I think the fact that the second game in the window is in NZ makes it hard to justify resting NZ based players for that one. If anything we should have a stronger team featuring all of our best available overseas players for the Tahiti game, and have a primarily domestic XI for the second game. The likes of Old & Cacace can head back after the first game, but I expect Chris Wood will be keen to make the trip to NZ, he is hungry for appearances and goals. So long as he doesn't tweak his hammy between now and then, he is probably overdue for one of those given his history.
You maybe right.
But the AWs play Malaysia the 14th. Auckland's first ever ALM game is the 19th. Nix start their season the next day on the 20th.
Corica & Chief will be grumpy having their best NZ players away for a week, and only getting them back 4-5 days before their seasons kick off. Far from ideal prep, for the long awaited first game of the new campaign.
The Malaysian match is a soon forgotten friendly. It's a bit different than say European clubs releasing their players for important World Cup qualifiers, when the club seasons are already well underway.
I see a more European based AWs side running out at North Harbour. But could be wrong. We wait to see.