Hoskins Colin Ryder SOTUTU

Date of Birth: 12th July 1998 in Auckland

All Black No. 1186 and Marist All Black No. 31

Positions: Loose Forward

ALL BLACKS in 2020 to 2022 [14 Games - 14 tests and scoring 10 points through tries scored against Italy in 2021 and Japan 2022]

Other First Class level games of note include:

- At provincial level for Auckland from 2018 through to 2020 [17 games scoring 10 points] and then for Counties Manukau from 2021 to the present [TBC'd games].

- At "Super Rugby" level for the Blues from 2019 through to the present [37 games scoring 65 points].

- At National level for other New Zealand teams that included for the New Zealand Secondary Schools Team in 2016, the New Zealand Under 20's Team in 2018, and the North Island in 2020.

COMMENTS:

1. Sotutu was educated at Sacred Heart College in Auckland and from that school he was selected for the New Zealand Secondary Schools team in 2016. Interestingly he had played the majority of his rugby as a Utility Back until the later years of his time at College, but when he moved into the Forwards that was when he very quickly changed into a high quality Loose Forward playing mainly at Number 8.

2. Sototu is the son of former Marist player and the current "Director of Rugby" for our club, Waisake Sotutu, who himself was an outstanding player who represented Auckland, the Blues, and Fiji [including being the Vice Captain of the team at the 1999 Rugby World Cup] during his playing career. His mother, Adelita, also played rugby representing the Auckland "Storm" in 1991 and 1992 while his sister Teuila plays for the Auckland Women's Sevens team as well as has played Netball for New Zealand at Under 21 level.

3. Although born in New Zealand, Sotutu was elligible to play for Fiji [Dad], England [Mum], and New Zealand [birth]. In 2020, he was contacted by the then England Coach, Eddie Jones, to assess his interest in playing for England, but when he signed to play for the Blues for another two seasons he also committed himself to play for New Zealand.

4. Upon leaving school, Sotutu began playing for our proud Marist Brothers Old Boys Rugby Club in 2017. He was a member of our Club's Under 21 Team that won the Auckland Provincial Grade Championship in a Final played on Auckland's Eden Park that season with him playing the match at First Five Eighth. He was a member of our Club's Premier Team that played in the Final of the "2019 Gallaher Shield" [sadly lost to our great rivals based at Western Springs].

5. In 2017, Sotutu was a member of the Auckland Under 19's team that played in the "Jock Hobbs Memorial Tournament" and that team won the "Graham Mourie Cup" as the winners of the Top Division at the tournament. That same season, he became a member of the Blues Academy system and he was a member of the Blues team that won the "2018 Brisbane 10's" Tournament.

6. Sotutu made his debut for Auckland in 2018 in the match played against Counties Manukau and at the end of that season he became a "fully contracted player" as a member of the Blues playing in "Super Rugby". That season, he was selected for the New Zealand "Under 20's" team that competed at the "2018 World Rugby Under 20's Championships" held in France with the New Zealand team finishing fourth [beaten by the tournament champions, France, in the Semi-Finals]. He is currently playing for Counties Manukau in the NPC having done so since 2020, but he has continued to play his club rugby for our Marist club.

7. Sotutu made his "debut" for the Blues in "Super Rugby" during the match played against the Crusaders in Christchurch for Round 15 in 2019 and the previous season he was a member of the Auckland team that won the "2018 Mitre 10 Premiership" by defeating Canterbury in the Final played at Eden Park in Auckland.

8. In 2020, Sotutu was the form Loose Forward in "Super Rugby" before suffering an injury. However, based upon his outstanding form prior to that injury, he was selected in the "North Island" team to play in the 2020 Inter Island match which doubled as a Trial for the New Zealand "All Black" team being selected for the "2020 Bledisloe Cup Series" and "2020 Rugby Championship Series".

9. Sotutu was selected  for the New Zealand "All Blacks" immediately following that Inter Island match and he very proudly made his "debut" for our country when he came off "The Bench" in the Test Match played against Australia in Wellington on the 11th October 2020 [a match drawn 16-16]. Next, he started the Second Test match that was played in his home city of Auckland again joining the game from "The Bench" when he entered the game midway through the Second Half to play his part in a resounding victory for the All Blacks. Then, he got his first "Start" in the Third Test match of that series played in Sydney after the tournament transfered to Australia and this was another excellent victory for the All Blacks which meant that the All Blacks retained the "Bledisloe Cup" for 2020. He again played for the All Blacks in 2021 and he scored his first points for his country when he scored a try in the Test Match played against Italy in Rome. In 2022, he scored his second points when scoring a try playing against Japan in Tokyo.

10. Aged only 25-years-old, Sotutu is playing at the pinnacle of New Zealand Rugby through a combination of talent, passion, and hardwork... an inspiration for any talented and aspiring young player.

STILL CURRENTLY PLAYING IN NEW ZEALAND

Isaia TOEAVA

Date of Birth: 15th January 1986 in Samoa [Moto'otua]

All Black No. 1064 and Marist All Black No. 30

Position: Fullback, Centre, and Wing Threequarter.

​​​​​​​ALL BLACKS from 2005 to 2011 [36 Tests and 1 other Tour Match scoring 40 points (8 tries)]

Other First Class level games of note included:

- At provincial level for Auckland from 2005 to 2011 [31 games and scored 37 points]

- At "Super Rugby" level for the "Hurricanes" in 2006 [14 games and scored 15 points] and for the Blues from 2007 to 2012 [61 games and scored 96 points]

- At National level for other New Zealand teams included for the New Zealand Secondary Schools in 2003, for the New Zealand Under 19's in 2005  [scoring 62 points through five tries and 37 points from the boot] with him being named as the "International Rugby Board's Under 19 Player of the Year" that same year, and also in 2005 for New Zealand "Sevens" playing in three tournaments. [scoring 47 points through 9 tries as well as kicking a conversion]

COMMENTS:

1. Toeava was educated at De La Salle College in Auckland's Mangere East playing in the First Fifteen from where he was selected for the New Zealand Secondary Schools team in 2003.

2. After leaving school, Toeava began playing rugby with our Marist Brothers Old Boys Rugby Club in Auckland where he was a member of our Club's Auckland Championship winning Under 21 Colts team in 2004. 

3. From our Club and playing in the Club's Premier team, Toeava was selected to play for the New Zealand Under 19 Team in 2005 playing as a Second Five-Eighth and following that tournament he was named the "IRB Under 19 Player of the Year" for 2005. 

4. As a 19-year-old, Toeava played 8 games for Auckland in that 2005 season with only one of those games being a "start" - at First Five-Eighth against Northland scoring 2 tries. He ultimately played for Auckland through until the end of the 2011 season playing 31 games while scoring 37 points.

5. More was to come in that 2005 season though, as that same season Toeava was first selected for the New Zealand "All Blacks". His "debut" for the All Blacks was as a Fullback in the Test Match played against Scotland in Edinburgh with him ultimately playing 36 matches for the All Blacks that were all Test Matches [16 as a Replacement] scoring 8 tries. His last match for the All Blacks was played against Argentina in the "2011 Rugby World Cup" with him receiving a "Rugby World Championship" as a member of the All Blacks team that won the "2011 Rugby World Cup'".

6. Toeava played in two Rugby World Cups for New Zealand, the first in 2007 as a Centre Threequarter and the second in 2011 as a Fullback. In 2007, he played in five matches including "coming on" as replacement in the match played against France in Cardiff. In 2011, he was a member of the Rugby World Championship winning New Zealand team. and he played in three "Pool Matches" in that tournament.

7. In "Super Rugby", Toeava played for the "Hurricanes" as a "Draft Player" in 2006 playing all 14 games for them at Fullback plus scoring 15 points [the "Blues" had already picked their squad before he was selected for the All Blacks so could not then select him] and then for the "Blues" from 2007 to 2012 [playing 61 games and scoring 96 points].

8. In 2011, Toeava played for the Barbarians Football Club in the UK following the "Rugby World Cup" tournament in a match played against the "beaten Finalists" Australia at London's Twickenham.

9. In 2012, at the end of the "Super Rugby" season Toeava signed to play in Japan for the "Canon Eagles" and then for the "Kubota Spears". In 2016, he signed to play in France since playing for first "Clermont" [winning the "Champions Cup" in 2017], then for "Toulon" in the 2020/2021 season, and he is currently playing for Bayonne in the 2022/2023 season playing as a Centre Threequarter.

10. Toeava has been the recipient of many accolades during his career which include being; the New Zealand Rugby "Age Grade Player of the Year" in 2005, the"IRB Under 19 Player of the Year" in 2005, and being a member of the New Zealand "All Blacks" team that won the "2011 Rugby World Cup" thereby receiving a "World Champions" medal.

Total New Zealand Statistics: 114 First Class games scoring 188 points

Saimone TAUMOEPEAU

Date of Birth: 21st December 1979 in Tonga ​​​​​​​[Ha'apai]

All Black No. 1045 and Marist All Black No. 29

Position: Prop Forward​​​​​​​

ALL BLACKS from 2004 to 2005 [3 Tests and 1 other Tour Match scoring five points (a try scored on "debut" against Italy)]

Other First Class level games of note included:

- At provincial level for Auckland from 2002 to 2007 [46 games and 30 points]

- At "Super Rugby" level for the Blues from 2005 to 2007 [25 games and 5 points]

- At National level for other New Zealand teams included for the New Zealand Junior All Blacks in 2005 and 2006 [six games]

COMMENTS:

1. Taumoepeau emigrated to NZ as a 20-year-old in 1999 and in 2000 he played his rugby in Timaru for the rural club known as Fairlie and he also played a season of club rugby in the Bay of Plenty before moving to Auckland.

2. Upon relocating to Auckland, Taumoepeau began playing rugby for our Marist Brothers Old Boys Rugby Club in Auckland and he played Club Rugby for our Club for the rest of his time playing rugby in New Zealand.

3. To many, Taumoepeau was considered a "surprise selection" when first selected for the New Zealand "All Blacks" in 2004... remarkably after having only made his debut for Auckland that same year [playing seven games] and without having yet played any "Super Rugby".

4. Playing "Spuer Rugby" came in 2005 when Taumoepeau played for the Blues and he played for them from 2005 to 2007. During those seasons, he played 25 times for the Blues, but he joined the majority of those games from "The Bench" as he was competing for "starts" against the oustanding All Black Prop Tony Woodcock. He scored a try in th 2007 season and thse were o be his only points in "Super Rugby".

5. Considered by some to be "small" for a Prop Forward, Taumoepeau had a huge reputation for being a devastating scrummager through his outstanding technique and this was combined with his brute strength. This "size" meant that he also played Hooker for Auckland, for the "Blues", and for the NZ Juniors during his career.

6 Taumoepeau first played for the New Zealand "All Blacks" in 2004 and this was in a Test Match played against Italy [scoring a try as previously mentioned] before playing against the UK Barbarians at Twickenham on that same tour.

7. In 2005. Taumoepeau was a member of  "All Blacks" team that went on the "Grand Slam Tour" that year with him playing in the Test matches against Ireland [as a replacement] and then against Scotland [where he started].

8. In 2005, Taumoepeau played in the Auckland team that won the "National Provincial Championship" final played against Otago. As a member of the 2007 Auckland team, he was part of that season's unbeaten team which won both the "Air New Zealand NPC Cup" and the "Ranfurly Shield".

9. At the end of 2007, Taumoepeau signed a contract to play overseas in France where he subsequently played for Toulon [2007-2011], Castres [2011-2016], and Brive [from 2016 to 2021]. He played twice for the "Barbarians" [UK] in 2015

10. Now living back in New Zealand, Taumoepeau is living and working in Auckland. He has attended the Marist clubrooms on occassion and his ready broad smile is welcome at the clubrooms whenever he has time to support the club that did him well before he took his playing ability to the other side of the world.

Total New Zealand Statistics: 83 First Class games scoring 40 points

Stephen John "Steve" DEVINE

Date of Birth: 12th December 1976 in Australia [Boggabri in New South Wales]

All Black No. 1018 and Marist All Black No. 28

Position: Halfback​​​​​​​

ALL BLACKS from 2002 to 2003 [10 Tests]

Other First Class level games of note include:

- At provincial level for Auckland from 1998 to 2007 [78 games and 58 points]

- At "Super Rugby" level for the "Blues" from 1999 to 2007 [70 games and 25 points]

- At National level for other New Zealand teams included for the New Zealand Junior All Blacks in 2005 [2 games]

COMMENTS:

1. Like his predecessor as a Marist All Black in the form of Des Connor, Devine was an Australian who came to New Zealand to improve his rugby [although he was an unknown player unlike Connor who had already played for Australia], and his rugby too developed so well that he was ultimately selected for the All Blacks. As per Connor, Devine hailed from the country districts of rural Australia, he was educated at Australia's celebrated Marist Brothers schools, and he too played Halfback... plus of course he also played in New Zealand from our proud Marist Brothers Old Boys Rugby Club in Auckland!

2.  Devine first played for Auckland at provincial level in 1998 and he played throughout his career for Auckland with him playing his last match in the "blue and white hoops" of Auckland in 2007. As discussed later, he was forced to retire otherwise ther is no doubt he would have played many more.

3. Devine was first selected for the New Zealand "All Blacks" in 2002 on their end-of-season tour to England, Wales, and France with him starting in the Tests played against England and Wales. However, remarkably Devine had not been considered for the 2003 Blues team so... to make way for play him unfortunately another already selected Blues player was asked to step aside for Devine to be included for the 2003 season.

4. Devine again played for the All Blacks in 2003 with him playing 8 Tests at Halfback including playing three matches in the "2003 Rugby World Cup" that was played in the land of his birth., Australia 

5. Sadly, injury and ultimately repeated concussions plagued the "fiesty" Devine throughout his playing career as he did not ever shy away from the confrontional element of rugby. In 2007, after not being able to play for Auckland due to repeated concussion, he ended his playing career.

6. After his playing career was over, Devine took several  years to recover from the ongoing affects of the concussions that he had suffered. Interestingly, he was the Auckland Team's Manager for their "National Provincial Championship" for one season and then he became a fulltime Fire Fighter.

7. Devine was a member of Auckland teams that won the "National Provincial Championship" in 1999 and 2002, and he was a member of the "Blues" team that won the "Super Rugby Competition" in 2003.

Total New Zealand Statistics: 156 First Class games scoring 83 points

Douglas Charles "Doug" HOWLETT

Date of Birth: 21st September 1978 in Auckland

All Black No. 992 and Marist All Black No. 27

Position: Fullback​​​​​​​ and Wing Threequarter

ALL BLACKS from 2000 to 2007 [62 Tests and 1 other Tour Match scoring 245 points from 49 tries]

Other First Class level games of note include:

- At provincial level for Auckland from 1996 to 2007 [56 games and 250 points from 25 tries]

- At "Super Rugby" level for the "Highlanders" in 1997 [2 games and 15 points from 3 tries], for the "Hurricanes" in 1998 [5 games and 5 points from 1 try], and for the "Blues" from 1999 to 2007 [97 games and 275 points from 55 tries]

- At National level for other New Zealand teams included for the New Zealand Colts in 1997, 1998, and 1999 [13 games and 70 points from 14 tries] being award the IRB's "Age Grade Player of the Year" in 1999, and for the New Zealand Academy in 1998 [2 games]

COMMENTS:

1. ​​​​​​​An Auckland Grammar School "Old Boy", at school Howlett was a "sprint champion" [in fact his personal best time over 100 metres was 10.94 seconds recorded in competition in 1998] and he was the school's "Head Prefect" n his final year in 1996. He was a member of the "New Zealand Secondary Schools" team in 1995 and 1996 plus named as the "New Zealand Age Grade Player of the Year" in 1998.

2. Howlett made his first class debut at the age of just 18-years-old when he played for Auckland in the "Air New Zealand Cup" in 1996 [while he was still at Auckland Grammar] and he played for Auckland throughout his provincial rugby career with him being a member of Auckland teams that won the "NZ Rugby Provincial Championship" in 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, and 2007. He played for three [3] "Super Rugby" teams and he was a member of the "Blues" team in 2003 that won the "Super Rugby" competition.

