"Coming from New Zealand, whatever sport it is, New Zealanders have to prove themselves," Sigmund tells au.fourfourtwo.com.

"We're all playing in the Australian leagues in basketball and NRL."

This makes Phoenix's quest for a first-ever A-League finals even more important as club and country seeks a football credibility boost following years of bottom of table mediocrity from New Zealand clubs.

Sigmund says belief and togetherness is at an all-time high at Westpac Stadium as the side heads to Sydney this Sunday for a clash against John Kosmina's struggling Sydney FC.

"I'll be honest, I think we can make the top four," he said.

"I think you've gotta believe or you shouldn't be f*ckin' playin, excuse my language. We should play to win."

Sigmund says Melbourne are the benchmark right now as the jostling for spots two, three and four really heats up with just three rounds left.

Wellington face Adelaide at home and Melbourne away following Sunday's clash at the SFS.

A tough run in and one which will test Ricki Herbert's skill as a coach and the squad's believe to the max, particularly with Queensland Roar also making a strong charge for the four.

But life couldn't be sweeter for the Phoenix defender known as "Siggy" - a former salesman and eight year veteran of the NZ national league (NZFC) who also had a brief stint with Fawkner in the VPL.

"For me, I'm just proud to be playing for a Kiwi team," he said. "And I know the other Kiwi guys in the squad but all the other guys we're all in it together.

"To be fair we've a team playing on a regular basis and we're building relationships off the field – and on the field we're helping each other out turning bad balls into good balls."

The 27-year-old says at his age, he's enjoying playing more than perhaps some younger players. He's taking nothing for granted.

"For me, it was a case of getting to the age of 20-25 and people saying that could be you out there doing that," he said.

"I didn't want to sit here, I wanted to be that guy who can show them that I could do it... and I've got to keep proving I can do it."

Going from part-time football and a working week has taken some getting used, too: "To be honest, I'm only now getting used to it.

"You go from Monday to Friday and weekends off, here as a footballer, you work on the weekends and during the week you're off so you miss all your friends and family.

"But I love it and I'm so glad I've done it."

The arrival of Wellington Phoenix was the opportunity players like Sigmund needed.

With a low-profile national league (the NZFC), it highlights the absolute importance of having an A-League side for New Zealand players to aspire too.

He added: "I've played in the national league here for eight and nine years and it's such a massive step up but it's an opportunity, and that opportunity was given to me by Ricki Herbert.

"He's honest with you if things aren't going well. And pretty calm most of the time and approachable.

"It's huge if your coach is approachable where you can talk to him ... even about personal things.

"I'm really grateful for that and I think both of us can now say were pleased with how it's gone – it's a win-win. We've just got to keep kickin' on, eh?"

Sigmund has recently signed a contract extension that ties him to the Wellington franchise till 2011. He'll be approaching his 30th birthday by then.

But even now, he's thinking of a dream move to the Australian mainland, particularly as there could be as many as 12 teams in the A-League by then.

"I'd love to play in Australia – I'm going to leave everything open," he admitted.

"But you know, the most important thing is just to stay level headed, remember where I came from and make sure every week I'm playing well.

"If I can do that, I'll be a happy man."