Pat Walsh still looks down on Eden Park from his honours board position in the Barbarians clubhouse.
You could sense him cackling, beer in hand, pointing out some of the old moves he and his mates pulled during their stint as part of Auckland's Ranfurly Shield success in the 60's.
The man of mischief and twinkling ability in those dancing feet of his, was gifted enough to play throughout the All Black backline.
He was like Isaia Toeava, a prodigious talent whose style was couched in the ethos of the far north where he was born, with the freedom to run and beat an opponent one of the great joys of his connection to rugby.
Walsh came to Auckland to attend Sacred Heart College before he went on to train at Ardmore Teachers' College. He was only a touch over 19 when he was chosen as the youngest player to represent the All Blacks. His debut was at second five eighths but he played fullback for the rest of that series and then also at centre the following year in the famous '56 tests with the Springboks.