Central ‘New Boys’ Josh Stick, Brad Scott and Gareth Rowe joined Greg Uhlmann and Co-Coach Ricki Herbert in Tokyo for the New Zealand Under 23 sides friendly against Japan. A 4 – 0 defeat was a real lesson for the players who now go on to play South Africa in a two leg decider for entry to the Olympic Games which are to be held in Sydney this year.

Former Central player Fred de Jong is recovering from injury at the Football Kingz, as does Mark Elrick, while Ivan Vicelich and Noah Hickey continue to do well. Paul Urlovic is still at Melbourne Knights and his brother Mathew is also playing in Melbourne.

On the home front Jason New is struggling with a long-term knee injury which threatens his football future, while captain Michael Ridenton is expected to return soon from injury.

Former All White Tony Laus scored a hat-trick in the first game of the season for the Over 30s.

While Wayne Field failed to hit the mark once more.