Raf De Gregorio

Raf De Gregorio

He is one of the most talented players in the country, and in Oceania. He was at the Ring of Fire on the day of the opening match doing interviews in the Yellow Fever Zone, which is where I sit (or rather stand!).

there are rumours of a falling out between ricky and raf but i must admit they are only hearsay

Because he's only played about 6 games in the last 18 months due to injuries.

If he manages a full NZFC season and shines he might have a chance.

oh that would be so unprofessional, I mean I understand these things happen in a team, but he is real good and Ricky knows it..I mean, have you seen the All Whites?? Love em, but without Raf in the midfield they're nothing special.

Please remember that we are dealing with a PROFESSIONAL outfit now, and not amateur. The Phoenix pay its players[not a bonus of dimes for winning a 'local' game], because they are in a professional league, and as much as Raf is a good player for Team Wellington, it would take some convincing that he is good enough for Ricky's squad.

Please be patient, Ricky and his staff know what they are doing, & I for one applaud your passion, and would love to see all positions being taken up by local kids - this will happen, but it is going to take a lot of time and PATIENCE. After all, the AB's are reverred throughout the Rugby Union world, & I see no reason, why this cannot be so, with both our All Whites, and [hopefully], FOUR NZ teams in the A-league.

mates I agree with you, that this is serious and all, but Raf is a phenomenal player (he's got 30+ caps to the All Whites...that should be enough in my opinion), but let's just hope he has a great season for Team Wellington..and that he gets picked for next year's Phoenix starting line up..

Always remember that goal vs Colombia in 03.

Heck of a good guy too

He was average for the Kingz in the NSL. The A-League is higher quality than the NSL... Nuff said.

Raf is a great player,and should have been called into the phoenix this year a waste rlly if i ask me.what do u want more from the guy played in europe 30+ caps 4 the all whites.and a wonder goal against columbia.

Good player Great guy. I dont think he has it in him anymore to be honest. He left as a very young boy to try ply his trade overseas and has enjoyed a good professional career. But does a guy launching a pizza company, and not making any attempt to further his soccer career really seem motivated enough for professional football? He is around 30 or 31 from memory and played about 2 games for TW. I think he was up to the standard but now i just dont think so.

Raf has been injured for a good while. He'll be back, I guarantee it. He makes a great coffee to!!! Get down and see him outside the fever lounge for a coffee and a pizza!!

I refereed a game earlier this year at Newtown Park and he wasn't playing for Wellington. He did have his Pizza van set up on the side and all I could smell for 90mins was pizza. Smelt bloody good but was a pain in the ass having to run around smelling that good food!

Raf was out for almost the entire 2006/07 season for Team Wellington. He only played two games, spending most of his time injured in a moon boot. It was good to see him play for TW the previous season, but he didn't set the league alight like you would expect from someone receiving the level of praise in this thread.

Hopefully he can have a strong 2007/08 season for TW and then he'll be back in contention.

He is injury-prone and past his use-by-date... Why would the Phoenix want to sign him?

What mistake was that? And as for patience I've bee waiting 25 years for something like the Phoenix to happen, I think you'll find that patience is a common trait in NZ football supporters.

We need to make sure the last place goes to a player of quality who is fit, and healthy. And not too old, this is a faster paced league than when the Kingz were around and the ones making an impression in it are the younger ones. Gregorio or Elrich?..... the latter prob, if his knee is right

He man just relax 4 one second do u even know the guy at all?hes only 30 and hes younger than Aloisi and hes better then johnsten and plus a Raf and Aloisi mix in the middle would be gd 4 the nix.

I'm sorry, I'm a fan of Raf's work but to claim he is better than Johnson is a huge stretch. 

Raf's career amounted to Serie C and Finland while Johnson played 10 years in the Premier League and the top end of the Championship.  You can't even compare them.

He's barely played in 2 years and prior to that no one ever saw how he played in Finland.  Loyalty is a great thing, you might want to take of your Olympic coloured glasses.  A couple of good games in the Central League is somewhat different to the A-League.

I hope Raf has a big season for Team Welly and makes people look, but you couldn't in anyway sign him now.
Baiter2007-09-16 22:29:58

For me i think Raf has what it takes to compete for a spot in the Phoenix.

Because he's got a nearly full squad, 16,000 midfielders and Raf hasn't played a professional game of football in two years. Honestly lads, let's be realistic about this.

Ricki knows Raf and if he thought in his current state he was worth a look he'd have one.

And u know everything? What are u Rick's right hand man or bitc#!?! Did u say Olympic? Because i love it when u guys talk about Olympic...GO BLUE!!!

its not that he knows or doesn't know ricki, its common-sense , obviously Ricki would know what players are good enough for the Phoenix and what aren't, and if Raf was, then he would've trained with them

Agree. After such a long layoff, Raf's got to show he can last a season yet. Best to do that at TW than the Nix.

I dont think the signing of Raf De Gregorio would bolster the side. I think if they signed him at the start of the year instead of another midfielder that would have been OK. But we have way too much depth there as it is. These players can play midfield: Ferrante, Aloisi, Daniel, Felipe, Christie, Lia, Johnsen, Brown and George. Add Raf to that maybe he would challenge for a bench spot at best. Whereas a marquee or more proven signing would bolster our attacking stocks a bit more (because at the moment we rely way too much on Felipe). I'm not saying Raf isnt a good player because he is,and to say he's past it is unfair but he has played little significant football in the past 2 years and would struggle to make the side.

some good points here..I say see if he does the TW thing and rocks newtown Park..then maybe next year he may get the call.....whats his pizza company called?

La Famiglia.  Right outside the Fever Lounge's front door.

As an aside, Raf will be providing expert comments in the radio commentary for this Saturday's game.

O thats interesting, will be interesting to see how he does.

Why do people keep starting Raf threads and not andy barron ones?  He was the dominant midfielder for TW, was excellent for Canterbury United the year before, and is a current all white.  I think if any NZ midfielder is on the cusp it is him

Because Barron didn't play 3 games for the Bubbles over winter. 

Anyone who plays for the Bubbles is automatically English Premier League Quality.