The Wallabies claimed him first and it was easy to see why when the Queensland-born halfback moved to Auckland to play his rugby.
Des Connor ran the game. When he needed he would whip a pass out to loads of talent in the blue and white backline otherwise he would box kick over the set pieces or order his forwards to take the possession forward.
He was a shrewd operator whose tactical work and feel for the game was at the fulcrum of Auckland's success during their Shield era in the 60's.
His delivery was long and fast and Connor also had a reverse pass which flummoxed many prowling loose forwards.
Eligibility rules must have been a bit hazy then because within a year of settling in the Land of the Long White Cloud, Connor was an All Black and a rare dual international.