Nepia was the supreme NZ whizz-kid

Tu Tangata, Issue 27, 1 December 1985, Page 34

Nepia was the supreme NZ whizz-kid

by Michael Romanos

Rugby great reveals his true age

George Nepia, the pride of the Ngati Kahungunu is immortalised as the greatest rugby union fullback in history.

The public adulation to this living legend will reach a new dimension with the news, released exclusively by this writer, of the authentic age of George Nepia when he undertook those epic All Black twin-tours of Australia/New Zealand and Great Britain-France-Canada in 1924-25 covering 39 matches in nine months, losing only to New South Wales and Auckland.

As the crash-tackling, spiral punting and fearless fullback, Nepia played in every single match an amazing, heroic and utterly testing achievement. Almost more incredible is the uncovering of George’s secret. He was only a 16 year old at the time!

Imagine that defensive qualities unexcelled, game after game amongst and against fully mature, hardened adults bent on destroying the physical fibre of the opposition.

The revelation by Nepia that he was actually born on 25 April, 1908 not 1905 (or 1904 as some records show) has made a mockery of the New Zealand Rugby Football Union records and rugby history. Nepia is listed as one of sixteen 19-year olds to represent New Zealand at senior rugby and the third youngest behind his close friend and contemporary team-mate, Lui Paewai (aged 17 years 36 days in 1923) and Craig Wickes (aged 18 years, 196 days in 1980.

After keeping his true age secret for 61 years, George could see no reason why he should not reveal the truth to me and Tu Tangata.

He explains: “At 13 I was considered a candidate for the New Zealand Maori team against the South Africans in 1921 and at 14 I represented the Hawkes Bay senior provincial side in two games against Wairarapa before the team took the Ranfurly Shield from Wellington. In 1923 I was again selected to play for Hawkes Bay in their first defence of the Shield in the second five eight position. But my college principal at the Maori Agricultural College (MAC) in Hastings considered I was too young for the 1923 New Zealand Maori team which went on tour to Australia after I had actually gained selection in the team.

“So I couldn’t go with the Maori team and that is why I decided to leave MAC a year prior to graduation and put my

age up by three years so I could ensure making the All Black trials in 1924.

“I told the selectors I was 19 and that helped to get me selected. There was no way the national selectors would have chosen a 16 year old.

“Some members of my family know my real age but I never made it public until now. I thought I better keep quiet about it. But it doesn’t matter anymore.

When I hear talk about players being too young for the All Blacks and representative rugby, I say rubbish. As long as the player has mastered the fundamentals, a player of 17 to 20 could be at his peak of grasping the game.

“But I don’t know why I matured so quickly. It might have been my very hard upbringing and discipline. I think the Maori is a little more physically mature over the pakeha in their teens.”

Wairoa-born, raised in Wairoa and Nuhaka, for many years a farmer in Rangitukia and a refrigeration assembly worker in Masterton, George these days

lives in Ruatoria, the hub of the East Coast, with his youngest son Arapeta Haenga (Winston) and daughter-in-law. I spoke to “Uncle” George (as the locals all call him) for over eleven hours at the hotel in Ruatoria.

At 77 years old, green-eyed Uncle George is very alert and sturdy, fitlooking, straight backed and has few wrinkles to show for his years. If he said he was born in 1925 I would have beleved him. He is perhaps an inch shorter and a half a stone lighter than the sft 9in, Y3Vi stone of his rugby days. His memory is as sharp as a woodman’s axe. I can agree with people who say Uncle George can relive his years with the famous Hawkes Bay Ranfurly Shield side, the All Blacks, Maori All Blacks and English professional rugby league as if they occurred only last week. The only damage a long and hard senior rugby career spanning 30 years has left him with is a dislocated thumb.

But interviews can be tough. The hotel manageress couldn’t take the pace, shunting us from the dining room to the lounge to the guest bar, “Phewf,” said George, “I never knew sitting down for so long and answering so many questions can be such hard work. Phewf. This is the last plurry interview I'm giving,” he said, still able to raise a smile.

Nepia was probably the first New Zealander to receive a sports scholarship. Few Kiwis have ever landed an overseas sports scholarship and fewer still, a New Zealand version.

