Cricket
Racing
Rugby
League
Motorsport
Football
Golf
Combat Sports
Basketball
Tennis
Other Sports
Sport Nation
‘Not just underdogs anymore’: All Whites embrace lofty new standard
Kieran Bingham • June 10th, 2025 11:45 am
Elijah Just in action against Cote d'Ivoire | Photo: Photosport
Fresh from their upset 1–0 win over African champions Ivory Coast, the All Whites are determined to stay grounded when they face the 25th-ranked Ukraine in Toronto on Wednesday (NZ time).
Striker Ben Waine and goalkeeper Max Crocombe joined Sport Nation on Tuesday to reflect on the breakthrough result in their World Cup warm-up clash, and the growing belief within the Darren Bazeley-coached team.
"Sunday’s win was a fantastic result," Waine told Scotty & Izzy.
“There’s been something building for a while. The defensive effort was amazing and to finish with a great counter-attack goal topped it off.”
Crocombe, who has kept a clean sheet in Canada, told Mornings the team knew they were capable of victory.
“It was a massive result and a huge achievement," he told host Riccardo Ball. "Our first win against a top-50 side in 15 years. We were happy, but it didn’t feel out of reach,” he said.
The All Whites’ defensive backline was key in the victory, and Crocombe gave credit to the young centre-back pairing of Tyler Bindon and Finn Surmon in front of him.
“They’re young, but you wouldn’t have known it. Their positioning, clearances, reading of the game, it was all spot on. I was delighted for them and for the team,” Crocombe said.
For Waine, the win was also a reflection of the culture the squad is building. “We’ve grown up together through academies and different teams, and you can see that connection on and off the field. It’s a place you want to be, which matters.”
And that unity is translating into confidence.
“A lot of the focus is on ourselves,” Waine said. “Bayes (Darren Bazeley) does the tactical work and analysis, but when it’s time to play, there’s trust in us to feel the game and make decisions.
"You saw that against Ivory Coast. Little things, like going long from a goal kick just before halftime, those moments came from the players.”
Crocombe sees a shift in mindset too, with the team trying to consign the 'plucky underdog' approach to the past.
“We’re not just going out with an underdog mentality. We want to be the better team. We’re showing we belong, and that we can take the game to teams, not just react.”
Depth is also proving to be a strength. Chris Wood didn’t start against Ivory Coast, but Crocombe said that only shows how far the group has come.
“That’s the quality we’ve got. If someone’s out, we’ve got others ready. We adapt, we adjust, and everyone brings something different.”
Waine, who shares a position with Premier League striker Wood, spoke about his influence.
“As a striker it’s amazing to work with him. He’s calm, experienced, and just a regular guy. He doesn’t change when he’s here. And of course, he brings goals - that always helps.”
The team now turns its attention at the Canadian Shield tournament to Ukraine, another major challenge and a different kind of opponent.
“They’re a top side,” said Waine. “Ivory Coast brought one kind of test, Ukraine will bring another. We’ve got to stay grounded. What we did last time worked, and that’s what we’ve got to carry forward.”
The All Whites have made a statement. On Wednesday morning, they get another chance to back it up.
Listen to the full Max Crocombe interview:
