Rush steps down from NZ Maori Rugby Board

Former New Zealand Maori and Counties Manukau representative Peter Goldsmith has been elected as a new independent board member of the New Zealand Maori Rugby Board.

He succeeds ex-New Zealand Sevens captain and All Blacks wing Eric Rush, who has stepped down after a three-year term.

"I would like to thank Eric for his contribution and while it is always unfortunate to lose a person of his experience, we welcome Peter’s appointment," said New Zealand Maori Rugby Board chairman Paul Quinn.

Quinn said Goldsmith brought an array of skills to the Board: "He is respected in rugby, sport and local authority circles, with sound experience as a player, coach and administrator, and I am sure that the Board and Maori rugby in general will benefit from his knowledge."

Goldsmith, who is affiliated to Ngati Porou, is an experienced rugby administrator and is a former Chief Executive of North Harbour RFU and former Rugby Committee member of the Counties Manukau RFU.

He also coached Counties Manukau in the early 1980s.

- © Fairfax NZ News