New Zealand U-23s - Quali Whites

As much as I'd rather Des as AW coach, I'm not sure its fair to blame lack of a European tour on Hay. Likely completely outside his control and I'd be surprised if NZF could pull the money for it out of their asses considering the financial impacts of the last 14 months.

andrewvoerman

coochiee

andrewvoerman

coochiee

NZF to provide an update on the Olympic team selection process? No but a 2nd tier Danish club can.
https://fchelsingor.dk/2021/05/26/liam-jordan-udtaget-til-det-sydafrikanske-ol-landshold/

In addition to Liam Jordan's selection, FCH has selected two other players for the national team, as Elijah Just and Callum McCowatt have both been pre-selected for New Zealand's gross squad for the Olympics, with the final squad to be announced on July 18.

 The final squad will be announced well before July 18.

AV, no gossip on Hay and/or other coaching staff heading to USA/Europe, pre Japan?

Why would they do that? The plan remains to be for them to have two weeks of buildup, including matches, in Japan beforehand.

Because those 2 weeks in Japan prior the 1st Olympics game are likely to be disrupted as some of the key/senior players are only released by their clubs at the last minute.

Because the MLS is about to have a rare 2 week break for a FIFA window. Getting M Boxall & Tuiloma (2 key defenders) esp released for any future AWs games later this year (sounds hopeful now they may happen) will be problematic as MLS gets to the pointy end. 

Because Hay hasn't been 'on the grass' with any of the AWs/Oly Whites playing group since Nov 2019 (that's 20 months by July!). He should be absolutely champing at the bit to do actual coaching. Read a few articles on Arnold and the Socceroos, and he's said he's been going near mad with impatience, waiting to finally get his team together in June.

Because the Oly Whites opponents at Olympic for sure are going to be having games & camps over next few months, well in advance of getting to Japan. So are just going to be so much better prepared than the Oly Whites. Romania for example are playing in that little mini tourney in Spain next week, that also includes the Euro based Olyroos.

Because you have 15-20 Kiwi players in Europe now, free of any club commitments. Plus hopefully 3 MLS guys. No rushed 5-7 day window with their minds still cluttered with thoughts of their club seasons. Most of them still pretty fresh. Can only think of Tommy Smith & Wood as having had heavy club workload seasons. So you could have a quality 7-10 day camp plus a game (against anyone, even a Euro club youth team), with a strong planning focus towards Tokyo plus game plan for future AWs games.

One of the key planks I reckon to the success Buckingham had with the U20s was the long lead in time he had with most of that playing group, pre Poland.  U19 tourneys and the like in the Islands, plus lots of contact time & camps in NZ, as the players primarily came from 2 Handy Prem teams (ES & Weenix). Plus Des in those pre Covid times was prepared to head to Europe (often at his own cost apparently) and catch up with other U20 squad members. 

Hay & NZF need to grab any opportunity for the AWs to get together in any shape or form prior those 2 huge games next June. AFC, CONCACAF & CONEMBOL qualifying is now all happening again. Whoever AWs play next June is going to be very well prepared, with likely a 10-20 game lead in programme.

Really hope that some AWs friendlies happen later this year, as alluded to in today's Stuff article. But still think Hay not being in Europe from next week is a missed opportunity. Watch the lack of quality preparation time excuses roll out, if the Oly Whites flop.

Nelfoos

As much as I'd rather Des as AW coach, I'm not sure its fair to blame lack of a European tour on Hay. Likely completely outside his control and I'd be surprised if NZF could pull the money for it out of their asses considering the financial impacts of the last 14 months.

Finances not such a problem it seems. If anything NZF's cash reserves have improved with Covid.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/nz-teams/125160480/nz-football-records-large-surplus-in-2020-but-already-has-plans-for-spending-it

Would have thought that Spanish facility that AWs were based at for their behind closed doors friendly against Canada in 2018, was fairly cheap. 

Or Hay could have reached out to his old mate Declan, to see if the Torslanda training facility in Sweden could have hosted 20-30 odd footballers & coaches for a week!! What about another one of his contacts Roberto Martínez - any room at a Belgian FA training facility.

I have no strong view on whether Hay is a better coach than Buckingham or vice versa. I just don't think Des would have stayed around in NZ right up to Tokyo. He would have packed up his suitcase & laptop, and flown off to maximise any actual hands on training opportunities in Europe - knowing that any window to be with his players over next 12 months is damn important. And then from there found his way to Nippon.

large surplus - cool, bet none of that $$ gets down to the grass roots clubs, instead it will line the pockets of the big wigs.

theprof

large surplus - cool, bet none of that $$ gets down to the grass roots clubs, instead it will line the pockets of the big wigs.

