Tommy Smith in a radio interview today saying both Egypt and Belgium are "on paper a lot more difficult" than Iran, and emphasising the importance of winning that first game vs Iran. Dumb thing to say imo when Iran are higher ranked and it will only serve as motivation for them, that we openly think theyre a lot weaker than Egypt. Also, if we lose that first game then that's going to be really disheartening for the team when they are openly saying that the first game the easiest one.
imanixsupporter wrote:
Kiwis (at least used to) care more about justice and everyone getting a "fair go" more than most and, to me, a real Kiwi in Smith's circumstances would never accept selection in this squad, they'd know they didn't deserve it and the team would be better served by someone else being selected.
Fuck off.
Three for me, and two for them.
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De Vries looked really slow in his short cameo against Adelaide. Libby hasnt played for months. First warmup game in two and a half weeks. Baz is probably going to give his starting 11 as much time as possible in the two warmup games to get them properly in the grove as a unit. Doesnt give Libby or DV much time to get match fit.
You really need to have your playing 11 100% match fit for the first game. This is the WC. The pressure and pace will be at another level.
Thats why I would start Old as LB. Hes match fit and in great form. I would also play Randall. Him and Old have the pace to worry sides.
The Iran game is our biggest chance to get a result. No point in going all conservative defensive. Be positive and go at them
You really need to have your playing 11 100% match fit for the first game. This is the WC. The pressure and pace will be at another level.
Thats why I would start Old as LB. Hes match fit and in great form. I would also play Randall. Him and Old have the pace to worry sides.
The Iran game is our biggest chance to get a result. No point in going all conservative defensive. Be positive and go at them
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HattyCW wrote:
Very late posting about this, haven't been on here in like four or five days.
No surprise Bazeley ended up including Smith in the playing squad instead of a coaching role. Tuiloma and others must be pissed and I feel for them. However, it is done and we have a very good squad otherwise. I am the same as anybody else who dislikes Woud and how his presence in the squad could be a problem for current and former Nix players e.g. Rufer, Payne, Surman, Singh.
Have no problem with Kosta being in the squad. In the Chile game, he showed he can still be a good back-up option in the absence of Woodsy and earned his spot.
Barbarouses very much deseves his call-up. Ignore this season when he was playing for the bottom club who sacked their manager mid-way through; he was still a sharp goal-scorer last season for the Phoenix. Some seem to ignore Kosta's status and proven ability in the history of the A-League as one of the all-time highest goal-scorers. His 107 A-League goals make him the highest scoring Kiwi in the history of the A-League (ahead of Shane Smeltz on 92) and the fourth highest-scorer in league history overall, with only McLaren, Berisha and Fornaroli head of him. Interestingly, Fornaroli and Kosta both played one season for major Greek club Panathinaikos in their youth - when Kosta was there the club were bankrupt and went through four managers but he was playing regularly by season's end. They were under a paid transfer ban so they couldn't sign Kosta from the Russian club he was on loan from. Having Kosta there on loan in the first place meant they didn't have to pay all of his wages. I read a story in the Greek media at the time about how Panathinaikos couldn't play any night games requiring floodlights because they hadn't paid the electricity bill for their stadium and owed hundreds of thousands of dollars to the power company.
Big Pete 65, Christchurch
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Turfmoore wrote:
Changing tack slightly. It is interesting to compare the make-up of our squads 1982 to 2010 to 2026.
1982 had 5 players based in Australia, the rest were NZ based - including places like Gisborne and Invercargill! (To be fair Gisborne City were very strong back then and Invercargill was Bobby Almond's retirement gig). But no players based in Europe, or beyond Australia for that matter.
2010 had 9 international based players (beyond NZ/Oz) and one unattached, the rest NZ-Based.
2026 has 17 international based players (counting Singh as international-based).
So a real snapshot of how the game has progressed here, in tandem with the growth of international opportunities.
Admittedly our international-based players are not all regulars at top clubs, with the obvious exception of Braintree Town, but the trend is stark.
To add to this comparison, 2010 we had 5 players in the squad playing NZ domestic league, 2026 we have none.
While we have a similar number of A League players in the squad, there were 4 in starting lineup in 2010, this year we'll likely have 1 (maybe 2 if Randall starts)
While we have a similar number of A League players in the squad, there were 4 in starting lineup in 2010, this year we'll likely have 1 (maybe 2 if Randall starts)
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imanixsupporter wrote:
Tommy Smith in a radio interview today saying both Egypt and Belgium are "on paper a lot more difficult" than Iran, and emphasising the importance of winning that first game vs Iran. Dumb thing to say imo when Iran are higher ranked and it will only serve as motivation for them, that we openly think theyre a lot weaker than Egypt. Also, if we lose that first game then that's going to be really disheartening for the team when they are openly saying that the first game the easiest one.
A 'Cultural Architect' through and through, he can't even help himself from keeping the Iranians motivated too!
Annual finals disappointment enthusiast.
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Jazzy Jeff wrote:imanixsupporter wrote:A 'Cultural Architect' through and through, he can't even help himself from keeping the Iranians motivated too!
Tommy Smith in a radio interview today saying both Egypt and Belgium are "on paper a lot more difficult" than Iran, and emphasising the importance of winning that first game vs Iran. Dumb thing to say imo when Iran are higher ranked and it will only serve as motivation for them, that we openly think theyre a lot weaker than Egypt. Also, if we lose that first game then that's going to be really disheartening for the team when they are openly saying that the first game the easiest one.
