NEW ZEALAND V PERU
All Whites stars Chris Wood and Winston Reid lead the way
PHILLIP ROLLO
Last updated 14:23, November 10 2017
'It's been a really good week' – All Whites coach confident ahead of Peru match
All Whites coach Anthony Hudson is confident his team is ready to take on Peru.
Follow the leaders and the All Whites might just have a chance.
As Anthony Hudson sat down to chat to the media for one final time before the All Whites take the field against Peru, repeating the sentiment that New Zealand is indeed capable of qualifying for the World Cup, the national team coach was flanked by the two players who fuel that belief.
They might not be a Sergio Aguero, Alexis Sanchez, N'Golo Kante or Harry Kane. But Chris Wood and Winston Reid are still Premier League stars in their own right, plying their trade for Burnley and West Ham United.
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Chris Wood, coach Anthony Hudson and Winston Reid speak to media ahead of New Zealand's World Cup qualifier against Peru.
They go toe-to-toe with the world's best on a weekly basis and earn millions of pounds for it. Without them, it would be game over before it began. With them, the All Whites could pull off a miracle.
READ MORE
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* Burning questions: All Whites
* Reid target of mystery team prank
* Playstation All Whites lose tie
Unlike Reid, Wood was involved in the past two intercontinental playoffs, against Bahrain in 2009 and Mexico in 2013. But this occasion is different. Not only are Peru a better team, ranked 10th in the world, but he is a much better player himself.
Against Bahrain he was just 17 and against Mexico he was just 21. This time out he is a 25-year-old, hitting his prime and bagging in goals in the Premier League.
He is already tied with Shane Smeltz as New Zealand's second highest scorer of all-time, having found the back of the net 24 times in 54 international appearances. The team will look to him to deliver again at Westpac Stadium on Saturday.
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Winston Reid walks past an All Whites banner, saying "never say die", as he makes his way out on to Westpac Stadium for training.
"It was eight years ago now since I was into the Bahrain game, and a lot has changed. I've got a lot older, which is not good. But it is nice to call on my experiences of those eight years and keep progressing to make it right here," said Wood, who is embracing the weight of expectation.
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"At the end of the day this is our home so we love coming back and playing in front of our home crowd. It's what we cherish and relish, and this is a great occasion to be able to play in front of this weekend."
Reid had not yet committed his allegiance to New Zealand when the All Whites beat Bahrain and he was injured when they met Mexico. But he is here now.
All Whites captain Winston Reid says the team is fully prepared for the Peru clash in Wellington.
"It's a long time since I've been back playing in New Zealand so I really wanted to stay fit and make the trip down. Obviously I'm here now, the team is fit and, as Anthony said, I think we've prepared the best way possible. We haven't left a stone unturned and we're ready for the game," Reid said.
For many potential starters, the likes of Clayton Lewis, Ryan Thomas, Storm Roux, Deklan Wynne, Kip Colvey, Dane Ingham and Stefan Marinovic, this will be one of the biggest games of their lives. But Reid said he and rest of the senior playing group would lead by example and provide guidance where necessary.
"I think it's just about giving guidance to the younger players in the group and helping them through situations. There's going to be tricky moments out there," he said.
"I'd be more nervous if we didn't prepare right. We've been working hard. We've done all our homework. That gives me good confidence in the group. It's a game and we have to go out and execute the gameplan and go out and play to our strengths."
Steve Sumner and Ryan Nelsen famously led the All Whites to World Cups in 1982 and 2010. Will Reid join that illustrious company and get them to Russia in 2018?
"It would be an amazing accomplishment. I just want to be there for the team, whatever way possible, to qualify. I just want to make that happen.
"Like I said before, it's not just down to me. It's down to the senior group. They have to lead this. We have to be the driving force behind this. But, for me personally, it would mean everything to led us back to another World Cup."
