Didn't el capitan Ryan Nelsen take a break from international football a while back to concentrate on his english football career? I think people are being a little too harsh on Fallon here. Plus, as has been mentioned, hopefully Ricki play Chris Woods in his place and Woods shows why he is such an exciting prospect for WBA!

is it worse than missing NPC games to sell meat in france? comments from the likes of AB and andy sum up the boofhead eggball attitude so nicely. I will laugh at you all in 2011

Guys - can you guys name me a more widely respected and honoured footballer than Ryan Giggs? I'm not a Manc supporter by any stretch, but the guy is a legend, and a top ambassador of the game.

However, between 1991 and 2000, he didn't play one friendly for Wales - missing I believe 18 in a row - because he felt Man Utd was more important and mysteriously kept picking up minor "injuries"!!!

Now it'd be lovely to have all the squad there for the game against Mexico, but it isn't the end of the world if one or two are missing (to be honest, I'd be surprised if Nelsen ends up playing, given Blackburn's current league struggles).

Why are there stupid Rugby vs Football comments in here?

About the article...easy solution, tell Fallon that if he doesn't turn up then it will be Smeltz and Chris Wood as first choice selections up front!

Rory Fallon - What a plonker. "The problem with friendlies is that you can pick up injuries, and I'm not really a friendly type of player. I'm all or nothing with the way I play." - Well hello buddy, this is the World Cup. You need to play friendly games to get the team ready for such an occasion.

@ AJ, ab is my initials, it was the most creative thing I could come up with, if it were meant to be a reference to the Mighty All Blacks then it would probaly look like AB or AB's Fan etc as I would never disprespect the Mighty All Black by putting the letters in lower case. You shouldn't assume things. What does AJ stand for?

Rugby continues to make a profit year in year out.Canterbury and some unions made a loss in the last year as did most business.

As for the comments about there been more registered players etc, sometimes its not about the quantity its about the quality. Most of the football played in this country apart from the Phoenix or the 1-0 will over Bahrain is crap, ( as in the national leauge ) compared to this years NPC which was an absolute cracker, except for Canterbury winning it again!

Anyway this is really wasting time, we should just support what ever game is put in front of us especially if it involves NZ.

Enjoy your Day

Andy #30 After reading that rant I dont think many would care if you would rather be a whinging Pom, an aussie or whatever. Come Sept/Nov next year you say there will only be ONE sport that people are bothered about? Congratulations on that statement, because none of our other big sports are even in season at that time!

Andy #30, my assumption was correct as that particlular poster (AB... have a guess what that stands for?) has been posting under rugby headings. Not that i posted anything there, so i wonder why others feel the need to post here? However i agree largly with what youre saying, comparing rugby to football and vice versa is stupid.

I will though, disagree on your claim that Football is a minority sport, when it is by far the one of the biggest in NZ. When the winter codes kick off again, check out the fixtures in the dominion, last year it exceeded rugby. A minority sport would be something like water polo or maybe even hockey. And its been the biggest sport amoung NZ kids for over 20years.

(I dont see a 'thick' accent with Rory?? Ngati Porou is pretty much as kiwi as you can get!)

There were almost twice as many people registered in NZ for Football this season than there was for rugby. NZ football for the 3rd year running has produced a profit whilst rugby continues to lose money. I too love all sports having played rugby all my life whilst being a supporter of soccer.

Rugby is a drain on the sporting economy. I am well aware that overseas players are not eligable to play that makes them even worse doesn't it? they have turned there back on NZ for the Money. Players like haman nick evans and chris jack to name a few are far from washed up but NZ sport is too busy wasting money and losing money on rugby to come to the party.

Next season i would even pick rugby to not be in the top 5 registered sports in NZ as it was 3rd this year

@ AJ 29 - point noted and accepted, I must note though, that yes the Govt is underwriting the RWC,but the revenue it will generate from hosting the event will be huge for local business etc.