KEY POINTS:
All Whites skipper Danny Hay has called time on his international career three months out from the start of New Zealand's World Cup campaign.
The 31-year-old admitted football was now his third or fourth priority in life and that he wasn't able to commit enough time and energy to play internationally.
His first child, Lachlan, was born a fortnight ago, Hay's working part-time at Sacred Heart College and he's also completing an English degree at university.
"To be at international level, you really need to be training fulltime," Hay said. "It's sad to be leaving but it's the right time.
"I've been thinking about this for a little while. It's not easy to go because there is such a great atmosphere in the side at the moment but I wanted to do it before the World Cup squad was announced to give Ricki [Herbert] time to prepare without me."
Hay made his international debut in a 1-0 win over Oman in 1996 and went on to play 34 internationals, as well as a handful of games against club sides. He came out of international retirement in 2005 to captain Herbert's first side in their 1-0 defeat to Australia in London.
Hay was captain 13 times, including in last year's 3-1 defeat of Georgia, the first time the All Whites had beaten an international side in Europe.
"Captaining the side in that game was the highlight," Hay said.
Herbert was philosophical about Hay's retirement.
"He has been great and will be sorely missed because he was a very influential and strong character in the side," Herbert said. "He has been fantastic from a player-coach point of view."
Blackburn's Ryan Nelsen is expected to lead the All Whites in their World Cup qualifying campaign, starting on October 13.
Hay will continue to play for Waitakere United in the NZFC "for as long as I can".
* Wellington Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert believes his side have made a statement to their A-League rivals that they will be competitive this year.
Although it's likely they will miss out on the Pre-Season Cup playoffs - they went down to Queensland 2-1 on Friday night but will qualify if Sydney defeat Central Coast 2-0 today - Herbert says the way they have played has made him optimistic.
"We are well in the mix and we will be a competitive team," Herbert said. "Even though we have won only one game, we have been quite dominant in the matches and have finished well. The early signs are good."
