Cottrell retires; work first

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32879, 30 March 1972, Page 24

Cottrell retires; work first

The economic climate is one of the chief reasons behind W. D. Cottrell’s surprise announcement yesterday that he is to retire from all Rugby.

> The 28-year-old All Black ’ five-eighths, who is in a bakery concern with his fathet ■ and brother, said he was putting work and family inter- ■ ests ahead of sport, “because i things are harder economically-” Cottrell’s father and

brother'have -made -sacrifices in the past to enable the nimble-footed five-eighths to make three overseas tours with New Zealand teams. Pausing for a moment while the feverish activity of the annual hot cross bun night went on in the background, Cottrell firmly renounced the glamour of bigtime Rugby.

“Work comes first, now,” he said. “I could not afford to take the time off to go to Britain with the All Blacks, if I was fortunate enough to be selected.

"I would have liked to continue playing club Rugby for Suburbs, but if I had worked up my fitness for local games I would have wanted to try once again for selection at all levels of Rugby. “I have decided to make, a clean break from the game, so that there will be no complications later with halfmeasures in ■ my commitments.” A player who was renowned for brilliant handling, tricky footwork and dependability under pressure, Cottrell made 37 appearances

in the All Black jersey and represented Canterbury 71 times in eight years. His farewell appearance will be for Canterbury against the Cantabrians on April 9. Cottrell was one of the few New Zealand backs who impressed the brilliant Lions’ fly-half, B. John, last winter. An intelligent footballer with nine test appearances to his credit, Cottrell would have been a key member of this season’s team ir the matches against Australia.