I disagree. Players who don't fit the culture off the field won't fit it on the field. And only weak coaches make exceptions to that. The All Whites need a team of honest, hard working and diligent professionals. Think back to what Hudson said after that first Uzbec game. Players turned up with no uniform, scruffy, joking around etc. they got dropped.
You can give me numerous examples of superstars that will prove that wrong in the sense that the team is a better unit with them (on paper at least) but this is Chris James and the All Whites we are talking about.
Personally I love the energy the guy brings. He is one of the few players that "wants the ball". But then again we aren't sitting in the dressing room and if he isses the others off as this thread suggests then he shouldn't be picked.
This same logic should apply to Tommy Smith etc as well. Again, very hard (emphasis added) to know the truth around why he hasn't played and don't want to speculate on that, but assuming what is said is true re his lack of commitment then that puts him in the same bucket.
Give me a bunch of team men any day over a bunch of more talented bunch of misfits.