Wellington abuzz as All Whites hit town

All Whites in Wellington

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CRAIG SMICOX/Dominion Post. Zoom

All Whites training at Whitby.

Nelsen baffled by Bahrain decision

PHIL REID/The Dominion Post

HEADS UP: Rory Fallon gets his head to the ball during the All Whites' training session in Whitby.

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As if the sold-out sign wasn't enough, the All Whites are receiving a stark reminder of how important qualifying for football's World Cup is to New Zealand.

About 300 people made their way to Whitby's Endeavour Park last night as New Zealand had their first training run ahead of Saturday's World Cup qualifier against Bahrain at Westpac Stadium.

Earlier, about 30 media were at the town hall as All Whites coach Ricki Herbert and captain Ryan Nelsen were quizzed for more than 20 minutes.

It was a setting more akin to an All Blacks press conference than a New Zealand football team, at least one that wasn't about to play against David Beckham.

And the pair, as the players did at training, cut remarkably relaxed figures.

Nelsen appeared over any jet-lag as he cracked several jokes. He described a potential appearance at the World Cup – the "biggest sporting event on the planet" – as the pinnacle and talked of the responsibility that rests on the players' shoulders.

Herbert talked of the pressure they have put on themselves to make the most of this chance, but didn't appear fazed by it – not outwardly, at least.

"There is pressure around, but that's the industry we're in and the level of competition we're aiming to be a part of."

Are they feeling the weight of expectation of the public? Of course.

"You've got to feel it," Herbert said. "We want to deliver another World Cup opportunity to the country, so that's going to come with it."

Both Herbert and Nelsen questioned Bahrain's late arrival into Wellington. They are preparing in Sydney, and don't fly into the capital till Thursday afternoon.

"I'm very surprised, to tell you the truth," Nelsen said. "The weather is going to be completely different."

However, the imposing central defender stopped short of saying Bahrain's decision would provide New Zealand with an advantage.

"We'll see after the game. Let's just say I'd have done things differently if I was the Bahrain team. I'd like a good dirty southerly, some beautiful Wellington wind, and maybe some sleet."

Herbert knows all too well the difference in climate between Wellington and Sydney.

Though the All Whites didn't fly into Bahrain till the day before the first leg, a 0-0 draw on October 11, they prepared in Dubai, which has a similar climate.

"Sometimes you're conscious of what a country will offer you when you arrive, but these conditions are not going to be remotely the same, are they?

"We were in Sydney a couple of weeks ago with the club and it was probably 25 degrees. It is probably going to be 8 degrees when they arrive on Thursday."

Herbert played down any concern over Uruguayan referee Jorge Larrionda, who has a worldwide reputation as a card-happy whistler. In the 2006 World Cup, he sent off three United States players as they ended a match against Italy with eight men.

"I think we should be careful that we're not too swayed by what that history might bring to the table," Herbert said. "He's an incredibly qualified referee."

The All Whites – minus striker Chris Killen, who was scheduled to arrive from Scotland last night – trained lightly and will step things up with two sessions today.

While goalkeeper Mark Paston trained fully and later declared his hip "really good", key midfielder Simon Elliott, who is nursing a leg injury, trained separately at times.

But Herbert said: "There aren't any major concerns at the moment."

- © Fairfax NZ News