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.

If you’re planning on making some World Cup wagers, free bets are available from a number of leading bookies via TWTD’s Betting section on the main menu at the top of the page or here.

Photo: Action Images

WadzillaBhoy added 13:21 - Jun 14 I haven't missed a game yet, looking forward to seeing a Tommy play in the WC.
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MaySixth added 13:25 - Jun 14 These vuvuzela's are ruining the experience for me so far.
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Redmond added 13:27 - Jun 14 I agree with You MaySxith they are soo bad and annoying but good luck tommy i bet you wont make a big blunder like Rob Green
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B1TFC added 13:30 - Jun 14 think the vuvuzelas are helping create an atmosphere at some games, like the crap one now Holland and Denmark, its on the noise keeping me awake, certainly not the footy, bit like algeria game really! good luck tommy!
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arc added 13:50 - Jun 14 This is all good fun now, but just wait until Tommy disappears off to NZ for some match in mid-November. How is he supposed to establish himself as a CB regular if he is guaranteed to miss matches?
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jamie22 added 14:52 - Jun 14 But then so does McAuley and he has managed it, granted the circumstances are different but that's the way it is. It will make him a better player without question therefore will have more of a chance even if he's missing games! Good luck Tommy, I can't wait to see him playing!
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Suffolk_n_Good added 18:19 - Jun 14 Good luck Tommy, we'll all be rooting for you, enjoy & then come back to us a better player for the experience. All the best.
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ozzy_itfc added 18:54 - Jun 14 There taking away atmosphere if anything because you can can't hear the fans singing which I'm sure they are, how does loads of people blowing horns make atmosphere anyway? Singing and getting behind the boys is what makes the atmosphere
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CheshireBlue added 20:49 - Jun 14 arc you really seem to have to find something negative to say in everything. Tommy is 20yrs old and playing in the world cup. What a great experience for anyone. Good luck to the lad and I know it will make him a better player and can only be good for Town. Playing any international football is great for any player whether it be the other side of the world or not. I would think he will be travelling in comfort so he will be able to rest rather than being in cramped cattle class luck us mere mortals so the travelling will not affect him. Get behind the lad you miserable git!!!

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Mungo added 22:06 - Jun 14 Good luck Tommy! Do us all proud! Re the vuvuzelas, I agree that they are not everyone's cup of tea but they are clearly a big part of watching football in that part of the world. They seem to be the African equivalent of singing & chanting, so best to accept it as part of the event and remember it for years to come. So far they have been more memorable than the football! It says a lot when Germany are the most attacking and entertaining team on display (so far)!

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ozzy_itfc added 23:45 - Jun 14 Quote that made me laugh off facebook ' we send £2 a month to Africa..... And they buy a fu*king trumpet' it's one thing adding atmosphere, it's another thing when players can't hear each other, and I must say these refs are shocking they hand out a yellow for anything how can you let a game flow while doing that
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corshamblue added 08:12 - Jun 15 Rock on Tommy, Good Luck.
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