SA Squad

If that player adds some serious quality to the squad though, you'd be stupid to use that logic, we want the best possible squad at the World Cup, the massive core of the squad will be retained.

Yes and no. McGlinchey threw his lot in with us when we weren't
confirmed to be going. He made the choice of 'Well if NZ don't go, I'm
still making myself available'

The only reason Reid and the Smith would say yes is because its a ticket to the World Cup, not because they wanted to play for NZ.

Why would Ricki pick Winston Reid and Tommy Smith? I seriously doubt he would and I wouldn't want him too either.

This last week has shown us how much of a 'team' these guys are. They started and fuelled the marketing campaign from their own earnings via the PFA money, Tim Brown alluded to some of the struggles they had on 'that' trip to South America which forced some players into retirement and the treatment of Glen Moss with his send off and ban. These guys really came together and did it which is more than some other high profile sports/teams do. For a player to say 'yes I will make myself available for New Zealand' throws up interesting questions

- Why didn't they make themselves available earlier?
- Why are they making themselves available now?
- What does it say to a player whom would go but misses out for players that are now 'available'?

Those players wouldn't declare themselves available unless they knew they were going to be picked. They would have needed an indication from Ricki that he was taking them. As a player, why declare yourself when you wont get picked? Its not like we attend the World Cup regularly. Ricki has been a relatively loyal coach to his players who have been there for New Zealand. Sure he picked up McGlinchy and Fallon but that was done before we qualified and they became part of the squad. They made themselves available when it was a still a possibility we only 'might' go.

The answer is all because those players are not interested in New Zealand and its a self serving move to get to the World Cup because as of yesterday, we are now going. Thats very much un-Kiwi like.

Sentimental? Yeah but I'd hate to be the one to tell a Brockie or a Christie 'Sorry mate, your services are not required as I've picked a guy whose just made himself available for the team and never played for us before.'

Moss is in, he is still NZ's best keeper, although Paston is gaining more fans.

Daniel  Cortez?

What are the options for right back if we wanted to play a more defensive formation (i.e. one suitable to playing the seeded team in our pool)?

True we don't Tegal and you are right.

I understand Fallon had been trying for about 3 years prior to become eligible so I'd give him at least that much. I give McGlinchy respect because he chucked his lot in with us before it was known we were going. I'd question the motives of Smith and Reid if they became eligible now, now that we are confirmed to go. Why? Purely to go to the World Cup not because they wanted to represent NZ.