Andrew Durante did not think it required an official statement.

But here it is. The Wellington Phoenix captain has played his final game for the All Whites.

The 35-year-old centre-back has confirmed his retirement from international football.

He broke the news to his team-mates after the All Whites' 2-0 defeat to Peru and he broke the news to media one day before Wellington's Hyundai A-League match against Central Coast Mariners, during a small press conference at Westpac Stadium on Friday.

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"I have [retired from international football], I just didn't need it to be an official announcement or anything. After the game I said to the players that it was my last international so I won't be continuing on," Durante said.

"It's a whole new cycle coming in now and I will be 40 playing at the next World Cup so I decided it was my time to go."

After switching his allegiance from Australia to New Zealand, Durante, who once sat on the bench for the Socceroos, made his All Whites debut against Solomon Islands in 2013 and went on to make 24 appearances for his adopted country.

Looking back on a solid international career, Durante said the biggest games on the biggest occasions, most notably the intercontinental playoffs against Mexico and Peru, and the Confederations Cup, were his fondest memories.

"I've just loved it," he said. "I've been honoured and proud that everyone has accepted me into the All Whites the way that they have. I feel like I have fit in seamlessly since day one.

"It was an awesome time. I got to visit so many different countries and cultures and I'm just proud to have represented the silver fern."

Durante's final act for New Zealand came in the defeat to Peru, a result that ended his hopes of ever playing at a World Cup. He said that was the toughest part of retiring, knowing that he would never play on the biggest stage of them all.

"It's always going to be an empty feeling inside my career but I thought we did really well over there. We gave it a good crack against a very good team but it wasn't to be."

With a "wider range" of talented players coming through, Durante said he believed the future was bright for the All Whites and he urged New Zealand Football to find someone who could "equal the passion and drive" of outgoing coach Anthony Hudson.

"I can't speak for the general public but I know within the group he was an awesome coach and a really detailed coach. Every camp was very intense and very detailed and structured. You just knew going into every game that you would be prepared. You knew exactly what the other team's strengths and weaknesses were, the training sessions were always challenging and he always pushed us," he said.

"In terms of the playing group, I think he will be very fondly remembered."

After missing Wellington's 5-2 romp over Perth Glory due to their All Whites commitments, Durante and Michael McGlinchey will return to the fold for their clash with Central Coast on Saturday.

Phoenix coach Darije Kalezic said he was delighted to have the experienced pair back but stressed that they were not guaranteed to start due to their heavy travel schedule.

"We have to be honest in facing the truth and say that it was really heavy for them to get two very heavy games against Peru and to travel there and travel back. They have trained only the last two days with us but everyone is fit and for the first time we can make choices as to who is going to play," Kalezic said.

A win would mean a lot to either team, with the Phoenix and Mariners sitting at the foot of the table.

AT A GLANCE

What: Wellington Phoenix vs Central Coast Mariners

Where and when: Westpac Stadium, Wellington; Saturday 7:35pm

TAB odds: Phoenix $2.00, Draw $3.65, Mariners $3.30

Wellington Phoenix: Lewis Italiano, Daniel Mullen, Scott Galloway, Goran Paracki, Gui Finkler, Dario Vidosic, Andrija Kaludjerovic, Michael McGlinchey, Hamish Watson, Adam Parkhouse, Marco Rossi, Alex Rufer, Ali Abbas, Tom Doyle, Roy Krishna, Andrew Durante (c), Matthew Ridenton, Keegan Smith (two to be omitted).