Town defender to skipper All Whites

Ipswich Town defender Tommy Smith will captain New Zealand in their crucial World Cup qualifying playoff against Mexico later today.

Smith has been handed the armband in the absence of regular skipper Winston Reid who has been ruled out with an ankle injury.

New Zealand qualified for the intercontinental playoff as Oceania group winners, whilst Mexico finished in 4th place in the CONCACAF section.

The All Whites are likely to face an intimidating atmosphere in the iconic Azteca stadium, before heading back to Wellington for the second leg next week.