Centre-half Tommy Smith has confirmed that he is available for selection for New Zealand this season, having taken some time out of international football during 2014/15.

The 25-year-old asked to be left out of All Whites squads and planned to take the whole season off to reduce his travelling and concentrate on playing for Town with New Zealand only involved in friendlies until next summer when they take part in the Oceania Football Confederation Cup, which doubles up as part of the qualification process for the 2018 World Cup.

However, having briefly lost his place in the Town side last autumn Smith, who has been capped 29 times and has scored two international goals, had a change of heart and played in the November friendlies against China and Thailand.

“I’m available for selection,” he confirmed. “I don’t think the squad has been named yet so I’m not sure if I’m being called up this time around.

“I did fill in the player release form but I haven’t heard about the squad so far. We have a game against Oman in Oman [on November 12th] but I’ll just have to wait and see if I’m going to be involved. It’s in [head coach] Anthony Hudson’s hands.

“I’ve been quite lucky with all the places I have been able to visit because of playing for New Zealand and I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve had with them.”

Smith was pleased to get bragging rights over Australian team-mate Tommy Oar after the All Blacks' 34-17 victory over the Wallabies in the Rugby World Cup final last Saturday.

“There was a little bit of banter but neither of us are too rugby mad," he said. "But obviously, whenever there is a New Zealand v Australia tie in any sport there’s always a little bit of friendly rivalry there.

"Bragging rights for me, but I only saw bits of the tournament. A lot of the time we were on the coach coming back from an away game so we couldn’t see the games and for Saturday’s final we were playing ourselves at the time. I didn’t see too much of it but I’ve seen enough of the celebrations!”

Earlier in the year the academy product set up the Tommy Smith Soccer School, which he says has been a success.

“It’s going really well and I had a great week last week over the half-term. The weather wasn’t great but the kids loved it all the same and it’s something I am looking to carry on doing. Hopefully it will grow in the future.

“The basic idea behind it is just to give something back to the local community. I’ve been at Ipswich a long time now and I’ve got roots here now. I’m living with my girlfriend and been with her a long time, and I can’t see myself moving any time soon.

“I wanted to start something and pass on some of the advice that I’ve been given over the years.”

Photo: Action Images

Marcus added 13:53 - Nov 4 Smith has really improved this season. At the end of last season he was looking jaded. Perhaps it's a bit more maturity and experience or perhaps it's the rest from international duty (or a bit of both) but he's looked so much better to the extent that Berra looks the weaker player now when he was my player of the year last season.
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NSL added 18:54 - Nov 5 Why not, it's hardly going to get in the way of a promotion challenge!!
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