100 Greatest All Blacks: Wilson Whineray

Our paths crossed one night at the Aotea Centre. Wilson Whineray was a guest of honour and had many hundreds to hobnob with in his official capacity.

He was still on the NZ Herald board then and drew me aside for a quick chat about covering the national game and its ranking in the world of newspaper business.

Nothing threatening at all, just observations from a man whose life had crossed many borders and who had an ability to unravel complex areas in life.

A couple of years ago his health was not too flash but he would not be deterred from delivering his funeral tribute to his old coaching mentor Fred Allen. Six months later Whineray was receiving similar homage.

A man of distinguished education, service and manners , Whineray resisted attempts to involve him in any stories about sporting excellence until you badgered him.

In technical terms, Whineray would struggle in the top echelon of All Black props however his charismatic leadership, athletic ability and influence on the game leapfrogged him up the list.

He made his test debut on the same 1957 afternoon as Colin Meads at the Sydney Cricket Ground and was captain in 1960 when the All Blacks lost the series in South Africa on a disallowed fourth test try.

A year later the 'Willie Away" lineout moved inspired by the French was picked up by Auckland and the All Blacks. It was used on the tour of Britain and France when, apart from the loss to Newport, the All Blacks were unbeaten in 35 other matches.

The highlight for many was Whineray's dummy and try against the Barbarians but as you would expect, he played down its significance.

After a sabbatical to finish his BCom study, Whineray led the All Blacks to his final series triumph against the Springboks. The prop with a looseforward's spirit, as he described himself, had given his sport plenty and it had responded.

Statistics
Date of birth: 10 July 1935
Position: Loosehead prop
Test debut: 25 May 1957 v Australia at Sydney
Final test: 18 September 1965 v South Africa at Auckland
Matches: 77
Tests: 32
Provinces: Canterbury, Waikato, Auckland
Test tries: 2
Test points: 6