In the current context, I imagine Iran wont be take motivation from comments from a random non-league footballer. I'd say they have enough motivation coming from non-footballing sauces.
I have an amazing ability to find my way out of mazes. I'm pathological.
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Tommy's comment about Iran reminds me of NZF's English CEO needlessly provoking and riling up Peruvians by publicly calling on the NZ community to make things unpleasant and uncomfortable for the Peru team while they were in NZ for the first intercontinental leg, and the Peruvian media picked it up and ran with it and Peru duly did all sorts of fuckery to the NZ team when they were heading over/there (delaying their flight getting into Peru, flying loud fighter jets outside their hotel in the middle of the night).
Who knows whether it will turn the dial on Iran's motivation but it is senseless to even risk giving them anything they could use. And again, it is a stupid attitude to have. The only sensible attitude to have is that all our games are going to be beyond tough, we are underdogs in all of them, but we are capable of getting a result in any of them (just like the 2010 boys did). Targetting one specific team as weaker on paper is just asking for trouble.
Who knows whether it will turn the dial on Iran's motivation but it is senseless to even risk giving them anything they could use. And again, it is a stupid attitude to have. The only sensible attitude to have is that all our games are going to be beyond tough, we are underdogs in all of them, but we are capable of getting a result in any of them (just like the 2010 boys did). Targetting one specific team as weaker on paper is just asking for trouble.
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Good read. Baze and a small group of players now arriving in Florida this week, 2 weeks after Poppa and his pre camp Socceroos
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360979754/all-whites-coach-darren-bazeley-just-had-his-toughest-week-tougher-ones-are-coming-world-cup
The first All Whites staff member was set to start making their way to Florida on Monday, to get ready for the arrival of Bazeley and a small group of players in Miami from Wednesday, for a pre-camp that was a late addition to their schedule. The early focus will be on fitness work and that group will grow slowly, with the full 26-man squad set to come together slightly further north in Boca Raton around May 28.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360979754/all-whites-coach-darren-bazeley-just-had-his-toughest-week-tougher-ones-are-coming-world-cup
The first All Whites staff member was set to start making their way to Florida on Monday, to get ready for the arrival of Bazeley and a small group of players in Miami from Wednesday, for a pre-camp that was a late addition to their schedule. The early focus will be on fitness work and that group will grow slowly, with the full 26-man squad set to come together slightly further north in Boca Raton around May 28.
They will play Haiti in Fort Lauderdale – between Miami and Boca Raton – on June 3 (NZ time) before heading across the peninsula to play England in Tampa on June 7. After that comes a cross-country flight, a final preparation block in San Diego and matches in Los Angeles on June 16 and in Vancouver on June 22 and 27.
Bazeley has one more week of hoping his charges emerge unscathed, with clubs obliged to release their players to World Cup-bound teams next Monday. One benefit of flying to Florida this week is that he should be able to track most of their final matches in real time, rather than having to nervously check his phone when he wakes up.
One exception could be the A-League Men grand final between Auckland FC and Sydney FC at Go Media Stadium, which is due to kick off at 8.10pm on Saturday night NZ time – 4.10am on Saturday morning on the east coast of the United States. An early alarm might be in store.
Five World Cup squad members – Michael Woud, Callan Elliot, Nando Pijnaker, Francis de Vries and Jesse Randall – will be involved in the biggest club football match ever played on New Zealand soil. They will then have four days to celebrate or commiserate before flying out themselves.
The six others still in action are Ben Old, who has a home-and-away promotion playoff with AS Saint-Étienne in France this week; Alex Paulsen and Chris Wood, whose seasons end next weekend; and Joe Bell, Michael Boxall and Finn Surman, whose seasons run through the middle of the year, but take a break for the World Cup.
Once everyone is in Boca Raton at the end of next week, competition for places in Bazeley’s starting XI to face Iran in their opener will heat up, with 17 squad members seemingly vying for 11 spots, barring any late surprises, and three big questions to be answered.
Against Haiti and England, “they’ll probably both get game time,” Bazeley said. “Then at some stage we have to make a tough decision, like we do at centre back and like we do in midfield.”
In defence, with Tim Payne and Liberato Cacace the first-choice fullbacks, the question looks to be which two of Boxall, Finn Surman and Tyler Bindon join them in the middle.
In the closing months of 2025, a Boxall-Surman pairing appeared to be favoured, but Bindon claiming a starting role at Sheffield United helped his case, while Boxall has only just returned from his first injury layoff in five years at Minnesota United.
In his penultimate match with Portland Timbers before joining the All Whites, Surman faces Inter Miami and Argentine superstar Lionel Messi (kickoff 10am Monday NZ time) – as good a warm-up as you will find.
Further forward, between the back four and Wood, things are more complex.
If all three of Joe Bell, Marko Stamenić and Ryan Thomas are being lined up to start in midfield (the first two in their customary deep-lying positions and Thomas as the nominal No 10), and if Eli Just’s club form with Motherwell makes him a sure selection, that would just leave one spot up for grabs.
Sarpreet Singh (if control and creativity is desired), Matt Garbett and Callum McCowatt (if pressing is the focus) and Randall and Ben Old (if a dribbler is what’s wanted) would be the contenders. There might yet be room for two.
It won’t be until the Haiti match that we get any further insight into Bazeley’s thinking – and that’s still more than two weeks away.
But it all feels so much closer now.
