Defender Tommy Smith says he is set to be named in New Zealand’s 30-man provisional squad for this summer’s World Cup in South Africa. All Whites coach Ricki Herbert handed Smith his debut in the recent friendly against Mexico in the US with the Town man named man of the match by the New Zealand papers.

Smith told the club site that he’s very much looking forward to representing the country where he grew up on football's biggest stage: "It's every lad's dream to play in the World Cup. I'm no different and hopefully I will make it to South Africa.

"After the game in Los Angeles, Ricki said he was pleased with me and I was in his plans. He's been very encouraging. I think I'm in the 30-man squad that will be announced shortly and then we will have to see how it goes from there.

"There's a training camp that will be based in New Zealand at the end of the season [from April 28th to May 10th in Auckland] and the final squad will be picked from there. I will obviously be out to stake my claim.

"I'm not sure when the squad gets trimmed down from 30 but I know there are a few friendlies lined up before the team goes to South Africa, so I guess it will be about that time.

"I've got to make sure I impress in those games to give me the best chance of going to the finals."

Australia, Serbia, Slovenia and Chile are New Zealand’s opponents in the friendlies before the All Whites take on Slovakia, Paraguay and Italy in the group games in South Africa.

Photo: Action Images

joe9087 added 15:49 - Apr 7 Good for him, nice one.
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devontractorboy added 15:53 - Apr 7 Well done Tommy, hope to see you in the first team again soon
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ThatMuhrenCross added 16:43 - Apr 7 Was in the first team on Saturday.
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derbytractoryboy added 17:10 - Apr 7 Get in their lad, if he goes and gets some games, the experience should make him a better player for us next year to strengthen our defense from august!
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budgieplucker added 19:01 - Apr 7 He put in a couple or so good performances at centre half alongside Gareth McAuley earlier in the season. Probably has got the edge on Pim so future looks bright for him at Town. I think he will develop into a fine defender and agree the experience of being in the New Zealand international squad will do him the world of good. Peters, O'Connor Smith Wickham possibly Eastman Whilst not all products of the academy but all show that RK is keen to embrace youth and give it a chance. Ironically I am not so sure this was the case with Magic & Kluggy in charge who supposedly bestowed the Ipswich values. The other think that impresses me is how RK manages the younger players - they will certainly have to work their hardest to maintain his favour and no bad attitudes & prima donnas will be allowed to develop.

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utrechtblue added 19:18 - Apr 7 excellent post pucker ... i agree am encouraged by the arrival of some talented young players in the squad and the first 11. One advantage of our mid table finish may be that it affords Roy some space to see how they perform in less than the most stressful surroundings - of course Connor W and O Connor also played in matches that some saw as relegation 6 pointers and both are very valuable experiences. On a similar note I interviewed and chatted with Steve Mc Claren and his young defender David Carney at FC Twente this week -DC once a relegated Budgie and a Blade now looking at the Dutch title and full back for Australia in 2010. Incidently the ozzies are very confident about facing england in round 2 and expect to win. They see the group of Serbia Germany Ghana OZ as being very tough but believe 2nd place is possible probably behind Ghana. Macca was class and as bigger fish than West Ham to fry.

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Dalty added 22:28 - Apr 7 good to read posts from budgieplucker and utrechtblue, wish all posts were as intelligent and well-argued instead of a lot of the tit-for-tat sniping on here. I don't mind if someone's pro or anti-Keano or anyone else connected with Ipswich, i'd just like to see more intelligent debate and insight on this site like the above
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bennyblue added 00:48 - Apr 8 of cause the ozzies are confident if they meet england in the wc who wouldnt be ?
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