Rugby In N.Z.? “Never Again”

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31521, 8 November 1967, Page 23

Rugby In N.Z.? “Never Again”

(From T. P. McLEAN) SWANSEA. New Zealand is a pleasant memory for the 1966 British Lions full-back, D. A. Rutherford, of England. It is otherwise so far as New Zealand Rugby is concerned. After Rutherford, playing against Manawatu at Palmerston North last year, suffered a broken arm from an accidental kick, he was quoted from London soon after his return as being extremely critical of New Zealand Rugby. He has not changed his opinion. Organised Skullduggery

In an interview after the match between England and the All Blacks last Saturday, Rutherford said: “I would go back to New Zealand tomorrow—hut not to play Rugby. “We had six good games on our tour last year the matches with Otago, New Zealand Universities and the four tests. “The others were diabolical. In my opinion, they represented an excursion into organised skullduggery. “I repeat I would love to return to New Zealand but I wouldn’t like to play any more Rugby there.” Coaching Committee

Rutherford is now a member of the advisory committee set up by the English Rugby Union to offer opinions about coaching and from his New Zealand experience he has become convinced of the need of changing the hit-and-miss attitudes characteristic of British Rugby in the past. Especial’y does he believe in the need of coaches to es-

tablish patterns on the field and effective training off it. This would seem to argue, ■at the very least, a grudging admiration for much of New Zealand Rugby. But Rutherford is adamant. “It’s not my sort of game—the stuff that went on in New Zealand last year.” he said.