Interim head coach Darren Bazeley has named his All Whites squad for the two home games this month against China in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland and Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington. 

The 24-person squad sees Callan Elliot earn his debut All Whites call up after a strong season for Wellington Phoenix. 

Max Mata and Alex Rufer are recalled to the squad for the first time since 2019. 

Defender Tommy Smith will earn his 50th All Whites cap if he plays during the series. 

The full squad is:

Kyle Adams (0 caps) San Diego Loyal, USA

Kosta Barbarouses (52 caps) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand

Joe Bell (12 caps) Brøndby IF, Denmark

Michael Boxall (40 caps) Minnesota United, USA

Liberato Cacace (12 caps) Empoli, Italy

Callan Elliot* (0 caps) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand

Matthew Garbett (12 caps) NAC Breda, Netherlands (on loan from Torino)

Alex Greive (7 caps) St Mirren, Scotland

Cam Howieson (16 caps) Auckland City FC, New Zealand

Dane Ingham (12 caps) Newcastle Jets, Australia

Eli Just (13 caps) AC Horsens, Denmark

Clayton Lewis (21 caps) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand

Stefan Marinovic (30 caps) Unattached         

Max Mata (1 cap) Sligo Rovers, Ireland

Callum McCowatt (10 caps) FC Helsingør, Denmark

Tim Payne (30 caps) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand

Nando Pijnaker (11 caps) Sligo Rovers, Ireland

Marco Rojas (43 caps) Colo-Colo, Chile

Alex Rufer (7 caps) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand

Oli Sail (6 caps) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand

Tommy Smith (49 caps) Colchester United, England

Marko Stamenic (11 caps) FC Copenhagen, Denmark

Chris Wood (70 caps) Nottingham Forest, England

Deklan Wynne (15 caps) Charleston Battery, USA

*Debut All Whites squad 

Sarpreet Singh and Ryan Thomas will miss the series to allow them more time to continue their recovery from injury now they are back playing club football.  

Both players are in contention to return for the All Whites in the June FIFA window. 

Bill Tuiloma and Ben Waine have been left out for this series, after discussion with Darren Bazeley, due to club commitments. 

Ben Waine is currently fighting for his place at new club Plymouth Argyle, who have a league game during the international window and are chasing a promotion place, plus he is in contention to be involved in the EFL Trophy Final at Wembley Stadium vs Bolton Wanderers on 3 April (NZT).

Bill Tuiloma has recently completed a move to MLS side Charlotte FC so will stay with his new team for this window. 

Two senior goalkeepers have been selected for this window and a third will join the matchday squad from the U-22 side for each All Whites game.

“All of the players can’t wait for the opportunity to play at home again, this time for a full FIFA window” says interim head coach Darren Bazeley. 

“The players had a taste of playing on home soil last year vs Australia and are looking forward to once again playing in front of our home fans, both in Auckland and down in Wellington.

“This series gives us the opportunity to start the new World Cup cycle off and get our home fans excited about what is to come for this squad.

“Congratulations to Callan Elliot on his debut call up after a great season with the Phoenix.

“He is a player I know well from the Tokyo 2020 Olympic campaign so it will be great to see him in the full All Whites environment. 

“I’m also pleased to bring Max Mata and Alex Rufer back after a long time away. 

“Max is a player in form over in Ireland, having recently scored a league hattrick, and Alex has obviously now fully recovered after a long time out with injury and is in good form with the Phoenix.

“Both Ben Waine and Bill Tuiloma were disappointed not to be able to take part in this window but from discussions with them both I’m happy that it is the right decision for their individual club careers, and they have both committed to future international windows.

“These are exciting times for this young squad, so I know everyone involved in the team can’t wait to get started.”

The All Whites play China on Thursday 23 March (KO 7pm) at Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland and on Sunday 26 March (KO 4pm) at Sky Stadium, Wellington.

Both games feature curtain raiser fixtures with New Zealand U-22 taking on a China U-24 team. 

GAME INFORMATION:

Thursday 23 March 2023
Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland
3:30pm – U-22 game vs China
7pm – All Whites game vs China


Sunday 26 March 2023
Sky Stadium, Wellington
12:30pm – U-22 game vs China
4pm – All Whites game vs China

Article added: Thursday 09 March 2023