Poroporoaki mo George Nepia

Tu Tangata, Issue 32, 1 October 1986, Unnumbered Page

POROPOROAKI

Poroporoaki mo George Nepia

Kua hinga tetahi o nga totora i te mao nui a Tone. Kua puta nga roimata, te hupe mono, te toa o Kahungunu, o Ngati Porou, o te iwi Maori whanui. E koro, na to m ahi rangatira ki rung a i nga papawhenua o te ao kua whakahirahirangia te maria te wehi te ihi o tatou, te iwi kainga. Na reira haere haere haere.

The death of George Nepia may be the end of a living legend but the memory of this crash-tackling All Black full-black who soared to fame with the 1924-25 rugby tour of Australia, Great Britain, France and Canada will live on.

Tu Tangata readers were privileged to share in George’s life story in the December/January 1986 issue earlier this year. In this he revealed for the first time that he was really only 16 when he went overseas in 1924, not 19 as he gave his age at the time.

He said he was born on April 25,1908, in Wairoa and told the rugby selectors for the All Black trials in 1924 that he was 19.

“There was no way the national selectors would have chosen a 16 year old.”

Unfortunately after sharing this with Tu Tangata, George was subjected to a lot of media attention, most of it to find out why he upped his age, but mainly to get him to change his mind.

It is sad that some sports writers disputed George’s statement, and even have continued after his death.

However Tu Tangata readers will always be grateful they had a chance to learn more about this “invincible” gentleman.

Thank you George for the inspiration to our people.

Philip Whaanga, Editor.