Chris Wood had an ‘out-and-out’ leader’ at the 2010 World Cup. This year, it’s his turn as All Whites captain

When he went to his first FIFA World Cup in South Africa 16 years ago, Chris Wood was a wide-eyed teenager – the youngest man in Ricki Herbert's All Whites squad.

Now as he prepares for his second – something no New Zealand man has ever done before him and Tommy Smith this year – he's not quite the oldest in the squad, but he is the captain.

Following in the footsteps of Steve Sumner in 1982 and Ryan Nelsen in 2010 – an exclusive club with two members (for another fortnight, anyway).

It was over 11 years that Wood first pulled on the armband, becoming the All Whites' youngest-ever captain in a 1-1 draw with China in November 2014.

But it is only in the current World Cup cycle under coach Darren Bazeley that he has assumed the role on a full-time basis.