OPINION: He's got a surname synonymous with football in New Zealand, so what is going on with Alex Rufer?
The 20 year old, nephew of Oceania Footballer of the Century Wynton Rufer, has made just 11 appearances for the Wellington Phoenix since joining in 2013.
That's not all that surprising for a young footballer still trying to crack the first team, but what is surprising is that Rufer has not appeared for the first or reserve team since January 14.
That's more than two months without a competitive match of football for a player whom All Whites coach Anthony Hudson this week described as "one of the best young players in NZ", after calling him up for the national team for the World Cup Qualifiers against Fiji.
So why can't he get a game at the Phoenix?
"Alex is very aware of what he needs to do at this football club and at the moment he's down the pecking order," Phoenix coach Des Buckingham says. "He has Vince Lia, Alex Rodriguez, Michael McGlinchey and Matt Ridenton playing in the same position."
That's all very well, but Rufer can't even get a game for the reserve team, so perhaps there's something else going on?
"It's not an attitude problem," says Buckingham. "We've just used the opportunity with Alex being here four years and not kicking on to where we want him to, and not challenging those four players [previously mentioned] enough, to use that reserve team to give James McGarry and Sarpreet Singh more opportunities to develop their game as 17-year-olds."
It strikes me as a perplexing way to manage a the player, given the purpose of the reserve team is to develop young players, and also keep fringe first team players match fit.
Hudson admitted he was surprised Rufer wasn't playing for the Phoenix, but said it wasn't his business as to why they wouldn't select him.
Just like Buckingham said it wasn't his business as to why the All Whites are selecting him.
And that's the beauty of football - it's highly subjective, which is quite possibly highly frustrating for Alex Rufer.
Simon Hampton is a sports reporter for Newshub.
