It'll be interesting to see who is involved in those September games vs Australia, given that the game has changed its context since the loss to Costa Rica. It would have been the last step before Qatar 2022, now its the first step towards the United 2026 tournament, and how much will that change affect the thinking? I'd imagine not much, but it possibly should. I don't expect a few of those who were in the squad will be there in four years time, for example Reid and Boxall will be 38, Smith and Barbarouses 36, Rojas will be 35, Gould will be 33, even Payne, De Vries and (dare I say) Thomas, with his injury record, at 32 could be questionable. As it was, of those, only Reid started vs Costa Rica and he is unfortunately broken now, let alone in four years time.
Looking at the previous two playoff losses there has been considerable change between the loss and the next coach's first squad. Only eight of the 23 who played Mexico were in Hudson's first squad he picked, and only ten of those who played Peru were in Schmid's first 24-man squad. The median squad age of the current 'young' squad isn't even revolutionarily different (26 in 2013, 26 in 2017 and 25.5 in 2022) to those previously, whereas the first subsequent squads were markedly younger (21.5 in 2014 and 23.5 in 2018).
The reality is, we operate on a different schedule to almost every other country, as they all have meaningful mid-cycle confederation competition whereas we don't. As a result you have to be a bit ruthless with the older generation, and integrate younger players (who might not yet be at the same level) who will grow into the international game. There's more benefit in bringing in a young guy in the Northern/Central League/NCAA who could be key in 2026 than calling up ageing Boxalls and Barbarouses, the worst that can happen is you are an underdog for the Aus games, which we already were.
There's guys like Sutton, Jelacic, Strong, Ebbinge, Surman, Old, Whyte, Otto Ingham, Stanger, Sinclair etc etc that could all be there in four years time. Some might not make it, others will, no real stakes until OFC qualifying, and even they should be pretty much givens.
It'll be interesting to see who is involved in those September games vs Australia, given that the game has changed its context since the loss to Costa Rica. It would have been the last step before Qatar 2022, now its the first step towards the United 2026 tournament, and how much will that change affect the thinking? I'd imagine not much, but it possibly should. I don't expect a few of those who were in the squad will be there in four years time, for example Reid and Boxall will be 38, Smith and Barbarouses 36, Rojas will be 35, Gould will be 33, even Payne, De Vries and (dare I say) Thomas, with his injury record, at 32 could be questionable. As it was, of those, only Reid started vs Costa Rica and he is unfortunately broken now, let alone in four years time.
Looking at the previous two playoff losses there has been considerable change between the loss and the next coach's first squad. Only eight of the 23 who played Mexico were in Hudson's first squad he picked, and only ten of those who played Peru were in Schmid's first 24-man squad. The median squad age of the current 'young' squad isn't even revolutionarily different (26 in 2013, 26 in 2017 and 25.5 in 2022) to those previously, whereas the first subsequent squads were markedly younger (21.5 in 2014 and 23.5 in 2018).
The reality is, we operate on a different schedule to almost every other country, as they all have meaningful mid-cycle confederation competition whereas we don't. As a result you have to be a bit ruthless with the older generation, and integrate younger players (who might not yet be at the same level) who will grow into the international game. There's more benefit in bringing in a young guy in the Northern/Central League/NCAA who could be key in 2026 than calling up ageing Boxalls and Barbarouses, the worst that can happen is you are an underdog for the Aus games, which we already were.
There's guys like Sutton, Jelacic, Strong, Ebbinge, Surman, Old, Whyte, Otto Ingham, Stanger, Sinclair etc etc that could all be there in four years time. Some might not make it, others will, no real stakes until OFC qualifying, and even they should be pretty much givens.
In my view you go all out for the win against Socceroos. So Reid plays if fit. Smith, M Boxall & Kosta all in the squad if available. Sort of an international farewell for some if not all of them. A game at Eden Park against the old enemy is basically a once in career opportunity/highlight, and something they deserve. A win in front of a big crowd, nice way to end their international careers, if they do call it quits. The crowd will rightly want to see a closest as possible full strength AWs team
Plenty of time over next 4 years to start bringing in new players to the AWs. But not a lot of change needed in the short term. Nikko Boxall is obviously the next CB in the queue. Then maybe Kyle Adams, Musa, Deklan Wynne, Surman, Stanger. Plenty of forward candidates like Collier, de Jong, Old etc to replace Kosta. Don't see a big number of new caps in the short term, if most of the existing squad are available.
