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Picture Clive Lawrence

New Zealand

expects

Nelsen's duty to Rovers and his country

BLACKBURN Rovers' latest signing Ryan Nelsen will carry the hopes of a nation on his considerable shoulders when he steps out at Portsmouth's Fratton Park tomorrow.

The 27-year-old defender, who joined Rovers on a free transfer from DC United last week, is aiming to become only the third New Zealander ever to appear in the Premiership by making his debut against improving Pompey at their intimidating south coast home.

Residents of Christchurch, Nelsen's home city, will spend the early hours of Sunday morning huddled around their radios and TV sets, desperate for news regarding one of their most famous sporting sons.

As the David Beckham of New Zealand football, Nelsen knows he's playing for far more than personal pride as he aims to prove his capability in the Premiership.

For years, the All-Whites have been considered among the sport's poorer relations, aside from a fleeting appearance at the 1982 World Cup finals.

However, if Nelsen can muscle his way into the first team at Rovers and establish himself as a serious star in the Premiership then that would have major repercussions for an entire nation, as well as his own career.

"English football is huge back home. They're all closet supporters," said Nelsen, who's hoping for a place on the bench tomorrow.

"They probably don't wear the shirts but New Zealand is a sporting nation and the people don't need an excuse to watch top level sport, no matter what it is.

"If I can make it over here then it would be great for the youngsters back home because the sheer number of young people who are interested in the game is massive.

"If someone can play regularly in the Premiership then it gives them all something to aspire to and to work towards."

Such responsibility might weigh heavily on some peoples' shoulders, but not Nelsen's.

From an early age, the New Zealand captain has always been prepared to meet challenges head on, like the time his former international coach, Bobby Clarke, invited him over to America to hook up with Washington-based outfit DC United.

"I followed him over out of interest's sake," said Nelsen, who displays a maturity beyond his years.

"I didn't know what the level was like but I was very surprised by how good it was and things went from there."

Nelsen went on to establish himself as one of the leading players in Major League Soccer, captaining DC to a couple of league titles during his four years with the club.

He was also named in the MLS All-Star side and voted the league's best defender on the back of some impressive performances - honours that don't sit kindly with this unassuming Kiwi.

"That's the Americans for you. They love their All-Stars and MVPs (Most Valuable Player) but that's a load of rubbish to me," said Nelsen.

"As long as you win championships, that's all that matters."

What matters now to him is the chance to prove his worth in England's top division.

It was always Nelsen's dream to play in the Premiership one day and he earned his crack at it by impressing Mark Hughes with an eye-catching display in a recent match between New Zealand and France.

"Ryan has been the top player in America for a long time and I saw him play very well for New Zealand against France," said the Rovers boss.

"All France's big hitters were playing and he did very well so we thought 'let's get him over and have a look at him'."

With that in mind, it's no surprise to hear that Nelsen isn't fazed by the prospect of testing himself against the best the Premiership has to offer - possibly starting with Portsmouth's £7 million rated striker Ayegbeni Yakubu, who has 11 goals so far this season, tomorrow

The Kiwi added: "What defender wouldn't relish the challenge?"

"You want to match yourself against the best and see where you are and playing in the Premiership means I'll be up against some world class strikers so it's going to be a lot of fun."