The forgotten story of ... Steve Merrick, rugby union’s last amateur | Patrick Skene

The coal miner plucked from the bush to play two Bledisloe Cup Tests turned down the offer a professional contract in favour of heading straight back homeOn a glorious wintry day at Rugby Park in Singleton, two hours drive north of Sydney, a leathery, battle-hardened Steve Merrick stands with his people watching their beloved Singleton Bulls. The last of rugby union’s amateurs, 20 years ago Merrick played an unlikely role in the Wallabies Bledisloe Cup campaign against New Zealand. After the second Test in 1995, he returned to Singleton, where he remains to this day.“Been a tough one for the B…