Rufer is ready to kick on
Alex Rufer wasn’t offended when Wellington Phoenix coach Mark Rudan said he would have to trial for a spot on the roster.
While that ‘no promises’ approach was enough to put some other All Whites off, the 22-yearold midfielder was determined to show the new coach that he could cut it after five unfulfilled seasons at the club.
In fact, Rufer was so desperate to continue his professional career at the Phoenix, following an unsuccessful trial in Switzerland, he said he was prepared to ‘‘die for the shirt’’.
That attitude would have been music to Rudan’s ears, and it was probably no shock that the player, who has thus far failed to establish himself in the A-League, was elevated to the starting XI for Sunday’s season opener against Newcastle Jets ahead of import Michal Kopczynski, who missed out on the matchday squad altogether.
‘‘Although I did come in for a trial, [I feel like] you’re on trial every day. Even if you have a contract or you don’t, you have to show every day and for me it was obviously tough, but now that I’m involved I want to stay involved,’’ Rufer said, after putting in an assured performance in just his sixth A-League start.
‘‘As the coach said, there’s no guarantees. Everyone comes to training to work hard to get in that starting XI and when I found out I was obviously stoked, but now for me it’s just about being consistent and staying in there. I’m going to be doing everything to make sure I’m on the team sheet every week.’’
Rufer arrived in Wellington in 2013, at the same time as Matthew Ridenton, who has since joined the Jets following a breakout season in the previous campaign. And he now looms as his former team-mate’s likely successor in central midfield, with Rufer believing he’s ready to experience his own breakthrough in 2018-19.
‘‘I love it here. I love Wellington. I love the people. I’ve got heaps of mates here. I want to play every game this season,’’ he said.
‘‘I really do love the club and I want to see this club go places.
‘‘I want to have a really strong season, I want the club to do well and I want the club to stay around. With how everything is going, if we can keep doing what we’re doing then we can do some really big things.’’
The Phoenix made the best possible start to Rudan’s reign by beating the Jets 2-1 in front of a healthy home crowd. But Rufer, who showed his passion for the jersey by leading the celebrations after Roy Krishna’s gamewinning goal, said the players were not getting carried away after just one win.
‘‘Winning the first game is so important but now everyone is focused on the next game [against Brisbane Roar] and we want to put in a better performance. We just want to be consistent and improve every game.
‘‘That’s something that’s so good about this group; they just want to improve. Defensively we were quite strong and in front of goal if we are more clinical then we can put teams away.’’