Rutherford (22) took a vast step towards carving out a new identity yesterday when he smashed his maiden first-class century, in his first appearance at this level in three seasons, against Northern Districts in Hamilton.
The powerful left-handed opener cracked 107 off just 96 balls in a 97-run partnership with Neil Broom for the third wicket in the rain-affected Plunket Shield clash.
Otago declared its first innings at 228 for three after 50 overs. By the end of the day, Northern was 70 for four in its second dig, holding a lead of 142 runs going into the final day.
Rutherford had not played first-class cricket since November 2009, and his average going into the game was an anaemic 11.90 from six matches, with a high score of 41.
"I just wanted to play each ball on its merit, leave well outside off stump and play straight. It went from there," Rutherford told the Otago Daily Times from Hamilton.
Rutherford started at a moderate pace, raising 50 off 66 balls.
But he then exploded into action, flying from 67 to 103 in the space of 10 balls.
He hit five fours and two sixes in that span, being particularly severe on Northern slow bowler Mitchell Santner, and raising the ton with a rope-clearing blast.
"They were bowling a left-arm spinner, with short boundaries on the leg side. The wind was going that way, as well. So I thought, if the ball is up, why not?"
Rutherford, the son of former Otago captain Ken Rutherford, has had to be satisfied with one-day and twenty/20 appearances in recent seasons. He hopes this century, which follows a useful 62 in a one-day game last month, will help shake his reputation as a mere basher.
"I suppose I have been pigeonholed a little bit as a twenty/20 player. And to be honest, twenty/20 is quite hit and miss.
"I've worked really hard over the last two years off the park. It's pretty pleasing to finally get some reward for that.
"I'm pleased, but it was only one innings. You've always got to start again tomorrow."
Rutherford's success will inevitably be contrasted with the struggles of the man he replaced, former Otago captain Aaron Redmond, whose hopes of returning to the side now appear forlorn.
Broom carried on the groundwork laid by Rutherford, batting nicely for 72 not out, in an unbeaten partnership of 76 with brother Darren (25 not out), before the declaration was made.
Otago quickly reduced Northern Districts to 14 for two. The Marshall brothers fought back, before both were removed by Neil Wagner.
The Knights had resumed their first innings yesterday on 143 for four. No play was possible on Saturday, because of rain.
Former Black Caps batsman Daniel Flynn pushed on to his ninth first-class century, finishing 113 not out when Northern captain Brad Wilson declared at 300 for six.
In other matches, second-placed Wellington trails Canterbury by 151 runs and is yet to take a second innings wicket at the Basin Reserve. In Napier, third-placed Auckland has a 299-run advantage over Central Districts with two wickets remaining.
The Aces are in the best position to claim a win, after skittling the Stags for 143 yesterday.
