Chris Wood booked for signing autographs in NZ win

Chris Wood scored a second straight hat-trick for New Zealand as they edged towards a World Cup place – and was then booked for signing autographs in the stands.

Wood, 33, hit a hat-trick in his side’s 7-0 defeat of Fiji in a World Cup qualifier on Friday and was substituted to a standing ovation after his third goal in Wellington.

The Nottingham Forest striker headed straight to the stands to sign autographs and have his photo taken with fans.

🇳🇿📸 Chris Wood received a yellow card for signing autographs in the crowd after being subbed off following his hattrick against Fiji

Never change, Woodsy 🖊️🤣 pic.twitter.com/psRvVmRkQ5

— FernsHub (@FernsHub) March 21, 2025

However, Wood’s act of goodwill incurred the wrath of referee Norbert Hauata who cautioned the striker as he made his way back to the pitch-side because the game was still going on.

“If that’s the rules, that’s the rules,” Wood said. ” I was just doing something nice and trying to sign for the fans.”

The All Whites will meet New Caledonia in the final of Oceania qualifying in Auckland on Monday as they try to book their first World Cup spot since South Africa 2010.

Wood has enjoyed a superb season in the Premier League and also scored a hat-trick in New Zealand’s previous qualifier last year, an 8-0 win against Samoa.

He added: “We know how good New Caledonia are and we’re going to have to be ready for them.

“We know they’re going to cause us problems. We need to focus on doing recovery well now and be ready to go Monday.”