Kiwis abroad: Brockie hitting top form ahead of qualifiers

Jeremy Brockie’s scintillating form on the Wellington Phoenix’s pre match tour of the Indian subcontinent is a welcome sign for both club and country.

Jeremy Brockie. www.photosport.co.nz

August 30, 2012

AUCKLAND – Jeremy Brockie’s scintillating form on the Wellington Phoenix’s pre match tour of the Indian subcontinent is a welcome sign for both club and country.

Brockie has been included in a 20 man squad for New Zealand’s first two FIFA World Cup qualifiers of stage three – against New Caledonia in Noumea on September 7 and in Auckland against Solomon Islands on September 11 – and his seven goal haul in his last two games will give All Whites coach Ricki Herbert food for thought when selecting a run on 11.

Brockie followed up his four goals against Shillong Lajong by netting a hat-trick as the Phoenix beat the Royal Wahingdoh Sports Club 3-0 in Shillong, showing the form that made Phoenix head coach Herbert pursue him in the off season.

Herbert will be hoping the former Canterbury United, Hawke’s Bay United and Team Wellington striker and can continue banging them in when the A-League starts and when the All Whites take the next steps on the Road to Brazil.

“The goals keep coming for Brocks and they aren’t tap-ins either,” Herbert said.
“The timing of his runs is first-class and he has been assisted by some fine delivery.

Brockie, who has yet to score for the All Whites, has played a variety of positions for the national team including full back, wide midfield and wide forward roles and has previously said he’d play anywhere the All Whites needed him.

However, attacking roles remain his preference and his form adds to the welcome dilemma that Herbert now has in selecting from a glut of attacking talent that also includes Shane Smeltz, Chris Killen, Chris Wood, Rory Fallon, Marco Rojas and Kosta Barbarouses.

Brockie feats didn’t go unnoticed by All Whites team mate Chris Wood (@officialcwood) who tweeted Brockie (@JRBrockie) from his West Bromwich base.

“Another hat trick!! Wow, you’re on fire! If you don't score in these internationals coming up I'm going to be disappointed. But well done bro! I like this free scoring Brockie #hattrick.”

The All Whites assemble in Noumea on September 4 ahead of a rematch against the team that knocked them out of the OFC Nations Cup in June then arrive in Auckland on September 8 for the first home match of the campaign to reach back to back World Cups.

Match day one
New Caledonia v New Zealand
Noumea, New Caledonia
Friday 7 September, 2012

Match day two
New Zealand v Solomon Islands
North Harbour Stadium, Auckland
Tuesday 11 September, 2012
Kickoff: 7:35pm
Live on Sky Sport
Tickets Prices – Adult/Children:
Covered reserved seating – $35/$15 pre-purchased  ($45/$20 at the gate)
Uncovered reserved & GA open – $25/$10 pre-purchased   ($35/$15 at the gate)
Tickets available from http://premier.ticketek.co.nz/shows/show.aspx?sh=OCEANIA12#.UD67_cHibnc  and Ticketek outlets

Match day three
Tahiti v New Zealand
Papeete, Tahiti
Friday 12 October, 2012

Match day four
New Zealand v Tahiti
AMI Stadium, Christchurch
Tuesday 16 October, 2012
Kickoff: 7:35pm
Live on Sky Sport
Tickets Prices – Adult/Children:
Uncovered GA seating (East/West stands) $20/$10 pre-purchased ($30/$15 at the gate)
Covered reserved seating (North/South stands) $30/$15 pre-purchased ($40/$20 at the gate)
Tickets available from http://premier.ticketek.co.nz/shows/show.aspx?sh=OCEANIA12#.UD67_cHibnc and Ticketek outlets

Match day five
New Zealand v New Caledonia
Friday 22 March, 2012
Venue TBC

Match day six
Solomon Islands v New Zealand
Honiara, Solomon Islands
Tuesday 26 March