TOMMY SMITH: "The most important goal though is maximum points from these next two games, and if we apply ourselves, there's no reason why we can't do that."

Vice-captain Tommy Smith says the All Whites will never forget the horror of Honiara but it's time to "exorcise the demons" tonight in Noumea.

The Ipswich Town defender will be reunited with English premier league players Ryan Nelsen and Winston Reid for the opening game of the World Cup qualifying series against New Caledonia.

Nelsen and Reid were absent in June when the All Whites crashed to a surprise 2-0 semifinal defeat to New Caledonia at the Oceania Nations Cup tournament in Honiara.

That shock result cost them a place in the 2013 Confederations Cup finals in Brazil - and a $1.8 million payday.

Smith captained the All Whites in Nelsen's absence - and while he treasured the "honour of captaining my country" - the result still rankles.

"I don't think we will ever forget about it," he said from Noumea yesterday. "It hurt and it's still there. We've got to go out and exorcise the demons from that day and there's no better way to start than against the team that knocked us out."

Herbert, however, is calling on his players to channel their emotion.

"I think we've got to very professional about it and make sure the minds are right. The emotion that came out of the Nations Cup is something that'll be around for a long time. It would be disappointing if people didn't have a strong feeling about it and wanting to put it right.

"It's how you manage that now and put in a performance that is good enough to win over here. We're very keen to get it back on track with strong, positive, winning performances."

Both teams have bolstered their ranks for the World Cup qualifier. With Nelsen and Reid reprising their 2010 World Cup finals combination with Smith, the All Whites' defence will be tougher to break down.

Herbert has noted New Caledonia has "brought back several players from France", including striker Georges Gope-Fenepej. The 24-year-old joined Ligue One club Troyes on a one-year contract after scoring against the All Whites in Honiara where he and Bertrand Kai gave Smith and his backline colleagues a torrid time.

Smith agreed New Caledonia would be stronger "if they're bringing players in".

"That's something we will have to be wary about, but hopefully we will have the better footballing nous and use that to better advantage."

The 22-year-old is looking forward to reuniting with Nelsen and Reid.

"They are playing at a higher level than I am, so I can learn things from them that can improve me as a player."

Smith felt the "extra responsibility" of leading the All Whites while Nelsen was out injured had added to his game.

"Some people don't like the added pressure but I think I thrived on it," he said. "And now, there's no better player to learn off than Ryan. He's very approachable, if I have anything I need to ask him, he's always happy to talk.

"Even when I'm at home in England I can give him a call and he's there to talk to me."

Nelsen and Smith were in the New Zealand Olympic Games team and Smith would dearly love to follow his skipper and Reid into the premier league next season.

"First and foremost, I want to try to keep my place in the Ipswich side. This is my seventh year there and my main goal is to help the club get better. If I can get into the premier league with Ipswich Town that would be brilliant. They gave me my first contract in professional football."

Smith is excited about the "attacking talent" in the All Whites squad with 2010 World Cup regulars Rory Fallon, Shane Smeltz and Chris Killen now challenged by Chris Wood, Kosta Barbarouses, Jeremy Brockie and Marco Rojas.

■ There is no live TV coverage but www.oceaniafootball.com will carry play-by-play updates from 7pm.

New Caledonia: Rocky Nyikeine (gk), Jeremie Dokunengo, Emile Bearune, Georges Bearune, Kalaje Gnipate, Olivier Dokunengo, Dominique Wacalie, Miguel Kayara, Jacques Haeko, Cesar Lolohea, Bertrand Kai, Roy Kayara, Noel Kaudre, Jean-Patrick Wakanumune, Dick Kauma, Iamel Kabeu, Joel Wakanumune, Yohann Mercier, Georges Gope-Fenepej, Steeve Ixoee (gk), Luther Wahnyamalla, Marc Ounemoa (gk), Pierre Nyikeine.

New Zealand: Mark Paston (gk), Winston Reid, Tony Lochhead, Ben Sigmund, Tommy Smith, Ryan Nelsen (capt), Leo Bertos, Michael McGlinchey, Shane Smeltz, Chris Killen, Marco Rojas, Glen Moss (gk), Dan Keat, Ivan Vicelich, Jeremy Brockie, Kosta Barbarouses, Tim Payne, Michael Boxall, Chris Wood.