Events and Venues help secure replacement football match
15 August 2013
Local football fans will get to see New Zealand's top professional footballers in action when a Wellington Phoenix selection takes on New Zealand-based All Whites players in Rotorua on 22 September.
The Phoenix were scheduled to play a pre-season friendly against Central Coast Mariners that day but the Australians pulled out, opting to play in Indonesia instead.
Undaunted, Rotorua District Council's Events & Venues team, the Phoenix, and New Zealand Football joined together to put on a unique fixture at Rotorua International Stadium.
The teams will be managed by two experienced A-League coaches in the Phoenix's Ernie Merrick (151 games) and New Zealand's Ricki Herbert (154 games).
Phoenix General Manager David Dome said he was bitterly disappointed when the Mariners pulled out, however he is delighted to have helped pull together such an attractive replacement.
New Zealand's only professional club taking on the national team - it doesn't get much better than that, Mr Dome said.
Phoenix internationals Glen Moss, Andrew Durante, Ben Sigmund, Leo Bertos and Jeremy Brockie will play for New Zealand A, while Michael Boxall and under-20 internationals Luke Adams, Louis Fenton and Tyler Boyd will stay with the club side.
Tickets to the event are on sale now through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.co.nz. and start at $15 for and adult and $7.50 for a child.