Love to see what the other OFC nations have to say about that, have you asked them for permission to leave Oceania yet?

He's actually got a point, NZ have more to lose in the fact that their 23 man has been chosen, and they more than anyone won't risk injury in this game.

Playing our old rivals NZ is NEVER easy, but indeed, this time, your line up with all those classy new players (Reid, Tommy Smith, McGlinchey, Fallon, Chris Wood...) - it could really surprise some of the players, aswell as the fans!

Infact in Reid and Smith you guys suddenly have potentially a classy new centre back pairing! And your taller forwards like Killen, Fallon and Wood should not make it easy for our own centre backs either, or our wider defensive set up come set pieces.

Thinking about it - It's been suggested how much of a threat Serbia may be at set pieces with the likes of Zigic (6'5 ft striker) and co, so our playing you guys may be great preparation for us, in this regard? Smeltz (6'1 ft), Killen (6ft), Fallon (6'2 ft) and Wood (6'3 ft) are certainly some tall timber in their own right!

I would like to think that was the case Diegos son but unfortunately if Rory Fallons opinion means anything in this new article here on fourfourtwo it doesn't look good.
http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/129298,kiwis-better-than-1982-wc-side.aspx

Fallon backed up Herbert's comments that the strongest players would be picked.
"You've got to pick the best man for the job. That's junior stuff where everyone gets a go," he said. "It's business time. It's a ruthless game and you've got to play your best team."
The All Whites also play pre-World Cup fixtures against Serbia, Slovenia and Chile, but Fallon cited the Aussies as the toughest prospect.
"Australia is going to be the toughest because they are our rivals," he said. "It's always a magical game against Australia. It'd be brilliant if we can do well against them."
It's been five years since the Socceroos beat the All Whites 1-0 in London and Fallon was predicting a physical encounter where the result was important.
"I wouldn't be surprised if there are a few injuries because I'm not going to hold back against them, he warned.
"We're not messing around and I'm going to give everything. They probably think we are the lesser country, so they won't want to lose."

We certainly dont want this attitude taken into this game for the exact reasons pointed out by auskiwi and diegos son. I do think this is a good hit out for both sides before world cup however as for aus they get to try a few things (russia or someone of that nature would punish aus if they did that) and NZ get to try our first 11 to see how they perform including the new CB combination Reid/Nelson. With the team aus will field and NZ's best Im predicting it to be a fairly even match and well worth the watch. Just hope no injuries ruin it for anyone but Fallons comments didnt help things.

Edited by mavross: 19/5/2010 11:36:49 PM

Edited by mavross: 19/5/2010 11:37:23 PM