Rufer called up as Wood out of All Whites tour
An injury on duty for Premier League club Nottingham Forest has ruled All Whites captain Chris Wood out of this week’s tour to Egypt and led to a call-up for Wellington Phoenix skipper Alex Rufer.
New Zealand Football confirmed yesterday that Wood, Norway-based midfielder Joe Bell and Phoenix defender Tim Payne had withdrawn from the squad.
Rufer – considered an unlucky omission – was listed as the only replacement. The defensive midfielder has led the Phoenix to the top of the A-League and admitted last week that he was disappointed to miss the initial cut for Cairo.
Wood scored his ninth goal of the EPL season in Forest’s 1-1 draw with Luton Town on Saturday (Sunday NZT) but was taken off in the final quarter after manager Nuno Espirito Santo said the player “felt something’’.
The 32-year-old was playing only his second game since a layoff with a hamstring injury. Wood was assessed after the game and has withdrawn from the All Whites.
He is seen as critical to Forest’s hopes of avoiding relegation, with the club slapped with a four-points reduction for a financial rules breach. Nuno talked about Wood’s importance, as Nigerian striker Taiwo Awoniyi is still overcoming a groin injury.
“We need strikers,” Santo told English reporters. “The presence of our strikers on the pitch makes everything different. Chris played well and he scored. It is important for us that he is healthy and can help us. ‘‘
The All Whites play Egypt in Cairo on Saturday (NZT) and either Croatia or Tunisia next Wednesday.
Coach Darren Bazeley will need a new captain, because Bell, who has acted in the role, is also out follwoing an injury at his Norwegian premier league club Viking FK.
The armband may go to MLS defender Michael Boxall, an All White since 2011, and, with Wood out, now the side’s most experienced player.
Wood’s quality and strike power – 34 goals in 74 appearances – can’t be replaced, but the All Whites have plenty of attacking cover in Plymouth Argyle reserve Ben Waine, Ireland-based Max Mata and recalled Wellington Phoenix goal grabber Kosta Barbarouses.
Payne’s role at rightback is likely to be covered by rookie Tyler Bindon, who has played there for English third tier club Reading.
Rufer will replace Bell in the midfield mix. The 27-year-old has had eight All Whites caps since 2015, and last played in a scoreless draw with China in 2023.
His father Shane was an All Whites defender and his uncle Wynton remains New Zealand’s all-time greatest player.
Egypt have had withdrawals of their own, including star Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah. The Premier League club asked Egypt for him to be spared the Cairo tournament because he is still geyting back to full fitness after a hamstring injury.
Arsenal’s fringe midfielder Mohamed Elneny has also been spelled.