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Baze reason for selecting Tommy Smith. Quotes based on Baze interview with Alex Chapman on Sportsnationnz-
"He does add value off the pitch"
"He brings off field experience"
"His a cultural architect"
"We want to pick the strongest squad"
"We got other leaders in the group"
He sounds like a politician not a sports coach(at any level). Never heard the phrase "cultural architect" used for any sports. I have heard phrases like
"playing in the 1st team", "playing at a high level", "picking the best", "selections based on merit", "not good enough for this level"
Now that's a coach.
Also shame on Ricky Herbert for backing this nonsense selection and comparing Tommy Smith to Oz picking Tim Cahill and Spain selecting Pepe Reina.
Cahill, Australia's goalscoring King, left Melbourne City to go play for Millwall. I think they were playing League 1 at the time. Pepe Reina was at Napoli or AC Milan when he got selected. Weird comparison.
Herbert's comments based on channelnewsasia website.
Also shame on the press for asking AW players opinions about the Tommy Smith selection. No player has ever given their honest opinion on a teammate while playing. The coaches opinion is all that matters. But we will hear the "truth" from players after they have retired.
"He does add value off the pitch"
"He brings off field experience"
"His a cultural architect"
"We want to pick the strongest squad"
"We got other leaders in the group"
He sounds like a politician not a sports coach(at any level). Never heard the phrase "cultural architect" used for any sports. I have heard phrases like
"playing in the 1st team", "playing at a high level", "picking the best", "selections based on merit", "not good enough for this level"
Now that's a coach.
Also shame on Ricky Herbert for backing this nonsense selection and comparing Tommy Smith to Oz picking Tim Cahill and Spain selecting Pepe Reina.
Cahill, Australia's goalscoring King, left Melbourne City to go play for Millwall. I think they were playing League 1 at the time. Pepe Reina was at Napoli or AC Milan when he got selected. Weird comparison.
Herbert's comments based on channelnewsasia website.
Also shame on the press for asking AW players opinions about the Tommy Smith selection. No player has ever given their honest opinion on a teammate while playing. The coaches opinion is all that matters. But we will hear the "truth" from players after they have retired.
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Turfmoore wrote:
Changing tack slightly. It is interesting to compare the make-up of our squads 1982 to 2010 to 2026.
1982 had 5 players based in Australia, the rest were NZ based - including places like Gisborne and Invercargill! (To be fair Gisborne City were very strong back then and Invercargill was Bobby Almond's retirement gig). But no players based in Europe, or beyond Australia for that matter.
2010 had 9 international based players (beyond NZ/Oz) and one unattached, the rest NZ-Based.
2026 has 17 international based players (counting Singh as international-based).
So a real snapshot of how the game has progressed here, in tandem with the growth of international opportunities.
Admittedly our international-based players are not all regulars at top clubs, with the obvious exception of Braintree Town, but the trend is stark.
There was good smoko money doing the rounds in NZ and Australia in the early '80s. I think a large number of the '82 side would be Euro pros if they were playing today.
I believe that if they were pros now in their prime, they would probably beat our current side 9 times out of 10.
I believe that if they were pros now in their prime, they would probably beat our current side 9 times out of 10.
Supporter of the world's best football teams: Waikato..., Kingz FC, NZ Knights, The Nix, The Argyle & of course the All Whites
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Marto wrote:Turfmoore wrote:There was good smoko money doing the rounds in NZ and Australia in the early '80s. I think a large number of the '82 side would be Euro pros if they were playing today.
Changing tack slightly. It is interesting to compare the make-up of our squads 1982 to 2010 to 2026.
1982 had 5 players based in Australia, the rest were NZ based - including places like Gisborne and Invercargill! (To be fair Gisborne City were very strong back then and Invercargill was Bobby Almond's retirement gig). But no players based in Europe, or beyond Australia for that matter.
2010 had 9 international based players (beyond NZ/Oz) and one unattached, the rest NZ-Based.
2026 has 17 international based players (counting Singh as international-based).
So a real snapshot of how the game has progressed here, in tandem with the growth of international opportunities.
Admittedly our international-based players are not all regulars at top clubs, with the obvious exception of Braintree Town, but the trend is stark.
I believe that if they were pros now in their prime, they would probably beat our current side 9 times out of 10.
Rubbish.
Sumner, Woodin, Almond, Boath. These guys all came to NZ aged 18-21 after coming through club youth systems in the UK. If they were going to break through as say 1st-2nd Division top players there, they would have stayed.
Sure they could have returned to Blighty and been journeyman pros down in the battler leagues but that is likely all. Don't forget these were the days when the only foreigners in the EFL pyramid were basically Scots & Irish. So in theory there were many more pro opportunities in the UK pyramid for British born players back then, compared to today.
Back then about 90-95% of players were English over the 4 tiers, now it's only 50-60%.
Agree that they were better than "amateur", and many of the '82 side could have been full time pros, but to suggest they would be manifestly better than today's 2026 WC vintage is frankly ludicrous.
Sumner, Woodin, Almond, Boath. These guys all came to NZ aged 18-21 after coming through club youth systems in the UK. If they were going to break through as say 1st-2nd Division top players there, they would have stayed.
Sure they could have returned to Blighty and been journeyman pros down in the battler leagues but that is likely all. Don't forget these were the days when the only foreigners in the EFL pyramid were basically Scots & Irish. So in theory there were many more pro opportunities in the UK pyramid for British born players back then, compared to today.
Back then about 90-95% of players were English over the 4 tiers, now it's only 50-60%.
Agree that they were better than "amateur", and many of the '82 side could have been full time pros, but to suggest they would be manifestly better than today's 2026 WC vintage is frankly ludicrous.
