Lawson out to end his exile from Blackjacks
At a glance
Controversial New Zealand lawn bowler Gary Lawson is ready to end an eight year international exile and capture an elusive Commonwealth Games gold medal.
Lawson broke the record for the most titles by a man at the New Zealand open nationals in New Plymouth on Sunday, winning his 11th final.
The 51-year-old who plays for Christchurch’s Sumner club, teamed up with Wellington-based Australian Neville Rodda to win the men’s pairs final 16-11 against Nelson combination, father Neville Forsyth and son, Blackjack Ali Forsyth.
During his time in the New Zealand side, Lawson frequently clashed with long-serving New Zealand Bowls chief executive Kerry Clark, who is stepping down in 2017, and national coach Dave Edwards, who finished up after 10 years following December’s world bowls championships in Christchurch.
The two-time world champion was keen to work with new Blackjacks’ coaches Sharon Sims and Peter Belliss, admitting he had unfinished business at international level.
Lawson, one of the country’s greatest bowlers, has won multiple world, Asia-Pacific and national titles, and harboured aspirations to add gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast to his collection.
‘‘Absolutely. I’d love that. That’s out of my control. If they rang me up, the answer is a yes. Definitely,’’ Lawson said.
‘‘Everyone wants to play for their country. I wouldn’t want to play for them if I didn’t think I was good enough.’’
Lawson hasn’t played for the Blackjacks since 2009 when the men’s four, which he skipped, deliberately lost an end against Thailand during an Asia-Pacific tournament and he was suspended for six months.
He was prepared to play in any New Zealand side, whether it be the pairs, fours or triple, and even said he’d lead if required.
‘‘Winning a Commonwealth Games gold medal to chuck in the closet that would be a dream.
‘‘To win a Commonwealth Games gold medal would be the one thing that’s missing on the hit list.’’
While regularly clashing with officialdom in the past, Lawson said he had moved on and was ready for an international recall.
‘‘I don’t really think too much about what’s happened to be honest. It is what it is. You can’t change history. If you’re looking back, you’re looking in the wrong direction. I just look forward.’’
Lawson spoke favourably about the state of New Zealand Bowls and said he had ‘‘a lot of time’’ for the fresh coaching duo of Sims and Belliss.
He had performed strongly on quicker greens on the Gold Coast and believed he could make a difference for the Blackjacks.
Lawson has taken on a more professional approach, focusing heavily on nutrition and becoming fitter.
He’s lost weight and was playing some of the sharpest bowls of his career.
His pairs triumph was no fluke, putting in at least 20 hours a week practice leading into the open nationals.
‘‘I thought to be any good, you’ve got to put some time and effort into it.
‘‘I really did put a lot of time and effort into it. It’s nice to know you can still match it with the big boys.’’
Lawson’s last title at the nationals was back in 2010 in the pairs with Auckland’s Dan Delany.
He’d almost given up on winning an 11th, heaping praise on Rodda, who he’d only previously teamed up with once before.
Overcoming Ali Forsyth in the final, who Lawson labelled ‘‘one of the best players in the world’’ was a huge confidence boost.
‘‘The New Zealand final is a tough ask. It only takes one or two bowls to change a game.’’