Wellington Phoenix’s remarkable start to the A-League Men season has been rewarded with three new international call-ups, as Corban Piper, Matthew Sheridan and Nathan Walker were included in New Zealand’s 22-man squad for the upcoming friendlies against India. The selection, announced on Tuesday, November 3, also marks Darren Bazeley’s final squad as All Whites head coach, with the two home matches bringing his tenure to an end.
The three Phoenix players have earned their first senior national team selections following the club’s best-ever start to an A-League Men campaign, with Wellington winning their opening three matches. They join four established internationals from the club, making the Phoenix the most represented team in the squad with seven players.
For Piper, the announcement represents another milestone in an extraordinary few weeks. The 24-year-old has scored in all three of Wellington’s opening matches, including the first goal in Saturday’s 3-0 victory over Newcastle Jets. Initially signed by the Phoenix in 2024 as a versatile player capable of operating in several positions, he has developed into an increasingly influential attacking option under coach Chris Greenacre.
Unlike his two fellow newcomers, Piper has never previously represented New Zealand at international level, making the selection his first opportunity to wear the national team’s colours.
Sheridan and Walker, meanwhile, have already been involved in New Zealand’s age-group international setup. Their promotion to the senior squad reflects their growing importance at Wellington, where both have made significant contributions to the team’s strong opening performances.
Walker, in particular, enters the international window after scoring in the recent victory over Newcastle, while Sheridan has established himself as an important member of the Phoenix squad.
All Whites coach Darren Bazeley explained that all three players had been monitored by the national team staff before their recent performances convinced him to include them.
“We track around 50 players so they have all been on our radar for a while,” Bazeley said.
Their selection brings Wellington’s representation to seven players, with goalkeeper Henry Gray, defenders James McGarry and Bill Tuiloma, and captain Alex Rufer also included.
Auckland FC have the second-largest contingent, contributing six players to the national team. Lachlan Bayliss, Francis de Vries, Callan Elliot, Nando Pijnaker, Logan Rogerson and goalkeeper Michael Woud have all earned places in the squad.
The strong presence of players from New Zealand’s two A-League clubs provides an interesting dimension to the selection, reflecting the growing opportunities available to domestic-based footballers at the professional level.
Beyond the newcomers, one of the most significant announcements is the return of Matt Garbett. The 24-year-old midfielder, currently representing Peterborough United in England, has been selected for the first time since suffering the injury that ruled him out of New Zealand’s 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign.
Garbett had been preparing to represent his country on football’s biggest stage when he was forced to withdraw shortly before the tournament. His return provides the national team with another experienced midfield option as the All Whites begin looking towards their next international cycle.
Bazeley welcomed the midfielder’s recovery, describing him as an important part of the squad’s present and future.
The selection also includes several established internationals competing overseas, led by Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood. The All Whites captain has accumulated 95 senior appearances and 45 international goals, and will have an opportunity to add to those figures in front of home supporters.
Other familiar names include Tyler Bindon, currently on loan at Charlton Athletic, Danish-based midfielder Callum McCowatt, Scotland-based goalkeeper Alex Paulsen, Portland Timbers defender Finn Surman and Dundee United forward Jesse Randall.
Liam Gillion of Western Sydney Wanderers and Sweden-based Owen Parker-Price are also included, giving Bazeley options across different areas of the pitch.
With some established players absent from the selection, the coach acknowledged that the demands of a long international year and busy club schedules had influenced his decisions. The situation has opened opportunities for players who have been on the fringes of the national setup to demonstrate their abilities.
The two matches against India will also carry particular significance for Bazeley, whose contract expires in December and will not be renewed by New Zealand Football.
After guiding the All Whites through their qualification campaign and participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the coach will conclude his tenure with two appearances on home soil.
New Zealand also enjoyed encouraging results during their September and October international programme, defeating China PR 3-0 and progressing past Panama on penalties before losing 2-1 to Japan in the Kirin Cup final.
The India series offers another opportunity to assess players and continue the team’s development before a new coach takes charge.
The first encounter will take place at Go Media Stadium in Auckland on Thursday, November 12, with kickoff scheduled for 7pm local time.
Three days later, the teams will meet at One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch at 4pm, in what will become the first international football match played at the new venue.
The fixtures will also mark India’s first visit to New Zealand for senior men’s international football. The two nations have previously met twice, recording a goalless draw in 1981 before the All Whites defeated India 2-1 in Mumbai in 2018.
For New Zealand, the upcoming matches represent the conclusion of a historic year that included a return to the FIFA World Cup and the beginning of a new chapter for several emerging players.
For Piper, Sheridan and Walker, they could mark the start of international careers. For Garbett, they offer a return after the disappointment of missing the World Cup. And for Bazeley, they provide a final opportunity to lead the All Whites in front of their own supporters before handing the team over to a new generation of leadership.
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