Central defender Tommy Smith says he is looking forward to his first World Cup match for New Zealand with a mixture of nerves and excitement. The All Whites face Slovakia in their opening group game in Rustenburg on Tuesday (KO 12.30pm).
Smith, who is expected to be in the New Zealand side on the left of a back three, told the club site: "After watching the opening games you realise just how massive the tournament is.
"The nerves are there, that's only natural I think. But there is also a great deal of excitement about being involved in the tournament and the challenges ahead.
"We've all been training hard and it's about trying to get in the starting line-up for the first game. Hopefully I'll make it."
Smith, who has won four caps with the country where he lived between the ages of eight and 16, says the South African fans and their vuvuzelas are certainly making their presence known: "They are definitely making an impact because the noise makes it's almost impossible to give instructions to other players.
"You just can't hear what the other players are saying, so it's going to be another challenge, but one the players will have to deal with."
Italy are the All Whites’ second opponents in Nelspruit on Sunday, while they complete their opening phase matches against Paraguay in Polokwane on June 24th.
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