Just play the game Thrush tells Lions

JEREMY THRUSH won’t bombard his Wellington team-mates with advice, when they run out to play the national provincial rugby championship final tonight.

Don’t forget to play, fellas, will be about all the 30-year-old has to say for himself at McLean Park.

The match will be the lock’s 88th, and last, for the Lions, after first becoming part of their squad back in 2004. A deal with English club Gloucester beckons, but not before Thrush participates in yet another final.

Be it with Wellington or Hurricanes, the 12-test All Black has never experienced victory in a title decider. And he has a theory about why.

‘‘To touch on one year when we went really well, which was 2008, we were scared to lose. When it came to the final we were so worried about losing, that we didn’t actually play,’’ Thrush said.

Wellington were top qualifiers and Ranfurly Shield holders in 2008 and hosted Canterbury in the final. But despite all the possession and field position, the Lions ended up losing 7-6.

Thrush has been part of five Wellington teams to be beaten in a final. For various reasons he’s taken part in only two of those defeats, but all of them have stung.

‘‘It’s not a nice feeling, especially when you look back having been involved in so many and know we had the teams and the potential to win and didn’t. It sucks.

‘‘But I wouldn’t take anything away from what I’ve done. I’m proud of what I’ve achieved with this province and the Hurricanes franchise as well.’’

As he should be. Titles or no titles, Thrush’s contribution to rugby in Wellington has been a valuable one and he deserves his fond memories.

Not least because of the All Blacks status he achieved two years ago. Once World Rugby’s junior player of the year, Thrush didn’t make a seamless transition from age-group star to champion senior player.

When international recognition did come, it came late and as a reward for honest reflection and real graft.

‘‘I would’ve been pretty gutted if, when times were tough three or four years ago just personally, if I’d packed up and just left.

‘‘I’m stoked that I’ve stuck around and achieved a goal that I wanted. Rugby is a team game but to have that black jersey – I obviously didn’t make the World Cup – but some of the experiences you get being in that team and the Hurricanes and this team have been awesome.

‘‘I’m pretty thankful I stuck it out and put my head down and got to go where I wanted to go.’’

He’ll now leave on his terms, Wellington: Jackson GardenBachop, Cory Jane, Matt Proctor, Marvin Karawana, Sam McNicol, Jonny Bentley, Frae Wilson, Ardie Savea (c), Greg Foe, Vaea Fifita, Hoani Matenga, Jeremy Thrush, Jeffery To’omaga-Allen, Leni Apisai, Reggie Goodes. Reserves: James O’Reilly, Vince Sakaria, Ben May, James Blackwell, Isaac O’Connor, Tomasi Palu, Tomasi Alosio, Malo Tuitama. Hawke’s Bay: Shannan Chase, Ryan Tongia, Robbie Fruean, Andrew Horrell, Mason Emerson, Ihaia West, Chris Eaton, Trent Boswell-Wakefield, Brendon O’Connor (c), Tony Lamborn, Mark Abbott, Mike Allardice, Brendon Edmonds, Ash Dixon, Tolu Fahamokioa. Reserves: Ricky Riccitelli, Jason Long, Jarvy Aoake, Sanaila Waqa, Tom Stanley, Ellery Wilson/Jono Ruru, Billy Ropiha, Tyrone ElkingtonMacDonald.

‘It’s not a nice feeling . . . having been involved in so many [finals] and know we had the teams and the potential to win and didn’t. It sucks.’ Jeremy Thrush

too. Injuries or being ‘‘shipped out’’ often prevent players going at the time of their choosing, but not Thrush.

Gloucester and life in England and being able to travel excite and make him nervous at the same time. He’s been part of Wellington’s set up since his teens and become accustomed to the routine.

‘‘I’ll miss playing down at the Cake Tin. The memories we’ve had, especially this year with Super Rugby, of a full Cake Tin were awesome. The environment for that semi and final we had was brilliant.

‘‘Plum and Boydy [John Plumtree and Chris Boyd] were the first Lions coaches I had and it was quite cool to have them as my last Hurricanes coaches. They’re the ones that gave me the chance [to chase my dreams].’’

Back then there was none of this premiership and championship nonsense and no crossover games. Wellington were in the first division and among the title contenders every season.

Thrush can’t leave the Lions in a better position than when he found them, but there would be some satisfaction in getting them back into the premiership.

After all the near-misses, only Magpies fans would begrudge him that.