Season 25/26 General Discussion

To be fair preety difficult to sign someone at short notice who is off contract at this time of the year who is likely match fit and going to hit the ground running and make a difference.

Hopefully they have someone lined up for Jan.

This is what Chiefy said about getting a replacement, whether that player could be a visa or not is not addressed:

https://youtu.be/FUx9O7d6VRc?si=OFDIXEh-1JtiED8O

Skip to 1:23. 

Procrastinixing

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"It was initially hoped the match would be played at One New Zealand Stadium, which is due to open in April, but this fixture looks to have come too soon.

If the new state-of-the-art venue opens earlier than scheduled the match will be moved across town."

Look to be keeping their options open in the very unlikely event the new stadium is ready early, and Super Rugby is ok with not being the first event

Sadly sometimes the club just dont get it, i love the idea of a game in Christchurch. But NOT our last home game of the season. 
We have a run of away games to finish the season our last game at Sky is the 14th of March with the last game of the round robin the 24th of April.
So if they dont make finals its a friggen long wait to see them at home again.

yeah, no way was/is rugby going to put up with football opening that stadium. I'd bet it isn't a readiness issue 

Half a Pint

Procrastinixing

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"It was initially hoped the match would be played at One New Zealand Stadium, which is due to open in April, but this fixture looks to have come too soon.

If the new state-of-the-art venue opens earlier than scheduled the match will be moved across town."

Look to be keeping their options open in the very unlikely event the new stadium is ready early, and Super Rugby is ok with not being the first event

imanixsupporter

yeah, no way was/is rugby going to put up with football opening that stadium. I'd bet it isn't a readiness issue 

Half a Pint

Procrastinixing

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"It was initially hoped the match would be played at One New Zealand Stadium, which is due to open in April, but this fixture looks to have come too soon.

If the new state-of-the-art venue opens earlier than scheduled the match will be moved across town."

Look to be keeping their options open in the very unlikely event the new stadium is ready early, and Super Rugby is ok with not being the first event

It was hoped at one time that Super Rugby would change their fixtures so the Crusaders played before the Phoenix were due to play on the 18th. 
Guess there was no incentive for Rugby to do any favors.

Can't say the 'sit down' brigade weren't warned well in advance.

I'm gonna say booking Addington, is for the moment due to a 'likely not ready' issue at Te Kaha.
Otherwise why would the Nix yes take the last 'home' game of the season to ChCh if there still wan't some chance yet, it could be at Te Kaha.

Noting I see Sky Stadium looks unbooked that weekend of 18th April.

The first sports event at Forsyth Barr in Dunners was pre-season match between the Nix and Roar in August 2011, with an attendance of over 15,000. A test event for the following 2011 RWC.

I'm sure the Te Kaha operators would rather discover issues/learnings with the new ground before the high profile Super Rugby Round rocks into town, with games every day over about 4 days during ANZAC Day weekend.

Can see some of those rugby days selling out, and those fans won't be happy if the cash/eftpos registers or ticket machines don't work, the toilet & beer queues are long etc etc. They will be keen to run a half the ground open test event for sure

https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2025/11/20/wellington-phoenix-to-end-mens-a-league-season-with-match-in-christchurch/

Phoenix general manager David Dome said: “We’ve always had great support in Ōtautahi from the public and from our friends at Mainland Football.

“I expect it’ll be no different come April.

“It will be the men’s final home match of the regular season and a vital fixture as they push for the finals.

“We would love to play at One New Zealand Stadium if it opens early, but we know Cantabrians create a great atmosphere at Apollo Projects Stadium that the players really enjoyed last season.

“I look forward to seeing the Cantabs turn out in force in April.”

The Phoenix say there will be an active home supporters bay at Apollo Projects Stadium, where fans will be standing, chanting and drumming, and won’t be sitting in their allocated seats.

When is the last ever sporting game at this old place?

Is it potentially this one?

Tickets must be selling well as this message popped up on my phone

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Maybe because it’s the last game to be played there and it has some nostalgia to see it off in style?

An initial blunder by nix management thinking they were going to get the first game at the new stadium but by accident now actually turning into a marketing masterclass?

ballane

Sadly sometimes the club just dont get it, i love the idea of a game in Christchurch. But NOT our last home game of the season. 
We have a run of away games to finish the season our last game at Sky is the 14th of March with the last game of the round robin the 24th of April.
So if they dont make finals its a friggen long wait to see them at home again.

Sure it's not ideal, you always want your last game of the season to be the at home. But, you can't be thinking the club are thinking we'll shaft are "home" fans with this schedule here! We all know the league gives clubs very little control over their fixtures, tie that in with the hope that we would get to play in the new stadium in Chch this season, I suspect that caused delays in organising a visit to Chch again. Then of course it's matter of when is the stadium in Chch available when the Nix have a home fixture.

theprof

ballane

Sadly sometimes the club just dont get it, i love the idea of a game in Christchurch. But NOT our last home game of the season. 
We have a run of away games to finish the season our last game at Sky is the 14th of March with the last game of the round robin the 24th of April.
So if they dont make finals its a friggen long wait to see them at home again.

