Hopefully NZF, can find the AWs some pre WC friendlies in early November, before WC kicks off 21st Nov. Would have to be in Europe or the Middle East.
But if they can't, what about a 2 game series in NZ, the Phoenix verus 'AWs selection'?
ALM is stopping for the World Cup (Nov 18th-Dec 8th) having only been going for 6 weeks. So Nix fans you are just getting into the new season, maybe excited if the team actually start the season well for a change - when bang it's a 3 week break. You get live football withdraw symptoms.
So what about 2 Nix games at the ROF and Eden Park, against the best NZ football talent based overseas. Players you see so so rarely in the flesh. When is the last time ex Nix Academy boy, Joe Bell played in Welly. A distraction to the pain of the AWs not actually being in Qatar.
Probably be the highest quality 'AWs' game at the ROF in maybe 8 odd years. 2017-2025. First time any AWs team will have played in Welly for 5 years. I reckon you'd go close to sell out, depending on who was available. Then a pretty reasonable crowd also in Auckland for game 2.
Wouldn't surprise if Newcastle had a training camp planned in Saudi the home of their paymasters, so the Woodsman maybe unavailable to trek downunder. But otherwise I reckon it could be close to a full strength AWs side, guys keen to come home for 1-2 weeks of NZ sun, see whanau, whilst their Euro club leagues are in WC hiatus. Most of the USA, Scandi, Irish league guys would be on their way to NZ anyway their seasons having finished (or winter break in Denmark)
The Nix's AWs would probably play for the Nix, but could play for either depending on who's available. Maybe David Ball could guest for the AWs team, since he his future international ambitions!!
Useful exercise for Uffie keeping his players fit, plus some handy on the grass time for Hay or whoever is the AWs gaffer. Pretty cheap exercise for NZF re getting 2 high profile 'AWs selection' games in NZ, with likely real good gate receipts. Pragnell wants the AWs playing in NZ more, but that's going to be very hard before OFC WC qualifying kicks off again. A series like this could be as good as it gets re games that would grab the public's attention.
But if they can't, what about a 2 game series in NZ, the Phoenix verus 'AWs selection'?
ALM is stopping for the World Cup (Nov 18th-Dec 8th) having only been going for 6 weeks. So Nix fans you are just getting into the new season, maybe excited if the team actually start the season well for a change - when bang it's a 3 week break. You get live football withdraw symptoms.
So what about 2 Nix games at the ROF and Eden Park, against the best NZ football talent based overseas. Players you see so so rarely in the flesh. When is the last time ex Nix Academy boy, Joe Bell played in Welly. A distraction to the pain of the AWs not actually being in Qatar.
Probably be the highest quality 'AWs' game at the ROF in maybe 8 odd years. 2017-2025. First time any AWs team will have played in Welly for 5 years. I reckon you'd go close to sell out, depending on who was available. Then a pretty reasonable crowd also in Auckland for game 2.
Wouldn't surprise if Newcastle had a training camp planned in Saudi the home of their paymasters, so the Woodsman maybe unavailable to trek downunder. But otherwise I reckon it could be close to a full strength AWs side, guys keen to come home for 1-2 weeks of NZ sun, see whanau, whilst their Euro club leagues are in WC hiatus. Most of the USA, Scandi, Irish league guys would be on their way to NZ anyway their seasons having finished (or winter break in Denmark)
The Nix's AWs would probably play for the Nix, but could play for either depending on who's available. Maybe David Ball could guest for the AWs team, since he his future international ambitions!!
Useful exercise for Uffie keeping his players fit, plus some handy on the grass time for Hay or whoever is the AWs gaffer. Pretty cheap exercise for NZF re getting 2 high profile 'AWs selection' games in NZ, with likely real good gate receipts. Pragnell wants the AWs playing in NZ more, but that's going to be very hard before OFC WC qualifying kicks off again. A series like this could be as good as it gets re games that would grab the public's attention.