Mt Smart confirmed for All Whites' ASB Summer International

The All Whites will return to the scene of some of their most celebrated victories with Mt Smart Stadium selected for New Zealand’s now-confirmed February 29 ASB Summer International against Jamaica.

January 26, 2012

AUCKLAND – The All Whites will return to the scene of some of their most celebrated victories with Mt Smart Stadium selected for New Zealand’s now-confirmed February 29 ASB Summer International against Jamaica.

In 22 'A' Internationals at Mt Smart, the All Whites have tasted defeat just four times and posted notable victories over China, Japan, Israel, Australia (three times) and a then-World record 13-0 thumping of Fiji in 1981.

England visited in 1991 to celebrate New Zealand Football’s centenary and the ground has also hosted matches against a USSR XI, Glasgow Rangers, Newcastle United, and Watford.

Many of New Zealand’s 13 wins at Mt Smart came in 1981 during a memorable run to New Zealand’s first appearance at a FIFA World Cup.

New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert, who scored the winner against China and a crucial 87th minute equaliser against Saudi Arabia at the ground during that campaign – and two years later would score a match winner against Australia – has fond memories of the ground.

"Obviously the win over China and the draw against the Saudis have special resonance with me but that '82 campaign had so many highlights," Herbert said.

"The crowds building as our momentum did, Steve Sumner scoring six in one game and even the drama against Kuwait is still pretty vivid not just for me but probably for lots of fans as well."

"I was also assistant coach when Ryan Nelsen scored against Australia to send us to the Confederations Cup so I've been lucky enough to be involved in some big results. The national team have got a pretty good record there and we'll be looking for another good result against a talented Jamaican outfit to kick-start our 2014 campaign."

New Zealand Football has confirmed that reserved seating tickets will be priced at just $29 dollars for adults and $15 for children, with equivalent seats in a family zone on the embankment set at $25 and $10 respectively. A family pass of two adults and two children in the family zone will cost $60.

"We’re setting our stall out to get as many people in as possible and create the kind of atmosphere that only a football crowd can," said New Zealand Football Chief Executive Grant McKavanagh.

"A summer evening kick off is a bit of a novelty for an All Whites match, Jamaica are a very entertaining side and we’ll be close to full strength so we’re expecting a healthy turnout."

McKavanagh also reminded fans to get in early.

"We know football fans tend to be part of a walk up crowd but we saw the danger of that from the Phoenix match in Auckland recently. We have priced the game affordably to encourage fans to get their tickets as early as possible."

Members of White Noise (aka Yellow Fever) will be given first bite at tickets on Friday during a one-day pre-sale for the White Noise zone followed by a football club pre-sale beginning on Saturday.  Tickets go on public sale on Wednesday via Ticketek.

The match is likely to be the last outing before New Zealand begins its FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign at the Oceania Nations Cup in June.

A 17-man New Zealand squad will be announced in February.

ASB Summer International
New Zealand v Jamaica
Mt Smart Stadium
February 29, 2012
Kickoff: 7.30pm

Ticket details
Reserved seating: Adults $29, Children $15
Embankment: Adults $25, Children $10, Family (2 adults + 2 children) $60
Purchase from www.ticketek.co.nz

Corporate Lounge: $99 (includes carvery)
Corporate boxes: 12 person - $1600, 16 person - $2500, 26 person - $3500
Purchase from www.mtsmartstadium.com

All Whites at Mt Smart Stadium ('A' internationals)
Played 22, won 13, drawn 5, lost 4

WCQ = World Cup qualifierOGQ = Olympic Games qualifierTTC = Trans-Tasman CupONC = Oceania Nations Cup