked more likely to score a goal just after they conceed one(backward), good luck to the Nix. A nice touch with the All Black Smith "with a few words of wisdom " .
Atawhai Drive
Roar Guru
The crowd was 10,019 and that's pathetic for a finals match. The game had some exciting moments when the goals flowed, but the first half was dire. Where was Brett Emerton? Was he carrying an injury?
hog
Guest
Pheonix A league champs and Hurricanes Super 15 champs, I'll go for that.
Emric
Guest
Go the phoenix - heard there was 11,000 at the game that's not too shabby
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Just listening to Lavicka on Fox sports news, and he refers to a crazy 10 minute period when 4 goals were scored, it was a bit crazy, but it certainly made things very interesting, good to watch.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
I'm pretty sure in season 4 the victory beat Adelaide at least five times on the way to winning the double.
Roger
Guest
Awesome game as a "neutral"! Congrats to Phoenix.