3. Howlett "debuted" for the New Zealand "All Blacks" in 2000 when he played against Tonga in Auckland, he played at two "Rugby World Cups" [in Australia in 2003 and France in 2007], scored 49 tries for the All Blacks in Test Rugby which is still the All Black Record [having taken over from Christian Cullen when Doug scored a try in the 2007 World Cup game played against Scotland], and his last game for the "All Blacks" was played against Romania [of course scoring a try] at that tournament.

4. In 2007, Howlett signed to play for Munster in Ireland being a part of that Club's team that won the "Heineken Cup" in 2007/2008 and he was their Team Captain in 2010. Due to injury, he had to retired from playing rugby in 2013. Upon that retirement, Howlett became a "Corporate Ambassador" for the Club and then the Club's "Head of Commercial and Marketing" where until he resigned in late 2019. He returned back to live in New Zealand with his wife and family.

5. Having scored 50 tries in 62 Test Matches, Howlett is currently the seventh highest try scorer in rugby union history and he remains the first placed player on the all time highest try scorers list for the All Blacks. His 173 tries in all First Class Rugby placed him only behind our own Sir John Kirwan and fellow All Black Bernie Fraser, he is still at the top of the tryscorers list in "Super Rugby", and he is entitled to be ranked amongst the greatest ever All Black Wing Threequarters.

Total New Zealand Statistics: 242 First Class games scoring 865 points

Dylan Gabriel MIKA

Date of Birth: 17th April 1972 in Auckland

All Black No. 982 and Marist All Black No. 26

Position: Number 8 and Blindside Loose Forward

ALL BLACKS in 1999 [7 Tests and 1 other Tour game scoring 5 points]

Other First Class level games of note included:

- At provincial level for Auckland from 1994 to 2000 [55 games and scoring 95 points].

- At "Super Rugby" level for the Blues from 1996 to 1998 and again in 2000 [23 games and 20 points], and for the "Chiefs" in 1999 [11 games and 15 points] for whom he was captain on a number of occasions.

COMMENTS:

1. Mika was educated initially at Marcellin College before moving to St Peters College in Auckland where he was a member of the First Fifteen playing as a Loose Forward.

2. After leaving school, Mika began playing club rugby for our Marist Brothers Old Boys Rugby Club and he played all of is club rugby for our proud club.

3. Mika first played for Auckland at provincial level in 1994 and he played 55 games for the province before he retired in 2000. During that time, he scored 19 tries for his 95 points in the "blue and white hoops" of our province and he was member of the Auckland teams that won the "National Provincial Championship" from 1994 to 1996, and in 1999.

4. Mka played internationally for Samoa in 1994 in 2 Tests and then "stood down" from international rugby for three years to enable him to be selected to play for New Zealand.

5. Mika made his "debut" for the New Zealand "All Blacks" as a replacement against "New Zealand A", but his first genuine game for the All Blacks was in a Test Match played in Auckland significantly against Manu Samoa in 1999

6. Mika played for New Zealand at the Rugby World Cup held in France in 1999 playing in two matches including playing against Italy and during that game he scored a try [his only points for New Zealand].

7. Mika is the first cousin of Patrick "Pat" Lam [Marist All Black No. 22 and All Black No. 928] and Mika actually played a Test for the All Blacks in 1999 [his debut] at Auckland's Albany against his cousin [Pat] who was then that day the captain of Samoa.

8. In 2000 after playing for Auckland in the "National Provincial Championship" and for the "Blues" in "Super Rugby", Mika signed a contract to play rugby in Japan.

9. After retiring from playing rugby, Mika returned to live in New Zealand. He was an insulin-dependent diabetic and tragically he died from a suspected heart attack in Auckland in March 2018.

Total New Zealand Statistics: 102 First Class games scoring 150 points

+ Died on the 20th March 2018 in Auckland [45]

Xavier Joseph RUSH

Date of Birth: 13th July 1977 in Auckland

All Black No. 978 and Marist All Black No. 25

Position: Number Eight Forward

ALL BLACKS in 1998 and 2004 [8 Tests]​​​​​​​

Other First Class level games of note include:

- At provincial level for Auckland from 1997 to 2004 [74 games and scoring 80 points].

- At "Super Rugby" level for the "Blues" from 1997 to 2005 [88 games and scoring 70 points].

- At National level for other New Zealand teams that included for the New Zealand Secondary Schools team in 1995, the New Zealand "Under 19" team in 1996, the New Zealand "Colts" in 1997 and 1998, [10 games], for the New Zealand "Academy" in 1998 and 1999 [3 games and scoring 5 points], the New Zealand A team in 1998, and for the New Zealand "Barbarians" in 2003 [1 game].

- Rush was Captain of the New Zealand "Under 19" team in 1996, of the New Zealand "Colts" in 1997 and 1998, of the Auckland team from 2001-2004 [winning the "National Provincial Championship" in both 2003 and 2005 as well as the "Ranfurly Shield" in 2003], and of the "Blues" from 2003 to 2005 [winning the "Super Rugby" competition in 2003].

COMMENTS:

1. Rush was educated at Sacred Heart College in Auckland and he was a member of the First Fifteen from where he was selected for the New Zealand Secondary Schools team in 1995.

2. Aged just 21-years-old, Rush was first selected for the New Zealand "All Blacks" in 1998 and he made his "debut" in a Test Match playing as a Number 8 against Australia in Sydney.

3. After playing that one Test Match for the All Blacks in 1998, Rush did not again get selected for the All Blacks until 2004 when he was again picked for the National Team after an excellent Trial [plus following outstanding form for Auckland and the "Blues"] to play the two domestic Test Matches that year against England . He also played the Test Match played against the "Pacific Islands" team, and then in four of the "Tri-Nations Tests" that year.

4. Sadly that was the end of Rush's time in the Black Jersey and after another season leading the "Blues" in "Super Rugby", he signed to play overseas for the "Cardiff Blues" in Wales where he played until retiring as a player in 2012 after playing 130 games and scoring 105 points. Rush also played for the UK Barbarians team in 2005, 2006, and 2010 with him playing 4 games during those years while scoring 10 points.

5. After retiring as a player, Rush became a Coach with the "Cardiff Blues" and in 2014 he was back in New Zealand where he was the Defensive Coach for the Auckland team. He has now returned to the UK where he is currently running his own business.

6. Rush's sister Annaleah was an outstanding member of the New Zealand "Black Ferns" and she is profiled elsewhere on this website. She played for the "Black Ferns" against Australia in 1998 in the Test Match that preceded her brother subsequently making his debut for the "All Blacks" that same day on that same field with this believed to have been the first time that a brother and sister have played a Test Match for their same country for their respective gender teams at the same ground on the same day.

Total New Zealand Statistics: 193 First Class games scoring 175 points]

Caleb Stanley RALPH

Date of Birth: 10th September 1977 in Rotorua

All Black No. 970 and Marist All Black No. 24

Position: Winger and Centre Threequarter

ALL BLACKS in 1998 from Auckland and from 2002 to 2003 from Canterbury [14 Tests and 2 other Tour Matches while scoring 45 points]

Other First Class level games of note include:

- At provincial level for Bay of Plenty from 1996 to 1997 [25 games and 80 points], for Auckland from 1998 to 1999 [17 games and 32 points], for Canterbury from 2000 to 2006 [68 games and 135 points], for Tasman in 2007 [7 games], and then he went to play professionally to Japan in 2009 before going to live in Australia.

- At "Super Rugby" level for the "Chiefs" in 1997 [ 3 games and 15 points], the Blues in 1998 [6 games and 15 points], the Crusaders from 1999 to 2008 [126 games and 260 points], and then finally for the Queensland Reds in 2011 [1 game].

- At National level for other New Zealand teams that included for the New Zealand "Sevens" team from 1996 to 2003 [in 1997 he was named the NZ Sevens "Player of the Year" and won a "Gold Medal"  with the NZ Sevens team at the Commonwealth Games in 1998], New Zealand "Colts" in 1997 [5 games and 10 points], New Zealand Rugby Academy in 1997 and 1999 [2 games], New Zealand A in 1998 to 2000 [10 games and 20 points], New Zealand "Juniors" in 2005 and 2006 [7 games and 20 points], and New Zealand Maoris from 1996 to 2005 [13 games and 25 points with him being named as the "Maori Player of the Year" in 2001].

COMMENTS:

1. Ralph was a product of the Bay of Plenty from where he made his First Class "Debut" for their Provincial team in 1996 [aged 19-years-old] and he played 25 games for that team before moving to Auckland in 1998.

2. In 1998, Ralph played for the Blues and then "to some was a surprise selection" for the New Zealand "All Blacks" to make his "debut" as a Centre Threequarter in the Test Match played in Auckland against the touring England team. The All Blacks won that Test Match 40 points to 10, but he was not again selected for the All Blacks until 2001.

3. From our proud Marist Brothers Old Boys Rugby Club in Auckland, Ralph played for the Auckland team in both 1998 and 1999, [being a member of the Auckland team that won the "National Provincial Champsionships" that year] - scoring a try in the Semi-Final win over North Harbour and another in the Final against Wellington. He was a member of the "Crusaders" team in 1999 [from Auckland as a "draft" player] that won the "Super Rugby" that year .

4. From our proud Club, Ralph was also a member of the New Zealand Sevens team that went to the "1998 Commonwealth Games" held in Malaysia and that team won the Gold Medal in defeating Fiji by 21 points to 12 in the Final.

5. In 2000, he had transfered to played for Canterbury from where he was selected for the "Crusaders" and then again for the "All Blacks".

6. Ralph was a part of teams that won the "National Provincial Championships" competition with Auckland in 1999 [as previously mentioned] and with Canterbury in 2001 as well as in 2004. He was also a member of Crusaders teams that won the "Super Rugby" competition in 1999, 2000, 2002, 2005, and 2006.

7. Ralph stayed playing rugby in New Zealand until the end of the 2008 "Super Rugby" competition, but then he signed to play rugby in Japan for two seasons. He then signed to play in Australia and in 2011 he played for the "Queensland Reds" in "Super Rugby" subsequently playing his 136th game of rugby in that "Super Rugby" competition [then a record he shared with George Gregan].

8. At the end of his playing career, Ralph was second on the all time list of "Super Rugby" tryscorers [only behind our own Doug Howlett], he held the record for the number of consecutive "Super Rugby" appearance [104 games], and as described above shared the record for games played in that competition.

9. Ralph currently lives in Australia where he runs the "Caleb Ralph Rugby Academy" in Brisbane.

Total New Zealand Statistics: 306 First Class games scoring 667 points.

Shane Paul HOWARTH

Date of Birth: 8th July 1968 in Auckland

All Black No. 939 and Marist All Black No. 23

Position: Fullback

ALL BLACKS from 1993 to 1994 [4 Tests and 6 other Matches while scoring 135 points]

Plus also at First Class level including:

- At provincial level for Auckland from 1990 to 1995 [62 games and 418 points].

- At "Super Rugby" level for the Blues in 1997 [3 games].

- At National level for other New Zealand Teams that included the New Zealand "Development" Team in 1990 and 1994 [11 games and 130 points], the New Zealand XV from 1993 to 1995 [4 games and 60 points] and for New Zealand Maoris in 1990, 1992, and 1994 [7 games and 72 points].

COMMENTS:

1. Howarth was educated at St Peters College in Auckland from where he played for the First XV, and after leaving school he began playing for our proud Club.

2. Tragically, he fractured his neck in a diving incident that almost left him a "paraplegic" and this required him to not play rugby until returning to play in 1988. That same year, he was selected to play for the Auckland Colts from our Marist Brothers Old Boyrs Rugby Club in Auckland which was considered to be remarkable due to him having just returned from such a very serious injury.

3. In 1990, Howarth was first selected to play for Auckland and he ultimately played 66 times for that province while scoring 418 points playing from Fullback as part of the outstanding Auckland teams of that era.

4. Howarth was first selected to play for the New Zealand "All Blacks" in 1993 on the end of season tour to England and Scotland. He played in six matches making his "debut" in the match played against the Midlands team at Leicester ssuccessfully kicking two penalties in the 12-6 All Blacks victory.

5. Howarth made his "Test debut" the following year [1994] against the South Africa team in the test Match played in Dunedin [the AB's won 22-14 with Howarth contributing 17 points from his boot]. he then played the next two test matches against South Africa that season, and he played the match for the All Blacks that same season against Australia in Sydney. 

6. Howarth "signed" to play Rugby League in the ARL for the Queensland Cowboys in 1996 and he played 12 games for them that season with him scoring 49 points. He was not "re-signed" at the end of that season and that saw him return in 1997 to New Zealand to play for the Blues in "Super Rugby" [being a member of the team that won the competition that season].

7. In 1997 Howarth was "signed" to play for Sale RFC in England and then in 1999 he began playing for Newport RFC in Wales where he continued to play until 2003. He played in 108 matches for Newport and scored 1035 points as well as being a member of that team when they won the "Wales Club Championship".

8. When playing for Newport RFC, Howarth was selected to play for Wales in 1998 at international level and he continued to play for them until 2000 including playing at the 1999 Rugby World Cup played in France. He played 19 games for Wales scoring 23 points, but his career was "cut short" in 2000 when the fact that one of his grandparents had not been born in Wales in a scandal known as "Grannygate" and he was banned from playing for Wales.

9. After completing his playing career in 2003, Howarth returned to New Zealand where he began a coaching career. This coaching carrer started with him being an Assistant Coach with the Auckland provincial team in 2004 alongside our own Pat Lam through until 2010 [winning the "National Provincial Championship" in 2005, 2007, and 2010], as an Assistant Coach with the Pacific Island team in 2006, as the Coach of the New Zealand Maoris team in 2008, and as an Assistant Coach with the "Blues" again alongside Pat Lam in 2011. He then coached in the UK for several years, but he has since returned with his family to live and work back in Auckland where he runs a very busy supermarket business venture.

Total New Zealand Statistics: 107 First Class games scoring 882 points. 

Patrick Richard "Pat" LAM

Date of Birth: 29th September 1968 in Auckland

All Black No. 928 and Marist All Black No. 22

Position: Loose Forward

ALL BLACKS in 1992 [1 Tour Match]

Other First Class level games of note include:

- At Provincial level for Auckland from 1990 to 1994 [30 games and scoring 65 points], and North Harbour from 1995 to 1996 [16 games and scoring 10 points]

- At "Super Rugby" level for the "Crusaders" in 1996 [3 games].

- At National level for other New Zealand teams that included for the New Zealand Secondary Schools team in 1987, the New Zealand "Colts" in 1989 [3 games], and New Zealand "Sevens" in 1989.

- Lam was Captain of the New Zealand Secondary Schools team in 1987 for their tour of Japan, and for the New Zealand Colts team in 1989.

COMMENTS:

1. Born in Auckland, Lam attended St Peters College in Auckland where he played for the First XV and from where in 1987 he was selected to play in the New Zealand Secondary Schools team with him being the Captain of that team during their tour of Japan.

2. After leaving school, Lam immediately began playing for our Marist Brothers Old Boys Rugby Club in Auckland and he played for our Club throughout his career at Club level until he went to play professionally overseas at the end of the 1996 season. He was a member of the Marist teams that won the "Gallaher Memorial Shield" in 1989, 1991 [as Captain], and 1994.

3. At provincial level in the Auckland team, Lam competed for "game time" with such notable players as our own Zinzan Brooke for Number 8, as well as with All Blacks Mark Carter and Michael Jones for other Loose Forward positions. He made his "debut" for Auckland in 1990 and between then and 1994 he played 30 games for Auckland while scoring 65 points [15 tries]. He later transferred to play for North Harbour Marist and from that Club he was selected to play 16 matches for North Harbour between 1995 and 1996.

