Chris Wood achieved the second direct hat-trick for New Zealand while they were trimmed according to the World Cup site then reserved for signing autographs in the stands.
Wood, 33, hit a hat-trick defeat of Fiji 7-0 in the World Cup qualification on Friday and was replaced by standing ovations after his third goal in Wellington.
Nottingham forest striker headed straight to the stands to sign autographs and take pictures with fans.
🇳🇿📸 Chris Wood received a yellow card for signing autographs in the crowd after being rejected after his Hattrick against Fiji
Never change, wooden 🖊️🤣 pic.twitter.com/psrvrkq5
– Fernshub (@fernshub) March 21, 2025
However, Wood’s act of goodwill was the wrath of Judge Norbert Hauat, who warned the attacker as he returned to the side of the field because the game still happens.
“If these are rules, these are rules,” Wood said. “I was just doing something beautiful and trying to sign for fans.”
All Whites will meet a new Kaledonia on Monday in the Oceania finals in Auckland as they try to book their first World Cup first place from southern Africa in 2010.
Wood enjoyed the top season in the Premier League, and also scored a hat-trick in the previous qualification of New Zealand last year, a 8-0 victory against Samo.
He added: “We know how good the new kaledonia is and we will have to be ready for them.
“We know that we will make problems. We have to focus on a good recovery and be ready to go on Monday.”
