Wellington Phoenix dominate All Whites to face India
Head coach Darren Bazeley has named three fresh faces in his All Whites squad for this month’s two-match series against India in Auckland and Christchurch.
Wellington Phoenix trio Corban Piper, Matthew Sheridan, and Nathan Walker have all been called up for the first time, rewarding the Nix’s best-ever start to an A-League Men season.
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Sheridan and Walker have previously represented New Zealand at age-group level, but for Piper it will be his first taste of international activity.
There are seven Phoenix players named in the squad in total.
The squad also sees Matt Garbett selected for the first time since he had to leave the team on the eve of the FIFA World Cup 2026 with injury.
“Firstly I want to congratulate Corban, Matt, and Nathan on their first-ever call ups to the All Whites.
“We track around 50 players so they have all been on our radar for a while but it is their brilliant form at the start of the season which has led to them being selected and we look forward to seeing them step up to this level.
“I also want to welcome back Matt Garbett who we were all gutted to see miss out on the FIFA World Cup, it is great he is back so quickly as he is an important player for this team now and going forward.
“With these games coming at the end of a really busy year, and with the number of European club games that some of our players are now playing, we have had to look at some different options for this window but that gives other players the chance to impress which I’m looking forward to seeing.
“It’s great to be back playing at home here in New Zealand at the end of this big year and I’m looking forward to getting this group together and putting in strong performances against India to finish 2026 on a high.”
It will be Bazeley's last games in charge of New Zealand as his contract has expired and not been renewed.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Henry Gray, Alex Paulsen, Michael Woud
Defenders: Callan Elliot, Matt Sheridan; Tyler Bindon, Nando Pijnaker, Finn Surman, Bill Tuiloma; Francis de Vries, James McGarry
Midfielders: Lachlan Bayliss, Matt Garbett, Callum McCowatt, Owen Parker-Price, Alex Rufer
Forwards: Liam Gillion, Corban Piper, Jesse Randall, Logan Rogerson, Nathan Walker, Chris Wood
Fixtures
Thursday, November 12, 7pm: v India; Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Sunday, November 15, 4pm: v India; One New Zealand Stadium, Christchurch
