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Eric Rush’s stories of harrowing training sessions with Sir Gordon Tietjens would be enough to steer most people away from the game of seven.
For her son, however, it turned out to be an inspiration.
And so, 16 years after his famous father retired from the sport, Brady Rush now looks to continue the family legacy – and even build it up – after landing a full-time professional contract with the All Blacks Sevens.
Stuff
Eric Rush, pictured being picked up by his teammates after New Zealand’s 2003 tournament win in Wellington.
The 21-year-old was announced on Friday as one of two new players hired (along with Moses Leo) for 2021, and is crediting his father’s harsh training methods for his rapid rise through the national ranks.
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The second youngest of five (four children) in the family, Brady said Stuff that her father had spent a lot of time teaching her the basics, particularly the importance of fitness, with some twisted stories from years gone by.
“It sounded pretty harsh. No, I was probably excited, to be honest, ”Rush said.
“He has always trained me and my brothers. He has ingrained in us the work ethic to train at this level and I am very grateful for that. But he’s just a dad, and I guess any dad would push his kids to be the best they can be. “
Stuff
Sixteen years after Eric Rush retired, his son will carry on the famous legacy in seven.
Rush was informed of his call-up shortly before Christmas, and the news quickly got even better for him, with Eric, who owns New World Regent in Whangārei, then chose not to visit him for the annual supermarket service at the The store’s busiest time of the year, as Dad knew the importance of his son hitting the roads immediately.
“It’s probably the first summer he’s given us to train with,” Rush said. “Usually he has us there stacking some shelves or pushing some carts.
“So I was actually quite excited, it was probably a double gift, I got the contract and I took the summer off.”
Hannah Peters / Getty Images
Brady Rush credits his father’s hard work ethic as the key to reaching the top.
So while spending time with his family in Kaeo and Tauranga Bay, Rush got to work with his brother Rob, who is training with the Blues, to run and work out in the gym so he could get to his first day of camp in good shape. as he is still facing your call.
“I’m still on cloud nine right now, it’s a pretty special feeling, obviously with the old man who was on the team a few years ago. But playing alongside some of the greats of the game and training with them every day is incredible. “
While Rush has only seen parts of the old man in action during his career through the old videos stored at home, a proud father has given him a lot of good advice.
“He said just make the most of it if, to be honest, and just train hard, and if the opportunity comes, take it with both hands.
“The work is not done yet, I guess, I still have to wear the black shirt.
“There is a bit of pressure, but I’m not too taken aback by it, I’m just here to do my thing, and I hope I live up to the name, maybe add a little more.”
After playing for Northland in national tournaments, and then also performing for Taniwha at the Miter 10 Cup last year, Rush shone at last month’s Red Bull Ignite7, named MVP of the tournament.
And All Blacks Sevens coach Clark Laidlaw, who played Eric during his career representing Scotland, could see that the apple hadn’t fallen far from the tree.
“That week at Red Bull you could tell right away that he knew how to play seven,” Laidlaw said. Stuff.
“I think the most important thing is that it has a real competitive advantage. He’s nice and laid back off the field, he’s a Northland kid who knows how to turn it off and on, but when we watch him train and then play, there’s a real competitive instinct in there that is really hard to train.
“We will probably see him playing first or second receiver. He played on the wing in 15 seconds, so he’s got the leg speed there, and he’ll develop a really good fitness engine in the middle of the field. He has a good long passing game, he has a good footwork that he can carry people. And because of his competitiveness, he has a real will to find a line break and go. “
Rush’s first chance to impress in the black jersey is a month away, with the All Blacks Sevens gearing up to play games against Tonga at Mt Maunganui from February 19-20.
Plans are in the works for an Oceania tournament to be held in Australia or New Zealand in late March / early April, then if Covid-19 once again allows, the World Series is scheduled to resume with stages in London and Paris in May / June.
