Rufer struggles to accept All Whites snub
“It doesn’t mean that I don’t think I should be there.”
Wellington Phoenix captain Alex Rufer will have to begrudgingly accept his All Whites omission after missing selection for Egypt.
The Phoenix’s best-ever start to an A-League Men campaign was largely rewarded by All Whites coach Darren Bazeley, with the club contributing a quarter of the 24-man squad for this month’s tour.
However, there was no room in a crowded midfield for the Phoenix skipper, who thought he had done enough to earn a recall.
The All Whites play Egypt and one of Croatia and Tunisia as part of a four-team tournament in Cairo from March 23-27.
Given the quality of opposition, Rufer said he would have loved to have been a part of the squad.
The midfield anchor has been in careerbest form for the Phoenix this season, scoring three goals and leading the team to the top of the table.
They dropped to second after losing 1-0 to Melbourne City last weekend but remain firmly in contention to win their first premiership.
But despite his strong showings for the Phoenix, Rufer was unable to force his way in ahead of European-based midfielders Marko Stamenic, Matthew Garbett and Joe Bell, or Macarthur’s Clayton Lewis.
Goalkeeper Alex Paulsen, defenders Finn Surman, Lukas Kelly-Heald and Tim Payne, midfielder Ben Old and forward Kosta Barbarouses were the six ’Nix chosen.
“I’m obviously very disappointed,” Rufer said. “He [Bazeley] was honest and said I was doing well but unfortunately I’ve missed out because he’s picking other players, and that’s fine, that’s his decision and I have to wear that.
“I wouldn’t say I’ve accepted it but I can understand his opinion and his views and I respect them. But it doesn’t mean that I don’t think I should be there.”
Although Rufer has been a mainstay in
Alex Rufer on being left out of the All Whites squad the Phoenix midfield, he has featured only sparingly for New Zealand throughout his professional career.
He was not used by former coach Danny Hay again after being dragged at halftime in a 1-0 defeat to Lithuania during Hay’s second match in charge in 2019.
Rufer was handed a start in a 0-0 draw with China 12 months ago when Bazeley took over but he has not been able to add to his eight caps since.
“I’ve never really managed to stake a claim for a starting spot whenever I’ve been there but I’ve always put my hand up when I’ve been asked,” Rufer said.
“For me now, it’s just about continuing what I’m doing here and make sure I give myself the best opportunity to be selected [in the future]. I can’t dwell on it. I just have to keep proving to everyone that I deserved to be there.”
The Phoenix have another tough match coming up tomorrow, hosting former coach Ufuk Talay’s in-form Sydney FC at Eden Park in Auckland.
The Sky Blues prevailed 3-1 when the two teams met in Sydney on December 29 after rattling the Phoenix with their high press.