Southern men claim win in All Black race

Otago University today has one man in black, flanker Adam Thomson. Photo / Getty Images

A southern rugby club says it has put to rest a long-running argument with an Auckland rival over which has produced the most All Blacks.

In the lead-up to its 125th anniversary, the Otago University club has gone back through history to re-tally members who have donned the black jersey and has come up trumps over the Ponsonby club.

The Auckland club's website claims it has had "more All Blacks than any other club" and lists 51 men who were in the team before, during or after they were members of the club.

But Otago University committee member David Tapp said his club's research showed it 44 of its players became All Blacks while they were club members, and Ponsonby's total was 37.

The Otago club had 67 players in the national side before, during or after their time at university compared with Ponsonby's 56.

"It's been an ongoing debate between the two clubs for some time now," Mr Tapp said.

"We haven't pushed it for a couple of years now and there were a few more to add to the list.

"We thought the jubilee was a great opportunity to put the record straight. It's a little bit of north versus south rivalry that has become more heated in recent years. While we staunchly advocate that we are number one, it's all in good fun."

Otago University today has one man in black, flanker Adam Thomson, but its honour board also includes greats such as Chris Laidlaw, John Timu and All Black captains Ron Elvidge, David Kirk and Anton Oliver.

The team can also claim to have won the most senior championships - 49 to Ponsonby's 40, Mr Tapp said.

The Ponsonby club's director of rugby, former All Black Bryan Williams, said 67 All Blacks claimed by the Otago club was a "new number" to him.

"I don't think we can match 67. But I'm certain we've produced more international players, including All Blacks, than other clubs in New Zealand.

"We've produced players for Tonga, Samoa and Fiji. I think this banter we have between us is quite healthy."

He said there were a few players that both clubs claimed.

Seventies halfback Lin Colling became an All Black while in Otago but later joined the Ponsonby club and was made a life member.

Sixties forward Keith Nelson's dentistry studies took him from Auckland to Otago, but he later returned after two All Black tests.

Otago will celebrate its 125th anniversary on Queen's Birthday Weekend.