Tanner declines to play again: may turn to refereeing

Press, 12 April 1979, Page 34

Tanner declines to play again: may turn to refereeing

by

KEVIN McMENAMIN

No amount of persuasion, no matter what the enticements and irrespective of how desperate the side may become. Kerry Tanner will not play rugby for New Brighton this year.

This was the word from! Tanner himself yesterday] when he was sounded out ■ on his availability for sen-j ior rugby this year. The for-; mer All Black prop dis-1 missed the possibility of his | coming out of retirement, as. he did last year, to help the ] team. New Brighton’s fortunes | improved dramatically after] Tanner’s return and. against] most predictions, it went on to win the premier C.S.B. I Trophy competition “I can’t possibly’ play,” | said Tanner. "I have no boots, no socks, no shorts i .. . nothing.” They had all worn out, he said, having, been in service since he had, begun playing, “which was] about the time of the Boer| War.” As a mere publican and; racehorse owner, replacing, these items was beyond his! means. “To pay $5O for a new pair of boots would' mean one hungry horse." he said. “No, I am definitely finished this time.” Tanner’s comebacks are not far off matching those of Dame Nellie Melba. His most recent return was for the Cantabrians tour to Britain last month. But Tanner, who will be 34 on Anzac Day, may not be lost to rugby. He is at present “meditating” on whether to become a referee. He even took the first step this week by attending

I the Monday evening meeting! ; ,of the Canterbury Rugby] j] Referees’ Association. , “They seemed like rea- ■ |sonably normal people,” said Tanner, whose baiting of I ireferees over the years has ■ ] been almost a secondary j career. “Some people say I have ,]been refereeing for years: so i now I might try it in a white jersey.” But Tanner is not making ; any hasty decision. “I guess f I have given referees a hard ; I time over the years and it .1 might look as though I am -joining them because I tl couldn’t beat them. Anyway 4 will have to get my eyes ; tested first: my sight may t be too good.” t ] The president of the i ■ Canterbury Rugby Referees’ . Association (Mr Ken Columtibus) said that his association w’ould be delighted to

have Tanner join its fold. “It is experienced players like Kerry that we want,” he said.

It might also be noted that Tanner has special qualifications. Few top players of recent times have known the laws as well and more than one senior referee has Tanner to thank for “putting him right” on certain laws.