Rushie Returns to Raro
Eric played for the Sheraton Hotel team during the 1980s and acted as a player agent helping bring in top overseas players to participate in the competition.
His return to Raro began as host at a Charity Luncheon held at the Edgewater Resort & Spa on Thursday 05 November which was in aid of junior rugby development in the Cook Islands. Having formed many friendships while playing in the Cook Islands tournament the turnout at the luncheon was an indication of how respected and liked he is in the Cooks even after such a long absence. Eric shared funny anecdotes of his time as an All Black and representing NZ in Sevens and had guests in fits of laughter throughout. The charity luncheon raised $2000 for junior rugby.
Eric’s preferred mode of transport while in the islands was a two wheeler so after trading in his four wheeler he was off scooting around Raro revisiting old friends and places. The general public got to hear from him in an interview on radio with DJ GDUB of 88FM and later that afternoon he welcomed participating teams in the 2009 tournament at the National Stadium. He was the official starter for all the ANZ Dash 4 Cash races and helped present cash prizes to lucky sevens goers that were dressed in costume as well as the Cup Runner-Up Tauae Bulls.
Squeezing in a scuba dive was on the list of priorities and so were the local doughnuts that were delivered to his room each day which may have explained his request for where the nearest gym was. Eric looks to be back in Rarotonga in the ‘not too distant future’ and his time in the Cook Islands underlined why he is the ultimate Sevens in Heaven Legend!
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