Eric Rush

Eric Rush
Rush in 2016
Birth nameEric James Rush
Date of birth (1965-02-11) 11 February 1965
Place of birthKaeo, New Zealand
Height1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Weight86 kg (190 lb)
SchoolTangaroa College
UniversityUniversity of Auckland
Occupation(s)
  • Lawyer
  • supermarket proprietor
Rugby union career
Position(s)
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
1986–1989 Auckland 13 (24)
1991–2000 North Harbour 90 (182)
Super Rugby
Years Team Apps (Points)
1996–1998 Chiefs 18 (50)
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1992–1996 New Zealand 9 (25)
1987–1998 New Zealand Māori 30 (57)
National sevens team
Years Team Comps
  New Zealand
Medal record
Men's rugby sevens
Representing  New Zealand
Commonwealth Games
1998 Kuala LumpurTeam competition
2002 ManchesterTeam competition

Eric James Rush (born 11 February 1965) is a former New Zealand rugby union footballer and rugby sevens player, and now a supermarket owner. His New Zealand Sevens career began in 1988 and ran until 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.