Now, he is opening the batting for his country in both limited-over formats and has just been named in the test team. It is a meteoric rise for the 23-year-old.
The dashing left-hander emerged from the shadow of his father - former New Zealand batsman Ken Rutherford - with a remarkable scoring spree which saw him amass 607 runs for Otago in March.
His purple patch included back-to-back centuries against Northern Districts and a double hundred against Wellington.
It got him noticed and earlier this month he made his international debut in a twenty/20 match against England at Eden Park. He was called into the one-day side when fellow opener Martin Guptill was ruled out with an injury and yesterday he was named in the test squad. His latest promotion took him by surprise.
''It has happened very quickly,'' Rutherford told the Otago Daily Times.
''I'd be lying if I didn't say it has taken me by surprise. But I guess that seems to be the way in New Zealand cricket - that maybe you're not as far away as what you think you are.
''If you score runs at the right time and a few things go your way . . . then maybe you'll get a chance.''
For Rutherford, Guptill's unfortunate thumb injury removed the final roadblock.
There might have been a temptation to pick more experienced players, such as Otago's Aaron Redmond or Central Districts opener Jamie How, to partner Peter Fulton at the top of the order.
Daniel Flynn is another who must have been considered. But with coach Mike Hesson naming Rutherford and Canterbury's Tom Latham (20) in the side, it sends a clear message the Black Caps are looking to the future.
''We picked Peter to tour South Africa and he would have played there if he hadn't been injured,'' Hesson said.
''That leaves young Hamish and Tom to battle for the other opening spot. They've been in good form and are both products of our successful New Zealand A programme.''
A spot has been left vacant for a fast bowler to be added to the squad. Otago's Neil Wagner and Wellington's Mark Gillespie shape as the leading contenders.
The four-day warm-up game between New Zealand A and England at the Queenstown Events Centre this week will be a meaningful opportunity for those players to nail a test spot.
Rutherford has a bit of a leg-up in the sense he has already scored a first-class century at the venue this season. He has also had a look at England's daunting pace attack of Steven Finn, James Anderson and Stuart Broad.
''That is one thing I've got in my favour - I have faced them. They're good bowlers and they're probably the second-best attack in the world behind South Africa. So it is a challenge but it is a good challenge.
''They don't give you anything. They make you go out of your areas to try and find ways to score.''
Wellington wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi has been ruled out of the warm-up game with a hamstring injury. He has been replaced by BJ Watling with Latham taking over as captain.
Black Caps Test squad
Peter Fulton, Hamish Rutherford, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Brendon McCullum (captain), Dean Brownlie, BJ Watling, Doug Bracewell, Bruce Martin, Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Tom Latham.
