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.