If the Aussies say no, there's always All Whites

Phoenix captain Andrew Durante isn't ruling out the possibility of one day playing for the All Whites, despite this week being involved in Australia's squad for the Asian Cup qualifier against Indonesia.

Durante came close to earning his first Socceroos cap in Brisbane on Wednesday – he was told to warm up at halftime and was expecting to feature at some stage in the second half of Australia's 1-0 win, but the chance didn't come.

So, until he steps on to the field for Australia, his international options are open.

The impressive centre back, who would walk into the current All Whites team, has been in Wellington for two years and would be eligible for New Zealand's national team in another three years.

He recently signed a contract extension with the Phoenix, which will see him living in New Zealand till 2013.

"I definitely haven't ruled it out," Durante said of playing for New Zealand.

"It's something obviously a lot of people have mentioned to me. If my Socceroos chance doesn't come, then it's definitely an option.

"I feel like I'm at home here, I've settled in here. It's a long process and it's something down the track that may happen if I'm still here, but at the moment I'm still fighting for that Socceroos jersey."

Durante believed he was at long odds to make Australia's World Cup squad this year.

"I think it's a little bit out of my reach, this World Cup, if I'm going to be honest.

"But there's the Asian Cup next year and a lot of players are going to be retiring after the World Cup, so there's that opportunity as well."

He had enjoyed his time in camp with the Socceroos, alongside fellow Phoenix defender Jon McKain. The pair had "copped a bit of stick" and were on the receiving end of several Kiwi jokes.

"It was an intense week, Pim [Verbeek] runs intense sessions, but I really enjoyed it."

- © Fairfax NZ News