Tim Payne #2

Profile

One of the first names to go on the All Whites starting XI, Payne is valued for his versatility. He can fill in at both centre back and defensive midfield, although his main position is that of right-back. “His experience is phenomenal, he can play in a lot of positions across the backline,” one of his Phoenix coaches said. He made his All Whites debut at just 18 in 2012 and the same year played in NZ’s team at the London Olympics. His best break seemed to be signing with Blackburn Rovers but work visa problems limited his appearances at age-group level and, apart from a season with the Portland Timbers in the US, he has mainly stayed with the Wellington Phoenix, making more than 150 appearances for them in the A-League. On the eve of the tournament he became a social media star after an influencer from Argentina called on his followers to unite and make the little-known 32-year-old a “hero” of the upcoming World Cup.

Key stats