Hooker Jason Rutledge's incredible tryline defence against Waikato

Im not saying First.

Still an idiot though.

Incredible strength

Anyone know what the record is for the oldest AB debut? Can't help but think it would mean so much more for this guy than some twenty year old that's come up through every academy and age group going, being told at each stage that he'll be an All Black one day.

Not of course that sentiment is any way to pick your team, but it would be great to see him get a run.

what a strength demonstration! nice skill!

Great heart!!

sixth

god is ugly though

it's not all about scoring tries. defensive rugby can be very entertaining too!

How good is he at lineout? If he's decent, then why not put him in the AB squad? They could use a hooker who's good at throwing in.

Although, it should be said that Mealamu has an incredible work rate around the pitch as well, so I could see maybe why Rutledge is (unfortunately) being passed up.

Sweet. The celebration of a nuts and bolts man.

Good on Him. I too would love to see him get a run in an AB jersey.

The problem though is that much like Tennis, Golf and Athletics, the difference between the Best and the 5th for instance, is microscopic.

Also, as Robbie Mac said, with the academy scheme and all that Jazz you have to be ridiculously talented in all areas to get a look from the selectors as a wild card.

Really really cool. Thanks RD!

More of the same please Mr Dump! I love the free-flowing backs moves too, but this sort of thing is awesome to watch. I'm at a loss to work out how you can hold a bloke that size in the air, both his bodyweight and the fact he's pushing downwards, just phenomenal.

yeah hes good at lineout aswell, mealamu is new zealands best hooker at the moment but rutlidge would easily be my choice for backup, especially over flynn. even de melmanche and elliott are ahead of flynn in my books.

The fact that his back is bent too makes it all the more old skool perfect as a display of pure strength.
Perfect body position from the attacker and pure Arm strength in the tackler.

As the man said, "he deserves a lie down".

Rutledge has alot of heart... But I reckon Hika elliot should be the number 2 hooker in NZ...

Elliot is an animal on attack and defense and has a great throw... Flynn does nothing for me, he get's so many opportunities and never seems to deliver.

I like Hika as well. Post RWC Hika will probably come into the fold as will the man-mountain Ben Afeaki at prop. On the other prop you've got the Franks brothers and that equals a pretty phenomenal front row heading into the future.

Yea I agree, Owen Franks, Elliot and Afeaki would be the meanest front row in a couple of years....

Great strength, Looked like he didn't release the player both times after making the tackle??

Seen people get pinged for less and as Waikato were going forward a Pen try may have been given for a professional foul. He was killing the ball in the first one.

It is amazing that he was able to hold up the guy driving so low and close to the ground.
Rutledge seems to be highlighting the heart of this southland team

Rutledge has been a decent hooker for years but because he has kept the faith with Southland (that are not one of NZ's glamor sides) he has been over looked. Now with Southland on top of the ITM I hope guys like him get a chance as he is exactly the type of player that made the Black jersey so well respected. All balls and determination.

Well done also to Southland on their shield defense against Auckland. Lets hope the shield stays in the provinces where it really does wonders for rugby in the area where it is held.

@bradders holding the ball up over the line never has and never will be called killing the ball. What is he supposed to do, let the Waikato players waltz on in to score?

being a forward myself i'd like to see more of that stuff! flashy runnig und passing is one part of the game. before that happens, theres the hard grunt work up front. i thought a while about asking exactly that question: can we please see more of that action rd? hard charges, gang tackling, tryline defence, big scrums etc...
would really like it!
sorry for the bad english.

If we had 15 guys in the AB's or any team for that matter putting the effort in that Rutledge does for 80minutes there would not be a team on earth that could beat them. He plays the game at 120% night in night out period, there is not reverse no pacing himself no nights off. Like most seasoned provincial professionals there have been opportunities to step away from the game and moments when when others tell you your time may be up but he has not simply up and left or shelved the rugby boots for the plumbers tools. He had been told as a youth to give up due to concussions yet he kept playing and only two seasons ago was told by Southland couches he was number 3 and was free to look elsewhere, but to wear another provinces colours was not on the agenda and he fought back to number one in Southland, number one in the Highlanders and arguably at least top 3 in NZ. While I'm sure he would love to be an All Black you can bet your swedes, oysters and mutton birds he will be pulling on that maroon jumper, be it as starting hooker, reserve or even development squad for as long as his body is able to get the tight Lycra over his large shoulders! This man epitomises everything that has made NZ rugby great if you could bottle it it would be worth millions its what wins world cups, is an inspiration to young children sitting at home, its what movies are made of, NZ rugby needs a fairy tale and not an Eric the Eel fairy tale but one where the guy actually deserves the jersey like Rutledge. We have seen the black jersey given away to the likes of Caleb Ralph, Xavier Rush and co for far less than Rutledge accomplishes in a single outing for all that is good and fair in the land give this man his Black Jersey its not like he is going to let anyone down.

Nice one @Mark. Nothing like having someone with grit and the character/experience of a number of years playing....Simon Shaw is like that for the England team - I wish the rest of the current England squad had his backbone..

He is a brilliant player and truly inspirational. The selectors probably won't go for him because of his age, but he gets better with age. At least this means he will be around to help the Stags retain the Shield and have a good shot at the ITM Cup.