He was the only non-Mormon among the 80-odd pupils at MAC a college financed and staffed by American Mormons who were directed from Salt Lake City in the United States. Nepia’s father, Peta Nepia, sent fees to the Anglican secondary school, Te Aute College, Hastings for his son to receive his education. But on the way to Te Aute, George felt lost and alone. His travelling companion on the journey from Nuhaka was going to MAC. On the spur of the moment, George opted to follow his mate. He arrived at MAC with only a few shillings. His father rang up to find out where George had got to.

“My father said to me: ‘I disown you’ and there I was at MAC with no money to pay my school fees. Elder Moses, the school’s rugby coach, said if I could prove I was material for the First 15 he would have my fees paid. MAC sent away to Salt Lake City for a bursary to educate me for four years and got it. So rugby paid my way through college.

“They never asked me to become a Mormon. If they did I would have turned especially when my father disowned me. I attended their prayer services, I joined their choir and I took part in exams on the Book of Mormons. I used to argue with their history and I never came to grips with it, but I owe the Mormons a tremendous amount. I think they have very influential missioners who can convince the Maori.

“I don’t regret not going to Te Aute College. I got a good education at MAC but in those days their graduation certificate was meaningless in New Zealand it was only applicable in the United States. However, I went through MAC as a wool classer and I worked many years classing wool.”

Nepia’s tribal affiliation is Ngati Kahungunu on both sides. His father's parents were Peta Nepia (senior) and Parahi Parata. His mother was Peti Piriha whose parents were Peirihi Piriha and Taraipine Lewis.

He was named ‘George’ after an uncle who was called Hori (Hori = George).

George’s father, a dairy farmer, was a very hard man who did not spare the rod and at one time raced on to the football field to cuff his son for not playing up to standard. He lived to regret his words and actions. George said his relationship with his father was spoiled by his father’s second marriage with the new wife not taking kindly to young George with three children of her own.

“My mother remarried as well but she shifted to Hastings so my grandmother on my mother’s side cared for me very well until I was eight. She was too frail and too poor for me to stay, so I moved over to my father. I can look back now and say he did do me some favours. He taught me discipline.”

Just how good was this man Nepia as a rugby player?

Two quotes by leading sports journalists 11 years apart relate something of the Nepia quality.

Englishman Denzil Batchelor said in 1924 after the All Blacks 19-0 drubbing of Wales: “How had the boy Nepia the finely-tempered nerves to stand the strain of appearing as target for the day in match after match, the beating off single-handed of the ravening packs and the three-quarters line in full cry with his own single pair of whipcord arms? He was between short and tall and his thighs were like young tree-trunks. His head was fit for a prow of a Viking ship with its passionless sculpted bronze features and plume of blue-black hair. Behind the game, he slinks from side to side like a black panther behind bars, like a lord of the jungle on the prowl for a kill. This was his concept of his function when the ball came to him: rollicking first this way and then that, a few yards ahead of a bunched pack of bloodthirsty forwards, he rejoiced in the challenge. A lesser man might win applause by a fly kick to touch or even by going down like a boy on the burning deck, but not so George Nepia. He leaped at the ball like an art critic snatching at a fault of technique by his best friend. He went to work backwards, a fury of shoulders, elbows and thighs storming through the massed ranks of the opposition pack. Eight to one were the odds which exactly suited Nepia.”

And the Sydney Mail newspaper said in 1935 after the New Zealand Maori side had toured Australia, winning nine of eleven games including two ‘‘test” wins in three matches against New South Wales: “Genius is mainly an affair of energy but Nepia showed how

genius was the conserver, not the consumer. of energy. It was easy, graceful, unflurried polished manner in which he performed all his tasks which impressed and which indicated how long football education and experience have developed the instinctive sense which compels correct action for each separate circumstance. His position play and handling were faultless, his kicking, left or right foot, was prodigious and his tackling and fielding of the ball on the ground remarkably sure. We know how difficult of attainment is perfection but we know also that Nepia has mastered all the difficulties of a fullback's job to the extent his technique and execution have reached perfection. Never before has this thirty-year old (27), shy, unassuming master played so ably in Australia.”

One of the most famous of all rugby quotes was targetted at Nepia after the 1924-25 tour. It reads: “No other fullback is fit to loosen the laces of Nepia’s cotton Oxford boots.” I say that time has not changed that remark one centimetre.

Nepia played for the All Blacks in 1924-25, 1929 (to Australia) and 1930 (at home against Great Britain in four tests). Because of crippling financial hardship he became unavailable for All Black and New Zealand Maori sides

after 1930. The 1935 trip to Australia with the Maori side was a journey of nostalgia made possible by Sir Apirana Ngata who gave George clothing and gear.

