A pacey centre known for his repertoire of swerves, speed, a lightness of touch and an ability to wrong-foot his rivals – England’s David Duckham has lots in common with the new Chevrolet Cruze.
David recently took a tour of some of his sporting touchstones, darting between locations in the Cruze as he reflected on a life in rugby. It all started for him at King Henry VIII School in Coventry, where David first picked up an oval-shaped ball, aged 11 and discovered a natural ability to run at opponents.
“I wasn’t afraid of the physical side of the game; I just took to it naturally,” said David. Without any real ambition to play rugby at a higher level, it took a push from a senior player at Old Coventrians, telling him to “go and play for Coventry RFC”, which at the time was a leading light in domestic rugby. And it didn’t take long before he was sporting the red rose of his homeland. “After one season I was playing for England! I had what you might call a meteoric rise, but I didn’t plan it.” David was an everyday achiever, albeit in a struggling England side (to his eternal regret), quietly going about his business with spectacular results – just like the Cruze.
It was then time to jump aboard the Cruze, which effortlessly ferried him over to Coundon Road Stadium, Coventry RFC’s former home ground, which has since been converted into a housing development. And, testament to David’s achievements, he discovered a road had been named after him!
Combining a career as a rugby star with a job in banking was tough, with the travelling and long tours overseas. “I allowed the game to dominate my life. It wasn’t a sporting challenge; it was more of a general challenge in my life. I wanted to be someone who did well in business – not just regarded as an international sportsman.”
Unsurprisingly, the 69/70 season win over South Africa – the first ever for England – ranks as one of David’s finest moments, and the Barbarians’ surprise win over the All Blacks in New Zealand in 1973 is also a highlight. “We went as no-hopers, and miraculously won the Test Match.”
"You feel ten feet tall. You feel like Superman. You feel like you can conquer the world."
By the time David pulled up in the Cruze at his home in rural Stratford-upon-Avon, he waxed lyrical about his enduring love of rugby. “I’m still interested in the game, and I still like going to Twickenham.” But it doesn’t beat playing for England; “You feel ten feet tall. You feel like Superman. You feel like you can conquer the world.”
David looks for comfort and reliability in a car – areas in which the Chevrolet Cruze excels. With the LT model coming with light-sensing automatic headlamps, rain-sensing automatic wipers, rear park assist, climate control and ESC, you certainly get so much more for your money. It changes the rules of the game... a little like David Duckham, in fact.
