The last fortnight has been a particularly arduous one for Phoenix's international members, with five key players - plus Herbert - involved in New Zealand's World Cup qualifier in Bahrain a week ago.

Those All Whites - Tim Brown, Mark Paston, Ben Sigmund, Tony Lochhead and Leo Bertos - had less than a week to bounce back from a tough 0-0 draw in sweltering heat before facing another away assignment against North Queensland Fury.

Starting brightly with an early Brown goal, the travel schedule took its toll as the match progressed and what looked like being a precious three points turned into one as Fury star Robbie Fowler nodded in late for a 1-1 draw.

It was Wellington's sixth draw in a row - an A-League record - and left them sitting in eighth on the table, struggling to keep pace with the teams near the top.

"We ran out of steam and let ourselves get put under pressure, it's as simple as that," Herbert said.

"It was tough for the guys who have been on international duty with all the travel they've had to do recently, but it's fair to say we didn't do more damage and put the Fury away when we should have."

Brown, who headed in a cross from striker Paul Ifill - a standout again upfront - was also left ruing two competition points that got away.

"I don't think we really played well enough in the second half and North Queensland were deserving of their equaliser, so it's disappointing," he said.

"We've done a ton of travelling and my legs were starting to go in the second half, but that's no excuse - that's part of the job and North Queensland played well."

Phoenix are now looking forward to home comforts as they prepare for Sunday's clash with league-leading Gold Coast United at Westpac Stadium.

"This week will be a good chance for us to get some of the guys freshened up," Herbert said.

"We need to get everyone back to the levels they need to be at and we've got some time this week to make a few decisions around some of them."

One will be based around midfielder Daniel, who left the field against Fury with a knee injury.

Herbert was positive on the Brazilian's fitness, saying things looked 'more favourable than not' in terms of his participation against Gold Coast.

Phoenix could do with all hands on deck ahead of the Gold Coast match, where nothing less than a win will be acceptable if they are to start a rise up the rankings.

"Nobody wants it more than the team," Herbert said. "They're working their arses off and there's the belief that things will turn for us.

"These aren't the sort of guys to give up, because we all know we're playing well and dictating games - it's just the way things seem to be panning out.

"But yes, the results say we need to start getting three points - end of story."

The Gold Coast game is followed by an away trip to Sydney and consecutive home matches against Newcastle and Perth.