Burleigh retires from Canty rugby

Press, 9 March 1988, Page 72

Burleigh retires from Canty rugby

BOB SCHUMACHER

Wayne Burleigh shrugged off his retirement from Canterbury rugby with the same nonchalant ease which had en'ablgd him to cast aside many a would-be tackler in hjs six-year stint wearing the red and black jersey. “Time for a change, there are a lot of younger guys coming through and it gives them more opportunity.” Burleigh 1 said yesterday when confirming his departure from the representative scene. The popular New Brighton inside back! hastened to add that he had no intention of quitting senior club rugby. 'T’ci like to offer more to jmy club. I'm keen to give something back foif another two or* three seasons,” he said.

No pressures have been brought to bear! on Burleigh who, at 32 years, could well have donned the Canterbury; jersey many more times. His skills have not diminished, he has the support of his family and training has never been I a hassle to this extremely fit athlete. Burleigh has deserved the title of “Mr; Dependable.” More often than not he has been I on the reserves’ bench as Canterbury has campaigned both home and away. His worth as a utility, back has been considerable to Canterbury since his first appearance, as a I replacement against Sydney, in 1981. Although priniarily at first five-eighths with New Brighton, Burleigh was able to slide into*- any position along the Canter-

bury chain without weakening the link — that versatility probably counted against Burleigh who failed by two to reach his half-century of appearances for Canter-

bury A. ; Last season > Burleigh played 12 times' for Canterbury, his most in his six seasons, but that he failed to reach 50 was of no consequence Ito him — he had not even kept count. “Others have; said that I’ve been unlucky not to get more games for Canterbury, but then there has been a lot of players who have! had fewer games. Whether you are in the reserves or not you’re still part of the team and that's part of the game.” ■ ; That unselfish attitude of Burleigh’s made him an integral part of a i close-knit Canterbury [team throughout its re-cord-equalling 125 Ranfurly Shield ! defences over a three-year period between I 1983 and 1985, ;

Burleigh appeared in only seven of the 27 shield games, but he loved every minute of the era. “We had great times together as a team and made many lasting friendships. Those are the things that are hard to replace.” Burleigh’s ball-handling skills, astute tactical kicking, keen sense of anticipation and diligence on cover defence won him an All Black trial in 1984 and he has represented the South Island in the annual inter-island match. ; “Wayne was a really good team man who gave us great service through the shield era. He was initially the back-up to Wayne Smith and was therefore often a reserve. But when called upon he never let us down,” the Canterbury coach, :\Doug Bruce, said yesterday.