October 25, 2025 • 6 mins
The Wellington Phoenix will host Brisbane Roar in round two of the A-League Men at Sky Stadium.
The Phoenix are determined to boost their luck at Sky Stadium after only one significant win at home last season.
Alex Rufer from the Wellington Phoenix explained further.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport Podcast with Jason Vine
from News Talk ZBB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Phoenix back home for the first time this season in
the A League. They have the Brisbane Raw kickoff just
over half an hour away at sky Stadium. Their captain
is Alex Ruferm and he joins me now on News
Talk ZIBB. Alex, how thrilled are you to be back
at home in front of your home fans?
Speaker 3 (00:33):
Of course, Look, we're really excited and looking forward to
the game.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
How much is on the mind that you want to
repay the faith of the fans. So what was a
tough season at home last year? Just the one win?
Speaker 3 (00:46):
Yeah, look coming we've we're spoken about that and we
want to make sky Stadium our fortress again. And like
you said, the repay the safe that the funds have
shown us and give him someone the smile about.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
How do you go about rebuilding that?
Speaker 3 (01:00):
I think we need to make sure that we make
it a fortress and make it really really tough to
tough for teams to come here and then play and
attacking aggressive style of football, which we have been doing.
And I think you know, the last game in per
showed that note that we started slowly and we were
turned down. The boys never gave up and we fought
back from Turner and then got a decent result.
Speaker 2 (01:21):
How pleased were you with that character to earn a
point last week, as you say, turnel down to get
a too two draw.
Speaker 3 (01:29):
Oh, look, extremely happy. Anyone who's done that trip knows
how difficult it is, and you know they're a good team.
Obviously there's time difference, but look, we we didn't worry
about those things that we couldn't control. We worried about
ourselves and like I said, really really happy and I'm
really proud of the team with the way we fought
back and got back into the game.
Speaker 2 (01:47):
As captain of this team, has obviously been some changes,
as there are after every A league season, but changes,
you know, imports, players coming in from different cultures. How
much leadership do you have to shot at the start
of each season to get these players and assimilate them
into the Phoenix environment.
Speaker 3 (02:03):
Oh, look, we've got a very welcoming environment. You know.
Obviously when they come in, you sit them down, you
talk to them, you get to know them a little bit,
and obviously throughout pre season you learn about them more
and you you know, start to build connections and then
from there it's just about showing them every day and
making sure they feel comfortable to express themselves on and
off the field.
Speaker 2 (02:23):
And obviously got some some quality imports. We saw that
last week that felt like they slaughtered them pretty quickly
into the team.
Speaker 3 (02:31):
Yeah, exactly. Look, that's what you want. You want your
especially your foreign players to settle quickly and perform well.
And all of them did that, you know, also the
all the Kiwi players as well, and all the new
Ossie imports as well that have come in. Everyone settled
nicely and everyone you know, showed what they're are, what
they can do.
Speaker 2 (02:48):
What do you expect from the rule this afternoon?
Speaker 3 (02:53):
Oh, look, they'll be very very aggressive. We've seen that
they're a good team. The coach is also a good
coach from Europe, so he's got them playing in an
aggressive way. So we need to make sure we match
that and then play our game.
Speaker 2 (03:05):
Do you get this? Since that you know this, this
competition looks pretty even. I know we're only one and
a bit runs through, but it feels like it's a
pretty even competition this year.
Speaker 3 (03:17):
Yeah, it look like you said it is. It is
early in the in the season to start obviously making
comparisons and looking at other teams. But I do think
it's going to be close. And I think after you know,
first four to six games, you kind of start to
see a little bit more. But at the moment, look,
it looks very, very tight, and it's it's close and
looks like it's going to be a tough, tough season
(03:37):
for for every team.
Speaker 2 (03:39):
We saw the team play last week with a pretty
high defensive line. How much of a mindset change has
that been through the preseason and last week getting used
to that style?
Speaker 3 (03:49):
Yeah, Look, we worked on it all preseason. I wouldn't
say it's a mindset change. I'd just say it's more
of a tactical change. I think, you know, the players
have adapted well to it, and you know, now our
mindset is we need to make sure that we do
it well, we train well during the week, and make
sure that we we're smart enough to know when to
do it and when not to do it. But look,
it was really positive. It did cause us problems at
(04:11):
the start of the game. I think there was a
few teething issues that you know, first game. It's obviously
a little bit of pressure, and it took us time
to adapt, but once we did, I thought it was good.