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Comparing never works. The progression of football in the past 40 years is enormous, there's far too many variables at play. People used to have a cardiac arrest watching Stanley Matthews do one step over.
If you bought both sides (in their prime of course) on the same pitch in present day, the current squad would wipe the floor with '82. But that's good. I would be terrible if for all the decades of development and money spent, we were worse now.
If you bought both sides (in their prime of course) on the same pitch in present day, the current squad would wipe the floor with '82. But that's good. I would be terrible if for all the decades of development and money spent, we were worse now.
Annual finals disappointment enthusiast.
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Jazzy Jeff wrote:
Comparing never works. The progression of football in the past 40 years is enormous, there's far too many variables at play. People used to have a cardiac arrest watching Stanley Matthews do one step over.
If you bought both sides (in their prime of course) on the same pitch in present day, the current squad would wipe the floor with '82. But that's good. I would be terrible if for all the decades of development and money spent, we were worse now.
Comparison never works except to provide hours of wistful drinking conversation…
I like both points. There were plenty of chances to be pros available, but also we’re talking about the days of scouting pre-YouTube, pre-video even, where there were many brilliant transfer frauds perpetrated. Even if players developed in New Zealand, outside the World Cup or some personal recommendation, surely no is getting scouted here?
I like both points. There were plenty of chances to be pros available, but also we’re talking about the days of scouting pre-YouTube, pre-video even, where there were many brilliant transfer frauds perpetrated. Even if players developed in New Zealand, outside the World Cup or some personal recommendation, surely no is getting scouted here?
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Certainly much more difficult for NZ born players back in 1982 than now.
Ricki obviously managed to get signed by Wolves. Wynton of course. Though he couldn't get a work permit to sign at Norwich, highlighting that yes not easy to score a pro gig in Blighty.
Grant Turner's (RIP) big regret was a bad ankle injury that ruled him out of all 3 AWs matches in Spain. That was his prime opportunity to impress Euro scouts and secure a pro contract up there. Was also some story that early in his career, Turner was invited to a trial at an English club but was unable to take the opportunity because he would have had to self-fund travel cost, and he couldn't afford it.
But 11 of the '82 squad were born in the UK. You'd think if any English/Scottish clubs thought they were good enough they would have made a move.
Ricki obviously managed to get signed by Wolves. Wynton of course. Though he couldn't get a work permit to sign at Norwich, highlighting that yes not easy to score a pro gig in Blighty.
Grant Turner's (RIP) big regret was a bad ankle injury that ruled him out of all 3 AWs matches in Spain. That was his prime opportunity to impress Euro scouts and secure a pro contract up there. Was also some story that early in his career, Turner was invited to a trial at an English club but was unable to take the opportunity because he would have had to self-fund travel cost, and he couldn't afford it.
But 11 of the '82 squad were born in the UK. You'd think if any English/Scottish clubs thought they were good enough they would have made a move.
As others say comparing eras is fraught.
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Some interesting notes on the AWS WC prep. Will Smith get any mins even in the 2 warmups?
Niche Cache.
As for Smithy himself, everyone’s been talking about him but only Paul Hawksbee and Andy Jacobs from England’s TalkSPORT radio have actually spoken to him (skip to around 1:06:00)...
https://www.youtube.com/live/Z7ygi-6y1yA?si=pZ2PzakyzxENs-zL
Niche Cache.
As for Smithy himself, everyone’s been talking about him but only Paul Hawksbee and Andy Jacobs from England’s TalkSPORT radio have actually spoken to him (skip to around 1:06:00)...
https://www.youtube.com/live/Z7ygi-6y1yA?si=pZ2PzakyzxENs-zL
It’s funny how every English interviewer who talks to a kiwi footballer asks them straight away about how tough the travel is, not realising how rare it is for the All Whites (and especially the Football Ferns) to actually get to play at home in Aotearoa. Probably because the England men’s team plays all of their friendlies at Wembley Stadium and pretty much only play outside England for qualifiers and tournaments (granted, they have a lot of those being in Europe). They also asked him about playing against Romelu Lukaku (Belgium) and Mohamed Salah (Egypt)... he’s not actually going to get to play against them, since there’s little chance he actually gets on the pitch at the World Cup, but fortunately he pointed out that he’s already played them before – Salah at the Olympics and Lukaku in an Ipswich vs Chelsea reserves game once upon a time. Here are a couple of Word Cup preparation notes...
Tommy Smith: “I travel next Thursday (21 May). For the lads that finished their season earlier than the others, they're putting on a little sort of pre-camp in Miami and then the whole squad meets up on the 27th in Boca Raton, Florida. We’ve got friendlies against Haiti and England. Obviously [the England game] will have a special place in my heart with it being the country of my birth. Looking forward to that one and my family is getting out there for it. My wife and kids will be there. So that'll be a special occasion. We're based in San Diego with our first game in LA and our second two group games up in Vancouver. Based in San Diego and when we do fly up to Vancouver, we'll stay up there for both games.”
“Our sport scientist is encouraging us all to take part in some heat adaptation training. So, I've been in the sauna every day really between 30 and 60 minutes to try and get the body exposed to that heat that we're going to going to be exposed to over in the States. It's something that we did at Auckland FC as well, for when we play away games in Australia where the heat can be very similar to that in the US. So I've got good experience of playing in those conditions, but it never makes it that much easier.”
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Tommy Smith was also interviewed by Sport Nation radio in NZ last week after his selection, just for the record Niche Cache.
