Rees aiming to be the rock

Experienced defender Kristian Rees is aiming to bring some stability to Wellington Phoenix’s last line.

The former Adelaide United centre back joins the Phoenix for the remainder of the Hyundai A-League 2007/08 season, having impressed with the Whittlesea Zebras in the Victorian Premier League.

The 27-year-old will make his first appearance for the Phoenix in their match against Sydney FC at Westpac Stadium in Wellington on Saturday night and has one goal in mind – to help his new team not concede any.

“I’ve been keeping up with how the Phoenix have been going – I’m close friends with [captain] Ross Aloisi from my days at Adelaide United. It’s clear the Phoenix have got an excellent squad but I know I’ve been brought in to do a specific job.

“I want to help the team address the issues in defence. I think I can bring in some stability and organisation in helping some of the younger boys around me.”

Rees had 35 appearances for Adelaide United in the Hyundai A-League and scored two goals. He was a surprising omission when Aurelio Vidmar took the coaching reins at the South Australian club this season. Rees opted to join the Whittlesea Zebras, where he helped take the team to the VPL grand final.

“The VPL is an excellent competition and it seems a league that a lot of A-League coaches are going to for players,” Rees said. “It was good for me to get out of Adelaide and experience a different league and a different city.”

Rees’ stint with the Phoenix will give him a shot at regaining a fulltime Hyundai A-League contract.

“I’m excited to be given another opportunity to play again in the A-League. All I want to do is come in, play my hardest and give it everything I’ve got. It’ll be very much a case of taking it one game at a time and seeing what happens after that.”

Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert was pleased to have secured the experienced defender’s services. 

“Kristian’s a very good signing for us. He’s big, strong and experienced and should help us shore up our defence. He adds another dimension at the back and should provide some of the stability, shape and decision-making that we’ve been lacking at times.”

The Phoenix, missing six players on international duty with the All Whites, have also called in Victorian Premier League goalkeeper Stuart Webster as cover for No 1 stopper Glen Moss in Saturday’s match against Sydney FC.

Richmond keeper Webster has signed a one-match deal with the Phoenix and will start on the bench at Westpac Stadium. Webster comes into the squad in the absence of Mark Paston and Jacob Spoonley who, along with fellow Phoenix players Shane Smeltz, Tim Brown, Tony Lochhead and Jeremy Christie, are away with the All Whites for their World Cup qualifying match against Vanuatu in Port Vila on Saturday.