'Bring back Buck' the catch-cry again

Buck Shelford. Photo / Northern Advocate

The Prime Minister has lent his voice to the latest "Bring Back Buck" call by saying Buck Shelford would make a popular Rugby World Cup ambassador.

A groundswell of rugby analysts have put forward Shelford's name to replace Andy Haden after his resignation last week, the Dominion Post is reporting today.

"There would be plenty of people who would want to bring Buck in, we'll have to wait and see," Mr Key told reporters in Vietnam today.

Shelford is not commenting on the support until he is offered the role.

Asked if he would accept it, he told nzherald.co.nz that he had not been offered an ambassadorship and would not comment on it until he was told the role involved.

"Bring back Buck" was originally a catch-cry to restore Shelford to the All Black captaincy 20 years ago.

During his term at the helm from 1987 to 1990, the All Blacks did not lose a single test match, but he was dropped by the selectors without explanation in 1990.

He never regained his place in the side, despite a vocal public campaign for his reinstatement.

Now veteran broadcaster Keith Quinn, who labelled Haden's resignation as RWC 2011 ambassador "unfortunate", has suggested Shelford as a candidate.

"He was one name I looked for on the (original) list and was surprised he wasn't there. Shelford was, after all, vice-captain of the team that won the World Cup in 1987."

Sky Sport commentator Grant Nisbett and administrator Ken Laban agreed, said the Dominion Post.

A firm believer in promoting Maori values, Shelford is credited with restoring the traditional haka to the All Black team rituals.

Maori Party MP Te Ururoa Flavell called for a Maori Rugby World Cup ambassador in May this year.

Mr Flavell noted at the time that none of the six ambassadors were Maori.

"We're calling for another person to be added because it is glaringly obvious that none of them are Maori," Mr Flavell said in May.

He said this year was the centenary of Maori rugby, yet the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) had chosen not to appoint a Maori ambassador.

Rugby World Cup Minister Murray McCully was asked by nzherald.co.nz at the time if a Maori ambassador would be chosen.

"We are adding ambassadors as we go and if you hang around for a couple of weeks, you'll see one or two more faces that you might know," Mr McCully said.

Since then Michael Jones, of Samoan heritage, has been named as an ambassador. No Maori ambassador has been appointed.

- NZ Herald staff and NZPA