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All Whites v China | Thurs 23rd March | 7.00pm | Mt Smart

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Posted March 30, 2023 07:39 · last edited March 30, 2023 08:01

It's a bit dumb getting hung up on selections for the first China game. Many players including Boxall only came into camp a few days before last Thursday. I imagine Minny to Auckland is a 20 hour plus journey via LA or Vancouver, & Boxall played a full MLS game only 3 days prior, in Denver. Maybe Bazeley/Boxy had to cut a deal with club coach Heath, who has made it plain he ain't a great fan of losing his players to international football.

But the main reason likes of Rufer, Kosta & Smith got a start in the first game, was better players coming in late. These were also unimportant friendlies, early in the WC cycle which is when you should be mix & maxing your combinations.

Apparently Smith coming back from injury, could at a pinch have played for Colchester in their last game prior joining the AWs. Smith is no doubt one of the best players at CU, but he's missed most of the L2 season due to injury. But he's their captain when fit, and they started to turn their season around from a horror start (dead last at one point) when he finally did start to play. He likely came out to NZ a bit early, bringing his wife & kids along for his 50th. Be curlish to deny him that in a 2 game series of friendlies.

He's actually younger than Boxall snr, but yes it seems less likely to make WC 2026 as more injury prone. Smith, Sail & Pijnaker all at fault for the red card.
 

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Unknown editor edited March 30, 2023 08:01
It's a bit dumb getting hung up on selections for the first China game. Many players including Boxall only came into camp a few days before last Thursday. I imagine Minny to Auckland is a 20 hour plus journey via LA or Vancouver, & Boxall played a full MLS game only 3 days prior, in Denver. Maybe Bazeley/Boxy had to cut a deal with club coach Heath, who has made it plain he ain't a great fan of losing his players to international football.

But the main reason likes of Rufer, Kosta & Smith got a start in the first game, was better players coming in late. These were also unimportant friendlies, early in the WC cycle which is when you should be mix & maxing your combinations.

Apparently Smith coming back from injury, could at a pinch have played for Colchester in their last game prior joining the AWs. Smith is no doubt one of the best players at CU, but he's missed most of the L2 season due to injury. But he's their captain when fit, and they started to turn their season around from a horror start (dead last at one point) when he finally did start to play.

He's actually younger than Boxall snr, but yes it seems less likely to make WC 2026 as more injury prone. Smith, Sail & Pijnaker all at fault for the red card.
 
Unknown editor edited March 30, 2023 07:48
It's a bit dumb getting hung up on selections for the first China game. Many players including Boxall only came into camp a few days before last Thursday. I imagine Minny to Auckland is a 20 hour plus journey via LA or Vancouver, & Boxall played a full MLS game only 3 days prior. Maybe Bazeley/Boxy had to cut a deal with club coach Heath, who has made it plain he ain't a great fan of losing his players to international football.

But the main reason likes of Rufer, Kosta & Smith got a start in the first game, was better players coming in late. These were also unimportant friendlies, early in the WC cycle which is when you should be mix & maxing your combinations.

Apparently Smith coming back from injury, could at a pinch have played for Colchester in their last game prior joining the AWs. Smith is no doubt one of the best players at CU, but he's missed most of the L2 season due to injury. But he's their captain when fit, and they started to turn their season around from a horror start (dead last at one point) when he finally did start to play.

He's actually younger than Boxall snr, but yes it seems less likely to make WC 2026 as more injury prone. Smith, Sail & Pijnaker all at fault for the red card.
 
Unknown editor edited March 30, 2023 07:46
It's a bit dumb getting hung up on selections for the first China game. Many players including Boxall only came into camp a few days before last Thursday. Boxall played a full game for Minny only 3 days prior. Main reason likes of Rufer, Kosta & Smith got a start. They are also unimportant friendlies, early in the WC cycle which is when you should be mix & maxing your combinations.

Apparently Smith coming back from injury, could at a pinch have played for Colchester in their last game prior joining the AWs. Smith is no doubt one of the best players at CU, but he's missed most of the L2 season due to injury. But he's their captain when fit, and they started to turn their season around from a horror start (dead last at one point) when he finally did start to play.

He's actually younger than Boxall snr, but yes it seems less likely to make WC 2026 as more injury prone. Smith, Sail & Pijnaker all at fault for the red card.