Unity key to overcoming adversity - Hudson-Wihongi
KONE, New Caledonia - Experience has taught Te Atawhai Hudson-Wihongi exactly whats required when tragedy strikes.
The four cap All Whites international was at the heart of the last Canterbury earthquake and after seeing the latest trail of destruction humbly expressed how he and those around him pulled through.
"I just want to say to everyone back home to stay safe. I've been through the same experience back home during the Christchurch earthquake a few years ago so I know what its like.
"As long as you have a tight group, stick together, stay together you can get through it," he said.
The 21-year-old has had a big learning curve over the past couple of years with both Auckland City FC and the All Whites and he says the lift he gets from pulling on the national team colours never stops.
And he says getting advice and support from a former Navy Blues legend, now international peer, Tamati Williams, adds positively to the mix.
"Its a huge privilege and honour to represent your country at anytime and if I get the opportunity to do it again hopefully I do enough to stay in there.
"The support from Auckland City FC has been huge, its been massive for both myself and Clayton.
"Its also been good with Tama who is an ex-Navy Blues player whose been great with us.
"So from the top down its been brilliant everyone's supported and encouraged us to do what we've been doing," he said.
While in camp, both Hudson-Wihongi and Lewis have kept an eye on developments with the Navy Blues.
After a tough 1-0 away win at Invercargill, Hudson-Wihongi says the main thing is to come away from a tough away ground with a win, something he hopes his country can do tomorrow in Kone.
He also says getting points in the Stirling Sports Premiership can be a tough task at any time - including, he says, the Navy Blues rival Auckland clubs.
"Its a difficult place to go, Invercargill, and a long way to travel so as long as you can get three points thats the main thing, I'm happy for the team.
"Waitakere United and Eastern Suburbs AFC are both very good teams and we'll have to play very well to get anything out of those games.
"I'm looking forward to a bit of stick here and there, its definitely not going to hurt anyone, when the Suburbs game comes around.
"I've been talking to Moses about a little bit but now that I've said that it'll probably pick up a bit," he laughed.
Ends
Match Details
FIFA World Cup Qualifier
Tuesday 15 November, 2016
New Caledonia v New Zealand
Stade Lucien Yoshida, New Caledonia
Kick-off: 7pm NZST
Live Sky Sport
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Table
| Position | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | AC | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 6 | 18 |
| 2 |  | WS | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 6 | 18 |
| 3 |  | BU | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 6 | 13 |
| 4 |  | ES | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 7 | 12 |
| 5 |  | MN | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 17 | 11 | 10 |
| 6 |  | AU | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 7 | 9 |
| 7 |  | BO | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 12 | 12 | 9 |
| 8 |  | TC | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 12 | 19 | 6 |
| 9 |  | MU | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 8 | 25 | 3 |
| 10 |  | WR | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 16 | 2 |
| 11 |  | EB | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 12 | 2 |
| 12 |  | HW | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 9 | 18 | 2 |
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