Soccer: Herbert stays with the tried-and-tested

Shane Smeltz will line up in Ricki Herbert's 3-4-3 formation. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Ricki Herbert will stick with his 3-4-3 formation for the All Whites' upcoming matches against Mexico and Australia and it could still be in place when they tackle the World Cup qualifiers next June.

The All Whites boss is adopting an if-it-ain't-broke-don't-fix-it mentality and doesn't think internationals against quality sides like Mexico and the Socceroos is any time to change. The paucity of a quality right back is also a major consideration.

"When we have the best players available, this [formation] has been extremely successful for us," Herbert said. "I'm not saying we don't need variety but you can't throw a couple of guys in at fullback who aren't experienced when you play really good teams like Mexico and Australia.

"People say they want us to change our formation but I ask why. This is the most successful era in the game with players like Shane Smeltz, Chris Killen, Marco Rojas, Chris Wood and Kosta Barbarouses. Back in the old days we might have had only one of those players at one time."

The 3-4-3 is an unconventional formation. Most sides play four at the back and a 3-5-2 is more common for teams who play three centre-backs.

The formation is something Herbert first adopted for the World Cup qualifiers against Bahrain in 2009 because he didn't have a right back worthy of inclusion. A 3-4-3 also allowed him to get his best 11 players on the park at one time, including his strikers which is where the team's strength lay.

The All Whites continued with this at the World Cup, where they picked up draws against Slovakia, Italy and Paraguay, and in the three friendlies since.

There is limited chance to try something different ahead of the World Cup qualifiers. The fixture list is empty after the match with the Socceroos in Adelaide on June 5, although New Zealand Football are trying to arrange an away game in the September, October and November windows. There is also an expectation one or two matches will be played before the first World Cup qualifier.

Some of these could be pitched at a level where youngsters might get more of a chance to play.

Michael Fitzgerald, who made his international debut against China in March, and Luke Rowe, who is part of the wider 30-man All Whites squad, are two who possess some potential but neither has been tested to any great extent at international level.

The Australasian-based All Whites gather in Auckland on Tuesday and will play Waitakere United before heading to Denver on Saturday. Left-back Tony Lochhead has been forced to withdraw from the squad with a groin injury but will not be replaced.

The Football Ferns were beaten 1-0 by China yesterday in Jinan in one of their last games before the World Cup.