Ricki Herbert is yet to name his 18-man All Whites squad for the February 29 ASB Summer International against Jamaica at Mt Smart Stadium but it would take a brave fan to wager against Wood’s name being included next week given the signs the 20-year-old is showing in England’s second tier.
On loan this season at Birmingham City and now Bristol City, Wood has already notched a first senior hat-trick against Millwall and a last-minute Europa League winner against Club Brugge amid a season tally of 12 goals, 10 of which have come in the league to put him fourth on the golden boot ladder.
Throughout the 2011 calendar year, Wood scored 19 goals in four different competitions – a run that was hinted at when the former Waikato and Hamilton Wanderers striker netted his first All Whites goal late in 2010 during a match against Honduras that remains his only international in Auckland so far.
Since his Premiership debut in 2009, Wood’s parent club West Bromwich Albion has farmed the powerful front man out to Barnsley, Brighton, Birmingham and now Bristol and, while his record of late would suggest he is finding his size 11 feet at that level, it’s not something he has had a chance to dwell on.
“It’s been a hectic 18 months with everything going on,” said Wood from his temporary base in South West England.
“From the end of last season with promotion with Brighton then the internationals during the northern summer and now back out on loan with Birmingham and Bristol, it’s been a busy time and I haven’t had a chance to reflect on what I’ve achieved. I’m happy with what I’ve achieved so far but there’s still plenty I want to achieve in my career.”
Top of Wood’s list is building a reputation as a proven goal scorer for club and country.
“The main goal is to establish myself as a Premier League player. You always want to play at the highest level possible and hopefully that’s the Premier League. I also want to score more international goals and become a prolific goal scorer at Championship level, in the Premiership and then at international level. If I can keep scoring goals like I have been then hopefully I can work myself into a Premiership side in the next couple of years.”
The 17-cap striker has fond memories of his goal at North Harbour Stadium but says he is eager to pad out the goals column on his international CV, beginning with this month’s first look at a possible World Cup play-off opponent.
“It’s always great to get off the mark,” he said.
“It felt like it was a long time coming as I’d made a number of appearances, albeit mainly from the bench over those two seasons. It was great to start the match and to get off the mark early in that game and hopefully I can keep racking up starts and goals for the national team.
“It’s always a good occasion playing in New Zealand, it always brings a good atmosphere and the home crowds are fantastic. The Jamaica match is certainly a game I’m looking forward to.
“It’s going to be a tough match. They’ve got some quality players playing around the world and back in Jamaica, and it’ll be a great test for us to see what we will be up against hopefully in the inter-continental play-off if we are lucky enough to progress.”
Closer to his current home away from home, Wood has also locked sights on representing New Zealand at the London Olympics.
While he won’t be released for March’s qualifying tournament, he is holding onto hope that Neil Emblen’s U-23 charges can safely navigate that challenge and that he and the other All Whites who are eligible through age or the three-overage player rule will be released for the finals.
“The Olympics in London will be a great occasion. England’s a football nation – everybody loves it – so there’ll be some big match ups, lots of interest and big crowds. Hopefully, we can qualify and then make our mark at the tournament.
“I’d love to play at the Olympics, and I know a lot of the other All Whites will be wanting to as well. It will be a fantastic event and a great honour to be part of the New Zealand Olympic team so I will be doing everything in my power to make sure I’m at those games if we qualify.”
But first things first and Wood is hoping he gets the chance to press his claims for a large role in June’s World Cup qualifiers with selection for the All Whites squad for Jamaica – something he says players are aware is becoming increasingly competitive.
“We’ve got a good base of players now. There’s over 30 of us at clubs around the world and there seems to be more and more coming through from New Zealand age group teams. I was speaking to Tommy Smith and Jeremy Brockie recently and we’re all waiting and hoping for that call up for the Jamaica match.”
Story courtesy of New Zealand Football.
For more on New Zealand football go to www.nzfootball.co.nz

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