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Would also be interesting to hear someone ask Football NZ how many backroom staff scored a junket trip to the States along with Smith.
Be interesting how many other trips for boys/girls have been handed out.
Be interesting how many other trips for boys/girls have been handed out.
GET YOUR SHIRTS OFF FOR THE BOYS
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https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360980837/all-whites-captain-chris-wood-targets-historic-world-cup-breakthrough
All Whites captain Chris Wood has declared himself fully fit for the FIFA World Cup after playing 10 games for Nottingham Forest since returning from knee surgery, with one more to come against Bournemouth on Monday (NZT).
All Whites captain Chris Wood has declared himself fully fit for the FIFA World Cup after playing 10 games for Nottingham Forest since returning from knee surgery, with one more to come against Bournemouth on Monday (NZT).
But there was one moment, shortly after returning from his 24-week injury layoff, where Wood feared his comeback would be cut short – causing some panic back in New Zealand.
Wood was on the receiving end of a bruising red-card tackle in just his third game back, Forest’s Europa League quarterfinal second leg against Porto.
He left the field in the 16th minute but quickly called All Whites coach Darren Bazeley to reassure him he was OK. It was his other knee and he escaped with only a bruise.
“There was a lot of panic in myself as well after being out for so long,” Wood said on a call with New Zealand media on Friday. “It was a different knee but it was only a contusion from a strong kick. Luckily in the first six hours after the game, my physios and the medical staff were confident there was no major damage, which was good, and we ruled it out the next day.
“I spoke to Baze that night to let him know the situation and of course the medical team for New Zealand, Roly [lead physio Roland Jeffery], they were on top of it with the medical staff here at Forest.”
'Vastly different' to the heroes of 2010
Sixteen years after making his World Cup debut as a teenager, the Premier League star will lead New Zealand in North America and has big objectives, determined to create history for his country by getting out of the group for the first time.
Wood said the All Whites would target their first two group G matches against Iran and Egypt, believing they are both winnable, before reassessing their situation for group favourites Belgium, who are ranked ninth in the world.
The All Whites have never won a match at a World Cup but Wood was part of their undefeated campaign in 2010, when New Zealand secured gutsy draws against Slovakia, Italy and Paraguay.
“It’s a completely different squad and team to what 2010 was. Now we’re very much a technical, ball-playing side and very good on the pitch. In 2010, we were great on the pitch but we had proper leaders, proper ‘run through brick wall-type players’ and that’s how we got three draws and became the only unbeaten side,” he said.
“They’re vastly different teams and hard to compare but I know this team will want to do big things, cause a few upsets. We want to get out of the group – that’s our goal, that’s our aim – and then build from there. I’m under no illusion it’s going to be tough but we think we’ve got the quality in our dressing room to do that.”
Why veteran defender's experience is 'vital'
Wood is one two survivors from South Africa, joined by veteran defender and close friend Tommy Smith.
While Wood was a 100% certainty to be picked once he returned from injury, 36-year-old Smith was a polarising selection.
Now playing for English fifth-tier club Braintree Town, it was Smith’s leadership and experience that ultimately gave him the edge over Wellington Phoenix defender Bill Tuiloma for one of the last spots in the 26-man squad.
When asked about Smith’s value, Wood highlighted his team-mate’s playing time at the World Cup in 2010.
Smith started all three games, giving him a unique perspective as the All Whites return to the world stage 16 years on.
“He’s going to bring a lot of experience, obviously the only other Kiwi who has been to a World Cup and understands what we’ve been through.
“He’s got a lot more experience than I do in that sense because he started all three games and he can help out the team a lot more than I can.
“I can share my experiences as well but I think he will be vital in terms of understanding the occasion and the process of dealing with everything around it and keeping everybody focussed and in line.”
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It appears Tim Payne has gone viral on Instagram. A South American influencer/streamer was on a mission to try and find the least known footballer at the World Cup to support and ended up deciding it's Tim Payne. Payne's gone from about 5k Followers to nearly 500k Followers! 250K likes and 40k comments on his most recent post. World Cup Fever. This is something the Phoenix (and All Whites) social media team should be all over by the way.
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There was a post on the Nixs facebook page and I had no clue who that influencer is.
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I was in South America for the 2018 World Cup, plus build up to.
Peru & Colombia. Helped that both teams participated, but really WC fever and interest there is something else.
Peru & Colombia. Helped that both teams participated, but really WC fever and interest there is something else.
It's a million miles from Aotearoa and Super Rugby stories leading the sports news. There will be a dozen Colombian TV crews heading to Guadalajara to report on the national team every day.
Those stats about Payne's insta blowing up not surprising at all. And yeah the Nix's social media team should be thinking how to leverage that.
I think the last time Payne was "discovered" was when Indian cricket fans dumped on him that time.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fD1K5B8Q9eA
I think the last time Payne was "discovered" was when Indian cricket fans dumped on him that time.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fD1K5B8Q9eA
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coochiee wrote:Marto wrote:Rubbish.Turfmoore wrote:There was good smoko money doing the rounds in NZ and Australia in the early '80s. I think a large number of the '82 side would be Euro pros if they were playing today.
Changing tack slightly. It is interesting to compare the make-up of our squads 1982 to 2010 to 2026.
1982 had 5 players based in Australia, the rest were NZ based - including places like Gisborne and Invercargill! (To be fair Gisborne City were very strong back then and Invercargill was Bobby Almond's retirement gig). But no players based in Europe, or beyond Australia for that matter.
