Eric Rush
Encyclopedia
Eric James Rush (born 11 February 1965 in Kaeo, New Zealand) is a New Zealand
rugby union
footballer and a Rugby Sevens legend, arguably one of the greatest Sevens players to grace the game. He is a distinguished New Zealand Sevens
career, which began in 1988 and ran until past his 39th birthday in 2004, Rush played in more than 60 tournaments, with the highlights being two Commonwealth Games
gold medals and the World Cup Sevens
victory in 2001. He was also voted Best and Fairest Player at the 1991 Hong Kong Sevens.
He is regarded as a pacy and skillful winger and also played for the All Blacks
briefly until the emergence of Jonah Lomu
effectively ended his All Blacks career. Lomu would play a major role in the 2001 World Cup Sevens win, effectively filling in for Rush, who suffered a broken leg in New Zealand's last group match of that tournament.
Rush switched full-time to Rugby Sevens in 1999 to compete in the newly formed IRB
international Sevens circuit. Rush helped NZ to win the first 6 versions of the World Sevens Series.
Over the course of 14 years, Rush has regularly appeared for the New Zealand Sevens
team at the Hong Kong Sevens
and other Sevens tournaments, mostly as captain. In later years, he converted himself into a forward in the Sevens version, with the wing position given to his understudy Karl Te Nana
.
In 15's rugby, Rush played first for Auckland Rugby Union then moved North to play for North Harbour
at NPC
level, where he blossomed.
Rush retired from playing in 2005 and is currently assistant to New Zealand Sevens
coach Gordon Tietjens
– and favourite to succeed him when he retires.
Games: 20 (0 as Captain)
Total Matches: 29 (0 as Captain)
Test Points: 25pts (5t, 0c, 0p, 0dg, 0m)
Game Points: 65pts (13t, 0c, 0p, 0dg, 0m)
Total Points: 90pts (18t, 0c, 0p, 0dg, 0m)
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
footballer and a Rugby Sevens legend, arguably one of the greatest Sevens players to grace the game. He is a distinguished New Zealand Sevens
New Zealand national rugby union team (sevens)
The New Zealand national rugby union sevens team is the New Zealand representative team in rugby union sevens and competes in the IRB Sevens World Series, Rugby World Cup Sevens and the Commonwealth Games.-IRB Sevens:...
career, which began in 1988 and ran until past his 39th birthday in 2004, Rush played in more than 60 tournaments, with the highlights being two Commonwealth Games
Commonwealth Games
The Commonwealth Games is an international, multi-sport event involving athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations. The event was first held in 1930 and takes place every four years....
gold medals and the World Cup Sevens
Rugby World Cup Sevens
The Rugby World Cup Sevens is the premier international Rugby sevens competition. The event is organised by the sport's governing body, the International Rugby Board , and is contested by the men's national sevens teams every four years. The inaugural tournament was held in 1993 in Scotland, the...
victory in 2001. He was also voted Best and Fairest Player at the 1991 Hong Kong Sevens.
He is regarded as a pacy and skillful winger and also played for the All Blacks
All Blacks
The New Zealand men's national rugby union team, known as the All Blacks, represent New Zealand in what is regarded as its national sport....
briefly until the emergence of Jonah Lomu
Jonah Lomu
Jonah Tali Lomu, MNZM is a New Zealand rugby union player. He had sixty-three caps as an All Black after debuting in 1994. He is generally regarded as the first true global superstar of rugby union. He has had a huge impact on the game...
effectively ended his All Blacks career. Lomu would play a major role in the 2001 World Cup Sevens win, effectively filling in for Rush, who suffered a broken leg in New Zealand's last group match of that tournament.
Rush switched full-time to Rugby Sevens in 1999 to compete in the newly formed IRB
International Rugby Board
The International Rugby Board is the governing body for the sport of rugby union. It was founded in 1886 as the International Rugby Football Board by the unions of Scotland, Wales and Ireland. England refused to join until 1890. The International Rugby Football Board changed its name to the...
international Sevens circuit. Rush helped NZ to win the first 6 versions of the World Sevens Series.
Over the course of 14 years, Rush has regularly appeared for the New Zealand Sevens
New Zealand national rugby union team (sevens)
The New Zealand national rugby union sevens team is the New Zealand representative team in rugby union sevens and competes in the IRB Sevens World Series, Rugby World Cup Sevens and the Commonwealth Games.-IRB Sevens:...
team at the Hong Kong Sevens
Hong Kong Sevens
The Hong Kong Sevens is considered the premier tournament on the IRB Sevens World Series in rugby sevens—a variant of rugby union....
and other Sevens tournaments, mostly as captain. In later years, he converted himself into a forward in the Sevens version, with the wing position given to his understudy Karl Te Nana
Karl Te Nana
Karl Te Nana is a rugby player from New Zealand.-Playing career:A professional rugby union player, Te Nana won a gold medal as part of the New Zealand Seven's rugby team at the 2002 Commonwealth Games.. He is 8th highest try scorer in Rugby Sevens history, having scored 113 tries for New Zealand...
.
In 15's rugby, Rush played first for Auckland Rugby Union then moved North to play for North Harbour
North Harbour Rugby Union
The North Harbour Rugby Union , commonly referred to colloquially as North Harbour or simply Harbour, is a provincial rugby team which competes in the ITM Cup , the successor to the country's former domestic competition, the National Provincial Championship .-Area:Harbour Rugby encompasses a...
at NPC
National Provincial Championship
The National Provincial Championship, or NPC, is the major domestic rugby competition in New Zealand. The NPC has seen many alterations to its format and brand. Since 2006 the National Championship has been split into 2 competitions, the ITM Cup and the Heartland Championship...
level, where he blossomed.
Rush retired from playing in 2005 and is currently assistant to New Zealand Sevens
New Zealand national rugby union team (sevens)
The New Zealand national rugby union sevens team is the New Zealand representative team in rugby union sevens and competes in the IRB Sevens World Series, Rugby World Cup Sevens and the Commonwealth Games.-IRB Sevens:...
coach Gordon Tietjens
Gordon Tietjens
Gordon Tietjens, CNZM is the current coach of the New Zealand Sevens team. He is regarded as one of the most successful sevens coaches in the world....
– and favourite to succeed him when he retires.
All Black's Statistics
Tests: 9 (0 as Captain)Games: 20 (0 as Captain)
Total Matches: 29 (0 as Captain)
Test Points: 25pts (5t, 0c, 0p, 0dg, 0m)
Game Points: 65pts (13t, 0c, 0p, 0dg, 0m)
Total Points: 90pts (18t, 0c, 0p, 0dg, 0m)