The message has come through loud and clear from Wellington Phoenix defender Corban Piper: “We’re pretty keen to smash them and get rid of that winning streak”.
Wellington will make the trip to Isuzu UTE A-League leaders Auckland for a sold-out New Zealand Derby at Go Media Stadium on Saturday.
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A pair of late goals from Jake Brimmer gave Auckland bragging rights in last month’s showdown at Sky Stadium in Wellington and the Phoenix’s Piper is eager to make amends.
“I’m buzzing for it. I can’t wait,” the 22-year-old told reporters.
“I really want to get them back, because they’ll make the final Derby really, really interesting. And I want to give all the Phoenix supporters bit of ammo on social media.
“Hopefully we can get the win and stop their winning streak.”
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He added: “I can speak on behalf of all the boys, we’re pretty keen to smash them and get rid of that winning streak.”
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Funnily enough, Piper was actually born in Auckland and was eyeing the Black Knights as a landing spot having not been part of the Phoenix academy.
Before becoming a deadline-day signing for the Phoenix in September following a successful trial, Piper was playing for Birkenhead United after a stint in the Republic of Ireland.
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“Initially it was Auckland FC for me. Like that was my goal,” he recalled.
“I didn’t really think about Wellington Phoenix because I did think that they were pretty Academy focused, and you had to be in the academy to then graduate into the first team, which is how it should be. I think that’s a really good way of doing it.
“I was looking at Auckland FC and playing as a 10. I think there just wasn’t room in Auckland FC for me as a 10.
“But thankfully, Wellington Phoenix actually looked outside the academy and looked at me in different positions and looked at my best attributes, I’d say, and slotted me into a centre-back or full-back or striker role. So, yeah, that’s just how it came about.”
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