2010 had 9 international based players (beyond NZ/Oz) and one unattached, the rest NZ-Based.
2026 has 17 international based players (counting Singh as international-based).
So a real snapshot of how the game has progressed here, in tandem with the growth of international opportunities.
Admittedly our international-based players are not all regulars at top clubs, with the obvious exception of Braintree Town, but the trend is stark.
I believe that if they were pros now in their prime, they would probably beat our current side 9 times out of 10.
Sumner, Woodin, Almond, Boath. These guys all came to NZ aged 18-21 after coming through club youth systems in the UK. If they were going to break through as say 1st-2nd Division top players there, they would have stayed.
Sure they could have returned to Blighty and been journeyman pros down in the battler leagues but that is likely all. Don't forget these were the days when the only foreigners in the EFL pyramid were basically Scots & Irish. So in theory there were many more pro opportunities in the UK pyramid for British born players back then, compared to today.
Back then about 90-95% of players were English over the 4 tiers, now it's only 50-60%.
Agree that they were better than "amateur", and many of the '82 side could have been full time pros, but to suggest they would be manifestly better than today's 2026 WC vintage is frankly ludicrous.
I agree, the current side would beat the '82 team because they mostly play club football at a higher level and we have way more depth these days.
Guys like Cresswell, Boath, Simonsen, McKay, while very good NZ national league or Aussie national league players, you'd think would struggle to make it in UK football.
On the other hand, Glenn Dods, regarded as the best fullback in the Aussie league in the late 70's - early 80's was good enough I think to have a career outside Australasia.
Northern Ireland-born fullback Richard Hill was also very talented.
A correction to the top post above:
Turfmoore wrote:
"Changing tack slightly. It is interesting to compare the make-up of our squads 1982 to 2010 to 2026.
1982 had 5 players based in Australia, the rest were NZ based - including places like Gisborne and Invercargill! (To be fair Gisborne City were very strong back then and Invercargill was Bobby Almond's retirement gig). But no players based in Europe, or beyond Australia for that matter."
In the 1981-82 team, Wynton Rufer was an apprentice pro at Norwich City during qualifying and on the eve of the World Cup had signed for FC Zurich in his father's home country.
Later he said that the chose FC Zurich beause they offered to sign his older brother Shane as well.
Some other members of the '82 squad were good enough to play in Europe or the UK.
Steve Wooddin (two "d"s, often spelt wrong) was offered a contract by a Belgian top flight side post WC but failed the medical. The rigours of the AW's 15 qualifying mtches had taken their toll and he was hampered by an ankle injury the rest of his career, only appearing intermittently for South Melbourne (1983) , Chrischurch United (1984) and merely four more AW's apps before retiring.
Goalie Frank van Hattum was offered a contract by Feyenoord post WC but they withdrew the offer after Frank's NZ club Manurewa wanted a transfer fee.
Euro clubs were arrogant about the idea of paying transfer fees to clubs outside Europe in those days.
Frank understandably was pissed off with Manurewa and quit for Chch Utd in 1983.
There was already a Feyenoord link with NZ players pre-World Cup.
AW's goalie Richard Wilson and fellow Christchurch AW Johan Verweij (a striker not selected in '82) who were teenagers playing together at New Brighton, had gone over to the Netherlands in the late '70's and played in Feyenoord's youth team, winning the Dutch Youth Cup.
Ricki Herbert of course went on to play a couple of seasons at Wolves.
And lets not forget trailblazing '82 AW's striker Brian Turner who was on the books of Cheslea aged 18, having returned to England where he was born, having immigrated to NZ as a kid.
Brian Turner:
1968–1969 | Chelsea | 0 | (0)
1969–1970 | Portsmouth | 4 | (0)
1970–1972 | Brentford | 92 | (7)
Guys like Cresswell, Boath, Simonsen, McKay, while very good NZ national league or Aussie national league players, you'd think would struggle to make it in UK football.
On the other hand, Glenn Dods, regarded as the best fullback in the Aussie league in the late 70's - early 80's was good enough I think to have a career outside Australasia.
Northern Ireland-born fullback Richard Hill was also very talented.
A correction to the top post above:
Turfmoore wrote:
"Changing tack slightly. It is interesting to compare the make-up of our squads 1982 to 2010 to 2026.
1982 had 5 players based in Australia, the rest were NZ based - including places like Gisborne and Invercargill! (To be fair Gisborne City were very strong back then and Invercargill was Bobby Almond's retirement gig). But no players based in Europe, or beyond Australia for that matter."
In the 1981-82 team, Wynton Rufer was an apprentice pro at Norwich City during qualifying and on the eve of the World Cup had signed for FC Zurich in his father's home country.
Later he said that the chose FC Zurich beause they offered to sign his older brother Shane as well.
Some other members of the '82 squad were good enough to play in Europe or the UK.
Steve Wooddin (two "d"s, often spelt wrong) was offered a contract by a Belgian top flight side post WC but failed the medical. The rigours of the AW's 15 qualifying mtches had taken their toll and he was hampered by an ankle injury the rest of his career, only appearing intermittently for South Melbourne (1983) , Chrischurch United (1984) and merely four more AW's apps before retiring.
Goalie Frank van Hattum was offered a contract by Feyenoord post WC but they withdrew the offer after Frank's NZ club Manurewa wanted a transfer fee.
Euro clubs were arrogant about the idea of paying transfer fees to clubs outside Europe in those days.
Frank understandably was pissed off with Manurewa and quit for Chch Utd in 1983.
