Kiwi sports stars who have done the 'unthinkable': Dual-national All Blacks

Only a handful of New Zealanders have represented the All Blacks and the Wallabies. Photo / Getty

It's nearly every New Zealand kid's dream to represent the All Blacks.

From the young age of five children around the country mimic their favourite players and re-enact famous test victories in the back yard.

But there are a select few who were lucky enough to represent their country before turning their back on the black jersey.

Some may label them turncoats, while others understand it is the nature of sport.

We look back at those who have done the "unthinkable" and represented fierce rivals Australia after donning the black jersey.

Bill Hardcastle - The Wellington born sportsman was a pioneer in both New Zealand and Australian sport.

Born in 1874, Hardcastle was selected for the All Blacks in the 1897 tour of Australia. While he didn't play a test, the second rower represented the men in black on seven occasions during the tour.

However, in 1899 Hardcastle journeyed to Sydney on hearing that the visiting British and Irish Lions would be not be travelling any further than Sydney. Australian rugby in those days had no residential rules and once they took the field with a Sydney club, players qualified as Australians for possible national selection.

After playing for Glebe rugby club in Sydney, Hardcastle was selected at flanker for the Australian representative team in the fourth test of 1899 against the first British side to tour Australia.

He also represented Australia in 1903 against New Zealand in the first official international match between the two countries.

The dual international also represented Australia at Rugby League, playing eight times between 1910 and 1914.

Owen Stephens - Born in 1947 in Paeroa, Owen was the son of rugby league player Mortimer Stephens. When making his name in union for Bay of Plenty and Wellington, the winger was selected for the All Blacks in 1968.

He won a single cap, playing in the All Blacks' 19-12 victory over France at Eden Park.

But that was the last time he'd play for New Zealand before heading to Australia where he represented New South Wales before playing five tests for the Wallabies.

The winger nicknamed Noddy also played rugby league, representing the Parramatta Eels and Wakefield Trinity.

Evan "Ted" Jessep - Despite being born in Sydney in 1904, Jessep moved to New Zealand when he was just 3 years old. A hooker and prop, Jessep played for Wellington before being selected for the All Blacks in 1931 and 1932. He played eight matches including two tests, both against Australia.

But Jessep soon returned to Australia before representing the Wallabies in two tests, both against New Zealand.

Jessep is just one of three people to represent New Zealand and Australia in international rugby, alongside Owen Stephens and Des Connor (who represented Australia first).

Former All Blacks Steven Bachop (Samoa) and Jamie Jseph (Japan) go head-to-head during the 1999 Rugby World Cup. Photo / Getty

Kiwis who played for the All Blacks before representing a second nation:

Graeme Bachop - New Zealand and Japan
Stephen Bachop - New Zealand and Samoa
Franco Botica - New Zealand and Croatia
Matthew Cooper - New Zealand and Croatia
Bill Hardcastle - New Zealand and Australia
Evan Jessep - New Zealand and Australia
Jamie Joseph - New Zealand and Japan
Shane Howarth - New Zealand and Wales
Jamie Salmon - New Zealand and England
Owen Stephens - New Zealand and Australia
Va'aiga Tuigamala - New Zealand and Samoa

Kiwis who represented another nation before playing for the All Blacks:

Frank Bunce - Samoa and New Zealand
Des Connor - Australia and New Zealand
Alama Ieremia - Samoa and New Zealand
Michael Jones - Western Samoa and New Zealand
Pat Lam - Samoa and New Zealand
Eddie Stapleton - Australia and New Zealand
Ofisa Tonu'u - Samoa and New Zealand
Sitiveni Sivivatu - Pacific Islanders and New Zealand
Sione Lauaki - Pacific Islanders and New Zealand