Plumber downs tools for Hurricanes call

Jason Rutledge wasn't even sure where he was sleeping last night, let alone who was going to fix his customers' faulty washing machines and toilets in Invercargill.

And in that, the 35-year-old Southlander was a breath of fresh air at the Hurricanes' training yesterday where he provided a throwback to the days of the amateur game.

"I've been trying to get my business up and running with the plumbing back home," the Invercargill plumber said.

"There's a couple of people who have been put on standby till I find out what's happening on Wednesday."

Rutledge, who has played 58 matches for the Highlanders and 114 for Southland, won't know how long his "working holiday" in Wellington will last till Motu Matu'u has a midweek fitness test.

The Hurricanes' first-choice hooker Dane Coles has a low ankle sprain which will keep him out for two to four weeks, while Matu'u is struggling with a shoulder injury.

And though wider training group rake Ash Dixon will don the No 2 jersey against the Highlanders in Dunedin on Friday, he may need a backup.

Which is why Rutledge downed tools and caught the early flight to Wellington yesterday.

"It's been quite busy back in the real world trying to fit in plumbing and training, and that sort of stuff," he said. "I haven't had the mayday call from anyone about a broken toilet yet but there's a couple of them who might be missing a washing machine or something like that."

As was the case before rugby went professional, Rutledge spends his weeks juggling the game he loves with his business, Rutledge Plumbing, which pays the bills. "It's been tough over the past few years; four years with the Highlanders. I get the business going good, then I move back to Dunedin and have to close it down, then I come back and get it started, and I'm going back and forth. Now I've got it going good and I'm in the process of hiring another tradesman to help me out.

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Plumber downs tools for Hurricanes call