OPINION: Anthony Hudson faces the first big test of his tenure as All Whites coach: who to select as his stand-in captain.
Nathan Burns got the winner after Wellington were able to successfully implement their new technical style on the contest.
It was a little under two years ago when Wellington Phoenix owner Gareth Morgan made a bold public statement of intent – he wanted his side to start playing attractive, attacking football.
Wellington Phoenix's Australian winger Nathan Burns has urged young Australian players to get out of their comfort zone and try their luck in Europe if the opportunity arises.
Whatever the politics, it's fair to say Hawke's Bay United are here to play this summer.
New Zealand captain Winston Reid is confident he will be fit and healthy to return to lead the All Whites in their next international series in March.
Matt Calcott managed a chuckle.
The Wellington Phoenix recorded their first ever ASB Premiership victory on Sunday with a 3-0 win over Wanderers SC at Newtown Park in Wellington.
A 90th minute equaliser from captain Ross Haviland has earned Hawke’s Bay United a home 2-2 draw with Team Wellington in the second round of the ASB Premiership on Sunday.
In New Zealand football there are no richer bloodlines than that of the Rufer clan.
Injury has ruled out All Whites captain Winston Reid of the upcoming internationals against China and Thailand.
Ryan Thomas loves playing football in the Netherlands and the affection is mutual.
It might be hard to imagine but the spectre of match fixing in football could rear its ugly head on these shores next year.
Jeremy Brockie could be set to leave the Wellington Phoenix, possibly in the next few weeks.
The quality of the Wellington Phoenix's squad, and their football, is set for two stern tests.
The All Whites leave tomorrow for matches against China and Thailand - and national coach Anthony Hudson will use the 10-day Asian tour to lay a new set of house rules.
IN MANY respects, it'll feel like returning home from a lengthy overseas holiday only to find someone has replaced and rearranged the chattels in the house.
Wellington Phoenix players Louis Fenton and Tom Doyle will miss next week's All Whites Tour to China and Thailand through injury.
Auckland City FC took out the first Super City derby of the 2014-15 ASB Premiership season on Saturday courtesy of a dramatic David Browne stoppage time winner at Fred Taylor Park.
Southern United FC opened their 2014-15 ASB Premiership account on Saturday with a 1-0 away win over Canterbury United in the Southern Derby at ASB Football Park in Christchurch.
It was once seen as sacrilege by those associated with Auckland City and Waitakere United to play for the enemy, but these days players tend to cross town more frequently than a busy Auckland courier.
There was no containing anyone's enthusiasm after that.
Look who turned up at Wellington Phoenix training yesterday.
Former Auckland and national under-20 footballer Kayne Vincent has been added to the All Whites squad for their upcoming two-match tour to China and Thailand.
Long-time All White Ivan Vicelich has become the second recipient of Friends of Football’s Medal of Excellence.
If Auckland City are seeking inspiration in Morocco during their Fifa Club World Cup campaign next month, they won't need to look too far.
NO ONE said it's going to be easy, least of all Matthew Gould, but the Hawke's Bay goalkeeper is doing everything he can to realise his football dream.
The contrast could not have been greater - hours after the Western Sydney Wanderers touched down in Sydney to a heroes welcome which marked an unlikely Asian Champions League triumph, their next A-League opponents made an anonymous return to Wellington.
Welcome to the New Zealand national league jumble sale, where reserves are first teamers, amateurs clash with professionals, the regulations are a bit of a lucky dip, and U-20s get in free.
Melbourne Victory defied the loss of key personnel to dent the Wellington Phoenix's impressive start to the A-League season with a deserved 2-0 win at AAMI Park tonight.
Playing against the Victory in Melbourne is a losing formula for the Wellington Phoenix.
HE has lost count of how many times he was approached by Melbourne Victory but tonight Nathan Burns looms as a nemesis.
The Wellington Phoenix could complete a dream start to their A-League season during the next five days.
Maybe it was to do with tonight's opponent - you don't hear Wellington Phoenix coach Ernie Merrick humming Home on the Range to himself at training but, even so, when it comes to talking about the team, "seldom is heard a discouraging word".
The PFA goes 1v1 with Wellington Phoenix forward Nathan Burns to discuss his time in Europe and Asia, the ups and downs of life as a professional footballer and why he is relishing his return to the A-League.