Sure it's not ideal, you always want your last game of the season to be the at home. But, you can't be thinking the club are thinking we'll shaft are "home" fans with this schedule here! We all know the league gives clubs very little control over their fixtures, tie that in with the hope that we would get to play in the new stadium in Chch this season, I suspect that caused delays in organising a visit to Chch again. Then of course it's matter of when is the stadium in Chch available when the Nix have a home fixture.

Didnt say they were thinking of shafting the fans. Sometimes they just dont seem to think of the LOYAL fans who put their hands in their pockets season after season.
As i said have no objection to a game in Christchurch at all and do get there were issues with the draw this season. But taking your LAST home game away really.
WE have our last game at HOME 5 weeks before the season ends while taking a Home game away. You cant tell me fans have been considered 7 months before they have another home game and they wonder why people lose interest. 

As I said my friend, we all know the Nix have little control over scheduling, none of the teams have an apparent influence over that.

theprof

As I said my friend, we all know the Nix have little control over scheduling, none of the teams have an apparent influence over that.

They have more than you think,but given the late withdrawal of Western im guessing that messed things up.
For me ridiculous the last home game of the season is taken away, so any players leaving will be farewelled on the 14th of March 5 weeks before the round robin rounds end.

I live in Chch so I'm happy. However, I would not have scheduled a game here this season.

We won't get 14k again at Apollo stadium. The new stadium will have opened by then and all the attention will be on that.

Also, last season we played a dire nil all draw (some of the worst football I've watched) Many casuals won't come along this time unless we're playing really well and are in the race to win something.

Missing a game in Chch, and returning next year to play at the new stadium would create more anticipation and a much bigger crowd.

Jeez, 14k is more then then the recent derby, that was a great effort.

You'd think that preparing for a 5 game weekend of Super Rugby (which is quite the ask for its first event), would benefit a 'trial run' the weekend before.
But the rugby heads would hate that the game might potentially sell out or get a healthy crowd as curious Cantabs go and see the stadium.
The rugby of course will sell out, but a game before it would take away the chest beating of the oval ball code.

Agreed that the last game of the season should be in Welly but hey.  
I do not think rugby fans will come to watch a Nix game in ChCh just to check out the new stadium.  Nix crowd will come to watch the Nix whether at the old or at the new stadium.  Being a small rectangular venue, and with plenty of free parking in Addington, the old ground is not a bad venue that many make it out to be.  
Last year's scoreless draw against the CCM might indeed be a sufficient turnoff for the casual punters who seem to have long memories.  It all depends on how well we do this season.  Even 10K will sound and look better at Addington than at Te Kaha.

InsulinMachine

I live in Chch so I'm happy. However, I would not have scheduled a game here this season.

We won't get 14k again at Apollo stadium. The new stadium will have opened by then and all the attention will be on that.

Also, last season we played a dire nil all draw (some of the worst football I've watched) Many casuals won't come along this time unless we're playing really well and are in the race to win something.

Missing a game in Chch, and returning next year to play at the new stadium would create more anticipation and a much bigger crowd.

As a Canterbury resident I fully agree with this take, also absolutely sympathize with how the fanbase would be irritated that the final home game of the season isn't in Wellington. 

Not having the last home game in Wellington wont mean a thing when we have a home semi and home final!

Mainland FC

Agreed that the last game of the season should be in Welly but hey.  
I do not think rugby fans will come to watch a Nix game in ChCh just to check out the new stadium.  Nix crowd will come to watch the Nix whether at the old or at the new stadium.  Being a small rectangular venue, and with plenty of free parking in Addington, the old ground is not a bad venue that many make it out to be.  
Last year's scoreless draw against the CCM might indeed be a sufficient turnoff for the casual punters who seem to have long memories.  It all depends on how well we do this season.  Even 10K will sound and look better at Addington than at Te Kaha.

I wouldn't rule out yet that the game will be at Te Kaha. For now they are taking the cautious approach and booking Addington.

But surely Venues Ōtautahi would want to run a 'test event' before the big Super Rugby Round. Even if they just open up half the ground for the Nix game, say max ticket sales 12,000 of the 25,000 capacity.

Otherwise you risk going into that high profile rugby round (5 games over 3 days?), without testing alot of the systems that they will want right before thousands of rugby fans rock into town for the long weekend. 

Employing 100 young people completely new to hospo, to man the ticket gates, food and booze booths, keep the toilets clean etc etc - you'd want to test all that out, have a week to reflect before then going into a long pressured weekend with no break for 72 hours.

If the first event at the ground is a bit of a cluster fudge, it won't seem to matter so much to many locals if it's just a 1-0 soccer game with a team from Wellington, and a half open ground. But if it's a bit of disorganised mess over 3 days for the rugby, it will definitely take some shine off the occasion.

theprof

Not having the last home game in Wellington wont mean a thing when we have a home semi and home final!

If we dont bloody shame we wont get to say goodbye to those guys leaving think there are few whose contracts expire this year.