3. Lam was selected for the New Zealand "All Blacks" in 1992 during the tour of Australia. He was a replacement player brought over to Australia from New Zealand during the tour following injuries to other players and he made his "debut" against the Sydney team.

4. Having not been selected for the "Blues" in "Super Rugby" in 1996 at the start of professional rugby [again due to massive competition for positions], he was then selected in the "draft" to play for the "Crusaders" and he played three games for that side during that 1996 season.

5. At the end of the 1996 season, Lam signed to play his rugby in England with him playing for the "Newcastle Falcons" from 1997 to 1998 and again from 2001 to 2002, and also for the "Northampton Saints" from 1998 to 2001.

6. Sadly, that single appearance in 1992 was Lam's only appearance for the All Blacks. However, this was not the full extent nor the end of his international playing career as he had already played for Western Samoa at the "1991 Rugby World Cup" before playing again for them as their Captain from 1993 through to 1999. These years included him being the Captain of the Manu [Western] Samoa teams that played at the "1995 Rugby World Cup" played in South Africa and again at the "1999 Rugby World Cup" played in France. The Manu Samoa teams in each of those years reached the Quarter Final stages of each of these tournaments and this was achieved "beyond expectations" with Lam being a massively significant contributor to the teams' successes.

7. After retiring from playing rugby, Lam began a career as a Coach that included being an Assistant Coach of Scotland at the "2003 Rugby World Cup", the Head Coach of the Auckland provincial team from 2004 to 2008, the Head Coach of the Pacific Islanders team in 2006, the Head Coach of the "Blues" in "Super Rugby" from 2009 to 2012, and then being the Head Coach of Manu Samoa in 2012 before returning to coach in the UK. After being the Head Coach of Connacht in Ireland from 2013 to 2017, Lam transferred to the same role with the "Bristol Bears" in England where he is still currently coaching and is very highly regarded.

Total New Zealand Statistics: 61 First Class games and scoring 105 points

0,Robin Matthew BROOKE

Date of Birth: 10th December 1966 in Warkworth

All Black No. 924 and Marist All Black No. 21

Position: Lock Forward

ALL BLACKS from 1992 to 1999 [62 Tests and 7 Tour Matches scoring 20 points through 4 tries]

Other First Class level games of note include:

- At Provincial level for Auckland from 1987 to 2001 [111 games and scored 58 points] - Captain in 1998.

- At "Super Rugby" for the Blues from 1996 to 2001 [65 games and scored 27 points] - Captain from 1999 to 2001.

​​​​​​​- At National level for other New Zealand teams that included the New Zealand Secondary Schools team in 1984, the New Zealand "Colts" in 1987, the New Zealand Development team in 1990, the New Zealand XV team in 1991, the New Zealand B team in 1991, and for the New Zealand Maoris from 1988 to 1990 as well as in 1992 and 1995.

COMMENTS:

1. Brooke was born in Warkworth where he was educated at Mahurangi College and he played in the College's First XV from 1982 through to 1985 [being selected to play for the New Zealand Under 17 team in 1983 and for the Graham Henry coached New Zealand Secondary Schools team in 1984 on their tour of Europe]. He is the youngest of the three Brooke brothers who played First Class rugby in New Zealand [the others being Marty and Zinzan]. However, two other brothers, Naera [the eldest] and Simon [the youngest], played Club Rugby in Auckland with Naera being a stalwart of the Te Atatu Rugby Club in the 1980's and early 1990's while Simon also played for Marist.

2. ​​​​​​​After leaving school, Brooke followed his brothers [Martin and Zinzan] to play for our proud Marist Brothers Old Boys Rugby Club in Auckland,. There, he too quickly became another massive contributor to the outstanding success of our Club's Premier Team in the late 1980's and early to mid 1990's.  He was a member of Marist Premier teams that won the "Gallaher Memorial Shield" in 1989, 1991, 1994, and 1995 as well as  being in Marist Premier teams that made the final in TBC'd.

3. At provincial level, Brooke's progress into the Auckland team was restricted by the presence of his brother, Martin, and more particularly by the incumbent All Black lock, Gary Whetton [who was also Captain of Auckland] plus the presence of veteran lock, Matafa Keenan. After breaking into the starting line-up as a utility forward, he became an integral part of the Auckland team during one of the most successful eras in it's history. He played for his province from 1987 to 2001, played 111 games [including in the infamous "Battle of Onewa" match against North Harbour during which he was sent off] while scoring 58 points, and he was the team's captain in 1998.

4. Brooke played in the first ever Blues rugby team [known initially as the Auckland Blues] playing in the Super Rugby competition and he played in the first ever Super Rugby match in that competition in 1996 [which was the Blues against the Hurricanes played in Palmerston North - won 36 to 28]. This makes him Blues Player number 005 with him going on to play 65 times for this franchise from 1996 to 2001. He was a member of Blues teams that won two Super Rugby Championships [1996 and 1997 plus playing in the Final in 1998], and he was the Blues captain from 1999 to 2001.

5. Brooke was selected in New Zealand Secondary Schools in 1984 as previously mentioned, but then when playing from our proud club he was selected at National level for the New Zealand Colts in 1987 [playing 3 games - one at Lock and the other two at Number 8]... aged only 19-years-old. This was during the Colts internal tour of New Zealand that culminated with an "International" played against the Australian Colts in Auckland [won 37-12].  He was then first selected to play for the New Zealand Maoris team in 1988 with him going on to play 17 times for that proud team from 1988 through to 1992 as well as in 1995 [scoring 17 points]. He was named the New Zealand Maori "Player of the Year" in 1995 and his career playing for the New Zealand Maori team is detail elsewhere on the website.

6. In 1990, Brooke was further selected at higher international levels in the New Zealand Development team for their tour of Canada playing as a Lock Forward in four of the five games scoring a try in the match played against Eastern Canada. In 1991, he played for the New Zealand XV team [playing all three games including the internationals against Romania won by 60 to 30 and the USSR won by 56 to 6] and for the New Zealand B team [playing in the only game that was held in Brisbane against Australia B which was won by 21 to 15].

7. Brooke was first selected for the New Zealand "All Blacks" in 1992 with him making his debut in the Test Match played in Wellington against the touring Ireland team - won by 59 points to 6. From that time onwards, he was a regular in the All Blacks team through until 1999 with him being a member of outstanding All Black teams including the first team to ever win a test series in South Africa 1994. His partnership in locking the All Blacks scrum with Ian Jones is considered by many as being one of the greatest locking combinations in history. He played in the "1995 Rugby World Cup" held in South Africa and he was a member of the team that played South Africa in the Final [lost by 12 points to 15 with South Africa kicking a dropped goal in the final minutes of the game to win], and he was officially named as the All Blacks team Vice Captain in 1998. The last of his 77 games for the All Blacks [that included 62 Test Matches] was in the Semi-Final of the "1999 Rugby World Cup" in the match played against France at London's Twickenham [lost by 31 points to 43]. During his career with the All Blacks, he scored a try in the "1995 Rugby World Cup" game played against Japan [won by 145 points to 17], and then two tries seperately in consecutive tests against Argentina in 1997.

8. After retiring from playing rugby in 2001, Brooke played the last of his First Class games for the "Barbarians" [UK] team and he then moved into his post-rugby life where he has of late been managing a prominent supermarket that he owns in Warkworth [returning to the place of his birth]. Although not involved with coaching or administration, he remains very much connected to our proud Club... we'd always like to see move of your Rob, but understand that life is very busy so cherish those moments we are able to have your in our presence.

Total New Zealand Statistics: 276 First Class games and scoring 145 points

Bernard Joseph "Bernie" McCAHILL

Date of Birth: 28th June 1964 in Auckland

All Black No. 884 and Marist All Black No. 20

Position: Centre Threequarter and Second Five-Eighth

ALL BLACKS from 1987 to 1991 [32 games - 10 Tests and 22 Tour Matches scoring 16 points through four tries]​​​​​​​

Other First Class level games of note include:

- At Provincial level for Auckland from 1984 to 1993 [91 games and scored 113 points] with Auckland being the "NPC Champions" in 1985, from  1987 to 1990, and again in 1993.

- At National level for other New Zealand teams that included the New Zealand Colts team in 1984 and 1985 [8 games and scored 16 points], the New Zealand XV team in 1991 [1 game], and for New Zaland B team in 1991 [2 games and scored 4 points].

COMMENTS:

​​​​​​​1. Of Irish ancestry and born in Auckland, McCahill was educated at St Peters College in Auckland where he played in the College's First XV as did his brothers Patrick, Sean, and Michael with Michael also playing for the New Zealand Secondary Schools team as a Loose Forward. 

2. Identified at an early age for his abilities and dedication to the sport, McCahill primarily played Rugby in two positions that were Second Five-Eighth and Centre Threequarter. He was also an outstanding player of Gaelic Football with him regularly getting his "rugby sore" team-mates [having played rugby on the Saturday] from Marist along "for a crack at Gaelic" on Sundays as part "recovery".

3. After leaving school, McCahill began playing for our Marist Brothers Old Boys Rugby Club in Auckland and he was a member of our Premier teams that won the "Gallaher Memorial Shield" in 1989, and 1991 as well as being a member of our Premier teams that played in the Finals of 1985, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1992, and 1993 [with our team playing in the Final showdowns of 1995 and 1997 also without him being a member of the team having retired as a player] during the most successful era in our club's history. As a Coach, he continued to bring success to our proud Club in 1996 as the Co-Coach of the team that won the pinnacle of Auckland Club Rugby in that season [the very last time that our Premier team has brought the "Gallaher Memorial Shield" trophy home].

4. First selected to play at provincial level for Auckland in 1984 as a teenager, McCahill played his "debut" match for Auckland against Sydney in Auckland as part of the "South Pacific Championship" tournament and he played six games as a Wing Threequarter or Centre Threequarter in that first season scoring four tries including three in the one match played against Marlborough in Blenheim.

5. McCahill subsequently became an important part of the most successful era in Auckland Rugby's history playing mainly at Second Five Eighth although he retained that versatility to be able to play Centre  Threequarter and First Five Eighth as well as kick goals when required. Ultimately, he played 91 times in the "blue and white hoops" of our province with him recognised as being a vital member of the team's backline throughout that era due to him being such a versatile midfielder, an excellent passer of the ball who was able to put other players into space, and as a very accurate tackler.

6. National honours were first bestowed on the talented McCahill while playing from our proud club when he won selection into the New Zealand Colts team in 1984 on their tour of Australia [playing alongside future Marist clubmates Marty Brooke and Glenn McGahan] and in 1985 [this time playing alongside present or future Marist clubmates Greg Cooper, John Schuster, and Zinzan Brooke].

7. After playing just a few games for Auckland in 1986, selection in the New Zealand Barbarians team that toured the United Kingdom in early 1987 enabled McCahill to further display his outstanding playing ability and it was a crucial part of his further advancement that very same season... Rugby World Cup year. After playing in the North Zone team as a Second Five Eighth that season, he played in both of the All Black Trial matches as a Centre Threequarter plus played 15 games for Auckland primarily as a Second Five Eighth. This highlighted his versatility plus his great attacking ability which reinforced his potential value at a higher level.

8. So it was that McCahill was first selected for the New Zealand "All Blacks" as a member of the team selected to play at the inaugural "Rugby World Cup" held in New Zealand in 1987. He played his "debut" game for the All Blacks in the pool match against Argentina [alongside Marist clubmate and great friend Zinzan Brooke who was also on "debut"] and he played in two other games at the tournament as a replacement in the Quarter Final match played against Scotland then in the Semi Final played against Wales. He was of course of a member of that All Blacks team that won the tournament by defeating France in the Final to be named the first ever "Rugby World Champions" and we are sure the winners medal is proudly kept in a very safe place in the McCahill home.

9. McCahill was again selected for the All Blacks in 1988 for the tour of Australia, in 1989 for the tour of Wales and Ireland, and as a member of the team to France in 1990. he continued to be a midfield player for the All Blacks until the of the 1991 season having played in four matches of that years "Rugby World Cup" held in the United Kingdom. 

10. In all, McCahill played 32 matches for the New Zealand "All Blacks" from 1987 until 1991 including playing in 10 Test Matches. As well as two "Rugby World Cup" tournaments, he participated in 5 overseas tours with the All Blacks and he scored four tries while playing in the "black jersey" of New Zealand.

11. McCahill also appeared in five zonal Trial Matches for the North Zone team [the first in 1987 as previously mentioned], in five other All Blacks' Trial matches [playing in his last in 1992], and he was also a member of the New Zealand XV team as well as the New Zealand B team in 1991.

12. Notably McCahill was not ever in a losing Auckland team during his time playing for them and this is believed to be unprecedented for a player playing some many games for their province at the highest levels including against touring International teams such as the "British and Irish Lions" [won 23-18] in 1993 and defending the "Ranfurly Shield" during a record 61 occasions.

13. McCahill is a member of a true "Marist Family" with his brothers all playing Rugby for Marist and his sisters playing Netball for the Club also. All also attended St Peters College in Auckland, his younger brother Sean played international rugby for Ireland in one Test in 1995 and his youngest brother Michael played for New Zealand Secondary Schools as previously described.

14. Interestingly, after retiring from playing rugby, as well as coaching the Marist Premiers to success McCahill for several years was a Co-Coach with great friend Zinzan Brooke of the Harlequins Rugby Club in Engalnd.

15. Now married and living in Auckland where he runs a business, McCahill continues to make a considerable contribution to our Club with him being on the Club's Executive Committee for several years plus being Vice President then Presdent of the Club. For his outstanding services to our Club, he was a made a Life Member in 2012. In 2022, he was made a Life Member of the Auckland Rugby Union in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the Union as both a player and as an administrator. His brother Michael has also continued to contribute to the Club through coaching the Premier team and by completng a series of roles on the Club's Executive Committee.

15. The "Bernie McCahill Cup" is presented by the Marist Brothers Old Boys Rugby Club of Auckland at their Awards Ceremony each year to the "Club Player with Outstanding Achievement" during that season.

Total New Zealand Statistics: 151 First Class games and scored 185 points.

Zinzan Valentine ​​​​​​​"Zinny"  BROOKE

Date of Birth: 14th February 1965 in Waiuku [South Auckland]

All Black No. 883 and Marist All Black No. 19

Position: Number Eight and Loose Forward

ALL BLACKS from 1987 to 1997 [100 games - 58 Tests and 42 other Matches scoring 195 points including 41 tries] and he was Captain on five occasions.​​​​​​​

Other First Class level games of note included:

- At provincial level for Auckland from 1986 to 1997 [140 games and 393 points] and he was Captain of the team from 1993 to 1997 with Auckland winning the NPC Competition in 1985, from 1987 to 1990, and from 1993 to 1996.

- At "Super Rugby" level for the Blues from 1996 to 1997 [23 games and scored 42 points] and he was the Captain in both of those years when the Blues won the "Super Rugby Championship".

- At National level for other New Zealand teams that included the New Zealand Under 17 team [as a Prop forward] in 1982, the New Zealand Colts [Under 21] team in 1985 and 1986 [Captain] with him playing eight games while scoring four points, the New Zealand "Sevens" team in 1987, New Zealand XV's, and the New Zealand Maoris team from 1986 to 1994 with him playing 22 games while scoring 49 points.

COMMENTS:

1. Born in Waiuku [South Auckland] and christened Murray Zinzan Brooke, he changed his name by "deed pole" to Zinzan Valentine Brooke while still in primary school by promoting his middle name forward to have the first name of Zinzan then replaced his middle name to be Valentine as he was born on "Valentine's Day" in 1965. He was one of six children in the Brooke family, five sons [Naera, Marty, Zinzan, Robin, and Simon] and one daughter [Margaret] in his family that initially lived on a farm near Waiuku before then moving to a farm property near Puhoi. Brother Naera played Club Rugby in Auckland for several years [sadly not for Marist instead becoming a stalwart of the Te Atatu Rugby Club], brother Marty played for Auckland [playing from our Club] and Southland as well as for the New Zealand Maoris and the New Zealand Colts, brother Robin is Marist All Black 21, and youngest brother Simon played rugby for our Club.