Note those big squad changes after 2013 & 2017 Playoff games, are very tempered by many players making themselves unavailable for the following new coach's first game. Schmid had a low key sans crowd friendly against Canada first time up. From Peru playoffs prior - no Marinovic, no Wood, no Reid, no Smith, no Thomas, no Kosta, no Tuiloma - but obviously none of those 7 had retired. They just missed that Canada game. https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2018/03/24/world/friendlies/canada/new-zealand/2727913/
Wonder if we’ll see either Collier or de Jong. The best opportunities that didn’t fall to Wood went to Greive and Garbett. Both Collier and de Jong could play a foil for Wood and provide a point of difference. But then so could Marco. Or Old.
Do we believe the Marco and McCowatt illness story? It’s a strange one, though entirely possible.
Pretty hard to agrue much with that list. Though Tzanev should be there. He was in the AWs October last year, and is clearly a better keeper currently than Gould, Crocombe and Searle who are all there.
Someone like Kyle Adams (given potentially 3 AWs CBs could be retiring in the new WC cycle) is also a lot closer to the AWs I'd wager that that J-H Sinclair, who needs to become a Nix squaddie first, before getting near the AWs. If Nix are not looking at him now that McGarry has left, they'll never pick him up.
Ryan Thomas also a bit low at 14, but yeah he hasn't played for the national team since 2019. Hasn't Greive come from nowhere to be in the top 10.
So overall is at least 50 men's NZ players playing pro football. Howieson & Sinclair the only amateurs on that list.
If we are including injured players (Thomas) then Rufer needs to be on that list somewhere.
#32 and #33 to make the biggest climbs in the next two years.
I'm still not convinced with Kirwan either. Lots of running and effort but some of his option taking wasnt up to it.
Shark completely missed Wynton's nephew. Yeah should be there ahead of Howieson, if yes being consistent with including all, even the infirm.
Surman (#36) could also jump up that list quickly, like most of the Weenix grads. He could very soon find himself in national team squads. Esp if some/all of Reid, M Boxall & Smith retire from the AWs.
image.png127.9 KB Including players who were called up for the WQC's in the last three months (Plus Singh and Thomas), heres what a 2026 side could look like, with ages in brackets. I cut off at 32, with an exception for Chris Wood who will be 34.
Obviously a lot of water to go under the bridge but that looks like a quality side. Looks like we are in need of a new generation of defenders to replace the Reid/Boxall/Smith generation.
I think we've failed to replace the strike force we had in 2010 (Smeltz, Fallon, Wood, Killen) which is why apart from Wood, we simply don't score goals against non OFC opposition and which potentially cost us a place in this years WC.
Thankfully we've always produced great defenders so I'm sure that there are more Hays, Grays, Evans, Reids, Nelsens etc on their way through (Surman being one). I'm more worried about our strike force and that permanent RB issue. Never know, Josh Laws might be an AW in the future too.
Been a lot of talk about what the All Whites might look like in 2026 in the China match threads. Had a go at putting together a future focussed XI (that’s probably more suited to 2030 tbh). C33025B6-05B4-4F73-B9FC-C11C1610954C.jpeg412.89 KBSwap Dibley-Dias for Just and play Garbett in the midfield 3 if Dibs doesn’t end up declaring for us.
Put Tuiloma in for Leuluai (or Pijnaker) if neither of them kick on by then.
Picked Waineo as the striker too but if this is a long term XI you could just as easily swap him for the likes of Grieve, Mata, Donkers, Colloty, Adam Watson or (if he declares) Lee Ho-Jae depending on form.
Highly speculative of course but thinking long term, this does give me confidence in the future of NZ football. That’s not to mention the likes of Sutton, Old, Surman, Herdman, Estermann, Peach, Bindon etc.
