Mt Smart Stadium to host All Whites-Jamaica

The All Whites will return to the scene of some of their most celebrated victories with Mt Smart Stadium chosen as the venue for New Zealand's now-confirmed February 29 football international against Jamaica, their first home match since 2010.

In 22 frontline internationals at the south Auckland stadium, known better these days as the home of the Warriors rugby league club, the All Whites have tasted defeat just four times and posted notable victories over China, Japan, Israel, Australia (three times) and a then-world record 13-0 thumping of Fiji in 1981.

England visited in 1991 to celebrate New Zealand Football's centenary and the ground has also hosted matches against a USSR XI, Glasgow Rangers, Newcastle United, and Watford.

Many of New Zealand's 13 wins at Mt Smart came in 1981 during a memorable run to New Zealand's first appearance at a World Cup, but they have not played a match their since 2002.

With Eden Park unavailable because of rugby commitments, and NZF wanting to play the match in Auckland to avoid more travel than is necessary, Mt Smart and North Harbour Stadium were the only two options.

New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert, who scored the winner against China and a crucial 87th minute equaliser against Saudi Arabia at the ground during that campaign and two years later would score a match winner against Australia, has fond memories of the ground.

"Obviously the win over China and the draw against the Saudis have special resonance with me but that 82 campaign had so many highlights," Herbert said.

''The crowds building as our momentum did, Steve Sumner scoring six in one game and even the drama against Kuwait is still pretty vivid not just for me but probably for lots of fans as well.

''I was also assistant coach when Ryan Nelsen scored against Australia to send us to the Confederations Cup so I've been lucky enough to be involved in some big results. The national team have got a pretty good record there and we'll be looking for another good result against a talented Jamaican outfit to kick-start our 2014 campaign.''

New Zealand Football has confirmed that reserved seating tickets will be priced at just $29 for adults and $15 for children, with equivalent seats in a family zone on the embankment set at $25 and $10, respectively. A family pass of two adults and two children in the family zone will cost $60.

''We're setting our stall out to get as many people in as possible and create the kind of atmosphere that only a football crowd can,'' said New Zealand Football chief executive Grant McKavanagh.

''A summer evening kick off is a bit of a novelty for an All Whites match, Jamaica are a very entertaining side and we'll be close to full strength so we're expecting a healthy turnout.''

Members of the White Noise supporters group will be given first bite at tickets tomorrow during a one-day pre-sale for the White Noise zone, followed by a football club pre-sale beginning on Saturday.

Tickets go on public sale on Wednesday via Ticketek.

The match against the No 52-ranked side in the world, who the All Whites could easily face in an intercontinental playoff to reach the World Cup, is likely to be the last outing before New Zealand begin their qualifying campaign at the Oceania Nations Cup in June.

A 17-man New Zealand squad will be announced in February.

- © Fairfax NZ News