Osborne ends on high note

Press, 13 September 1982, Page 21

Osborne ends on high note

Bill Osborne played his last game of rugby on Saturday, and bowed out on a heroic note for the All Blacks against Australia at Eden Park.

Whacked on the left thigh by Steve Williams’ head in a tackle, Osborne was forced off the field with his left leg numb between hip and knee.

But after muscle spasms stopped, his thigh was bound heavily and he played out the last 25min at about 75 per cent of bis normal pace. That 75 per cent, however, proved sufficeint, for he continued to tackle powerfully whenever the Wallabies tried to run their way out of trouble.

Osborne's loss would have been a severe setback to the Al! Blacks, for his strong running and punishing tackling had established him as the king pin in the line-up. But be said there was no chance of his crying off. T stayed on because Graham (Mourie) wouldn’t let me go off,” he said.. Sipping a lemon drink later, however, Osborne said be was finished with all rugby. “I’ve retired — that’s it,” he Mid expressively. “I came back because the

boys in the All Blacks wanted me back. I had no worries because I keep myself in good condition, but tbe mental intensity of my approach to rugby really takes it out of me.”

Osborne, who is 27, and a Wanganui stock agent, said he was thrilled to be part of a side which had recaptured the Bledisloe Cup.

“The All Blacks are a great team to play for,” he said.

A New Zealand midfield back since 1975, he missed the 1979 tests through injury, came back for the Welsh tour in 1980, but did not play at top level last season. His eventual aim in rugby is to coach — “after I’ve bad a break.” But while Osborne was definite about his retirement, Mourie sparred verbally with reporters who sought to know whether the Eden Park appearance was his last in test rugby. “I’m amazed at the rumours flying about on my retirement,” he said. “Almost every day in the last week the subject has been mentioned in one of the Auckland papers. “When I decide to retire, I’ll say so, not < somebody else,” he said.