All Whites coach Ricki Herbert had approached West Sydney Wanderers winger Kwabena Appiah-Kubi about declaring his allegiance to New Zealand.

All Whites midfielder Dan Keat has linked with Swedish second division club Falkenbergs FF on a one-year deal.

All Whites striker Shane Smeltz will visit the plastic surgeon for the second time this year after splitting his forehead open in Friday night's World Cup qualifier in Dunedin.

The All Whites are planning a 30,000km full dress rehearsal for their next World Cup qualifying assignment - with a $12 million carrot as the prize.

Tommy Smith was the late hero for the All Whites as they clinched a place in the next round of the World Cup qualifiers with a 2-1 win over New Caledonia tonight.

Sitting alone in his apartment in Canary Wharf, a glittering block of towers on the edge of the River Thames, Winston Reid felt a huge weight had been lifted.

Pending clearance from Fifa, Andrew Durante is a strong bet to make his All Whites debut against New Caledonia at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin on March 22.

To further celebrate the Miracle of Kimberley, which completed a highly unexpected one-day cricket series victory in South Africa, Chris Rattue finds a few other shock New Zealand sporting victories to drool over

New Zealand Football is open to the idea of Ryan Nelsen playing in the expected World Cup qualifying matches in November - even though he is supposedly retiring and won't be exposed to weekly football as Toronto FC head coach.

All Whites coach Ricki Herbert is still no clearer on the likely availability of captain Ryan Nelsen for upcoming Oceania World Cup qualifiers against New Caledonia.

New Toronto FC coach Ryan Nelsen has been advised by local media to rent rather than buy when he eventually moves to the city to take up his post.