Jefferd surmounts rugby isolation

Press, 3 June 1981, Page 42

Jefferd surmounts rugby isolation

By

JOHN BROOKS

Andy Jefferd’s effort in winning a place in the All Black test team from the depths of the most depressed union in the country is one of the great feats of modern times in New Zealand rugby. The wiry second fiveeighths rose to footballing prominence in his days at Lincoln College, but in the last three years he has farmed at Tokomaru Bay and represented the most unprepossessing team on the first class scene, East Coast. He is the only East Coaster chosen for the All Blacks since George Nepia half a century ago. It is little wonder that the number is not greater. The Coast XV has not had a win for four years, and last year it conceded 71 tries in only 10 games'. Consequently, Jefferd has

had to motivate himself far more than any other footballer when leaving the rugged hill country ' behind Tokomaru Bay to play in the national trials. He has had to concentrate hard on all aspects of his game, particularly the catching and passing, for the ball tends to come to him at far

greater velocity than what he is accustomed to on the coast. Just taking part in a backline attack takes a little getting used to, for in East Coast . matches Jefferd spends most of his time tackling or chasing. But the curly-haired farmer has surmounted these problems because he has a fierce competitive streak and an inherent ability to adjust quickly to different surroundings and pressures. These qualities were evident in his make-up when he played for Canterbury between 1975 and early 1978. He made 36 appearances in the red and black jersey, all but five of them at centre, but he has been chosen in his favourite position, second five-eighths, for the first test against Scotland at Carisbrook on June 13.