For those of you that weren't aware, a few months ago there was some talk from some random politicians across the ditch that New Zealand should become a state of Australia.
The idea was quickly knocked down by his fellow MPs, but it did receive some support from the New Zealand public at large.
So it got me thinking. What if Australia and New Zealand had a combined team at the World Cup? How would we go? And most importantly, who would start?
To think, even a year ago, that anyone other than Ryan Nelson would get a starting gig in the Socceroos line-up would have been unfathomable.
But such was the performance by the All Whites in South Africa, I think I can make a case for quite a few.
The Kiwis' strength was most definitely in defence - how Australia could have used Nelson, Tommy Smith and maybe even Winston Reid against Germany.
The Kiwi's weakness was most definitely in midfield, no probs there, we've got Brett Emerton, Luke Wilkshire, Jason Culina, Tim Cahill to name a few.
Australia definitely lacked an out-and-out striker in the Republic. Shane Smeltz, Rory Fallon or Chris Killen would have been handy options for us.
It's bound to cause some debate, but - with everyone available - this would be my starting line-up for the Australia/New Zealand combined side.
---------------------------- Schwarzer ---------------------
Wilkshire -------- Nelson -------- Neill -------- Smith
----------------------------- Culina -------------------------
Emerton ----------------- Cahill ------------- Bresciano
---------------- Smeltz -------------- Kewell --------------
And before anyone gets stuck in for bias or non-bias alike, my allegiances obviously lie with Australia, but I have lived in - and still love - New Zealand. So I was more than open to having as many All Whites in that side as possible.
Agree? Disagree? Or is the whole concept too stupid to waste your time on?
I for one like the feel of it. And I think we could have done even more damage at the World Cup if this was in fact our team.