NZ Football already reduced its component of playing fees by between 13 to 38%, depending on the relevant grade, for this year, knowing they'd booked this surplus, so I'd say that is definitely a case of getting down to the grass roots clubs.

Have another story on international activity, or the lack thereof, to come on Stuff, probably early next week, maybe late next week.

andrewvoerman

theprof

large surplus - cool, bet none of that $$ gets down to the grass roots clubs, instead it will line the pockets of the big wigs.

NZ Football already reduced its component of playing fees by between 13 to 38%, depending on the relevant grade, for this year, knowing they'd booked this surplus, so I'd say that is definitely a case of getting down to the grass roots clubs.

Have another story on international activity, or the lack thereof, to come on Stuff, probably early next week, maybe late next week.

read that, didnt seem to affect any of the fees I had to pay this season, or last for that matter?

theprof

andrewvoerman

theprof

large surplus - cool, bet none of that $$ gets down to the grass roots clubs, instead it will line the pockets of the big wigs.

NZ Football already reduced its component of playing fees by between 13 to 38%, depending on the relevant grade, for this year, knowing they'd booked this surplus, so I'd say that is definitely a case of getting down to the grass roots clubs.

Have another story on international activity, or the lack thereof, to come on Stuff, probably early next week, maybe late next week.

read that, didnt seem to affect any of the fees I had to pay this season, or last for that matter?

Well that was for this season, so wouldn't affect last season. But there were various reductions in various places last season due to the shorter season? I'd follow up with your club and/or federation if you're concerned you've been stiffed this season, though there's every chance they've raised their own component of the fees to offset it.

theprof

didnt Hay say a little while ago that the logistic and organising games like this was just too hard/costly?

 That was deep in the heart of Covid.  Things have relaxed somewhat in Europe now with constant tests and jabs.

andrewvoerman

theprof

large surplus - cool, bet none of that $$ gets down to the grass roots clubs, instead it will line the pockets of the big wigs.

NZ Football already reduced its component of playing fees by between 13 to 38%, depending on the relevant grade, for this year, knowing they'd booked this surplus, so I'd say that is definitely a case of getting down to the grass roots clubs.

Have another story on international activity, or the lack thereof, to come on Stuff, probably early next week, maybe late next week.

A lack of activity, about a potential story on the lack of activity??

Or just enjoying the Lords Test too much. Has been great viewing. How good is Conway. 

See that South Korea U23s (pool opponent of OlyWhites) play 2 games against Ghana in Korea, from next week. 

Another pool opponent Romania U23 play Saudi Arabia U23 tonight, and then the Olyroos in a few days. 

I presume other pool opposition Honduras U23 are up to something. The Honduras senior team lost their CONCACAF Nations League semi 1-0, against USA two days ago in Denver. The Honduras U23 have also confirmed two pre Olympic friendlies in Nippon verus Spain & Japan - for early July. Furthermore they only completed their CONCACAF Olympic qualifying in March (knocked out USA U23s), so have had plenty of recent playing team together.

FYI - Sth Korea topped the pool Fiji was in, 2016 Olympics in Rio. They thrashed Krishna & Co 8-0.

Interesting that apparently Arnold, is going to go with a complete U23 Olyroos team for Tokyo, ie no over age players. But then unlike Hay & the AWs, Arnold will be getting plenty time with the senior Socceroos players over the next 12 months or so - if always likely outside Australia. AFC qualifying having resumed.

The players who were part of qualifying for the Olympics but are not in the frame got an email from NZF on Friday advising them they are not selected. Des used to personally phone every player if they were in or out, and that was a large group at the time. Must be close to announcing a squad then?

Enough said

The players who were part of qualifying for the Olympics but are not in the frame got an email from NZF on Friday advising them they are not selected. Des used to personally phone every player if they were in or out, and that was a large group at the time. Must be close to announcing a squad then?

I guess you could agrue is no obligation on Hay to personally ring every player who played in OFC qualifying, but won't be going to Tokyo. However would have been a nice gesture if he had, thanking those domestic based guys he got the team qualified in the Islands, doing the hard yards in the heat on those hard pitches. Imagine that he has the time to dial a few numbers for a very short chat, considering he hasn't done any hands on coaching for over 18 months.

