Heffernan did not get the breaks

Press, 19 April 1980, Page 21

Heffernan did not get the breaks

Bv

KEVIN McMENAMIN

Doug Heffernan, whose breaks in rugby have been mainly of the injury variety, will soon be lost to the game in Christchurch. Heffernan, an electrical engineer, will shift to Wellington at the end of June to take up a position with the Ministry of Energy-

With breaks of a different kind, there are many people who believe Heffernan could have served both Canterbury and the All Blacks with distinction at full-back. He was, in fact, the man chosen to

fill the position for Canterbury when Fergie McCormick was eased out late in the 1975 season. He held his place through the 1976 season, but with a change in back selector in 1977 he was replaced by his close rival, Richard Wilson.

However, for the big game of 1977, the match against the British Lions, Wilson was dropped and Heffernan recalled. With the All Blacks searching desperately for a full-back, it was a great opportunity for Heffernan, who as a New Zealand Junior two vears earlier, must have been on the list of possibilities.

But although he played well enough, he failed in the vital goal-kicking department and the excuse of an injured right ankle, received early in the game, was cold comfort. Since then, Heffernan, has been plagued by injuries. The ankle injury of 1977 returned to haunt him in 1978 and last year he dislocated a shoulder midway through the winter.

Restored to full health, Heffernan, who is 26, was chosen for the New Zealand Universities’ Asian tour last month. Seventeen minutes, into his first game, he suffered another bad ankle injury, this time to his left ankle, and it ended his tour as a player.

Heffernan expects to be over this injury in another two or three weeks and he could be available, if wanted, for a few games for his club side, University A, before he heads north.

He intends to join the Victoria University Club in Wellington, but doubts that he will be available for any first-class rugby this winter.

■ “If I can steer clear of injuries, then I might see how far I can go next year, but this may depend to some extent on my

job,” said Heffernan yesterday. He said that he felt injuries, rather than the fact he was opposed in Canterbury by Wilson, had hindered his career. “I had my chances to challenge Richard, but injuries always seemed to get in the way.”

•It is now history that Wilson, despite some rough times, has established himself as the country’s top full-back. Given . the same opportunities, and had he been free ofinjuries, Heffernan might have done no less. Heffernan has played the occasional game, for Canterbury since 1977 when Wilson has been unavailable and he has played often for the provincial B team.

He said that he had enjoyed his rugby with the University Club, especially when the A teamwon the senior championship in 1977. He also has fond memories of being a part of -N.Z.U. teams, hone fonder, perhaps, than his membership of the side which beat the Lions at Lancaster.Park.inT977. />: ■ Possibly the best description of Heffernan came from Frank Creighton, a stalwart of the University club. “He is a very talented footballer with an imposing physique, but like with many a gifted racehorse, the problem is keeping him sound.”