Rufer impressed Phoenix coach Ernie Merrick during a trial with the club with the new coach saying the youngster, who is still attending school at Palmerston North Boys’ High School, shows huge potential and is capable of challenging for a first team spot his season.
“The Phoenix is a work in progress and it’s not going to happen overnight,” Merrick said.
“But I wouldn’t have given him a contract if I didn’t think he could play now. I see him as a very impressive young talent, the type of player we can mould into the Phoenix style of play.
“He has very good all-round technical skills, good ball control, a range of passes and an ability to dribble and score goals.”
The young Rufer comes from a formidable footballing pedigree as the son of former All White Shane and nephew of Oceania Player of the Century Wynton it comes as no surprise he has dreamed of following in their footsteps.
“My son has wanted to be a professional player since he was five-years-old,” says Shane, who played in Europe during the 1980s.
“He’s got the ability and potential to go a long way in the game. He’s got to try and win the A-League with the Phoenix – that’s a short-term goal to have. But Alex has set himself a high bar, and that means playing in Europe and for the All Whites.
“He’s quite fortunate in that he’s grown up around professional football, in the backyard really, and he has the support of the family. He can play in Europe if he’s got the desire and the discipline. There’s a few traps along the way and he’s got to be careful not to fall into them.”
As for the teenager himself, securing his first professional contract is thrilling.
“I am absolutely stoked. I was over the moon when Ernie told me what was happening. Everything has happened so quickly it is hard to take it all in,” Rufer says.
“I found it difficult to keep quiet while we were sorting the contract out. I wanted to tell everyone I was going to be a professional footballer.”
He also concedes that the famous surname he shares with two New Zealand football legends has been both a blessing and a curse as he has strived to follow in their footsteps.
“Having the name, some people want to get you, but then also you’ve got a bit of confidence with it,”
he says.
“There’s a bit of pressure that rides with the name as well because people think Wynton Rufer, Shane Rufer – they were great players but what’s their son or nephew going to be like? You’ve got to have a strong mindset and worry about your own game.”
And he’s certain if he puts in the hard yards in the A-League he will carve out a path that leads to Europe just like former Phoenix players Marco Rojas and Kosta Barbarouses have.
“Marco and Kosta are great players but I want to be better. That’s the goal, to just challenge myself to be the best that I can be. I have to stay level-headed but it’s a great opportunity.”
Rufer will commute to Wellington for training while he completes his Year 13 qualifications and will also be preparing to join his national U-17 teammates in October for the FIFA U-17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates.
For more on New Zealand Football visit www.nzfootball.co.nz

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