Most would have known deep down this year they weren't going to the Olympics, with nearly all of the team going to be overseas based pros. Still as a young guy, you would always hold out some hope of that OIympics dream. There would be an acute disappointment for sure.

Again have no opinion if Hay is a better coach than Buckingham or vice versa, but know for sure who has the higher likeability.

Romania U23s lost to Mexico U23s 1-0 in their Marbella friendly.
Olyroos game against Saudi Arabia U23s cancelled. Sounds like a Covid case in the Saudi squad or something.
https://www.socceroos.com.au/news/australia-under-23s-international-friendly-against-saudi-arabia-cancelled

There is still alot of concern in Japan about the olympics and covid. What i don't understand, in sports like football, why are they making teams fly all-over the country to play pool games. Why wouldn't they manage the risk by locating separate pool group at there own separate stadiums and play out pool games at that place with-out the need and risk of domestic travel. Only takes 1 player to get covid and that team will probably have to withdraw from the games. 

Heard somewhere that 80% of Japanese are against hosting the Games. Still would seem that they are definitely going to happen. Be a huge blow to Hay and his future AWs planning if they were cancelled now. 

For sure a risk of athletes, including footballers getting Covid in Japan. They had nearly 14,000 new cases there yesterday (and their testing rate is low at just over 10% of the total popn), plus only about 3% of Japanese are currently fully vaccinated.

Olympic opposition, Romania beat an Olyroos selection 1-0 this morning.

Olympic opposition Sth Korea U23 beat Ghana U23, 3-1 in a friendly.

I’ve heard that Northern Rovers coach Kane Wintersgill is assistant coach for the Olympics

Olyroos selection, with a 3-2 loss to Mexico U23s in Marbella, Spain. Arzani with a goal.

See that Perth's Nic D’Agostino is in Marbella. Don't think he was in the original squad there which only included A League players from Jets & Victory (sides out of playoff chase early) from memory. Does seem that Piscopo (hopefully his shoulder injury healing well) is a real shot of going to Tokyo. Devlin & Laws less so.

https://www.socceroos.com.au/news/arzani-scores-brace-australia-u23s-suffer-tough-defeat-mexico

coochiee

Olyroos selection, with a 3-2 loss to Mexico U23s in Marbella, Spain. Arzani with a goal.

See that Perth's Nic D’Agostino is in Marbella. Don't think he was in the original squad there which only included A League players from Jets & Victory (sides out of playoff chase early) from memory. Does seem that Piscopo (hopefully his shoulder injury healing well) is a real shot of going to Tokyo. Devlin & Laws less so.

https://www.socceroos.com.au/news/arzani-scores-brace-australia-u23s-suffer-tough-defeat-mexico

Not a good tour for them results-wise, that’s three losses from three, with the fourth cancelled because of covid. I’m not sure many of that squad will be in the 18 at the Olympics though

coochiee

Olyroos selection, with a 3-2 loss to Mexico U23s in Marbella, Spain. Arzani with a goal.

See that Perth's Nic D’Agostino is in Marbella. Don't think he was in the original squad there which only included A League players from Jets & Victory (sides out of playoff chase early) from memory. Does seem that Piscopo (hopefully his shoulder injury healing well) is a real shot of going to Tokyo. Devlin & Laws less so.

https://www.socceroos.com.au/news/arzani-scores-brace-australia-u23s-suffer-tough-defeat-mexico

Genuinely dumbfounded by the fact that Devlin doesn't have a few Socceroos caps by now, let alone may not make it into the U23s (even accounting for Australia's depth in midfield). He's a top three CM in the A-League in my book at 23 years of age.

carlind

I’ve heard that Northern Rovers coach Kane Wintersgill is assistant coach for the Olympics

don't know the guy, but haven't heard a single good word about his temperament, personality or man management.

I miss the Buckingham and Miyazawa dream team

mrsmiis

coochiee

Olyroos selection, with a 3-2 loss to Mexico U23s in Marbella, Spain. Arzani with a goal.

See that Perth's Nic D’Agostino is in Marbella. Don't think he was in the original squad there which only included A League players from Jets & Victory (sides out of playoff chase early) from memory. Does seem that Piscopo (hopefully his shoulder injury healing well) is a real shot of going to Tokyo. Devlin & Laws less so.

https://www.socceroos.com.au/news/arzani-scores-brace-australia-u23s-suffer-tough-defeat-mexico

Genuinely dumbfounded by the fact that Devlin doesn't have a few Socceroos caps by now, let alone may not make it into the U23s (even accounting for Australia's depth in midfield). He's a top three CM in the A-League in my book at 23 years of age.

