There has finally been some common sense in some of the last few posts.
Everyone is all "Lochhead sux" but no one has a viable alternative cause there is none.
While not directed at you TV specifically I accept you have a rod for Roux and Tuiloma. Fair enough and I have zero doubt they are the future and I back your calls on those two. You have to admit, the experience of Lochhead is a crucial factor in a home and away leg where the pressure is going to be huge. Does Herbert pick his trusted vet he has seen do a job time and time again or a kid playing youth football in France.
Its a similar reason Ivan is still there at his age. He goes out every time and does a job and the others don't perform better than him.
Ivan is match fit, Lochhead hasn't been playing for over a season. If Lochhead wanted to be in the AWs he should have played winter football in Wellington and now be playing for an ASBP team. He hasn't bothered because he knew his old mate would pick him regardless. Experience counts for nothing is you are not match fit. I'd rather play Storm Roux after a full A League pre-season and four games for CCM than Lochhead at RWB. He also has speed, and is a good tackler. There's no way Lochhead or Bertos should be playing as defenders against a pacey Mexico. Both will be easily undone.
With Reid out his replacement has to be Vicelich, with Sigmund in the wings as a sub if Ivan tires. The less time Sigmund has on the field the better as he is too volatile when tiring and liable to get a red card for a harsh tackle in the pressure cooker of Mexico City.
Of course had Ricki not wasted valuable space on Lochhead and Christie, we could have had Fitzgerald (Japan first division) or even Boxall in the squad.