All Whites are our second team at the World Cup
Columnist By Adrian Musolino, 9 May 2010 Adrian Musolino is a Roar Expert
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New Zealand's Shane Smeltz against Italy in their friendly match at the Super stadium in Pretoria, South Africa, Wednesday June 10, 2009. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
This is a subject that we’ve broached previously but deserves further examination: do we support the New Zealand All Whites at the World Cup as representatives of the A-League or should we treat them as we would the All Blacks?
It’s a fascinating quandary to ponder as we approach the Socceroos’ home farewell match against the All Whites at the MCG on May 24 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The farewell match represents a new beginning in the rivalry between the two countries that has suffered an inevitable lull since Australia’s move into Asia.
But with New Zealand’s qualification to the World Cup – where they will be at the finals alongside Australia for the first time ever – the rise of football across the Tasman, manifested through the continued rise of the Wellington Phoenix as well as the World Cup qualification, has set the scene for the rebirth of meaningful contests between the two nations.
And it will be fascinating to see how the crowd at the MCG and the players approach the friendly – their first clash in five years, let’s not forget.
In rugby, for example, where the All Blacks ply their trade in the New Zealand based franchises in an international competition as opposed to an Australian one, the lines are so clearly defined between the two nations.
In football, they are far from it.
The All Whites are, in the main, products of Australia’s footballing structures
Within the New Zealand football community there is a sense of gratitude to the Australian game for providing the platform for its own game to rise in standard to the point where World Cup qualification was possible – and without which it’s unlikely the All Whites would be there in the first place.
Meanwhile, the majority of Australian football fans wished the Phoenix well as they emerged as genuine contenders in the A-League last season, and were relieved when they were given a stay of execution and allowed to continue playing in a foreign league by the AFC, especially considering the Phoenix were one of the few shining lights of the season for the competition with bumper crowds saving the blushes of crowd-watchers.
The All Whites qualifying for South Africa was a success for the A-League, and the fact was not lost on Aussie fans.
At club level, at least, there is no real trans-Tasman animosity, and no real bitter or acrimonious tensions on the international arena.
But for how long will that goodwill continue and does the MCG friendly represent a turning point?
The consensus among many Socceroos fans is that they wish the All Whites well in South Africa, knowing they will be representing the A-League to a far greater extent than the Socceroos.
None of the three A-League representatives for the Socceroos in Germany 2006 (Archie Thompson, Mark Milligan and Michael Beauchamp) saw any game time, and with Jason Culina the only likely A-League Socceroo to feature in South Africa, the All Whites’ World Cup tour will be the A-League’s biggest chance yet to showcase its worth, with Shane Smeltz and the core of the Wellington Phoenix making up the majority of the likely starting XI.
World Soccer’s World Cup preview magazine describes Smeltz as “the record-breaking A-League striker” who “will carry the weight of the All Whites’ attacking burden.”
For many football fans around the world it’ll be the first time they’ve heard of the A-League.
And for this reason we should wish New Zealand well in South Africa and hope they do themselves and the A-League proud.
A fighting and spirited performance from the underdogs will reflect positively on the A-League around the world.
The rivalry between the Socceroos and All Whites should be put aside in June, and it will inevitably develop with time, particularly if an annual meeting between the two eventuates.
The competition between the two dates back to 1922 when they first met on the football field in Dunedin, and their previous battles in Oceania and rich rivalry in other sporting endeavors should ensure the MCG match is the rejuvenation of the rivalry.
Perhaps if the Phoenix continue their rise in the A-League, the rivalry will also foster at the club level between Wellington and their Australian rivals.
But the fact remains that Australia benefits enormously from the talent that emerges in New Zealand as it helps to contribute to a better A-League, so we shouldn’t begrudge them a good tournament in South Africa and hope they do us proud.
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May 9th 2010 @ 3:25pm
cookie said | May 9th 2010 @ 3:25pm | Report comment
What you smoking boy?
May 9th 2010 @ 4:35pm
Realfootball said | May 9th 2010 @ 4:35pm | Report comment
He won’t be smoking anything with that viewing schedule. Whatever he’s taking will go directly up his nose.
May 9th 2010 @ 5:52pm
AndyRoo said | May 9th 2010 @ 5:52pm | Report comment
Not a game i’m excited about…but then with the news Harry’s most likely out today’s a bit of a downer.
