Veteran Smith can add value to New Zealand's World Cup campaign, says former coach

May 15 : Not all fans have welcomed Tommy Smith's selection in New Zealand's World Cup squad but his former coach Ricki Herbert is convinced the 36-year-old's experience at the global showpiece makes him a worthy pick.

Defender Smith, a member of New Zealand's last World Cup squad in 2010, has not played for the All Whites since 2024 and is currently turning out for Braintree Town in England's semi-professional fifth tier.

The England-born centre back and All Whites captain Chris Wood became the first New Zealanders to be included in two World Cup squads when they were named by coach Darren Bazeley on Thursday.

While the selection of striker Wood was a given, Smith's inclusion was polarising, triggering consternation from some fans on social media and no shortage of sympathy for overlooked Wellington Phoenix centre back Bill Tuiloma.

But Herbert, who coached New Zealand at the 2010 finals, has little doubt 56-cap Smith can prove his value even if he does not play a single minute.

"I think you're going to get nobody better than Tommy," Herbert told Reuters.

"He's going to be great around the players. He may play, he may not. But he has that experience of playing at a World Cup and his value is in his leadership off the field."

CULTURE

Bazeley told reporters on Thursday that Smith was a "cultural architect", a player who could set training standards around the group and whose voice carried weight in the changing room.

He also defended Smith playing lower-tier football, having made a choice to depart A-League side Auckland FC after the 2024/25 season to return to England for family reasons.

Bringing senior players to shape a squad's culture and mentor younger teammates at World Cups has ample precedent.

Australia took a 38-year-old