The main target for the All Whites might be next year’s Fifa World Cup but there's another trophy in their sights over the next five days.
That’s because they’ve got a chance to lock away the Soccer Ashes. Two positive results against Australia and the little wooden box filled with the ashes of a cigar shared by the captains of the two teams in 1923 could be back on Kiwi soil.
"We definitely talk about playing Australia," coach Darren Bazeley told 1News. "Any game involving New Zealand against Australia, the rivalry is there. It will be competitive. There is a nice trophy on the line, and everyone wants to bring that home."
Both All Whites games will be streamed live on TVNZ+
The Ashes trophy was discovered in a garage in 2023, 71 years after it was last contested. Australia won it two years ago. Now they go on the line again in a home and away series.
The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including winter weather sticking around, new research finds a link between rugby and dementia, and fashion titan Giorgio Armani dies. (Source: 1News)
"I keep hearing Aussie talk around so many years this and that where we haven't done something, so we are pretty focused," Bazeley said. "It is a game of football we want to win no more than any other game but there is definitely probably a little edge on this.
"Us against Australia is something we have been trying to get regularly for a very long time now. This helps the attraction of having those games."
Ryan Thomas had to have his kneecaps realigned in their joints by breaking his shin bones. (Source: 1News)
Tonight will be the 66th time the All Whites have played against Australia. The results are very one-sided, Australia recording 41 wins, New Zealand 13, with 11 games drawn.
New Zealand's last win over Australia was in 2002. The Socceroos have won the last seven.
"It's a rivalry that's ingrained into every Kiwi, so this game has many dimensions, but this game is huge," midfielder Joe Bell said.
The All Whites will be without midfielder Marko Stamenic, who withdrew from the squad with tightness in his adductor. It means Ryan Thomas is likely to start in the midfield for the first time since November 2019.
Bazeley didn't rule out handing a debut to 17-year-old Luke Brooke-Smith, who's been called into the squad for Liberato Cacace.
SHARE ME