Ben Waine

Ben Waine emerged through the Wellington Phoenix academy as a sharp, mobile striker before moving to England, spending time at Plymouth Argyle and then Port Vale in League One. Still only 25, he is one of the younger forwards pushing for a regular All Whites role and offers a different profile to Chris Wood — quicker, more willing to run in behind. His English Football League experience has toughened him physically, and his development trajectory suggests he could be a key figure for New Zealand beyond this tournament. A player to watch as the All Whites plan for the future.