A few days before the All Black side of '67 was announced, some NZRU officials suggested to coach and selector Fred Allen that he should omit Colin Meads, Ken Gray and Bruce McLeod.
The officials were concerned at the reaction that trio would provoke on the tour to Europe because they were so efficient at rucking.
Allen dismissed the concept and proudly announced all three in the squad when he stood up to deliver his team selection in the throbbing underbelly at Athletic Park.
In a seven year stretch, McLeod was picked as hooker in all but one test, the Jubilee test against the Wallabies when he was suspended.
McLeod was a rugged man whose play verged from ruthless to dangerous but he was always involved in every aspect of the tight work for his pack.