Next week, a new-look Southern United football team will resume battle in the ASB Premiership. One of the bright hopes up front is Taylor McCormack (21), son of former Otago rugby player Brett McCormack. He talks to sports editor Hayden Meikle.
Hayden Meikle: How's the mood in the camp with the season approaching?
Taylor McCormack: It's pretty exciting, really. The boys are pretty up for it. New coach, intense training and everyone fighting for their spots.
HM: Is this season going to be better than the last?
TM: I think we're going to come out firing a bit more this season. Last season, there probably wasn't the same level of intensity. We've got a good squad. Got some good players back. It's going to be good.
HM: Who should we be watching in the squad?
TM: Tom Jackson. He's back and he's going to be exciting for us. Victor Da Costa is back with us. He's just had a stint in Iceland. And there's always Matt Joy, our trusty captain.
HM: It's such a tough league, with the big Auckland clubs dominating. Any thoughts on what they can do to level it out?
TM: I don't think there's much we can do. We're a bit limited down here. But maybe they need to try to do something with the winter competition. There used to be the South Island league with Christchurch teams. It would be nice to have something like that.
HM: Do you go into a clash with a club like Auckland City thinking you can win?
TM: Yeah, I think people look at us and wonder, especially when we've had some dodgy results. But we're always up for it. We might be seen as an underdog but that can be a good label to have.
HM: Will we see some good football from Southern United this summer?
TM: You'll see plenty of hard work. We're a fit wee team. We'll be aggressive. Our coaches are trying to build the intensity at training, and hopefully you'll see that on the pitch.
HM: Best nickname in the squad?
TM: Ooh, that's a tough one. Tom Batty in goal - Batman. Ross Howard, our right back, is Macklemore. There's a bit of a resemblance there, and it might be his singing voice, too.
HM: Any pre-game superstitions?
TM: I used to but I got out of it. Used to think about the underwear I was wearing, or the food I was eating. Someone to ask about superstitions is our assistant coach, Tony Martin. He loves them.
HM: Favourite player?
TM: Zlatan Ibrahimovic. He's got a good arrogance to him. It used to be Thierry Henry.
HM: You're an Arsenal fan?
TM: Yeah. I didn't support anyone for a while but then just decided to follow a club, and chose Arsenal. They weren't actually doing too well at the time. I was living in England.
HM: When did you live in England?
TM: From when I was 10 till I was about 13. Dad was playing rugby over there.
HM: Did you play rugby?
TM: Yeah, when I was very young. I played both sports in England. But when I came back to New Zealand, I had to make a choice. I decided to play football, and it went from there.
HM: Dad fine with that decision?
TM: Yeah, he loves it. He was at all our training sessions for Dunedin Tech in the winter. He missed a bit of my sport when I was younger, because he was playing rugby, but he's making up for it now.
HM: Do you see traits in your Dad that you've inherited?
TM: I think I have a little bit of that old-school vibe to me. I'll do things that are niggly and I'll do things that are annoying. He instilled that in me.
HM: He was a halfback, and they're always yappy. Do you do a bit of that?
TM: I'm not as yappy as he was but I definitely do it.
HM: Are you studying or working?
TM: I've been studying personal training for two years and I'm working at Absolute Heath and Fitness. Just balancing work and study and football. I enjoy being busy.
