All Whites v Honduras
North Harbour Stadium, Saturday 7.30pm
All Whites captain Ryan Nelsen was quick to dismiss any suggestion that upcoming matches against Honduras and Paraguay are "only friendlies".
Nelsen, who arrived back from his British base on Tuesday for the ASB International Series games at North Harbour Stadium on Saturday and Wellington's Westpac Stadium on Tuesday, said to say the matches were friendlies was "a load of rubbish".
"They are extremely important games and unlike rugby where they put up a trophy and such games become something else, these games are true internationals," said Nelsen. "Players from both teams are deadly serious. You know that players from teams like Paraguay would expect to win. If they lost games like this at home they would be pelted."
Asked what he expected from Honduras, Nelsen was just as forthright.
"They were at the World Cup. To get there they got through in Central America which is tough. They will be a skilful side."
Quizzed on the "inconvenience" of having to travel halfway around the world for such matches, Nelsen said that was not the case.
"It is never an inconvenience. I love coming back. Sure, it is tough on the body but it is a chance to play in front of our fans and family."
Coach Ricki Herbert is making no promises about giving all his available players game time.
"This team has always been about results," said Herbert. "It is great to have everyone back and while there might be the potential to use six substitutes that does not necessarily mean every player will get a run."
Herbert did say that Leo Bertos was expected to take the roving left side role vacated by the injured Tony Lochhead but, as much as anything, he was looking forward to putting out the team that did so well at the World Cup in front of their loyal fans.
Of his future with the team, Nelsen said: "Four years [until the next World Cup] is a long time. You just don't know where you are going to be."
He also offered words of advice for his fellow All Whites defender Winston Reid after his tough introduction to the Premier League at West Ham United. Nelsen said he had sent the youngster a text simply saying: "Welcome to the jungle mate. Don't read the papers."
"I told him to keep his head down and that's life in the Premier League," said Nelsen. "He is a smart guy and will come through it."
The All Whites have a public training session at Kristin School at 4pm today followed by an autograph session.
