All Whites Fifa World Cup push: A-League bolter called up, injuries hit key players
Lachlan Bayliss has been included in an All Whites squad for the first time. Photo/Getty Images.
Newcastle Jets midfielder Lachlan Bayliss is on the verge of the ultimate football Cinderella story.
Bayliss is the only new face in the All Whites squad named on Monday to face Finland and Chile in Auckland later this month in what doubles as a Fifa World Cup farewell. In a team list perhaps more notable for who was missing, Bayliss’ inclusion adds some intrigue. The 23-year-old hasn’t featured in any camps across this four-year cycle but now could be in the box seat to go to the World Cup in North America.
Coach Darren Bazeley said his call-up was a “no-brainer”, after a sparkling run of form for the Jets, where he scored five goals and grabbed two assists during a stunning five-match period, helping them to the top of the table. Bayliss, who was born in Australia but has Kiwi heritage through his father, came on the scene ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics, appearing in all three matches after initially being named as a travelling reserve. Bazeley, who is also the Oly-Whites coach, liked what he saw then but has been waiting for Bayliss to take the next step.
“The challenge to him and to other players, I’ve said it to so many players, you know, was how do you get selected for the All Whites?” Bazeley told the Herald. “Well you’ve got to perform at your club, perform to a high level, affect the game and stand out. And since last Christmas he has done that.”
Bayliss and the Jets had been on a 10 match unbeaten run – nine wins – before last Saturday 2-1 reverse at the hands of Auckland FC. Bayliss has also shown his versatility, able to play as a traditional centre midfielder, out wide or further forward.
“It’s a great story,” said Bazeley. “He’s still got a lot of work to do but now he gets that reward and he’ll get an opportunity, we’ll definitely get him on the pitch.”
Outside the rookie, it’s been a difficult selection process for Bazeley. There are seven players unavailable through injury, including four nailed-on starters – captain Chris Wood, Libby Cacace, Sarpreet Singh and Michael Boxall, along with experienced midfielder Matt Garbett and reliable defender Nando Pijnaker.
And Ryan Thomas – another vital player – is also under an injury cloud after leaving the field with a tight hamstring during his club match for PEC Zwolle on the weekend.
“It feels good enough that they haven’t sent him for a scan,” said Bazeley. “But with hamstrings it’s always time. We’ll be monitoring daily. He’s positive and I’m still positive.”
Bazeley said Thomas would be managed carefully – “if we can get 45 to 60 minutes out of him that would be perfect” – but added that no chances would be taken.
“He would never put himself at risk,” said Bazeley. “We would never put him at risk.”
Wood remains on track for a return with Nottingham Forest around mid-April, as revealed in the Herald last month.
“He’s comfortable with it – still positive he’ll be back,” said Bazeley. “Everything tracking well. It’s not got worse and I wouldn’t say it’s ahead of schedule, it’s just tracking well is what he says”.
Bazeley is equally positive around Cacace, who is due back in “two or three weeks” though admits that the tally of niggling muscle injuries – which has limited him to 12 league matches for Wrexham this season – is a concern.
“It’s a worrying one, that it’s happening consistently,” said Bazeley.
On a positive note, the form of young attackers Jesse Randall and Ben Waine has been a timely tonic. Randall has been one of the best for Auckland FC in this campaign, with nine goals and six assists, which has earned him a big move to Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership.
“He’s one of the form players,” agrees Bazeley. “He’s quick, got an eye for goal and he’s confident. He’ll be looking to get some good minutes with us.”
Waine has been rewarded for admirable perseverance, hitting the headlines in both New Zealand and England last week, with decisive goals in consecutive FA Cup ties for Port Vale, helping the unheralded League One club into the quarter-finals.
“We’ve put a lot of faith in Ben and even when he was going through his tough times and not playing at his club we consistently picked him and played him,” said Bazeley. “Now he’s getting the rewards, coming in high on confidence. I sent him a text last week saying I tried for 17 years in the FA Cup and you’ve got further than me.”
Waine is expected to lead the line in the absence of Wood, though Kosta Barbarouses and Andre de Jong are other options. Michael Woud has snaffled the third goalkeeper spot – behind Alex Paulsen and Max Crocombe, edging out several other contenders, though that seems an open race.
Another notable selection sees Callan Elliott back in the frame, along with Auckland FC teammate Logan Rogerson. Tim Payne is among the others to return, while Storm Roux, Tommy Smith, George Stanger and Owen Parker Price are among those to miss out.
The All Whites face Finland on March 27 (7.15pm) and Chile three days later. They also have a match against England locked in for June 6 (June 7 NZT) in Florida and are seeking one more pre-tournament hit out a few days before that.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Max Crocombe, Alex Paulsen, Michael Woud
Defenders: Callan Elliot, Tim Payne; Tyler Bindon, Finn Surman, Bill Tuiloma; Francis de Vries, James McGarry
Midfielders: Lachlan Bayliss, Joe Bell, Eli Just, Ben Old, Alex Rufer, Marko Stamenić, Ryan Thomas
Forwards: Kosta Barbarouses, Andre de Jong, Callum McCowatt, Jesse Randall, Logan Rogerson, Ben Waine
Fixtures
Friday, March 27, 7.15pm: v Finland, Eden Park.
Monday, March 30, 7.15pm: v Chile, Eden Park.
Michael Burgess has been a Sports Journalist for the New Zealand Herald since 2005, covering the Olympics, Fifa World Cups, and America’s Cup campaigns. He is a co-host of the Big League podcast.