Back in NZ colours

Masterton resident Michele Clarke is one of three former Wairarapa United players who have been included in the New Zealand women's soccer squad to prepare for the World Cup qualifying tournament to be played in Papua New Guinea in March.
Clarke (nee Keinzley), Wendi Henderson and Nicki Smith have made the 20-strong line-up after being part of the Wellington line-up who finished runners-up to Auckland in this year's national league
Clarke lives in the Masterton area but with Wairarapa United no longer an option she now plays her soccer out of the Seatoun club.
Henderson lives in Wellington and Smith returned to the capital for the national league after spending some seasons playing in Australia.
Two other former Wairarapa United players in Pip Meo and Pam Yates were also involved in the final trials for the World Cup squad but missed selection.
New Zealand's chances of qualifying for the World Cup finals to be played in China in September are rated highly as Australia is no longer part of their group and they will be expected to fare well against opposition from Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Samoa, Fiji and the Solomon Islands.
Clarke, Henderson and Smith played for Wairarapa United in the late 1990's when they were ranked as one of the top women's club sides in the country and since then striker Clarke has made a name for herself in both Auckland and Wellington.
She has played eight times for New Zealand in the past with her last appearance coming about two years ago and the 30-plus goals she scored for Seatoun when they won the central league title last season kept the 24-year-old who is set to join the police force very much at the forefront of contenders for the World Cup squad.
And being amongst the most prolific goal scorers in the national league did nothing but aid her chances as well.
Clarke, however, was not counting her chickens as with a new coach being appointed for the national women's side Allan Jones, she was unsure of what he was looking for.
"I guess you could say I was pretty hopeful but no more than that," she said.
Meanwhile,the omens are looking good for Wairarapa United leading into the 2007 Capital premier division men's soccer competition.
Some interesting newcomers are about to join the bulk of the side who challenged hard for the title last season before ending up in third position.
They include Dutchman Christian Looye, Czechoslavakian Marick Tvaroh and a New Zealand under-21 representative whose name won't be released until negotiations have been completed.
Both Looye and Tvaroh are midfielders with Tvaroh having made a big impression when he first appeared for Wairarapa United a couple of seasons ago.
The powerful Fijian influence which has been a feature of Wairarapa United teams over the past few years will be continued in 2007.
Pita Rabo will have the dual responsibility of coach and player and also in the squad will be Lai Gataurua, Sakeo Valevou and Petero Dauniseka.
Returning too are Cook Islands goalkeeper Tony Jamieson and James Oxtoby, who transferred from the Manawatu last season and was one of the side's more consistent performers.
Most of the other regulars from the 2006 squad will be back again too although it is understood that Murray Burling has retired and that Troy Burling is still considering his options.
But that doesn't mean the door is closed for other newcomers to force their way into the squad as the "everyone is welcome" sign is being hoisted for the club's first training session in Carterton on February 1, starting at 6.30pm.