WPM R3 vs Auckland FC | Sat 2nd Nov | 5pm | RoF / Sky Sports 2 | March 4pm

brookem

I just had a look and it (if I am looking at the right thing which I am sure I am) it is Adam Kersey. With Shaun Evans in VAR
https://www.footballaustralia.com.au/news/match-official-appointments-isuzu-ute-a-league-202425-round-3

queenofthequail

Do we know who the ref will be...?

Meh...

queenofthequail

Oi Oi Edgecumbe

Rufer is a massive loss. Leadership and command of the midfield. I wonder if Bally will be dropped into the midfield.

I have wondered about Ball in midfield. It certainly wouldn't be the craziest thing we've done and didn't Chiefy pretty much say it's something he might do?

Last season we lost important games when Ball was NOT starting.

queenofthequail

Oi Oi Edgecumbe

Rufer is a massive loss. Leadership and command of the midfield. I wonder if Bally will be dropped into the midfield.

I have wondered about Ball in midfield. It certainly wouldn't be the craziest thing we've done and didn't Chiefy pretty much say it's something he might do?

Chief is saying Retre will start in a straight swap, which makes perfect sense. He also says in Rufer's absence the other senior players need to step up.

I'd say there is a higher chance that Colakovski starts ahead of Ball. But suspect both will be on the pine, unless yes the formation changes to a back 4.

localman77

Would be cool if we could get a bigger crowd than both melbourne and sydney derbies. Not bad metrics

Sydney derby: 27,496
Melbourne derby: 20,093
Auckland FC debut : 24,492

Sydney numbers might be a stretch!

Back for another pax update!

Green = Sold out
Red = Less than 10% remaining
Pink = Less than 25% remaining
Black = Away Bay

Total unavailable seats is sitting at over 20,000 now! Fingers crossed there are more updates tonight because that'll mean there are a lot of ticket sales!

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anaveragestem

maynardf

Smeltz4PM

Hate to be dramatic but I really struggle to visualise us getting much out of this without Rufer on the park

  I am really hoping this is a dramatic bait and switch.
Rufer recovers by game day - starts - man of he match...

I don't think he can play now since the ins and outs have been announced. Hopefully Retre can start otherwise our rear guard will be very exposed. 

Conchie has been great but he is not as defensively minded as the Ruf, AL Taay is awesome and very good defensively but he has not made many appearances so far. 

Im concerned... There is only one first derby ever, please don't lose, goddammit ill even take a draw if we can beat them with the Ruf up in Auckland

Not being listed in the Ins & Outs doesn't exclude someone from playing. It is more of a courtesy thing than anything official. 

RR

anaveragestem

maynardf

Smeltz4PM

Hate to be dramatic but I really struggle to visualise us getting much out of this without Rufer on the park

  I am really hoping this is a dramatic bait and switch.
Rufer recovers by game day - starts - man of he match...

I don't think he can play now since the ins and outs have been announced. Hopefully Retre can start otherwise our rear guard will be very exposed. 

Conchie has been great but he is not as defensively minded as the Ruf, AL Taay is awesome and very good defensively but he has not made many appearances so far. 

Im concerned... There is only one first derby ever, please don't lose, goddammit ill even take a draw if we can beat them with the Ruf up in Auckland

Not being listed in the Ins & Outs doesn't exclude someone from playing. It is more of a courtesy thing than anything official. 

Was not aware, good to know. That would be very sneaky lol 

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                  Summoning
        🕯    Chiefy's 'dark    🕯
                        arts'
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Does anyone know a pub in Auckland where wearing yellow will be encouraged tomorrow night?

pax 16640

claytonn

Does anyone know a pub in Auckland where wearing yellow will be encouraged tomorrow night?

Try Tyler Street Sports Bar 🫢

If we get 25k, we can sing our derby is bigger than yours to the Auckland fans... given they can only seat 24k!!

looks like its gonna be a good game aye boys
im a big rugby fan the npc final crowd was nothing aye, i guess all you wellington fellas come to watch auckland play?
chahooo go go auckland

kelston-dark-knight

looks like its gonna be a good game aye boys
im a big rugby fan the npc final crowd was nothing aye, i guess all you wellington fellas come to watch auckland play?
chahooo go go auckland

Think you'll find the crowds for NPC and Nix are very very different people. AVg Wellington NPC crowd is somewhere near 3k, Avg Nix crowd would be 7kish.

Plus, there will be 3-400 of you lot compared to 18k of us......

theprof

kelston-dark-knight

looks like its gonna be a good game aye boys
im a big rugby fan the npc final crowd was nothing aye, i guess all you wellington fellas come to watch auckland play?
chahooo go go auckland

Think you'll find the crowds for NPC and Nix are very very different people. AVg Wellington NPC crowd is somewhere near 3k, Avg Nix crowd would be 7kish.

Plus, there will be 3-400 of you lot compared to 18k of us......

true no way my bro! 
does this mean wellington is a soccer city now? out of it 
do the wellington soccer get more than the hurricanes? probably aye hurricanes are no good since culley and rodney left 

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time to start my happiness insurance fund 
- I don’t think we are favorites tomorrow

kelston-dark-knight

theprof

kelston-dark-knight

looks like its gonna be a good game aye boys
im a big rugby fan the npc final crowd was nothing aye, i guess all you wellington fellas come to watch auckland play?
chahooo go go auckland

Think you'll find the crowds for NPC and Nix are very very different people. AVg Wellington NPC crowd is somewhere near 3k, Avg Nix crowd would be 7kish.