First hurdle is appointing a manager that actually understands football though…
Leuelei looked good, before getting injured in the qualifiers, but still yet to get anywhere close to a first-team appearence... so hard to put him in. Surman at this stage is a much better beat.
Singh's probably not as high as he should be given his injruy and lack of game time lately - he'd easily be my #1 when back to full fitness. Libby would be my #2 he's been fgar more influenciual on games that Bell. Little surprised with Thomas' ranking jump given his lack of games of late - same with big Stef, Woud and Smith.
Split out by position, I've just gone with Midfielders (including 10s) and Forwards (including wingers) as it gets too tricky to split players further, even with two categories there's a few players who straddle the mids and forwards (e.g. is Rojas a CAM or a wing)
GK | 8 | Oli Sail | 17 | Stefan Marinovic | 23 | Michael Woud | 33 | Max Crocombe | 43 | Jamie Searle | 46 | Alex Paulsen
LB | 3 | Libby Cacace | 26 | Deklan Wynne | 35 | Sam Sutton | 36 | James McGarry | 39 | Francis de Vries | 42 | Dalton Wilkins | 49 | Zac Zoricich
RB | 11 | Tim Payne | 21 | Callan Elliot | 27 | Niko Kirwan | 29 | Dane Ingham | 37 | Storm Roux
CB | 9 | Bill Tuiloma | 10 | Nando Pijnaker | 14 | Michael Boxall | 22 | Tommy Smith | 30 | Kyle Adams | 38 | Finn Surman | 40 | Nikko Boxall | 45 | George Stanger
Midfield | 2 | Joe Bell | 4 | Marko Stamenic | 5 | Matt Garbett | 6 | Sarpreet Singh | 7 | Ryan Thomas | 15 | Clayton Lewis | 25 | Alex Rufer | 28 | Cam Howieson | 31 | Ben Old | 44 | Ollie Whyte | 48 | Jay Herdman | 50 | Noah Karunaratne
Forward | 1 | Chris Wood | 12 | Elijah Just | 13 | Marco Rojas | 16 | Alex Greive | 18 | Kosta Barbarouses | 19 | Ben Waine | 20 | Callum McCowatt | 24 | Max Mata | 32 | Logan Rogerson | 34 | Andre de Jong | 41 | Jesse Randall | 47 | Oskar van Hattum
Changes I'd make GK - Searle & Crocombe ahead of Woud. I don't think we have a number one presently and any of the top five could put their hand up in the next year.
LB - Sutts ahead of Wynne.
RB - Elliot ahead of Payne, although depends on what your setup is, I prefer Payne if you're wanting a very defensive RB, Elliot if you're wanting them to push forward
CB - M Boxall first, then Tuiloma, Pijnaker & Smith
Midfield & Forwards seem about right, although Thomas is high for a guy who has only played for the All Whites once since the Peru playoffs in 2017.
They’re called power rankings I believe? Possibly reflects Bell’s role in choosing a new coach or within the playing group in general? Libby is perhaps the most consistent and exciting up coming AW currently, but not C or VC.
And to be fair to Thomas and Garbett they are playing well and registering assists in the second tier of a top European country. Not so much different to Singh there, at the risk of heresy.
Ryan Thomas 7?????? the guy played like a decade ago. Think his days are nearly done. Sad because he had some talent as a kid but sometimes the body cant keep up with demands
Ryan Thomas 7?????? the guy played like a decade ago. Think his days are nearly done. Sad because he had some talent as a kid but sometimes the body cant keep up with demands
He's a regular for Zwolle right now, which is why he's ranked so highly. Still a player
And there were some last year before Socceroos games, that said we had better young talent than them. Goals will remain a problem for AWs for awhile yet, no matter who is charge. Though should Bundesliga 2 (Singh) be ranked higher than the SPL?