Nepia was converted from a five eight to fullback on the insistence of a couple of keen bystanders.

“They must have noticed how often as a second five eight I would nip behind my fullback to lend support. Players don't always know which position best suits them.”

Nepia learnt the grid-iron way of tackling from his American coach at MAC and his exploits with the flying, crunching tackle became lengendary.

“It was hard but it was fair. It sometimes put players out especially the big men. It knocked the sails clean out of them. Taking them side-on I would aim for where their navel is and always keep my head at their front. If I didn’t know how to tackle. New Zealand would have lost quite a few games.”

A good example of Nepia's prowess as a tough tackier would be the occasion he was confronted with a ball-carrier and two support players heading for the tryline. Nepia, as usual, propelled himself from two yards to down the ball carrier. In turn the other two support players were skittled. Mission accomplished by the defender.

Nepia was blessed with much natural ability which allowed a 16 year old kid to convert almost instantly into an inter-

national fullback superstar, but he only developed the skills required and eventual perfection through sheer hard and persistent effort. His famous spiral punting which ensured lengthy touch finders with the ball landing inside the sideline before neatly bouncing out of play, came from many hours, many days of practice. He constantly analysed his game, mulled over and worried about his play and tactical appreciation, he made a lot of use of the blackboard to work things out.

“Rugby is really a simple game,” he says, “but it requires a good knowledge of the fundamentals.”

Of the 30 players making up the 1924-25 All Black Invincibles, Nepia was the only non-smoker (incidently, only one player was married). On the six week boat trip to England, the players wondered if they should give smoking away. But incredibly, two New Zealand doctors on board told the players they would suffer adverse reactions if they did. And so except for George, the team virtually smoked their way to victory.

“Some of the team were smoking 10 cigarettes a day. After all these years I know I’m healthier because I never have smoked. I’ve seen a lot of my teammates die of lung cancer and heart problems. One poor chap had to have his tongue removed.”

Though the coolest and rock-like of players on the field. Nepia suffered prematch nerves as much as anyone. Be-

fore he went on the 1924 tour his father begged him not to start drinking alcohol.

“If I hadn’t had a drink of beer during the week or after a match, I would have gone stale before very long. It helped me to relax and it was a good pick-me-up. The malt and sugar in beer helps put back what you lose in sweat and energy.”

Nepia said no fullback has bettered his 1924-25 performances but he regrets very much not being given the green light to playing an attacking game. He scored only one try on the lengthy tour.

“We had a brilliant backline. I'm sure I could have scored two or three tries in nearly every game. But Mark Nicholls, our tactician, stopped me. He agreed I could score by coming into the backline but he said, ‘how will you feel if the opposition score from your coming up into the backline’. So I stayed back, but it was unfair to me. After that tour I never played an attacking game even when I played for the Maori sides. For them, someone had to be back on defence with some of the players selected not up to standard. In the Maori teams, players were (and still are) picked on their tribe. It is very political. Some brilliant players have missed New Zealand Maori sides.”

Nepia said the pinnacle of the 192425 tour was the win over Wales. “It was our fondest wish to avenge the unfair 1905 All Blacks 0-3 loss to Wales. Winning 19-0 was a great victory. The first 20 minutes I thought they would win but we started knocking them back.”

Nepia said one of the Welsh players of 1905 admitted to him at the aftermatch dinner in 1924 that All Black Deans did score that disallowed try in the 1905 clash.

Why was Nepia asked to play in each of the 33 games on the 1924-25 tour?

“Mark Nicholls of Wellington, our first five eight, was picked as the backup fullback, a kind of utility back, but he refused to play at fullback even when I got an injured thumb. He said I was the fullback selected and that was that. I don’t know why I wasn't rested in some of the minor games. Lui Paewai could also have filled in adequately. But the fact remains I was so good on defence as the last line.

Our captain, Cliff Porter didn't want to have anyone else at fullback. When we nearly lost to Newport, the sixth game on tour, our manager Stan Dean said we were going to treat every game as a test match. So there I was in every match the Australian trip not my choice at the time.”

Nepia said touring with the All Blacks was a great education, better than anything learnt at school. “It was the real thing I learnt everything about life. I was a little shy before I left in 1924 but since then I have always held myself back a bit. I like to give the impression I never really changed.