2. Brooke was educated at Mahurangi High School in Warkworth [north of Auckland and known as Mahurangi in Maori] where he was a member of the school's First XV playing as a Prop Forward. He was selected in the New Zealand Under 17 team in 1982, but then transitioned into a Loose Forward with him being selected for the New Zealand Colts [Under 21] team in 1985 as well as in 1986 [as Captain].

3. Looking to further develop his rugby career, Brooke came to Auckland in 1986 and he began playing for our proud Marist Brothers Old Boys Club in Auckland having been "encouraged" to play for our Club by Eddie Kohlhase [a current member of our Club's Board and also a great of New Zealand Softball]. Brooke had met Kohlhase then Bernie McCahill forming friendships with them in New Zealand Colts teams with Eddie picking him up for training at the start of the 1986 season [he had apparently been thinking about playing for Ponsonby!]. While playing for our Club, he was a member of Marist's "Gallaher Memorial Sheild" winning teams in 1989, 1991, 1994, and 1996.

4. Brooke was first selected to play at Provincial level for Auckland in 1986 and he was a member of Auckland teams that won eight [8] "National Provincial Championships" with these teams considered to be one of [if not] the best ever provincial teams in New Zealand Rugby history. He was Captain of Auckland from 1993 to 1997 including as Captain holding up the NPC trophy in 1993, 1994, 1995, and 1996. .

5. First selected to play for the New Zealand "All Blacks" in 1987 as a 21-year-old, Brooke first appeared in the famous "black jersey" at the first ever "Rugby World Cup" that was held in New Zealand. Also selected in that All Blacks team were his Auckland Marist Clubmates John Kirwan {Marist AB No. 16], Terry Wright [Marist AB  No. 18], and Bernie McCahill [Marist AB No. 20]... a very proud moment for our Club.

6. Brooke made his debut for the All Blacks at that tournament in the match played against Argentina in Wellington with him playing as an Openside Flanker [he had never played in that posiion before] and he marked the occasion by scoring a try in the resounding 46 points to 15 All Blacks victory. That was to be his only appearance in the tournament, but he took home a "Champions Medal" with the All Blacks going on to be crowned Rugby World Champions after defeating France in the Final. 

7. As the outstanding Wayne "Buck" Shelford was the first string Number 8 at that "Rugby World Cup" and for the several seasons afterwards, Brooke's next appearance for the All Blacks came in 1989. He became the "regular" Number 8 for the All Blacks in 1990 and he was Captain of the All Blacks on five occasions during his exactly 100 games in "black". He is regarded as being one of the best [if not the best] Number 8's to have ever played for New Zealand as well as being one of the best to have ever played in the history of World Rugby.

8. Brooke played at three Rugby World Cup tournaments with him being a member of the All Black Rugby World Cup Champions team in 1987, he was member of the All Blacks team who were the beaten Semi-Finalists in 1991 [by Australia who went onto become that year's Rugby World Cup Champions], and then playing for the All Blacks in the Final of the Rugby World Cup tournament held South Africa in 1995 that was just lost in one of the most famous matches in the history of the game. Up until 2015, Brooke held the record for the number of tries [17] scored by a Forward in all of International Test Rugby and at the "Rugby ​​​​​​​World Cup" in 1995 he kicked a spectacular 47 metre drop goal in the match played against England that is still celebrated for the audacity plus skill of the kick on such an occasion. He played his last game for the All Blacks in the Test Match played against England at Twickenham in 1997.

9. As a foundation Blues player [his Blues Number is 008], Brooke was the Captain of the Blues in 1996 and 1997 when they won the "Super Rugby Competition". For the trivia buffs, he has the distinction of being the first player to ever touch the ball in "open play" in Super Rugby's history when he caught the ball from the kick off at the start of the first ever "Super Rugby" match which was played in Palmerston North between the Blues and the Hurricanes - won 36 to 28 with Zinny scoring points too... a conversion!

10. After finishing his playing career in New Zealand, Brooke accepted a professional contract to play with the Harlequins Rugby Club in England where he played for four season until retiring from playing all rugby in 2001 after a very brief stint with Coventry. After completing his playing career, he transitioned on to be a Coach with the Harlequins Rugby Club [interestingly his coaching career included him coaching the "Rest of the World" team for their victory over England at Twickenham played prior to the "2015 Rugby World Cup"]. He then started a Property Investment Company called "Valentines Homes" [he was a qualified builder having previously completed an Apprenticeship in New Zealand] as well as managing [with his wife and family] a "Bed and Breakfast" accommodation facility in England. 

11. Having married Alison Imm [more commonly known as Ali] in New Zealand before going to the United Kingdom, they have six children [Lucas, Riley, Macy, Keira, Eden, and Ruby] who were all born and have to date been raised in England. The Brooke family are currently still living in England and in 2020 son Lucas [playing as a Loose Forward, but he was also abl to play Hooker] became a member of the Rugby Academy wih the London Irish Club with him in 2021 named as a member of the England Under 20's team. Having been born there in England, it is possible that he [as well as any of his siblings] could one day play in the white jersey with the "Red Rose". While we have no doubt if any of his children one day does play for England that there will be a very proud Dad watching, but we also know that there will be more than a little bit of mixed feelings at the same time too for sure especially if they play against the All Blacks.

12. In the "New Years Honours" of 1997, Brooke was appointed to be a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to Rugby. During his rugby career, he was recognised as being the Maori Player of the Year in both 1992 and 1994, as being the New Zealand Rugby Player of the Year in 1994, and in 2000 he was presented with New Zealand Rugby's Steinlager Salver in recognition of his outstanding service to rugby. In 2011, he was further recognised during an episode on the New Zealand Television show known as "This is Your Life".​​​​​​​

Total New Zealand Statistics: 315 First Class games and scored 710 points.

Terence John "Terry" WRIGHT

Date of Birth: 21st March 1963 in Auckland

All Black No. 875 and Marist All Black No. 18

Position: Wing and Fullback

ALL BLACKS from 1986 to 1992 [64 games - 30 Tests and 34 Tour Matches scoring 208 points with 72 points being in Test Matches]​​​​​​​

Other First Class level games of note include:

- At provincial level for Auckland from 1984 to 1993 [playing 135 games and scored 560 points]

- At National level for other New Zealand teams that included the New Zealand "Emerging Players" team in 1985, the New Zealand "Sevens" team from 1986 to 1992 [11 competitons], the North Island [or North Zone] team from 1985 to 1989, and All Black trial teams in 1987 and from 1989 to 1991.

COMMENTS:

1. Born in Auckland and educated at Northcote College on Auckland's North Shore, Wright initially started playing his club rugby with the Northcote Rugby Club where his father [Harvey] had been a stalwart of that club and as that was close to where he was then living. However, with the formation of the North Harbour Rugby Union in 1985, he chose to continue to play within the Auckland province [having made his "debut" for Auckland in 1984] and he was not alone in this approach in the earliest years of the North Harbour Rugby Union.

2. In 1985, Wright transferred to play his club rugby with our Marist Brothers Old Boys Rugby Club in Auckland and thereby became part of a "golden era" of success for our Club. During his time playing for our club, our Marist Premier Senior team won the "Gallaher Memorial Shield" in 1989, 1991, and 1994 with them being the beaten Finalists in 1985, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1992, and 1993 [as well as in 1995 and 1997].

3. Known by his mates and teammates as "TJ", Wright was "slightly built" [especially compared with outside backs in the current era], but he had a skill set that included incredible ball skills, outstanding game intelligence, and blistering speed [including a huge swerve at pace] that made him one of the best outside backs in the world who particularly complimented well with fellow Marist Clubmate, John Kirwan, at all levels of the game.

4. First selected for Auckland in 1984 [playing from Northcote as previously mentioned], Wright scored 27 points on "debut" against King Conutry in a pre-NPC Competition match and in the 11 matches that he played during that season he scored 19 tries as well as successfully kicking several goals as a goalkicker. Having transferred to play from our Club, he played again for Auckland in 1985 with huge success and he also played for the North Island team in that year's "Inter-Island" match as his outstanding ability began to get further recognition at National level. However, that season he did not get selected for the All Blacks much to the surprise of some, but this was believed to be almost totally due to "reservations about his size".

5. Then in 1986, Wright was selected for the New Zealand "All Blacks" at a time when a rebel "New Zealand Cavaliers" team went on an unsanctioned tour to South Africa that included the majority of the then "current" All Blacks team who were suspended for two games when they returned back to New Zealand after the tour. He made his "debut" for the All Blacks in a team that was to be forever known as the "Baby Blacks" [alongside with his Marist clubmates, Greg Cooper at Fullback and John Kirwan on the opposite Wing] when they played the Test Match held in Christchurch against the touring team from France and achieved a shock victory winning by 18 points to 9. The "Baby Blacks" stayed together for one more Test Match before the "Cavaliers" were again eligible to play following suspension and this was a Test Match played against Australia in Wellington [losing very narrowly by 12 points to 13].

6. In 1986, Wright also played for the New Zealand "All Blacks Sevens" team for the first time and Sevens was ideally suited to a player like him... needing a high and versatile skills set, a great vision to make play with plenty of room on the playing field, and that blistering speed - perfect for him! He played for the All Blacks Sevens through to 1992 around his priority commitments to the All Blacks with a focus on playing at the "Hong Kong Sevens" which was the premier tournament in World Sevens at that time. The New Zealand "All Blacks Sevens" team when he was part of the team won that tournament in 1986, 1987, and 1989, while being the beaten Finalists in 1988 [losing to Australia] and from 1990 to 1992 [losing to Fiji] in classic Finals.

7. Wright was a member fo the "World Champion" winning All Black team that won the inaugural "1987 Rugby World Cup" that was played in New Zealand with him being one of four All Blacks selected to play at that tournament from our proud Club [the others of course being Zinzan Brooke, John Kirwan, and Bernie McCahill]. Following the tournament, he was a member of the All Black team that went on a short tour of Japan in 1987, but then in 1988 he became the first choice left side Winger for the All Blacks for the next four seasons playing 30 Test Matches and scoring 19 tries in those Test Matches. as part of an era of great success in All Black rugby.

8. In 1990, such was his versatility, Wright began playing games for Auckland at Fullback and his performances in that position were such that he began being used by the All Blacks at Fullback in 1991 with this including during the "1991 Rugby World Cup" held in England. He played his last Test Match for the All Blacks in the "Play Off for Third and Fourth" at the "1991 Rugby World Cup" which was played against Scotland and his final game for the All Blacks was played against the Central Unions in Witbank [in the Highveld area of South Africa] as part of the All Blacks tour of Australia and South Africa in 1992. In total, he played 64 times for the All Blacks and during those games he scored 208 points that included him scoring 48 tries.

9. During his career, Wright was a "scoring machine" for Auckland in provincial rugby with him playing 135 matches for the province and scoring 112 tries during a career that began in 1984 and ended in 1993. However, it was during "Ranfurly Shield" matches for Auckland as part of the longest tenure as the holders of that famous trophy that Wright was most prolific... he played in 53 of those Ranfurly Shield games and scored a staggering 53 tries!

10. In the modern era of "crash and bash" in the backline using size as the principle attacking weapon and defensive patterns, Wright's outstanding skill set may not have been fully utilised and incorporated on the rugby fields of the world. However, this would have been a massive tragedy and we at Auckland Marist were all fortunate to have seen him playing for our Club, our province, and our country. 

​​​​​​​Total New Zealand Statistics: 217 First Class games and scored 803 points.

Gregory John Luke "Greg" COOPER

Date of Birth: 10th June 1965 in Gisborne

All Black No. 869 and Marist All Black No. 17

Position: Fullback

ALL BLACKS in 1986 and 1992 [7 games - 7 Tests and scored 63 points]​​​​​​​

Other First Class level games of note include:

- At provincial level for Hawkes Bay in 1984 and 1987 [6 games and scored 79 points], Otago from 1984 to 1985 plus from 1988 to 1996 [120 games and scored 1520 points] and Auckland in 1987 and 1988 [23 games and scored 132 points]

- At "Super Rugby" level for the Blues in 1996 [3 games and scored 9 points]

- At National level for other New Zealand teams including the New Zealand Secondary Schools team in 1983, the New Zealand Colts in 1984 and 1985, the South Island team in the "1985 Inter-Island Match", the North Island in the "1986 Inter-Island Match", the New Zealand "Barbarians" in 1984, 1985, and 1987, and a New Zealand XV in 1992.

COMMENTS:

STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION!

1.  Born in Gisborne and raised in Hawkes Bay, Cooper was educated at St Johns College in Hastings where he was quickly identified as being a player of exceptional potential, but while still at school he was diagnosed as having cancer which developed in his shoulder. However, such was his response to treatment and his outstanding recovery, he was selected to play for the New Zealand Secondary Schools team in 1983 and he also played for the New Zealand "Barbarians" that season .

2. Upon leaving school, Cooper remained initially in Hawkes Bay playing for the Marist Brothers Old Boys Rugby Club in Napier and from there he played an early season game for the Hawkes Bay provincial team in 1985.

3. However, after not again being selected for further early pre-compeition games for Hawkes Bay that season, he was encouraged by the then Coach of Otago, Laurie Mains, to transfer down to Dunedin where he subsequently played for Otago that season as well as in 1986. Cooper played for the New Zealand "Colts" in both 1985 and 1986 after playing in Trial matches.

4. Then in 1987, Cooper transferred to Auckland and he started playing for our Marist Brothers Old Boys Rugby Club where he became part of a gathering of players of excellent talent who would bring outstanding success for our club during the years ahead.

​​​​​​​5. Tbc'd...

​​​​​​​- Came to Auckland in a "coaching advisory position"

​​​​​​​Younger brother Matthew was also an All Black and he has since been the x of the New Zealand Rugby Union as well asa commentator.

- Currently the Head Coach of the Mitsubishi Dynaboars in Japan having previously coached in France.

​​​​​​​Total New Zealand Statistics: 189 First Class games and scored 2224 points.

Inducted in 2014

Sir John James Patrick KIRWAN 

Date of Birth: 16th December 1964 in Auckland

All Black No. 854 and Marist All Black No. 16

Position: Wing Threequarter

ALL BLACKS from 1984 to 1994 [63 Tests and 33 Matches scoring 275 points].

Other First Class level games of note included:

- At Provincial level for Auckland from 1983 to 1994 [141 games and 436 points]

- At National level for other New Zealand teams that included for the North Island in 1983 and 1984 [2 games and 4 points], and the New Zealand Barbarians in 1984, 1985 and 1987 [9 games and 31 points]

COMMENTS:

STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION!

1. Kirwan was born in Auckland and he went to De La Salle College in Auckland where he played in the College's First XV.

2. After leaving school, Kirwan began training as a Butcher and, in 1983, he began playing rugby for our Marist Brothers Old Boys Rugby Club in Auckland ... tbc'd

​​​​​​​*. Kirwan "signed" to play Rugby League in 1995 for the "Auckland Warriors" in the Australian Rugby League competition with him being the Warriors' top tryscorer fn the 1996 season. In signing to play Rugby League, Kirwan followed in the footsteps of his grandfather John Patrick "Jack" Kirwan [a more than handy midfielder] who himself played Union for Hawkes Bay and Auckland during the early to mid-1920's before signing to play Rugby League in 1924 to play for Auckland Marist RLC with him subsequently playing for Auckland and then the New Zealand "Kiwis" [NZ Kiwi No. 174].

3. In the 1989 New Year Honours, Kirwan was appointed as a Member of the Order of the British Empire for "services to Rugby". Then in the 2007 Queen's Birthday Honours, Kirwan was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for "services to mental health". Then ultimately in the 2012 Queen's Birthday and Diamond Jubilee Honours, he was promoted to be a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for "services to mental health and rugby" this causing him to become officially Sir John.

