It's not gone unnoticed by team-mates.
"He doesn't get injured or sick and I can't remember him pulling a muscle," said centre-back partner Ben Sigmund. "He's tough and a bit of a lucky bastard, too."
Unlikely as it sounds, Phoenix fans owe a debt of gratitude to former Melbourne Victory hard man Kevin Muscat for Durante's impressive record. Durante was frustrated to miss five matches (through injury and suspension) during his first season in Wellington.
"I was really disappointed," said Durante. "I remember seeing a report on Kevin Muscat, who at the age of 34 had played every minute of every game that season for the [Melbourne] Victory. That was a great example for a captain and that was my target."
He's been virtually indestructible since then, becoming the first player to reach 150 games for the Phoenix (in March 2014) and notching up two spells of 50 consecutive appearances. Such a run makes up for tough experiences early in his career, when he broke his leg twice within 18 months.
"Mentally I went through a lot," Durante said. "The football gods might be smiling on me a bit more now."
He rebuilt his career and was well established at the Newcastle Jets before being lured across the Tasman in 2008. The Jets won the A-League after Durante had signed his deal but he never considered changing his mind.
"There was something about the contract offer," said Durante. "It felt exciting, the club needed some help at the back and I thought I could make a difference."
"At the time, I didn't know how long he would stick around," Sigmund said. "There had been guys at the Kingz and Knights who had just waltzed through, so I wondered if he was there for the long term. He certainly was."
In an inspired move, former coach Ricki Herbert handed the captain's armband to the Australian (Jon McKain and Tim Brown were the other contenders). The rest is history.
Durante has formed a telepathic partnership with Sigmund and epitomises a leader on and off the field. He has had a major influence on the club culture and famed dressing room spirit. Durante was there through the drama of the latter Terry Serepisos years, when the former owner was bankrupt, the pressure of some long losing runs and the presence of some difficult squad members.
"He's had to deal with a lot," Sigmund said. "But he has a good group around him and sets a high standard. If anyone thinks they are bigger than the team, they are dealt with or moved on."
Durante, who has a busy schedule with three children under the age of four, is thriving on the Phoenix's historic feats this season, when they have already set all kinds of records. But today is the most momentous occasion yet, and a win against Sydney would seal a top-two place heading into the playoffs.
"It's a massive game. There is no hiding from that," said Durante. "For me, it's the second-biggest game in the club's history after our preliminary final appearance [in 2010]."
