Herbert will not attend World Cup draw

KEVIN STENT/Sunday Star Times

BACKING: Ricki Herbert's bosses are backing him to handle the dual coaching load of the All Whites and Wellington Phoenix.

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All Whites soccer coach Ricki Herbert will not be released by his club boss to attend the World Cup draw in South Africa next month.

New Zealand Football (NZF) had wanted Herbert to join other officials at the draw in Cape Town on December 5 (NZT), when the All Whites will learn the identity of their group opponents for the sport's 32-nation showpiece next year.

However, Wellington Phoenix owner Terry Serepisos today confirmed Herbert was needed in Wellington where the Phoenix have an A-League home match against Melbourne on December 4.

"It is a mutual agreement between Ricki and I," Serepisos told Radio Sport.

"He is committed to his responsibility to the Phoenix and what is a very important game against on December 4. He sees his responsibility, and he owes it to the club and the players."

Serepisos said NZF officials had been informed of the club's decision and they understood the reasoning.

"They are understanding of it, they don't have much choice about it. It's a decision which has been made and they have to abide by it."

New Zealand qualified for the World Cup by beating Bahrain 1-0 in Wellington last Saturday.

Herbert has juggled his club coaching duties with his All Whites commitments for the past year as he has guided the New Zealand team through their World Cup qualifying campaign.

"His responsibility now belongs with the club and the players," Serepisos said.

NZF chairman Frank van Hattum said his organisation supported Serepisos' decision as the Phoenix continued to push for a playoffs berth.

"The Phoenix are an important part of the football landscape and a successful playoff run will only lift the sport to new levels," he said.

"We would have loved Ricki to represent us in Cape Town, and I'm sure he would have loved to be there if he could, but we can't take him away from his day job."

- NZPA