The All Whites have been training with new coach Anthony Hudson for only two days, but already two senior members of the squad have claimed it's the most prepared national camp with which they have been involved.
Midfielder Chris James and English Premier League striker Chris Wood have 55 All Whites caps between them, and were excited about the "step up" New Zealand has taken with the appointment of Hudson.
"He's come in with a passion and a liveliness, looking to push the team forward," Wood said from Doha last night, where the All Whites are preparing for Tuesday's international against Uzbekistan. "He's got his own mindset and way of doing things and he's going to get it done."
Wood, who scored his first EPL goal last month for Leicester City, arrived a day late to camp after spending "Manic Monday" at home glued to the drama of the EPL's transfer coverage on TV.
There had been rampant speculation that the 22-year old frontman would either be loaned out or sold, but the deadline passed without a move, and allowed Wood to arrive at camp with a clear head as he tried to make a good first impression on Hudson.
