It could well be the last time the AWs will play downunder before the World Cup.
So less an issue going forward.
October window in Europe. November in the US. Both reasonably short trips for most of the squad. There will be less ALM players picked in those windows, as Paulsen, Tzanev, Garbett, Waine, Libby, Smith(?) etc come in.
Sounds like NZF will try and get an opponent to visit NZ next March or June, as sort of a WC farewell game(s). But that will be far from easy, especially if Bazeley wants it again be a top 50 team. Far flung Aotearoa is a pretty unattractive place to fly to for most international footballers re a friendly. Another China level opponent is the best hope. Maybe someone like Uzbekistan who have qualified with a mostly domestic based squad.
Otherwise this window could be the last very long trip most of AWs make before the big show next year.
So less an issue going forward.
October window in Europe. November in the US. Both reasonably short trips for most of the squad. There will be less ALM players picked in those windows, as Paulsen, Tzanev, Garbett, Waine, Libby, Smith(?) etc come in.
Sounds like NZF will try and get an opponent to visit NZ next March or June, as sort of a WC farewell game(s). But that will be far from easy, especially if Bazeley wants it again be a top 50 team. Far flung Aotearoa is a pretty unattractive place to fly to for most international footballers re a friendly. Another China level opponent is the best hope. Maybe someone like Uzbekistan who have qualified with a mostly domestic based squad.
Otherwise this window could be the last very long trip most of AWs make before the big show next year.