News | Soccer
23 Feb 2026 11:57
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  •   Home > News > Sports > Soccer

    Wellington Phoenix duo Alex Rufer and Tim Payne will start in tomorrow's international football friendly between the All Whites and Lithuania in Vilnius whether Ufuk Talay likes it or not

    Wellington Phoenix duo Alex Rufer and Tim Payne will start in tomorrow's international football friendly between the All Whites and Lithuania in Vilnius whether Ufuk Talay likes it or not


    The 'Nix coach would prefer the pair weren't used for the match, with the 'Nix facing a trip to Brisbane when their A-League campaign resumes on Saturday.

    Rufer and Payne didn't start during the loss to the Republic of Ireland in Dublin and All Whites coach Danny Hay says resting the pair wasn't agreed on when he first discussed workloads with Talay.

    © 2026 Newstalk ZB, NZCity

     Other Soccer News
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