@mikedogz said in R.I.P All Blacks:
Geez. Sad to hear.
Great captain who was really instrumental in turning around the AB's fortunes in the late '70's. Def. one of the unsung heroes of AB rugby.
Amazing that Norton didn't make his AB debut until he was 29, and played his last test at age 35. Bookended by Lions series.
RIP
Tane was a Great Bloke a real strong Rugby first man,Really cared for his community we need more like Tane Norton involved in Rugby.
RIP Mate.
Quite amazing that he became President of NZ Rugby as they treated him quite shabbily.
I remember in 1978 he was reported as being told by the Rugby Union when he tried to get a ticket to the Aussie test that it was sold out. He also wanted to go into the dressing room to congratulate the team, most of whom he had led 12 months earlier but team management wouldn't allow him in.
Nicer guy than I would have been.
@Bovidae
Bruce McLeod was AB hooker from 64-70 and was considered a great so Tane didn't get a look in.
It was a surprise when Ron Urlich was preferred to Norton as the #2 hooker on the 1970 tour to SA. Urlich took over for the last two tests after McLeod suffered a bad injury, but by 1971 Tane was the undisputed number one choice until his retirement.
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