Disgraced All Black not expected to return for cap

Former All Black Keith Murdoch was sent home from the 1972-3 tour of Britain for punching a security guard but did not return to NZ. Photo / Supplied

Disgraced 1970s rugby prop Keith Murdoch is not expected to return to New Zealand to receive his All Blacks cap, his brother says.

Murdoch has lived in self-imposed exile in the Australian outback since being engulfed by a media storm when he punched a security guard in a Cardiff hotel during the 1972-3 tour of Britain.

The late-night incident came just hours after the Otago prop had scored the All Blacks' only try in their 19-16 win over Wales at Cardiff Arms Park.

Murdoch was sent home but did not make it back to New Zealand, stopping in Australia, where he has lived since.

The New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) is holding ceremonies around the country as a programme to honour uncapped former All Blacks.

The tradition of capping lapsed after the World War 2 and was not reintroduced until 1997.

Murdoch's brother Bruce said he had not heard from the NZRU about a cap for his brother, the Otago Daily Times reported today.

Bruce Murdoch said he doubted his brother would be interested, but an option would be to give the cap to the Zingari-Richmond club, which both brothers played for in Dunedin.

NZRU chief executive Steve Tew said Murdoch was one of a few All Blacks that had not been located but the union would be happy to talk to Bruce Murdoch about awarding the cap.

- NZPA