“When Peter Fraser, our Prime Minister, went to a conference at Geneva, a lady Prime Minister said to him: ‘do you come from the country of George Nepia’. She knew of me before our own Prime Minister.”

Nepia said over the years the greatest people he has ever known were Sir Apirana, Peter Fraser, Stan Deans and Cliff Porter.

“Sir Apirana was a great man for what he achieved for the Maori people. He earned respect for the Maori and put them on their feet in farming. He was very good to me. Fraser: Mahana kite Maori. Deans: a very fine chap who as manager of the 1924 All Blacks looked after me on tour. Porter: showed a lot of humility and always looked after our interests as a team.”

Those were the days. The 1924-25 Invincibles arrived home to be acclaimed in Wellington by 40,000 fans. Shortly after the tour, Nepia celebrated his 17th birthday with a match at Tiki Tiki on Anzac Day and was given a huge reception by the Ngati Porou people. It was there that George met his beautiful wife-to-be, Huinga Raupani Kohere, whose father, Henare Kohere had been a lieutenant in the army and had died in the 1914-18 war.

George and Huinga were married in Tiki Tiki in 1926 in the Memorial Church by Huinga’s uncle, the Rev Poihipi Kohere. Mrs Nepia was a school teacher and a very refined and much respected woman.

The couple had four children, George, Kiwi, Oma and Arapeta Haenga (Winston). Tragically, George (junior] died on army service in Malaya at age 22. He was attached to the Fijian battalion as a sergeant at the time.

“George was a very promising rugby fullback. He had all my attributes. He captained the Poverty Bay senior representatives and was in the first 15 at Gisborne High School. He was very intelligent. I wanted him to be a doctor but he always had it in mind to be in the armed services.”

On one memorable occasion. George snr and George jnr were the opposing fullbacks and captains in the Poverty Bay versus Olympians match in 1954.

Kiwi, 56, is a school teacher at Masterton. One of her two sons, William Rowland, captained Wairarapa-Bush at rugby as a prop for several seasons and played for the New Zealand Maori side. He was also a First 15 player at Gisborne High.

Oma is a retired army warrant officer living in Palmerston North and has two children. Winston is a forestry contractor in Ruatoria, married with four children.

Nepia was selected to tour New land-Australia-Ceylon-France-England-Wales (40 matches) with the New Zealand Maori side in 1926-27. But though he was selected he missed the tour because of a falsified telegram which stated he had changed his mind and was not available. Who sent the cable and why?

Nepia said he is prepared now to reveal the culprit.

“I think the telegram came from the team’s manager, Ted Parata. After the Maori trial, Parata had asked me to stand down and let a player named Tiwi Love (Love died in the second world war when a colonel in the Maori battalion] tour instead. I don’t know his reasons at all but Parata didn’t like me from the start. He pushed me out to full-

back in the All Black trial match in 1924 thinking I would make a mess of the position. Perhaps he was bitterly surprised how good I became.”

Nepia had kowhai bark treatment to his upper leg to relieve a serious congealed blood clot. The surgeon wanted to operate but Nepia was needed for the Ranfurly Shield holders, Hawkes Bay and a Maori cure was sought. The treatment consisted of collecting two sacks full of kowahi bark taken from trees facing the rays of the sun. The bark was cut into strips and hammered, before being boiled and then ladled into a bath. Nepia bathed in the dark stained water for two hours after having little nicks made in his leg and upper thigh to draw out the bad blood.

Told by the pakeha he might never play rugby again, within days of the treatment, Nepia was back on the playing fields. Nepia said the same type of treatment has been used successfully on horses and humans with broken and damaged limbs.

“People should take more heed of Maori herbal treatment. It is amazing how people refuse to recognise quick and proven treatment.”

The great Canterbury Ranfurly Shield side of 1983-1985 cannot emulate the performances of Hawkes Bay and Nepia and company in their great Shield era. For instance, in 1926 the Bay trounced Wellington 58-8, Wairarapa 77-14, Wanganui 36-3 and Auckland 41-11.

“They talk about Canterbury as the greatest provincial team ever. They are a well drilled side but Hawkes Bay took the Shield on tour and we had only one forward not an All Black, the entire backline were All Blacks with two more in the reserves.”

Nepia never did make the armed forces during the second world war though he applied three times. He was told his farming was more important to the country. However, during the war the New Zealand Rugby Football Union allowed rugby league players who had enlisted into the armed forces to reinstate to union and Nepia returned to his real sporting love.

