Football: Boxall a vital brick in All Whites' containing defence

The All Whites practice in a tight circle. Today they will try to ring-fence Peru's attack in their World Cup playoff second leg match in Lima. Photo / AP

When the All Whites' defence is discussed, the two names that roll easily off the tongue are Winston Reid and Tommy Smith.

The English-based pair came into the side at the same time - ahead of the 2010 World Cup - and both are part of the first-choice New Zealand back-three.

It's the third member of that trio who gets talked about least, but is easily as important. Michael Boxall slots in at Reid's right shoulder, bringing pace, physicality, technical ability and defensive steel to the New Zealand rearguard.

All of those attributes - and some - will be needed today when New Zealand meets Peru in a winner-takes-all clash for the last remaining spot at Russia 2018.

Boxall concedes it's the biggest day of his football career.

"Obviously not being involved in previous World Cup cycles, and to be this close - to be 90 minutes away from the World Cup - it's hands-down the biggest," he said.

Since Anthony Hudson took over as coach in 2014, Boxall has played more games than Reid and Smith combined. In fact, only Michael McGlinchey has played more often in the outfield under Hudson, making the towering defender as close to a fixture in the side as is possible in a three-and-a-half-year period during which 49 players have donned the white shirt in 26 matches.

After playing his part in Saturday's clean sheet which has kept this tie well and truly alive, Boxall knows another busy night awaits at Lima's Estadio Nacional.

"We expect a fair bit of the same," he said.

"But with their raucous crowd roaring them on, they'll come with a little more intensity. We have to be that much more switched on and clued in and just stick to our game plan."

New Zealand are huge underdogs with practically everyone in the footballing world expecting Peru to advance, but Boxall and his team-mates are unperturbed by that. In fact, the belief in the side is palpable.

"Everyone has really bought into the system," said Boxall.

"If we don't make it to the World Cup next year, we're going to be so disappointed."