All Whites

2022 - 3 - 22

Wood realises childhood dream with All Whites goal record (1 News)

The striker said surpassing Vaughan Coveny with his 30th goal is something he knows he'll get to enjoy looking back on when he retires.

The goal comes 13 years and 62 appearances after making his international debut, although it took 13 games for the Newcastle striker to claim his first goal in the white jersey.

Wood finished off a cross from Jeremy Brockie with a header in 2010 to help New Zealand to a 1-1 draw with Honduras, although the moment was made much more colourful with the then-18-year-old celebrating by pulling down his shorts to reveal special undies with "Woodzee" sprawled across the back.

His celebrations on Tuesday were much more reserved in contrast with a clenching of the fists in delight.

"I’m glad I’m a bit more mature now," he joked.

Wood added that his most memorable goals to date were his brace against Japan in a 4-2 loss in 2014; a curled effort from a tight angle on the byline and a volley off a cross from deep.

"The two against Japan always stick in my mind, even though it was a 4-2 drubbing.

"I kind of like those ones.

Wood said while the record wasn't something he focused on a lot early on in his career, getting closer to Coveny in recent appearances for New Zealand had made it a more prominent thought.

"To be fair, it’s only in the last few windows that it started to get closer," he said.

"It’s more hopeful that it can be done sooner rather than later, so it’s nice to have it ticked off.

"It’s something that I’ll be able to look back on when I finish my career but there’s still a lot more I want to achieve."

Chris Wood is hoping there are still plenty of international goals to come after becoming the All Whites’ leading goal-scorer on Tuesday morning with a brace.

With his 30th international goal, Wood surpassed Vaughan Coveny during New Zealand's 4-0 win over Fiji in the Oceania World Cup qualifying tournament.

He could've had a hat-trick when New Zealand earned a late penalty but with the 30-year-old already replaced, Clayton Lewis stepped up and converted it instead.

Regardless, Wood cherished the special result.

"It means a lot.

Vaughan Coveny salutes Chris Wood after breaking his All Whites goal scoring record (Stuff.co.nz)

Coveny – now the under-21 team coach at A-League club Western United – woke on Tuesday to discover Wood had equalled and then broken his 15-year-old record. Chris Wood celebrates with Winston Reid as he becomes the All Whites' top international scorer. Tom ...

So we're asking you to support us with more than your attention. Like elite athletes at their peak, our sports journalists are highly trained in the art of news. Newall played professionally for his hometown club Ayr United before his career was cut short by World War II. He emigrated to New Zealand in 1950 and joined Wellington club Petone. Equalled a New Zealand record with four goals in only his second international, against New Caledonia in Papeete in 1951. Jock Newall (16 goals in 10 games). Scotland-born John White Newall only had two years leading New Zealand's line, but he scored four hat-tricks on Pacific tours in 1951 and 1952. Most men on the All Whites' top scorers list were out-and-out strikers, but two 1982 World Cup team heroes, Steve Sumner and Brian Turner, were prolific contributors from midfield. JOCK NEWALL (1951-1952) 16 goals (10 games). Today, he enjoys his current role at Western United where he is "still heavily involved in youth development. His All Whites career provided him with some "good times. While being the All Whites’ top scorer for so long was "a great honour'', Coveny said "time moves on. His teammates that day in Altenkirchen included current All Whites coach Danny Hay. It shows his commitment to New Zealand.'' Coveny was proud to have the top scorer accolade "for over 15 years'', but said "records are there to be broken'' and "hopefully Chris will bag a few more.

Football: Striker Chris Wood sets All Whites goalscoring record in ... (Newshub)

Striker Chris Wood has become the All Whitess leading international goalscorer, as New Zealand overwhelmed Fiji 4-0 in an World Cup qualifying match at Doha ...

Preview: New Zealand v Fiji (New Zealand Football)

One down, two to go in Group B. The All Whites kicked off their FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Oceania Qualifiers campaign with a 1-0 win over Papua New Guinea and ...

Ahead of the match Alex Greive and Jamie Searle are also set to arrive. “Looking ahead to Fiji, we know the quality they are going to bring. The Bula Boys displayed some rapid pace in attack and will present a real threat, especially from Sairusi Nalaubu. The speedy forward will only be playing in this third game for Fiji but already has 5 goals to his name.

Chris Wood makes history as All Whites dominate Fiji (New Zealand Herald)

The All Whites have booked their place in the semifinals of the OFC 2022 World Cup qualifying tournament, after a 4-0 win over Fiji this morning, ...

Fiji had defended well – physically and diligently – before New Zealand finally broke the deadlock on the stroke of halftime. Wood's presence made an immediate impact and the Newcastle striker had three great opportunities within the first 20 minutes. After Wood and Barbarouses both eschewed chances, Just swivelled nicely to hammer home from a corner, after pinball in the Fijian box, for his first international goal. Lewis got his delivery spot on from a free kick near the left touchline and Wood, for probably the first time in the half was left unmarked and made no mistake with his far post header. He slightly miscued a header from a Ben Waine cross, then held his head in his hands, as he hooked a left foot volley over the bar from six yards, after latching on to a rebound. Fiji defended stoutly, with plenty of numbers behind the ball, though New Zealand missed a number of first half chances – three fell to Wood himself – before the Newcastle striker opened the scoring.

Chris Wood leads All Whites to win over Fiji (RNZ)

Chris Wood made history as the All Whites beat Fiji 4-0 in their second group game at the Oceania World Cup qualifying tournament in Qatar.

The winner of that one-pff game qualifies for the FIFA World Cup finals in Qatar in November and December. The winner of the Oceania tournament will meet the fourth placed team from CONCACAF in the inter-continental play-off in June. "It means a lot, it's something that sought after for a very long time so to break it is a dream come true and hopefully I can add a few more goals to it over the course of my career."

All Whites dominate Fiji, Wood becomes NZ's top scorer (Otago Daily Times)

The All Whites have booked their place in the semifinals of the OFC 2022 World Cup qualifying tournament, after a 4-0 win over Fiji this morning. Chris Wood grabbed two goals – to become New Zealand's all-time leading scorer – in a comfortable, ...

Fiji had defended well – physically and diligently – before New Zealand finally broke the deadlock on the stroke of halftime. Wood's presence made an immediate impact and the Newcastle striker had three great opportunities within the first 20 minutes. Lewis got his delivery spot on from a free kick near the left touchline and Wood, for probably the first time in the half was left unmarked and made no mistake with his far post header.