Eric Rush

Eric Rush
Rush in Fiji
Birth nameEric James Rush
Date of birth (1965-02-11) 11 February 1965 (age 59)
Place of birthKaeo, New Zealand
Height1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Weight87 kg (13 st 10 lb; 192 lb)
SchoolTangaroa College
ChildrenBrady Rush
Rob Rush
Rugby union career
Position(s) Wing
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
  North Harbour - ((-))
Super Rugby
Years Team Apps (Points)
1996-1998 Chiefs 18 (50)
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1992–1996 New Zealand 9 (25)
Correct as of 9 March 2007
National sevens team
Years Team Comps
  New Zealand
Medal record
Men's rugby sevens
Representing  New Zealand
Commonwealth Games
Gold medal – first place 1998 Kuala Lumpur Team competition
Gold medal – first place 2002 Manchester Team competition

Eric James Rush (born 11 February 1965) is a New Zealand former rugby union footballer and rugby sevens legend, and now a supermarket owner. His New Zealand Sevens career began in 1988 and ran until past his 39th birthday in 2004. Rush played in more than 60 tournaments, with the highlights being two Commonwealth Games gold medals and the World Cup Sevens victory in 2001. He was also voted Best and Fairest Player at the 1991 Hong Kong Sevens.

He was regarded as a pacy and skillful winger and also played for the All Blacks briefly until the emergence of Jonah Lomu effectively ended his All Blacks career. Lomu played a major role in the 2001 World Cup Sevens win, effectively filling in for Rush, who suffered a broken leg in New Zealand's last group match of that tournament.