Wellington Phoenix

Ben Waine has started the new A-League season with a bang after the Phoenix rejected an offer from England for the 21-year-old striker.

If quality local sport journalism is important to you, become a Stuff supporter today. A beautiful mind crunching all the player stats. You need journalists close enough to smell the liniment. “This is indicative of players coming out of the A-League into other European competitions. “We’ve decided we’re not going to do that any more. [Waine has now scored in back-to-back games in the A-League Men](https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/a-league/130118509/pumped-up-kicks-phoenix-scorer-ben-waine-apologises-for-destroying-corner-flag) and his value looks set to skyrocket in his fourth full year as a professional. [since making his debut as a scrawny 17-year-old](https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/a-league/111735622/young-wellington-phoenix-prospect-ben-waine-stunned-to-make-aleague-debut), but he understood his role as a number nine better. [knocked back interest from Championship club Coventry City](https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/a-league/125192111/teen-star-ben-waine-turns-down-england-move-to-stay-with-wellington-phoenix) to sign a new three-year deal with the Phoenix through to the end of the 2023-24 season. [has scored five goals in as many games across all competitions](https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/a-league/130118509/pumped-up-kicks-phoenix-scorer-ben-waine-apologises-for-destroying-corner-flag) and looks primed for a breakout season in the A-League Men. [All you need to know about the 2023 Fifa Women's World Cup](https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/world-cup/130177989/all-you-need-to-know-about-the-2023-fifa-womens-world-cup?rm=a) [Phoenix defender Scott Wootton.](https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/a-league/127434238/wellington-phoenix-sign-former-manchester-united-defender-scott-wootton) [a significant six-figure deal for the young star.](https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/a-league/129741129/english-club-makes-play-for-wellington-phoenix-rising-star-ben-waine)