Current All Whites who would/will make a all Whites best XI ever ?

Current crop is pretty solid imo I think Rufur, Nelsen, Elliott and Vicelich are all locks but the rest could come close to snagging a spot what do you think?

Reid would have to be in there. Smith would miss out due to Nelsen. 

Would Wood sneak into the second striker spot alongside Rufer? Probably not yet, but then my knowledge of All White strikers over the years is a bit limited off the top of my head. 

Apart from Rufer you have only named players in the last 20 years.  That is missing a whole lot of NZ football history.

I'm not as old as you. You're old. 

ridiculous thread

Every thread on here is ridiculous... why stop this one!

Will be interesting how much weight is placed on players appearing and performing for the AWs compared to how well their individual careers went compared to other NZ footballers. 

Will be interesting how much weight is placed on players appearing and performing for the AWs compared to how well their individual careers went compared to other NZ footballers. 

Indeed. We all know the XI would comprise solely of 1982 All Whites. 

I'd say Smeltz would be up front (with Rufer) and Reid at the back.  Apart from that, none of the current crop are there yet.  There are a few who could have a shout by the end of their careers (Kosta, Marco, WeeMac), but only time will tell that

A good question is what would a Greatest All Whites XI look like

I am definitely no Tommy Smith lover but he was an integral part of a back three who did us proud in our finest moment at the World Cup. 

He has also played for a number of years at a very high level in the championship. The likes of Herbert never played for such an extended period of time at such a level. I also think it's also fair to say that the championship is a higher quality then the old second division with the influx of foreigners into the premier league. So likely at a higher level then the Ceri Evans's of this world when he played for Oxford.

Can only really rate the players I have watched since the early 80's but if we play 3 at the back and assuming Ivan will be in the midfield, think he has to be there somewhere

                             Wilson

                   Reid      Evans     Smith

McGarry     Elliot     Nelsen      Sumner   

             Rufer      De Jong    Woodin

Um? I don't think James McGarry, Alex Rufer and Andre de Jong have even played for NZ let alone would make the best ever 11.

Danny hay?

First time I have ever seen Ryan playing in midfield

And Sumner a wing back?

I'm inclined to go the following, but I do feel like I am shoe-horning players in.  There is probably a better line-up

Van Hattum

Herbert     Reid      Nelsen      Evans

McGarry   Elliot     Vicelich    Sumner  

Rufer    Newall

                 Bannatyne

Mulligan    Myers   Old    Rowe

                     Dyer

            Butler    McGeorge

Draper        Banks       Ellensohn

It only includes players from the last 10 years but is a hell of a team.

I picked them on ability to defend and finish set plays, so Danny an option.

An indication of the type of successful players we have produced.

Brian Turner, Rory also options.

Maybe I have known him longer than you ?

Could slot into back four 4 3 3.

You joke but I reckon that team could give the incumbents a run for their money

Just pick the '82 team and be done with it

Feel more of the modern team could make this squad. Mulligan didn't do too badly for the AWs if IIRC, which is why his poor efforts the 'Nix were a surprise?

99 Confeds in Mexico.  His early All Whites career was in midfield and I'm pretty sure started out at DC United in Midfield.

you sure Dave? My memory says he partnered Bunce or Wilkinson in defence, with Roly on the left and Zorro on the right.....Atkinson and Ivan as defensive midfielders. And Utting getting drunk.

I don't know about DC United though - is that the team Superman and Batman play for, against Marvel City FC?

No room for Ricki Herbert or Brian Turner?

I have not seen Malcom Dunford, pretty solid defender.

Nelsen played at right wing back in a back 5 in that tournament

Wilkinson played as a midfield anchor in front of the 5

The centre backs were Zoro, Douglas and Bunce or Vicelich

so many good defenders. dunford would be in my team but he might have to play in midfield or left back

Yeh, he was right back at Confeds 99, with peroxide hair...

Yes real quality, not just a stopper he could play. Would like to have seen him have a go overseas.

He had trials arranged with Man City & Wimbledon by Fred Goodwin but got a hammy beforehand and never went.

Dunford and Mike McGarry were both really really good 

John Hill left back?

sometimes we are too quick to judge players between generations based on who they signed for.

the reality is that back in the days of rufer rufer evans herbert b turner etc it was really hard to land a UK or euro gig. 

the best teams typically could only field 3 foreigners, and foreigners weren't non just EU, they were players who didn't have the nationality of the country they played in

this included, to some extent, a player like ryan giggs, who UEFA (but not the football league) considered to be a foreigner playing for Man U

hence even wynton had to prove himself in switzerland before any club from any ther country would be interested in signing him. and even then he was previously turned down for a UK work permit

in short, you had to be REALLY REALLY good and this meant that many very good players never got a look in 

wonder what leggy would choose?

Far to many good player to choose from. Always going to come down to an opinion.