Rush sentenced to spread word on safety to schools

By Simon Hendery

Rugby star Eric Rush will tour South Auckland schools preaching road safety as part of his sentence for causing a fatal car smash.

The former All Black and New Zealand sevens captain was yesterday ordered to do 200 hours' community service, pay more than $15,000 reparation and lost his driver's licence for 18 months.

His lawyer, Chris Morris, told the Auckland District Court that Rush was a gifted public speaker. A number of Franklin and South Auckland schools were interested in having him carry out his community service by speaking to students as part of a Maori youth anti-bullying programme.

Outside court, a Pukekohe youth aid officer, Senior Constable Mike Tod, said police were keen to take advantage of Rush's public profile to spread road safety and anti-violence messages to at-risk students.

Last October, Rush pleaded guilty to charges of careless driving causing the death of 23-year-old Brendon Malcolm, of Tauranga, and careless driving causing injury to Mr Malcolm's wife, Claire, and a passenger in the couple's car, Bryce Casey.

Rush, driving a borrowed Ford Falcon, was travelling from a rugby training camp in Rotorua to a speaking engagement in Auckland on August 10. His car failed to take a bend on State Highway 2 and smashed head-on into the Malcolms' car near Mangatawhiri, north-east of Pokeno.

This week, the 34-year-old Rush also admitted a charge of dangerous driving - overtaking on a double yellow line just minutes before the fatal smash.

In court, Mr Morris said Rush had been deeply affected by the incident and had required professional counselling as a result.

He had expressed his pain and grief to a representative of the families of the victims and a mutually agreed reparation figure of $15,247 would be paid.

Mr Morris said Rush took a corner too fast on a greasy road at a notorious accident black spot.

Judge Jane Lovell-Smith said Rush would be treated the same as anyone else facing similar charges. Misjudging the corner was "a common error, but in this case with tragic consequences."

Pictured: Eric Rush. HERALD PICTURE / GLENN JEFFREY