New Zealand All Whites Reach South Africa

In sporting terms there's very little love lost between Australia and New Zealand but the Socceroos certainly gave their Trans-Tasman rivals a boost when they left the Oceania Confederation.

The Aussies chased a World Cup Final qualification place in Asia and it worked out for them- unexpectedly it also opened the door for New Zealand to reach just their second finals (the first was in 1982).

The All Whites (the All Black name being taken) found a fairly easy passage from a qualifying group where the New Caledonia and Fiji are now the main opposition. That lead them to a play-off to get to South Africa.

The irony is that the Socceroos left the Oceania section after being forced to get through play-offs against the likes of Argentina, Uruguay and Iran. For some reason though, FIFA gave New Zealand Bahrain from the Asian section.

Bahrain are a decent side but hardly the toughest country that the All Whites could draw. FIFA paired Uruguay and Costa Rica from the South American and Central American sections in the other play -off. In a tight two-leg affair the Kiwis prevailed by a single goal after Bahrain missed a penalty.

It means Ricki Herbert's side have qualified after playing New Caledonia, Fiji, Vanuatu and Bahrain- not exactly the hardest route to the finals- and they lost a game to Fiji too.The Australians must be wondering why they went through the trouble of quitting the Oceanian section.

The New Zealanders were in the Confederations Cup last year and managed to come through without being hammered. On the other hand they showed few signs that they will threaten to go beyond the groups stages in South Africa,

The main British interest is Blackburn skipper Ryan Nelsen and Plymouth Argyle striker Rory Fallon who scored the goal that decided the play off. Young West Brom forward Craig Wood might be in the squad.