New Zealand players aged 26 or younger in top-15 European leagues ranked by goals + assists this season…
Alex Greive - 3 Libby Cacace - 0
And that’s it. If the coefficient was kinder to Denmark we might also have had Eli Just (2), Joe Bell (0) & Marko Stamenic (0) https://t.co/HH4mVKO7ck
Debate away. Feel Myer Bevan should be in there somewhere. Joint Golden Boot winner in a league that at it's best is probably not too far off the ALM. 5th striker behind Wood, Mata, Greive & Waine?
The All Whites finished their international season with a 1-1 draw against Ireland. As they attempt to qualify for the 2026 Fifa World Cup, who are the most important players in coach Darren Bazeley’s stable? Jason Pine updates the All Whites power rankings (previous position in brackets).
50. (48) Jay Herdman (Vancouver Whitecaps, Canada)
49. (44) Ollie Whyte (Haka, Finland)
48. (NEW ENTRY) Luke Supyk (Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand)
47. (NEW ENTRY) Fin Conchie (Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand)
46. (43) Jamie Searle (Forest Green Rovers, England)
45. (34) Andre de Jong (Stellenbosch FC, South Africa)
44. (39) Francis de Vries (Eastern Suburbs, New Zealand)
43. (45) George Stanger (Ayr United, Scotland)
42. (30) Kyle Adams (Louisville City FC, USA)
41. (26) Deklan Wynne (Charleston Battery, USA)
40. (32) Logan Rogerson (Haka, Finland)
39. (NEW ENTRY) Lukas Kelly-Heald (Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand)
36. (35) Sam Sutton (Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand)
35. (28) Cam Howieson (Auckland City, New Zealand)
34. (NEW ENTRY) Marley Leuluai (Burnley, England)
33. (29) Dane Ingham (Newcastle Jets, Australia)
32. (31) Ben Old (Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand)
31. (25) Alex Rufer (Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand)
30. (23) Michael Woud (Ventforet Kofu, Japan, on loan from Kyoto Sangate, Japan) A lack of game time at club level and some high profile international errors are the big issues for the towering custodian as he seeks to stake his claim in a competitive field of kiwi goalkeepers. Not currently among our top three between the sticks.
29. (42) Dalton Wilkins (Kolding IF, Denmark) Added just one cap to his tally in 2023, but continues to show consistency at his Danish club, who he helped gain promotion last season. One of a number of players pushing to be Libby Cacace’s back-up at left back.
28. (38) Finn Surman (Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand) Having impressively captained New Zealand at the most recent Under-20 World Cup, he earned his first full cap against Greece this month. In terrific form for Wellington and set to play many more times for his country in the years ahead.
27. (NEW ENTRY) Matt Dibley-Dias (Fulham, England) Injury prevented the promising Fulham junior from debuting for New Zealand in October, but by all accounts he enjoyed being part of the New Zealand set-up. Is eligible for four different nations, so his final choice remains unclear.
26. (27) Niko Kirwan (Padova, Italy) Recovered from a long-term injury to feature twice for the national side in 2023 and is starting to string together a good run of games at club level, but has now been overtaken as New Zealand’s first-choice right-back.
25. (18) Kosta Barbarouses (Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand) Not selected in the last three New Zealand squads, perhaps curiously, given his resurgent club form. A 54-cap attacker who isn’t yet done at international level.
24. (RE-ENTRY) Joey Champness (Adanaspor, Turkey)
Having not featured for 16 months at All Whites level, he had three appearances off the bench at the back end of 2023. Has plenty of tricks in his locker; if he can add consistency, he provides a skillset not many other Kiwis can boast.
23. (8) Oli Sail (Perth Glory, Australia) It’s been an unhappy few months for Sail, who appealed as New Zealand’s long-term, first-choice goalkeeper at the start of the year. Dropped by his club and omitted from the last two All Whites squads, but will undoubtedly bounce back to re-stake his claim for the starting spot.
22. (36) James McGarry (Aberdeen, Scotland) Injury cruelly prevented his recent return to the New Zealand side and the chance to add to his solitary cap, earned in 2019. Thriving in Scotland and set to push for international minutes on the left side of the All Whites’ back four in the years ahead.
