G. J. Waterreus Retires

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31770, 29 August 1968, Page 14

G. J. Waterreus Retires

The former Canterbury and New Zealand Maoris full-back, G. J. Waterreus, has announced his retirement from all Rugby. An accomplished goal-kick-er and a nimble-footed attacker—a legacy from his days as a five-eighths—Waterreus has been a notable figure in Christchurch Rugby for the last nine seasons.

But for the presence of W. F. McCormick and D. C. Leary, Waterreus would have played for Canterbury on many occasions. As it was, he achieved 56 first-class games, in which he scored 254 points. His finest achievement was his scoring of 20 points for Canterbury against Wanganui in 1965.

Waterreus represented New Zealand Maoris on the tour of Fiji in 1964, and the next year he played for the Maoris in the memorable match against the ' Springboks at Wellington. As a first five-eighths for the Methven club, Waterreus

represented Mid-Canterbury in 1957 and 1958, and he has been’ a Canterbury player since 1960. His last match for Canterbury was against West Coast at Greymouth four months ago. As full-back for the Christchurch club’s senior team, Waterreus scored more than

800 points in nine seasons of senior football. Christchurch shared the senior championship on three occasions during his period with the club, and Waterreus, with his accurate goal-kicking and sharp attacking runs, made a notable contribution to these successes.

Waterreus has no plans yet to become a Rugby coach. “I just feel like taking a spell first,” he said last evening.