Another thing to remember is that with the 2021 Olympics team (Tokyo) many of them had played together alot prior, especially those in Des's 2019 U20 WC team.
This Olympics squad won't quite have that same level of prior combinations. Many of them missed the opportunity of a U20 WC together, due to it being cancelled during Covid.
I don't think any of Paulsen (21), Bindon (19), Sutton (22), Stamenic (22), Garbett (22), Randall (21), Bidois (22), Old (21) & OVH (22) for example would have been to a U20 WC. And some of these guys may have barely played with each other (Nix guys obviously excepted). Yes Stamenic & Garbett also alot of time together
But another good reason with reflection, to have this month's OFC Nations Cup team a shadow Olympics squad.
This Olympics squad won't quite have that same level of prior combinations. Many of them missed the opportunity of a U20 WC together, due to it being cancelled during Covid.
I don't think any of Paulsen (21), Bindon (19), Sutton (22), Stamenic (22), Garbett (22), Randall (21), Bidois (22), Old (21) & OVH (22) for example would have been to a U20 WC. And some of these guys may have barely played with each other (Nix guys obviously excepted). Yes Stamenic & Garbett also alot of time together
But another good reason with reflection, to have this month's OFC Nations Cup team a shadow Olympics squad.