KEY POINTS:
For a game which has nothing riding on it, there is still the promise of a ding-dong battle at Lautoka's Churchill Park today.
Classed as a home game for Ricki Herbert's All Whites, that advantage was lost when the New Zealand Government refused to allow Fijian goalkeeper Simione Tamanisau to play here last year.
Again at home, the Carlos Buzzetti-coached Fijians will be a handful for the largely New Zealand-based All Whites.
Both coaches have opted to use the match, the last in the Oceania Nations Cup/2010 World Cup Oceania qualifiers, as the chance to blood new talent with the emphasis on younger players.
On paper, New Zealand still appear to hold the upper hand, but they will not find it easy in the sticky conditions this evening.
The Fijians will give them no favours and with Buzzetti no stranger to putting out winning teams against New Zealand, new captain Ben Sigmund and his team can expect a torrid time.
New Zealand won the first 0.
With rugged defender Rajneel Chand passing a fitness test and likely to partner Auckland City's Salesh Kumar, the New Zealand strikers will be asked plenty of questions.
Experienced Ba striker Josaia Bukalidi has also been cleared to play.
Add in the pace Waitakere United's Roy Krishna brings and the advantage Peni Finau and Osea Vakatalesau have from playing in New Zealand and the hosts are well equipped to take the game to the Oceania champions.
Herbert will not name his team until this morning, but it seems likely three or four players are in line for their first international cap.
Costa Barbarouses is likely to start up front and could be joined by fellow debutant Greg Draper with Kris Bright also expected to see some game time.
Hawkes Bay United midfielder Cole Peverley is likely to start in midfield and rookie fullback Aaron Scott could be tussling with James Pritchett for a start.
NZ v FIJI
* Oceania Nations Cup /2010 Fifa World Cup Qualifying
* Churchill Park, Lautoka
* Today 7pm (NZ time)
New Zealand (likely): Glen Moss, James Pritchett, Ben Sigmund (captain), Steven Old, David Mulligan, Jeremy Christie, Cole Peverley, Jeremy Brockie, Leo Bertos, Greg Draper, Costa Barbarouses. Substitutes: Jacob Spoonley, Allan Pearce, Kris Bright, Jeff Campbell, Aaron Scott.
Fiji (from): Simione Tamanisau, Filimone Bolatawa, Benaminio Mateinaqara, Alvin Singh, Malakai Keinahewe, Ilaitia Nukurawa, Peni Finau, Malakai Waqa, Salesh Kumar, Roy Krishna, Pita Bolaitoga, Maciu Dunadamu, Jone Vono Junior, Osea Vakatalesau, Tuimasi Manuca, Malakai Tiwa, Rajneel Chand, Josaia Bukalidi, Niumaia Tagi, Valerio Nawatu, Esava Naqeleca, Shameel Rao, Samuela Vula.
