Bill Bush returns from Italy keen to regain old position

Press, 12 April 1980, Page 56

Bill Bush returns from Italy keen to regain old position

By

KEVIN McMENAMIN

The Canterbury and All Black prop, Bill Bush, has returned to Christchurch from Italy keen to regain his place in the Canterbury scrum, but uncertain about his future as an All Black.

Bush said yesterday that he had enjoyed his northern hemisphere season with the north Italian club, Villorba, which is based in the city of Treviso. He will almost certainly return next season. He was not expected back in Christchurch until later this month, but Villorba was beaten, 12-13, in a semi-final of its competition and although he was offered a tour with the club he decided to leave before the season ended. Bush, now 31, was dropped from both the All Blacks and Canterbury last winter and he said that he would dearly like to get back into the Canterbury side, the Ranfurly Shield challenge being a powerful motivator. To the suggestion that he could be on the short-list of 1

possible captains, Bush said that he would be honoured if chosen, but just regaining his place would be satisfying enough. He said that he was not available for the All Black trial next month, and nor was he available for the mid-season tour of Australia. However,. if he should be wanted for the visit to Wales in October he would be interested. One of New Zealand’s most travelled rugby players in recent years, Bush got married just before he went to Italy last October and he is now getting a taste of the accompanying responsibilities. “I have mortgage repayments to meet so I will have to cut down on the touring,” said Bush. He hopes to start work next week. 1

Bush said that playing a full season in Italy had not left him stale. “It is not physically hard rugby, although there is a lot of running — I even scored six tries.” The club provided him with a labouring job, but he still managed to see a good deal of Europe. “It was more of a holiday really, but I am in good trim and a stone lighter than I usually am at this time of the year.” There was a great deal of enthusiasm for rugby in Italy, particularly in the north, and Bush sad he believed that the national team to visit New Zealand in June would give a good account of itself. “If they win the first game (against Nelson Bays) then they will be away. But thev are such temperamental

I players that a loss could shatter them.” Bush did some coaching for Villorba, which has five teams, the senior one, for which Bush played, being in the second division. It rose from the third division last season and has to win the second division to step up to the top grade. The language difficulty had been a problem for a start, but Bush said that he had picked up a smattering of Italian. “Another season and I think I should be able to carry on a conversation.” Bush returned home only last week-end and he will not be playing for his Belfast club today. “That’s another team I have got to find my way back into,” he said with a smile.