Year's most eligible man

By CHRIS RATTUE


Colin Bourke is a name synonymous with this year's rugby season.

He was there as Bay of Plenty burst into the spotlight by claiming the Ranfurly Shield in their NPC opener against Auckland.

Bourke played as a replacement, sparking the nationwide player eligibility controversy that refuses to die.

Hawkes Bay - in an act universally condemned as tacky to say the least - suggested the former national schools representative was ineligible for Bay of Plenty.

That forced the Steamers to face an inquiry, which they survived.

A quick synopsis goes like this:

Bay of Plenty deposited a final $1500 payment in Hawkes Bay's account for the loan-to-transfer of Bourke four days before the shield game.

The money was in lieu of a bonus Bourke received for making the New Zealand sevens.

Hawkes Bay had internal communication problems and chief executive Ian Condon was not told the money had been banked.

He completed the paperwork after the shield game, then told the world that Bourke's eligibility was in doubt.

Colin Bourke was suddenly a big name, although most of us hardly knew what he looked like.

Beyond the headlines, Bourke - who turns 20 today - has proved to be a top-class prospect after claiming the starting spot in his favoured No 8 position as the Bay walks tall.

He now laughs at the Hawkes Bay drama, although his attitude has hardened against his former union.


Bourke played loose forward for most of his young career, but was used all over the backline by second-division Hawkes Bay last year.

This year, he and adviser Gordon Falcon met three union officials - although not coach Kieran Keane - over Bourke's future.

Hawkes Bay were adamant that Bourke was not yet up to speed as a loosie and would not be played there. It was not a pleasant meeting.

"Maybe they thought I wasn't big enough or was too inexperienced," Bourke says.

"I didn't agree and neither did my manager ... I thought it was going to end up with a bit of a fist fight.

"The meeting was supposed to last half an hour but it felt like it was over in five minutes."

Another incident flared when Hawkes Bay learned that Bourke had travelled to meet Otago officials.

"We were about to play Bay of Plenty and they dropped me straight away," he says. "I turned up to training and was told to go home."

Bay of Plenty had been told by their former coach, Gordon Tietjens, that Bourke was impressive in the national sevens. And when they called, Bourke answered.

Soon after came the Ranfurly Shield game debacle.

"Looking back on it I just laugh, although at the time it wasn't a laughing matter," says Bourke.

"It did put my name out there, though.

"I still can't believe what they did ...

"I had always hoped to go back home and play for Hawkes Bay again one day but after that, I don't think that will ever happen.

"Then they got done for the same thing themselves - what a joke.

"I was happy to see them get done for something they had started. They couldn't even cover their own tracks."

Bourke, his brother Marty and three sisters were brought up by their father, Des, in Napier.

Des Bourke and his four brothers were stalwarts of the Waikato club Hautapu, where Marty still plays.

Des Bourke, a wing, was picked for a Waikato trial once, but went deer-stalking instead.

That is not the Colin Bourke way. He turns up. But one of his quirks is he never joins in the stretching routines before and after matches and training - sacrilege in the modern game.

"I like to tell myself that's why I don't get injured," he says.

"While everyone else is stretching, I stand around and kick the ball.

"Gordon Tietjens thought I was mucking about when I did it with the sevens, but I just told him I never stretch."

Maybe Bourke can't bear to be parted with the ball - Steamers insiders say he is virtually never without one in his hand.

He was a fine athlete as a child, winning regional titles and specialising in sprints, long- and triple-jumps.

At 103kg, he is light for a No 8, but is reluctant to follow the heavyweight trend and bulk up because it might cost him speed, his great weapon.

He has been a headline act on the field as well as off it; a man for the moment.

Against Wellington he was involved in the last desperate tackle that held out All Black captain Tana Umaga on the goal-line, a pivotal act in the season.

His split with Hawkes Bay has proved a major blessing and launched a promising career that finds an even bigger stage in tomorrow's semifinal against Canterbury - who Bourke refers to as the All Blacks.

"There are no egos in this team," he says.

"Everyone is such good friends and the management are a big part of it all.

"We love being the underdogs.

"It's been an unbelievable season." '


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