Coach
Ricki HERBERT
10/4/1961
Coach since 1995
The 61 times capped former centre back is the All Whites’ first locally born coach. He has already guided them to both a first ever senior international victory in Europe and first point in a FIFA tournament. Herbert is also the only coach to steer a Kiwi club into Australian league finals.
Goalkeepers
James BANNATYNE
30/6/1975
Team Wellington
5 caps.
Though a steady all round ‘keeper, best known for goal scoring prowess from long range free kicks, having scored three at club level including one for England’s Yeading. Bannatyne plays semi professionally, holding a marketing degree and working as a Puma sales manager. His All Whites appearances stretch over nine years.
Glen MOSS
19/1/1983
Melbourne Victory
16 caps.
Brilliant shot stopper on his day, though exasperatingly inconsistent and was benched for last four months of Victory’s season. Born in Hastings like Paston, but is an Australian passport holder. Due to suspension will not be eligible to play until the Paraguay fixture. Played once for Dinamo Bucharest.
Mark PASTON
13/12/1976
Wellington Phoenix
23 Caps.
A tidy performer, currently recovering from a broken leg sustained in December – the latest amongst many injuries to hamper his progress. Made sporadic appearances after 1997 debut and only played against Bahrain due to Glenn Moss’s suspension. Paston did not turn professional until 26.
Defenders
Andrew BOYENS
19/9/1983
New York Red Bulls
16 caps. 0 Goals.
A solidly built, central defender whose lack of pace and composure let him down from time to time. The stocks of Boyens, an All White since 2006, have yet to fully recover from a disappointing Confederations Cup though he retains a desire to play in Europe.
Andy LOCHHEAD
12/1/1982
Wellington Phoenix
30 caps. 0 Goals.
A generally reliable, versatile defender, Lochhead’s weaknesses are a tendency to produce the occasional mistimed tackle and poorly delivered cross. A New Zealand regular since debuting in 2003, he appeared to lose his edge after an unsuccessful trial with Middlesbrough two years ago, but is now close to peak form.
Ryan NELSEN
18/10/1977
Blackburn Rovers
41 caps. 9 Goals.
New Zealand’s commanding central defender and captain has no apparent, recurring, weakness, apart from the fact that, at 32, he is not as quick as he once was. Nelsen is the lynchpin of the side, having been guaranteed a place in it, whenever available, since 1999.
Winston REID
3/7/1988
Midtjylland
0 Caps.
An under 21 representative of Denmark – his home since the age of ten – Reid adds polish to the Kiwi rearguard. Though cool under pressure and with good ball skills, the Danes believed him to be too immature for senior internationals. With New Zealand he has a chance to prove them wrong.
Ben SIGMUND
3/2/1981
Wellington Phoenix
13 Caps. 1 Goal.
27 when joining the full time professional ranks, he is an uncompromising centre back who has thrived recently despite lacking pace. He made his first All Whites’ cap in 2000, then had to wait seven years for the second, but is now a familiar face in the side.
Tommy SMITH
31/3/90
Ipswich Town
1 cap. 0 Goal.
Macclesfield born, Auckland raised, Smith represented England Youth before switching allegiance to New Zealand and making an impressive debut during the recent loss against Mexico. A composed central defender, he appears to have overcome the 2008 ankle injury that sidelined him for almost a season. Is currently on loan to Brentford.
Ivan VICELICH
3/9/1976
Auckland City
72 caps
7 Goals.
Central defender with skills honed in the Dutch first division. Vicelich always looks comfortable on the ball; age and two years in the New Zealand Football Championship having only slightly diminished his ability. New Zealand’s most capped player in official internationals, a spot has been open to him since 1995.
Midfielders
Andy BARRON
24/12/1980
Team Wellington
14 caps. 1 Goal.
Barron’s work rate and commitment usually make up for a lack of finesse. First capped in 2006, most subsequent appearances have been off the bench. Another home based semi professional, his job outside the game is as a bank officer. He spent the 2004 – 2005 season at Ireland’s Distillery.
Leo BERTOS
20/12/1981
Wellington Phoenix
31 caps. 0 Goals.
Creator of numerous international goals but has yet to score one, Bertos is fast and elusive, as wing back, attacking midfielder or conventional winger, and has become something of a dead ball exponent. A five year stint in England and inconsistency limited caps, however he is now a key figure.
Jeremy BROCKIE
7/10/1987
Newcastle Jets
15 Caps 1 Goal
Recovered from broken leg in time to make Herbert’s final 23. Made his full international debut as a teenager.
Tim BROWN
6/3/1981
Wellington Phoenix
28 Caps. 0 Goals.
The combative, hard working, Brown has missed only three games since Ricki Herbert became All Whites coach in 2005, despite the limitations of his basic skills being evident against the better sides. He was born in Ascot, England and has previously been attached to clubs in Australia and USA.
Aaron CLAPHAM
15.01.87
Canterbury United
0 caps
Central midfielder who represented New Zealand at the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada. His sister Sara Clapham also represented New Zealand internationally, making 3 appearances for the New Zealand senior women’s team.
Jeremy CHRISTIE
22/5/1983
Tampa Bay Rowdies
20 Caps 1 Goal
His experience explains his inclusion as his career has gone downhill. After spells in England, and Australia, he currently plays for Tampa in the second tier of US football.
Simon ELLIOTT
10/6/1974
Unattached
67 caps. 8 Goals.
New Zealand’s best performed midfielder for a large chunk of the period since debuting in 1995, Elliott has, despite approaching 36, lost little of his composure, work ethic or ball winning ability.. However, he is no longer an effective force moving upfield and San Jose Earthquakes have just discarded him.
football, but needs to improve his basic skills and heading ability if he is to advance.
Michael McGLINCHEY
7/1/1987
Central Coast Mariners
4 caps. 0 Goals.
Born in Wellington while his Glaswegian father was with the Stop Out club, McGlinchey represented Scotland Youth before being dumped by Celtic After resurrecting his career in the Australian A League he added much needed flair to the Kiwi midfield, though his stamina is suspect. Is currently on loan to Motherwell.
David MULLIGAN
24/3/1982
Unattached
30 Caps 3 Goals
Though totally inactive since September, his versatility could be useful. Liverpool-born, Mulligan has spent most of his career as a journeyman midfielder in the lower reaches of English football.
Forwards
Rory FALLON
20/3/1982
Plymouth Argyle
4 caps. 2 Goals.
Son of Kevin Fallon, New Zealand’s assistant coach at the 1982 World Cup, Rory won England youth caps before joining the Kiwi cause in 2009; immediately proving himself invaluable. A natural target man, but many believe he lacks the devilment to fulfill his potential. A constant switching of clubs has not helped.
Chris KILLEN
8/10.1981
Middlesbrough
37 caps. 17 Goals.
Arguably New Zealand’s most effective forward of recent times, though with fewer injuries and more fortunate club affiliations he would probably made a bigger impact. A lack of genuine pace has also held him back, but he has been able to walk into the All Whites since 2001.
Shane SMELTZ
29/9/1981
Gold Coast United
32 caps. 17 Goals.
A potent striker against lesser lights, Smeltz lack of guile and power in the air often let him down when facing the elite. Born at an American army base in Germany and raised in Australia, he has been an automatic selection since scoring two in Wales three years ago.
Chris WOOD
12/12/1991
West Bromwich Albion
6 Caps. 0 Goals.
Adept at holding onto the ball while fellow forwards find space, teenager Wood is nonetheless capable of scoring spectacular goals. He is still very raw though and Herbert has used him largely as a second half substitute since being introduced to the squad last year. Is studying for a BTEC diploma in sport.
