Rugby: Job over before it even starts

David Rutherford's job was over in days. Photo / Supplied

David Rutherford started a new job on October 31, 1999 - the position of chief executive of the New Zealand Rugby Union.

It should have been a leisurely introduction, glorious even.

He had planned to fly to Britain for the semifinal and final of the World Cup but decided there was too much to be done in New Zealand.

Alone in a Wellington apartment on the day of the semifinal he, like every other New Zealander, was dazed by the events unfolding on TV.

"As soon as the game ended, my wife rang to check I was okay. Then Steve Tew [deputy chief executive of the NZRU] called to say 'you are accountable, resign you bastard!'

"I remember going for a walk and it was like being at a funeral. There was a lot to deal with - coaching staff, players, the media - everyone was ringing."

It was hardly the first day at the office he had been hoping for. As introductions go, this was brutal, with a bad day made worse by a couple of later phone calls.

"I received a call from the Ministry of Internal Affairs wanting to know why the national anthem had only been sung in one language. Then Phil Kingsley Jones rang [Jonah Lomu's then agent] and said 'the World Cup is over, it's time to renegotiate Jonah's contract'.

"I reminded him that the World Cup wasn't actually over until the play-off game on Thursday."

Rutherford had bought himself four days, but Kingsley Jones and Jonah would have to wait as coach John Hart resigned immediately after the playoff loss to South Africa.