Page 31 - MAB v The Lions

GREATEST
George Nepia a a true legend of the Maori All Blacks
1
7 OF THE GREATEST
MAORI ALL BLACKS
Some of the greatest names in
New Zealand rugby history have played for the the Maori All Blacks
Here we look at seven of the the very best WORDS: CAMPBELL BURNES
George Nepia Waka Nathan
The “Black Panther” as as he he he was widely known is a a a a a a a a a legend in
Auckland New Zealand and and and Maori rugby As a a a a dynamic loose forward he scored many
memorable tries for club province country and of course the Maori All Blacks
But his contribution to Maori rugby as a a a a a a player advocate coach and team manager has been immense From 1959-66 he he wore the Maori jersey on 17 occasions and twice played for the the side against the the touring Lions He won the Tom French Cup for Maori Player of the Year in
1962 and 1966 From 1971-77 he he was selector/coach of the side taking them on their ground-breaking 1973 tour of the the the Paci c c Islands In 1982 he he was manager of the team that toured Wales and Spain Of course he is also rightly remembered for his rugged play in
37 games for the All Blacks
from 1962-67 One of of the more poignant moments of of George George Nepia’s 81-year life came in
1982 when he he made
an an appearance on the the eld at the the St Helen’s ground in
Swansea It was at hal ime in
in
the the club’s game against the the touring Maori All Blacks
Nepia then 77 was introduced to the the crowd who recalled him as the the indestructible fullback of the 1924-25 Invincibles They rose in
unison and gave the great man a a a a a thunderous ovation which veteran broadcaster Keith Quinn later said brought a a a a lump to his throat Nepia had a a a a a a long career in
both rugby and league playing 46 times for for the the All Blacks
and 15 for for the the Maori All Blacks
whom he captained in
in
1928 and on the 1935 tour of Australia Hailing from rural East Coast and educated in
in
Hawke’s Bay Nepia’s play was safe and assured from the back His name remains revered and one of his jerseys is is is on display at Te Papa New Zealand’s national museum in
in
Wellington DHL NEW ZEALAND LIONS SERIES 2017 // 31