League’s ‘bionic man’ hasn’t given up yet

Press, 10 July 1979, Page 36

League’s ‘bionic man’ hasn’t given up yet

By

JOHN COFFEY

Randal Turton, the rugby league code’s equivalent of the Six Million Dollar man, intends to resume playing as soon as he recovers from his latest mishap. There was widespread speculation at the Show Grounds on Sunday that Turton’s 25-year premier gi;ade career would be ended as he walked, in obvious pain, from the field after dislocating his left shoulder. But Turton, 43 years of age and obviously one of the most “senior” senior footballers in New Zealand, had no thoughts of retirement yesterday. Instead, he spoke enthusiastically of the modernised

methods now used for the strapping of such injuries — a far cry from the restrictive trusses in vogue when Turton made his first-class debut back in the mid-19505. “It looks as if I will be off work for two weeks, so I should be back in action by the end of the month if Kaiapoi requires me,” Turton said.

Turton began the season as Kaiapoi’s coach, apparently in a non-playing capacity. But injuries and a series of disappointing results soon had him back in the club’s first XIII. One of his team-mates is his son, Glen.

Another son, Darren, is a member of Kaiapoi’s senior first division squad, Kim is

keeping the family name prominent with his selection for the Canterbury 17-years team, and two younger sons are of school age. It was not old age which caused Turton’s mishap against Marist-Western Suburbs on Sunday. He put it down to “a bit of bad luck — I was tackled from both sides simultaneously, the ball slipped up underneath my arm pit, and the shoulder was forced out of place.”

“That shoulder had never been hurt before. Maybe it was the only good part left,” Turton said.

Turton has given grand service to Sydenham, Eastern Suburbs and Kaiapoi during his long club career,

and it is noticeable that his presence and leadership is still of benefit to the youngsters alongside him.

One of the most unfortunate players never to have earned New Zealand selection, Turton had the unusual distinction of having worn South Island’s colours as a forward in 1956, 1958, and 1959 before reappearing as a wing in 1960. The captain of Canterbury when he was only 22' years old, Turton must rank as one of the province’s most versatile representatives. It would not surprise if Turton had thoughts of another footballing winter or two. “After all, I’ll be 43 for almost another whole year . . he said.