There was already a Feyenoord link with NZ players pre-World Cup.
AW's goalie Richard Wilson and fellow Christchurch AW Johan Verweij (a striker not selected in '82) who were teenagers playing together at New Brighton, had gone over to the Netherlands in the late '70's and played in Feyenoord's youth team, winning the Dutch Youth Cup.
Ricki Herbert of course went on to play a couple of seasons at Wolves.
And lets not forget trailblazing '82 AW's striker Brian Turner who was on the books of Cheslea aged 18, having returned to England where he was born, having immigrated to NZ as a kid.
Brian Turner:
1968–1969 | Chelsea | 0 | (0)
1969–1970 | Portsmouth | 4 | (0)
1970–1972 | Brentford | 92 | (7)
Big Pete 65, Christchurch
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Big Pete 65 wrote:coochiee wrote:I agree, the current side would beat the '82 team because they mostly play club football at a higher level and we have way more depth these days.Marto wrote:Rubbish.Turfmoore wrote:There was good smoko money doing the rounds in NZ and Australia in the early '80s. I think a large number of the '82 side would be Euro pros if they were playing today.
Changing tack slightly. It is interesting to compare the make-up of our squads 1982 to 2010 to 2026.
1982 had 5 players based in Australia, the rest were NZ based - including places like Gisborne and Invercargill! (To be fair Gisborne City were very strong back then and Invercargill was Bobby Almond's retirement gig). But no players based in Europe, or beyond Australia for that matter.
2010 had 9 international based players (beyond NZ/Oz) and one unattached, the rest NZ-Based.
2026 has 17 international based players (counting Singh as international-based).
So a real snapshot of how the game has progressed here, in tandem with the growth of international opportunities.
Admittedly our international-based players are not all regulars at top clubs, with the obvious exception of Braintree Town, but the trend is stark.
I believe that if they were pros now in their prime, they would probably beat our current side 9 times out of 10.
Sumner, Woodin, Almond, Boath. These guys all came to NZ aged 18-21 after coming through club youth systems in the UK. If they were going to break through as say 1st-2nd Division top players there, they would have stayed.
Sure they could have returned to Blighty and been journeyman pros down in the battler leagues but that is likely all. Don't forget these were the days when the only foreigners in the EFL pyramid were basically Scots & Irish. So in theory there were many more pro opportunities in the UK pyramid for British born players back then, compared to today.
Back then about 90-95% of players were English over the 4 tiers, now it's only 50-60%.
Agree that they were better than "amateur", and many of the '82 side could have been full time pros, but to suggest they would be manifestly better than today's 2026 WC vintage is frankly ludicrous.
Guys like Cresswell, Boath, Simonsen, McKay, while very good NZ national league or Aussie national league players, you'd think would struggle to make it in UK football.
On the other hand, Glenn Dods, regarded as the best fullback in the Aussie league in the late 70's - early 80's was good enough I think to have a career outside Australasia.
Northern Ireland-born fullback Richard Hill was also very talented.
A correction to the top post above:
Turfmoore wrote:
"Changing tack slightly. It is interesting to compare the make-up of our squads 1982 to 2010 to 2026.
1982 had 5 players based in Australia, the rest were NZ based - including places like Gisborne and Invercargill! (To be fair Gisborne City were very strong back then and Invercargill was Bobby Almond's retirement gig). But no players based in Europe, or beyond Australia for that matter."
In the 1981-82 team, Wynton Rufer was an apprentice pro at Norwich City during qualifying and on the eve of the World Cup had signed for FC Zurich in his father's home country.
Later he said that the chose FC Zurich beause they offered to sign his older brother Shane as well.
Some other members of the '82 squad were good enough to play in Europe or the UK.
Steve Wooddin (two "d"s, often spelt wrong) was offered a contract by a Belgian top flight side post WC but failed the medical. The rigours of the AW's 15 qualifying mtches had taken their toll and he was hampered by an ankle injury the rest of his career, only appearing intermittently for South Melbourne (1983) , Chrischurch United (1984) and merely four more AW's apps before retiring.
Goalie Frank van Hattum was offered a contract by Feyenoord post WC but they withdrew the offer after Frank's NZ club Manurewa wanted a transfer fee.
Euro clubs were arrogant about the idea of paying transfer fees to clubs outside Europe in those days.
Frank understandably was pissed off with Manurewa and quit for Chch Utd in 1983.
There was already a Feyenoord link with NZ players pre-World Cup.
AW's goalie Richard Wilson and fellow Christchurch AW Johan Verweij (a striker not selected in '82) who were teenagers playing together at New Brighton, had gone over to the Netherlands in the late '70's and played in Feyenoord's youth team, winning the Dutch Youth Cup.
Ricki Herbert of course went on to play a couple of seasons at Wolves.
And lets not forget trailblazing '82 AW's striker Brian Turner who was on the books of Cheslea aged 18, having returned to England where he was born, having immigrated to NZ as a kid.
Brian Turner:
1968–1969 | Chelsea | 0 | (0)
1969–1970 | Portsmouth | 4 | (0)
1970–1972 | Brentford | 92 | (7)
Thanks BP. Don't disagree with anything you have written. Indeed, many of the players were capable of, and some actually achieved, careers in European football. It is just that at the time of registering the squad, all were registered with NZ/Aus clubs (according to all records I can find). The obvious quirk being that Rufer had just signed with FC Zurich, but his registration, as I understand it, was still with Miramar Rangers - post the Norwich work permit debacle. So maybe "registered with NZ/Oz clubs" a more accurate descriptor.
