https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2025/12/09/defender-tommy-smith-why-im-enjoying-my-role-with-the-all-whites/
Smith (35) said he was a realist about his likely contribution to the national team, for whom he’s played 56 times.
Smith (35) said he was a realist about his likely contribution to the national team, for whom he’s played 56 times.
“The centre backs that are ahead of me in the pecking order are playing at a fantastic level, and my minutes are probably going to be limited, and that’s fine,” he said. “I’ve come to terms with that.”
Smith, who is now playing for Braintree Town in England’s fifth-tier National League after leaving A-League club Auckland FC, said only he and captain Chris Wood remained from the 2010 squad that went to the FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
He said that for him and Wood to share their experiences with the younger players, and the knowledge they had accumulated over the years, had real value.
“The only reason I’m playing football is to remain part of the All Whites, to be brutally honest.”