The Wellington Phoenix are sticking to their guns ahead of the first New Zealand derby of the season.
The Nix take on reigning champions Auckland FC at GoMedia Stadium this weekend, but the derby is just business as usual for head coach Chris Greenacre.
“It’s the same instructions to the players,” he told media mid-week. “No difference to Victory, the Mariners or the Jets.
“There’s extra incentive from the noise outside of the dressing room, but we’ll approach the game in the same manner.
“I’m looking forward to it, I won’t lie, but it’s just another game for us.”
The Nix sit top of the table after three games, having won all of their fixtures so far.
Last Saturday’s 3-0 win over the Newcastle Jets was the latest in their run of victories.
“There’s a lot of hard work going on the training ground, and it’s great to see the guys putting it to the test on Saturdays.
“There’s no secret ingredient, just a bunch of good people really working hard and wanting to put their best foot forward for the club.
“Long may that continue.”
And while the Nix are still searching for their first derby win, Greenacre doesn’t see history as an issue.
“Pressure’s on Auckland, not us. They’ve won all of the derbies so far.
“We’re going there as the underdogs. Form goes out the window in derby games, and that goes globally.
“It’s probably the worst interview ever this, because we really are just taking it game by game.”
The matchweek 4 A-League Men’s match between the Wellington Phoenix and Auckland FC is scheduled to kick-off at GoMedia Stadium at 5pm on Saturday and will be broadcast LIVE on Sky Sport 2 and Sky Open in New Zealand, and on Paramount+ in Australia.
Most recent meeting: 20 February 2026, Wellington Phoenix 0 Auckland FC 5
All-time A-League head to head: Phoenix 0W, Auckland 6W and 0D
Auckland FC (one to be omitted): 1.Michael WOUD, 2. Hiroki SAKAI, 4. Nando PIJNAKER, 8. Felipe GALLEGOS, 10. Lachlan BAYLISS, 15. Francis DE VRIES, 16. Daniel NORMANN, 17. Callan ELLIOT, 18. Marley LEULUAI, 21. Isa PRINS, 22. Jake BRIMMER, 23. Ronan WYNNE, 27. Logan ROGERSON, 30. Joe KNOWLES, 35. Jonty BIDOIS, 45. Matthew D’HOTMAN, 46. James MITCHELL, 57. Van FITZHARRIS, 77. Lachlan BROOK.
Wellington Phoenix (two to be omitted):5. Walter SCOTT, 7. Bryce DUKE, 8. Max ANDERSON, 9. Rafael DURÁN, 11. Riley BIDOIS, 13. Henry GRAY (gk), 14. Alex RUFER (c), 15. Isaac HUGHES, 17. Nathan WALKER, 18. Lukas KELLY-HEALD, 23. James MCGARRY, 24. Xuan LOKE, 25. Kazuki NAGASAWA, 27. Matthew SHERIDAN, 28. Bill TUILOMA, 30. Alby KELLY-HEALD (gk), 32. Ben TRENBERTH, 34. Dylan GARDINER, 35. Luke MITCHELL, 99. Corban PIPER.