I know, I know, its serious!
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That is bloody awesome.
This is almost deserving of its very own thread surely!!
Some early observations.
I would rather we had taken LKH, then the cultural architect, just to beat those bloody Australians!,
Surprised we are taller than those big bully Americans.
The dark horses are definitely Tunisia, I’m surprised by their height.
This is almost deserving of its very own thread surely!!
Some early observations.
I would rather we had taken LKH, then the cultural architect, just to beat those bloody Australians!,
Surprised we are taller than those big bully Americans.
The dark horses are definitely Tunisia, I’m surprised by their height.
Auckland will rise once more
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https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/japans-minamino-support-world-cup-campaign-mentor-role-2026-06-10/
Japan taking two "support players" outside of the 26.
Japan taking two "support players" outside of the 26.
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I think people question if that is his real height or a good hair day.
I mean I don’t think Max is a short goal keeper but I do think Alex is.
And according to this table, Alex is taller.
I’m also a little surprised that Libby and Joe Bell are taller then Rufs.
I mean I don’t think Max is a short goal keeper but I do think Alex is.
And according to this table, Alex is taller.
I’m also a little surprised that Libby and Joe Bell are taller then Rufs.
Auckland will rise once more
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Yes seems everyone is noting AP's height is being exaggerated in those stats.
https://twitter.com/thenichecache/status/2064485553052201189
https://twitter.com/thenichecache/status/2064485553052201189
https://twitter.com/thenichecache/status/2064485553052201189
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We've done the Paulsen height chat to death on these forums. But for those who aren't aware he is on record saying he is 183/6'0" and I am pretty sure he was mistakenly entered into to some sort of database as 193cm years ago and it is probably a case of nobody bothering to fix it, rather than intentionally listing it wrong repeatedly
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Good read. Any Havelock North Wanderers players out there?
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360992276/how-former-all-white-declan-edge-helped-produce-six-members-new-zealands-2026-fifa-world-cup-squad
It took nine years, but this writer did ask Thomas about that period this March, when he was home with the All Whites, preparing for a FIFA World Cup campaign that is now just two days away from starting.
“I came back and ended up training at Olé for a couple days and I trained with all the boys,” he said. “You could see there was a high level of footballer there.”
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360992276/how-former-all-white-declan-edge-helped-produce-six-members-new-zealands-2026-fifa-world-cup-squad
It took nine years, but this writer did ask Thomas about that period this March, when he was home with the All Whites, preparing for a FIFA World Cup campaign that is now just two days away from starting.
“I came back and ended up training at Olé for a couple days and I trained with all the boys,” he said. “You could see there was a high level of footballer there.”
“The boys” included five players born between 1999 and 2002, so then aged between 16 and 18, who have gone on to be part of this year’s World Cup squad – Matt Garbett, Eli Just, Callum McCowatt, Nando Pijanker and Marko Stamenić.
A sixth, born slightly earlier in 1998 – Owen Parker-Price – would have been the next midfielder up, while a seventh, born in 1999 – Dalton Wilkins – might have been in the frame at fullback if not for a torrid time with injuries.
One Sunday afternoon in May 2018, those seven players were part of the same matchday squad for Olé’s Central League partner club Western Suburbs, with an eighth future international – Somalia’s Mohamed Awad, then 24 – alongside them.
Garbett and Awad both scored hat-tricks in a 9-0 romp over Havelock North Wanderers at Guthrie Park.
Told half his team’s 16-man squad that day had gone on to play senior international football, Garbett said it was a “surreal” piece of trivia.
As a comparison, the Wellington Phoenix reserve teams playing in the Central League that season as Wellington United never had more than four such players, most often two or three.
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That article seems like another dig at the Phoenix. How many in the team came through the Nix academy? Singh, Paulsen, Surman, Cacace, Waine, Old, who else? And how many home come through the team at some stage or another? Bell, McCowatt, Elliott, Boxall, Rufer, Payne - that's 12 out of 26. But where's that article????
No professional club has delivered more players for the national team than us.
No professional club has delivered more players for the national team than us.
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You have taken the very last sentence solely in isolation out of quite a lengthy indepth look at Edge and Ole. Did you bother to read the whole article?
That last sentence more a moment in time comparsion that for a few short years (2018-2019?), Ole and Wests had a somewhat amazing collection of talent who went on to become AWs.
Declan can rightly watch the upcoming World Cup matches and feel some sense of pride. As yes can the Weenix coaches who have had anything to do with Libby, Sarpreet, Old, Surman, Paulsen and Waine.
Now that he has returned from Torslanda hopefully NZF can find some sort of role for outlier, alternative thinker Edge. He ain't everyone's cup of tea, but his record developing young talent is 2nd to none.
That last sentence more a moment in time comparsion that for a few short years (2018-2019?), Ole and Wests had a somewhat amazing collection of talent who went on to become AWs.
Declan can rightly watch the upcoming World Cup matches and feel some sense of pride. As yes can the Weenix coaches who have had anything to do with Libby, Sarpreet, Old, Surman, Paulsen and Waine.
Now that he has returned from Torslanda hopefully NZF can find some sort of role for outlier, alternative thinker Edge. He ain't everyone's cup of tea, but his record developing young talent is 2nd to none.
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I forgot Kosta, so 13/26.
Perhaps I did take the comment in isolation, but stand by my comments, the media constantly ignore the Nix impact on the national team.
Perhaps I did take the comment in isolation, but stand by my comments, the media constantly ignore the Nix impact on the national team.
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