Fitzy the first hooker for the Hall of Fame

By CHRIS RATTUE

Sean Fitzpatrick will join Don Clarke as the New Zealanders inducted into rugby's International Hall of Fame in London next month.

The induction is carried out every two years, under the chairmanship of the great Welsh player, Cliff Morgan, who was among the first XV named in 1997.

Morgan heads an international group of trustees, who must return a 75 per cent vote to allow a player to be honoured into the hall.

The ceremony will be held at the Hilton Hotel in London on November 23, and the famed Scottish commentator, Bill McLaren, will become the first broadcaster to be included.

Fitzpatrick, the first hooker to be named and New Zealand's most capped test player, and Clarke will bring New Zealand's total to six.

Wales have the most players inducted (seven) and there is a lone Englishman, Wavell Wakefield, who captained his country against the All Blacks at Twickenham in 1925.

The other All Blacks are Colin Meads, George Nepia, Sir Brian Lochore and Sir Wilson Whineray. The inclusion of Clarke, who was the All Blacks fullback from 1956-64, was revealed after he returned to New Zealand during his battle against cancer.

The list of "famers:"

1997: Serge Blanco, Jean-Pierre Rives (France), Danie Craven, Frik du Preez (South Africa), Gareth Edwards, Barry John, Cliff Morgan, JPR Williams (Wales), Mark Ella (Australia), Mike Gibson, Willie John McBride, Tony O'Reilly (Ireland), Colin Meads, George Nepia (New Zealand), Hugo Porta (Argentina).

1999: Gerald Davies, Carwyn James (Wales), Andy Irvine (Scotland), Jack Kyle (Ireland), Brian Lochore, Wilson Whineray (New Zealand), Morne du Plessis (South Africa), Philippe Sella (France), Wavell Wakefield (England), Nick Farr-Jones (Australia).

2001: Gordon Brown, Bill McLaren (Scotland), David Campese, Ken Catchpole, Michael Lynagh (Australia), Don Clarke, Sean Fitzpatrick (New Zealand), Hennie Muller (South Africa), Jean Prat (France), Mervyn Davies (Wales).