The Wellington Phoenix Gazette
Squad30 Apr 2029
Tempers go at Wellington Phoenix
Jordan Lauton was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.
The dugout30 Apr 2029
No hiding place for Matthew Scarcella
“I pick players who do the work. All of it.” No name was spoken; every camera still turned to Matthew Scarcella, and the manager let it.
Squad30 Apr 2029
Words at Wellington Phoenix training over how hard people work
Somebody said out loud what several people had been thinking. Ramy Najjarine is at the centre of it, and the squad will now find out whether the standard rises or the pair of them simply stop speaking.
Squad30 Apr 2029
Aolin Zhang stays put
“The easiest signature of my career.” Aolin Zhang and Wellington Phoenix agree another 2 years, and the manager can plan around him rather than about him.
The dugout30 Apr 2029
A promise honoured at Wellington Phoenix
Something was said to Michael Ruhs and then it happened. In this industry that passes for remarkable, and the dressing room noticed faster than any supporter could.
The dugout30 Apr 2029
Rory Hall has become a man the manager trusts
Nobody at Wellington Phoenix will say this on the record and the team sheets have been saying it for weeks. There is a small group in every squad who get picked when the fixture is difficult, and he has joined it.
The dugout30 Apr 2029
Abel Walatee knocks on the manager’s door
“Thirty minutes, door closed, everything said. We shook hands after.” Whatever was in the room stayed in the room, and Abel Walatee trained the next morning like a man with less to carry.
Market30 Apr 2029
The Michael Ruhs story refuses to die
It has been denied twice and printed three times, which is the usual arithmetic. Until Michael Ruhs signs something — a contract at Wellington Phoenix or anywhere else — this column belongs to him.
Market30 Apr 2029
Joshua Laws placed on the list
Wellington Phoenix have made Joshua Laws available for transfer. A career at this club is over in all but paperwork.
In brief
- Squad “I want to play”: Dylan Cummings speaks
- Boardroom The Wellington Phoenix production line keeps running