Davis quits all rugby

Press, 15 March 1978, Page 32

Davis quits all rugby

By

JOHN BROOKS

One of the most distinguished careers in Canterbury rugby has ended with the retirement of the province’s outstanding half-back, Lyn Davis.

After a representative career stretching back to 1964 and embracing 166 matches for Canterbury, one overseas tour and three home tests for the All Blacks, Davis has stepped down at the age of 34.

He said yesterday that his decision involved rugby at all levels, and he was looking forward to joining the fireside critics.

“I have never felt too keen about coaching; of having the responsibility of a team for training,” he said. “If you get fit for coaching, you might as well continue playing. But I will probably end up refereeing.” Davis said he had “got the message” at the end of last season when he was omitted from the Canterbury side for two of its last three national championship matches and subsequently failed to win a place in the All Black side for France. Renowned for the accuracy and smoothness of his ball distribution, Davis won many honours, notably the captaincy of the New Zealand Juniors against the 1965 Springboks and the 1966 Lions. He also appeared six times for the South Island, and captained it twice.

But because he was a contemporary of Chris Laidlaw and Sid Going, Davis had a long wait for All Black selection. He eventually made the grade in 1976, for the sole test against Ireland at Athletic Park.

Later that year he toured South Africa, but his great rival, Going, was preferred for the tests. However, last winter Davis supplanted Going as New Zealand’s half-back half-way through the series against the Lions. A regular choice for his province for 14 years, Davis is third on the all-time appearance list, behind Fergie McCormick and Alex Wyllie. He played 206 first class matches.

“Sealey” Davis was highly acclaimed for his role in Canterbury’s Ranfurly Shield win against Hawke’s Bay in Napier in 1969, but he said yesterday he was not overimpressed by his performance that day. In fact, he adopted his traditional lowkey stance and said he could not recall a match in which he was totally satisfied with his own play. “Any half-back can play well behind a winning pack,” he said, with typical modesty. “I just did my part.” He nominated the 1970 team, which held the Ranfurly Shield in spite of the

absence, of six players with the All Blacks in South Africa, as his favourite Canterbury side. “We were just a bunch of unknowns, but we had a [great team spirit, we had a [great coach, and we held on to that shield,” he said. • All Canterbury teams m

the 1970 s had been well balanced, and the side which would defend the national first division championship this season would have a lot of depth in all positions, he said. Davis will still be seen at rugby, but in a different role. “I’m going to be a barracker,” he grinned, “rm going to get my own back, don’t worry.”