Devlin may yet make Tokyo, but looks like his main competitors are based in Europe rather than the A League.

Starting DMs for Olyroos in this Mexico friendly were Tyrese Francois (who recently made his 1st team debut for Fulham in their last EPL game), and Ryan Teague (like Devlin ex SFC Youth) who is on the books at top flight Portuguese side F.C. Famalicão (their U23 side).

Looks like they also have Anthony Kalik (again ex SFC Youth, who now plays in the Croatian top flight with HNK Gorica) & Marc Tokvich (was with WSW, now in Sweden with Mjällby, after a long term injury??), as the other DMs in Marbella.

Olyroos DMs in their last competitive fixture (win over Uzbekistan in AFC Olympic qualifying) were Zach Duncan with AGF in Denmark, and WSW's Keanu Baccus. Josh Laws also had a game as a DM in the same tourney in early 2020.

coochiee

mrsmiis

coochiee

Olyroos selection, with a 3-2 loss to Mexico U23s in Marbella, Spain. Arzani with a goal.

See that Perth's Nic D’Agostino is in Marbella. Don't think he was in the original squad there which only included A League players from Jets & Victory (sides out of playoff chase early) from memory. Does seem that Piscopo (hopefully his shoulder injury healing well) is a real shot of going to Tokyo. Devlin & Laws less so.

https://www.socceroos.com.au/news/arzani-scores-brace-australia-u23s-suffer-tough-defeat-mexico

Genuinely dumbfounded by the fact that Devlin doesn't have a few Socceroos caps by now, let alone may not make it into the U23s (even accounting for Australia's depth in midfield). He's a top three CM in the A-League in my book at 23 years of age.

Devlin may yet make Tokyo, but looks like his main competitors are based in Europe rather than the A League.

Starting DMs for Olyroos in this Mexico friendly were Tyrese Francois (who recently made his 1st team debut for Fulham in their last EPL game), and Ryan Teague (like Devlin ex SFC Youth) who is on the books at top flight Portuguese side F.C. Famalicão (their U23 side).

Looks like they also have Anthony Kalik (again ex SFC Youth, who now plays in the Croatian top flight with HNK Gorica) & Marc Tokvich (was with WSW, now in Sweden with Mjällby, after a long term injury??), as the other DMs in Marbella.

Olyroos DMs in their last competitive fixture (win over Uzbekistan in AFC Olympic qualifying) were Zach Duncan with AGF in Denmark, and WSW's Keanu Baccus. Josh Laws also had a game as a DM in the same tourney in early 2020.

Metcalfe is with the Socceroos, he probably keeps Devlin from going tbh

When is our squad named?

MetalLegNZ

When is our squad named?

Probably later this month but the journos will know better than me. There’s a training camp lined up (I assume in Auckland) which hasn’t been officially named but has been planned out by NZF, and will apparently involve players from Australia as well. These camps typically are on the eve of the naming so can’t be long now. A few people I’ve heard are supposedly involved in this pre-squad camp (on top of the A League guys who you’d expect) are Myer Bevan, Cam Brown, Alex Paulsen, Yousif al Khalisy, Regan Diver, Ben Old, so a mix of who you’d expect and a few surprises. Sarpreet Singh and Callan Elliot are both in NZ right now so should be there too. 

RR

coochiee

mrsmiis

coochiee

Olyroos selection, with a 3-2 loss to Mexico U23s in Marbella, Spain. Arzani with a goal.

See that Perth's Nic D’Agostino is in Marbella. Don't think he was in the original squad there which only included A League players from Jets & Victory (sides out of playoff chase early) from memory. Does seem that Piscopo (hopefully his shoulder injury healing well) is a real shot of going to Tokyo. Devlin & Laws less so.

https://www.socceroos.com.au/news/arzani-scores-brace-australia-u23s-suffer-tough-defeat-mexico

Genuinely dumbfounded by the fact that Devlin doesn't have a few Socceroos caps by now, let alone may not make it into the U23s (even accounting for Australia's depth in midfield). He's a top three CM in the A-League in my book at 23 years of age.

Devlin may yet make Tokyo, but looks like his main competitors are based in Europe rather than the A League.

Starting DMs for Olyroos in this Mexico friendly were Tyrese Francois (who recently made his 1st team debut for Fulham in their last EPL game), and Ryan Teague (like Devlin ex SFC Youth) who is on the books at top flight Portuguese side F.C. Famalicão (their U23 side).

