Soccer: Rufer dons crown as coach of the Kings

NZ's best known player to lead Aussie challenge, writes Terry Maddaford

Wynton Rufer is set to coach the Football Kings in soccer's 1999-2000 Ericsson Cup.

It is understood Rufer, New Zealand's greatest soccer international and Oceania player of the century, has been offered a contract to coach the North Harbour-based side in their debut season in the Australian League for a $90,000 package - plus bonuses for reaching the play-offs.

Rufer's older brother Shane seems certain to take the assistant's job.

Next Tuesday's launch, at which a number of issues - including the team sponsors and backers, headquarters, home ground, coaching staff, uniform and logo - will be revealed, was confirmed by Kings spokesman Chris Turner last night.

New Zealand Soccer chairman Kevin Stratful had earlier suggested the launch might have again been delayed.

"Over the weekend we will be having another look at the numbers [finances] and if these stack up - and I have no reason to suspect they won't - the launch will definitely go ahead," said Stratful.

A change of rules could give the Kings a stronger hand.

In the past, clubs have been restricted in the number of "imports" but now Oceania-based players will be free to play in the league without restriction.

And it seems likely some All Whites, including Chris Zoricich and Gavin Wilkinson, currently with Brisbane Strikers and Perth Glory, will return to play for the Kings, as could Solomon Island international and former New Zealand Footballer of the Year Batrim Suri.

The way would also be clear for Australian players to cross the Tasman without affecting any imports from outside the Oceania region.

Stratful might miss Tuesday's launch, however, as he and New Zealand Soccer chief executive Bob Patterson are set to travel the country to seek support for the sweeping changes made at last week's council meeting.

"The majority of associations are in favour of the changes," said Patterson. "I'm confident we can get their full support."

There have been concerns the new "slimmed-down" administration with only seven or eight, rather than 22 associations, will lead to a "watered down" competition and, with it, a weak New Zealand representative in the new Oceania club competition.

"We are aware of those concerns," said Patterson. "We are looking to work through them and find the best format to ensure we have a worthy representative in the Oceania play-offs and, hopefully, Fifa's World Club Championship.

Meanwhile, the 10-person Auckland Junior Football Association control board has been dumped in a vote of no confidence by Auckland clubs. Nineteen of 21 clubs at a meeting this week supported the move to sack the board and appoint Harry Dods as commissioner to sort out the mess.