Alex Rufer

DOB 12/6/96

Alex Rufer is the longest-serving player in the Phoenix squad and has played more than 150 matches for the club.

The combative midfielder joined the Nix ahead of the 2013-14 A-League season and made his club debut as a 17-year-old in February 2014.

He made a further three appearances the following season and then represented New Zealand at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2015, playing in three of their games. He went on to make his senior debut later that year against Myanmar.

Rufer’s career was stalled in late 2015, when he suffered a broken ankle and was side-lined for eight months. He returned for the 2016-17 season and despite making just three A-League appearances he was selected in the All Whites squad for the FIFA Confederations Cup in Russia.

He featured 11 times in the following A-League campaign before becoming cementing himself as a regular in Ufuk Talay’s first season. After being named vice-captain at just 23, Rufer started 24 matches in the 2019-20 season as the Nix achieved their then highest ever regular season finish of third.

Rufer started 14 of the club’s first 15 games in his eighth season at the Phoenix but featured sparingly over the remaining 11 matches as the team narrowly missed out on a place in the finals.

Alex Rufer was named Wellington Phoenix captain on the eve of the 2021-22 campaign. He was the first homegrown to be appointed club captain in the Phoenix’s 15-year history and just the fifth fulltime skipper after Ross Aloisi, Andrew Durante, Steven Taylor and Ulises Dávila.

He started the first 14 matches of the A-League season, playing a key role in the team’s seven-game unbeaten run which put the Nix in finals contention.

Rufer also helped guide the Phoenix to the semi-finals of the FFA Cup. He deputised at centre back in the team’s dramatic quarter-final win over reigning A-League champions Melbourne City.

His season was cut short in March, when he ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

Alex Rufer returned eight months after his operation, eventually reclaiming the captain’s armband and memorably scoring his first A-League goal against Central Coast Mariners at Sky Stadium a fortnight later.

Rufer also scored from the penalty spot against Adelaide United in round 21 before being recalled to the All Whites after a long absence and starting the first international against China at Mt Smart Stadium in March.

He started 15 of the Nix’s final 17 A-League matches during the 2023-24 season, including the elimination final defeat to Adelaide United.

Alex Rufer signed a new three-year deal with the Phoenix in March 2023.

> 2023-24 season

Alex Rufer was outstanding in the middle of the park for the Wellington Phoenix, captaining them to the club’s most successful season.

He started all 26 games he was available for, only missing three matches due to suspension and a quad contusion.

Rufer also scored three goals in consecutive games, including a dramatic injury time penalty to equalise against Melbourne Victory at Sky Stadium.

His leadership, ball-winning ability, and distribution led to him being named in the PFA A-League men’s team of the season.

A brilliant season was rewarded with an international call up to the All Whites side for the OFC Nations Cup, where he played every minute as New Zealand lifted the trophy.