4. In 2012, Kirwan was inducted into the "New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame" and in 2014, he was inducted into the "World Rugby Hall of Fame".

5. At the end of his rugby playing career, Kirwan  TBC'd

His grandfather, John "Jack" Kirwan, played provincial rugby for Hawkes Bay and Auckland [playing from our Marist Brothers Old Rugby Club] before turning to play Rugby League for Auckland from where he played for the New Zealand "Kiwis" in 1924. On his mother's side of the family, her maiden name was Hedge and her family were stalwarts of the Otahuhu Rugby Club in Auckland with his mother's brother, Edward "Teddy" Hedge, having played in an All Black Trial. Kirwan's sister, Susan "Sue", is married to former Auckland Marist, Auckland, and Manu Samoa player, John Ah Kuoi.

The "John Kirwan Cup' is presented by the Marist Brothers Old Boys Club of Auckland at their Awards Ceremony each year to the "Most Improved Player" in the Club's Premier Reserves Team. 

Total New Zealand Statistics: 268 First Class Games and scored 828 points.

Paul Francis LITTLE

Date of Birth: 14th September 1934 in Auckland

All Black No. 622 and Marist All Black No. 15

Position: Centre Threequarter

ALL BLACKS from 1961 to 1964 [29 Matches - 10 Tests and 19 other Matches scoring 27 points through nine tries]

Other First Class level games of note included:

- At Provincial level for Auckland from 1959 to 1963 [56 games and 39 points - 13 tries]

- At National level for other New Zealand teams that included the North Island in 1962 [1 game], Trial matches to select the New Zealand "All Blacks" in 1961, 1962, and 1963 [7 games], and for the New Zealand Barbarians in 1964 [1 game].

COMMENTS:

1. Born in Auckland. Little was initially educated at St Michael's Convent and Vermont Street Marist Schools in Ponsonby before attending Auckland's Sacred Heart College where he played for the First Fifteen.

2. Upon leaving school in 1946, Little began playing at our Marist Brothers Old Boys Rugby Club in Auckland the following season with him playing up through the age-group teams to ultimately play for our Club's Senior team and he continued to play for our Club throughout his career.

3. Little represented Auckland initially in the lower grades  including playing for three years in the Auckland Colts team before gaining "senior honours" when he played first for Auckland in 1959 in a match played against King Country in which he scored two tries. That season, he was a member of the Auckland team that won the "Ranfurly Shield" by defeating Southland and Auckland's three tries scored in the match were all scored by our Marist players; namely Terry Lineen, Steve Nesbit, and Little himself.

4. Throughout the Auckland "Ranfurly Shield Era" of the early 1960's, Little was a member of a backline that was considered to be one of the "most brilliant backlines ever fielded" by Auckland with the team coached by the outstanding Coach, Fred "The Needle" Allen.

5. First selected for the New Zealand "All Blacks" in 1961 as a 26-year-old, Little made his debut in the Second Test Match played in Wellington against the touring team from France. Playing alongside his Clubmate, Des Connor [Marist All Black No. 14 and playing in only his second test for the All Blacks], this Test was won by 5 points to 3 and the match was played in "gale force weather" with the game almost postponed and even more seriously completely called off. He had been called into the All Blacks team as a replacement for the injured Terry O'Sullivan and such was his performance [despite the weather meaning that the backs saw little ball] he retained his place for the Third Test played in Christchurch.

6. This Test Match was also won, but this time far more comfortably by 32 points to 3, and Little scored a try in front of a crowd of 57,000 patrons. He was also the victim of a very brutal and "spectacular" head high tackle during this match that many thought he might not get up from, but he played on and in the current environment there is absolutely no doubt that the opposition French player would have been sent from the field.

7. Little was selected for the All Blacks team that toured Australia in 1962 and he played in 6 of the 10 tour games including the Second Test Match in Sydney that was won by 14 points to 5. During the tour, he scored three tries in the match played against Northern New South Wales, two tries against South Australia, and a single try against Victoria.

8. Upon returning to New Zealand, Little played in two of the three Test Matches for the All Blacks against the now touring Australia team in 1962. The First Test played in Wellington was drawn 9 points all with the All Blacks kicking a penalty somewhat controversially in the last act of the game to tie the scores. He withdrew due to injury for the Second Test played in Dunedin that was narrowly won by 3 points to nil and, now fit again, he returned for the Third Test played in Auckland that was won by 16 points to 8.

9. Due to injury, Little did not play in either of the two Test Matches played by the All Blacks against the touring team from England in 1963.

10. Little was though selected to be a member of the All Blacks team that completed the tour of the British Isles, France, and Canada in 1963-1964 with him playing in all five Tests played by the All Blacks on the tour. This team narrowly missed winning the "Grand Slam" when they drew with Scotland 0-0 in Edinburgh while winning against Ireland [won 6-5], Wales [won 6-0], and England [won 14-0] with the Test played against France won by 12 points to 3. Remarkably, this All Blacks team lost just the one game of the 36 games played on tour which was a loss to Newport by 3 points to 0 in just their third game of the tour. He personally played in 19 of those 36 games and although scoring just two tries himself [one against combined North and Aberavon, and another against Western Counties] his wingers scored 48 tries when they played outside of him.

11. Upon returning to New Zealand, Little retired immediately from playing all rugby aged just 29-years-old. He played just one more First Class game when he played for the New Zealand Barbarians at the end of 1964 in a "charity match" played against the Auckland provincial team.

12. Following his retirement from playing rugby, Little was an outstanding contributor who gave considerably back to the sport where he had been an outstanding player doing so as both a Coach and as an Administrator. He held the positions at our Marist Club of Club Captain and Club President while also coaching various teams, and he was a Selector/Coach for Auckland at  provinvial Under-16 Age Grade level from 1972 to 1976.

13. Considered by many to be the "prince of centre threequarters" [most certainly of his era], Little had an ability to make space for his wingers and he was also a bone-shattering tackler who was always cool-headed while playing. This combined with his pace and ability to be able to read a game made him the centre that all wingers wanted desperately to play outside of on the rugby field.

14. A Barber by trade, Little lived out his life in Auckland after marrying having moved to Te Atatu for his work with him also being involved with coaching rugby at the Te Atatu [now Waitakere] Rugby Club.

15. Little died in Auckland in 1993 aged just 59 after a battle with cancer having been our Club's President just two years earlier in 1991. The "Paul Little Memorial Trophy" is played for in the First Round of the Auckland Club Rugby Premier Competition between our Club and the Waitakere Rugby Club to mark his significant contribution to both Clubs. 

Total New Zealand Statistics: 94 First Class Games and scored 73 points.

+ Died on the 7th August 1993 in Auckland [59]

Desmond Michael "Des" CONNOR

Date of Birth: 9th August 1935 in Australia [Ashgrove in Queensland]

All Black No. 617 and Marist All Black No. 14

Position: Halfback

ALL BLACKS from 1961 to 1964 [15 games - 12 Tests and 3 Tour Matches scoring 3 points]​​​​​​​

Other First Class level games of note include:

- At Provincial level for Auckland from 1960 to 1966 [70 games and tbc'd points]

- At National level for other New Zealand teams included for the North Island in the "Inter Island Matches" from 1961 to 1966 [5 games] and in the New Zealand "All Black" Trials in 1961, 1962, and 1963 [3 games]

COMMENTS:

1, Born in the Queensland township of Ashgrove [situated about 5 kilometres north west of Brisbane], Connor was educated at Marist Brothers College in Brisbane [where he was a very talented cricketer as well as rugby player] before entering the University of Queensland to train as a Physiclal Education Teacher upon finishing his high school years. Interestingly, he was also a more than handy all-round cricketer who many thought could have played for Australia if he had presevered in that sport.

2. Upon leaving school, Connor played his club rugby for the famous Brothers Rugby Club in Brisbane and in just his first year out of school he was selected as a 19-year-old to play for Queensland in 1954 in a match played under lights against New South Wales with him from then onwards playing for Queensland until 1959. He played for Queensland against the touring teams from Fiji in 1954, South African "Springboks" in 1956, and the New Zealand "All Blacks" in 1957.

3. In 1957, Connor was selected to play for Australia [Wallaby No. 429] as a member of their "Wallabies" team that toured the British Isles and France in 1957-1958. He played in all five [5] Test Matches on that tour with the "Wallabies" and he was named as the "most improved player" on that tour. In 1958 he was a member of the Australia team that toured New Zealand with him playing in all of the three Test Matches against the All Blacks [the Wallabies won the Second Test] - such was the quality of his play that he was named as one of the five "Players of the Year" in the New Zealand Rugby Almanack. He also played for the "Wallabies" in two Test Matches played against the British Isles "Lions" when they toured Australia in 1959 before the Lions continued their tour onto New Zealand. In all he played twelve [12] Test Matches for the "Wallabies" and he became their 43rd Test Captain when he was Captain of the "Wallabies" in three Tests Matches played against the touring New Zealand Maoris in 1958 [considered Test matches by Australia, but not recognised as such by New Zealand].

4. It was at the end of 1959 when Connor took up a position as a Physical Education Teacher at Takapuna Grammar School in Auckland and as a result of his desire to play in a team with Keith Davis, whom he had formed a great friendship with, he began playing for our Marist Brothers Old Boys Rugby Club during the 1960 season. Ultimately, it had been a tale of three Kiwis who caused Connor to come to New Zealand in the first placr: firstly - it was Brother Cyprian [a Schoolteacher from Christchurch] who was responsible for introducing rugby to Connor's college in Brisbane which was then very much a Rugby League city wih Connor instantly loving the game, secondly - it was Dick Everest [Coach of the 1957 All Blacks who toured Australia] who was so impressed with the performance of the 21-year-old who had played that day against the All Blacks for Queensland [Connor] that he approached the Australian Selector who were present to tell them that they were "mad if you don't take this kid to Britian" [which they then did], and thirdly - it was Tom Morrison [then a very prominent member of the NZRU] who approached Connor asking him whether he would consider coming to New Zealand "to develop his rugby" before forwarding to him the "New Zealand Education Gazette" which Connor then used to secure the teaching role in Takapuna. Our Marist team that season was not overly successful due mainly to two of its star players going with the All Blacks to South Africa [Steve Nesbit and Terry Lineen], but Connor got busy "scrounging for ball" [his words] behind a forward pack that was getting mostly dominated... just like he was used to doing with both Queensland and Australia!

5. Connor's performances for Marist quickly caught the eyes of the selectors with him first selected to play for Auckland in 1961. Connor then became a key member of the outstanding team from our province [also being the team's Vice Captain] that won the "Ranfurly Shield" from North Auckland and then defended in the early 1960's. Notably, in his very first match Auckland he was the captain in a match played against Waikato in Hamilton. By the time that he returned to live and work in Australia in late 1966, he had played 70 games for Auckland including playing in the outstanding win against the touring South Africa "Spirngboks" in 1965 [won 15-14] as well as had played at other first class level five [5] times for the "North Island" in the "Inter-Island Matches" and in the New Zealand "All Blacks" Trials for three seasons.

6. The Selectors for the New Zealand "All Blacks" lost no time in making use of Connor's outstanding talents and he was first selected for the All Blacks in 1961 making his debut as Vice Captain in the First Test Match played in Auckland against the touring team from France [won by 13 points to 6]. He also played in the other two Test Matches in that series against France and joining him for the Second Test played in Christchurch was his Marist Clubmate Paul Little [making his debut as Marist All Black No. 15].

7. ​​​​​​​In 1962, Connor was selected to be a member of the All Black team that toured Australia. As well as playing each of the three Test Matches as Vice Captain, he was the Captain of the All Black team that played in Brisbane against his former State team of Queensland [won 15-3] and also when they played against South Australia in Adelaide [won 77-0 and scored a try - his only points for the All Blacks]. 

8. Connor then played all three Test Matches as Vice Captain of the All Blacks against the touring team from Australia when they came to New Zealand in 1962. In 1963, he played "brilliantly" in both Test Matches [again being Vice Captain] won against the touring England team. Accordingly, he was considered to be a "certainty" to tour with the All Blacks to the British Isles, France, and Canada later that year through into 1964... however after being injured in the Trial Match he was not selected to the amazement and dismay of many with most pundits believing that his non-selection was due to "political reasons" [the UK nations at that stage greatly frowned upon players who had represented two nations and were believed to have placed pressure on the NZRU not to select him].

9. It then seemed that Connor's playing days with the All Blacks were over, but remarkably the All Blacks Selectors did an "about face" when in 1964 they selected him again at short notice [he was actually in Australia and got an emergency telephone call] to play again as Vice Captain against the touring team from Australia. He played in the last two Test Matches of the three Test Series against the "Wallabies" with the Second Test in Christchurch won by 18 points to 3, but the Third Test in Wellington was a significant lost by 20 points to 5. This was regrettably to be his last appearance for the All Blacks.

10. After two more seasons playing for Auckland [he had actually announced his retirement at the end of 1965, but relented and played again in 1966], Connor returned to Australia and he immediately became a Coach with the Brothers Club in Brisbane taking them to the City Championship in his very first season with them in 1967. In 1968, he was appointed as the coach of Australia and against a very strong touring All Blacks team nearly "stole" a victory in part by using "short lineouts" [never before then used] in the Second Test. The All Blacks won by 19 points to 18 and only won after being awarded a "controversial penalty try" very late in the game. He continued as an Australian Selector until 1971 and he retired so he could concentrate on business commitments including being the Director of a Brisbane footwear company. 

11. Although now retired, Connor remains heavily associated with rugby at the Brothers Rugby Club [recognised as a Life Member in 2013], with Queensland Rugby [recognised as a Life Member in 2013], and he has been the President of the Australian Barbarians Rugby Club. He was named as Captain of the "Queensland Team of the Century" [the 1900's], he was inducted into the "Wallabies' Hall of Fame" in 2008, he was inducted into the "Queensland Sports Hall of Fame" in 2009, he was inducted into the "Queensland Rugby Hall of Fame" in 2013, and he was named in the "100 Greatest All Blacks" in 2014.

12. Now aged 86-years-old [in early 2022], married to Judy and living in Queensland, Connor is our Marist Club's oldest in age surviving All Black player.

Total New Zealand Statistics: 90 First Class games and tbc'd points scored.

Steven Roberto "Steve" NESBIT

Date of Birth: 13th February 1936 in Auckland

All Black No. 615 and Marist All Black No. 13

Position: First Five-Eighth​​​​​​​

ALL BLACKS in 1960 [13 games - 2 Tests and 11 other Tour Matches scoring 6 points]

Other First Class level games of note include:

- At provincial level for Auckland from 1959 to 1961 [18 games and scored 15 points]

- At National level for other New Zealand teams included playing in the New Zealand "All Blacks" Trials in 1960.

COMMENTS:

1. Nesbit was born in Auckland and educated at St Peters College in Auckland where he was a member of the college's First Fifteen.

2. After leaving school, Newbit played for our Marist Brothers Old Boys Club in Auckland and he was a member of our Club's outstanding backline of the late 1950's and early 1960's that included players such as Des Connor, Terry Lineen, and Paul Little.

3. Nesbit was first selected to play for Auckland in 1958 and made his "debut" for Auckland in the match played against Golden Bay-Motueka [that provincial team became part of Nelson Bays and then what is now Tasman] at Motueka and scoring three tries in a significant 49 points to 5 victory. Due to then current All Blacks playing for Auckland in his preferred position, he only played the one match in that 1958 season.

4. Nesbit became the first choice First Five Eighth for Auckland in 1959 playing in 12 matches including the narrow loss to the touring "1959 British Isles Lions" team and in the Auckland team that won the "Ranfurly Shield" from Southland in Invercargill with him scoring a crucial try in the victory. In fact our Marist players, Nesbit, Lineen, and Little scored all of Auckland's three tries in the match won by 13 points to 9.

5 Known affectionately by some as "Gnome", Nesbit played in the All Blacks Trials in 1960. After excellent performances in those Trials matches and for Auckland during the previous season, he was selected as a First Five Eighth for the New Zealand "All Black" team to tour South Africa that season.