Very near the poverty line in the 1930’s depression (Winston told me his father went hungry to feed his family) drove Nepia to spend two years between 1935 and 1937 away from his wife and family to play professional rugby league in England for the princely sum of one thousand pounds.

Contracted to Streatham then to Halifax, Nepia was favourably compared with the very best fullbacks of the league world.

He actually co-coached the club teams he played for. The aggresssive Nepia was one player who needed no support when tackling in league. For him it was always one-on-one. In 1938 he played for New Zealand in their 16-15 win over Australia. Nepia says professional rugby union

including advertising and sponsorship deals should be allowed.

“I’m all for it. Why shouldn’t players get paid to entertain? I agree with Andy Haden. Those old days are gone. A player has to be looked after with wages and fair compensation. Up until now it’s the clubs who have helped players the most in giving them cash. It should be the job of the New Zealand Rugby Football Union.”

Nepia is very annoyed with Lion Breweries. The company recently used a Nepia photograph and citation of his feats in order to advertise their brand of beer in the Rugby News without seeking permission or giving Nepia ample and properly negotiated payment. Nepia received a miserly three dozen beer and only had some idea why it was sent.

“It is poor compensation for the advertisement. From now on I’m going to be very wary of this sort of thing. When I think what some people receive for endorsements, it makes me cringe.”

Before he retired from playing rugby in 1948, Nepia was already a qualified referee. He became president of the East Coast Referees Association and refereed representative games involving the East Coast, Poverty Bay and the New Zealand Maori side. He was instrumental in bringing a higher standard of refereeing to the Coast. Nepia coached the Red Star seniors and the Wairarapa senior representative side. At one stage he had 13 Red Star players in the Wairarapa team. He coached Tiki Tiki and Rangitukia to East Coast championship titles and also was an East Coast selector-coach. He had three Rangitukia players in the New Zealand Maori team. He was captain-coach for Rangitukia

Rangers from 1926 and subsequently was selector-coach-captain of the Waiapu sub-union with several of his players in the New Zealand Maori side. He was one of four East Coasters in the All Blacks of the 1920’5-1930’5. The others were Everad Jackson, Torium Reid and William Collins.

But today, he says, the East Coast is in a serious rugby depression. “We have always been thinly populated but there are just as many good players around. It’s the coaching which is at fault. The coaches have not studied coaching and have not gone through big football so their contribution is limited."

Nepia said rugby these days is too slow and not as entertaining as it once was. He said players are too big in size and weight and would not last out a game played in the 1920’s and 1930’5.

“Play is more defensive today, more binding by the forwards. The biggest trouble now is the predictability of the ball from the scrum. After the scrapping of the 2-3-2 scrum formation the whole game changed. Play has slowed and the backs standing up these days don't give players much show.

“I see and hear a lot about ligament injuries these days. The cause of pulled ligaments is in the modern boot design. The cut-away style is a failure whereas the old built-up boot gave good ankle support. The rugby union should promote proper footwear.”

Nepia was critical of the International Rugby Board (IRB) with its closed-shop attitude and constant rulechanges. He was also critical of the NZRFU for their old-boy network.

“All the rugby playing countries in the world should have a say in the progress of rugby. The IRB should leave the

rules alone. There must be some clever chaps around but the more they chop and change these rules the worse it gets. They should have left the 2-3-2 scrum alone. There were no major injuries from that type of scrum. “Some of the NZRFU council members should retire and let the younger people in. Colin Meads and Alex Wyllie should be on the council. I’m very pleased Brian Lochore has been recognised at last. You would think Ces Blazey would retire and let a younger guy like Tom Johnston step in. But the NZRFU have been fair to me over the years, especially when Tom Morrison was chairman. “The NZRFU are going about their coaching programme the wrong way. They send Bob Stuart, Bill Freeman and Ivan Vodanovich around the country and overseas. I don’t think they have the ability of people like Meads. What the hell are they trying to keep Meads down to just selecting a North Island team for? “The rugby union have Lochore as coach of the All Blacks but only because he is on the council. They should bring in coaches from outside the council so as the brightest coaches always get to coach New Zealand sides. Vodanovich as coach ruined the All Blacks in South Africa in 1976. His training methods were too tough and created a lot of unnecessary injuries.” In 1975, Nepia’s beloved wife, Huinga died and George suffered a heart attack. “My heart attack came out of the blue. There was no warning. If I was a smoker I would have died. I think it had its beginnings from farming in Wairoa when in my 50’s. I used to overdo climbing steep hills. “I feel great now. I don't suffer from

