Marist players of a different stripe

By WYNNE GRAY

Auckland Marist was formed in 1908 in Ponsonby by the old boys of Marist Brothers School.

Players wear jerseys with light blue, dark blue and red stripes, unlike most Marist club sides in New Zealand, whose teams turn out in green and white striped gear.

Marist shifted to their current grounds at Liston Park in Ellerslie in 1971 after Bishop Liston managed to buy some Church of England land.

Joe O'Brien became the club's first All Black in 1914. A further 25 players have been picked for national honours, the latest being former Wallaby sevens rep Steve Devine. The club's oldest living All Black is Morrie McHugh, 87.

The late 1980s to early 1990s was a golden period for the club and its famous array of All Blacks such as John Kirwan, Terry Wright, Bernie McCahill, the Brookes and Greg Cooper.

Five of the current Auckland NPC squad represent the club - Xavier Rush, Doug Howlett, Justin Collins, Saimone Taumoepeau and James Somerset. Auckland coach Pat Lam and his assistant Shane Howarth played for Marist and also graduated to the All Blacks.

* Check nzherald.co.nz/rugby for match results and reports this weekend

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