Looks like they also have Anthony Kalik (again ex SFC Youth, who now plays in the Croatian top flight with HNK Gorica) & Marc Tokvich (was with WSW, now in Sweden with Mjällby, after a long term injury??), as the other DMs in Marbella.

Olyroos DMs in their last competitive fixture (win over Uzbekistan in AFC Olympic qualifying) were Zach Duncan with AGF in Denmark, and WSW's Keanu Baccus. Josh Laws also had a game as a DM in the same tourney in early 2020.

Metcalfe is with the Socceroos, he probably keeps Devlin from going tbh

I rate Devlin above Metcalfe, Duncan, Baccus, and right now Francois and Watts. Incredibly unique player who can slot into any system, provided there's someone to clean up the scraps beside him. Haven't seen any of Kalik or Tokich (who i think is a fullback? could be wrong). Teague is great, but Devlin's ahead of him too imo. 

I'm obviously not a team selector nor am I qualified, but to me it's dumbfounding how he's not involved regularly at senior level, let alone the Olyroos 

carlind

MetalLegNZ

When is our squad named?

Probably later this month but the journos will know better than me. There’s a training camp lined up (I assume in Auckland) which hasn’t been officially named but has been planned out by NZF, and will apparently involve players from Australia as well. These camps typically are on the eve of the naming so can’t be long now. A few people I’ve heard are supposedly involved in this pre-squad camp (on top of the A League guys who you’d expect) are Myer Bevan, Cam Brown, Alex Paulsen, Yousif al Khalisy, Regan Diver, Ben Old, so a mix of who you’d expect and a few surprises. Sarpreet Singh and Callan Elliot are both in NZ right now so should be there too. 

Shark isn't Diver only 17? That’s awesome, did he displace Anderson at Rovers, or is he just injured? The only time I've really seen him play was in a U23s game vs. Auckland City which certainly wasn't the most endearing game considering the leaky defense in front of him

What a name for a keeper by the way, sure he gets that all the fkn time though

Al-Kalisy's a cool one. Can't remember if he actually played for Iraq's U23s or if it was just his brother. Always rated him at ACFC, very versatile.

Out of that list though, the only ones I'd say are with a shot are Brown and Paulsen (for backup keeper)

Ollie Whyte better be there 

mrsmiis

carlind

MetalLegNZ

When is our squad named?

Probably later this month but the journos will know better than me. There’s a training camp lined up (I assume in Auckland) which hasn’t been officially named but has been planned out by NZF, and will apparently involve players from Australia as well. These camps typically are on the eve of the naming so can’t be long now. A few people I’ve heard are supposedly involved in this pre-squad camp (on top of the A League guys who you’d expect) are Myer Bevan, Cam Brown, Alex Paulsen, Yousif al Khalisy, Regan Diver, Ben Old, so a mix of who you’d expect and a few surprises. Sarpreet Singh and Callan Elliot are both in NZ right now so should be there too. 

Shark isn't Diver only 17? That’s awesome, did he displace Anderson at Rovers, or is he just injured? The only time I've really seen him play was in a U23s game vs. Auckland City which certainly wasn't the most endearing game considering the leaky defense in front of him

What a name for a keeper by the way, sure he gets that all the fkn time though

Al-Kalisy's a cool one. Can't remember if he actually played for Iraq's U23s or if it was just his brother. Always rated him at ACFC, very versatile.

Out of that list though, the only ones I'd say are with a shot are Brown and Paulsen (for backup keeper)

Yeah Regan is 17, turns 18 start of next month, I obviously rate him very highly but I was still surprised he was part of it. He was at Auckland City all summer, training with Cam, Conor Tracey and Zubi, but of course missed out on going to the Club World Cup when they pulled out of it. He’s not the tallest keeper atm, he’s 181cm (give or take a few) but he distributes well, is a very athletic/agile keeper, and can anticipate very well.

He was a part of the U20 training camp in Cambridge during the school holidays, with three other keepers - Oscar Mason (Napier City Rovers), Kees Sims (Western Suburbs) and Joe Knowles (Melville), though interestingly not Callum Kennett who was third keeper at the last U17 World Cup who is 2004-born. I don’t know if those other keepers are there, not being based in Auckland might count against them.
Liam Anderson was pretty frustrating so he got dropped for the game against Hamilton Wanderers a month or so ago, and he pulled off a few big saves including a penalty, so kept his spot, and then week after found out Liam had gone to Takapuna in Div 1.

