Maori All Black not Maori

Tributes are pouring in for one of Wairarapa sporting legends, Alan (Kiwi) Blake, who died peacefully at Glenwood Masonic Hospital on Sunday.
The 87-year-old former All Black and Maori All Black captain, whose rugby prowess was matched only by his gentle, helpful nature off the field, was a role model for generations of young sportsmen.
Blake, a returned soldier, got his nickname from his involvement with the famous Kiwi army team, selected in the last year of World War II and whose exploits carved a special niche for the team in world rugby.
The Kiwis played 33 games, winning 29, losing two and drawing two and among their scalps were the test sides of France and England.
By the end of his long tenure as a top-line rugby player, Blake had clocked up 178 first-class games, with 108 of those being for Wairarapa, a single test for New Zealand and 26 for the Maori All Blacks.
When he finally hung up his boots he coached his beloved Carterton senior side and also the Wairarapa representative team, was a selector in 1967-68 and was a referee for a short period.
One of his proudest achievements was captaining the Wairarapa team that wrestled the Ranfurly Shield from South Canterbury in 1950.
Another milestone game was against the British Lions in 1959, a game in which Blake captained Wairarapa-Bush.
Although he captained New Zealand Maori, and was unlucky not to go to South Africa in 1949 with the All Blacks because of the apartheid policies, Blake played for the All Blacks against Australia that same year.
Later he confirmed he had no Maori blood - his grandfather had been quarter negro.
Former top referee Keith Hannam paid tribute to Kiwi Blake's outstanding rugby record. "I will remember him very fondly. Kiwi was a real hard man on the paddock and if he didn't agree with your decisions he would bail you up later and explain why.
"That is, explain as in poking his finger at your chest. He never put any holes in my chest but there could have been a few dents."
Former New Zealand test referee Bob Francis said Blake was an icon of the game. "He was an aggressive player, but a mild-mannered man otherwise."
George Mahupuku, who went on to become Maori All Black captain, said: "For opposition players coming up against Kiwi was like hitting a concrete post."
A funeral service is to be held at the Rosewood Chapel, Masterton tomorrow.