21. (22) Tommy Smith (MK Dons, England) Just keeps on keeping on for club and country. Brought up 50 internationals in 2023 and continues to provide positive impact in New Zealand camps, whether he’s playing or lending the benefit of his experience to the younger members of the squad.
20. (16) Alex Greive (St. Mirren, Scotland) Hasn’t quite kicked on in the fashion he’d have hoped after an impressive start to his All Whites career, and has featured in just one of the last five New Zealand matches. His energy and attitude remain his key attributes however, and he provides great spark in an impact role.
19. (19) Ben Waine (Plymouth Argyle, England) Battling away for minutes at his English club and continuing to work hard in one of the game’s toughest positions for young players. Will attend the Paris Olympics next year and will hope to take the next steps in his footballing development in 2024.
18. (24) Max Mata (Shrewsbury Town, England) Scored his first goal for Shrewsbury last weekend and is starting to show signs that he might be the natural successor to Chris Wood at the point of New Zealand’s attacking arrow. One of just four players who featured in all eight of the All Whites’ games this year, so Bazeley clearly sees his potential.
17. (46) Alex Paulsen (Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand) It’s been a meteoric recent rise for the young Phoenix goalkeeper, who has produced a series of eye-catching performances in the first month of the new A-League season, including two penalty saves to earn victories for Wellington. Uncapped, but not for long, and very hard to ignore on current form. Will be first-choice at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
16. (NEW ENTRY) Tyler Bindon (Reading, England) Having played age-group football for the USA, the young defender pledged allegiance to New Zealand and was rewarded with four caps, including a maiden start against Greece. Playing every week for his club and at just 18 years old could feature many, many more times for his country.
15. (15) Clayton Lewis (Macarthur FC, Australia) Added five caps to his tally in 2023, all off the bench, but has become a very reliable international midfielder for New Zealand. A move from Wellington to Macarthur hasn’t stymied his progress; in fact, he’s been a key part of his new side’s unbeaten start to the new season. Not part of New Zealand’s top XI, but will always be included in Bazeley’s international squads.
14. (9) Bill Tuiloma (Charlotte FC, USA) Curiously omitted from the last All Whites squad, having seemingly locked down a place in New Zealand’s best starting side, with his versatility and goalscoring threat adding weight to his footballing CV. Won’t be absent from the All Whites for long.
13. (12) Elijah Just (Horsens, Denmark) No one has played more games for New Zealand in the last four years than the livewire attacker who now has 20 caps to his name. Part of a potent partnership with Libby Cacace down New Zealand’s left side and just needs to add goals to his game to take the next step.
12. (7) Ryan Thomas (PEC Zwolle, Netherlands) There’s been no more pleasing sight in recent times than a return to action for one of New Zealand’s brightest talents. Injury has brutally afflicted his career for both club and country; in fact, he hasn’t been sighted for New Zealand in over four years. Still young enough to feature in the upcoming World Cup cycle though and his return (when it comes) will be widely celebrated.
11. (33) Max Crocombe (Burton Albion, England) Has had to bide his time, having debuted for New Zealand in March 2018 and earning just four caps in the five years since. Has been consistently excellent at club level though and stood out in the recent 1-1 draw with Ireland. Affected by the fact his club doesn’t break for international windows, but if you were picking New Zealand’s strongest XI right now, Crocombe would be in goal.
10. (10) Nando Pijnaker (Sligo Rovers, Ireland) Continues to be Bazeley’s first choice left-sided central defender, without yet truly rising to the heights of his undoubted potential. Made a high-profile error which led to the concession of a goal against Ireland, but is a generally sound member of New Zealand’s rearguard. Needs to make a move to a higher level in club-land if he’s to continue his trajectory, with that opportunity possibly coming early in 2024.
9. (20) Callum McCowatt (Silkeborg IF, Denmark) It’s been an excellent year for club and country for the skilful attacker, who’s started the last seven All Whites matches and scored an eye-catching goal in June’s loss to Sweden. Playing (and starring) regularly for his Danish club and starting to become an irresistible selection in the national team.