The name jokes do come up now and again, but you get so used to it being a name you kind of forget it’s a word as well. I did hear Gordon Glen Watson drop an “aptly named Regan Diver” on Saturday though.

Yousif might have been involved in these sort of camps before as well, but I might be remembering wrong. He’s another really nice player, who I was always a bit surprised was at Forrest Hill as long as he was, and Northern Rovers were beneficiaries of him not getting game time at City (except in the Chatham Cup). He’s very tidy on the ball, and passes well, won the penalty on Saturday as well. 

I’d say Reegs and Yousif (and Malcom Young) have been the best Northern Rovers players the last month or so, but they are 9th of 12 teams in the Northern League. I’m not sure how many have been invited, the players (and Wintersgill) I know are based are on Whatsapp profile pictures that were recognised, but I’d reckon it’ll be the top guys from wider around, and Auckland players to give them more numbers, but who really knows. I’ll try find out more if and when I can though.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/nz-teams/125425276/australian-agegroup-international-joe-champness-now-eligible-for-new-zealand

Assume this isn't great news for someone eyeing up Tokyo? Rogerson maybe?

2ndBest

Assume this isn't great news for someone eyeing up Tokyo? Rogerson maybe?

Yeah, one of the fringe guys will be missing out now.

What is our pick for a starting 11 then?
                                   Woud
Ingham              Reid            Boxall           Carcace
                              Lewis    Bell

Champness                Singh                    Just
                                    Wood

Champness ahead of McCowatt... I'm working on the basis I think the A League is a better comp and he is faster, more direct.

MetalLegNZ

What is our pick for a starting 11 then?
                                   Woud
Ingham              Reid            Boxall           Carcace
                              Lewis    Bell

Champness                Singh                    Just
                                    Wood

Champness ahead of McCowatt... I'm working on the basis I think the A League is a better comp and he is faster, more direct.

I think Champness might be better as an impact player in a tournament scenario, can't see Hay not starting McCowatt considering there history together. I'd also consider Billingsley at RB. Stensness also unlucky to miss out. Going to be very interesting to finally see the squad announced.

The pre-squad camp started today, and I believe the following players were all there:
Alex Grieve

Alex Paulsen

Ben Old

Cam Brown

Campbell Strong

Clayton Lewis

Dane Ingham

Dane Schnell

James McGarry

Kalvin Kalua

Regan Diver

Sam Sutton

Sarpreet Singh 

Yousif al Khalisy

That’s not an exhaustive list though I believe. The coaches there were Hay, Bazeley, Kane Wintersgill and Ruben Parker. For what it’s worth, some players that weren’t there are: Elliot (in MIQ), J-H Sinclair, van den Hoven, Tim Payne, Conor Tracey, Cacace, Bevan, Stensness, Just, McCowatt, Woud

Tim Payne??

MetalLegNZ

What is our pick for a starting 11 then?
                                   Woud
Ingham              Reid            Boxall           Carcace
                              Lewis    Bell

Champness                Singh                    Just
                                    Wood

Champness ahead of McCowatt... I'm working on the basis I think the A League is a better comp and he is faster, more direct.

Been debating this for the past few months. We have the same team, bar a few little differences:

- Can't decide who the RB should be between Elliot, Billingsley and Ingham. Ingham's made great strides this season but still isn't as ideal defensively as you'd like, Elliot's got history with NZ age groups but hasn't played recently, and Billingsley's a senior international with an incredible motor and a few senior games under his belt this season - best of both worlds, though a little inexperienced.

- Stamenic may be a bolter from Hay, picked ahead of Lewis.

- McCowatt's gotta be ahead of Jowic. Has history with Hay as mentioned, Ranix is spot on with his assessment

My Predicted line up would be 

Woud 
Payne Reid Pijnaker Cacace 
Bell
Lewis Singh 
Just Wood McCowatt 

- Stamenic and Stensness on the bench 
Champness Waine and Rogerson attacking options 

George Stanger and Connor Tracey 

That’s the 18 I expect named on matchdays, Maybe could put a left or right back in over Rogerson for extra defensive cover but I doubt Payne or Cacace probably the two best athletes in the 11 would have any problems. Gonna see a lot of players miss out from the team that qualified two years ago. 

I fear Rogerson maybe the one to miss out because the news that broke about Champness this morning, captained the team to the olympics two years ago and would be unfortunate for him to miss out . 

MetalLegNZ

Tim Payne??

 Yes. Interesting maths if he manages to count as Under-23 at 27.