MELBOURNE (Reuters) - New Zealand coach Danny Hay said Gianni Stensness's decision to switch allegiance to Australia is a "kick in the guts" after the midfielder played for the 'All Whites' at the Olympics.

The Australia-born 22-year-old, who was eligible to play for New Zealand through his father, was not included in Hay's 21-man squad for October friendlies against Curacao and Bahrain.