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SCMP Reporter

JOHN Plumtree embodies the spirit of the modern-day rugby player - free, roving and with no binding ties.

 He is also the centre of a growing problem that has confounded international rugby, and in Plumtree's case would have seen him branded a heretic, perhaps a decade ago. What crime has he done that deems a burnt-at-the-stake punishment?  Well, you see, Plumtree is a New Zealander who loves his rugby. So what? If one were to burn every Kiwi who loved his rugby, the land of the Long White Cloud would be populated by only sheep today.

 But Plumtree's crime is that he will run out today, garbed in the colours of the ''old enemy'', South Africa.

 A historic occasion indeed. ''It is the first time ever that a Kiwi will play for South Africa in rugby and indeed in any sport,'' revealed Plumtree.

 The 28-year-old Plumtree, a flanker by 15s trade, is likely to feature quite heavily in South Africa's ball-winning plans when they take on Canada and Thailand in the preliminary round today - and more importantly in tomorrow's Cup campaign.

 ''It is going to feel great when I run out. It will almost be as good as running out wearing a New Zealand jersey,'' said Plumtree. His candour might be questioned by some of his diehard countrymen.

 But Plumtree feels so much for his adopted country that he even calls it ''home'' now.

 ''I left New Zealand in 1989 mainly for a change of scenery and because I wanted to get out. I went to Durban and I liked it so much that I stayed there,'' said Plumtree.

 ''I enjoyed playing rugby in South Africa more than I did back in New Zealand. The players were looked after well in Durban.''  Having been a part of Taranaki and Hawkes Bay provincial sides, Plumtree had no problem finding his niche in South Africa. He was soon an integral part of Natal.

 For the next five seasons, from 1989 till now, the rangy Kiwi flanker mixed with the best in Natal, hoping that one day he would be able to pull on a Springbok jersey.

 That dream was fulfilled recently when he was surprisingly called up to play for the Natal side in the inter-provincial sevens.

 His break came about due to an injury to young loose forward Dieter Kriese, who played last year at the Hong Kong Sevens. A broken hand kept Kriese out, and Natal, in need of a mobile forward as replacement, asked Plumtree to play.

 The Kiwi needed no second chance. He played, was impressive, and was picked for the Hong Kong Sevens.

 ''I guess my performance on the day helped to impress certain people. Considering that I was not even picked to play for Natal, I think I did well,'' he said.

 With Plumtree excelling, Natal went on to win the inter-provincial tournament, defeating Transvaal 44-10.

 Plumtree, however, insists that sevens is not his game. ''I'm not a great exponent of the sevens game. But, having said that, I still think I can hold my own at sevens,'' he said modestly.

 It is evident that what Plumtree really yearns for is a place in the Springbok 15s side.

 ''It is an honour to play for South Africa at whatever level. But really sevens was not my goal.''  Sevens rugby is a brand new game to the South Africans. And they have dealt with this by fielding a specialist sevens squad and looking for players who are comfortable in the wide open spaces.

 So does this mean that Plumtree can count himself out of the equation when the South Africans mull over their 15s selection?  An optimist at heart, Plumtree hopes not. He also hopes that a good performance this weekend might help his chances of getting into the limelight as a versatile player.

 ''I know what matters is how players play in the domestic Currie Cup tournament and the Super 10s. But while my performances here will not go a long way, a bad performance here will certainly not help either.''  Words that the opposition should heed this weekend.



Kiwi John's a first for SA