Brockie called up as Lewis replacement
All Whites coach Anthony Hudson says it was an easy decision to recall South Africa-based striker Jeremy Brockie to the national squad for the Oceania Nations Cup.
The former Wellington Phoenix frontman has played 47 games for New Zealand since his debut in 2006, but has scored only one international goal and missed selection when the 23-man squad was named on May 12.
But with New Zealand Football opting to stand down young midfielder Clayton Lewis while he is investigated for a possible drugs breach, Brockie was named as the replacement for the crucial tournament in Papua New Guinea.
The 28-year-old is the leading scorer for his club SuperSport United and it is understood he and defender Michael Boxall will join the New Zealand team in Port Moresby after playing in this weekend’s South African Cup final against the Orlando Pirates.
They will miss the first Nations Cup pool game against Fiji on Saturday. At the time of naming his squad, Hudson said he felt the pace at the level Brockie was playing at was ‘‘quite slow’’ and wanted him in a ‘‘better condition’’, but added he was unlucky to miss out.
Hudson reiterated that final thought yesterday.
‘‘It was a difficult choice to leave him out originally and it was a hard phone call to make.
‘‘He loves playing for his country and he gives everything. So the fact that an opportunity has come up and he’s coming back is something we’re excited about.
‘‘He’s another really good character to have in the group, he’s brilliant to have around.’’
Brockie, who has played four of the six games since Hudson took over the All Whites but did not play the team’s last game Oman in November last year, joins a strong attacking group featuring skipper Chris Wood, Kosta Barbarouses, Rory Fallon, Marco Rojas, Shane Smeltz and youngsters Monty Patterson and Logan Rogerson.
Wood linked up with the team last Wednesday and has wasted no time making his mark, scoring the goal in the team’s 1-0 win in a closed doors training match against Queensland club Redlands United in Brisbane on Sunday.
After taking on Fiji on Saturday, New Zealand play Vanuatu on Tuesday and the Solomon Islands on Saturday next week to complete pool play.
The winner of the tournament, which acts as round two of Oceania qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, qualifies for next year’s Confederations Cup in the same country.