From high of first jersey to relief of finally leaving, Wynne Gray chats to the great hooker. Sean Fitzpatrick's proudest All Black moment came in late June, 1986 at Lancaster Park. He chased the kick-off as his…

1. photos 4. Sean Fitzpatrick (10 photos)

Practice in a gherkin field set him up, writes Dylan Cleaver. Read it one of two ways: Dan Carter's omission from the 2004 Rugby Almanack's list of five promising players was either an embarrassing oversight for the…

1. photos 5. Daniel Carter (10 photos)

Fine flanker tackled like a demon, writes David Leggat It was in Whangarei on the night of the final All Black trial for the 1987 World Cup. The squad has just been named live on national television, and several All…

1. photos 6. Michael Jones (10 photos)

The Paekakariki Express was first class on all its journeys, writes Chris Rattue. In hindsight you always have a few regrets and that was one. Fullback was my true position and I would love to have played there on the…

1. photos 7. Christian Cullen (10 photos)

For JK, nothing compared to touring the world with the All Blacks, writes Wynne Gray. Mention the All Blacks and John Kirwan gets seriously animated. He has surfed through life on his ability and that team's reputation…

1. photos 8. John Kirwan (10 photos)

Ken Gray gave even Colin Meads a run for his money in their era, writes David Leggat. The greatest All Black? Simple. Colin Meads, right? It is a general assumption that the King Country farmer was the finest of all…

1. photos 9. Ken Gray (3 photos)

For a player who made rugby look ridiculously easy, Zinzan Brooke's path to greatness was strewn with obstacles. A prodigiously talented back-row forward, Brooke tossed aside the book of convention as easily as he did…

1. photos 10. Zinzan Brooke (6 photos)

All the memories about 1987 and winning the World Cup remain warm and exciting for Wayne Shelford. From late that year when he took over as captain, to his sacking three years later, the All Blacks were undefeated in…

1. photos 11. Wayne Shelford (8 photos)

In an era before the word "glamour" could be much associated with the All Blacks, Bruce Robertson gave the team an injection of genuine star power. This had nothing to do with the underwear billboards or social page…

1. photos 12. Bruce Robertson (4 photos)

With wall-to-wall live rugby coverage now, it must be challenging for anyone under 30 to imagine life without the square box serving the insatiable need for the football fix. There was a time when radio was the only…

1. photos 13. Don Clarke (6 photos)