African adventure: Q&A with Ricki Herbert

There are now 100 days to go until the football World Cup starts in Johannesburg. Fred Woodcock, a member of Fairfax Media's World Cup team, talks to All Whites coach Ricki Herbert ahead of the match against Mexico in Los Angeles tomorrow.

Q: There are just 100 days to go. Are you comfortable with the schedule in place?

A: A lot of people have done a good job. The programme will really kick in May 19 when all the players assemble. Australia, Serbia, Slovenia and a match in South Africa is perfect. Mexico is throwing up curveballs with unavailability and suspension, which is not ideal. It's going to be an inexperienced team that is probably under a lot of pressure, but we'll take it. The only thing we've got to finalise now is a camp in April in Auckland.

You were in South Africa for a World Cup workshop last week. Were you able to glean anything of interest?

The most important thing was seeing the accommodation and training facilities. They're more than suitable.

It has been a big six months for football and yourself, being in the middle of it. How are you feeling?

It's a great time for the code. Four years ago when we set out, these were the expectations we had, to make the World Cup. With the Phoenix as well there is not a lot of time in the day, but it's been excellent. I think both jobs have been helpful in making it possible.

Is it mentally tiring with the two jobs?

I just think it's exciting. There was that initial setting up of the structure but with both the club and the national team, it's very solid now. My next phase now is planning holidays, which I haven't been able to do over the past few years. I hope to take three to four weeks in April.

Does your family still recognise you?

They've always been a priority and I think they're all looking forward to that April period, and I'm taking them all to South Africa.

How difficult is it to balance club commitments with the national team? It's something other World Cup coaches don't have to deal with.

Yes, and maybe in the future I won't either. But it's my responsibility to manage both at 150 per cent and I will do that. As long as you keep the guidelines clear and the best players get selected for both teams, there's no problems.

The positive thing is that we're actually facing these dilemmas, because we're a World Cup team. While it poses a timing issue for the club going into a finals series, New Zealand people are now starting to taste what the Wayne Rooneys of the world do on a regular basis.

Initially, some former players said in the media that you couldn't do both jobs. Is it satisfying to be in this situation?

I haven't slammed those people publicly and I'm probably in a strong position to do that, but what I would say is that there were some pretty immature comments made. People are always going to have an opinion – all I would say now is that's fine, why don't they do the same thing now and admit they were wrong?

If I was staring down the barrel of the Phoenix finishing seventh and not qualifying for the World Cup, I'd be having to acknowledge those people were right.

You said after the Bahrain win that the 18 players involved would be guaranteed spots in the 23-man World Cup squad. Sticking by that?

There would have to be people outside who were better. If there is a player who is absolutely not performing, or we find somebody who we think is better, then we would make a change. But those 18 have their foot in the door.

Michael McGlinchey's loan to Motherwell is interesting. Will you encourage players who have not been featuring for their clubs recently to seek something similar?

It could well be in some players' best interests but the balance of the squad have been playing regularly and we know where they sit physiologically, so I'm more than comfortable.

The Glen Moss conundrum. He can't play in the first two group matches because of suspension, so if Mark Paston or Jimmy Bannatyne were injured for one of those, there would be no backup. Will you take an extra keeper to cover for that scenario?

It's a decision we have to be comfortable with, internally. It's a unique situation, and not something we want to happen, so I'll mull that over.

Any other players who are not on the radar but could make the World Cup squad? I'm thinking overseas players with New Zealand links a la Tommy Smith? Winston Reid, from Denmark, for example.

As we speak there isn't anything. I think with Winston there's a commitment to Denmark and I understand he may even be close to their squad. Nothing has been signalled to me. That contact would need to come quickly.

What have you been able to take from your experience in Spain `82 to help you prepare the team for South Africa?

The balance of time, when we're together and not together, is critically important. It's not a negative of '82 but you kind of get across there and you're in that environment all the time. It's about managing 23 different characters.

Lastly, to the only long-term injury concern. What's the latest on Jeremy Brockie's recovery from a broken leg?

He's been in regular contact and he's making really good progress. He's been in the gym, he's been on bikes. I'm not ruling Jeremy out, but it's going to be touch and go.

The Finals Countdown

New Zealand's significant dates on their road to South Africa:

Tomorrow: Mexico v New Zealand, Pasadena.

March 20: A-League grand final April

(dates to be confirmed): 10-14 day training camp for A-League and NZFC players in Auckland. Last chance to press for selection for fringe players

Late April: Coach Ricki Herbert selects 23-man World Cup squad

May 19: Squad starts final buildup in Auckland training camp

May 24: Australia v New Zealand, MCG, Melbourne

May 25-June 6: Training camp in Austria

May 29: New Zealand v Serbia, Klagenfurt, Austria

June 4: New Zealand v Slovenia, Maribor

June 6: Squad arrives in training camp in Johannesburg

June 9/10: Final warmup match (to be confirmed)

June 11: World Cup starts

June 14: New Zealand v Slovakia

- © Fairfax NZ News