8. (11) Tim Payne (Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand) Started both matches in the most recent window at right back, a position in which he’s been one of the Phoenix’s best in the new A-League campaign. Played a key role in New Zealand’s equaliser against Ireland and showed his resilience by playing 90 minutes for Wellington straight off the back of his demanding international shift. Still not yet 30, there’s plenty of gas left in his tank and much more to achieve for New Zealand’s current first-choice right fullback.
7. (14) Michael Boxall (Minnesota United, USA) What’s the saying about fine wine getting better with age? The 35-year-old US-based defender is currently New Zealand’s best centre back. The years have dulled neither his pace nor fitness, with the experience gained from a decade and a half at the top level allowing him to foot it with much younger attackers. Who’s to say he won’t play a vital role at the next World Cup ahead of his 38th birthday?
6. (2) Joe Bell (Viking, Denmark) A move back to Viking has been beneficial for one of New Zealand’s most important players, who skipped October’s matches against D.R. Congo and Australia to concentrate on his reintegration at club level. Our best defensive midfielder, a key cog at the base of the All Whites’ midfield and a future fulltime captain of his country.
5. (3) Libby Cacace (Empoli FC, Italy) Of all the positions in the New Zealand side, left back is the one with the biggest gap between first-choice and the rest. Cacace started every match for New Zealand in 2023 and was only substituted once, demonstrating his huge value to the All Whites. Playing in one of the most competitive leagues on the planet will only improve him further and it’s hard to see anything stopping him from becoming our best fullback ever. He might be already.
4. (5) Matt Garbett (NAC Breda, Netherlands) Garbett’s terrific goal against Ireland capped another superb international year for a player who feels absolutely integral to this New Zealand side, even at just 21. There’s still debate over what his best position might be, but what isn’t in doubt is his influence at the attacking end. Since March 2022, Garbett has scored three goals, assisted McCowatt’s strike against Sweden and played the pass to Chris Wood which saw him earn a penalty against D.R. Congo. A player with a very, very high ceiling.
3. (6) Sarpreet Singh (Hansa Rostock, Germany) His return to the New Zealand side after a nearly two-year absence provided the biggest boost of Bazeley’s tenure. Quite simply, no other New Zealand player can do what Singh does in a creative sense and the sight of him finding pockets of space between the attacking lines, getting on the ball and playing incisive passes against D.R. Congo, Greece and Ireland was absolutely uplifting for All Whites fans. The best player on the park against the Irish and the most welcome return to the international fold in recent memory.
The All Whites steered most of their play through talented midfielder Sarpreet Singh. Photo / Photosport
2. (4) Marko Stamenic (Crvena Zvezda, Serbia) When you watch the way he conducts himself on a football pitch, it’s surreal to think Stamenic wasn’t even born when the world was contemplating what Y2K would mean.
The 21-year-old is a sublime mix of composure, technical skill and the rare ability to read the game several phases ahead of his contemporaries. Scored against Qatar in the subsequently abandoned fixture in June and added a Champions League goal to his resume earlier this year. Started all eight New Zealand games in 2023 and could feasibly feature for his country for the next four World Cup cycles. A generational talent.
1. (1) Chris Wood (Nottingham Forest, England) Injuries limited his international involvement to just four matches in 2023, but he added a 34th international goal from the penalty spot against D.R. Congo to stretch his lead at the top of New Zealand’s all-time men’s goalscoring list. Wood’s indisputable commitment to his country elevates him above many of his fellow footballers; whether it’s a friendly against Curacao or an intercontinental playoff, Wood always - always - answers the call. New Zealand’s captain, their talisman and still our most important player.
