After waiting almost two-years for a fixture, we played three full internationals in the space of 38 days at the end of 2021, winning all three games, the first time we had won three successive games since 2016. The Covid-19 pandemic had caused havoc with the OFC World Cup qualifying tournament but the All Whites enjoyed a trio of victories with a new-look squad and no less than six players making their NZ debut, including Niko Kirwan who scored in his second cap netting the winner in winner against Bahrain.
Five players started all three games- Cacace, Pijnaker, Bell, Stamenic and Wood, while seven members played at least some part of all three fixtures, including veteran defender Tommy Smith who came on as a substitute in all three matches.
Other Highlights:
- Tuiloma scored his first international goal against Curacao.
- Wood made his 60th appearance for NZ scoring twice against Gambia.
- Smith picked up cap number 40 against Bahrain.
- Total 20 players used.
Fun Fact:
- The Boxall brothers have never played alongside each other in the same NZ team in a full international fixture!