6. Nesbit played his "debut" match for the All Blacks against New South Wales Country in Orange [Australia] which was a match played by the All Blacks en route to South Africa with him scoring a try in the 38 points to 6 victory. He next played against the Western Australia state team in Perth that was won by the tourists by 57 points to 0. Then it was off to South Africa.

 7. Nesbit played thirteen games for the All Blacks on that tour [including the opening match played against Northern Universities at Potchefstroom won by 45-6]. He played in the Second and Third Test matches played against the South Africa "Springboks" with the "All Blacks" team winning the Second Test match by 11 points to 3 and drawing the Third Test match 11-11. He scored two tries in those thirteen games for the All Blacks [that try on "debut" and the second against a Rhodesian XV at Kitwe] and of the thirteen games he played he was only in one losing team. That was in the match played by the All Blacks at Pretoria against the South Africa Combined Services team lost by the very narrow margin of 8 points to 3.

8. Though only aged 24-years-old when he returned to New Zealand following that tour, Nesbit played little more First Class rugby. He played in two "defences" of the "Ranfurly Shield" for Auckland at the end of that 1960 season [against Taranaki and Canterbury] and in 1961 he played three more games for Auckland before badly breaking a bone in his ankle in the match he played for Auckland against Thames Valley [he scored a try in the 21 points to 3 victory]. During his absence due to injury, other players such as Adrian Clarke and Mackie Herewini [both current and future All Blacks] became the preferred players in his position.

9. Nesbit was a University student at Auckland University who was very close to completing his BA degree when he was selected to tour and then toured with the All Blacks to South Africa. He completed this Degree a short time after returning to New Zealand following that tour and in the early 1960's he travelled to the United States of America to further his studies.

10. Nesbit then remained in the USA for several years having an involvement with rugby in that country including travelling back to New Zealand with the University of California team when they toured Australia and New Zealand in 1965.

11. Although only playing 18 matches for Auckland and just 32 first class games in all rugby, Nesbit was considered to be an outstanding talent who was unfortunate to have been in the Auckland rugby environment at a time when there was considered to be a very rich wealth of players in his position within the province.

12. Now aged 87-years-old [in 2023] and living in rural Waikato near Hamilton, Nesbit is our Club's earliest surviving All Blacks player having played for the All Blacks in 1960 while Marist All Black No. 14 Des Connor is our oldest surviving All Black [now in his 88th year and who first played for the All Blacks in 1961].

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Total New Zealand Statistics: 32 First Class games and scored 21 points

Terence Raymond Patrick "Terry" LINEEN

Date of Birth: 5th January 1936 in Auckland

All Black No. 581 and Marist All Black No. 12

Position: Second Five-Eighth and Centre Threequarter.

ALL BLACKS from 1957 to 1960 [35 games - 12 Tests and 23 other Tour Matches scoring 48 points]

Other First Class level games of note include:

- At Provincial level for Auckland from 1955 to 1960 [57 games and scored 63 points - 21 tries]

- At National level for other New Zealand teams including the New Zealand "Colts" team in 1957 and the North Island team in 1957.

COMMENTS:

1. Lineen was born in Auckland where he attended the Vermont School in Auckland for two years where he began playing rugby [including alongside future fellow Marist All Black Paul Little] before going on to attend Sacred Heart College in Auckland where he starred in the First XV for three seasons starting as a "Third Former" [today's Year 11]; in 1950, 1951, and 1952. He actually started playing rugby as a young boy at Halfback for the Eastern Suburbs Junior team in Auckland, but playing for Marist while at the Vermont School and then definitely by the time he was at High School he was playing as a First Five Eighths.

2, After leaving school, Lineen began playing for our Marist Brothers Old Boys Rugby Club of Auckland in 1953 playing his first season in the Club's Third Grade team before first becoming a member of the Marist Senior team as an 18-year-old in 1954. He continued playing for our Club's Senior team through until 1961 including being a member of the "Gallaher Memorial Shield" winning team of 1959, and he was the Captain of our Seniors for two seasons; in 1960 and 1961.

3. It was not until Lineen was selected to play for the Auckland B's team in 1954 as a Second Five Eighth that he first played in that position... and he stayed there in that position or played as a Centre Threequarter throughout the remainder of his playing career.

4. Lineen was first selected as a 19-year-old to play for Auckland in 1955 and he ultimately played 57 games for our provincial team during an outstanding career that included playing against the "1956 South Africa Springboks" [narrowly lost 6-3] and against the "1959 British Lions" [again narrowly lost by 15 points to 10] before being in the Auckland team that won the "Ranfurly Shield" from Southland in 1959, 

5. Lineen first made "higher honours" when he was selected to play for the "North Island" team in the "1955 Inter Island" game after only having played just four [4] games for Auckland. and he played in the New Zealand "All Blacks" Trials in 1957  which brought him very much into the sights of the National Selectors.

6. First selected to played for the New Zealand "All Blacks" in 1957 for the tour to Australia, Lineen made his debut in the game played against New South Wales in Sydney that was won 19-3. He then played his debut Test Match a week later in the First Test played against Australia in Sydney that was won by 25 points to 11. He scored his first points for the All Blacks when he scored a try in the match played against the Australian Barbarians in Sydney, then he scored three tries against Riverina in Wagga Wagga, and two more tries against Victoria in Melbourne. He played in ten [10] matches on the tour including in both Test Matches against Australia with the Second Test played in Brisbane won 22 points to 9 and he was the top tryscorer for the All Blacks on that tour.

7. Lineen was then a member of the outstanding New Zealand "Colts" [Under 23's] team that toured Japan and Hong Kong in March of 1958 with him being the highest tryscorer in scoring ten [10] tries during matches played on the tour. This Colts team was captained by Wilson Whineray [later an All Black Captain and then later knighted for his services to Rugby] and it also included other outstanding rugby players of the future such as Kelvin Tremain and Colin Meads [also later knighted for his services to Rugby].

8. Lineen played for the All Blacks in 1958 against the touring Australia "Wallabies" team with him playing in each of the three Tests [the first won 25 points to 3, the second lost 3 points to 6, and the third won by 17 points to 8] and in 1959 he played in each of the four Test Matches against the touring British Isles "Lions" team [the first won by 18 points to 17, the second won by 11 points to 8, the third won by 22 points to 8, and the fourth lost by 6 points to 9].

9. In 1960, Lineen was a member of the All Blacks team that toured South Africa [passing through Australia on route] and in the touring All Blacks team was his Marist Clubmate Steve Nesbit. Lineen played in 18 of the 31 matches on that tour including the first three Test Matches [the first lost by 10 points to 13, the second won by 11 points to 3, and the third was drawn 11 points each]. However, Lineen badly injured a shoulder [severe dislocation with massive soft tissue and nerve damage] late on that All Blacks tour of South Africa in 1960 that caused him to miss the Fourth Test against the "Springboks" at what was considered to be a "crucial time" for the team such was his importance to the team. The All Blacks lost that Fourth Test and thereby the Test Series against the host nation, but once again he was the top tryscorer on this tour for the All Blacks.

10. Lineen "recovered" so that he was able to attempt to play some games for our Club again in 1961 as Captain of our Seniors team at Marist Brothers Old Boys Rugby in Auckland, but the ongoing recurrence of that injury [there were bone fragments or chips floating around in the joint itself] utlimately caused his early and premature retirement from all rugby at the end of 1961 aged just 25-years-old for fear of "premanent paralysis".  The injury was so bad that he was not ever again able to play squash, tennis, or golf [each of which he was naturally very good at], but he turned or more particulalry returned to running with him becoming an avid enthusiast for "jogging".

11. Lineen was considered to be amongst the most talented and gifted players of the 1950's in all of world rugby with many rugby "experts" considering that he was playing rugby a generation or two too early as during his career there was little room to move as backlines lined up just slightly back from the end of the lineouts and scrums. His speed and his vision while playing as well as his outstanding ball skills would have made him even more of star than he was... even in today's "modern game" those "experts" believe. He was big in size as a back in his era, he was immensely fit, and he was very fast for such a big back for that same era.

12. After retiring from playing rugby, Lineen became a Coach at our Marist Brothers Old Boys Rugby Club in Auckland coaching many of the minor grade teams as well as being on many committees as well as on the Club's Board including as the Board's President and also as Club Captain. In 2010, he was made a Life Member for his outstanding services to our Club over many years and he was a very very proud contributor to our club.

13. Married to Jeannette, they had two children with Lineen's son Sean playing as a Centre Threequarter and Second Five Eighth for Counties from 1983 to 1988 [66 games and scored 66 points in all First Class rugby in New Zealand], but then played overseas in Scotland where he played 29 games for that country [including in their famous 1990 Five Nations Grand Slam winning team]. After retiring from playing, Sean became the Editor of the Scottish Rugby Magazine before becoming a member of the coaching group with the Scotland national team in 2005 and he is currently the Head Coach of the Scotland Under 20 team.

14. Lineen Snr was an avid fitness enthusiast and particularly was a good long distance runner who continued to run regularly even through to his early 70's with Jeanette having passed before him in 2014 at the age of 76. His funeral was held in Auckland following his death in 2020 with members of the Marist Rugby Club [includig several Marist All Blacks] fittingly providing him with a guard of honour as he was carried from the Chapel.

Total New Zealand Statistics: tbc'd First Class games and scored tbc'd points.

+ Died on the 17th February 2020 in Auckland [84]

Jack Robert SKEEN

Date of Birth: 23rd December 1928 in Auckland

All Black No. 547 and Marist All Black No. 11

Position: Loose Forward

ALL BLACKS in 1952 [1 Test]

​​​​​​​Other First Class level games of note include:

- At Provincial Auckland from 1951 to 1957 [89 games and scored 24 points].​​​​​​​

- At National level for other New Zealand teams including in the New Zealand "All Blacks" Trials in 1953 and 1957

COMMENTS:

1. Skeen was born in Auckland and he was educated at both Vermont Street Marist Brothers School and Sacred Heart College in Auckland playing in the Sacred Heart College First XV in 1945 as well as 1946.

2. After leaving school, Skeen began playing for our Marist Brothers Old Boys Rugby Club in Auckland and, he played for our Club's Senior team through until 1958 with him being the team's Captain in 1952 as well as in 1957 [around his responsibilities with being the Captain of Auckland].

3. As well as being a very talented rugby player, Skeen was also a very promising cricketer. He was a "more than useful" medium-fast bowler who played from the Parnell Cricket Club in Auckland and such was his ability that he represented Auckland at provincial level in that sport in 1950.

4. Skeen first played rugby at provincial level for Auckland in 1951 with him playing 12 games that season as a Loose Forward and he was immediately recognised as a player of great promise.

5. In only his second season of First Class rugby, Skeen was called into the New Zealand "All Blacks" team after an injury to one of the players assembled to play Australia in the Second Test in Wellington.

6. Skeen played that Test Match for the All Blacks for the "Bledisloe Cup" when he was aged only 23-years-old and the match was won by 15 points to 8 despite the All Blacks playing with only 14 players for 70 minutes of the game. It is reported that Skeen was playing a "fine game until injured in the second half" and also playing in the match at Halfback for the All Blacks was his Marist clubmate, Keith Davis.

7. Despite playing in All Blacks Trials in 1953 and 1957, Skeen was not again called upon to represent his country although being consistently one of the "best lineout forwards in the country". He predominantly played at Lock Forward for the rest of his playing career, but he was considered by some to be "too light" to be an All Black Lock Forward.

8. Skeen continued to represent Auckland until 1957 missing only 4 games while playing 89 times and scoring 24 points through 6 tries plus successfully kicking 3 conversions.

9. Skeen was the Captain of Auckland from 1954 to the 1957 season including in the narrow 6 points to 3 loss to the touring "1956 South African Springboks".

10. After retiring from playing rugby, Skeen was a hugely significant servant and contributor to our Club as a Coach of our Club's Senior team and as an Administrator for many years in various roles at our Club including as the Club Captain from 1973 to 1977. He was later made a Life Member of our Club for his considerable services to it and he died in Auckland at the age of 72 in 2001.

11. Skeen's father, Parker, was a Life Member of our proud Club, and Skeen's wife Mary was also made a Life Member for her outstanding contribution to our Club especially through her involvement with the "Women's Division".

12. Members of the Skeen Family have continued to be involved with our Club throughout the subsequent years. Skeen's Grandson, Ben Skeen, ia a prominent Rugby Referee having been involved with Auckland Rugby for several seasons. He is currently more involved as a TMO doing roles in many high profile matches around the world [including at the 2019 Rugby World Cup" held in Japan] and he is the current Haedmaster at Hamilton's St Paul's Collegiate.

13. The "Jack Skeen Cup" is presented by the Marist Brothers Old Boys Rugby Club of Auckland at their Awards Ceremony each year to the "Best Lineout Forward" in the Club.

Total New Zealand Statistics: 96 First Class games and scored 40 points.

+ Died on the 28th September 2001 in Auckland [72]

Keith Raymond DAVIS

Date of Birth: 21st March 1930 in Whakatane

All Black No. 546 and Marist All Black No. 10

Position: Halfback

ALL BLACKS from 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955 and 1958 [10 Tests and 15 other Matches while scoring 12 points - four tries]

Other First Class level games of note include:

- At Provincial level for Auckland from 1952 to 1958 [54 games and scored 27 points - 9 tries] and in First Class matches for Auckland B in 1951, 1952, and 1959 [6 games and scored 3 points]

- At National level for other New Zealand teams that included the North Island team in 1954, 1955, and 1958, and  the New Zealand Maori team in 1952, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1958, and 1959 [27 games and scored 6 points]

COMMENTS:

1. Davis was born in Whakatane, but it was when he became a "boarder" at Sacred Heart College in Auckland that his rugby developed so much so that he played in the school's First XV from 1947 to 1949.

2. Upon leaving school at the end of 1949, Davis stayed in Auckland and he began playing for our Marist Brothers Old Boys Rugby Club in Auckland for the 1950 season... initially in the "Juniors" and then very quickly playing with the "Seniors".

3. Such was his performances for the Marist Senior team, Davis was selected to played for the Auckland B team in 1951 for who he also appeared in 1952 as well as in 1959 with him playing in six [6] First Class games for them [the B's] during his career.

4. Davis first played for the A team of Auckland in 1952 when aged just 22-years-old. He made his "debut" in the match that was a "Ranfurly Shield" challenge for Auckland played against Waikato in Hamilton won by 9 points to 0 meaning that Auckland took "The Shield" with them in the bus back to Auckland.  His next match was just one week later against the touring Australia team that was a very narrowly lost by 17 points to 16, but in which he scored his first try for Auckland and later in the season he scored four [4] tries in the match played against North Auckland.

5. Davis was first selected to play for the New Zealand "All Blacks" that season and he made his "debut" when he played in the Second Test match against the touring Australia team in Wellington that the All Blacks won by 15 points to 8. In fact, he was a Reserve in the First Test played in Christchurch and in those days you only wore the "Silver Fern" on your jersey if you were in the "starting XV" or had already "started" a Test Match.

6. In total, Davis played nine [9] times for Auckland that season and he was also selected to play for the New Zealand Maori team during for their internal tour of New Zealand that included a match played against a New Zealand XV that was narrowly lost by 28 points to 22.

7. To cap off an outstanding first season playing for Auckland, Davis was awarded the "Tom French Cup" as the outstanding Maori player in New Zealand for the 1952 season and he was named as the Halfback in the "Rugby Almanack of New Zealand" team for the 1952 season... aged just 22-years-old!

8.  Davis was selected as a member of the All Blacks team to tour the United Kingdom and France in 1953/1954 and as well as playing in all five Tests he also played against the Barbarians amongst the twenty [20] games that he played on the tour. Coincidently, the other Halfback for the All Blacks on that tour was his first Cousin, Vince Bevan. 