TWG game got me a little bit more up for it though. Steve from Christchurch even won Foz over
May 9th 2010 @ 6:40pm
David V. said | May 9th 2010 @ 6:40pm | Report comment
Some reason is needed here. The choice of NZ as opponents could be based on the fact that both countries are heading to the World Cup, in our case a second consecutive one, in NZ’s case an unexpected first time in 28 years.
For a time in the 80s, NZ did get the better of Australia. They qualified for a World Cup, in a campaign that would be the worst qualifying campaign for the Socceroos. And as recently as 2002 they beat us too, although that was a farce of a tournament under a farce of a coach (Farina). Australian fans have become more familiar with NZ football due to the fact that the Phoenix are in the A-League, Smeltz is the league’s leading marksman, and like us, they have players abroad at a quite respectable level like Ryan Nelsen.
May 9th 2010 @ 6:58pm
AA said | May 9th 2010 @ 6:58pm | Report comment
Eastboy, I’m not against New Zealnde per se, I am against assisting New Zealand sport too much, They are a sovereign country, they can look after themselves in this instance.
David, the reason NZ was chosen is becuase they are super cheap and will (perhaps) maximise the profit for the FFA. As Eastboy pointed out, New Zealand has developed its football of late largely due to being tagged on and supported by the reforms made in Australia. This is the bit that annoys me the most, the amount of assistance and support that NZ receives from Australia (football-wise).
Nothing puzzles me more than to see NZ’ers being glad to beat Australia, when so much assistance has been given to them. if they see us as a competitor, then I see no reason whatsoever to assist theirr football and sporting development.
Uruguay has 3 million people, and can support its own professional football league. New Zealand can learn to do the same.
Cut the rope, they’ll survive.
May 9th 2010 @ 7:23pm
David V. said | May 9th 2010 @ 7:23pm | Report comment
Comparing NZ to Uruguay is apples and cabbages. Uruguay is an established force in the international game with a long football tradition, and a long history as a country. You cannot even reasonable compare them.
May 9th 2010 @ 7:41pm
AA said | May 9th 2010 @ 7:41pm | Report comment
Switzerland is another country with a similar population to NZ that has it’s own professional league, in fact, even though it’s small itself, Switzerland even helps out Lichtenstein. I don’t see New Zealand helping out Fiji, Tonga, or New Caledonia of late.
But you’re also right, football wise, NZ doesn’t compare to Uruguay, which makes Australia’s feat in knocking off Uruguay in 2005 all the more remarkable.
May 10th 2010 @ 9:56am
rich of bondi said | May 10th 2010 @ 9:56am | Report comment
New zealand ‘helps out ‘ fiji, tonga, new caledonia by firstly not patronising them, and mostly by playing them.
I’m obviously a new zealander and thanks to all above who are out to support the kiwis as well as there own team. I’ll be fully behind australia but not australian fans who think NZ owes them anything. We don’t.
May 10th 2010 @ 12:25pm
AA said | May 10th 2010 @ 12:25pm | Report comment
If NZ owes Australian football nothing, then you sir are ignorant.
if you have an unappreciative attitude like that, take the Wellington Phoenix out of the A-League and go and comment on the NZ Herald website.
NZ fooball owes Ausralia plenty, and that is an understantement.
If you think NZ owes Australia nothing, then leave Bondi and head back to NZ whilst you’re at it. No point having unappreciated people here.
May 10th 2010 @ 1:41pm
rich of bondi said | May 10th 2010 @ 1:41pm | Report comment
your last line sums you up.
For the record i support australia as well as nz.
I’m not interested in writing on the nzherald wesite as nobody there comes up with ridiculous statements like yours. “Switzerland even helps out Lichtenstein” really what a comparison.
Yes i like it in bondi because it is full of people who are open minded. I’m guessing you don’t live there.
May 10th 2010 @ 1:47pm
KGW said | May 10th 2010 @ 1:47pm | Report comment
Rich not all of us are one eyed insecure bigots like him,
May 11th 2010 @ 7:14pm
AA said | May 11th 2010 @ 7:14pm | Report comment
Also rich, when did ‘honesty’ turn into ‘patronising’. I call it as I see it, and this game between Aus and NZ stinks to high heaven, much like the Phoenix’s flimsy amnesty given to them to extend their A-League licence.
NZ has done NOTHING to help the Australian football reforms, they’d probably want to see it fail actually.
Kiwi’s OUT of the A-League, go and develop your own footballing systems.
May 9th 2010 @ 7:59pm
Joe FC said | May 9th 2010 @ 7:59pm | Report comment
Just an update Adrian on supporting NZ in Sth Africa. After watching TWG this afternoon my 16 yr old daughter said she was happy to barrack on the Kiwis provided they don’t do better than we do.