Speaker 2 (04:20):
How much does that take confidence that it is the
right style and I guess patients that it is going
to work and be the style that is going to
deliver results of this team.
Speaker 3 (04:31):
Look, we have to believe in every player. Does we
believe in the coach, We believe in each other, and
that's the most important thing. These things do take time.
It's not something that you can you know, perfect overnight
per se. But look, like I said, we believe in
the system, we believe in each other, we believe in
the coach and the staff, and you know, we're in
a positive heading in a positive direction.
Speaker 2 (04:53):
And maintaining position comes with its rewards as well. It
can frustrate the opposition. I think last week we had
seventy percent position, So you know, it does have obviously
benefits in terms of just you know, creating a little
bit of frustrating for the team that's having to play
up against it.
Speaker 3 (05:10):
Yeah, exactly. Look, we dominated the game, you know, with
the ball, obviously, but I think the funny thing is
is that the first half we actually weren't that great
with the ball. So there's still areas to improve and
I think once we really find out and figure out
you know, where to hurt teams will be much more
effective and create more.
Speaker 2 (05:27):
Chances and once you missage. Finally, Alex rufer to the
Phoenix fans and the capital is they obviously had a
frustrating season last year, as we touched on before, but
to get them along and then buying tickets and seeing
you guys in action this afternoon and for your home
games over the next few weeks as well, just.
Speaker 3 (05:43):
To support us like they always have. They're extra man.
I believe we've got the best fans in the league.
You know, the other Fever are an amazing force and
like I said, when they're there in full force, loud
and proud, it makes all the difference for us. So
get behind the lads, you know, be as loud as
possible and enjoy the game.
Speaker 2 (06:02):
Good man, Hey Alex wis you the best of luck
this afternoon. Appreciate your time on the news talks.
Speaker 3 (06:05):
Big awesome mane, thank you.
Speaker 2 (06:08):
Thank you. Alex Royfer the Phoenix in action this afternoon
three o'clock at Sky Stadium. They played the Brisbane rule
one home win last year.
Speaker 1 (06:17):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine. Listen live
to news talks at B weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Weekend Sport Podcast with Jason Vine
from News Talk ZBB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Phoenix back home for the first time this season in
the A League. They have the Brisbane Raw kickoff just
over half an hour away at sky Stadium. Their captain
is Alex Ruferm and he joins me now on News
Talk ZIBB. Alex, how thrilled are you to be back
at home in front of your home fans?
Speaker 3 (00:33):
Of course, Look, we're really excited and looking forward to
the game.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
How much is on the mind that you want to
repay the faith of the fans. So what was a
tough season at home last year? Just the one win?
Speaker 3 (00:46):
Yeah, look coming we've we're spoken about that and we
want to make sky Stadium our fortress again. And like
you said, the repay the safe that the funds have
shown us and give him someone the smile about.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
How do you go about rebuilding that?
Speaker 3 (01:00):
I think we need to make sure that we make
it a fortress and make it really really tough to
tough for teams to come here and then play and
attacking aggressive style of football, which we have been doing.
And I think you know, the last game in per
showed that note that we started slowly and we were
turned down. The boys never gave up and we fought
back from Turner and then got a decent result.
Speaker 2 (01:21):
How pleased were you with that character to earn a
point last week, as you say, turnel down to get
a too two draw.
Speaker 3 (01:29):
Oh, look, extremely happy. Anyone who's done that trip knows
how difficult it is, and you know they're a good team.
Obviously there's time difference, but look, we we didn't worry
about those things that we couldn't control. We worried about
ourselves and like I said, really really happy and I'm
really proud of the team with the way we fought
back and got back into the game.
Speaker 2 (01:47):
As captain of this team, has obviously been some changes,
as there are after every A league season, but changes,
you know, imports, players coming in from different cultures. How
much leadership do you have to shot at the start
of each season to get these players and assimilate them
into the Phoenix environment.
Speaker 3 (02:03):
Oh, look, we've got a very welcoming environment. You know.
