2 Jun 2011

Rookie relishes new role for All Whites

5:44 am on 2 June 2011

The All Whites play Mexico in Denver this afternoon with two rookies set to play unfamiliar roles for the New Zealand football side.

Defenders Michael Boxall and Michael Fitzgerald have been given their first starts after both came off the bench on debut in the side's draw against China in March.

But the pair are playing out of position on the flanks of a four-man midfield, with Boxall on the right and Fitzgerald on the left, while Ivan Vicelich anchors the backline with Winston Reid and Andy Boyens.

Boxall, who plays in America's Major League soccer for the Vancouver Whitecaps, says it's an honour to be selected to start for the All Whites no matter where he plays...