Kelly-Heald has to be higher up the rankings fer sure, covers LB, decent CB option. Hopefully Leuluai never sees a white shirt in his career, overrated. Rufer could be higher given his current form. Sail could be way down the pecking order now. Why is Thomas so high? At this rate he's never coming back - I feel like that is more of a hopefull ranking. Pijnaker shouldn't be in the top 10, he's a little inconsistent for my liking. What did Cacace do wrong to be dropped 2 spots, he was easily one of our better players in both friendlies. Garbett should have remained 5th, Top three should have been: 1) Wood 2) Singh 3) Cacace
Kelly-Heald has to be higher up the rankings fer sure, covers LB, decent CB option. Hopefully Leuluai never sees a white shirt in his career, overrated. Rufer could be higher given his current form. Sail could be way down the pecking order now. Why is Thomas so high? At this rate he's never coming back - I feel like that is more of a hopefull ranking. Pijnaker shouldn't be in the top 10, he's a little inconsistent for my liking. What did Cacace do wrong to be dropped 2 spots, he was easily one of our better players in both friendlies. Garbett should have remained 5th, Top three should have been: 1) Wood 2) Singh 3) Cacace
Leuluai has been 17 for less than a month. Shouldn’t be on this list, but jesus, should never see a white shirt in his career?
He wasn’t even poor in the U17 World Cup, more unspectacular in a system that didn’t suit him
Kelly-Heald has to be higher up the rankings fer sure, covers LB, decent CB option. Hopefully Leuluai never sees a white shirt in his career, overrated. Rufer could be higher given his current form. Sail could be way down the pecking order now. Why is Thomas so high? At this rate he's never coming back - I feel like that is more of a hopefull ranking. Pijnaker shouldn't be in the top 10, he's a little inconsistent for my liking. What did Cacace do wrong to be dropped 2 spots, he was easily one of our better players in both friendlies. Garbett should have remained 5th, Top three should have been: 1) Wood 2) Singh 3) Cacace
Leuluai has been 17 for less than a month. Shouldn’t be on this list, but jesus, should never see a white shirt in his career?
He wasn’t even poor in the U17 World Cup, more unspectacular in a system that didn’t suit him
if he cant adapt his game to a system then he's going to find it very difficult to develop as a footballer. At 17 he's been playing for at least 10 years, learnign and developing, apparently well enough to make the grade at age group international games - I saw nothing that justifies his inclusion in this list EVER.
Kelly-Heald has to be higher up the rankings fer sure, covers LB, decent CB option. Hopefully Leuluai never sees a white shirt in his career, overrated. Rufer could be higher given his current form. Sail could be way down the pecking order now. Why is Thomas so high? At this rate he's never coming back - I feel like that is more of a hopefull ranking. Pijnaker shouldn't be in the top 10, he's a little inconsistent for my liking. What did Cacace do wrong to be dropped 2 spots, he was easily one of our better players in both friendlies. Garbett should have remained 5th, Top three should have been: 1) Wood 2) Singh 3) Cacace
Leuluai has been 17 for less than a month. Shouldn’t be on this list, but jesus, should never see a white shirt in his career?
He wasn’t even poor in the U17 World Cup, more unspectacular in a system that didn’t suit him
if he cant adapt his game to a system then he's going to find it very difficult to develop as a footballer. At 17 he's been playing for at least 10 years, learnign and developing, apparently well enough to make the grade at age group international games - I saw nothing that justifies his inclusion in this list EVER.
He trialled day in day out for however long at an EPL club in Burnley, and they signed him to a pro deal (not youth deal). We meanwhile are watching U17 games on the sofa, with little understanding of the heat & humidity, limitations of his team mates, and how he was instructed to play by Bullock & Co etc etc. I have a hunch the Burnley staff know more than us, and obviously see something.
But yeah he shouldn't yet be on this list. Others like Bevan, Collier etc are closer to AWs selection.
Kelly-Heald has to be higher up the rankings fer sure, covers LB, decent CB option. Hopefully Leuluai never sees a white shirt in his career, overrated. Rufer could be higher given his current form. Sail could be way down the pecking order now. Why is Thomas so high? At this rate he's never coming back - I feel like that is more of a hopefull ranking. Pijnaker shouldn't be in the top 10, he's a little inconsistent for my liking. What did Cacace do wrong to be dropped 2 spots, he was easily one of our better players in both friendlies. Garbett should have remained 5th, Top three should have been: 1) Wood 2) Singh 3) Cacace
Leuluai has been 17 for less than a month. Shouldn’t be on this list, but jesus, should never see a white shirt in his career?
