Home > News > Phoenix captain turns provider to help New Zealand make winning start in World Cup qualifying
Sacha Pisani
Alex Rufer set up two goals and Wellington Phoenix teammate Sam Sutton created another as New Zealand defeated Tahiti 3-0 in their opening 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup qualifier.
Wellington and Auckland FC players were in the thick of the action in Port Vila, Vanuatu, where the All Whites saw off Tahiti thanks to goals via Elijah Just, former Phoenix star Ben Waine and Premier League striker Chris Wood.
Phoenix captain Rufer teed up goals for Just and Waine, while Wellington full-back Sutton provided the assist for Wood in the OFC Group B fixture at VFF Freshwater Stadium.
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Wellington duo Rufer and Tim Payne were in the starting XI, along with Auckland defender Nando Pijnaker.
Phoenix pair Sutton and Kosta Barbarouses came off the bench in the second half, as did Auckland’s Logan Rogerson and Central Coast Mariners full-back Storm Roux.
The 2024-25 Isuzu UTE A-League season gets underway when two-time reigning champions the Mariners welcome Melbourne Victory to Gosford in a Grand Final rematch on October 18.
Auckland FC will make their debut against Brisbane Roar at Go Media Stadium on October 19 before Wellington host Western United at Sky Stadium on October 20.
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