Tommy Smith: Braintree Town defender embracing ‘special’ New Zealand regime

Braintree Town defender Tommy Smith is looking forward to the “crowning glory of his career” as he prepares to participate in his second World Cup, 16 years on from playing for New Zealand in South Africa in 2010.

The former Ipswich Town and Colchester United defender, 36, has been selected in the All Whites’ 26-man squad by head coach Darren Bazeley, and has been acclimatising to his new surroundings after the squad flew out to Florida last month.

New Zealand are in Group G, along with Belgium, Egypt and Iran, and will be based in San Diego during the tournament with their first match taking place in Los Angeles against Iran on 16 June.

Before their first warm-up match against Haiti at Inter Miami’s Chase Stadium on Wednesday (01:00 BST), Smith – who was born in Macclesfield but spent much of his youth living in New Zealand – is ready to test himself once again against the world’s best.

“I’m 36 years old now, and realistically this is not going to happen again for me as a player, so, I’m just trying to embrace every moment, enjoy it, contribute as much as I possibly can, and enjoy the whole experience,” Smith told BBC Radio Essex.

“I grew up in New Zealand and the connection you feel to the place if you’ve lived there is a special one and it’s something that I’ve never taken for granted.

“There’s been times in the past where it wasn’t as powerful as it is now, the pull to come and play for New Zealand.

“Under the regime and the previous regime, they’ve really made it a special environment to come into which makes everyone want to turn up every single time and give it their absolute best.”