A-Leagues legend and former Wellington Phoenix striker Kosta Barbarouses has heaped praise on Nix attacker Corban Piper, believing the versatile forward could cause opposition defences plenty of problems this season.
Piper opened his account for the season in Matchweek 1, heading the Nix into the lead against Melbourne Victory before teammate Riley Bidois sealed a 2-1 win at Hnry Stadium after coming off the bench to score with his first touch.
Piper mainly played on the right of the Wellington attack when he featured during the 2025/26 A-League Men season with Nigerian striker Ifeanyi Eze leading the line under both Giancarlo Italiano and latterly Chris Greenacre.
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The 24-year-old showcased his versatility throughout the campaign and still finished the season with four goals and four assists to his name from 15 starts.
With all that in mind former Nix fan favourite Barbarouses believes Piper’s versatility and his physical attributes will make him a nightmare to play against, particularly if he’s playing as a central striker this season.
“He knows his limitations without any disrespect to him at all,” Barbarouses said when speaking on the A-Leagues’ brand new podcast, On the Whistle.
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“That’s actually something brilliant. When you know you’re limited in some areas and you can use your strengths, he uses his strengths every single time.
“If you’re a centre back [and] he’s playing up front, he plays out wide, he plays [on the] fullback.
“But if he’s playing up front and if you’re not ready to battle, run in behind, jump for headers, you’re going to have a torrid time.
“I think he gave them [Melbourne Victory] a bit of a torrid time today.”
Sunday’s win at Hnry Stadium gave head coach Greenacre the perfect start to life as the new permanent head coach of the club after taking charge on an interim basis late in the 2025/26 season.
Following an eighth place finish last season many many expected the Phoenix to endure another difficult campaign, however Barbarouses believes his old side’s opening day performance was hugely encouraging for the rest of the season.
“I mentioned their two new foreign midfielders [American Bryce Duke and Scotsman Max Anderson], I thought they were very tidy,” Barbarouses said.
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“Missing their key player Alex Rufer through illness all week, you know that’s tough shoes to fill, and [Kazuki] Nagasawa in there too.
“I think they controlled that midfield today. They had the calmness, the guile and the control of that whole midfield which was the key.
“Something that I think Victory maybe has struggled with from the games that I’ve seen so far.”
Next up for the Nix is another home clash on Sunday, October 25 when they welcome Central Coast Mariners to Hnry Stadium.
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