Wellington Phoenix captain Alex Rufer and experienced fullback Tim Payne have been called up to the All Whites squad for next month’s internationals against Australia.
New Zealand will square off against the Socceroos in Canberra and Auckland for the Soccer Ashes trophy, which was rediscovered a century after it was created.
The trophy contains the ashes of cigars smoked by Australian captain Alex Gibb and New Zealand captain George Campbell following the first football match between the two nations in Australia in June 1923.
Rufer, 21 caps, has kept his place in the All Whites squad after featuring in both of the Canadian Shield matches against Côte d’Ivoire and Ukraine in Toronto in June.
Payne, 43 caps, has been recalled after making himself unavailable for the last international window as his partner was expecting their first child.
A further 13 players in the 23-strong national squad have previously played for the Wellington Phoenix, including six graduates of the club’s academy.
The first leg of the home-and-away series between the All Whites and Socceroos will be played at Canberra’s GIO Stadium on Friday, September 5, with the second leg at Go Media Stadium in Auckland the following Tuesday night.
The winner of the Soccer Ashes trophy will be decided by the aggregate score across both legs, with the second match going directly to penalties at the end of 90 minutes in the event of a tie.
Tickets for the match at Go Media Stadium are available now.