Plus, there will be 3-400 of you lot compared to 18k of us......

true no way my bro! 
does this mean wellington is a soccer city now? out of it 
do the wellington soccer get more than the hurricanes? probably aye hurricanes are no good since culley and rodney left 

cant remember hurricanes averqage this year but it wasnt great.
Wellington rugby has been struggling to get crowds for years now - I think this is across the country to be fair though.

the interweb teslls me that the Hurricanes avg attendance in 24 was 16.1k, highest of all the Z super rugby teams.

theaucklandphoenixfan

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time to start my happiness insurance fund 
- I don’t think we are favorites tomorrow

Maybe this will tip the scales?

https://t.co/NhoGiOknBb

— Phillip Rollo (@ByPhillipRollo) November 1, 2024

YOUR MATCHDAY SCHEDULE

Wellington Phoenix vs Auckland FC
Carpark opens: 2.00pm
Box office opens: 3:00pm
Gates open: 3:30pm

Getting to the game: Metlink train services will boost capacity for this game, and larger buses will be running. Scheduled train services will be running with extra capacity to accommodate fans, with additional services added to the Hutt Valley, Kāpiti, and Johnsonville lines.

Pre match: Arrive early and get 20% off food at all retail outlets on the concourse! Available between 3.30-4.00pm only.

Show your Nix pride! Pick up merch at the caravan in the inner plaza or at Aisle 23. The first 250 fans to make a purchase at either spot will receive a free signed poster! 

Thanks to our Principal Partner OPPO, show off your skills in the OPPO Speed Kick Challenge. Plus, snap a pic with the Nix at the McDonald's AR Photo Experience, and get your face painted to show your support! Also, test your aim at the Chemist Warehouse target, and win a prize.

Kick-Off: 5:00pm

Half-Time: Enjoy the OPPO & Entelar Group Club Challenge as nine junior football clubs compete for a prize, supporting grassroots football. Plus, look out for the t-shirt blaster!

Full-Time (approx. 6:50pm): Head to the South End of Sky Stadium for a player signing session in the stands. 

The Mezz Bar will stay open, showing CCM vs. Perth on the big screens. Last drinks & food: 8:00pm.

Stay Safe: If you have security concerns or notice any patron issues, text 5454 anonymously to alert Sky Stadium security.

YoungHeartHM

theaucklandphoenixfan

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time to start my happiness insurance fund 
- I don’t think we are favorites tomorrow

Maybe this will tip the scales?

https://t.co/NhoGiOknBb

— Phillip Rollo (@ByPhillipRollo) November 1, 2024

Surely mind games? 

martinb

YoungHeartHM

theaucklandphoenixfan

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time to start my happiness insurance fund 
- I don’t think we are favorites tomorrow

Maybe this will tip the scales?

https://t.co/NhoGiOknBb

— Phillip Rollo (@ByPhillipRollo) November 1, 2024

Surely mind games? 

Would love it if he could play - but it's not worth risking further injury and him being out for an extended time just to get on the pitch for the derby. I hope if they rule him fit to play, then he really is fit to play

But I love his determination all the same

Yep, only game three. It's not important. Bragging rights are not worth derailing the season.

Saying that, be good to have him on the bench at least.

It depends on the kind of injury I guess. But it’s good to have the mana of Rufer scaring the opposition even when he isn’t playing

It's bursitis on the knee. I guess if they get the fluid out somehow, and the swelling down, with little risk of infection if he plays - he might be okay.

I had bursitis on the knee once. It got infected despite being on Anti-inflammatories. Ended up putting a needle in it & draining the foul smelling fluid out myself. Not recommended.

I had elbow bursitis once.  “Popeye’s Elbow”.

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That’s mental. Just did some blood tests for this midweek:

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I’ve been using the elbow version, but I guess you’re constantly putting pressure on a knee.

It goes down.  Get an elbow compression brace.  Takes a few weeks.  Got to be careful though.  Can flare up again.  Which isn’t great if you’re a golfer or tennis player.  And mind banging into things.  Ouch.

Today's the day, FIRE UP!!!!!!

Welcome to game day everyone lets hope it stays fine and the stadium pumps. Enjoy your gameday everyone lets make the 1st Derby something really special for all.

COYN

Let's go! Big day! This gonna be one to remember (hopefully for good reasons)

COYN

COYN

Could someone please alleviate my crippling FOMO that I will be experiencing for the next 12ish hours with yet another PAX update? I'm living vicariously through everyone on the forum

Just got a ticket for a friend, PAX 18391

Trent

Just got a ticket for a friend, PAX 18391

BANG. That's fudgeing massive, cheers mate

Match Day! This is what it’s all about. Sing for 90 make it as hard for Auckland as possible, this our time and this is our team. Up The Wellington 

Game Day, Come on!

Fired up for today! Flew in late last night, can't wait to spend the day enjoying the atmosphere round town and then making the Tin a fortress tonight - Show AFC something they haven't experienced before!

Big day, Let's do this!

COYN

If we get roughly 800 more people to turn up we would officially outsell the first Sydney derby (19.1k) which would be massive! All we need is a win and it will be the perfect day

Noah4thenix

If we get roughly 800 more people to turn up we would officially outsell the first Sydney derby (19.1k) which would be massive! All we need is a win and it will be the perfect day

 
 pax numbers don’t include members and a few other things, so will already be over 20k

I can't quite believe this, but I have been taken out for today by someone else's special day at which attendance is necessary.  But I have arranged high quality import fans to take our seats and have completed a chants and referee feedback briefing session for them. I hope they go well.
Last time something like this happened I missed the 7-0 win. Can't see that this time and hoping for either the draw or the win.
COYN!

Anything decent to do in town with kids after lunch? I'm used to the Rome derby when we literally started our travel 4-5 hours before kick off, so I'm not risking being left on the station due to a full train at 4pm...but I need something exciting for them to do