Rugby News’ in form Shute Shield XV from the opening 7 rounds
By MARK CASHMAN
I always loved that story that All Black and Sevens legend Eric Rush told at a slurry of rugby lunches around the world.
It was the story about his journey to becoming All Black No.927 and the conversations that he would have with his father through the ups and downs of the game at the pointy end in New Zealand.
Rush would ring his father whenever an All Black side was named and in the early days lament about missing out the great honour.
His father would fire back quickly that that team selection was one man’s opinion and that he should continue the quest for selection unabated.
When finally the stars aligned and Rush got the nod to make his All Black debut against the ACT rep side (I think they were the Kookaburras at that stage) in Canberra in 1992 on a tour of Australia he excitedly rang his dad to share the news.
Rush Snr was as excited as a Maori dad could be and after some well dones were exchanged, deadpan as all get out fired back: “But ju