The Socceroos are ready to roll against New Zealand in tonight’s World Cup send-off game in Brisbane, which doubles as the first of two friendlies to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the first Australian national football side.

The match provides a rare opportunity for the Queensland public to lay eyes on the side – their last match in the state was in 2018 – and also a rare opportunity for Graham Arnold. These matches are the first since their famous triumph over Peru in June, and last before Qatar kick-off in November.

Australia has history when it comes to selecting ‘bolters’ at the World Cup: Mark Milligan (2006), Nikita Rukavytsya (2010) and Daniel Arzani were all under 22 with less than five caps when selected. FIFA’s decision to increase squad sizes from 23 to 26 only increases the likelihood Arnold will plump for a rookie, and a maiden call up for Garang Kuol has him in the box seat.

‘I can’t see him starting either game but if he has an impact off the bench, and with 26 going now, there could be room for a bolter like him’, Newcorp’s Marco Monteverde told Box2Box from Brisbane.

‘I hope what’s happened this week regarding talk of his move to Newcastle doesn’t affect him in camp, the stuff with his family and the controversy as to who’s doing the deal and the money it’s worth. He was good in the press conference, I’m actually surprised his brother wasn’t in the squad but I guess it’s a chance for him.’

Goalkeeper Mitch Langerak is back after sixteen months retired to resume his near-decade spell as Mat Ryan’s No 2, but few would argue his strong spell in Japan hasn’t seen him close the gap on the skipper. It’s expected he’ll add his ninth cap at some point across the two matches, five years after his last.

‘Langerak’s 100% committed. He had to make that call last year purely for family reasons due to the Covid-restrictions in Japan being so tight… he’s played there for four years, starred for Nagoya, and holds league clean sheet records.

‘I know Mat is the incumbent, but if Mat hadn’t found his new club in Denmark, jeez, Langerak would have run him close. I think he still will, but with Mat playing for FC Copenhagen in the Champions League it will be hard to knock him out.’

One player not in camp who most fans would hope is still in calculations is Tom Rogic, who quashed retirement rumours by signing with West Bromwich Albion last week. His withdrawal from the June qualifiers and subsequent silence had made his national team future appear tenuous.

‘I think he goes, as long as he gets some game time for West Brom. He doesn’t have to be a standout, but with that x-factor he’s got, and with the 26 men being picked rather than 23, and I’m guessing he’s spoken to Arnie, he goes.

‘I spoke to Trent Sainsbury [this week], there was talk that bringing him back might have affected the team spirit that was built up in the playoffs in June. Trent told me they’d welcome him back with open arms, and to never doubt his commitment towards the Socceroos. So I think he’ll be there.’