Border Telegraph | Sport | Chris Paterson

Monday, 6th October, 2008

Published: Wednesday, 25th June, 2008 09:00

Chris Paterson - 88 caps for Scotland.

By Stuart Cameron

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MAROONED: Mossie for Hawick?

FOR any team to win in Argentina is a tough ask. For Scotland to win there for the first time on Argentine soil since 1969 was a major achievement, and to finally end the season they well and truly laid the bogie by winning 26-14 with two tries from former Kelso Academy's Ross Ford and Glasgow centre Graeme Morrison.

But once again it was Galashiels Academy's favourite son, Chris Paterson, who did the damage with another tremendous display with the boot. He extended his world record to 36 successful kicks in succession in international rugby before pushing a 37th attempt just wide of the right posts, although, to be fair, many touch judges would have given him the benefit of the doubt as the posts in Buenos Aires were not as tall as those at Netherdale, and I shared Chris's view that in fact the kick did go over.

But that wasn't the only record Chris chalked up. It was his 88th appearance for Scotland and no one has ever played more times in a Scottish jersey in a capped international. The previous week he overtook Gavin Hastings' points scoring record to become Scotland's record points scorer, and he's only a handful of tries away from his next target, which could see him beat the top try record currently held by Hawick's Tony Stanger and the legendary Ian Smith from the 1930s.

Chris is one of the true gentlemen of the game. Quietly getting on with his job, always having time for anyone who wants to talk to him, incredibly diplomatic, and a real legend of Scottish Rugby. Record books don't lie and it's fair to say that by the end of this century people will be looking back and talking up Paterson for his achievements for Scotland's rugby team.

With a move back to Edinburgh as he heads towards his 30th birthday it is likely he will reach 100 caps, and while he may be regarded as the ultimate utility player, playing stand off, wing or full back, Scotland cannot go onto a rugby pitch without his kicking skills, and Scotland owes him a massive vote of thanks for the times he has kept Scotland in a game. We may find it difficult scoring tries but Chris has played our "joker" and our "Get out of Jail Free" card on numerous occasions, and as we head towards a very interesting set of autumn internationals including games against the mighty Boks and New Zealand - the two greatest teams in the world - we should enjoy a large crowd at Murrayfield to take on the best of the best in November.

It was interesting during last week that Chris Paterson has been assigned to Hawick Rugby Club. All 72 pro players from Edinburgh and Glasgow's squads have been divided up equally into the 12 Premier 1 clubs in a bid by Scottish Rugby to give extra game time to (in particular) fringe squad players during next season on weeks where Magners League or international duties are not taking place. To see Chris running out in the green of Hawick will indeed be a sight never contemplated by the Gala club before! Whether it will happen remains to be seen but it will be an historic day if it does!

I described Chris Paterson as a very private person. It is always difficult for journalists to know exactly what his true feelings are about the many issues affecting him and Scottish Rugby. His loyalty to his players and to Scotland and his tactfulness has to be admired. It's for this reason that none of us can wait for his autobiography to come out, which inevitably it will, after his career is ended.

To find out his true thoughts about his magnificent career, Scottish Rugby and many other subjects will be fascinating. But for now let's all salute a true Scottish Rugby legend, and one that Borders Rugby can be proud of.

editorial@bordertelegraph.com

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