Obviously when they come in, you sit them down, you
talk to them, you get to know them a little bit,
and obviously throughout pre season you learn about them more
and you you know, start to build connections and then
from there it's just about showing them every day and
making sure they feel comfortable to express themselves on and
off the field.
Speaker 2 (02:23):
And obviously got some some quality imports. We saw that
last week that felt like they slaughtered them pretty quickly
into the team.
Speaker 3 (02:31):
Yeah, exactly. Look, that's what you want. You want your
especially your foreign players to settle quickly and perform well.
And all of them did that, you know, also the
all the Kiwi players as well, and all the new
Ossie imports as well that have come in. Everyone settled
nicely and everyone you know, showed what they're are, what
they can do.
Speaker 2 (02:48):
What do you expect from the rule this afternoon?
Speaker 3 (02:53):
Oh, look, they'll be very very aggressive. We've seen that
they're a good team. The coach is also a good
coach from Europe, so he's got them playing in an
aggressive way. So we need to make sure we match
that and then play our game.
Speaker 2 (03:05):
Do you get this? Since that you know this, this
competition looks pretty even. I know we're only one and
a bit runs through, but it feels like it's a
pretty even competition this year.
Speaker 3 (03:17):
Yeah, it look like you said it is. It is
early in the in the season to start obviously making
comparisons and looking at other teams. But I do think
it's going to be close. And I think after you know,
first four to six games, you kind of start to
see a little bit more. But at the moment, look,
it looks very, very tight, and it's it's close and
looks like it's going to be a tough, tough season
(03:37):
for for every team.
Speaker 2 (03:39):
We saw the team play last week with a pretty
high defensive line. How much of a mindset change has
that been through the preseason and last week getting used
to that style?
Speaker 3 (03:49):
Yeah, Look, we worked on it all preseason. I wouldn't
say it's a mindset change. I'd just say it's more
of a tactical change. I think, you know, the players
have adapted well to it, and you know, now our
mindset is we need to make sure that we do
it well, we train well during the week, and make
sure that we we're smart enough to know when to
do it and when not to do it. But look,
it was really positive. It did cause us problems at
(04:11):
the start of the game. I think there was a
few teething issues that you know, first game. It's obviously
a little bit of pressure, and it took us time
to adapt, but once we did, I thought it was good.
Speaker 2 (04:20):
How much does that take confidence that it is the
right style and I guess patients that it is going
to work and be the style that is going to
deliver results of this team.
Speaker 3 (04:31):
Look, we have to believe in every player. Does we
believe in the coach, We believe in each other, and
that's the most important thing. These things do take time.
It's not something that you can you know, perfect overnight
per se. But look, like I said, we believe in
the system, we believe in each other, we believe in
the coach and the staff, and you know, we're in
a positive heading in a positive direction.
Speaker 2 (04:53):
And maintaining position comes with its rewards as well. It
can frustrate the opposition. I think last week we had
seventy percent position, So you know, it does have obviously
benefits in terms of just you know, creating a little
bit of frustrating for the team that's having to play
up against it.
Speaker 3 (05:10):
Yeah, exactly. Look, we dominated the game, you know, with
the ball, obviously, but I think the funny thing is
is that the first half we actually weren't that great
with the ball. So there's still areas to improve and
I think once we really find out and figure out
you know, where to hurt teams will be much more
effective and create more.
Speaker 2 (05:27):
Chances and once you missage. Finally, Alex rufer to the
Phoenix fans and the capital is they obviously had a
frustrating season last year, as we touched on before, but
to get them along and then buying tickets and seeing
you guys in action this afternoon and for your home
games over the next few weeks as well, just.
Speaker 3 (05:43):
To support us like they always have. They're extra man.
I believe we've got the best fans in the league.
You know, the other Fever are an amazing force and
like I said, when they're there in full force, loud
and proud, it makes all the difference for us. So
get behind the lads, you know, be as loud as
possible and enjoy the game.
Speaker 2 (06:02):
Good man, Hey Alex wis you the best of luck
this afternoon. Appreciate your time on the news talks.
Speaker 3 (06:05):
Big awesome mane, thank you.
Speaker 2 (06:08):
Thank you. Alex Royfer the Phoenix in action this afternoon
three o'clock at Sky Stadium. They played the Brisbane rule
one home win last year.
Speaker 1 (06:17):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine. Listen live
to news talks at B weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio
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