Phoenix defender Ben Sigmund has retired from international football. The 33-year-old made 32 appearances for the All Whites, including every World Cup qualifying match on the road to South Africa in 2010.
His last appearance came in the 4-2 loss to Japan in Tokyo in March. Sigmund was part of the recent camp in Doha but wasn't used by Anthony Hudson in the subsequent game against Uzbekistan.
The New Zealand Herald understands that Sigmund has decided that now is the right time, at the start of a new cycle with the 2018 World Cup in Russia the target. Sigmund may still have been in the picture over the next 12 to 18 months but - typical of a man who has always put his country first - he has decided that it's best to allow new talent to have the chance to make their mark.
Sigmund will leave a significant void. He was one of a rare breed; he only became a professional footballer at the age of 27, which instilled a hunger and determination that has never left him.
With the retirement of Ryan Nelsen and Ivan Vicelich and the current self imposed absence of Tommy Smith, suddenly Hudson's options in the centre of defence look quite limited. Aside from Winston Reid, others such as Andrew Durante and Michael Boxall have yet to prove themselves at international level.