9. Once back in New Zealand following the tour, Davis played in the Third Test of the series against the touring Australia team in 1955 [while being Reserve for the others] and despite being a Reserve for the All Blacks in the Test Series played against the touring South African "Springboks" he did not actually get to play any of the Test Matches.

10. Not wanted in 1957, Davis played the last two of games for the All Blacks in two Test Matches against the touring Australian team in 1958. Admittedly there were only thirty [30] Test Matches played in the 1950's, but the All Black Selectors used eight [8] different Halfbacks during those Tests and it is considered that Davis was a victim at the time of the "inconsistent vageries" of the All Blacks selection group.

11. Davis was awarded the "Tom French Cup" again in 1953 and 1954 plus toured with as well as captained the New Zealand Maoris team on tours within New Zealand and Fiji in 1954 as well as to Australia in 1958. Coincidentally, Captain of the Australian team and opposing him playing Halfback for the "Wallabies" during the three Test Matches in 1958 was then future Marist All Black, Des Connor [these "Tests" were recognised as Test Matches by the Australian Rugby Union, but not by the New Zealand Rugby Union].

​​​​​​​12. ​​​​​​​Davis played against the touring "British Isles Lions" team in 1959 for the New Zealand Maoris team and he played his last game for Auckland in the B team that played against King Country that season [with the KC team including both Meads brothers].

13. Aside from rugby, Davis had a career in the liquor industry as brewery worker and hotelier. After retiring from playing rugby, he was a Coach of teams from our Club as well as becoming a Selector and Coach for the New Zealand Maoris team. His brother, Morrie Davis, played for Waikato as well as for the New Zealand Maoris while a half brother, Mita Johnson, played for Manawhenua [a combined team from Manawatu and Horowhenua} as well as for the New Zealand Maoris also.

14. In 1970, Davis was made a Life Member of our Marist Brothers Old Boys Rugby Club in Auckland for outstanding service to the Club over many years. Then upon the formation of the North Harbour Marist Rugby Club in 1989, Davis became involved with developing and supporting that Club with him subsequently also later made a Life Member of that Club too. The "Keith Davis Cup" is presented by the Marist Brothers Old Boys Rugby Club of Auckland at their Awards Ceremony each year to the "Best and Fairest Under 20 or 21-year-old Grade Player". 

​​​​​​​Total New Zealand Statistics: 138 First Class games and scored 57 points

+ Died on the 2nd March 2019 in Auckland [88]

Patrick Joseph Bourke "Pat" CROWLEY

Date of Birth: 20th October 1923 in Wanganui

All Black No. 487 and Marist All Black No. 9

Position: Loose Forward

ALL BLACKS in 1949 and 1950 [6 Tests and 15 other Matches while scoring 12 points - four tries]

Other First Class level games of note include:

- At Provincial level for Auckland from 1946 to 1950

- At National level for other New Zealand teams that included for a 1st Division XV [Army] in 1943 [1 game], and for the North Island team in 1946, 1947, 1948, and 1950 [4 games and scored 3 points].

COMMENTS:

1. Crowley was born in Wanganui and was initially educated at the Wanganui Marist Brothers School then at St Patrick's College in Silverstream [Wellington] where he was a member of the St Patrick's College's 1st XV in 1940. 

2, Upon leaving school, he joined the Army and he was initially based in Papakura from where he played for the Senior Team of the Papakura Club with him subsequently selected to be a member of the Manukau Sub-Union team. While in the Army, he played his first game of First Class Rugby in 1943 for a First New Zealand Division Army team that played against the New Zealand Navy team in Auckland and he also played for a number of other Army teams over the next four years including for a New Zealand Services team in Fiji.

3. After transferring permanently to Auckland in 1946 upon leaving the Army and beginning work as a Meat Inspector, Crowley began playing for our Marist Brothers Old Boys Rugby Club in Auckland. He was a member of the Senior team of our Club that won the "Gallaher Memorial Shield" in 1947 and in 1950 he was the captain of our Senior team who again won this trophy that season.

4. A powerfully built side row forward, Crowley made his "debut" for Auckland in 1946 in the "Queens Birthday Match" played against Waikato in Hamilton [won by 10 points to 9] and that season he played ten [10] matches for our province. He played the first time for the North Island team in the "1946 Inter Island" match. The next season [1947], he played [12] twelve games for Auckland including in a "Ranfurly Shield" challenge against Otago [lost by 18 points to 12] and once again played for the North Island.

5. In 1948, Crowley played another eight matches for Auckland and again for the North Island team, but this season he was involved in three Trial Matches held to select a New Zealand team that was to tour South Africa in 1949.

6. Crowley was selected for that New Zealand "All Black" team to tour South Africa and he made his debut against Western Province Universities at Cape Town that was won 11 points to 9. Amazingly, he played in seventeen [17] of the twenty-five [25] matches on that tour and he played in his first Test Match in the Third Test against South Africa in Durban [lost by 9 points to 3] as well as in the Fourth Test played in Port Elizabeth [also lost 11 points to 8]. He scored two tries in the match played against the Cape Town Clubs in Cape Town that was drawn 11 points all.

7. Once back in New Zealand, Crowley played four more games for Auckland in 1950 and again for the North Island team, but this was the season that he came to be considered amongst the all-time great Loose Forwards for his performances for the All Blacks.

8. The British and Irish "Lions" team toured New Zealand in 1950, and Crowley played for the All Blacks in all four Test Matches in a series won three Tests to none with one Test Match drawn 9 points all.

9. While his performances in South Africa were widely praised, it was during this Test Series against the "Lions" that Crowley played outstandingly well especially in the Third Test played in Wellington. During this Test Match, he is remembered for his "colossal performance" after injuries to the All Black Prop Forward Johnny Simpson and Midfield Back Ron Elvidge caused them to leave the field thereby forcing the All Blacks to play with just six forwards [there were no replacements in those days] for some time before a badly injured Elvidge heroically returned to the field to then score the match winning try. It is described that Crowley "undoubtedly played the match of his life" and he was the "particular hero" of the match as the All Blacks won the Test Match playing with thirteen and then fourteen players as described above by 6 points to 3.

10. Crowley scored a try in the Second Test match played in Christchurch that was won by 8 points to 0 and he also scored a try for Auckland in their match played against the "Lions" that was lost by 32 points to 9. He was named as one of the "Five Players of the Year" by the "Rugby Almanack of New Zealand" for the 1950 season.

11. At the end of the 1950 season, Crowley got married and to the surprise as well as disappointment of many in the rugby community he retired from playing all rugby at the age of just 26-years-old. He and his wife Joan were the parents of three sons and Crowley died in Auckland in 1981 with his family around him.

Total New Zealand Statistics: 64 First Class games and scored 30 points [10 tries].

+ Died on the 9th June 1981 at Auckland [57]

Maurice James "Morrie" McHUGH

Date of Birth: 19th February 1917 in Auckland

All Black No. 458 and Marist All Black No. 8

Position: Loose Forward

ALL BLACKS from 1949 to 1950 [3 Tests and 12 other Matches]

Other First Class level games of note include:

- At Provincial level for Auckland in 1937 and from 1944 to 1948 [39 games and scored 27 points through 9 tries] plus for Auckland B in 1936 and 1948 [3 games].

- At National level for other New Zealand teams that included the New Zealand Expeditionary Force XV in 1943, the North Island team from 1944 to 1948, the New Zealand XV in 1944 and 1945, the New Zealand Barbarians team from 1950 to 1954.

COMMENTS:

1. Born in Auckland and educated at both the Marist Brothers School in Vermont Street and at Sacred Heart College in Auckland, McHugh played in the Sacred Heart 1st XV for three years with his last year being 1934. Notably, iIn 2003 he was named as a member of the "Sacred Heart College First Fifteen of the Century" [for the 1900's].

2. After leaving school, McHugh began playing for our Marist Brothers Old Boys Club in Auckland in 1935 and he played for our Club throughout his playing career in Auckland that ended in 1954 with him being a member of our Premier Senior team that won the "Gallaher Memorial Shield" in 1939, 1947 [as Captain], and 1950. As discussed below, he later played for the City Club in Hamilton until 1957 when he retired from playing all rugby at the age of 40-years-old.

3. After making his First Class debut with the Auckland B team in 1936, McHugh made his "debut" for the Auckland team in 1937 [playing just the one game that season] and his "other sport" was Boxing for which he was the New Zealand amateur Heavyweight Champion in 1938 [he was the "runner up" in 1946].

4. McHugh was involved in "World War II" and in 1940 he was a member of the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces that went to Egypt with him serving as a Medical Officer. He was later in Greece with the 18th Battalion when the Allied Forces "withdrew" from Greece to the Island of Crete, but he remained as part of the defending forces when the Germans subsequently invaided there also. This time, he was one of the many thousands of New Zealanders captured on Crete by the invaiding German forces and he was placed into a "Prisoner of War" camp from where he made a daring escape that enabled him to successfully get back to Egypt.

5. Once back in Egypt, McHugh fought again with the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces, but this time in North Africa although he took no part in the later stages of that campaign nor did he go into Italy. While rehabilitating before returning home to New Zealand, he played for the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces team in 1943 and he was then relocated back to New Zealand after badly damaging his arm in a match with his arm taking a frustratingly long timne to mend. After recovering from the injury back in New Zealand, he was a member of that same New Zealand Expeditionary Forces team that played against an Auckland XV team.

6. From 1944, [after being medically discharged from the Army] McHugh was a regular Lock Forward in the Auckland team and he ultimately played 39 matches for our province through until 1948 [he could not play for them in 1949 as he was away with the touring All Blacks in South Africa]. In those matches, he scored 27 points through scoring 9 tries and he also played the first of his four games for the North Island team in the "1944 Inter-Island Match" with him subsequently playing in that same fixture in 1945, 1946, and 1948. In 1944, he also played for a New Zealand XV that played against a Combined Services team and as there was no New Zealand "All Black" team selected that year this New Zealand XV was in effect the All Blacks.

7. McHugh was first selected to play for the New Zealand "All Blacks" in 1946 upon the return of international rugby following the end of "World War II". He made his "debut" for our National team in the Test Match played against Australia in Dunedin that was won by 31 points to 8. After playing in the Second Test of that series, he missed selection for the All Blacks in 1947 although he was a member of the Auckland team that defeated them [the "All Blacks"] upon their return to New Zealand following the tour of Australia. NOTE: There was no All Black team selected in 1948, but at the end of that season there were a series of Trial Matches to select an All Black team to tour South Africa the following year.

8. In 1949, McHugh was selected again for the All Blacks this time for their tour of South Africa and he played in Third of the four Test Matches playing as a Number Eight in that Test. This was to be his last match for the All Blacks and despite the team being defeated by 9 points to 3 his performance was a "stand out" in a losing forward pack.

9. After returning to New Zealand, McHugh retired from playing rugby except for occasional appearances for the New Zealand Barbarians Club and continuing to play for the Premier Senior Team of our Club with him playing through until 1954 before transferring to Hamilton where he played there for the City Club until 1957. 

10. In latter years, McHugh was involved as a Coach and Administrator with our Club with him ultimately being made a Life Member as recognition of his outstanding services to our Club. His father Andrew McHugh, also a former soldier who fought in WWI, had also played for Auckland from our club [including playing against the touring 1921 South African "Springboks"] and he too was a talented boxer. A nephew, Morrie McHugh, was a member of the "Gallaher Sheild" winning Marist teams of the late 1980's and early 1990's [he also played for Auckland B] and a great nephew, Thomas "Tom" McHugh, initially played for the Premier Senior team of our Club [before transferring to play for Grammar TEC] as well as playing 14 games for Auckland in 2015 and 2016 [plus for Bay of Plenty in 2019] as a Prop Forward.

11. For a period of 55 days before his death in 2010, McHugh was the oldest living All Black and it is recognised that if it were not for the advent of "World War II" that he would have played significantly more games for the All Blacks.

​​​​​​​Total New Zealand Statistics: 73 First Class games and scored 45 points.

+ Died on the 25th September 2010 in Auckland [93]

William Edward "Bill" HADLEY

Date of Birth: 11th March 1910 in Auckland

All Black No. 400 and Marist All Black No. 7

Position: Hooker​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

ALL BLACKS from 1934, 1935 to 1936 [8 Tests and 17 other Matches]

Other First Class level games of note include:

- At Provincial level for Bay of Plenty in 1932, and for Auckland from 1933 to 1937 [played tbc'd games and scored tbc'd points].

- At other National level for other New Zealand teams that included the North Island team in 1933 and 1934, and for the New Zealand Barbarians in 1938.

COMMENTS:

1. Born in Auckland and educated Marist Brothers School in Vermont Street then at Sacred Heart College in Auckland, Hadley first played for the Senior team of the Marist Brothers Old Boys Rugby Club in Auckland in 1931.  

2. However, in 1932, Hadley transfered to Te Puke in the Bay of Plenty for the season and from there he played for the Bay of Plenty provincial representative team.

3. Upon returning to Auckland in 1933, Hadley was back again played for our Club with him being a member of the Senior team that won the "Gallaher Memorial Shield" that year in a team that was captained as well as coached by his elder brother, Swinbourne "Swin" Hadley [Marist All Black No. 6].

4. Hadley was selected to play for Auckland that same 1933 season for the first time before ultimately playing in five games as well as getting selected for that year's North Island team to play in the "1933 Inter Island Match".

5. In 1934, Hadley was a member of the Auckland team that won the Ranfurly Shield from Hawkes Bay and his performances in the All Black Trials series meant that he was selected for the New Zealand "All Blacks" for the tour to Australia. 

6. Hadley made his debut for the All Blacks in the match played against Western New South Wales Districts in Orange [approx, 250kms west of Sydney] which was won by 51 points to 10. Despite an injury early in the tour, he played in five [5] matches including the two Test Matches both played in Sydney.

7. After further great performances for Auckland and in the Trial matches played to select the All Blacks team to tour the United Kingdom and France in 1934-1935, Hadley was then selected as a member of that team.

8. Again, tragically injury struck Hadley after he suffered a broken jaw in the very first match on that tour, However, he recovered sufficiently to play in 16 of the 30 tour matches including playing in each of the four Test Matches.

9. Hadley played for the All Blacks again in 1936 in the two Test Matches played against Australia in New Zealand and, despite playing in the Trial Matches in 1937, that was the end of his career in the "Black Jersey".

10. After playing for Auckland against the touring "1937 South Africa Springboks" team, Hadley retired from playing first class rugby [also of course due to the adevert of "World War II"].  

11. However, Hadley continued to play for our Club and then as player/coach in 1940 he was a member of the Takapuna team that won the "Gallaher Memorial Shield" that year before retiring completely from playing all rugby.

12. Hadley was a member of the very first New Zealand Barbarians team in 1938 and he played for this team in "charity matches" for several years with the funds from these matches commonly given to injured players as well as other rugby related charities.

13. Interestingly, Hadley has a unique place in New Zealand Rugby History as he was the first genuinely acknowledged Hooker to play for New Zealand in the 3-4-1 scrum formation [the previous formation was a 2-3-2 scrum formation with a Wing Forward until 1932].

14. As previously detailed, Hadley is the younger brother of "Swin" Hadley, our Marist All Black Number 6. These brothers playing for New Zealand from our Club are the first of two sets of brothers that have played for the All Blacks from our very proud Club.​​​​​​​

Total New Zealand Statistics: tbc'd First Class games.

+ Died on the 30th September 1992 in Auckland [82]

Swinbourne "Swin" HADLEY

Date of Birth: 19th September 1904 in Whangaroa [Northland]

All Black No. 330 and Marist All Black No. 6

Position: Hooker

ALL BLACKS in 1928 [4 Tests and 7 other Matches]

Other First Class level games of note included:

- At Provincial level for Auckland from 1926 to 1935 [57 games and he was the Captain from 1929 to 1933].

- At National level for other New Zealand teams that included the North Island team in 1927 and 1931 [2 games], and the New Zealand Barbarians in 1936 [2 games].

