NZ talent to scarce for Phoenix

The new Wellington Phoenix football franchise will have to follow the Warriors' lead and hire Australians.

The All Whites' 0-4 and 0-5 drubbings against Costa Rica and Venezuela have revealed what many New Zealand soccer insiders have known for some time � there is not enough Kiwi talent to staff a successful homegrown A-League team this season.

The "displays" in San Jose and Maracaibo were the worst by the All Whites team since John Adshead's lads were thrashed 8-1 by Dundee in 1979. We should reserve judgment on the All Whites until they play with Ryan Nelsen, Simon Elliott and Chris Killen. But, despite the good work being done in development programmes, New Zealand soccer doesn't seem to be producing attacking players of Michael McGarry's or Wynton Rufer's class. How many of the current All Whites could cut the mustard in the A-League? Precious few.

Midfielder David Mulligan (Sc**thorpe United) and promising young striker Chris James (Fulham reserves) aren't likely to quit their English clubs to return to New Zealand. Of the other touring All Whites, only Leo Bertos, who made his mark at Perth Glory last year, would be good enough to command a regular place at another A-League club.

Ivan Vicelich has made a good living in the Dutch first division for seven seasons. But he was poor on this tour.

All Whites captain Danny Hay has been talking about securing a deal to commute to the Phoenix from his Auckland home. By now Hay should have had an ultimate from Ricki Herbert � head coach of the All Whites and the Phoenix: "If you want to be a Phoenix player, get your chuff down to Wellington and train every day with everyone else." Hay should also see a sprint coach.

Defender Noah Hickey and Che Bunce have severe technical limitations, while the much-touted young centreback Steven Old is yet to prove he has the physical presence and positional sense possessed by a long line of Kiwi stoppers from Herbert, to Ceri Evans and Nelsen.

Even Jeremy Brockie's young career is at a crossroads at age 19 after his Sydney FC sojourn, where he saw virtually no game time. He has not made the impact expected in an All Whites jersey.

Brockie (if he still qualifies) should be one of the Phoenix's under-20 signings, behind the most talented young player in New Zealand, Wellington's New Zealand under-17 team captain and striker Costa Barbarouses.

Goalkeeper Mark Paston performed well for the New Zealand Knights during Herbert's late-season rescue mission. He made a couple of good reflex saves on tour, but seemed to suffer a lack of concentration. Herbert worked wonders with the Knights in his short stint in charge. But it shouldn't be forgotten that while the Kiwis showed some courage, the key catalysts behind the turnaround were overseas players, principally Ivory Coast midfielder Jonas Salley, veteran English utility Neil Emblen and Chinese midfielder Leilei Gao.

The ultimate, long-term goal of the Wellington Phoenix must be to win the A-League with a homegrown team. But Serepisos and Herbert have to field a side that's competitive from the outset.

They should not forget the past or they will risk repeating it. The ill-starred Football Kingz adopted a largely-local approach in the old Australian National Soccer League and "won" two wooden spoons while never seriously threatening to break into the play-offs bracket.

The Phoenix fish-heads are hampered by the fact only three spots on the 23-man roster are available to imports. The rest have to be Kiwis or Australians. Three must be aged under 20. Brockie and Barbarouses should fill two of them.

As much as it sticks in the Kiwi craw, the Phoenix will have to do what Ivan Cleary has done at the Warriors � build a foundation based on Australian players. That won't be easy. The other A-League teams have had a head start at recruiting.

Ten to 12 Australians, three quality imports from further afield (preferably South American or European flair players who might like to stay and become eligible for the All Whites) would be a good base. The best of the available All Whites should be offered decent deals.

The wannabes (most of the recent tourists) should be on short-term, basic-rate contracts until they prove themselves.