Rugby chances come just once-Buck

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 654, 17 September 1996, Page 8

Rugby chances come just once-Buck

Rugby opportunities only come once or twice in a life time and a player should make the most of any chance he gets if he wants a career in rugby. This was advice from Wayne (Buck) Shelford who was guest speaker at the Ruapehu Under 21s Rugby Development Squad prize giving, last Saturday, 14 September, in the Raetihi School Hall. *, He congratulated Ruapehu for their year's success, saying the coaches and managers had done a great job in bringing the team together so well. "To be successful, you can't do it on your own, teams are made up of 15 players and reserves, a total team effort is what is required," said Buck. He said there'were plenty of Chances to play at a higher lever with the possibility of earning a lot of money as a professional player. With the Rugby News Youth Development Squad in place every union can. submit names of players to be included. The cost is the responsibility of the union, but Buck thinks it is worth it for players with potential because it prepares him more soundly for progress from representative rugby to professional play. Buck spoke about the recent All Black tour of South Africa, clarifying his recent comments to the media, when he said that the successful team was "good" but not "great". He said they struggled at times and their game plan was non-existent. "I believe that when a team goes on tour, there should be chances for the younger, reserve players to develop their

skills more during the provincial matches, a chance to grow." After being dropped from the All Blacks in 1990, Buck and his family moved to England where he played for a Midlands team. He also played in Italy and France. He has recently become involved in rugby youth development and, through ACC, in a preventative injury programme. Marty McGrath, the team's coach, assistant coach Rick ' Harding, Ohakune Karioi club president Rex Oh ver, Raetihi club president Ron Jensen and Bob Airey from the Wanganui Rugby Union management Committee all spoke of the success of this year' s squad and congratulated them for the efforts. Thanks went to all supporters and sponsors including the major sponsor, Trevor Dixon from the Ruapehu Hotel, and to Kath Bowater, secretary for the squad. Prize winners: Most outstanding player, Kelly Arahanga; Top Try Scorer, Craig Pye; Most conscientious player, Mario Mareikura; Most valuable, Ian Rowe; Most Improved, Glenn Richfield; Most promising, Chris Winter; Best clubman, Donovan Morris; Best supporter, Gwen & Gavin Rowe; Best & fairest, Leonard Pirere.