Darren Bazeley – who doesn’t have an Instagram account – said he had been impressed by the reaction of a player he has known for almost two decades.

Some form of outside noise was always going to be a factor in the build-up to the All Whites' first World Cup appearance in 16 years.

Tim Payne is processing seeing his Instagram count going from 4000 to more than 2.2 million.

Darren Bazeley – who doesn’t have an Instagram account – said he had been impressed by the reaction of a player he has known for almost two decades.

Valen Scarsini is heading to Florida, hoping to meet the defender in person, while All Whites coach Darren Bazeley says the player is staying grounded.