Special moment for a special man

GLORY DAYS: Former All Black and car salesman Mike Burgoyne receiving a new improved version of the photo of his career from Mitsubishi Motor's dealer relationship manager Mike Sheerin.

Mike Burgoyne is held in very high regard by his colleagues at Archibald's Mitsubishi dealership in Kaitaia, and by Mitsubishi New Zealand. And last week the company displayed that by presenting the former All Black with a new, larger version of the photo of his career.

The picture shows the open side flanker in full flight against London Division at Twickenham in 1979 (won by the All Blacks 21-18), replacing the original that has been displayed in Archibald's showroom for many years.

Mitsubishi Motors' dealer relationship manager Mike Sheerin said Mike had made a huge contribution. He had won the Salesman of the Year title several times and the mystery shopper award three times, but more importantly was widely liked and respected, within the company and his community, as a man of genuine mana.

The original photo, he added, had begun looking a little tired, so it was fitting that it be replaced with a new version.

And that brought back memories for the seven-match All Black and eight-cap Maori All Black, who for many years was a stalwart of Awanui and North Auckland.

Many in the Far North believed that he should have been an All Black long before 1979, but when the call up finally came he feared it would be snatched from him, courtesy of a slightly wonky left knee. He assured Kaitaia GP Dr Tom Young, who carried out the obligatory pre-tour physical, that he wanted to go, however, and go he did, with one heavily-strapped knee.

Playing on Twickenham was one of the highlights of the tour, he said, as was being part of the first All Black team to play Italy, in an unofficial test, at Rovigo (won 18-12). He also played for a New Zealand XV against Argentina.

With a bit of luck he could also have played the test against England (won by the All Blacks 10-9), having assured team management that he could provide cover for hooker Peter Sloane. He began his career in JMB at hooker, he said, but, not surprisingly for those times, Sloane did not feel the need to leave the field.

He also had fond memories of dining at London's Savoy and rubbing shoulders with "minor royalty," but while his rugby days were long gone, the same principles that had brought him success on the field applied to his current occupation.

"Both are about being part of a team," he said.

"Both involve analysing the opposition and working to your strengths."

Meanwhile, copies of the photo hanging above his desk at Archibald's are also destined for Kaingaroa Primary School and Kaitaia College, both of which count Mike Burgoyne amongst their old boys.