All Whites stars Chris Wood and Winston Reid lead the way
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PHILLIP ROLLO
Last updated 14:23, November 10 2017
'It's been a really good week' – All Whites coach confident ahead of Peru match
All Whites coach Anthony Hudson is confident his team is ready to take on Peru.
Follow the leaders and the All Whites might just have a chance.
As Anthony Hudson sat down to chat to the media for one final time before the All Whites take the field against Peru, repeating the sentiment that New Zealand is indeed capable of qualifying for the World Cup, the national team coach was flanked by the two players who fuel that belief.
They might not be a Sergio Aguero, Alexis Sanchez, N'Golo Kante or Harry Kane. But Chris Wood and Winston Reid are still Premier League stars in their own right, plying their trade for Burnley and West Ham United.
You must log in or register to see images
GETTY IMAGES
Chris Wood, coach Anthony Hudson and Winston Reid speak to media ahead of New Zealand's World Cup qualifier against Peru.
They go toe-to-toe with the world's best on a weekly basis and earn millions of pounds for it. Without them, it would be game over before it began. With them, the All Whites could pull off a miracle.
READ MORE
* Head-to-head: Kiwis or All Whites?
* Burning questions: All Whites
* Reid target of mystery team prank
* Playstation All Whites lose tie
Unlike Reid, Wood was involved in the past two intercontinental playoffs, against Bahrain in 2009 and Mexico in 2013. But this occasion is different. Not only are Peru a better team, ranked 10th in the world, but he is a much better player himself.
Against Bahrain he was just 17 and against Mexico he was just 21. This time out he is a 25-year-old, hitting his prime and bagging in goals in the Premier League.
He is already tied with Shane Smeltz as New Zealand's second highest scorer of all-time, having found the back of the net 24 times in 54 international appearances. The team will look to him to deliver again at Westpac Stadium on Saturday.
You must log in or register to see images
GETTY IMAGES
Winston Reid walks past an All Whites banner, saying "never say die", as he makes his way out on to Westpac Stadium for training.
"It was eight years ago now since I was into the Bahrain game, and a lot has changed. I've got a lot older, which is not good. But it is nice to call on my experiences of those eight years and keep progressing to make it right here," said Wood, who is embracing the weight of expectation.
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"At the end of the day this is our home so we love coming back and playing in front of our home crowd. It's what we cherish and relish, and this is a great occasion to be able to play in front of this weekend."
Reid had not yet committed his allegiance to New Zealand when the All Whites beat Bahrain and he was injured when they met Mexico. But he is here now.
All Whites captain Winston Reid says the team is fully prepared for the Peru clash in Wellington.
"It's a long time since I've been back playing in New Zealand so I really wanted to stay fit and make the trip down. Obviously I'm here now, the team is fit and, as Anthony said, I think we've prepared the best way possible. We haven't left a stone unturned and we're ready for the game," Reid said.
For many potential starters, the likes of Clayton Lewis, Ryan Thomas, Storm Roux, Deklan Wynne, Kip Colvey, Dane Ingham and Stefan Marinovic, this will be one of the biggest games of their lives. But Reid said he and rest of the senior playing group would lead by example and provide guidance where necessary.
"I think it's just about giving guidance to the younger players in the group and helping them through situations. There's going to be tricky moments out there," he said.
"I'd be more nervous if we didn't prepare right. We've been working hard. We've done all our homework. That gives me good confidence in the group. It's a game and we have to go out and execute the gameplan and go out and play to our strengths."
Steve Sumner and Ryan Nelsen famously led the All Whites to World Cups in 1982 and 2010. Will Reid join that illustrious company and get them to Russia in 2018?
"It would be an amazing accomplishment. I just want to be there for the team, whatever way possible, to qualify. I just want to make that happen.
"Like I said before, it's not just down to me. It's down to the senior group. They have to lead this. We have to be the driving force behind this. But, for me personally, it would mean everything to led us back to another World Cup."
