I always thought that the "waste of an import spot" line was really a suggestion that goalkeepers aren't important. I only watched the second half of the first game but surely Kurto's got it in spades over Smith, Italiano, Sail or Tandoori Flappy.
There is generally less of a difference in skill levels between Aussie/NZ keepers v International keepers (who would bother to come to NZ) in comparison to players across the rest of the pitch - there is still a dearth of players in CM with good technique in NZ, for example, and a dearth of true goal scorers (except for Wood)
Also, where can I watch Rudan's post match presser?