WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) -New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert has disregarded objections from Rory Fallon and Plymouth Argyle by selecting the England-based forward for a March 3 World Cup warmup against Mexico at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif.
Herbert also picked Ipswich defender Tommy Smith, a former England youth national team member, for his 17-man roster.
Fallon sought to be excused from the exhibition to stay with Plymouth Argyle as it tries to avoid relegation from England's second-tier League Championship.
New Zealand's roster includes A-League scoring leader Shane Smeltz; Chris Killen, who recently transferred from Glasgow Celtic to Middlesbrough; and West Bromwich Albion's Chris Wood.
Only two players are missing from the lineup that beat Bahrain 1-0 in September to qualify for the World Cup: Goalkeeper Mark Paston is injured and defender Ivan Vicelich is suspended.
The roster:
Goalkeepers: James Bannatyne (Team Wellington), Glen Moss (Melbourne Victory, Australia)
Defenders: Andrew Boyens (New York, Major League Soccer), Tony Lochhead (Wellington Phoenix), Ryan Nelsen (Blackburn, England), Ben Sigmund (Wellington Phoenix), Tommy Smith (Brentford, England)
Midfielders: Andy Barron (Team Wellington), Leo Bertos (Wellington Phoenix), Tim Brown (Wellington Phoenix), Simon Elliott (San Jose, Major League Soccer), Michael McGlinchey (Morthwell, Scotland), Craig Henderson (Mjallby, Sweden)
Forwards: Rory Fallon (Plymouth Argyle, England), Chris Killen (Middlesbrough, England), Shane Smeltz (Gold Coast United, Australia), Chris Wood (West Bromwich Albion, England)
