# Alex Rufer

Alex Arthur Rufer (born 12 June 1996) is a New Zealand professional footballer who captains and plays as a defensive midfielder for Wellington Phoenix in the A-League.

## Personal life

Rufer is the son of former international New Zealand player Shane Rufer, and the nephew of Oceania Player of the Century Wynton Rufer. He also attended Palmerston North Boys' High School.

## Club career

Rufer started his career with YoungHeart Manawatu.
In February 2013, Rufer joined Wairarapa United.
In August 2013, ahead of the A-League season, Rufer signed a three-year contract with Wellington Phoenix. Rufer made his debut for the Wellington Phoenix in the 3–2 away win against Newcastle Jets on 9 February 2014.
In a 2–1 loss against Brisbane Roar on 12 March 2022, Rufer suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture. He was expected to return from injury 12 months later.

## International career

Rufer made his international debut for the All Whites in a friendly match against Myanmar on 7 September 2015, coming on for Jeremy Brockie in the 72nd minute.

## Career statistics

    As of match played on 29 April 2023
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition :
| Club | Season | League | League | League | National cup | National cup | Other | Other | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| YoungHeart Manawatu | 2012–13 | Premiership | 5 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 5 | 0 |
| Wellington Phoenix | 2013–14 | A-League | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 0 |
| Wellington Phoenix | 2014–15 | A-League | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 3 | 0 |
| Wellington Phoenix | 2015–16 | A-League | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 5 | 0 |
| Wellington Phoenix | 2016–17 | A-League | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 3 | 0 |
| Wellington Phoenix | 2017–18 | A-League | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 12 | 0 |
| Wellington Phoenix | 2018–19 | A-League | 24 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 26 | 0 |
| Wellington Phoenix | 2019–20 | A-League | 19 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 21 | 0 |
| Wellington Phoenix | 2020–21 | A-League | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 21 | 0 |
| Wellington Phoenix | 2021–22 | A-League Men | 14 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | — | 17 | 0 |
| Wellington Phoenix | 2022–23 | A-League Men | 18 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 19 | 2 |
| Wellington Phoenix | 2023–24 | A-League Men | 24 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 28 | 3 |
| Wellington Phoenix | 2024–25 | A-League Men | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Wellington Phoenix | Total | Total | 129 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 139 | 2 |
| Wellington Phoenix Reserves | 2014–15 | Premiership | 13 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 13 | 1 |
| Wellington Phoenix Reserves | 2015–16 | Premiership | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 0 |
| Wellington Phoenix Reserves | 2016–17 | Premiership | 7 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 7 | 1 |
| Wellington Phoenix Reserves | 2017–18 | Premiership | 4 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 4 | 1 |
| Wellington Phoenix Reserves | 2019–20 | Premiership | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 0 |
| Wellington Phoenix Reserves | 2020–21 | Premiership | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 0 |
| Wellington Phoenix Reserves | 2021 | National League | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| Wellington Phoenix Reserves | 2022 | National League | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 0 |
| Wellington Phoenix Reserves | Total | Total | 29 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 3 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 163 | 5 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 173 | 5 |
* 1 2 3 4 Appearance in the A-League final series

## Honours
### New Zealand

* OFC Nations Cup: 2024

### Individual

* PFA A-League Team of the Season: 2023–24