Furlong relives West side story

Blair Furlong.

Hawke's Bay Rugby Football Union president Blair Furlong knew exactly how Magpies first five-eighth Ihaia West was feeling during the final minutes of Saturday night's nailbiter.

Former All Black and Magpies first five-eighth Furlong was the bloke who kicked a dropped goal to secure a 12-all draw with Wellington during the final seconds of the final defence of the 1967 season.

"But at least Ihaia wasn't arguing with his second five-eighth about what to do. Ian [MacRae] was telling me to take the droppie and I was telling him to go for the try because I had failed with a droppie attempt in 1963," Furlong explained after he yelled "never in doubt" when congratulating the Magpies on their success in their changing room on Saturday night.

Furlong pointed out Saturday night's performance was similar to the 1967 match against Wellington with both teams not performing well.

"It all came down to the end and Ihaia pulled the cat out of the bag. He's taken my place in the record books now and he deserves it," Furlong added.

MacRae said when Furlong opted for the dropped goal in the 1967 game against Wellington it was the only time Furlong took any notice of what he told him and "he did it reluctantly".

The New Zealand Rugby Union president, MacRae, wasn't at Saturday night's match. He was visiting a North Otago union fixture in Oamaru which means he has now visited all 27 provincial unions during his two seasons as president.

MacRae drove from Oamaru to Dunedin on Saturday night and his wife, Marilyn, was texting him updates from Napier.

"It got to 17-all and I told myself I had to find a television. The first pub I stopped at had a wedding on and so I carried on to Dunedin and the third pub I went into had the match on.

"I saw Southland kick their penalty with six minutes remaining and just about cried. I couldn't have a beer and then Ihaia succeeded with his second dropped-goal attempt."