100 Greatest All Blacks: Chris Laidlaw

Arguments about the merits of several All Blacks vying for the same position have swamped this nation since the originals swung into action.

Through the 60's and 70's, those debates were about Chris Laidlaw and Sid Going and who should be the national halfback. The elder erudite Laidlaw began first.

His pass was magnificent, honed after studying how Des Connor delivered the ball and after several years hard work perfecting the changes. Laidlaw and Earle Kirton linked up at club level in Dunedin before working their partnership up to test standard.

A teenage Laidlaw was stunned to be picked for his first All Black selection to tour the UK in '63 especially as it came at the expense of Connor.

The callow young halfback missed out on tests with the Home Unions but his debut against France showed what an inspired choice his tour selection had been.

Many years later, the experienced Laidlaw was part of the touring media in France where his wide range of interests proved to be equally valuable to those of us who shared his company.

In '65 and '66, Laidlaw was the top pick as the All Blacks dealt to the Springboks and Lions and the halfback left a fine imprint with his flawless passing and astute game direction. A year later though, Going was picked as a touring partner with Laidlaw.

The pair shared the tests before Laidlaw took up his Rhodes scholarship which left his rival in charge until Laidlaw returned and the pair headed off to South Africa in 1970.

Laidlaw started three tests in the 1-3 series loss before appendicitis claimed him. Life on the outside world beckoned too and at 26, Laidlaw left for a life of study then work in areas of diplomacy, politics, media and business.

Statistics
Date of birth: 16 November 1943
Position: Halfback
Test debut: 8 February 1964 v France at Paris
Last test: 29 August 1970 v South Africa at Port Elizabeth
Matches: 57
Tests: 20
Provinces: Otago, Canterbury
Test tries: 11
Test points: 48