The Otago captain has been recalled to an extended squad for the test against South Africa at Hagley Oval starting tomorrow week.
It is seven years since Rutherford last donned the whites for New Zealand, and while others were jolted out of their seats when they read the news yesterday, the left-handed opening batter was just getting on with the job.
"I’ve known for a while now so I’ve had time to process it and come to grips with it," he told the Otago Daily Times.
"The most challenging thing has been keeping it confidential from everybody. It’s nice now that everybody knows.
"I’ve been quite busy, and it wasn’t necessarily on my radar, but it’s a very nice surprise. I’m excited.
"I know it’s a special thing, and it’s awesome to be involved. But at the end of the day, it is a cricket game."
Rutherford (32) sprang to national attention when he belted 171 in his debut test against England at the University Oval in March 2013.
He played 15 more tests, and had 755 runs at 26.96 when he was dropped after playing Sri Lanka in January 2015.
Over the next seven years, he has plugged away for Otago and in English country cricket — he now has 7461 first-class runs, including 17 centuries, at 36.75 — and while he never lost the desire to play test cricket, it did not consume him.
"A few years ago, I maybe felt I deserved another opportunity, but it went another way.
"You never know. It’s always an aspiration to get back into the Black Caps.
"That’s the dream as a kid. While I got to live that dream for a brief time, it’s still something you strive for.
"If you’re looking for motivation in the depths of winter in the Edgar Centre, you can pull on that dream as something to get you back in line, and it’s crazy what sport can do."
He was naturally a more mature cricketer now, Rutherford said.
"I’ve played over 100 first-class games and experienced different conditions and bowling attacks around the world, so I’ve got enough experience to be able to cope with most things.
"It’s experience as a cricketer but also as a bloke.
"I was sort of learning on the job when I was in the team the first time, and that tends to happen in New Zealand cricket sometimes.
"Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to learn quickly enough and put performances on the board that were good enough for me to keep my place. That sometimes happens."
Most see Rutherford as a long shot to play, even with the Black Caps’ batting stocks depleted as a result of Kane Williamson’s continuing injury and Ross Taylor’s retirement.
Tom Latham, Will Young and Devon Conway will be the top three, fitness permitting, but Rutherford is ready to calmly pull on the pads if needed.
"Honestly, it won’t be too different to how I would prepare for Otago or the Albion Eagles.
"It’s the same mindset and approach that I’ve had for a number of years.
"I’m fizzed that I get another go, and if I get selected, I will just give it a crack."
