Messages have been flooding in to the team via letters, email, Facebook and Twitter and skipper Nelsen says the backing since the team assembled in mid-May has been overwhelming.
“It’s fantastic. Even back in New Zealand we could feel the support,” Nelsen said at a press conference following a team training session at match venue the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg.
“It’s amazing for us. When we come back to New Zealand we don’t normally get this kind of publicity and support so it’s very humbling and very exciting. When we go out there we’ll be doing all we can to make sure every New Zealander is proud of what we’re trying to do.”
While he is aware of their status as World Cup underdogs, Nelsen is adamant the All Whites are not tourists. He points to an encouraging string of competitive performances leading up to South Africa as a sign of their intentions.
“We want to win. We’ve proved over the last four or five games that we’re very competitive,” he says.
“We know the brutal reality of World Cup football is that you can play extremely well and lose all three games – that’s life. But we’re a good side, we’re competitive and we want to win. It’s as simple as that.”
Herbert picked up on his captain’s sentiments when asked if New Zealand’s footballers had the support of their rugby counterparts.
“We’ve probably got all sporting codes in New Zealand right in behind us. As a sporting achievement, playing at a World Cup is right up there,” he says.
“We’ve had a lot of good wishes and a lot of prominent sportspeople have sent us messages of support which we really appreciate. We’ll do the same thing for them when the All Blacks win the Rugby World Cup at home next year.”
To send the All Whites a message of support email [email protected] or follow the team on the links below.
www.facebook.com/AllWhites
www.twitter.com/NZ_Football
www.http://www.allwhites.onsport.co.nz/forum//news/
Story courtesy NZF Media.
For latest news on NZ Football visit www.nzfootball.co.nz