Town centre-half Tommy Smith is set to captain New Zealand in their World Cup qualifier against Tahiti in Papeete on Friday with regular skipper Ryan Nelsen not joining up with the squad until after that match due to a knee injury. Smith previously captained the All Whites at the Oceania Nations Cup in the summer when the Tahitians ran out surprise winners.
New Zealand, who have won their first two qualifiers, face Tahiti again on Tuesday, this time at home in Christchurch, and victory in both games will take Ricki Herbert’s side close to an intercontinental play-off with a CONCACAF nation for a place at Brazil 2014.
Smith, who has won 18 full caps, says he’d be proud to be handed the armband: "I'd be honoured if Ricki asked me to be captain again but that's entirely up to Ricki and whether Ryan is passed fit to play in time for either of these games. We're still hoping Ryan will be out here.”
QPR man Nelsen looks set to be back for the home game, a match which will be played on new territory for the Blues defender: "I've never actually been to the South Island, I lived in the North during my time in New Zealand, but it will be good for me.
"Regardless of who is captain, it's an experience I'm looking forward to and I'm sure it will be quite an occasion following the difficult times the Christchurch community continues to go through after the earthquakes.
"I've heard the crowd's quite good down there, to lead the team out on to the field would be very special indeed.
"The most important goal though is maximum points from these next two games, and if we apply ourselves, there's no reason why we can't do that."
Turning to domestic matters, Smith says he’s confident that Town will start turning their season around soon: "My form's not been too bad.
"It's not been so good a start to the season unfortunately, but the lads are still in high spirits. It's not like we're getting thrashed, we're playing well, we're just not quite getting the results we want.
"It will come good soon enough, it's a tough division with a lot of games. Hooking up with the national team again is good and the international window can often be a bit of a reset button for club teams."
Midfielder Josh Carson is the only other Town player away with an international squad at present. Northern Ireland take on Portugal away on Tuesday, also in a World Cup qualifier.
Meanwhile, Town chief executive Simon Clegg has been representing the club at the Leaders in Football conference at Stamford Bridge for the last couple of days.