Few things shout summer more loudly than kicking back and watching the A-League - and from today, that means being able to watch New Zealanders in the A-League.

The most obvious club stacked with Kiwi talent is, of course, Wellington Phoenix. As ever, they’ve a strong Kiwi core, featuring vice captain Alex Rufer, Stefan Marinovic, Tim Payne, Clayton Lewis, Matt Ridenton, James McGarry, Te Atawhai Hudson-Wihongi, Louis Fenton and Ben Waine. The Nix, after enjoying their best ever A-League season last term, will be looking to better their efforts this campaign.

And while the Woollongong-based Wellington Phoenix don’t kick off their season until Saturday 2 January, there’s several other opportunities to catch All Whites in action.

Four-cap forward Jai Ingham’s Brisbane Roar (part of today’s A-League/W-League double header with Melbourne City) kick off their season today. And his brother, Dane, will ply his trade for Perth Glory once again this season - which doesn’t get underway until 16 January (but remember that goal last season? Yeah, us too).

Meanwhile in Victoria, Marco Rojas will kit up again for Melbourne Victory after making his return to the league at the start of 2020 (and fresh off the back of this nice wee finish in the AFC Champions League).

Rojas is joined at Victory by goalkeeper Max Crocombe and defender Storm Roux, making the Victory the highest non-Phoenix Kiwi contingent in the A-League this season. Melbourne Victory’s season begins on Saturday 2 January.

And again, on Saturday, the Phoenix get their campaign underway against Sydney FC - who star none other than All White Kosta Barbarouses, part of Sydney FC’s premiership/championship double winning side last season. 

Draw and how to watch

Keep up to date with fixtures at https://www.a-league.com.au/  

And, as ever, catch the games on Sky Sport.

Article added: Tuesday 29 December 2020