anything. I sleep eight hours a day, I walk up to two miles daily and I chop wood and do gardening. I’m not bored. Television is good and now and again I drive to Tiki Tiki or Te Aroha to see friends. The secret is to keep your mind exercised. I read a lot it’s wonderful to learn what the rest of the world is doing. I still erijoy football and go and watch games in Gisborne and elsewhere.” Nepia leases 100 acres of farmland in Rangitukia. He profited by $20,000 for the “I, George Nepia” book which took him two years to write and was published in 1963 under the editorship of Terry McLean. Nepia was in the process of updating the book for a third edition in the 1970’s but his material was mistakenly destroyed and he has since lost the urge to start again. Nepia was a guest of the South African Rugby Board on the All Blacks 1976 tour of South Africa and also a tourist with the 1982 New Zealand Maori side to Wales. Nepia shared his thoughts with me on the sports contact and apartheid questions with South Africa. He was forced to miss the 1928 All Black tour of South Africa because of the South African racial policies but he supported the Springboks coming to New Zealand in 1981 and the All Blacks touring South Africa in 1985. “In 1928 there was no protest against the All Blacks touring South Africa without Maori players because it was well known what the rules were. It was an issue but we accepted it. I was upset that I couldn't go with the All Blacks. Our 1924 manager, Stan Deans had promised he would change the criteria which would allow the Maori to go. “In 1976 Dannie Craven told me it

wasn’t the South African Rugby Board which stopped me and Jimmy Mill from coming in 1928. He said it was the NZRFU. The New Zealand union must have thought it better for us to stay behind than be subject to insult. In 1960 I marched in protest of the All Blacks tour because I decided it was time to take a stand: No Maori no tour. We made our point and I wasn’t disappointed the team went to South Africa but it gave the cue for later tours.

“In 1976 the South African blacks were treated a lot better than what the publicity said in New Zealand. They were allowed freedom of movement that I thought didn’t exist. I saw some lovely homes fully furnished which were given to the blacks in place of shacks. I think the South African Government is doing their best. If the Africans get control they will start tribal domination which will result in much bloodshed. The whites fear the Zulu. I agree Zulus were the owners of the land but it is a big problem and it can’t be solved by just letting them take ownership. It has got to be a gradual thing.

“I saw a lot of unrest in 1976 and dissatisfied black people who were not happy with their existence. I could tell something was wrong.

“We have got what we wanted the Maori in All Black teams that play in South Africa. I can’t make out why other national teams can visit South Africa without all this fuss. I was treated very well in South Africa and never once did I feel uncomfortable during my 10 week stay. I wandered around where I pleased and nobody accosted me. Dannie Craven is doing his best to integrate rugby.”

After the 1921 Springbok tour of New Zealand, a South African journalist said: “Bad enough we have to play New Zealand natives but thousands of Europeans cheered on the band of coloured men to defeat members of my own race. It was too much for the Springboks who were clearly disgusted.’’

Nepia says that by mixing with South Africans this kind of attitude will change and has changed among some white Africaners.

Nepia was not at all impressed with the rugby the New Zealand Maori side played in their seven-match tour of Wales in 1982.

“They didn’t win one important match. They didn’t have the players to finish it off because they took the wrong players with them. Some of the team couldn't make a provincial side yet they were in the Maori team. Captain Paul Quinn (Wellington) was not a good choice as captain. He was too slow as a flanker and used bad tactics. It was just favouritism which got some of the players into the team.

“It wasn’t a happy tour for anyone. Fancy coming 12,000 miles to see a team like that. But my greatest thrill on

the tour was to be introduced to the 60,000 people at Cardiff Arms Park before the Maori team versus Wales game. I stood out in the centre of the field and all the crowd stood up and clapped and cheered for about 10 minutes. I had to walk around the field in a lap of honour. It was wonderful and it proved the 1924-25 team will never be forgotten.”

