Posted June 19, 2022 19:50
· last edited June 19, 2022 21:15
Friar Tuck
Not sure if the right thread but I had a go at putting together a speculative All Whites of the future starting XI and wow, you can really see the influence that the Phoenix and Ole academies are having on the future of football in NZ. Of the starting XI, only Kelvin Kalua hasn't come through at either the Phoenix or Ole/Wests, although he did play for Eastern Suburbs during their association with Ole so I guess you could call him Ole adjacent. Could also argue that Callan Elliot should be in that spot, in which case every player has been involved with either Ole or the Phoenix at some point in the genesis of their career. Screen Shot 2022-06-19 at 1.00.50 PM.png477.27 KB
That's almost more a squad for the 2030 WC cycle rather than 2026! You might also need to find a spot for Alex Greive, who is a bit of an outlier, not going to Weenix or Ole. Though as above, mentioned went to Wynrs.
But it's easy to think that the above group will be even stronger in 4 years than they are now. All will be aged 23-27, except Sail (30). So sort of in their peak years, and many will be at bigger clubs than where they are now.
Throw in a few older guys like Wood (34), Marinovic (34), Payne (32), Kirwan (30), Tuiloma (31), Thomas (31), Lewis (29). Maybe even Rojas (34). Then others coming through like Old, Paulsen & Sutton. Some future star we haven't really heard of yet. And you likely have a best ever AWs squad. Is certainly going to be a high quality midfield by NZ standards if all are fit.
Understand 2026 WC of 48 teams will have 16 pools of 3 teams, with top 2 teams going straight into knock out round of 32. Hopefully AWs can be one of those 2 teams - be a big shame to go to a WC with that group for only 2 pool games.
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Unknown editoredited June 19, 2022 21:15
Friar Tuck
Not sure if the right thread but I had a go at putting together a speculative All Whites of the future starting XI and wow, you can really see the influence that the Phoenix and Ole academies are having on the future of football in NZ. Of the starting XI, only Kelvin Kalua hasn't come through at either the Phoenix or Ole/Wests, although he did play for Eastern Suburbs during their association with Ole so I guess you could call him Ole adjacent. Could also argue that Callan Elliot should be in that spot, in which case every player has been involved with either Ole or the Phoenix at some point in the genesis of their career. Screen Shot 2022-06-19 at 1.00.50 PM.png477.27 KB
That's almost more a squad for the 2030 WC cycle rather than 2026! You might also need to find a spot for Alex Greive, who is a bit of an outlier, not going to Weenix or Ole. Though as above, mentioned went to Wynrs.
But it's easy to think that the above group will be even stronger in 4 years than they are now. All will be aged 23-27, except Sail (30). So sort of in their peak years, and many will be about bigger clubs than where they are now.
Throw in a few older guys like Wood (34), Marinovic (34), Payne (32), Kirwan (30), Tuiloma (31), Thomas (31), Lewis (29). Maybe even Rojas (34). Then others coming through like Old, Paulsen & Sutton. Some future star we haven't really heard of yet. And you likely have a best ever AWs squad. Is certainly going to be a high quality midfield by NZ standards if all are fit.
Understand 2026 WC of 48 teams will have 16 pools of 3 teams, with top 2 teams going straight into knock out round of 32. Hopefully AWs can be one of those 2 teams - be a big shame to go to a WC with that group for only 2 pool games.
Unknown editoredited June 19, 2022 19:53
Friar Tuck
Not sure if the right thread but I had a go at putting together a speculative All Whites of the future starting XI and wow, you can really see the influence that the Phoenix and Ole academies are having on the future of football in NZ. Of the starting XI, only Kelvin Kalua hasn't come through at either the Phoenix or Ole/Wests, although he did play for Eastern Suburbs during their association with Ole so I guess you could call him Ole adjacent. Could also argue that Callan Elliot should be in that spot, in which case every player has been involved with either Ole or the Phoenix at some point in the genesis of their career. Screen Shot 2022-06-19 at 1.00.50 PM.png477.27 KB
That's almost more a squad for the 2030 WC cycle rather than 2026! You might also need to find a spot for Alex Greive, who is a bit of an outlier, not going to Weenix or Ole. Though as above, mentioned went to Wynrs.
But it's easy to think that the above group will be even stronger in 4 years than they are now. All will be aged 23-27, except Sail (30). So sort of in their peak years, and many will be about bigger clubs than where they are now.
Throw in a few older guys like Wood (34), Marinovic (34), Payne (32), Kirwan (30), Tuiloma (31), Thomas (31), Lewis (29). Maybe even Rojas (34). Then others coming through like Old, Paulsen & Sutton. Some future star we haven't really heard of yet. And you likely have a best ever AWs squad.
Understand 2026 WC of 48 teams will have 16 pools of 3 teams, with top 2 teams going straight into knock out round of 32. Hopefully AWs can be one of those 2 teams - be a big shame to go to a WC with that group for only 2 pool games.
Unknown editoredited June 19, 2022 19:52
Friar Tuck
Not sure if the right thread but I had a go at putting together a speculative All Whites of the future starting XI and wow, you can really see the influence that the Phoenix and Ole academies are having on the future of football in NZ. Of the starting XI, only Kelvin Kalua hasn't come through at either the Phoenix or Ole/Wests, although he did play for Eastern Suburbs during their association with Ole so I guess you could call him Ole adjacent. Could also argue that Callan Elliot should be in that spot, in which case every player has been involved with either Ole or the Phoenix at some point in the genesis of their career. Screen Shot 2022-06-19 at 1.00.50 PM.png477.27 KB
That's almost more a squad for the 2030 WC cycle rather than 2026! You might also need to find a spot for Alex Greive, who is a bit of an outlier, not going to Weenix or Ole. Though as above, mentioned went to Wynrs.
But it's easy to think that the above group will be even stronger in 4 years than they are now. All will be aged 23-27, except Sail (30). So sort of in their peak years, and many will be about bigger clubs than where they are now.
Throw in a few older guys like Wood (34), Marinovic (34), Payne (32), Kirwan (30), Tuiloma (31), Lewis (29). Maybe even Rojas (34). Then others coming through like Old, Paulsen & Sutton. Some future star we haven't really heard of yet. And you likely have a best ever AWs squad.
Understand 2026 WC of 48 teams will have 16 pools of 3 teams, with top 2 teams going straight into knock out round of 32. Hopefully AWs can be one of those 2 teams - be a big shame to go to a WC with that group for only 2 pool games.