Good point, the big one is obviously Rufer, who must be right up there as a club icon.

AucklandPhoenix

Good point, the big one is obviously Rufer, who must be right up there as a club icon.

I wasnt going to mention that. 

Rufer is leaving?? or has he not had an extenion offered yet?

I would personally want Rufer to stay but I hope he does leave, for his own sake. Cannot see him ever winning anything here, he might as well try and get an adventure out of the last good years of his career. 

I guess it’s everyone’s dream and it isn’t reality until he is offered but in a recent interview, he did say that he wanted to experience a league offshore next year.

Can’t remember which podcast it was on but my impression was definitely this was his last year.

Do wonder if that still applies with a young one in the house. If he dosnt sign with us again i hope we dont lose him to another A League team.

theprof

Rufer is leaving?? or has he not had an extenion offered yet?

He’ll likely be offered whatever he wants, but is currently off contract at the end of the season

AucklandPhoenix

I guess it’s everyone’s dream and it isn’t reality until he is offered but in a recent interview, he did say that he wanted to experience a league offshore next year.

Can’t remember which podcast it was on but my impression was definitely this was his last year.

I think it was 'The Unused Subs' that he said it on

AucklandPhoenix

I guess it’s everyone’s dream and it isn’t reality until he is offered but in a recent interview, he did say that he wanted to experience a league offshore next year.

Can’t remember which podcast it was on but my impression was definitely this was his last year.

yeah I recall reading this somewhere that he had aspirations off shore, but that may have changed with the new arrival. I guess it all depends on who is knoocking ay his door pre or post WC.

It was a very recent interview 

This was the quote from Rufs on The Unused Subs episode, it was uploaded on 27th May, so quite recent:

"I'm not saying I'm old, but you know, I'm at an age where a lot of clubs are probably not looking for someone at my age. And again, I'm not old, but that's just the way football's gone. And I do still want to you know, try and play overseas, but you know, I need to have another good year and hopefully yeah, have a good year and go to the World Cup and then see what happens."

like a few others here, I hope he gets to play footy elsewhere after this season. 

Such a good player who has been great for us and I can't say we've been the same for him.

A lot of us have watched him for years. I remember his early days in the reserves feeling that he should be fast tracked; the talent was really obvious. It seemed to take him a strangely long time to break through.

You have to wonder how he would have gone elsewhere.

Half a Pint

This was the quote from Rufs on The Unused Subs episode, it was uploaded on 27th May, so quite recent:

"I'm not saying I'm old, but you know, I'm at an age where a lot of clubs are probably not looking for someone at my age. And again, I'm not old, but that's just the way football's gone. And I do still want to you know, try and play overseas, but you know, I need to have another good year and hopefully yeah, have a good year and go to the World Cup and then see what happens."

 Right, so he could mean 'Australia' - it's overseas. Do a 'Kosta'

Dougie Rydal

Half a Pint

This was the quote from Rufs on The Unused Subs episode, it was uploaded on 27th May, so quite recent:

"I'm not saying I'm old, but you know, I'm at an age where a lot of clubs are probably not looking for someone at my age. And again, I'm not old, but that's just the way football's gone. And I do still want to you know, try and play overseas, but you know, I need to have another good year and hopefully yeah, have a good year and go to the World Cup and then see what happens."

 Right, so he could mean 'Australia' - it's overseas. Do a 'Kosta'

Bloody hope not would love the club to spend and make sure he is here for our 20th season. He may not be on everyone's favorites list but his service to the club cant be denied and i for one would love to see it rewarded with an extension.

But he may just not want to stay. All feeling a bit stale in Welly?
As Roofs says above he still wants to try and play overseas. 

Yipe that could be an Aussie ALM Club. He's been at the Nix well over 10 years, no-one can begrudge him looking for a fresh challenge somewhere else, even if yes it's just across the ditch.

Half a Pint

This was the quote from Rufs on The Unused Subs episode, it was uploaded on 27th May, so quite recent:

"I'm not saying I'm old, but you know, I'm at an age where a lot of clubs are probably not looking for someone at my age. And again, I'm not old, but that's just the way football's gone. And I do still want to you know, try and play overseas, but you know, I need to have another good year and hopefully yeah, have a good year and go to the World Cup and then see what happens."

6 months ago, before the birth of baby, which was more recent in October. Hence my theory that plans, dreams, hopes can change when a little one arrives.
Also, he talks about giving it another year and playing well at the WC before said move. WC starts in june 26, so he's either signed an extension by then or he's left. Contract with Nix ends af the end of the 25/26 season (May 26)

The club could have played the 2nd to last "Home" game in CHCH, and let the Wellington fans wave goodbye to the usual 7 or 8 players leaving. 

And whilst they might think they'll get a big crowd, just remember there is a weekend of serious motor racing going on in the same town. Accommodation and air fares will be at a premium. So many WGTN  based fans might watch on TV or they might watch Motorsport as payback. CHCH fans might go to the game or the races or watch them on TV.
Not well thought through, unless you are a Petrol Head.