Alex Rufer

Alex Rufer
Rufer playing for the Wellington Phoenix in 2026.
Personal information
Full name Alex Arthur Rufer
Date of birth (1996-06-12) 12 June 1996 (age 30)
Place of birth Geneva, Switzerland
Height 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position Defensive midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Wellington Phoenix
Number 14
Youth career
–2013 YoungHeart Manawatu
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2013 YoungHeart Manawatu 5 (0)
2013 Wairarapa United 1 (1)
2013–2022 Wellington Phoenix Reserves 28 (3)
2013– Wellington Phoenix 167 (6)
International career‡
2013–2014 New Zealand U17 13 (3)
2015 New Zealand U20 1 (1)
2015–2020 New Zealand U23 4 (1)
2015– New Zealand 23 (0)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  New Zealand
OFC Nations Cup
Winner2024 Fiji/Vanuatu
OFC U-17 Championship
Winner2013 Samoa/Vanuatu
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 29 November 2025
‡ National team caps and goals as of 18 November2024

Alex Arthur Rufer (/ˈɹuːfə(ɹ)/; born 12 June 1996) is a New Zealand professional footballer who captains and plays as a defensive midfielder for Wellington Phoenix in the A-League. Born in Switzerland, he represents the New Zealand national team.

Personal life

Rufer is the son of former international New Zealand player Shane Rufer, and the nephew of Oceania Player of the Century Wynton Rufer. He also attended Palmerston North Boys' High School.

Club career

Rufer started his career with YoungHeart Manawatu.

In February 2013, Rufer joined Wairarapa United.

In August 2013, ahead of the A-League season, Rufer signed a three-year contract with Wellington Phoenix. Rufer made his debut for the Wellington Phoenix in the 3–2 away win against Newcastle Jets on 9 February 2014.

In a 2–1 loss against Brisbane Roar on 12 March 2022, Rufer suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture. Rufer was sidelined from the injury until returning on 7 January 2023 in a 1–0 away win against Sydney FC.

On 22 January 2023, in his 107th match for the Phoenix, Rufer scored his first goal for the club. The goal came in a 2–1 home win against the Central Coast Mariners.

On 27 July 2026, the Phoenix renewed Rufer's contract for another two seasons, until the end of the 2027–28 season. Rufer is set to play his 14th and 15th seasons for the Wellington-based club as a result.

International career

Rufer made his international debut for the All Whites in a friendly match against Myanmar on 7 September 2015, coming on for Jeremy Brockie in the 72nd minute.

Career statistics

Club

As of match played on 29 April 2023
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
YoungHeart Manawatu 2012–13 Premiership 50——50
Wellington Phoenix 2013–14 A-League 10——10
2014–15 3000—30
2015–16 4010—50
2016–17 3000—30
2017–18 11010—120
2018–19 2401010260
2019–20 1901010210
2020–21 21000—210
2021–22 A-League Men 14030—170
2022–23 1820010192
2023–24 2432020283
2024–25 19010—200
2025–26 23210—242
2026–27 0 0 — — 0 0
Total 129270301392
Wellington Phoenix Reserves 2014–15 Premiership 131——131
2015–16 20——20
2016–17 71——71
2017–18 41——41
2019–20 10——10
2020–21 10——10
2022 National League 10——10
Total 2930000293
Career total 163570301735
  1. ↑ Appearance(s) in the Australia Cup
  2. 1 2 3 4 Appearance in the A-League final series
  3. ↑ Appearance in 2025 Australia Cup

International

Honours

New Zealand
Individual

References

  1. 1 2 3 "FIFA U-20 World Cup New Zealand 2015 List of Players" (PDF). FIFA. 30 May 2015. p. 14. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
  2. ↑ https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPDEMkIEuLW/?igsh=M281aGtrdnplZXJv
  3. ↑ Worthington, Sam (5 August 2013). "Young Alex Rufer hopes to keep name in lights". Stuff.co.nz.
  4. ↑ Caffell, Gary (21 February 2013). "Rufer to join United". Wairarapa Times-Age.
  5. ↑ "Rufer signs three-year deal with Phoenix". The New Zealand Herald. 2 August 2013.
  6. ↑ Barclay, Chris (9 February 2014). "Hicks the man for Phoenix in win over Newcastle". Stuff. Archived from the original on 10 February 2014. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  7. ↑ Rollo, Phillip (15 March 2022). "Wellington Phoenix captain Alex Rufer out for a year with ACL injury". Stuff. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  8. ↑ Powell, Alex (8 January 2023). "Football: Controversial victory over Sydney FC can ignite Wellington Phoenix's A-League campaign, says captain Alex Rufer". Stuff. Retrieved 27 July 2026.
  9. ↑ Rollo, Phillip (22 January 2023). "Wellington Phoenix captain breaks goal drought in 2-1 win over Central Coast Mariners". Stuff. Retrieved 27 July 2026.
  10. ↑ Rollo, Phillip (27 July 2026). "One-club man Alex Rufer commits future to Wellington Phoenix". Stuff. Retrieved 27 July 2026.
  11. ↑ "Myanmar fight back earns draw". nzfootball.co.nz. Archived from the original on 10 September 2015. Retrieved 8 September 2015.
  12. ↑ Alex Rufer at Soccerway
  13. ↑ Rollo, Phillip (16 May 2024). "Wellington Phoenix dominate PFA A-League Men team of the season". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 17 May 2024.