He might only be playing at Central League level but there's rumblings Bluewater Napier City Rovers soccer striker Jarrod Smith should get a recall to the All Whites.
Smith scored once on Saturday as Rovers bounced back from their crushing elimination from the Chatham Cup with a 6-1 drubbing of Tawa in rain-soaked Wellington.
But that sole strike does not tell the full story: he was in the thick of it throughout, selflessly providing the assist for a teammate on two occasions and his contribution was immense, as it has been all season.
"Smithy up front was just outstanding, how he didn't score more than one goal today was unbelievable. He was involved in most of the goals," said coach Grant Hastings.
Asked if All Whites and Wellington Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert should watch Smith in some of these Central League games, Hastings said it was clear Smith was good enough for the All Whites again.
"Oh yeah I do, mate. He's just come back from playing in Europe as a pro, and that's what he is, a pro. He brings so much quality and class in everything he does. He was our shining light last week when we were appalling. His ability to hold the ball up and create is immense.
"But I thought everyone played well today, it was a great team effort," said Hastings.
Smith made 12 appearances for the All Whites between 2006 and 2009, a period of rebuilding for New Zealand. But he failed to score in those games, many as a sub, and failed to get any game time in the Confederations Cup in 1999.
It was a different Napier team from the one that played Lower Hutt last week, and one that played excellently despite the pitch being soggy at the kick off, with rain falling throughout the match.
As well as Smith's 91st-minute goal, Stephen Hoyle netted twice, as did Josh Stevenson and substitute David Gearey got a late one.
"I didn't think it was going to be my day today but I got a reward I guess," said Smith, the son of the former Black Cap Ian Smith. "We struggled in the mud, and have done so in such conditions in Wellington over the last few years and after last week's performance we wanted to make sure we put the foot on the throat from early on. It was more the way we wanted to play."
It certainly looked like the Rovers of old, and they made a sterling start, when Stevenson skipped past two defenders, drove towards goal and chipped the ball into the net, albeit with a slight touch from a Tawa player's leg.
Just after half an hour Smith had the ball in the net but was adjudged to be offside. However just four minutes later Napier were two up, after Cole Peverley's corner was headed in by Hoyle.
A couple of minutes later, Smith took advantage of some Tawa defensive errors, and though he could easily have struck for goal himself, opted to slip the ball to Hoyle who had the easiest of finishes. Three-up at half-time and the game was effectively over, but this wasn't as one-sided as it appeared - Tawa were competitive early on and had their own chances to score.
On the hour mark, Smith's goal-bound shot was slowed down by a puddle, but luckily, Stevenson was close enough to add the final touch.
Smith's short pass gave Gearey Napier's fifth before Smith himself added a sixth, prodding the ball past a tight Tawa defence.