Rufer hopes All Whites buzz hangs around

By NEIL REID - Sunday News

Last updated 13:37 15/11/2009

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New Zealand's Brian Turner, watched by teammates Grant Turner (left) and Ricki Herbert, beats Indonesia's goalie to the ball during a 1981 qualifying match for the 1982 World Cup.

New Zealand's Duncan Cole gets between two defenders during a qualifying match against Taiwan for the 1982 World Cup.

New Zealand's John Hill is in a race for the ball with a Kuwaiti player during a 1981 qualifying game for the 1982 World Cup.

All Whites captain Steve Sumner in action against Kuwait during a 1981 qualifying match for the 1982 World Cup.

Bobbie Almond (centre) tries to stop the Australian attack for the All Whites as New Zealand drew 3-3 in the first 1981 elimination game of their pool for the 1982 World Cup.

New Zealand players line up for the National Anthem ahead of their 2-1 loss to Kuwait in a 1981 a elimination game that was marred by bad crowd behaviour at Mt Smart Stadium for the 1982 World Cup.

Steve Woodin is brought down as New Zealand draw 2-2 with Saudi Arabia at Mt Smart Stadium in an elimination game for the 1982 World Cup.

Saudi goalie Salim Amarwan takes the ball from All White Billy McLure as New Zealand draw 2-2 with Saudi Arabia at Mt Smart Stadium in a 1981 elimination game for the 1982 World Cup.

All White Allan Boath gets hit in the face by goalie Chin Wang Lin as New Zealand beat Taiwan (Chinese Taipei) 2-0 in a 1981 elimination game at Mt Smart Stadium for the 1982 World Cup.

A header from the All Whites Ricki Herbert is saved by Australia's goalie in a 3-all draw that was the first 1981 elimination game of their pool for the 1982 World Cup.

Ricki Herbert (left) and Grant Turner (right) watch as Steve Sumner shoots for goal in New Zealand's 2-2 draw with Saudi Arabia at Mt Smart Stadium in an elimination game for the 1982 World Cup.

Keith MacKay scores a goal as New Zealand beat Fiji 13-0 in a 1981 elimination game at Mt Smart Stadium for the 1982 World Cup.

Keith MacKay scores a goal as New Zealand beat Fiji 13-0 in an elimination game at Mt Smart Stadium for the 1982 World Cup.

Grant Turner scores as New Zealand beat Fiji 13-0 in a 1981 elimination game at Mt Smart Stadium for the 1982 World Cup.

Brian Turner goes high for the All Whites as New Zealand lose 1-2 to Hungary at Mt Smart Stadium in a warmup game for the 1982 World Cup.

Brian Turner (right) is beaten to the ball as New Zealand draw 3-3 with Australia in their 1981 first elimination game of their pool in the for the 1982 World Cup.

All Whites captain Steve Sumner has a shot on goal as New Zealand beat Taiwan (Chinese Taipei) 2-0 in a 1981 elimination game at Mt Smart Stadium for the 1982 World Cup.

Steve Sumner (10) is congratulated by Grant Turner and Steve Woodin (right) after scoring for the All Whites in a 1981 3-3 draw with Australia in the first elimination game of their pool for the 1982 World Cup at Mt Smart Stadium.

All Whites star Wynton Rufer, who scored New Zealand's goal in a 1-2 loss to Hungary, battles an opponent at Mt Smart Stadium in a warmup game for the 1982 World Cup.

Steve Woodin takes a shot for the All Whites with Grant Turner in support as New Zealand beat Indonesia 5-0 in a 1981 elimination game at Mt Smart Stadium for the 1982 World Cup.

Steve Woodin celebrates his goal in New Zealand's 1-2 loss to Kuwaitin an elimination game marred by bad crowd behaviour at Mt Smart Stadium.

Goalie Frank van Hattum makes a save as New Zealand plays another NZ team in a warmup game for the clash against Saudi Arabia at Mt Smart Stadium for the 1982 World Cup.

Grant Turner is tackled as New Zealand beat Taiwan (Chinese Taipei) 2-0 in a 1981 elimination game at Mt Smart Stadium for the 1982 World Cup.

All White Grant Turner battles Deng-Sheng Duh for the ball as New Zealand beat Taiwan (Chinese Taipei) 2-0 in a 1981 elimination game at Mt Smart Stadium for the 1982 World Cup.

Grant Turner takes a shot as New Zealand beat Indonesia 5-0 in a 1981 elimination game at Mt Smart Stadium for the 1982 World Cup.

Grant Turner cops a kick in the groin area as New Zealand lost to Kuwait 1-2 in a 1981 elimination game marred by bad crowd behaviour at Mt Smart Stadium for the 1982 World Cup.

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New Zealand football looks set to yet again lose the full-time services of Oceania player of the century Wynton Rufer.

Rufer, 46, was among the sell-out 35,500 crowd at Wellington's Westpac Stadium to watch the All Whites take on Bahrain for a spot at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Twenty-seven years earlier and he was among the squad which went to Spain '82 - the All Whites' sole World Cup appearance.

Rufer spent the majority of his glittering professional career in Europe, something which restricted his appearances in the national team to just 39.

He returned to New Zealand with his young family in 1999, spending the next two seasons with the ill-fated Kingz franchise.

Since hanging up his playing boots in 2001, he has headed the acclaimed WYNRS academy which is bringing on the next crop of Kiwi footballing talent.

And shortly before last night's sudden-death qualifier, Rufer revealed he was once again looking at heading off-shore.

''I have got WYNRS to a certain extent,'' Rufer told Sunday News.

''But to really grow it to another level, you really do need a serious partner like Soccer New Zealand or a big corporate.

''It really is in the situation now that I really only need to be there two or three times a year. So if I can get an opportunity somewhere else, I will be honest I would go.

''It is very slow here. We have a great thing going, but it is very slow. It is a small market, it is not easy.''

The impact that WYNRS is making on the local football scene was evident at the recent Fifa Under-17 World Cup. Half of the New Zealand team had gone through Rufer's training programme.

Several players have gone on to pick up professional deals in Europe.

Rufer was called into the All Whites aged just 18 ahead of their 1982 qualifiers in the Middle East against Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

Looking back, he said was of his greatest frustrations had been how football in New Zealand had been unable to take full advantage of their place among the world's elite.

Since returning to New Zealand he has at-times found himself on the outer following perceived personality clashes with football officials.

Rufer said regardless of the result of the All Whites' clash against Bahrain, he said the hype surrounding the team should be a boon for the game in New Zealand.

''Hopefully they can take advantage of it, they didn't take advantage of it last time,'' Rufer said. ''I came back because of the World Youth Championships held here in 1999. It was the perfect platform to help make something happen for the game here but say no more.''

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