“It’s a tremendous honour and privilege to captain your country and I’m humbled by the opportunity,” Reid said following the All Whites first training session in Dunedin.
The 24-year-old West Ham United defender will don the armband for the first time in his 15th international, having captained his club side in both the English Premier League and FA Cup in recent weeks.
“We’ve thought long and hard about this decision,” said All Whites coach Herbert.
“Winston plays and at a high level week in and week out and has captained his side in that environment, just as Ryan Nelsen did previously.
“For a young man to have that level of responsibility speaks volumes of his character, especially when you look at his peers in similar roles within the Premier League,” Herbert said.
All Whites coach Ricki Herbert has named Tommy Smith as vice-captain and paid tribute to the role he played as captain of the side and endorsed his qualities as a leader within the group.
“I think Tommy did a great job during a difficult time through the OFC Nations Cup when Ryan and Winston weren’t available and he will continue in a leadership role and support Winston,” Herbert said.
Reid will lead the side for the first time in the must-win match with New Caledonia which kicks off at 7:35pm on Friday at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin, with the All Whites jetting out to Honiara for a match with Solomon Islands on March 26.
Story courtesy of New Zealand Football.
For more on New Zealand Football visit www.nzfootball.co.nz

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