Much is said of Australia's ‘Golden Generation' of players that currently populate the green and gold ranks. When this raft of exceptionally talented players took Australia to the World Cup in Germany they did so in very different circumstances to next year's World Cup in South Africa.

Getting to a World Cup for the first time in 32 years through a play-off ensured the Socceroos arrived on German shores with an aura of a surprise package that will not be repeated in South Africa next year.

Qualifying through Asia so convincingly this time has raised the profile of this crop of gifted players, culminating in an all-time high FIFA ranking of 14th. A lofty achievement, but one that could come at a price.

The Australian public now have sky-high expectations and the rest of the world know what to expect from the Socceroos more now than ever before. Luckily, due to the retention of the majority of the 2006 squad, the Socceroos players don't mind this one bit.

One player who was there in 2006 was Luke Wilkshire, who has a growing reputation as a consistent and versatile cornerstone of the Socceroos squad and someone who will play a vital role this year.

We caught up with Wilkshire to see how the player will use their 2006 experience to do even better during South Africa 2010, how conditions will differ and how he stays in favour with the mother-in-law through an Australian deodorant.

How will the World Cup in South Africa next year differ from Germany 2006?
It is another four years down the track. This is a new team, with a new coaching staff, and the expectation level of the Australian public and within the actual team is a lot higher than it was in Germany.

What particular experiences from 2006 will you take into South Africa next year?
We now know what a special occasion it is. Plus we can take confidence from what we did in the last World Cup and what we've done since the last World Cup. We will now go to South Africa knowing we can compete against anyone.

In terms of atmosphere, how will the two tournaments differ?
The crowds were fantastic in Germany. There was a great atmosphere and buzz around the whole country. Every place we went to was electrifying. Now we know that feeling, we can only imagine what it'll be like in South Africa. No doubt it is going to be a party atmosphere and everyone is going to be enjoying themselves and excited by what's happening there. As players we can't wait to get over there and experience that.

There was a hot climate in Germany, but South Africa will be a far cooler affair.
Yeah, it will be a lot cooler as it is in the middle of their winter time, so that will be an advantage for European teams and players who ply their trade in the European leagues. It would be more difficult for those players if we were playing in a country's summer months. In Russia we play through the summer period, so we have it cold during the start, really hot in the middle, then cold in the end. As a professional playing at this level you have to be ready for any climate, it is certainly not an excuse.

There is much more pressure on the Socceroos going into next year's World Cup than in Germany though.
There is nothing wrong with pressure. It is normal that pressure is going to build on a successful team. Nobody outside of the team puts more pressure on the team than we already put on ourselves. Our own expectation levels are high and we're trying to meet them as best we can. When we qualified this time round I got a feeling from the Australian public that they were taking it for granted. We can't think like that. The excitement when we qualified was every bit as much as when we qualified the first time. We knew what we'd achieved and sometimes people don't put that in perspective and realise what an achievement it is just to make it.

Have we now lost some of that ‘surprise package' element?
Definitely. You only have to look at our world rankings to see where we have come from. At the last World Cup where we were a more unknown team. If you look at the way other teams thought of us and approached us then, compared with now. Nobody will be surprised by us now - they know what we're capable of. The opposition study us and respect us much more than they ever used to.

How would you describe the feeling of preparing for a World Cup match?
You know what is at stake and what you're playing for. You really feel and know you're at a World Cup when you're playing there. In general you try and go about it as much like a normal game as you can. You want to win every game you play a part in, regardless of if the game is a qualifier or friendly. That said, for a World Cup there is something that little bit extra special, no doubt about it.

What's that World Cup team spirit like within the Socceroos' set-up?
The togetherness is one of our traits and the strongest points of the Australian national team. We have a close bond between players and staff. That's to our advantage and something other national teams do not have. We have that combination of being strong both on and off the field.

Are the WAGs going to South Africa with you lot next year too?
I don't think you'll find any Australian players with so-called WAGs! Out families will no doubt be there to support us. That's important that they're part of it.

Who do you room with for the Socceroos?
That changes, during the last World Cup I was with Timmy [Cahill]. I don't know who I'll be with in South Africa, sometimes you have your own room.

When you're at a World Cup do you follow much of the media coverage of the event? Are you checking to see what everyone is saying about how you're getting on?
Some people might, but that's not for me. I don't like to read what people are saying. This is football, which is a game of opinions, which are sometimes good and sometimes not. I find it better not to read so much into it.

In that case do you feel a little cut off in camp?
No, if you want to find out you can. Everyone has got the internet if you want to read things - then you can. It's just personally I choose not to. I'll look at other results and who is scoring goals for other teams. I feel the opinions that can voiced are maybe not from people who should be voicing them.

Do you watch the other World Cup games when you're there?
When it is possible. I've loved to watch the World Cup since I was a little boy. When you're involved in it you're keeping an eye on teams and seeing what's happening. That makes it an even better experience.

What is an essential for your travel bag?
My toothbrush. Plus my Rexona deodorant.

Are you sponsored by Rexona then?
No, I wish! You can put my phone number down for Rexona to get in contact if you want. Do you know someone at Rexona at all?

Umm, no! Why the Rexona obsession?
Well I just love Rexona. I take Rexona to Vietnam as that's where my missus is from. See, I'm already doing work for them for free! You've got to hook me up actually. I've tried different deodorants, but all I want is Rexona. Now for my in-laws - for the father, mother, son and grandson, when I come back to Australia they all want Rexona. My mother-in-law, who doesn't speak the best of English, will be saying "Luke, five Rexona for me".

Luke Wilkshire wears the new Nike Total90 Laser III, SRP $300. For stockist information call 1300 656 453.

 

This article appeared in the February 2010 issue of FourFourTwo magazine. To buy back copies of this issue call 03-8317-8121 with a credit card to hand.