Nepia named his All Black team from players chosen between 1920 and 1985. He makes no excuses for picking six players from the Invincibles whose backline he rates the greatest ever. Nepia’s all-time All Black side (exclusive to Tu Tangata) is: Bob Scott (Auckland, Jack Steel (West Coast), Bryan Williams (Auckland), John Smith (North Auckland), Bert Cooke (Hawkes Bay), Mark Nicholls (Wellington), Jimmy Mill (Hawkes Bay), Brian Lochore (Wairarapa) captain, Maurie Brownlie (Hawkes Bay), Kel Tremaine (Hawkes Bay), Colin Meads (King Country), Reid Masters (Canterbury), Kevin Skinner (Otago), Bill Irvine (Hawkes Bay), Ken Gray (Wellington).

In commenting, Nepia said: “Scott was the greatest fullback I ever saw play with wonderful footwork and beautiful balance. Steel was a great attacking winger who could run through tackles and was good on defence: Steel’s his name and steel he was. That’s why I put him ahead of Ron Jarden. Grant Batty was explosive but he wasn’t consistent. JB Smith was simply brilliant he made his wings look good. Cooke weighed under 10 stone but he could stop a mule-train and his power of acceleration was phenomenal. Nicholls played rugby like people play chess. Sid Going was a great half-back but no one could touch Mill he scored tries without a hand being laid on him. Lochore had fine leadership, lan Kirkpatrick was another great flanker but he didn't have leadership qualities. Masters was a big, strong lock like Meads. Skinner and Gray were tough props who wouldn't give way and also fast around the field. Irvine was a quick striker and strong and fast in general play. He played 26 of the first 28 games on the 1924-25 tour. It’s hard for me to pick the forwards because of the difference in scrum style from 1940 onwards.”

Nepia comments on controversial All Black fullback Allan Hewson of Wellington are interesting.

“I admire his play. Of all the goal kickers I have seen he is the best. It seems so natural to him. He has got beautiful balance like Bob Scott. He may be fragile but he wins games. - '

Nepia said he never saw famous 1905 All Black fullback and centre. Billy Wallace of Wellington. But he regards Wallace as a very fine gentleman and a great tactician as coach of the 1935 New Zealand Maori side (of which Nepia captained) to Australia. “I believed Billy played some magnificent foot-

ball.” Strangely, Nepia has never received a Queens honour not even an MBE for his services to sport, his people and his country. Hundreds of far lesser sports people have been recognised with an award.

Nepia said his greatest moment in his rugby life came when he was walking off the field at Cardiff Arms Park in 1924 in front of 55,000 spectactors. As

he walked off after New Zealand’s great victory, he unwrapped the bandage around his thumb and threw it on the ground. A horde of adult souvenir hunters converged on the roll of bandage and fought and tugged over it. That, he said, was his greatest moment.

Uncle George may have been devoted to his rugby but his greatest devotion was reserved for his wife. Huinga and family.

Each day since his wife was prematurely taken from this world in 1975. George Nepia. the tough rugby fullback extraordinaire at 16. travels 12 miles from his home in Ruatoria to her graveside in Rangitukia and places flowers where she is buried.

When I had arranged for George to appear in Wellington as the guest of the Wellington Rugby Union last September, he arrived wearing a black tie, worded: “1924-25 Invincibles“. George said some 10 years after the famous tour, a Canadian chap presented each member of the 1924 team with an Invincibles tie.

George told me he was very proud of the tie and wouldn’t part with it. Not even when a Japanese rugby enthusiast and car company executive a few years ago offered George a brand new Mitsubishi car in exchange for the tie.

During the Wellington trip, George spent a few hours at the private rugby museum owned by Errol and Ann Quinn in Maungaraki. When I went to collect George from the museum, I looked up at

one of the display shelves and there sat Nepia’s treasured tie. I looked at George. He was wearing a Marist Hutt Valley tie (the club of All Black winger Bernie Fraser). "This is such a splendid place, but they didn't have a material memento of the 1924 side." said George. “I couldn't leave without giving them something."

So instead of selling his tie for around $16,000 to the Japanese, soft-hearted Nepia exchanged it for Fraser’s Marist tie. Well at least the green tie matched George's green suit!

Maori players include Lui Paewai, Jimmy Mill and Nepia all from Hawkes Bay. Only player married at the time was Jim Parker of Canterbury.

Footnote: At the time of writing this article (September 1985) four of Nepia's 1924-25 Invincible team-mates are still living. They are: vice-captain and flanker Jock Richardson (now residing in Australia), five-eights Ces Badeley. threequarter Alan Robilliurd and halfback William Dailey. All four hailed from the South Island.