Coming to you from The Turf Hotel, this week Les and Chris are joined by Tasman Mako loose forward Johnny Lee. We dive into his rugby journey, from growing up with the game to his time at Christ College, his New Zealand U20s experience, and life inside the Mako environment.

We also cover the latest Farah Palmer Cup and NPC results and fixtures, The Rugby Championship results and the upcoming New Zealand vs South Africa clash at Sky Stadium, plus Rugby World Cup 2025 pool stage results and a full Quarter-Finals preview.

Big thanks to The Turf Hotel and NBS for making the Roundup possible.

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In this episode, Chris and Skippy take a deep dive into the latest football action across the Top of the South and beyond. We start with Secondary Schools Tournaments before moving into a full wrap of the Nelson Women’s League results and fixtures, plus an updated look at the Nelson Pine Senior Women’s Premiership standings.

We also cover the local Cup competitions including the Price Charity Cup, Gould & Tout Trophy, and AR Hurst Trophy, along with results and fixtures from the Southern League Women and Dettol Southern League. On the international stage, we look at the upcoming Soccer Ashes 2025 clashes between the All Whites and Socceroos, Premier League results, and the latest World Cup Qualifier fixtures for England, Scotland, Republic of Ireland, and Northern Ireland.

Big thanks to our sponsors — The Turf Hotel & NBS

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In this episode, Les and Chris sit down with rising Tasman Mako loose forward, Lopeti Faifua. We talk about his rugby journey from Australia, his experiences with the Queensland Reds and Western Force, representing the Australian U20s, and how he’s finding life and rugby here in Nelson. Lopeti also shares insights into his playing style, toughest opponents, and goals for the season.

We reflect on the passing of Shane Christie, then cover all the latest updates from the Farah Palmer Cup, NPC, Rugby Championship, Marlborough Senior A Finals, and Rugby World Cup 2025.

Big thanks to our sponsors — The Turf Hotel, proud home of the Roundup, and NBS, Nelson Building Society.

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Welcome back to Football Focus, your go-to podcast for all things football across the Top of the South and beyond. 

In this episode, Chris and co-host Skippy recap the week, talk through Girls Secondary School tournament in Nelson, and cover results and fixtures from the Nelson Women’s League, Southern League, and South Island Women’s competition. They also review the latest Premier League action and preview the upcoming Soccer Ashes between New Zealand and Australia.

Thanks to our sponsors: The Turf Hotel and NBS.

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Les and Chris is back, and this week we’re joined by Fletcher Anderson — Tasman Mako loose forward and Crusaders Academy player. Fletcher shares his rugby journey, New Zealand Schools experience, Crusaders Academy time, and toughest opponents so far. We also cover team culture, season goals, and put him through a quickfire round.

Rugby updates include the Farah Palmer Cup, NPC, The Rugby Championship, Marlborough Senior A, and the Rugby World Cup 2025 with its record-breaking headlines.

Thanks to our sponsors, The Turf Hotel and NBS, for supporting the Roundup.

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Live from The Turf Hotel with co-host Neil Connell and guest Neil “Geeza” Harding (Coach, Nelson Suburbs U18s). We unpack preparation for the Chatham Cup Semi-Final, match reflections, and post-game feedback. Plus: Nelson Women’s League headlines and fixtures, Price Charity Cup update, Women’s South Island League and Southern League previews, Soccer Ashes dates, and a Premier League weekend look-ahead. Thanks to our sponsors: The Turf Hotel and NBS. 

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Les & Chris returns as we sit down with Tasman Mako and Kahurangi winger Jack Gray. He talks origins, pathway into the Mako, stepping from club rugby to NPC, his wing skill set, takeaways from All Blacks Sevens, toughest opponents, mentors, and goals for the season—plus a quickfire round. We also cover the week’s rugby: Farah Palmer Cup headlines and fixtures, NPC Round 4 with Tasman’s matchup, The Rugby Championship weekend, Women’s Rugby World Cup opening weekend, and Marlborough Senior A semi-finals.

Thanks to our sponsors: The Turf Hotel & NBS 

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Live from The Turf Hotel with Chris Butler and Skippy.

Special guests: Cory Wilson and Trevin Myers from the Nelson Suburbs Southern League team.

We discuss Nelson Suburbs’ historic 2025 Chatham Cup semi-final run, past Nelson clubs’ Chatham Cup finals history including Nelson United’s 1977 victory, insights from the Southern League season so far, and highlights from local leagues.

Also in this episode:

• Women’s and Men’s local competitions
• Women’s South Island League
• Dettol Southern League
• Premier League opening round
• FA Community Shield recap

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Live from The Turf Hotel with Chris Butler and Les Edwards.

Special guest: Dan Monaghan – Strength & Conditioning Coach for the Tasman Mako and Assistant with the Crusaders.

We talk with Dan about his background, playing days and position, how he joined the Mako, his role assisting with the Crusaders, what a typical week looks like as a Strength & Conditioning coach, balancing group training with one-on-one work, and which players stand out for speed, strength, and endurance.

Also in this episode:

• Farah Palmer Cup: key results and upcoming fixtures
• Bunnings NPC: Tasman’s win over Manawatū and round highlights and thier upcoming match vs Northland.
• Rugby Championship: Argentina vs All Blacks preview
• Motorworld Marlborough Senior A: results, ladder, and fixtures
• Miles Toyota 1st XV: finals results and highlights
• Headlines from the rugby world, including All Blacks injury updates and Women’s Rugby World Cup warm-ups

Thanks to our sponsors: The Turf Hotel and NBS.

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From The Turf Hotel | Hosted by Chris Butler & Skippy

Special guest Mark Johnson – FC Nelson defensive rock and now Nelson Pine Division 1 league champion – joins us to talk about the title win, that tough final clash with Rangers, and the Southern League promotion challenge next.

We dive into Mark’s football journey, his coaching background, and wrap things up with a quick-fire round.

Also in this episode: Women’s & Men’s League results and fixtures, WSIL and Southern League action, Chatham Cup semi-final preview, Soccer Ashes details, and big football headlines including Heung-min Son’s record MLS move.

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