Coffey’s record might last a long time

Press, 24 August 1988, Page 48

Coffey’s record might last a long time

By

BOB SCHUMACHER

Predicting long life for points-scoring records in the Christchurch senior rugby competition has become a hazardous occupation in recent times. When Shirley’s goalkicking maestro, Colin Williamson, broke the 300-point barrier for the first time in 1986, it was said with some confidence that his mark might stand for many a season. Last year, however, another first five-eighths, Paul Treves, of University, erased Williamson’s name from the record book almost before it had been inscribed. Treves compiled a new high of 335. Those astounding totals, however, were left far behind this season by Greg Coffey, another from a continuing line of preci-sion-kicking, goal-hungry first five-eighths. Coffey, aged 24, amassed the staggering tally of 371 points, averaging more than 18 a game, and though it may be tempting fate, this record should belong to the modest Marist man long after his playing career has wound down.

Almost certainly, the senior competition will be revamped next season with the stronger teams no longer playing against the minnows.

Coffey, though, should be part of the Marist scene for many seasons yet and the club will be thankful for that. Since starting his senior career in 1983, Coffey has been party to a Marist celebration for winning one of the main competitions every year. In 1983 Marist won the Trust Bank Cup, and it retained it the next season. Marist scored its first Trust Bank Trophy success in 1985, and it recaptured the Cup the next season. In 1987 Coffey was missing — furthering his rugby career

and broadening his horizons in France and South Africa — and Marist had no cause for celebration. His return coincided with Marist’s second Trophy success. In five seasons of senior rugby — his first only produced 69 points when Grant McWhirter was the preferred kicker — Coffey has racked up 964 points and early next season should join an elite group of players to have reached 1000 in the senior competition. Born in Ashburton, Coffey has spent most of his life in Christchurch and much of it playing rugby. Why he began playing the sport at the age of five he cannot recall — “it just seemed the trend then” — but he has stayed with it and enjoyed it ever

since. Not that rugby rules his sporting life; cricket, golf and tennis are pursuits played with pleasure when time permits. Whereas many rugby players discover their specialist position only by trial and error, Coffey was destined for the first five-eighths role from his opening game and he has never been cast anywhere else. Educated at Xavier College, where he had one year in the first XV, Coffey started with Marist at under 18 level and he was in the team which won the under 19 final the next season. In those years of development, Coffey was influenced by his Marist coach and former Canterbury wing, Eamon Noonan. “He was an influ-

ential figure, bringing general direction to my play.” Goal-kicking became a responsibility of Coffey while he was at school and he again cannot recall how he was chosen. He had that duty for the Canterbury under 16, under 18 and under 19 teams as he worked through the representative grades. When playing for Canterbury Colts, Coffey was not the first-choice goalkicker; that task was given to his club-mate, Richard Connell, yet Coffey has always been preferred to Connell in the senior club competition. In 1985 Coffey was selected for the New Zealand Colts. Kicking is an art in which Coffey has developed proficiency without practising religiously. "I’m not a Grant Fox in terms of practising but if something is going wrong I will put more time into trying to correct the fault,” he said. “Kicking is a confidence thing, sort of like golf where if you strike the first couple right you’re on top of it for the rest of the game.” Coffey said he has made adjustments to his round-the-corner style at times — “I was trying to copy Naas Botha when I was playing in South Africa.” The South African sojourn was a spontaneous happening and came after Coffey and his friend and present Marist captain, Steve Baker, had spent the 1986-87 northern winter playing in France. Coffey played in group B of the first division (one tier below the top level) and Baker turned out for Loire Valley in the second division. A South African was in

Baker’s team and it was on his invitation that Baker and Coffey headed to Johannesburg and a season playing senior rugby in South Africa in a team comprising players of Afrikaner and British descent. Although they left before the season ended, their team won the competition. They were in a strong side, six of the players having been in the Transvaal team which beat the New Zealand Cavaliers in 1986. “That trip was a sporting and personal highlight of my career. I’ve never kicked better, even landing them from halfway,” said Coffey who admits that his range is generally limited to 45m. Coffey returned to Christchurch at the end of 1987 to be married and to regain his place in the Marist senior team. For his troubles he received a broken nose in his club trials but reclaimed his place with the player he replaced, Tony Houston, leaving for South Africa. The rest is now history. Coffey smoothly slotted into a Marist team which played bright, entertaining rugby without ignoring the basic principles. The team developed more muscle from each match under its new coach, Peter McGrath, and it ended with a convincing win against Shirley in the championship final. “One of my highlights was when we won the Trophy for the first time in 1985, but personally this was my best year. We played consistent rugby and used an expansive style. The Marist spirit has always been good but it was great this year.” Coffey mentioned Des Hansen and McGrath as coaches who had helped shape his career. “Des was the coach in 1983 and 1984 and I had a lot of respect for him — he knew what he was talking about. Peter McGrath is an ex-senior player and he also has been good value.”

A Canterbury B representative this season, Coffey made just one appearance for Canterbury A, in 1985. But while not dismissing the thought of higher honours, the skilful Marist first five-eighths has a simple outlook. “I play for enjoyment and while I’m enjoying the game I will keep going — if honours come along the way then they are just a bonus.”