Bazeley Rules Garbett Out as All Whites Face Iran

Matt Garbett was ruled out of the all whites opener against Iran after a hamstring injury in training. Logan Rogerson took his place in the squad, forcing Darren Bazeley into an immediate change before New Zealand’s first World Cup match at Los Angeles Stadium.

Bazeley said the medical review showed the injury was worse than first thought. “It’s devastating news for Matt Garbett, he had a hamstring issue in training a couple of days ago, and when we went through all the medical stuff it turned out worse. It was a bad one …”

Los Angeles Stadium, 9pm EDT

New Zealand kicked off at 6pm local time, 11am AEST, 2am BST and 9pm EDT, with the squad adjustment settled before the whistle. Bazeley kept the messaging simple in the buildup: “We’ve got to rise to the occasion. We’ve to go out there and enjoy it. Give it everything and work together, work hard, work together and let’s have a great day.”

The timing mattered because Garbett’s injury arrived a couple of days before the tournament, leaving no room for a slow response. New Zealand had a steadier buildup than Iran, whose camp had been described as unusually difficult and disrupted, and Logan Rogerson’s promotion was the practical fix the All Whites needed in place immediately.

Iran’s disrupted buildup

Hours before Iran’s opener, a peace deal was announced after the team arrived in Los Angeles. Iran captain and striker Mehdi Taremi said “the controversy and disruption surrounding their involvement at the World Cup undermines Fifa’s message of peace,” while scattered protests took place outside Los Angeles Stadium before kickoff.

For New Zealand, the issue was narrower and more urgent: losing Garbett before the opener meant the squad had to absorb one late change and get on with the tournament. Rogerson now carries that spot, and Bazeley’s medical update suggests the All Whites were right to treat the setback as more than a routine training knock.