The great All Black comebacks

The look on Pinetree's face suggests he's just learned how Brian Lochore told his wife about his test recall.

Reuben Thorne's return from the wilderness - well, Christchurch anyway - prompted a trawl through the archives for some of the other great comebacks in All Black history. Here's a sample of a surprisingly large bunch.

Ned Hughes
(1907-08, 1921)

The Invercargill-born hooker has the starkest gap between All Black appearances. Played three tests in Australia in 1907, one against the Anglo-Welsh the following year, then 13 years later played two tests against the Springboks. In between, he played some league, including the Kiwis in 1910, got a ban for switching codes, which was rescinded after World War I. He has another claim to fame: he was 40 when he played the second test in 1921, making him the oldest All Black.

Kevin Skinner
(1949-54, 1956)

Among the most famous recalls was for the outstanding prop, who had played 18 successive tests when he retired after the 1953-54 tour of Britain and France. Skinner played some club rugby in Dunedin in 1955 before moving north to Waiuku. He made a comeback to first-class rugby the following year before getting the "your country needs you" call from the selectors for the third test against the Springboks in Christchurch, and a legend was made. Played in the fourth test and the series-clincher provided a perfect finale to a 63-game All Black career.

Bob Scott
(1946-50, 1953-54)

One of the greatest All Black fullbacks retired after the Lions tour of 1950, his place among the icons of the game secure. He played one game for Auckland in 1952 before being persuaded by the selectors to make the tour to Britain and France in 1953-54, aged 32. How good was he? Famous Springbok flanker Hennie Muller wrote that Scott was "altogether the greatest footballer I've ever played against in any position."

Bob Stuart
(1949, 1953-54)

A curious career which took in two tests as No 8 and flanker against Australia in 1949, then no recognition until he was appointed captain of the tour party to Britain and France four years later. Stuart played all five tests but that tour was the last time he wore the black. Became a noted administrator and spent time as New Zealand's representative on the International Rugby Board.

Dick Conway
(1959-60, 1965)

The Whakatane flanker, nicknamed "Red", was small, 1.75m and 85kg, but a dynamic tackler. He made his test debut in the second test against the Lions of 1959. Troubled by a persistent finger injury, courtesy of seasons of softball, he had the dodgy digit chopped off to avoid missing the tour of South Africa in 1960. Played three tests in the republic, then disappeared from national view until he was recalled for all four tests against the 1965 Springboks.

Mick Bremner
(1952, 1956, 1960)

Selwyn George Bremner's All Black career is a candidate for the oddest. A rugged five-eighth, Bremner made his test debut against Australia in 1952. He was unwanted again until the second Springbok test of 1956. That All Black defeat meant another four-year wait for Bremner, who was vice-captain on the tour of South Africa, but did not make the test team.

Brian Lochore
(1963-70, 1971)

One of the great men of New Zealand rugby, and currently a selector, he toured Britain and France in 1963-64, playing against England and Scotland. Named captain in 1966, he was among the world's leading No 8s until his retirement after touring South Africa in 1970. A desperate situation led the selectors to ask him to return, as lock, for the third test against the Lions the following year. The story goes that he left a note on the kitchen table for his wife Pam, "Gone to Wellington. Playing test tomorrow". Those were the days.

Earle Kirton
(1963-64, 1967-70)

The affable Wellington dentist was thought gone for all money after his first tour of Britain and France, when he was bagged for his debut effort in the 3-0 loss to Newport. But he returned three years later for the 1967 tour when he scored two tries against England and didn't look back. Remained first five-eighth until the tour to South Africa in 1970. Later an All Black selector, television analyst and allround bon vivant.

Laurie Mains
(1971, 1976)

The former All Black coach was fullback for the last three tests of the 1971 series against the Lions then returned to Otago where he spent the next four years unwanted by the national selectors. Got a recall for the one-off Irish test in Wellington in 1976, which led to selection to tour South Africa. Unwanted in the tests, where coach JJ Stewart even picked first five-eighth Duncan Robertson at fullback in two of the tests.