COMMENTS:

1. Hadley was born in Auckland, grew up and was educated at the Marist Brothers School in Vermont Street before then attending Sacred Heart College in Auckland.

2. Upon leaving school, Hadley played for our Marist Brothers Old Boys Rugby Club in Auckland playing up through the grades including being a member of our Club's Third Grade team that won the Auckland Grade Chamiopnship in 1923.

3. Hadley first played for our Club's Senior team as a 20-year-old in 1925 and he continued to play from our Club throughout his playing career which ended on the playing fields in 1935. He was Captain and Coach of the Marist team that won the "Gallaher Memorial Shield" in 1933 and he subsequently again coached our Senior team to "Gallaher Shield" success.

4. Hadley was a Hooker in the "old" scrum formation of 2-3-2 with a Wing Forward [controversial especially in the UK], but when this changed in 1933 he became the Hooker in what is now the scrum formation of 3-4-1. He played in this then new formation alongside his younger brother, William "Bill" Hadley, who is our Marist All Black Number 7 and who was also a member of that "Gallaher Memorial Shield" winning team in 1933.

5. Hadley first played for Auckland in 1926 aged just 21-years-old and in 1927 he was a Trialist for the New Zealand "All Blacks" without being selected that season for our National team. 

6. After making his "debut" for Auckland in 1926, Hadley continued to play for Auckland until 1935 and he represented our province 57 times during his outstanding career.

6. In that first season playing for Auckland in 1926, Hadley played against the New Zealand "All Blacks" following their return to New Zealand after touring Australia and he was part of the Auckland team that was defeated by 41 points to 11 in the "Ranfurly Shield" match played against Hawkes Bay [Hawkes Bay was the supreme team in New Zealand rugby at that time and were amidst their outstanding Ranfurly Shield era of the 1920's]. It is absolutely worth noting that he was the Captain of Auckland at this level from 1929 through to 1933 and that he was the Captain of the Auckland team that defeated the touring Great Britian team 1930.

7. In 1928, Hadley was selected as a member of the New Zealand "All Blacks" to tour South Africa and he played in 11 matches on that tour including in all four Test Matches. He played his "debut" match for the All Blacks against Western Province Country at Cape Town on the 30th May 1928 and the match was won 11 points to 3.  His other provincial games were against Cape Town Clubs in Cape Town [lost 3-7], Natal at Petiermaritzburg [won 31-3], Noorthern Provinces at Kimberley [drawn 18 all], Eastern Provinces at Port Elizabeth [won 16-3], and South-Western Districts at Oudtshoorn [won 12-6].

8. Hadley played in each of the four Test Matches on that tour against the South African "Springkoks". The First Test played in Durban was lost 0-17, the Second Test played at Johannesburg was won 7-6, the Third Test played at Port Elizabeth was lost 6-11, and the Fourth Test match played in Cape Town with the touring All Blacks winning 13-5 which meant that the Test Match was shared.

9. However, Hadley badly injured a shoulder in the Second Test on that tour and this severely limited his involvement as he was "kept" for the Test Series as his form and play meant that he was considered highly important for the success of the team. He also subsequently played in an Exhibition Match played in Cape Town and against Victoria [Australia] as the team returned home to New Zealand via Australia.

10. Hadley continued to play for our Club and also for Auckland until 1935 following that tour with the All Blacks, but sadly he never played for his country again. He was a member of the Auckland team that defeated the Great Britain side [now known as the British and Irish Lions] in 1930. In virtual retirement, he played twice for the New Zealand Barbarians in 1936.

11. Hadley served as a Corporal in the 24th Infantry Battalion of the 2nd NZEF during "World War II" [Service Number WWII/23535] and he was a member of the New Zealand Forces who were captured in December of 1941 by the invading German Army onto the island of Crete in Greece. He was incarcerated  at Staglag XVIII in German occupied Austria and he was later invalided back home to New Zealand after spending a large part of the remainder of the European conflict of the War as a POW.

12. Hadley was a great servant to the game after his playing career was over and he had recommenced his life after the World War II years. This included him being involved with coaching the Manukau Rovers Club's Premier team playing in the Auckland Club rugby competition for several years and then as a Coach within our own Club as well as being involved with the Administration of our Club for many years on a variety of committees.

13. Hadley lived in Auckland with his family and he died in Auckland in 1970 at the relatively young age of 65 having lived an extraordinary life of selfless service to others.

Total New Zealand Statistics: 76 First Class games 

+ Died on the 30th April 1970 in Auckland [65]

William Alexander "Bill" WRIGHT

Date of Birth: 1st January 1905 in Auckland

All Black No. 328 and Marist All Black No. 5

Position: Halfback

ALL BLACKS in 1926 [No Tests and 1 other Match]

Other First Class Level games of note included:

- At Provincial level for Auckland in 1926 and 1927 [6 games, but includes 2 for Auckland B]

COMMENTS:

1. Wright has a special place in New Zealand Rugby history and he can claim to have been "the person in the right place at the right time" to have worn the jersey of the New Zealand "All Blacks".

2. Wright was born plus grew up in Auckland, and he was educated at Sacred Heart College in Auckland playing for the College's 1st XV for the 1922 and 1923 seasons being noted as a highly skilled Halfback of considerable promise.

3. Wright played for our Marist Brothers Old Boys Rugby Club in Auckland after leaving school at the end of the 1923 school year and in our Club's proud colours he immediately was a member of the Club's Senior Team straight from the 1924 season.

4. Wright was first selected to play for Auckland in 1926 as a 21-year-old and he made his debut in the match played against Waikato in what was then the tradittional "King's Birthday" Match.

5. However, in that same 1926 season, the New Zealand "All Blacks" played two Official Tour games back in New Zealand [one against Wellington which they lost and a second against Auckland in Auckland] after returning to the country following their tour of New South Wales in Australia. These matches were common before and/or after tours by the All Blacks and were held as a means of attempting to generate funds to cover the costs associated with the tours. 

6. Wright was selected to be a Reserve for Auckland in this match played by the All Blacks at Auckland's Alexandra Park and he was still only 21-years-old having played only that one game previously for Auckland as described above. 

7. The match played against the All Blacks began with Wright on "The Bench" for Auckland, but then the All Black Halfback William "Bill" Dalley was injured [the other Halfback Jimmy Mill was injured on the tour so could not play] just before halftime. As there was no other "suitable uninjured player" available to replace Dalley within the New Zealand "All Blacks" team that could play Halfback, the focus turned towards other people within both teams that play in a match of this high status. So Wright was invited to play for the All Blacks and when changed into an All Black uniform he joined the match at Halfback for the "Men in Black". He played the entire second half and he contributed to the All Black's victory over Auckland that day winning by 11-6.

8. ​​​​​​​Wright played for the All Blacks that day in only his second ever First Class level game with him that day playing against his Marist Clubmates who were of course playing for Auckland, "Swin" Hadley and Tom Casey. 

9. In total, Wright played six [6] matches for Auckland [including two played for the Auckland B's against first class opponents] in 1926 and 1927, and with this one appearance for New Zealand meaning that he played a total of seven [7] First Class matches. He was not Auckland's first choice Halfback in either 1926 [although started at Halfback in the Ranfurly Challenge played against Hawkes Bay that season which was  lost by 41-11] or in 1927. Following the end of 1927, he did not ever play at First Class level again although he continued to play for our Club until 1929.

10. Little else is known currently about William "Bill" Wright's life, but what is known is that he died in Auckland at the age of 66-years-old in 1971.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Total New Zealand Statistics: 7 First Class games

+ Died on the 19th September 1971 in Auckland [66]

John Gerald "Jack" O'BRIEN

Date of Birth: 9th December 1889 in Wellington

All Black No. 210 and Marist All Black No. 4

Position: Fullback

ALL BLACKS in 1914 and in 1920 [1 Test and 11 other Matches scoring 7 points (a try and 2 conversions)]

Other First Class level games of note included:

- At Provincial level for Auckland from 1911 to 1913 [11 games and 3 points] and again in 1920 [3 games].

- At National level for other New Zealand teams that included New Zealand Army Team in 1914 and 1920 [including playing in the "Kings Cup" winning team and the team that toured South Africa], and the North Island in 1920 [1 game]

COMMENTS:

1. O'Brien has a special place in the history of our proud Club as he was a foundation member of our Club having played for our Club from the outset in 1908 and then too in the very first Senior Team [known as our Pioneer Team] for our Marist Brothers Old Boys Rugby Club in the Senior Grade of the Auckland Club Rugby Competition in 1911.

2. First selected to play for Auckland in 1911, O'Brien was also one of our Club's first players selected to play for Auckland as member playing from our Club. He played for Auckland from 1911 to 1914, and then again in 1920 after the end of "World War I". During this period, he represented Auckland fourteen [14] times and he scored three points through a try. However, it was considered "unlucky" for him that he was playing in the same position as another prominent player [Joe O'Leary of Ponsonby] as otherwise he would have played far many more matches for Auckland.

3. First selected for the New Zealand "All Blacks" in 1914 for the tour to Australia, O'Brien broke his leg in the fourth game of the tour although this occurred after he had made his "Test Debut" against Australia in the Test Match that was won  by 5-0.

4. Upon the outbreak of "World War I" in late July of 1914, O'Brien became a "Signalman" attaining the rank of corporal within the "Divisional Signals Company".

5. At the conclusion of "hostilities", O'Brien was a member of the NZ Army team that won the "King's Cup'" competition that was played in Britain in 1919 between teams from all of the allied forces and then with the team when it completed a tour to South Africa in 1919. Upon returning to New Zealand, this team played a number of games against provincial teams that included Auckland.

6. O'Brien again played for Auckland and then for the North Island in 1920. That 1920 season, he was again selected to be an All Black and this was for the tour of Australia in that same year. There were no "Official Tests" on that tour although he played in two of the tour matches played against New South Wales that have since been considered as Test Matches by Australia, but not deemed to be Tests by New Zealand.

7. O'Brien is considered to be a member of the "unlucky generation" whose rugby careers were massively disrupted by the World War.

Total New Zealand Statistics: tbc'd First Class games and scored tbc'd points.

+ Died on the 9th January 1958 at Kiwitahi [in the Waikato] [69]

Richard John "Jock" McKENZIE

Date of Birth: 15th March 1892 in Lyttleton

All Black No. 179* and Marist All Black No. 3 [* denotes that played for the All Blacks from Marist from 1914 and therefore in sequence is Marist All Black Number 3] 

Positions: First and Second Five Eighths

ALL BLACKS in 1913 playing from Wellington and 1914 playing from Auckland [4 Tests and 16 other Matches scoring 57 points (17 tries, one conversion, and one dropped goal)].

Other First Class level games of note included:

- At Provincial level for Wellington from 1909 [aged just 17 years old] to 1913 [24 games] and for Auckland in 1914 [2 games]

- At National level for other New Zealand teams that included for the North Island team from 1912 to 1914 [3 games]

COMMENTS:

1. McKenzie was born in Christchurch, but he grew up and was educated in Wellington including at the St Patricks College [Town].

2. From the Petone Club, McKenzie first represented Wellington as a 17-year-old in 1909 and he subsequently played 24 games [including two "Ranfurly Shield" matches against Auckland] for that province until he transfered to Auckland in 1914. For Auckland, he played two games before being called to "active service" later that year.

3. Having played for the "North Island" team in the "Inter Island" match that also served as a Trial at the age of just 21-years-old, McKenzie was first selected for the New Zealand "All Blacks" in 1913. He made his "debut" in the Test Match played that year against Australia in Wellington [the same match as his soon to be Marist Clubmate in Auckland, Albert Downing, also made his "debut"] with McKenzie scoring two tries playing at Second Five-Eighth.

4. McKenzie was later that year selected for the All Blacks team to tour North America [the USA and Canada] and he played in 12 of the 16 matches including in the Test Match played against the USA "All American" team with him again scoring two tries. He played either First or Second Five-Eighth on this tour and he scored 13 tries in his 12 matches played.

5. In 1914, McKenzie [now playing from our Marist Brothers Old Boys Rugby Club in Auckland] was again selected in the "North Island" team and then to play again for the All Blacks to make him our proud Club's third ever All Black.

6. On that tour of Australia with the New Zealand "All Blacks", McKenzie played in seven of their 12 matches including playing in the Second and Third Test Matches against Australia [he missed the First Test only due to injury] with him scoring a try in the All Blacks' win in the Third Test by 22 points to 7. By this stage of his career with the All Blacks, he had played in four Test Matches and in those Test Matches had scored five Test Tries

7. After that tour, that was when McKenzie played his two matches for Auckland... one against Southland and the other against Wellington. At the age of only 22-years-old, McKenzie had played 49 First Class matches, but his rugby playing days were abruptly halted by the outbreak of "World War I".

8. It was upon the outbreak of "World War I" in late 1914 that McKenzie joined the NZ Expeditionary Forces [NZEF], but during his involvement with these Forces during the "Battle of Passchendalel" [in Belgium at the infamous "Western Front"] he suffered serious gun shot wounds to his chest that were so severe that he would never be able to play rugby again.

9. It is commonly considered that, if not for the outbreak of WWI and the associated injury that he suffered, McKenzie would have further "blossomed" into being one of NZ's most accomplished of Five Eighths. He was considered a natural speedster who was a profilic scorer of tries and as being a player of "rare talent" who had the ability through skill plus pace to score remarkable tries.

10. McKenzie later became a selector for the Waikato provincial team in 1937 and 1938. In 1937, he was the Selector/Coach of the combined Waikato, King Country, and Thames Valley team that narrowly lost to the touring 1937 South African "Springboks" team in Hamilton... losing by just 6 points to 3. He was for many years a publican in Hamilton who was renowned for his "hosting abilities" as well as being a "great raconteur" and he died in 1968 at the age of 76-years-old having lived his last years in Mount Maunganui.

11. One of McKenzie's sons, Don, later played for and captained Waikato playing as a Forward, and a Grandson, Grant McKenize, played First Class cricket for Northern Districts with him currently involved as a Marketing Manager with Auckland Rugby having been in this role for several years. His Great Grandson, Angus, has recently played cricket at First Class level for Otago and Angus' brother, Jock [named after his Great Grandfather], has played cricket for the New Zealand Under 19 Team plus in 2020 he was a member of the Auckland Rugby Academy playing as First Five Eighth [since playing for Auckland and the Blues]... although sadly not following in the footsteps of his great grandfather by playing from our Club.

Total New Zealand Statistics: 49 First Class games and scored tbc'd points.

+ Died on the 25th September 1968 at Mount Maunganui [76]

James "Buster" BARRETT

Date of Birth: 8th October 1886 in Auckland

All Black No. 191* and Marist All Black No. 2 [* denotes that played for the All Blacks from Marist from 1913 and therefore in sequence is Marist All Black Number 2]

Position: Loose Forward

ALL BLACKS in 1913 and 1914 [2 Tests and 1 other Match].

Other First Class level games of note included:

- At Provincial level for Auckland from 1911 to 1914 [22 games and 3 points]

COMMENTS:

1. From Paeroa in the province of Thames Valley, Barrett came to Auckland as a teenager to begin an apprenticeship and he played for the Clubs known as City and Ponsonby before transferring to our Marist Brothers Old Boys Rugby Club in Auckland when Marist won promotion to the "Premier Grade" in 1911.

2. Barrett played his first game for Auckland during that season in 1911 and he represented Auckland until the outbreak of "World War I" in 1914. He played 21 games during that period for Auckland, but it is unrecorded whether he scored any points for our province.

3. It was in 1913 that he was first selected to play for the New Zealand "All Blacks" when the Australia team completed a tour of New Zealand. He played in the Second Test in Dunedin that the All Blacks won by 25 points to 13 and in the Third Test played in Christchurch that was won by the visitors by 16 points to 6. Without meaning to detract too much from his outstanding achievement in being selected for the All Blacks, this All Blacks team was selected after the first choice of players had left New Zealand to complete a tour of North America and therefore it was considered to be a "Second Team".