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The All Whites will be back in action again this October with the Friendly matches scheduled against Paraguay and Honduras, check this behind the scenes video of Michael Glading making the announcement.

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – Mike Hester will become the first New Zealander to referee a FIFA World Cup match when Korea Republic play Greece in Port Elizabeth on Saturday night (NZT) while Peter O’Leary will be fourth official for Algeria’s clash with Slovenia in Polokwane on Sunday.

Fellow Kiwis Jan Hendrik Hintz and Brent Best will also play their part with Hintz an assistant referee in Hester’s all-Oceania trio and Best acting as a reserve assistant referee in the Slovenia match.
Hester’s and O’Leary’s teams are among thirty trios selected for the FIFA World Cup finals with New Zealand and Mexico the only countries to have two teams selected.

Their final selection comes after appointments to various other FIFA tournaments in recent years and a rigorous testing regime.

“I was confident we had done everything we could during the selection process and nothing was left in the tank. But I was also aware that only the very best would be selected for FIFA’s biggest stage,” Hester said.

“It’s a tribute to OFC and New Zealand Football that we’ve been able to get two trios in the final 30. It shows what opportunities are available in refereeing with the right programmes in place.”

The four Kiwis – Tongan Tevita Makasini and Mathew Taro from the Solomon Islands make up the two trios – follow in the footsteps of assistant referee Paul Smith, who ran the line for three matches at the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea and Japan.

June 12th
Match #4 – Korea Republic vs Greece
Referee: HESTER Michael (NZL)
Assistant Referee 1: HINTZ Jan Hendrik (NZL)
Assistant Referee 2: MAKASINI Tevita (TGA)
Fourth Official: VAZQUEZ Martin (URU)
Reserve Assistant Referee: PASTORINO Carlos (URU)

June 13th
Match #6 – Algeria vs Slovenia
Referee: POZO Pablo (CHI)
Assistant Referee 1: BASUALTO Patricio (CHI)
Assistant Referee 2: MONDRIA Francisco (CHI)
Fourth Official: O LEARY Peter (NZL)
Reserve Assistant Referee: BEST Brent (NZL)

From the field straight after the training match against Chile, All Whites coach Ricki Herbert takes questions from the NZ media contingent.

When the All Whites got together with Chile for a training friendly at Kanyamazane Stadium, the whole township came out to watch. It was the All Whites’ first training game in Africa, and it was an unforgettable day of color, noise and football.

NELSPRUIT, SOUTH AFRICA – New Zealand have wrapped up their on-field preparations for the FIFA World Cup with a training match against fellow finalist Chile in Nelspruit on Wednesday.

Played in three 30 minute periods, the match was not classed as an official international but instead a chance for both sides to try different combinations and give fringe players time on the pitch.

New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert took near-full advantage of the opportunity, making eight substitutions and three positional switches throughout the match.

After two even half hour spells, Chile shaded the affair with two goals in the final third.

“I think we got pretty much everything we wanted,” said Herbert after the training run.

“The first two periods we went with a stronger side and didn’t make too many changes for 60 minutes and though we were very comfortable.

“Everybody was going to get a shot so the last 30 was always going to be tough for us so I’m very pleased.”

All Whites captain Ryan Nelsen did not travel to Nelspruit but instead stayed at the team’s base camp near Johannesburg to recover from an ear infection. He is expected to be fit to play Slovakia on June 15.

On Thursday the squad will recover or train in two groups tomorrow and will be joined in the evening by Tim Brown who arrives from New Zealand on an afternoon flight.

New Zealand: 1-Mark PASTON (GK/23-James BANNATYNE 61), 2-Ben SIGMUND, 3-Tony LOCHHEAD (18-Andrew BOYENS 74), 4-Winston REID (15-Michael MCGLINCHEY 43), 5-Ivan VICELEICH, 7-Simon ELLIOTT (captain/21-Jeremy CHRISTIE 31), 10-Chris KILLEN (17-David MULLIGAN 61), 11-Leo BERTOS  (13-Andy BARRON 77), 14-Rory FALLON (9-Shane SMELTZ 31), 19-Tommy SMITH, 22-Jeremy BROCKIE (20-Chris WOOD 47).
Substitutes not used: 12-Glen MOSS (RGK), 16-Aaron CLAPHAM, Cole PEVERLEY.

From our friends at Stuff…

Striker Esteban Paredes staked his claim for a place in Chile’s World Cup starting lineup on Wednesday by scoring the second goal in a 2-0 defeat of fellow tournament hopefuls New Zealand.

Paredes has been largely – read more

AUCKLAND –Tim Brown will depart for South Africa on a flight early Thursday morning after an incredible rehabilitative effort following surgery to repair a fracture to his upper right arm.

Brown sustained the injury in a friendly against Australia in Melbourne on May 24, but has be passed fit to travel and resume training with the rest of the All Whites squad. New Zealand team doctor Celeste Geertsema will now take over supervision of Brown’s recovery programme on the ground in South Africa.

New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert said all the coaching staff and players were looking forward to having Brown back in the camp.

“Tim is a vital member of the squad on and off the field and he has been instrumental in creating our strong team culture.

 “He’s made a remarkable recovery, and we want to thank the surgeon, Stu Walsh, and all the medical staff involved for their tremendous work over the last few weeks.  We look forward to having Tim back with us.

Cole Peverley, who joined the squad in Austria as cover for Brown will stay with the team as injury cover until further notice.