HE IS remembered as the most complete stand-off ever to grace a Scotland jersey, yet when he arrived in Australia in 1982, three years into his Test career, John Rutherford could not kick a ball. That, at least, is his perhaps overly modest assessment of his own limitations ahead of what would prove an historic tour.

''I was a terrible kicker when I came into the Scotland side,'' he recalls. ''I used to use Jim Renwick to do all the kicking when I first got into the national team.''

It was a meeting in Queensland early in the tour that transformed Rutherford's technique, from being horribly erratic, to striking the ball as consistently sweetly as anyone in the game.

''I couldn't believe the height Paul McLean was kicking the ball,'' he said of his opposite number in that match, the then long-established Wallabies fly-half. ''I went to him after that game and he showed me the technique he used.

''That probably wouldn't happen now, of course,'' Rutherford accepted.

''Players are very professional and hang on to those sort of secrets. It is probably best kept in the camp and, I must admit, I don't think I'd be encouraging my players to pass anything on like that.''

Rutherford went on to play a key role in the 12-7 win over Australia at Ballymore, Scotland's first ever Test victory on tour.

The lesson was, though, underlined six days later in Sydney when McLean, replacing Mark Ella, returned to the international arena for the final time, to give a gala performance which included a then Australian Test record of 21 points in a 33-9 win.

Little wonder, though, that as Scotland landed in Australia yesterday, Rutherford was excited at the prospect of returning to the scene of such happy memories and getting the chance, as Scotland's backs' coach, of helping bring the best out of inexperienced players.

''For me, this is a bit like winning your first cap,'' is how he regards his first involvement with the Scotland squad at senior level.

''You train like hell for years to get a cap and I've been coaching now for the best part of 15 years, so when I got the call I was thrilled.

''A lot of the backs we're taking have real potential and it's just my job to bring it out. That's exactly what a tour's about. With the game becoming more and more professional, this may be the last tour of its kind, but it's a great opportunity for everyone in the party.

''When players are working twice a day in these conditions with people like Jim Telfer, Hugh Campbell and Frank Hadden, they are bound to come on. I'd be pretty disappointed if even the senior players don't come back better players.''

Clearly he also sees this as a major part of his own development as a coach.

Though he finished his long commitment as player and coach of Selkirk at Murrayfield a year ago by winning his first ever trophy with them, the SRU Tennent's Bowl, coaching his home town club was often a frustrating business.

''Working with a club is the hardest coaching job anyone will take on,'' he acknowledged. ''You face problems you would never have at Scotland level.

''Get a couple of call-offs and you're struggling. If the national team has a couple of call-offs they simply bring in the two next best players in the country.

''The Selkirk boys were great, but it's a wee club. You don't have the resources.

''At club level it's all about organisation and making sure the team fit into a plan. Sometimes you can't play the gameplan you'd like to, either, because the players don't have the necessary skills.''

He is, then, highly conscious of the luxury of working with an elite group, well beyond the level he has been used to even in coaching the Scotland Under-21 squad in recent seasons.

Indeed, though he would never say so himself, the impression is that his own gifts were such, he may find it rather easier to put his message across to players who have already acquired a high standard of technical ability.

''It's fantastic working with the national squad,'' is his experience so far.

''The focus is great, players are well motivated and very fit. You can assume a level of basic skills. For us it's pure coaching.''

He knows, too, that, ambitious as he is, like the players he must prove capable of operating in this rarefied atmosphere.

''I've still to prove myself,'' said Rutherford. ''At the moment I'm the Under-21 coach. Someone like Graham Hogg, who has had a fantastic time with the Scotland A squad, is ahead in the pecking order.

''But I got this job because he couldn't go and it's a bit like a player getting in because someone else is injured. I may have come in the back door, but it's an opportunity.''

If, though, those in his charge are as ready as Rutherford is to recognise that they do not know it all, it may bode well for this youthful Scotland squad's prospects.

''I've learned a lot from Jim Telfer already,'' he said. ''I've also learned a lot from Ian McGeechan when he has been up at some of the sessions.

''He has been terrific with me and has made it clear that there is an open line to Northampton if I need to get in touch.

''They've coached the British Lions to victory. I'd be pretty naive to think I couldn't learn from them.''

q INDICATIONS that Scotland tourist David Officer is set for a move to English Premiership side Harlequins have strengthened the impression that the SRU faces stiff competition for players it wants to put on contract.

Harlequins spokesman Alex Saward played down speculation about the Currie centre yesterday, saying: ''Our first job is to reduce the squad, but it's no secret that we are looking to strengthen it. Officer is a terrific player who is exactly the sort we may look at.''

SRU contracts negotiator Ken Crichton admitted that a number of those targeted by super districts are considering their position, although Officer was the only one to admit to having received an approach.

''He said he had been speaking to an English club, although he didn't say which,'' said Crichton. ''But there have been reports that four or five others have been talking to clubs.''

Another highly rated centre, James McLaren, is still considering whether to join Stirling County clubmate Mark McKenzie at French side Bourgoin.

''Clearly we want players we have offered contracts to sign. It becomes a disappointment if they cannot see their way to accepting, but we cannot force anyone to sign,'' said Crichton.