100 Greatest All Blacks: Andrew Hore

Andrew Hore is as dry as the dust which swings through the Maniatoto Valley and the grounds used by his beloved Maggots side.

His patter is a trait handed down from his old man and one Hore handles with all the ease of someone who could fit into a 'good on ya mate' advertisement for the local syrup.

Underneath the hayseed manner is a keen business brain and sense of mischief which embraces progress. Hore is an unflinching character who does not accept a blinkered environment which he felt had encased the Highlanders.

So he ended his days as an All Black sans Super rugby contract. He went out on his own terms, a test hooker of the strongest calibre and endurance whose game bridged a variety of rule changes and fluctuations in the sport.

Hore began and ended his test career on tours to Europe with his start coming on the same trip as Keven Mealamu in 2002 when so many All Blacks were left at home to prepare for the World Cup the following season.

He beat Mealamu to a test debut on that '02 trip but his rival outgunned him to a hundred tests and beyond.

Hore missed selection throughout the 2003 season but his tenacity, skill and technique saw him overtake and outlast a group of other hookers like Tom Willis, Mark Hammett, Anton Oliver, Corey Flynn, Derren Witcombe, Hika Elliot and Aled de Malmanche who were tried.

Hore was at his best buried in the mauls, sliding into more work at the rucks or preparing for his scrum engagements. It was exhausting work but many referees broke into a grin when Hore had enough breath to chip in with a one-liner during his all-test career.

Statistics
Date of birth: 13 September 1978
Position: Hooker
Matches: 83
Tests: 83
Test debut: 9 November 2002 v England, London
Last test: 24 November 2013 v Ireland, Dublin
Province: Otago, Taranaki
Franchises: Crusaders, Hurricanes, Highlanders
Test tries: 8
Test points: 40