Soccer: Rufer goal recalled as All Whites return

The last time the All Whites played in Rotorua was 1982. Pictured is Billy McClure during the match at the Rotorua International Stadium.

The All Whites are returning to Rotorua after playing here in 1982, in a game defined by a Wynton Rufer touch of brilliance.

According to research by the Rotorua Daily Post, the All Whites have not played in the city since the historic match 31 years ago.

However, the national side returns with an All Whites side playing the Wellington Phoenix at Rotorua International Stadium on September 22.

The All Whites qualified for their first Fifa World Cup in 1982 and took a number of warm-up games to regions across the country as preparation.

Rotorua was treated to a match between the All Whites and a League of Ireland side in May of that year, with New Zealand winning the match 1-0.

The winning goal was scored by Rufer, New Zealand's greatest footballer, who beat two defenders to a long ball before lobbing the keeper.

Former All Whites coach John Adshead, who was in charge of the All Whites in 1982, said it was great to be returning to Rotorua after all these years.

"I remember the crowd ... and that Rotorua went through so much trouble to make it a great event. I think it was the first time the All Whites ever played there."

Adshead said before they left for the 1982 World Cup in Spain, the national team played a cluster of warm-up games against two teams from England and Ireland.

"We played seven matches against the League of Ireland and Watford, who had just been promoted into the top division [in England]."

He said the League of Ireland side was a representative team made up of players from the top Irish league.

Adshead said Rufer was a teenager starting his career when he played in Rotorua.

"He was just a kid, I brought him into the squad during the qualifiers because we knew we needed to score goals."

The match between the Wellington Phoenix and All Whites next month will act as a warm-up before New Zealand's last stage of qualifiers for the 2014 World Cup.

It will also double as a pre-season match for the Phoenix who begin their new season on October 13 against Brisbane.

Rotorua's Adam McGeorge, who attended Rotorua Boys' High School, has been included in the All Whites team to play against the Phoenix.