Giancarlo Italiano: Wellington Phoenix Head Coach addresses last season's shortcomings

Listen to the Weekend Sport with Jason Pine Full Show Podcast for Saturday 25 October. Get the Weekend Sport with Jason Pine Full Show Podcast every Saturday and Sunday afternoon on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Liam Lawson's seat for next year in F1 still isn't guaranteed, as Racing Bulls are still yet to announce who will be driving their cars next year.  Lawson's current teamate Isaak Hadjar has had an impressive first season, leaving fans to believe that he will get the promotion to Red Bull next year, leaving Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda scrapping for the last seat F1 Journalist Chris Medland told Elliott Smith that the suspense around the decision is due to Red Bull's contracts. "They have them all under contract. They can wait as late as they want in the season, but I think they're aware that for a few of them, it would really help give them some certainty." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland FC finished top of the table in their first season in the A-League.  However the team lost out on a shot at the cup after losing to Melbourne City in the semi finals This weekend, the first home game of the season takes place against Western Sydney Wanderers - who also shook the stage in their first season in the A-League in 2012.  Auckland FC CEO Nick Becker told Elliott Smith that the team is eager to move past last year's brush with victory, and look ahead to the new season. "I think the fact that we didn't go all the way through to a grand final was sort of motivation for us this season." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The NPC final between Canterbury and Otago will take place tonight.  This is the first time since 2005 that Otago have made it to the final, but winger Jae Bloomfield told Elliott Smith that the team is treating the game like any other.  'And at the end of the day, it's just another game of footy on that Saturday.' LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Canterbury are set to face Otago in the NPC final this weekend.  Canterbury progressed to the final after beating Hawke's bay 43-19.  Canterbury Winger Ngane Punivai told Elliott Smith that the team has been focused on keeping morale high ahead of the big game.  'We've put a real emphasis on, just really loving what we do each day and enjoying every day we're at work together.' LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new sports school is opening in Upper Hutt, promising opportunities for aspiring schoolkids to commit to an education in sports. School Sport New Zealand CEO told Elliott Smith that the announcement has come as a surprise, and that they have had no contact with the school regarding their intentions to work with School Sport.  "Outside of what's been reported in the media, we don't have any information or detail about the school, or their desire to become a member of School Sport New Zealand." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The first charter sports school, New Zealand Performance Academy Aotearoa, as it will be known, will open in term 1 next year at the New Zealand Campus of Innovation and Sports in Upper Hutt, NZCIS. The school will go from year 11 to year 13, and will focus primarily on Rugby Union and Football in it's first year.  Gilbert Enoka is the former mental skills coach to the All Blacks. He has also worked with sports teams like Chelsea FC, the Black Caps and England's cricket team.  He says that, "I think any initiative that genuinely gives young people a better chance to grow, to learn and perform deserves attention." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

James McOnie from The Crowd Goes Wild joined Piney to discuss the ongoing NPC season and the start of another A-League season.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shohei Ohtani made baseball history and ensured the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Milwaukee Brewers to reach the World Series. Ohtani made three home runs and struck out 10 Brewers batters in a comprehensive 5-1 victory as the Dodgers swept the series 4-0. US correspondent Leon Busby joined Piney to discuss. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the Weekend Sport with Jason Pine Full Show Podcast for Sunday 19 October. Get the Weekend Sport with Jason Pine Full Show Podcast every Saturday and Sunday afternoon on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.