He wasn’t even poor in the U17 World Cup, more unspectacular in a system that didn’t suit him
if he cant adapt his game to a system then he's going to find it very difficult to develop as a footballer. At 17 he's been playing for at least 10 years, learnign and developing, apparently well enough to make the grade at age group international games - I saw nothing that justifies his inclusion in this list EVER.
If the guy wasn't taking detailed written notes on how to improve his play as a seven year old he can get wrecked as far as I'm concerned. I'm talking video analysis, debriefs with management, sports psychologists, extra strength and conditioning sessions. Nothing less will do if we wants to achieve every footballer's ultimate dream - making Piney's end-of-year power rankings.
Im going to be super controversial and say that singh should be 1st over wood. Without singh we lack any spark and cant create a chance to save ourselves.
Good to see storm roux still on the list. I dont get why he hasnt been given another shot recently.
Pijnaker top 10? i can't take this thing seriously. If he's top 10 we are in big trouble. Pine on the wind up here.
Bell needs to do more, i think if he doesn't improve and someone else progresses their game he could be under huge pressure.
Leuluai cannot be on this list - he was dead set terrible at 17s WC. Is Pine just picking players on contracts? i thought this was based on performances? Not to say he wont be on there one day but this is taking the piss.
Tuilomas ship has sailed but seems Pine is holding out. Tuiloma fitness an issue and cant get a game at club to get fit. Likely to end up at Auckland A-League closer to family.
Someone said Singh at 1? big call need to see a consistent run of games with consistent performances. Stamenic #1 for me - scoring in champions league - high performer in midfields, thats where a team wins and loses games, without him were are stuffed.
Did a double take at the Australia squad, thought for a second they had called up Jack Iredale, but it is instead John Iredale who will be going to the Asian Cup.
Appears Jack has started 2 of Bolton's last three games at centre back where we have a real lack of depth, hope Bazeley and NZF are still pursuing that.
He may just feel in his heart he’s really an Aussie (like Stensness did after Toyo Olympics). Or they have looked into it and he’s not eligible. Pragnell who knows his Mum from their NZ team judo days, said NZF were checking it out
He may just feel in his heart he’s really an Aussie (like Stensness did after Toyo Olympics). Or they have looked into it and he’s not eligible. Pragnell who knows his Mum from their NZ team judo days, said NZF were checking it out
I believe this has hit a dead end for now, but not for a lack of interest on either side.
He may just feel in his heart he’s really an Aussie (like Stensness did after Toyo Olympics). Or they have looked into it and he’s not eligible. Pragnell who knows his Mum from their NZ team judo days, said NZF were checking it out
I believe this has hit a dead end for now, but not for a lack of interest on either side.
His father, Paul, played schoolboy rugby for England, and his mother, Fiona, represented New Zealand in judo at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
Though he was encouraged to play rugby, Iredale’s schoolmates introduced him to football.
“There were six of us at lunchtime that would just play football — everyone else had a rugby ball,” he told England’s Cambridge Independent.
“I went home one day, aged six, and said to my mum that the local team was having soccer try-outs and I wanted to go and play.
“My mum had no idea that I played, she just thought I would be useless at it really but I wanted to play football and she wasn’t going to stop that, so she took me down.
“I was half-decent, and from then on, I just stuck at it.”
Would David Ball make an all whites squad if eligible? Think he may be in 2024?
who would he replace, he's 34 now, so will be close to 35 if and when he's eligible. He's said he wants a white shirt but he's not replacing any of the current strilers we have, maybe as a wide player but I wouldnt say it's a certain thing.
I dont think he's usurping any of the regular forwards but wouldn't be opposed if he got called up for a kick about against an OFC side in a closer to home encojnter if it was one of those situations where our European based big dogs couldn't be assed coming down under for the window. A taste of international football Would be a nice little cherry on top for him to round out his professional career and reward for making the decision to stick it out in New Zealand.
The funny question is though, given he's not going to be knocking on the door of the Italian or Australian side anytime soon. How would we feel about Pennington earning the fern if another shambolic OFC qualifiers outside of regular window debacle rears it's ugly head within the next decade?