May 9th 2010 @ 8:03pm
James said | May 9th 2010 @ 8:03pm | Report comment
No chance of that happening
Both out in straight sets, I fear.
May 9th 2010 @ 8:31pm
Joe FC said | May 9th 2010 @ 8:31pm | Report comment
Unfortunately James (especially for us) I think you’ll be right.
May 9th 2010 @ 8:16pm
jus de couchon said | May 9th 2010 @ 8:16pm | Report comment
Australia and NZ would struggle to survive in the English 2nd Div club game. Their participation in the WC at the expense of better teams makes a mockery of the qualifying system.
May 9th 2010 @ 8:35pm
David said | May 9th 2010 @ 8:35pm | Report comment
Foster said it all today on TWG “if you Nz get a point it will be a successful Campaign if they get two points it will be like winning the world cup for them”
May 9th 2010 @ 9:38pm
Tifosi said | May 9th 2010 @ 9:38pm | Report comment
I think the kiwis understand that just making the world cup is an achievement in itself for such a small country.
Australians should be thinking along the same lines, however for some reason they get the silly notion that they deserve to be at World cups and do well also.
Next thing you know they will probably think they have the right to win the World cup as well !!
As for getting the kiwi’s at the MCG. The FFA couldnt convince anyone worthy over coming all the way to the middle of nowhere(Melbourne) to play a game so they were stuck with NZ.
So
Playing NZ + $95 tix + Experimental side + antipathy over WC Bid will = MASSIVE FAIL !!!!!
May 9th 2010 @ 9:56pm
David said | May 9th 2010 @ 9:56pm | Report comment
I dont believe there wasn’t anyone else Croatia and Tukery were willing to come at a fair price. FFA cheaped out they will lose money because they wont sell out the stadium like the would of if they got someone decent. Thy throught people from melbourne would turn upfor any one playing the Socceroos, which isnt true.
I love the socceroos but i wouldn’t pay more then 15$ to go watch them play NZ on a Monday night, right before Mid-year Exams. Theycould have got a number of african teams like Egypt to come over. Im glad this happened that FFA needs to learn.
May 9th 2010 @ 9:40pm
James said | May 9th 2010 @ 9:40pm | Report comment
Should the game have been played at the new AAMI Park as a way to launch football at the ground, like the NRL did with the NZ – Australia ANZAC Test?
May 9th 2010 @ 11:35pm
AA said | May 9th 2010 @ 11:35pm | Report comment
Yes this particular game should have been played at the new stadium. The FFA has set themselves up for a serious embarrassment (crowd wise) at this game.
May 9th 2010 @ 10:04pm
Outraged said | May 9th 2010 @ 10:04pm | Report comment
Yes, technically the A-League has two NT representing it at the World Cup.
However, both NZ and Australia have a lot of players from other leagues playing for them.
It is good for the A-League, the experience will have a knock on effect giving it more legitimacy.
May 10th 2010 @ 11:44am
James said | May 10th 2010 @ 11:44am | Report comment
Not really for NZ. Apart from Nelson who else is from outside the A-League in the likely starting XI? Just that dude who plays in the MLS – can’t remember his name.
May 10th 2010 @ 11:49am
AndyRoo said | May 10th 2010 @ 11:49am | Report comment
Simon Elliot? there is also a defender that plays for MLS.
For NZ they have 3 overseas strikers who are amongst their best players (Fallon and Killen are starters the kid from WBA I think is on the bench).
Since qualifying they have won over a couple of duel elligble players (One from ipswich the other from a dutch team I think).
May 10th 2010 @ 12:14pm
James said | May 10th 2010 @ 12:14pm | Report comment
Yeh, Fallon, Killen and Elliot. The rest are all Wellington Phoenix plus Smeltz (GC) and Brockie (Newcastle) and players from the NZ league.
May 10th 2010 @ 1:32pm
KGW said | May 10th 2010 @ 1:32pm | Report comment
Nelsen will be joined by six other European-based professionals in Rory Fallon (Plymouth), Chris Killen (Middlesbrough), Michael McGlinchey (Motherwell), Reid (FC Midtjylland), Tommy Smith (Ipswich Town) and Chris Wood (West Bromwich Albion).
Not to mention there are also a few American based players.
Maybe before commenting you should do some research first. I simply went to the biggest Newspaper in NZ’s website